GsSixgun
06-08-2007, 03:01 PM
Just wanted to introduce myself to the group and share some of my old and new experiences with the "Blade"
My first experience with a straight razor was way back in 1982 in Denver Colo. I had just grown my beard and went to get a hair cut, or back in those days I went to see my 'stylist'. David was way ahead of his time, or perhaps he was a throw back from days gone by, he actually gave service to his customers. After giving me the standard layered hair cut of the early 80's he looked at the growth on my face, frowned and said, "Hmmmmm let's see if we can't straighten up those beard lines". he took the electric clippers out and trimmed my beard down, then edged the cheek and neck lines. At that point I thought we were finished, but he got out a straight razor and stropped it up, then went into the whole rountine of hot towels and wet lather, I was a little worried as he straightend up the lines of the beard with the razor but when he was done it looked and felt great. I was hooked then and there, I headed to the nearest cuttlery shop and bought a straight razor, (I have no idea what kind) the Illinois razor strop with dressing was a great deal too. Heading home I stopped at a Rexall drug store and actually found an Old Spice shaving mug with soap and brush, (the same as my Father had used for years, before we converted him one Christmas to the can and disposables) I was set, from there I managed to destroy that first razor, then I found a nicer one several years later, wooo hooo it had Sheffield steel (I knew this to be good because my Hockey skates had Sheffield steel for blades too :001_smile ) I stuck with it for 20 years then moved away from wet shaving and back to disposables, the only thing that stayed with me in the move from Colo to Idaho was the strop. Well just the other week, after more than 6 years away from it, I found my old strop, conditioned the leather, and decided that I was going back to enjoing my shave time. Granted I still keep a light beard all year long, but nothing can create straight beard lines like a straight razor, so I jumped back in with both feet. 4 new razors in 2 weeks including my new favorite a 3/8 Filarmonica, I just got yesterday, and more on the way (Thank You Internet Gods). So I look forward to talking with other throw backs to the old ways, and any advice you might want to pass on would be most welcome!!!!!
"G"
My first experience with a straight razor was way back in 1982 in Denver Colo. I had just grown my beard and went to get a hair cut, or back in those days I went to see my 'stylist'. David was way ahead of his time, or perhaps he was a throw back from days gone by, he actually gave service to his customers. After giving me the standard layered hair cut of the early 80's he looked at the growth on my face, frowned and said, "Hmmmmm let's see if we can't straighten up those beard lines". he took the electric clippers out and trimmed my beard down, then edged the cheek and neck lines. At that point I thought we were finished, but he got out a straight razor and stropped it up, then went into the whole rountine of hot towels and wet lather, I was a little worried as he straightend up the lines of the beard with the razor but when he was done it looked and felt great. I was hooked then and there, I headed to the nearest cuttlery shop and bought a straight razor, (I have no idea what kind) the Illinois razor strop with dressing was a great deal too. Heading home I stopped at a Rexall drug store and actually found an Old Spice shaving mug with soap and brush, (the same as my Father had used for years, before we converted him one Christmas to the can and disposables) I was set, from there I managed to destroy that first razor, then I found a nicer one several years later, wooo hooo it had Sheffield steel (I knew this to be good because my Hockey skates had Sheffield steel for blades too :001_smile ) I stuck with it for 20 years then moved away from wet shaving and back to disposables, the only thing that stayed with me in the move from Colo to Idaho was the strop. Well just the other week, after more than 6 years away from it, I found my old strop, conditioned the leather, and decided that I was going back to enjoing my shave time. Granted I still keep a light beard all year long, but nothing can create straight beard lines like a straight razor, so I jumped back in with both feet. 4 new razors in 2 weeks including my new favorite a 3/8 Filarmonica, I just got yesterday, and more on the way (Thank You Internet Gods). So I look forward to talking with other throw backs to the old ways, and any advice you might want to pass on would be most welcome!!!!!
"G"