Benton Clay Father's Day Contest - 2nd Annual

[BentonClay]

Benton Clay is pleased to announce our 2nd Annual Fathers Day Contest thread.

This draw is for a handmade gift set similar to last year's prize, pictured below, including:
1. Porcelain Shaving Mug
2. Handmade shaving brush of finest or super badger in either Walnut or porcelain
3. Benton Clay Vetiver Paradisi shaving soap (review)

Rules are similar to last year's. To enter, simply reply to this thread with a tribute to your father (or a significant male figure in your life). Or if if you are a father, you may enter with a tribute to your son or daughter. The winner will be awarded at random from among the most inspiring entries as determined subjectively by me.

Runner-up prizes will include some nice cufflinks, fountain pens and of course Benton Clay samples.

Contest closes end of day Friday, June 3rd to allow for shipping of prizes in time for Father's Day. Anyone may participate; however, you must have at least 50 posts to be considered eligible for the draw.

[PozzSka]

My tribute to my father is permanently tattooed on my forearm. Literally. He died when I was 15. He was only 42. 1957-1999 is tattooed on my forearm. I'm not sure what to say about him. He taught me lots of things, science, how to work hard, how to take care of others, and how to give back to communities of which you are a part. He never abused me oy my family, he never left without saying goodbye.

I now have two kids.

[brucered]

My Dad taught me to put family 1st, make time for them and always treat them with respect. Taught me to appreciate my stuff, how to fix it and how to take care of it. He still takes me out for lunch, takes me golfing, picks up used vinyl from garage sales for me and helps out whenever i need it with advise or physical work. Heck we had my folks over for Turkey on Easter Sunday and they were doing my yard work (not asked to), then i had my 68y old Dad help me move a 500lb craft desk for my wife and transport our fooseball table across the basement, with no complaints from him

As for my children....I came home the other day to find out the kids (4 & 6y old boys) had broken the door to the playhouse we (my Dad, Father in law and myself) built a couple years ago for them. The kids said they broke it by accident and Mom could't fix it and wait for me to get home....I walk in the door and get stories from both of them, so i ask what happened, they explain and tell my 4y old "That's OK, Dad 'll fix it" to which he replies "You can fix anything Daddy!" WOW did that ever feel good to hear, especially knowing full well, it's not true Needless to say, the pressure was on to fix the door...and it did get fixed, in a matter of minutes. Both kids were ecstatic, as was I for making them happy. There isn't too many things better then hearing your kids say stuff like that about you (and genuinely meaning it).

[nyyfan71]

Every day I pay respect to my Father. After all I do carry his last name.

He raised nine children,5 boys and 4 girls. I was the last so I had him in his later stages in life, but he still had time for what I wanted. Lost him in Dec '06, I tend to work twice as hard on that day for my two sons. Thay are 19 and 17 years old, and we actually make that day Father's Day in our house.

I'm sure if he didn't take time to teach me how to shave with a brush and DE at 15, I would never tired a brush and soap. Then I wouldn't be on these forumes. Thanks Pops!

Thank you for letting us remember our Fathers.

Mark.

[Sunburst]

I have a very unique relationship with my Father. We are incredibly similar. Luckily, he's an awesome guy that formed the core of who I am. We've had rough patches, but in the end I appreciate him more every day. When I get stumped, I try to think of how Dad would think about it. He raised my brother and I in difficult circumstances and always put us first.

So much love that I just didn't understand until the wife had our daughter. We're better than we've ever been. And I'm a better man for it. He taught me to appreciate the small things, respect everyone equally, fairness trumps all and that good friends are good, but few and far between.

Unfortunately, he taught me to shave with carts and goo. I'll allow it though. I'm trying to convert him, gonna hit him with a surprise box come Father's Day. (I'm going to get myself a bespoke G3 in best...woohoo!)

I think my favorite Dad memory, aside from him taking me fishing when I was really young, was teaching him how to fix stuff with safety wire while trying to convey how sorry I was for not realizing how good the advice was that he gave me in my younger years. It's a tough thing to try and explain to someone how much they mean to you when they are equally as much you as they are themselves. The more I become like my Dad, the more things I unearth and add to the pile of stuff he was right about.

I hope every day to be as good of a parent and role model to my kids as he was to myself and my friends.

[jasonled75]

My father is a vietnam vet who is now disabled. He spent most of my childhood driving a truck to provide for us. Sometimes he would try to get a job close to home, but it never lasted long. I didn't understand then why he prefered the open road. I do now. It was the only way he knew of to provide for us and be in our lives, and deal with the horrors of war that he never got over. He literally worked himself into the ground for us. Now I spend my free time helping my mom take care of him. He finally got his disability from the VA and they have finally gotten him treatment for PTSD. And I have finally gotten to really know my dad. I am thankful for all he has done and taught me. My father knew how to be a MAN.

