Just received my first Kamisori and putting it through the paces! Thanks as always for the real wealth of knowledge/technique! Most importantly though, the fun aspect of all of this!
The way this guy talks about the blade, the stones, and his general way of honing/ sharpening is like a high end jazz musician talking about their process. He knows the by the book way to do stuff but also knows how to move away from it when it is needed and how to do it to make it all work out just by the feel and rhythm. This video is like meditation, awesome stuff.
Another great video, Keith. Thanks. I always pick up some tidbit from them and work the into my routine when suitable. And I admit it. I like listening to them.
Thanks Keith. As you know, I am one of the folks who hated and hate the insane growth of instructional honing videos since many of them cause me problems in my work I follow you, Mark Gerges, Magnus, Lynn, Stefan, Glen and a few others. I'm not a video guy. I just hone. :-)
Yeah, I can relate. One thing I've found to help me get past my own aversion to instructional videos of any type is this; I've made it a point to learn something from everyone, even if it's 'what not to do'.
Im glad to see that you have a Kamasori. I like using them sometimes. It keeps me from shaving off part of my mustache with the 3" cut throat. They seem easier to sharpen because of the shorter blades. I use the 10,5,4,3,2,1 long strokes on the Omote followed by 1/2 strokes on the Ura after each set of long strokes. That is 1/2 stroke after 10 long stroke, a 1/2 stroke after 5 long strokes etc. It works for me.
Thanks for this video. I have been wondering about Kamisori for a while. Would love to try one, but I shave with both hands, and am not certain we'd get along. Love your straightforward style. Thanks again.
Thanks for the information I’ve thought about more than once that I’d like to try a Japanese razor being left-handed it never occurred to me that they were one-sided
Took me a couple of days to get through this but I enjoyed it as always. Love your honest no BS approach to things. Like Keegan said, I always learn something when watching your videos and I always get a laugh out of some of your commentary, especially when you get going on the "Grand Poobah's" of the honing world. I think it's important for people to learn that there is no set in stone right way to do things with razors. The process you used on one razor may not work on the next one. You've got to be flexible. Looking forward to more from you!
@@jackhere4594 I would have to re-watch this and I've been working 18 hr days 6 days a week, if I get the time to do that in the future, and I remember, I might be able to do that. It's probably just the typical 3-4 Mikawa Shiro Nagura though.
Hey Keith, thanks so much for the video, I have learned a lot! I just recently got a kamisori and was wondering: After the stones do you strop on leather /linen? Or just the stone? And when stropping on leather, any "ratio" or just even stops on both sides? Kind regards, Alexander
Every honed edge needs to be stropped to achieve max potential. Whether someone uses linen or not is a preference. A strop does not affect the steel the same as a stone so no ratio is required. I just strop them normally until the edge feels 'done'.
Keith, in your opinion, would would be the 3 best finishing stones for a straight razor. By best, I mean, a smooth , buttery shave. I know you can get them screaming sharp, with JNATS. But i don't want anything to do with them. My current progession is 600>1000>3000>6000> naniwa 12k Superstone, or 16k shapton or ozuku Asagi. Thanks. Josh
I don't have a best or a favorite - I have a lot of hones and I pick by mood. Tonight I finished on a very small Ark. Tomorrow could be an Escher, or maybe a Coticule, or a plain slate, or a Lune, or a Voz, or a Charn, or a Llyn, or.... and so on....
Hi - thank you for asking. The video is 5 yr old, so I don't recall from memory. Usually though, the names of the stones are mentioned as I introduce them on-camera or while I am using them.
Thanks for a nice video. What is the name of the last slurry (tomo) stone you use, that is not koma and tenjyou? Also I think tenjyou as a bench (not as nagura with awase-do) is pretty aggressive (more than #3000 synthetic).
