Straight Razor Shaving as Life (AoM)

**Shmu** · 08-14-2011, 10:24 PM

This is an Art of Manliness article that I thought you would all appreciate.

Thoughts, comments, reactions?

**Kentos** · 08-14-2011, 11:16 PM

I actually love stropping my razor in anticipation of feeling the keen edge mow down whiskers. Good article nonetheless .

**DESkydiver** · 08-15-2011, 01:08 PM

I like the analogy of taking time to be consistent; daily planning, exercise, reading, prayer, and yes, shaving. Shaving with a straight, for me, is a time to relax, sure I am usually in a hurry to get to work, but it's not going anywhere... I strop my razor at night before the morning shave (in fact I usually have two razors in rotation, and I strop both at night, so each razor is stropped twice between shaves) and I have time in the morning to 'take my time' and concentrate on the shave, removing all those other superfluous thoughts from my mind...

**JoeBass** · 08-15-2011, 10:38 PM

While I appreciate his attempt at metaphor, if he sees the art of maintaining a razor as "monotonous & menial", he's not getting "it". When he learns to find beauty and satisfaction in the tasks he sees as menial, he'll have a chance to become the man he wants to be.

Zen Master Joe

**Kentos** · 08-15-2011, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by JoeBass

While I appreciate his attempt at metaphor, if he sees the art of maintaining a razor as "monotonous & menial", he's not getting "it". When he learns to find beauty and satisfaction in the tasks he sees as menial, he'll have a chance to become the man he wants to be.

Zen Master Joe

Hai, sensei.

**jcborr00** · 08-22-2011, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by Shmu

This is an Art of Manliness article that I thought you would all appreciate.

Thoughts, comments, reactions?

I have read that article before. It is soo true

**Insaniac99** · 08-22-2011, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by JoeBass

While I appreciate his attempt at metaphor, if he sees the art of maintaining a razor as "monotonous & menial", he's not getting "it". When he learns to find beauty and satisfaction in the tasks he sees as menial, he'll have a chance to become the man he wants to be.

Zen Master Joe

+1

**Drybonz** · 08-22-2011, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by JoeBass

find beauty and satisfaction in the tasks he sees as menial

I read this article and was going to post something similar, but you have pretty much summed it up... I think it's an interesting article (thanks for sharing) and perspective... but I agree that the author is approaching the act of shaving/maintaining the razor as a task that he must endure to better himself. I find the process meditative and truly look forward to it ever time.