World's Most Traveled Razor

[richmondesi]

It looks like I may have post #600 on this thread, providing I don't get too long-winded here and someone beats me to it. I never anticipated that many posts for something I lit a fire under that generated a good amount of friendship between members of this forum. It's a warm fuzzy feeling...

Although there were not all that many guys who took the razor for a spin, I am truly amazed by the travels and stories it spawned. It was a daily fix for me to read about the new adventures and witness the ingenuity that the participants had for their individual contributions. The pictures you guys took were incredible. And after all, who could not forget the downhill bike ride, the red hawkin' Hollywood sign, or Gary's extensive tour of practically the entire state where he lives.

I enjoyed all the stories and I am thankful for all of the efforts you guys made to make the razor's journey a successful endeavor. If done over, I might have changed a couple things, and not everyone pulled as much of the wagon as most of you did, but I am very happy to have had the time and opportunity to do it. Knowing what I know now, I would have done it all over again.

One of my favorite sections of the journey had to be the person to person exchange made on sacred burial ground between Paul and Stephen. Who woulda thought that a simple razor could be the foundational catalyst for a new friendship. Hope you guys are still in touch with each other on occasion.

I had Gary fill in for me because I could see that he had the leadership skills and a way with words to see the journey through while I dealt with other issues. I am thankful he took the time and picked up the torch for me in my absence. That was also the primary reason I offered the razor to him as the traveling razor made its last trip. I'm glad I did that too. Thanks, Gary.

I also have to make a special thank-you to Ben for all of his efforts. Not only for his great pics and stories, but for generating the google map of the journey. That was super cool. The best part, though, was Ben's insight to have each participant in the journey jot down a couple thoughts about the experience in a journal for my benefit. I, of course, still have that journal, and it means a great deal to me. Thank you, guys for the comments and kudos.

Again, thank you, each and every one...

We speak frequently, Bill... In fact, twice in the last few days on the phone... plus texts

[Live2Ride]

Ben's insight about the journal was inspired. I am tickled the journal is in your hands, Bill. Had wondered about it, but just couldn't ask. It's a secret, you know?

It's been a year and a couple days since my turn with the WMTR. Could just as easily have been yesterday, the memories are that clear. It's been a year to the day since I posted "Traveling Razor #1" - hoping it would be the first of many videos/slideshows about The Razor's travels. Just watched it again. Not bad, but I wish I could reshoot it.

After scribbling a few sentences in the journal, scrambling to get the WMTR off to Josh, and sweating until he had it, I got to sit back and be a fan of the WMTR's travels.

But I found myself in a bit of a funk: my handful of razors didn't shine like the WMTR (possibly due to the rust, I mean, patina). The best among them had been restored by Bob Keyes and the rest by little old me, using Bill's DVD as a guide. In time, the funk was replaced by a quiet pride for a larger handful of shave ready straights that I'd restored and honed. My restoration "skills" are growing at a glacial pace, but I'm okay with that. All in good time...

I'm hoping that the other WMTR Fellows will share some thoughts here as their anniversaries approach.

Thank you once again, Bill, for the opportunity to be part of this adventure, for sharing your knowledge, and the product of your talent - the WMTR.

[Muirtach]

I had stopped following the stories of the WMTR a while back due to lack of net access. I thought about it earlier today (today-ish I suppose as it was still the 4th technically) and am just now checking up on the razor. Some great photos and the memories of shaving with this razor over a year ago are still strong.