I don't remember every Tomo by name, esp those from 6 yr ago. Every Tenjyou bench stone I've owned has been much finer than you're describing, and that's across 15 or 20 of them at this point. Even Botan will leave striations finer than most synth 3k stones most of the time. Bench stones sold as Tenjyou that have not been graded and stamped can be all over the place though. Of course I am talking about finished results, not starting coarseness. Even Koma starts off very coarse. But grit assignments don't really help here anyway.
What kind of stones are Japanese sharpening stones? Novaculite, slate anything like that? I couldn’t really find any info on the actual mineral composition
There are many types of Japanese whetstones - some are shale, some are igneous in nature, others are more like a mudstone. The type we use for finishing are, for the most part, shale. I have some info about Jnats on my website. www.tomonagura.com/jnats/japanese-whetstone-info/honyama-awasedo.html
Thanks a lot of the info! I really like more scientific and factual analyses of these kinds of things so I've been trying to find out what I can about these stones. I'm probably going to start looking up some university papers soon and see if I can find anything on them but I have a feeling I won't find much.
Ahh - gotcha. Email is usually best for contact, I'm never on FB or G+ for more than 15 minutes at a clip and maybe 2x a week at best. I pop onto YT more often but I usually shut everything down when I do that so I can concentrate on the video.
Thanks so much for this video...I'm just getting into Kamasori shaving. If I use a Norton 4000, 8000 and Imperia La Roccia honing stones using your techniques , will that be sufficient for maintaining sharpness?
I came across this video after buying a cheap kamisori and man, you’re so fun to watch and listen to. You have, to me, a lot of knowledge and experience in your craft, without being a pretentious “argumentative asshole.” You’re practical and hilarious. Since uploading this video, how has your experience/opinion on Kamisori’s changed?
Does it matter the steel I have a Modern Japanese razor with scales and it Doesn't have the two different steels on both sides but it dose have the different beveled sides so would i still do more strokes on one then the other if so then that's how no matter the steel u sharpen These kinds of razors thanks I hope u Understand what I'm trying to say thanks I'd like to tell you what kind of steel it is but I don't read Japanese
I'd have to see your razor in my hand to diagnose it, and it's more then what can be done, its mostly a matter of what you want to be done. With tradtional honing, besides pulling back the soft steel, there is a question of bevel/edge angle also. For many users, how the blade is honed will depend on preference and intended use. Other people will not care so much. Some people will only use a Kamisori traditionally, with the right hand - so they may want the edge to favor one side. Like any razor, there are many factors to weigh into the mix and there is no one single answer. Theoretically, you can hone any Kamisori like a western razor - symmetrically - and get an edge. That's not the point though, what is the point is whether or not the user/owner likes or wants that specific edge angle. On the other side of the coin, you could also hone a western straight asymmetrically and get an edge - and so on and so forth...
Hones like blue, feels like blue. - I'd bet bet dollars to donuts thats what it is. Lots of Kamis were stamped all sorts of ways, unless its a major maker I dont give much credit to the stamping. Of course I could be wrong, but still - it feels like blue to me. This one is what I'd call an 'average' Kami, a workhorse, nothing more. Good, but not special. Size, yeah, they come larger and smaller. I prefer the smaller sizes but I may pick up a huge one just for fun.
I know what it says, I don't believe it's accurate. It doesn't feel or hone like Tamagahane. A lot of Kamis that aren't really Tama were stamped with that mark. Some were forged from reclaimed steel too. Now - it could be a very low grade Tamagahane, they msfe door hinges from that stuff too, nothing special.
@@KeithVJohnson1 thanks for posting, a man taking the time out to hone his razor, kamisori or otherwise is a lost treasure that never stops being precious.
Next week it will be 4 years I'm shawing with straights only (honed by myself). And my first kamisori will arrive next week. I can't wait to try honing and shaving with something new. Thank you for great video, it gave me many tips and insights into kamisori honing.
I apologize. I usually watch the whole thing. But I keep stopping and start keyword searching. Thanks. I love that wood grain to the first stone, I assume the Tenjyo.
