Tosuke Razor

dave5225 · 02-21-2008, 01:48 AM

I had previously written a review about my Tosuke razor , that I bought from another member who goes by the name of Old_School , here on the forum . My review was lost during the server crash , and Old_School asked me if I would mind re-posting it . I told him I would be happy to do it , so here it is : First let me say that Old_School is a man of his word , and is a fine gent to deal with . He told me my razor would arrive in Baltimore , Maryland , all the way from Japan in 3 days . I found this hard to believe , and thought I'd be lucky if I got it in 5 days . To my surprise , my razor arrived 2 days after it was postmarked in Japan

. My razor arrived , in the box , new and unused . For those of you who may not know , the Tosuke razor is a Japanese straight razor . It is straight , and has no scales . The tang is about 3-1/2" long , and is coverd by a textured , blue rubber handle . The cross section of the blade is assymetrical , one side of the blade is hollow ground , and the other side is similar to a wedge grind , which gives it a concave/convex appearence . Although the razor was sharp when I recieved it , I thought it needed a little work on my Norton 8k . The Tosuke is not honed the same way you hone a conventional straight razor . When you hone a Tosuke , you hone 3 strokes on the hollow ground (concave) side , and 2 strokes on the wedge ground (convex) side . I gave the razor 5 sets of 3/2 on the hone , then I stropped it , and gave it a go . The Tosuke is an awesome shaver , and my cheeks were almost BBS after the first pass ! This razor was sharper than any other razor I'd honed on my 8k . The only drawback with this razor is that you're supposed to shave with the hollow ground side facing your skin , which is somewhat awkward , but not impossible . I've also found that I can shave ATG in the spots I need to , on the first pass with no ill effects . Because of this , I would not reccomend trying a Tosuke unless you're already comfortable using a conventional straight razor . If you want a Tosuke , I think Old_School can still get some , and he may have a fine , natural stone , Japanese hone available too . All in all , I think the Tosuke razor is an awesome shaver , and I highly reccomend it

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floppyshoes · 02-24-2008, 07:03 PM

I got mine from Old_School also. A unique and truly superb shaver. If any of you are waiting to pull the trigger on buying one of these, I suggest you don't wait. The maker is dead and the remaining razors are going up in price steadily.

OLD_SCHOOL · 02-25-2008, 12:42 AM

Thanks for the re-post of the review Dave.
I think you were a bit over generous about the shipping time comment. Only coz that is out of my control, I am glad it got to you a day faster. The really good thing about the shipping though, was that it got delivered so fast even when it was the insane Christmas season.

Quote:

Originally Posted by floppyshoes

I got mine from So also. A unique and truly superb shaver. If any of you are waiting to pull the trigger on buying one of these, I suggest you don't wait. The maker is dead and the remaining razors are going up in price steadily.

Last time I checked, my name wasn't So.

Sadly the price is going up and I should have got one when I was able to get a discount for everyone as they have gone back to their original price.

One of the many sacrifices one must make when married.
I am "trying" to save so I too can have one.

floppyshoes · 02-25-2008, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

Last time I checked, my name wasn't So.

My bad, edited. I'm a moron.

OLD_SCHOOL · 02-25-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floppyshoes

My bad, edited. I'm a moron.

Nah thats all good, I thought perhaps you were thinking of your Iwasaki when you posted. If I remember correctly you got one of them eh?

Kees · 02-25-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

Sadly the price is going up and I should have got one when I was able to get a discount for everyone as they have gone back to their original price.

I am "trying" to save so I too can have one.

Can you rephrase this for me? To me at least it seems you're saying their prices go up, later you say they have gone back to their original price.

OLD_SCHOOL · 02-25-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kees

Can you rephrase this for me? To me at least it seems you're saying their prices go up, later you say they have gone back to their original price.

I see what you mean.

When I was selling them at the end of last year, the store I would go to on behalf of members, was giving a discount, but now he won't give us a discount and they are back at the original price he was selling them for. Other stores are selling them even higher than that, with one shop having not very much difference in price between Tosuke and Iwasaki.

Does that make sense? I tried to explain it as best I can.

floppyshoes · 02-25-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

Nah thats all good, I thought perhaps you were thinking of your Iwasaki when you posted. If I remember correctly you got one of them eh?

I did indeed get myself a low end iwasaki. I was also lucky enough to get it for lower than retail and from someone like 10 km from where I live. Ironically it took the same amount of time to ship the Iwasaki 10 km as it did the Tosuke to travel halfway around the world.

I had to let go of a nice antique japanese straight to make room physically and financially for the Iwasaki. However, I'm not disapointed.

On a side note, the Tosuke came more "shave ready" than the Iwasaki, but the edge of the Iwasaki was more polished... IMHO Both are about equal when it comes to the quality of the steel and such. Both should be passed over a finishing hone/strop before use IF AND ONLY IF you know what you're doing with a hone and know the difference between sharp and REALLY sharp. Frankly, I think it's fair to ask similar prices for the two. Whether that price should be $350+ a piece is another story.

Kees · 02-25-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

I see what you mean.

When I was selling them at the end of last year, the store I would go to on behalf of members, was giving a discount, but now he won't give us a discount and they are back at the original price he was selling them for. Other stores are selling them even higher than that, with one shop having not very much difference in price between Tosuke and Iwasaki.

Does that make sense? I tried to explain it as best I can.

Makes perfect sense to me now! Thanks.