Thread: Passing It Foreward And Or Paying It Back

I've received razors and creams, unasked for but greatly appreciated, from a couple of members. One of those same members generously offered to hone a razor I was having problems with on another occasion. I'm saving some stuff up for these guys. I was also fortunate enough to have one of THE honemeisters walk me through honing through my first razor sharpening from bevel set to 20k finish.

Paying it Forward was one of the founding principles of SRP going back to the original Yahoo Group back in 2000. Another principle was to help and be a resource for new people to become successful in all aspects of wet shaving. We have always hoped that these principles would be adopted by all wet shaving communities world wide and for the most part they have been. I still love to see the smile on a persons face when they hone and shave with the razor they honed the very first time. Our population can only be maintained and grow through the help of people willing to share time and resources to new people. I remain grateful to the fine folks here on SRP who continue to Pay it Forward every day. As was said earlier, Giving is a Bootiful ting!!

Thanks guys!!

First off Cudarunner...I applaud you helping Mr. Horn's widow. TRUE friends are hard to come by!

My experiences:
I would have to add the advice I've received from countless members on this site to "pay it forward". The help I've received has been unparalleled.

Now one particular story:
I was taken by the price of a "Shave ready GD" before finding this forum. After finding this forum and putting out a welcome/help intro one member in my local area reached out...Marty/Euclid440.
He told me to send him my razor and he'd hone it up free. Well, when I got the GD back there was another razor in the package! Both shave ready. My PM to Marty to thank him for the razor was returned with a offer to meet, at his house, for some one on one time

What a awesome day that was! I spent the afternoon with Marty instructing me on honing (i.e. ended up with me setting double bevels, Marty explaining where I went wrong, and then him bringing the edge back to life). His wife had a glorious lunch for us, and I left his house a bit wiser in the "way of the hone".

I'm consider myself still a Newbie, but my pay it forward is underway. I've got a young family friend, in college preparing to get married (the guy is on a serous budget saving all he can) that started using a DE a few months before I started SRing. I had a pretty nice DE that I've used for several years. Cleaned it up, bought a couple of sample packs of blades from SRD (he'd been using the cheapest blades he could find), and gave the package to him as he left to start this semester. He talked about wanting to try a SR, but his money is tight. I recently purchased a lot off Ebay of 10 Straights. Nothing outrageous just some good NY razors. I've got one picked out for him and one for his brother who started school this year with him and am currently working on restoring them for the boys. I'm working on trying to find a good leather supplier around here to make them a strop, and hopefully will have the items ready for them when they come back for a visit during the Christmas break. They're great kids that I've know since they were knee high and I have a feeling both will take to straights like a duck on water.

My point...in my experience the kindness I pay it forward to others in this life is a natural progression of the kindness I've received from others. Kind of what I see every time I log onto this forum!

Just my TC's worth,

Cheers and be safe,

Jer

In a hectic world where not everyone has the luxury of spending hours on this site or dedicated to all that is involved in learning this skill all by themselves every point of advice and comment is of great benefit to our members and the unseen lurkers who visit on our site.

All of the time our "regulars" and mentors and staff spend here imparting their knowledge is just as valuable as the donation of services and physical equipment. Some might say more so.

The concept is the continuation of the site and the furtherance of its mission with no act too small or insignificant. We're all in this together and part of this extended family.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

In a hectic world where not everyone has the luxury of spending hours on this site or dedicated to all that is involved in learning this skill all by themselves every point of advice and comment is of great benefit to our members and the unseen lurkers who visit on our site.

All of the time our "regulars" and mentors and staff spend here imparting their knowledge is just as valuable as the donation of services and physical equipment. Some might say more so.

The concept is the continuation of the site and the furtherance of its mission with no act too small or insignificant. We're all in this together and part of this extended family.

Couldn't agree more.
There's times I check on the site and a gain little bit of knowledge without even joining into a thread. I can't count the times I've just read through one of Tc's or Glen's or (add several names here) posts and come away with a little more knowledge!

Good times and thanks to all!

I've learned so much from this forum and videos over the years (Thanks Glen and Lynn). I've actually become the go-to guy at work whenever our parts are rusted or when something needs a good polish for a tradeshow. I've become confident enough in my honing that I can at least get an edge sharper than a railroad tie ***coughcoughoutbackcoughcough***. I'm sitting smooth with comfy shaves thanks to you guys, even though my face is pretty darn cold right now.

So, I'm trying to pay it back. Spreading what I've learned on here and what I've figured out on my own. My house is always open to those that want to learn and maybe have a beer or two.

Well Cuda, I have always felt that everyone is good. Maybe its the way I was raised. I did trust all are good until they prove to me they are not. Yes pay it forward is a good thing. Is it for everyone? I have been burned several times by just what was said, a person just disappearing etc..
I tend to be more reserved now and stand back and observe more. Now most need to show me that they are truly good. A little bit of a twist I guess. Possibly maturity and/or age may have turned the tables for me.

Ray

Originally Posted by walleyeman

Well Cuda, I have always felt that everyone is good. Maybe its the way I was raised. I did trust all are good until they prove to me they are not. Yes pay it forward is a good thing. Is it for everyone? I have been burned several times by just what was said, a person just disappearing etc..
I tend to be more reserved now and stand back and observe more. Now most need to show me that they are truly good. A little bit of a twist I guess. Possibly maturity and/or age may have turned the tables for me.

Ray

My friend, I know you have been burned in more than one way, but I also know that there is a heart of gold inside you! I thank you for all that you have done to help me help others!

Originally Posted by walleyeman

Well Cuda, I have always felt that everyone is good. Maybe its the way I was raised. I did trust all are good until they prove to me they are not. Yes pay it forward is a good thing. Is it for everyone? I have been burned several times by just what was said, a person just disappearing etc..
I tend to be more reserved now and stand back and observe more. Now most need to show me that they are truly good. A little bit of a twist I guess. Possibly maturity and/or age may have turned the tables for me.

Ray

Ray, I know what you mean. Having been the benefactor of your generosity, it impressed me greatly.
I try to do the same, but with the caveat of the individual being the sort of person which WILL pay it forward.
Not to necessarily be done willy-nilly, but as a WORTHWHILE gesture, I suppose.

It took me a long while to learn, as a certain amount of enthusiasm wore off.
If done right, as Lynn said, a Bootiful Thing!

Early on in my quest to learn to straight shave I had quite a few AD's, but in time my preferences changed. I donated soaps to new members who said they were on a budget, no big deal really because at the time I preferred creams and had ample supplies. My RAD led me to own lots of project razors which I planned to restore, but then life & kids happen which equals no time, so off they went to Bill to donated to the monthly-giveaway. I have been lucky enough to win one of the giveaways and though the soap and AS are long gone, I still enjoy the razor every week. This is a great community and one that I am glad to be a part of.