Hey Keith, I respect maintaining the original geometry of the blade, it is tedious and uneffective if your razor was originally ground using unflattened stone, which is what I expect of Japanese Kamisoris even current custom ones except few renewed makers, but if you are enjoying keeping the original geometry and setting the edge on mid speed naturals, it's great because you will have the option to change the geometry if it's not to your liking. As for me, any edged tool sharpening is as illustrated by you 1grinding then 2honing and finally 3polishing... no Vodo Involved some gents believe that with a certain prescription the razor will magically become shaving ready, unfortunately some shutdown their brins and follow those instructions while lots of variables involved razor grind, steel type, harding process, stone cutting ability...etc. Sharpening is quite easy with your brain On you finish a step and move forward another. BTW, i am planning to send some homemade hones to you, nothing commercial just pure RockHounds porno :) i know that probably on your desktop lots of rocks waiting... however those are quite interesting composition wise. Appreciate the real honing. Stay well,
Cool post, thanks much - it's always a good feeling when I read stuff like that. The thing I like about using slower mid-range stones is that I can creep into the edge at my own pace. It's slower on camera of course, but even without making a video it takes notably longer than it would with other options. Thing is, with speedy stones, it's very easy to overshoot or wipe out one obvious issue while making a new not so obvious issue. Slower stones are good for this work; they remind of the that story about the hare and the tortoise. What it all boils down to is that I value constant inspection and incremental adjustments. I didn't mention it clearly enough in this video but there's a certain amount of clear Hagane that I like to see on the Omote, so I pulll back the softer metal a good bit while putting what might appear to be too much wear on that side. It's really not too much wear; what I get is a bevel angle that shaves like a boss and future honings go easy peasy 1, 2, 3. There's always a method to the madness - I just don't always verbalize everything so well sometimes. Looking forward to the homemade stone porn...
Just received my first Kamisori and putting it through the paces! Thanks as always for the real wealth of knowledge/technique! Most importantly though, the fun aspect of all of this!
Good deal! You're welcome, and thank you for watching and commenting too - happy honing!
The way this guy talks about the blade, the stones, and his general way of honing/ sharpening is like a high end jazz musician talking about their process. He knows the by the book way to do stuff but also knows how to move away from it when it is needed and how to do it to make it all work out just by the feel and rhythm. This video is like meditation, awesome stuff.
Thank you!
This comment is so on point!
Gorgeous stone... Reminds me of a candy jasper a friend had.
The middle vid striped one I mean.
Another great video, Keith. Thanks. I always pick up some tidbit from them and work the into my routine when suitable. And I admit it. I like listening to them.
Thank you James - it's always feels good to read comments like that. Happy honing! If you have ideas for videos in mind, please send them along!
Thanks Keith. As you know, I am one of the folks who hated and hate the insane growth of instructional honing videos since many of them cause me problems in my work I follow you, Mark Gerges, Magnus, Lynn, Stefan, Glen and a few others. I'm not a video guy. I just hone. :-)
Yeah, I can relate. One thing I've found to help me get past my own aversion to instructional videos of any type is this; I've made it a point to learn something from everyone, even if it's 'what not to do'.
Extremely interesting video!
Thank you for watching and commenting Tito!
Im glad to see that you have a Kamasori. I like using them sometimes. It keeps me from shaving off part of my mustache with the 3" cut throat. They seem easier to sharpen because of the shorter blades. I use the 10,5,4,3,2,1 long strokes on the Omote followed by 1/2 strokes on the Ura after each set of long strokes. That is 1/2 stroke after 10 long stroke, a 1/2 stroke after 5 long strokes etc. It works for me.
Thank you for watching and commenting Gary!
Thanks for this video. I have been wondering about Kamisori for a while. Would love to try one, but I shave with both hands, and am not certain we'd get along.
Love your straightforward style. Thanks again.
Happy Honing!
don't know if I heard much ...was mesmerized by that stone. WOW
Lol
Thanks for the information I’ve thought about more than once that I’d like to try a Japanese razor being left-handed it never occurred to me that they were one-sided
You can use them in either hand, and some were ground to be left handed.
