Thread: Old Bloke, new at this [posting that is]

Well I finally have worked out how to get a post up - us old blokes are sometimes a little techinically challenged you know.

What led me to this place is that I bought my razor & strop around 1964 and the strop has given up the ghost and I was getting jacked off using my belt to strop my razor so I had the need for a new strop, and getting one that I thought was good led me to go shopping on the internet and I did find somthing that is good.

What I found fascinating is this 'world' of people who use razors, for I sort of thought I was a bit of an eccentric using a razor.

I think the thing that got me in originally was the fact that it was not a throw away object and of being able to 'do it yourself' particularly in being able to create an edge good enough to shave with. Upon reflection I must have been a bit of a greeenie long before it was fashionable.

Over time,certain possessions become a part of your personna, and there is no doubt a razor falls into that category.

The particular razor I bought all those years ago was a Gotta - Soligen made hollow ground in silver steel. The etching on the blade has long since gone and whilst still shiny there are plenty of watermarks, and dark spots on it now. From what I have been able to glean from the internet I do not think Gotta razors are made any more.

Now this particular razor gets a lot of use, for a great passion of mine is cycling - of a more serious nature - and as such have shaved my legs for a lotta years now and this razor gets used for that on a weekly basis. Why do cyclists shave their legs - well that is a whole subject by itself, but it just goes to highlight how much use you can put good eqipment to and it jsut keeps on going

I am starting to warm to the idea of maybe buying a new razor, but I doubt I will get anything like 40 odd years use out of the next one. It is hard to find quality these days [?]

The most encouraging thing is that there is obviously a lot of people out there who still value some of the more traditional things in life. I tend to think that by reading articles shaving with a razor has been raised to an art form whereas to me it is just somthing you do

Originally Posted by Colin Howkins

I am starting to warm to the idea of maybe buying a new razor, but I doubt I will get anything like 40 odd years use out of the next one. It is hard to find quality these days [?]

Welcome to SRP, Colin. For me, shaving has been elevated from a daily chore to a daily pleasure. I think that you will find that there are many vintage quality razors for sale and also many new razors being made that are of very high quality.

Good on ya old timer. You bought that razor the year I was born.
Like to know how you kept the razor sharp. I've been using a straight for about 8 months and honing these things seems to be a never ending journey of nearly bit not quite.
Welcome
Brian

Colin,

Hello and Welcome!

A pleasure to see yet another Aussie on the forum, and an additional pleasure to see one from Brisbane as well.

Mate, there are quality razors out there to be had, never fear. There are new ones from current manufacturers, or custom made ones from the very talented bladesmiths that frequent this forum. A lot of people also enjoy using refurbished vintage or antique straight razors.

Take a look around the forum. In particular, keep an eye on the Buy/Sell/Trade section. There are generally some very nice pieces for sale there at quite reasonable prices.

I look forward to picking your brains and hearing your experiences in the future. Welcome again!

James.

Welcome to SRP, Colin!
As others have said, there are very good quality new razors and a lot of vintage razors that have been well maintained or have been refurbished. Many users have razors over 100 years old that they use regularly.

The comment in my opening post about quality razors was said somewhat tongue in cheek, for at 62 years of age I don't think I will get to use the next one for 44 years

Originally Posted by Colin Howkins

The comment in my opening post about quality razors was said somewhat tongue in cheek, for at 62 years of age I don't think I will get to use the next one for 44 years

I hope you live to eat your words (and that I'm there to laugh at you) because I'm 60.

Welcome Colin!!! Hope to hear you share your experience and knowledge. At 48yo I thought I was one of the elders, now I feel like a young one. Thanks

Welcome to SRP Colin glad to have ya here.....
I bet you have a wealth of experiance to share, good to see another old fart on the boards.....

Welcome aboard young man!
You started with a straight the year I was born! 28 years later I started with a straight!