I have three loves in my life: My wife, My boys, and My blades.
Every time my hobby/passion for sharp things evolves I usually bring my boys along with me. They tend to share that passion. (hiking/whittling, BladeSports, sharpening/honing, and now straight shaving).
When I started shaving I lacked the proper confidence and cut myself PRETTY good a time or two. Having three boys 10 and under ensures a house of fighting, chasing, and dodging into the bathroom where daddy is shaving for protection from the attacker;) I learned early on to lock the door for my peace, happiness, and well being.
Well friends, I am hear to tell you that I was WRONG WRONG WRONG!
My father is an amazing man. He offered me financial backing through many endeavors in life (bike racing, scouting, etc). I think he is truly an amazing man that anyone would be hard pressed to find a better father....BUT, he never taught me anything about shaving, or grooming of any sort. When I came of age, I had to learn on my own...sadly that included picking up whatever disposable razor was laying around the bathroom...that I shared with my sisters!!!
I did not know anything (how would I). I just assumed that splashing some soapy water on my face and dragging a crapped up razor (using the term loosely) across my face and experiencing the burn was a normal part of becoming a man. Luckily I was ?blessed? with slow growth of a baby fine/peach fuzz beard.
Later in college I experimented with electrics...oh LORD what a horrible experience that was. I had a baby fine beard at that time and in order for an electric to do anything I had to use a fair amount of pressure...and those things will actually cut you if you do that...
So back to the present....
I have unlocked the door and invited my boys into the room as I shave. Only my oldest seems to have the patience to sit there and chat as I go through my rituals. He watches and chats with me, interrupting often to ask questions, "is this strop new?", "why do you use it so much?", "why are you using that old razor instead of that expensive new one you got in the big box?"
I stop and answer EVERY single one of them. "Yes, son, it is a new strop, I use it a lot because I need this razor to be incredibly sharp at all times so it works well".
He responds stating that this strop is much cooler than my old one.
"And son, I use this 100 year old razor instead of my new Hart because I am testing it, I honed it myself..."
he interrupts, "you mean you sharpened it".
I reply, "yeah, sort of, but they call it 'honing' with a razor"
I then go on to explain to him that the feeling of pride one gets from restoring a piece of history and making it perform as well as a very expensive new item, but with that pride comes challenges of learning...in the form of trials...and sometimes even blood.
He sat and watched me shave from start to finish (for the third day in a row) and he did not mention video games one single time!
Open the doors, gents. Share this with the next generation...we owe it to them!