Antique straight razor restoration hand forged Japanese steel

In this video I restore an antique rusted Japanese straight razor blade to a mirror polish. This is a hand forged signed Kamisori shaving tool. In the process of restoring this blade I use a variety of methods such as acid, sanding, grinding and polishing. I finish it off with a nice waxed string grip. Stick around to the end to see what i will be fixing next.

[@TheCleric42]

The Japanese characters translate as “Caution! Other side is pointy!”

[@trumanhw]

There are features which are integral Kamisori (Japanese) razors which are used to profile the edge. The entire purpose for the concavity of both sides is to create the angle which then is extended into the blade. I've noticed some of the older blades have less pronounced concavity making it less obvious and ... if the metal that creates those angles is altered you'll have a difficult time obtaining the intended profile. Still, good work.

[@megangrossl5947]

So cool!

[@markt408]

Unique piece of art

[@robertgrindley8234]

I love it, though I'm sorely tempted by a Japanese style razor to add to my rather neglected collection now.

[@brandonfoley7519]

Yikes, remember that a straight razor is NOT an axe

[@francoscanfe9627]

ottimo lavoro

[@msee383]

What is the string you used on the handle? Mfrs name if possible

[@Unrestored]

Tandy leather waxed thread

[@BennyCFD]

Shaving your arm means nothing. Shave your face. That's the ultimate test.

[@leandroperez4706]

Envy

[@raimom3179]

Even a pocket knife shaves arm hair. That one stone bad hone will not get that sharp to shave facial hair.

[@frankmertens6430]

What tool do you use to clean the blade? Nice work.

[@metazootet1492]

Thought he was going to cut that paper Lmao

[@jayreiter268]

Shave with it. I have never shaved with a Japanese straight.

[@mikeswindell137]

YOU DONT SAY ANYTHING-WHAT CHEMICALS ARE YOU USING ?

[@sparten17708]

That is not how you restore a razor. Not in the slightest. Remove all oxidation in rust through polishing and buffing and then you want to find the blade bevel and match it when sharpening.

[@bluegoose2642]

Worst I've ever seen

[@leandroperez4706]

You just no have a mirror 🤡

[@the7.3powerstrokeguy98]

Why? Can we see your expert videos?

[@sparten17708]

@@the7.3powerstrokeguy98you have to polish the rust away and then keep the bevel when sharpening it. There is no reason to ever grind on it. The ground and profile of the blade is set for a reason. He just make it a shinny metal stick that might hold an edge and might now. These dudes never look into care or how it’s really done.

[@trumanhw]

@@sparten17708 Sort of. It seems even the critics don't know the features that are integral to a Kamisori (Japanese) razor, which are used to create the edge's profile. The purpose for the concavity on both sides is to define an angle which then is extended into the blade's bevel, and, which allows you to sharpen it while resting the blade flat with only some pressure // bias towards the blade. Some Kamisori have less pronounced concavity (which makes it less obvious). Lastly, if the metal creating those angles is altered, eg, if you lower the height in the back, you'll have to make the width of the entire blade narrower to retain or recreate the bevel's angle that was intended.

[@matthewjohnloren1995]

This is a great restoration but just couple of things. Please do not shave arm hair near your wrists. Nicking an artery is DANGEROUS. Please do not put the razor sharp edge on a piece of wood. its dulls the blade unesscearily.