Golden Star FON vintage Straight Razor - Shave Ready

Description

This is a straight razor that is marked "Golden Star FON Extra Steel" one one side of the tang, and Y.S.S.2. along with some Japanese characters on the other. These razors were made in Japan in the 1960s. I could not find a razor of this brand with the same unusual shape, so either it was much less common or perhaps a previous owner did a custom grind on it. Either way it has a shape that is suggestive of a Kamisori blade. This is certainly a western style straight razor blade. It is a modern hollow grind with some flex to it, and it makes a flinty singing sound while shaving.
I acquired this as a loose blade that was in very good shape, almost no rust and only some small spots of black patina, most of which I gently removed.
I made the scales from Katalox, which is a hardwood with a very dark natural color. It is sanded smooth and oiled. No stain or clear coat was applied. It is fastened with brass threaded rods and nylon insert locking washers. These fasteners, along with brass thrust washers at the pivot, provide a very satisfyingly smooth feel when opening and closing. You may adjust the tension quite easily and could easily disassemble the razor if you're the tinkering type.
The blade width is 6/8" and the blade length is about 2.5 inches.
This shaves marvelously! I first smoothed out some edge imperfections and set the bevel using a diamond hone. I then brought up the edge to shave-ready with a progression of natural whetstones (Arkansas and Belgian stones) and a series of strops. After a test shave I thoroughly sterilized and stropped it again, so it's good to go.