The roots of Yasugi steel go back centuries to the Tatara smelting tradition of the Chūgoku region (western Honshū). The Yasugi area in Shimane Prefecture was an important center for producing tamahagane, the traditional steel used for swords, woodworking tools, and specialized cutlery. Tatara steelmaking used iron sand (“satetsu”) and charcoal to create pure, high-carbon steel. This long tradition established Yasugi’s reputation for high-quality metalworking.

When it is time to upgrade and embark on the journey of purchasing your first custom straight razor, there are several factors to consider. The primary objective will be your budget and the amount you are prepared to allocate towards this endeavor. Upgrades such as file work, intricate scales, engraving, and other embellishments do not enhance the quality of a shave but serve as mere luxuries and aesthetic features. The most crucial factors in achieving an optimal shave are

I have been asked several times what strop should I buy, which shaving soap or cream performs well and what's a good shaving brush. With...

Boker 'Schildpatt 2.0', 7/8, extra full hollow, straight end with spike point, faux tortoise scales and silver nickel Boker inlay. Made in G

Boker Graf Everhard, 11/16, full hollow, round point, Graf Everhard gold-wash, carbon steel razor with horn scales. Made in Germany.

Boker Schwarzgold, 7/8 blade coated 24K gold with Ruthenium, straight end, carbon steel razor with dark bog oak scales. Made in Germany.

Boker The Celebrated Curly Birch Boker must have been watching my work because they finally came out with a midi razor which I have been offering for years. It's called the 'The Celebrated 'Maserbirke' translated in English 'Curly Birch'. The edge measures 2.5" which is the equivalent of my 'midi razors'. In full disclosure I was inspired by Dubl Duck Special Nº1 which has been around much longer than most of us. I measured the razor to be 7/8. It has a beveled spine and com

Boker Elite Carbon SE Tradition meets the modern age. At the end of the 19th century, especially extravagant straight razors were sold under the brand 'Boker Elite'. Boker continues this tradition with this exceptional line of straight razors. The handle scales of these impressive models are CNC-milled from a block of the high tech material carbon fiber, and the massive 6/8" blade features and beveled spine with notches. There are 2 Elite version razors with carbon fiber avai

Boker Premium Selection - Tortoise Shell This is one of two straight razors from the Boker Premium Selection. The elaborately worked handles, made from either mother of pearl or faux tortoise shell are milled from the full material in the Boker manufactory in Solingen, and look deceptively similar to the authentic natural materials. The nickel silver inlays further underline the elaborate production and refinement of the handles and blades. The predecessor of this popular Bok

Whether in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Portland or Los Angeles, you can find them once again. The hairdressers who specialize in cutting and shaping men's beards and hair. Most barber shops have a special look, which is typical for our times, and has never before existed in this new form. It is a special mix of style elements for the 1920's to the 1960's, paired with large tattoos, beards, cuffed jeans, and tweed vests. The technical level is usually top notch and you c

Old West Barber Straight Shaving We will never know the exact stage in man's evolution when he first observed his own reflection in some still pool of clear water. We suspect that, then and there, he must have decided he did not care for the dreadful appearance caused by the heavy growth of hair on his face. Ridding himself of the hair must not have been a difficult decision to make. Anthropologist inform us that in the prehistory past, before even a trace of recorded civiliz

Dovo 'Forestal' Straight Razor The Dovo Forestal is a 5/8", half round, hollow blade, hand crafted of high carbon steel in Solingen Germany. The razor is offered with genuine cocobolo wooden scales and comes with a 24k gold etching on the hollow grind and spine. Jimps are present on both top and bottom. Pinning is a fixed flush finished design that's slick looking. Like most Dovo razors that are sold as 5/8, I measured the width to be 11/16 which is always a nice bonus. I do

Dovo 'Col. Ichabod Conk' Straight Razor The Dovo Col. Ichabod Conk is a 6/8", half round, half hollow blade, hand crafted of carbon steel in Solingen Germany. The razor is offered with black glossy acrylic scales and comes with a 'Col. Ichabod Conk' etching on the hollow grind. Although the razor is advertised and sold as 6/8, I measured some to be nearly 7/8 while most actually measure 13/16 which is always a nice bonus. Dovo teamed up with Colonel Ichabod Conk who are world

Dovo 'Astrale' Straight Razor The Dovo Astrale is a 5/8", half round, hollow blade, hand crafted of high carbon steel in Solingen Germany. The razor is offered with genuine black ebony wooden scales and comes with a 24k gold etching on the hollow grind. A blank engraving plate on the wooden scales adds a nice touch. Like most Dovo razors that are sold as 5/8, I measured the width to be 11/16 which is always a nice bonus. At times I find the fit and finish somewhat lacking and

Dovo 'Diamant' Straight Razor The Dovo Diamant is a 5/8", half round, stiff hollow blade, hand crafted of high carbon steel in Solingen Germany. The razor is available in olive or African white ebony wooden scales and comes with a glossy jet black enameled coating. I measured the width to be 11/16 which is always a nice bonus. Diamant is the German, Dutch and Flemish translation for Diamond. It features a clean 24k gold etching on the tang and hollow grind. Comes in a blue me

Dovo 'Bergischer Löwe' straight razor The Bergischer Löwe is a 5/8", Spanish point, full hollow blade hand crafted of high carbon steel in Solingen Germany. I measured the width to be 11/16 which is always a nice bonus. It features a beautiful 24k gold etching on the spine and tang with a frosted etching on the hollow grind. The scales are buffalo horn with a third pin. Since this is a natural material, color tone and patterns will make each and every set unique. They are gor

Dovo 'Bismarck' straight razor This classic straight razor design is a faithful recreation of a popular model from time gone by. The "Bismarck" Straight Razor, Pearl Acrylic, 6/8". Interestingly enough I measured the distance from the top of the spine to the bottom of the edge to be a smudge under 7/8. This is a quality high carbon steel, fully hollow ground blade that has been hand-filed with heavy 24K gold plating. Spine to tang to tail is laser engraved and washed with gol

Boker 'King Cutter' The King Cutter guarantees a royal start to your day. A true classic in the Boker lineup, since the beginning of the 20th century. With the practical 5/8 blade, it is the ideal razor for use every morning. They are being sold as 5/8 however I measured them to be 11/16. The King Cutter is easy to handle, provides excellent shaving results and is also suitable for less experienced straight razor users. It's made in Solingen, Germany from carbon steel with a

Boker 'The Celebrated' I've recently started receiving a new batch of Boker 'The Celebrated' straight razors for honing and I was pleasantly surprised at the nice edge it produces and the better, overall quality from Boker that had some issues in the past but is slowly starting to produce more consistent and nicely ground razors. They are definitely stepping up their game. The razor is a reissue of one the most famous models in in the long history of Boker straight razor. Fea