PIF - for Active Duty Member of US Armed Forces

[Gamma]

My girlfriend and I would like to send a thank you out to all of the men and women who have served, or are presently serving, as a member of our Armed Forces.


So - Thank You - each and every one of you.


To express our gratitude - we'd like to post an 'Active Duty' PIF.



PIF contents:


1 straight razor
1 leather strop
1 cotton/linen hanger
1 hone and some accoutrements
1 Boar brush
1 Puck of Tallow Soap




All of the kit's contents (except the soap) will be used and fully functional. The soap will be unused but not 'new'.
The Razor will be shave ready to my standards. I just shaved with it two nights ago and I think it's got a pretty good edge.


Photo of what's in the kit, along with some details of each item, will be posted after we get back from dinner tonight.


Guidelines;


Must be US Military, active duty, preferably stationed overseas.
The PIF will be shipped to you at your APO address.
Participant should have real interest in Straight Shaving.
Should also have strong interest in maintaining/honing their own edges.
For obvious reasons, we would prefer to send this kit to someone that does not have a straight, hone or strop - but that's not an absolute rule.


If you'd like to toss your hat into the ring, please PM me with some details about your interest in straights, honing, where you're stationed, stuff like that.


I don't want to set a final submission date right now - I've never done a PIF like this, so I'd like to play it by ear so we can see how it goes. If that's against the PIF rules or something, please let me know.

[Gamma]

The contents of the PIF


1.) Tony Miller HH leather strop. Shows use, no problems of any kind. It's been nicked and sanded down a few times near the bottom but all the nicks are gone and the stropping surface is fine. There is some spotting/staining from Dovo wax in a few spots.
2.) Cotton/Linen Hanger - not shown here, I haven't made it yet.
3.) Custom Curly Maple handled brush, with UK boar knot from TGN. This is one of the brushes that I've made, I used it about 10 times.
4.) Vintage Williams Soap, circa 1968. Nuff said.
5.) Wakasa Jnat - razor size - has a crack in it but it's been glued and should never become a problem in our lifetime. The top is fine and without issue. I'm including a Nakayama Asagi Tomo Nagura, 1 Botan Nagura, 1 Mejiro Nagura and a rubber honing-block.
6.) W&B faux frame back with Barber's Notch. I think it's a 6/8 with original scales. The blade centers, has good tension at the pivot. No real issues, but there is some patina here/there. Takes/Keeps a wicked edge well.

[Obiwan]

Bravo Keith, thisvis a wonderful PIF to a very deserving audience.

[Wid]

Boy oh boy there's some nice pifs going on here. Kudos to ya Keith.

[CharlieFoxtrot]

I'm not in but congrats to the future winner. The generosity here never ceases to amaze me.

[Texasreiguy]

Wow!! Amazing PIF! I'd loved to be considered, but not currently overseas.. Stationed out of Dyess AFB in TX...

[Alum of Potash]

Holy PIF Batman! Most generous of Keith and his GF! Good luck to the winner!

[TheVez2]

I'd like to be considered. Not currently overseas, but recently returned from Afghanistan. Currently at Whiteman AFB, MO and expecting to PCS soon. I have a few straights, but most are not shave ready. I've been wanting to get into honing my own to be able to restore some of the ones I do have. Thanks for the opportunity!

[LMTMRP]

I would loved to be considered, I'm not overseas at the moment but currently at FT. Riley. I have been wanting to try a straight for awhile now and have almost pulled the trigger on a few in the BST, guess ill have to wait to see how this plays out. I cant imagine this making my AD better if I win.

[FlyingMonkey]

I'd appreciate the consideration. US Marine Corps currently stationed overseas in Okinawa. Great PIF and thanks for the offer.

[professorchaos]

Thank you Keith! An excellent gesture.

[Gamma]

Wow - We'd like to thank everyone for their support and interest so far!

Just a note - Posting your interest here in the thread is great - it'll help keep the thread showing on the first page.

Anyone that would like to be considered for the PIF should also shoot me a PM with some details: please tell us something about you, your service history, location, and interest level with using/honing straight razors.

That will make it a little easier for us to select the recipient.

[Locham]

Thanks, Keith. I appreciate your support, and the opportunity to partake in a fantastic PIF!

[Woodash]

It's one thing to have the thought of a PIF; another to put up such a nice kit. Well done.

[TonyN]

Really great gesture Keith. Someone will be very happy.

[dreaded_rust]

Great PIF!
I love the generosity I see on this website every day.
I am active duty stationed overseas but I’ll stay out of this one as I already have two razors and 14 more on the way (friggin ebay!).
The sense of community here is just amazing and it’s thanks to gentlemen like yourself.

[Isaac]

Thats quite the setup. Someone is in for a treat :)

[TheVez2]

Just a bump for anyone else who might want to be included. This kit looks awesome and whoever wins it is going to be thrilled. Thanks again for the chance Gamma!

[dreaded_rust]

At the encouragement of Gamma I’ll go ahead and toss my name into this one after all, if nothing else to give the thread a bump.
PM incoming

[Grips]

A very generpous PIF. Well done !