Took me a couple of days to get through this but I enjoyed it as always. Love your honest no BS approach to things. Like Keegan said, I always learn something when watching your videos and I always get a laugh out of some of your commentary, especially when you get going on the "Grand Poobah's" of the honing world. I think it's important for people to learn that there is no set in stone right way to do things with razors. The process you used on one razor may not work on the next one. You've got to be flexible. Looking forward to more from you!
Thanks Greg.. Much appreciated.
what are the first and second naguras u use on the okudo ? and second one on the shinden? all of them?
Thanks for watching and commenting, this was 5 yr ago, don't remember the specifics.
@@KeithVJohnson1 u cant tell my looking at them to strike a memory?
@@jackhere4594 I would have to re-watch this and I've been working 18 hr days 6 days a week, if I get the time to do that in the future, and I remember, I might be able to do that. It's probably just the typical 3-4 Mikawa Shiro Nagura though.
Hey Keith, thanks so much for the video, I have learned a lot!
I just recently got a kamisori and was wondering:
After the stones do you strop on leather /linen? Or just the stone?
And when stropping on leather, any "ratio" or just even stops on both sides?
Kind regards, Alexander
Every honed edge needs to be stropped to achieve max potential. Whether someone uses linen or not is a preference. A strop does not affect the steel the same as a stone so no ratio is required. I just strop them normally until the edge feels 'done'.
Keith, in your opinion, would would be the 3 best finishing stones for a straight razor. By best, I mean, a smooth , buttery shave. I know you can get them screaming sharp, with JNATS. But i don't want anything to do with them. My current progession is 600>1000>3000>6000> naniwa 12k Superstone, or 16k shapton or ozuku Asagi. Thanks. Josh
Also, sometimes I use an Imperia La Rocca for finishing too.
'Best' is subjective, depends on the user. What's best for person A isn't neccessarily best for person B.
@@KeithVJohnson1 ok...what is best for you?
I don't have a best or a favorite - I have a lot of hones and I pick by mood. Tonight I finished on a very small Ark. Tomorrow could be an Escher, or maybe a Coticule, or a plain slate, or a Lune, or a Voz, or a Charn, or a Llyn, or.... and so on....
Just finished your video, it was a nice relaxing time, thank you for your knowledge and honest opinion. 👍🏽😎
Very cool comment, thank you, and you're welcome!
I cannot get past a hair test what am I doing wrong to my Razor?
Try shaving with it. If it doesn't shave, go back to the beginning and reset the bevel and go forward from there.
Thanks
What are the names of the stones you use?
Hi - thank you for asking. The video is 5 yr old, so I don't recall from memory. Usually though, the names of the stones are mentioned as I introduce them on-camera or while I am using them.
@@KeithVJohnson1
Hi there is no Compund in my country, what can I replace Compund?
Maybe you can order it on Amazon.
Thanks for a nice video. What is the name of the last slurry (tomo) stone you use, that is not koma and tenjyou? Also I think tenjyou as a bench (not as nagura with awase-do) is pretty aggressive (more than #3000 synthetic).
I don't remember every Tomo by name, esp those from 6 yr ago. Every Tenjyou bench stone I've owned has been much finer than you're describing, and that's across 15 or 20 of them at this point. Even Botan will leave striations finer than most synth 3k stones most of the time. Bench stones sold as Tenjyou that have not been graded and stamped can be all over the place though. Of course I am talking about finished results, not starting coarseness. Even Koma starts off very coarse. But grit assignments don't really help here anyway.
@@KeithVJohnson1 got it, thanks
What kind of stones are Japanese sharpening stones? Novaculite, slate anything like that? I couldn’t really find any info on the actual mineral composition
There are many types of Japanese whetstones - some are shale, some are igneous in nature, others are more like a mudstone. The type we use for finishing are, for the most part, shale. I have some info about Jnats on my website.
www.tomonagura.com/jnats/japanese-whetstone-info/honyama-awasedo.html
Thanks a lot of the info! I really like more scientific and factual analyses of these kinds of things so I've been trying to find out what I can about these stones. I'm probably going to start looking up some university papers soon and see if I can find anything on them but I have a feeling I won't find much.
great video Keith! I always enjoy your insight/wisdom 🖖
+Jammin Gi James Thanks man, I appreciate that a lot. If you have any video ideas for me, just post them below!