[SirWhiskers]

To my father and my son. Both are super guys!

[cameraflier]

Dad: the wise 'ol guy and good friend. I couldn't be here without him, and I don't think I want to.

[JBagKY]

Up until a few years ago, I had a good relationship with my father, but it was mostly us just hanging out. I think that since I actually grew up and became a real adult, the respect and admiration for him has grown. And since the birth of my son, there has been even more so. He is a great man and one that I am proud was there to raise me.

I want my son to be able to say similar things about me, but hope that our relationship is always underscored with my love for him.

[bbarton713]

My father passed away 14 years ago. He missed my first wife dying, my marriage to the love-of-my-love and the birth of my youngest son. I have four sons and four daughters between me and my current wife and I'm proud to be everyone's dad.

[TnutsShave]

I've considered a drawn out, lengthy, diatribe on how my father was my mentor, hero, teacher, provider, and all of those things. He is, but those are just words.

I realize now that the truest indication that my father is a great man is the fact that he has taught me all of those things without teaching me. I needed only follow in his footsteps.

I am a father myself as of 18 months ago and my Dad will always be the standard for which I strive.

When I held my son Tristan in my arms for the first time, a flood of emotions rushed over me, but one stood out in particular for me....

Dad, I understand why you did everything you had to do.

[csmorris]

Although I lost my dad seven years ago, I am still regularly reminded of him and the things he has done.

Most all of the good things I do are because of him. I'm am still marvelled at how much he shaped the person I am today, all (from what I could see anyway) without any consious effort. He taught through his actions; led by example. I am who I am because of him.

I only hope I can teach my son half as much as he taught me.

Thank you. I love you and miss you dad.

PS - Sorry about your tail light in '89. It was me who broke it, but I expect you know that all along. As with all of the other things I thought I got past you and you let me learn from while making sure I was safe.

[Kilgore]

What I remember most about good ole' pop was learning
how to bait a hook & clean a Bass and, of course a thank you
to my daughter who taught me to be a man.

[Mo5-O]

My dad was the last old school guy I knew before he passed on. He taught me how to be a man, but not by talking, but by doing. I will never forget when he found out he had terminal cancer. He didn't whine or complain, he just looked the doctor in the eye and shook his hand and said, Thanks, I know now. If I ever top that kind of courage in my life I can say that I have done something.

And I shave with his Turn to open gillette super adjustable at least once a week.

[BRuhling]

I was fortunate enough to win this contest last year, and it pleases me to see that BentonClay is continuing it this year. For those who have not tried the BentonClay products, I will tell you that they are top notch and encourage you to give them a shot--you will NOT be sorry!

I won't make an entry, but will say thank you to the very generous sponsor and tell all the entrants so far, that it is heartwarming to read what you all have to say about your fathers. I'm honored to be a member of a forum with such respectful gentlemen!

[penmanship]

I'm reminded of my dad, every day I come down to the family room.....He's in this photo somewhere (i know where). He was younger than my son is NOW when he was over in Europe. I can't imagine my son there, now.....

My dad taught me the most important things in life, aren't things.
and so has my son!

[charles_r]

Not exactly a tribute to my son, but more of a funny story and quite appropriate to B&B!. I was shaving last saturday morning. My 5 year old son walks in and asks me: "what do you use to shave? is that a Fusion Proglide"? (I had a EJ89 razor in hand).

When I answered no, he looked at me as if that was impossible. I explained to him that sometimes you can find better stuff than what is on the TV.

I ended up having a very long 4 pass shave in which he helped out... He applied my lather between passes, handed me the alum block and the aftershave, asking me each time what each product was for. It was quite fun! With luck, maybe he'll remember the whole thing and want to try a DE some day

When I was done, It made me remember when my dad taught me how to shave. no pressure, steady hand, etc. Interestingly, the technique was spot on but he had me use a disposable single blade BIC, plain bath soap (LOL!) with a synthetic brush (it was an Omega, I wish I would have kept it!). This was a long time ago.. around 1990. I had forgotten all about this when I transitionned to carts and goo a couple of years later.

It's always surprising how many old memories resurface by having a child around you :)

[BentonClay]

Bump

[Scott0079]

Well, I've never actually met my biological father but that's another story for another day. So I will offer a tidbit about my grandfather. My grandfather taught me that all the things in life that truly matter cannot be bought or sold. He taught me how to be tough and softhearted at the same time. He taught me that whatever you have to be content with it....so many more things but for brevity sake I'll stop there. After I had my 1st daughter (she was born on fathers day, ironically, which was awesome!) I was so scared that it was ridiculous in hindsight. I resolved that day that having not known my own father I would do my best to let her know how much she was wanted and how much I love her everyday. I hope I have and will continue to succeed in this. Perhaps she'll write a tribute to me some day.

[chuckr9]

I'll go with a tribute to my son - graduating from high school in a few weeks.