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Well, I am four months into straights. This has turned out to be so much more than just a traditional way of shaving. It has become a full fledged hobby. I was already a DE enthusiast, but this takes it to a whole new level. My wife usually gets the mail (up the street) so now when I get the mail she says “what did you buy now?” She has threatened to take my credit card. LOL! Seriously though, I am thankful for all the great knowledge this community imparts.
There are so many rabbit holes that you can spend years going to the mail box with regularity. Your wife will get used to it
:-)
Perhaps I can offer a different 'Perspective'.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jmgaragnani
I maintain that collecting Razors, Brushes, Strops, Soaps and other items associated with using a Straight Razor is indeed a 'HOBBY'.
However Using straight razors on a daily or regular routine is a 'Way of Life'.
While I don't have a SWMBO, I have in the past and I'll give you some un-asked for advice. Never try to hide your purchases and in fact discuss them before hand with your lovely bride. A serious long term relationship is built on trust and building that trust will go far to strengthen a relationship while deceit will only destroy it.
This age old art has many twists and turns but it's a road worth traveling down.
Smooth Shaving My Brother of the Blade.
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Your advice is most appreciated and shows you are a caring person. I agree and while I have never hid anything, I can’t say I have always given advance notice either. That said, the boss has her own AD with essential oils. We are are both supportive of each other’s hobby’s and agree to self imposed limits once we get set up. I hit that point this month and will be saving up for a set of stones as a Christmas present to myself.
Yes, It's easy to get carried away. I have to put a stop to using my C.C. often. Its the only way I can contain myself. And I'm at that point now. Got to hold off on buying. But I still have a brush and stone in the mail. Its hard to hold back but now and then you just have to splurge. I don't hide stuff from the wife as she gets the mail and I don't. But I don't tell here in advance either. Roy/Cudarunner is a grand Mentor/Enabler! Watch out for him! :)
You mean I was supposed to tell Kathy the truth, that I spent more than 20$ on all my straight razor stuff and more than 150$ on my last Harley? TCQuote:
Originally Posted by cudarunner
My friend, after all these years I'm sure that Kathy has long given up on you and what you spend. Besides I happen to know that she loves a Big Gorilla! :yQuote:
Originally Posted by tcrideshd
Yes, suspect we've all been there!Quote:
Originally Posted by Jmgaragnani
I also call this a hobby. But I also call it a mindfulness exercise. In my work, I promote stress management activities of various types, and when giving PowerPoint slideshows on wellness, I often include a slide or two showing some of my admittedly small collection of razors and brushes and strops. I do this as an example of how we can take a normal daily "chore" that we tend to do mindlessly (usually while thinking about other things) and turn it into something pleasurable, that also takes your whole attention.
For forty years practicing law has gotten in the way of (mostly in this order) climbing (rocks and mountains), kayaking, bicycle racing, fly fishing, on and on.
But, I have to keep at it because where else can I take delivery of soap, strops, scuttles, SRs, creams knives, cigars, fountain pens......without my wife of 36 years seeing.
Hobby? Can't answer that one. If so my impulsive behavior can be written off as serial hobbyist.
Best.
It is a deep rabbit hole indeed. But it is at it's deepest initially when you are first starting out. After a few years (for most folks), it tends to settle down.
I’m 4 months in as well and in the same boat. I usually get the mail but have been out of town for the last month and being in a hotel room really makes it hard to not buy. Haha!
Well, don't ever show honing videos, there's plenty of stress generated....at times.! But may be used in how to control stress, by walking away... You'll see once you take up honing. Ha.!!Quote:
Originally Posted by 400E
I navigate the wife issue by selling a few now and then. Seriously. She does notice the piles of boxes that show up as well as the huge amount of razors in my shop and under my side of the sink. But when she notices a few hundred more dollars appear in my PayPal account somehow that justifies the investment - OK it's not an investment per say but one can make it appear so. The moral is that I buy all I want but make sure I sell a few in-between (and make sure she sees the added money) so I can call it a business. It's been working well for about the 10 years that I've been buying blades like a mad man.