Keith V. Johnson thanks brother! Do you use Hangouts?
+Jammin GI James, Unfortunately, every attempt to use G+ hangouts has failed. Lol. My schedule is always fluctuating and changing at the last minute.
Keith V. Johnson heh, I understand, I meant more for as a PM tool than the video aspect 😊
Ahh - gotcha. Email is usually best for contact, I'm never on FB or G+ for more than 15 minutes at a clip and maybe 2x a week at best. I pop onto YT more often but I usually shut everything down when I do that so I can concentrate on the video.
Thanks so much for this video...I'm just getting into Kamasori shaving. If I use a Norton 4000, 8000 and Imperia La Roccia honing stones using your techniques , will that be sufficient for maintaining sharpness?
Depends on you, your preferences and what you're used to. The only way to know is to try.
I came across this video after buying a cheap kamisori and man, you’re so fun to watch and listen to. You have, to me, a lot of knowledge and experience in your craft, without being a pretentious “argumentative asshole.” You’re practical and hilarious.
Since uploading this video, how has your experience/opinion on Kamisori’s changed?
Hi, ty for the kind words. On the topic of Kamisori, I’m pretty much in the same place.
Does it matter the steel I have a Modern Japanese razor with scales and it Doesn't have the two different steels on both sides but it dose have the different beveled sides so would i still do more strokes on one then the other if so then that's how no matter the steel u sharpen These kinds of razors thanks I hope u Understand what I'm trying to say thanks I'd like to tell you what kind of steel it is but I don't read Japanese
I'd have to see your razor in my hand to diagnose it, and it's more then what can be done, its mostly a matter of what you want to be done.
With tradtional honing, besides pulling back the soft steel, there is a question of bevel/edge angle also. For many users, how the blade is honed will depend on preference and intended use. Other people will not care so much. Some people will only use a Kamisori traditionally, with the right hand - so they may want the edge to favor one side. Like any razor, there are many factors to weigh into the mix and there is no one single answer. Theoretically, you can hone any Kamisori like a western razor - symmetrically - and get an edge. That's not the point though, what is the point is whether or not the user/owner likes or wants that specific edge angle. On the other side of the coin, you could also hone a western straight asymmetrically and get an edge - and so on and so forth...
Ohh that stone is a beauty. How do you spell the name?
The striped one is an Asano Stamped Tenjyou Toishi.
Thanks! Very nice pattern, looks like wood block. Beauty one
From the top right 3 kanji it reads Tamahagane steel not blue steel. Nice blade.
You can also get them in any size ranging from 40mm-70mm.
Hones like blue, feels like blue. - I'd bet bet dollars to donuts thats what it is. Lots of Kamis were stamped all sorts of ways, unless its a major maker I dont give much credit to the stamping. Of course I could be wrong, but still - it feels like blue to me.
This one is what I'd call an 'average' Kami, a workhorse, nothing more. Good, but not special.
Size, yeah, they come larger and smaller. I prefer the smaller sizes but I may pick up a huge one just for fun.
I know what it says, I don't believe it's accurate. It doesn't feel or hone like Tamagahane. A lot of Kamis that aren't really Tama were stamped with that mark. Some were forged from reclaimed steel too. Now - it could be a very low grade Tamagahane, they msfe door hinges from that stuff too, nothing special.
It was inexpensive
All those stones... Wow
Love the Post-Punk intro.
Thank you for watching and commenting! Happy Honing!
@@KeithVJohnson1 thanks for posting, a man taking the time out to hone his razor, kamisori or otherwise is a lost treasure that never stops being precious.
@@henrys3138 Agreed - and you're welcome!
Thats a beautifull stone! Where did you got this? Thank you great vídeo.
I sell stones - that one is from my personal collection.
Keith V. Johnson how can I find you on Facebook? Thanks
Keith V. Johnson found it, just added you.
Next week it will be 4 years I'm shawing with straights only (honed by myself). And my first kamisori will arrive next week. I can't wait to try honing and shaving with something new. Thank you for great video, it gave me many tips and insights into kamisori honing.
Awesome, happy honing & good shaving!
What this the name of this stone? Mine? Strata? Is this an “egg” colored or tamago stone? I picked up “bad ass Tenjyo.”
There are 5 stones in this video. One of them is a Tenjyou.
I apologize. I usually watch the whole thing. But I keep stopping and start keyword searching. Thanks. I love that wood grain to the first stone, I assume the Tenjyo.
Yes, that is a Tokkyuu Tenjyou bench stone.
Keith V. Johnson As far as cost for a ‘real’ one are they say a few hundred or a few thousand or best not mentioned?
The last one.
I did pick up enough to restore a kamisori I came into...then it slipped out of my hand and hit the sink., chipped the corner of the toe off. 😥
Sorry for your loss.
I never tried a kamisori...its on my list.
Kamisori are fun - my only realy quandary with them is where to put it when I finish shaving. I need a holder or something I guess.
Keith V. Johnson I was thinking the same thing today. And with a five year around storming around...no bueno.
Yah--- maybe a Kamisori in scales is better for you then.
Жаль нет субтитров, спасибо за видео
it is a YT problem, the sub titles are turned on. Happy Honing!
Hey Keith,
I respect maintaining the original geometry of the blade, it is tedious and uneffective if your razor was originally ground using unflattened stone, which is what I expect of Japanese Kamisoris even current custom ones except few renewed makers, but if you are enjoying keeping the original geometry and setting the edge on mid speed naturals, it's great because you will have the option to change the geometry if it's not to your liking.
As for me, any edged tool sharpening is as illustrated by you 1grinding then 2honing and finally 3polishing... no Vodo Involved some gents believe that with a certain prescription the razor will magically become shaving ready, unfortunately some shutdown their brins and follow those instructions while lots of variables involved razor grind, steel type, harding process, stone cutting ability...etc.
Sharpening is quite easy with your brain On you finish a step and move forward another.
BTW, i am planning to send some homemade hones to you, nothing commercial just pure RockHounds porno :) i know that probably on your desktop lots of rocks waiting... however those are quite interesting composition wise.
Appreciate the real honing.
Stay well,
Cool post, thanks much - it's always a good feeling when I read stuff like that.
The thing I like about using slower mid-range stones is that I can creep into the edge at my own pace. It's slower on camera of course, but even without making a video it takes notably longer than it would with other options.
Thing is, with speedy stones, it's very easy to overshoot or wipe out one obvious issue while making a new not so obvious issue. Slower stones are good for this work; they remind of the that story about the hare and the tortoise.
What it all boils down to is that I value constant inspection and incremental adjustments. I didn't mention it clearly enough in this video but there's a certain amount of clear Hagane that I like to see on the Omote, so I pulll back the softer metal a good bit while putting what might appear to be too much wear on that side. It's really not too much wear; what I get is a bevel angle that shaves like a boss and future honings go easy peasy 1, 2, 3.
There's always a method to the madness - I just don't always verbalize everything so well sometimes.
Looking forward to the homemade stone porn...
Nice video Keith. Very interesting. I wish I had seen this a week ago before honing my first Kamisori!
Thank you, well, now you're ready for your 2nd Kamisori!
Hahahahaha right before 57:29 I said to myself, “man this guy is so lucky to have these stones.” And you go, “mhmm.” Lol You are lucky indeed.
It's funny how things like that happen sometimes....
Keith V. Johnson yes indeed.
Never used a kamisori. One day...
Lol just saw my two year comment. I guess I haven’t made progress!
@@nickfanzo Lol, now the 5 yr old is a 7 yr old though. :0)
now shave!
Yes!