Thread: Teaching my DAD to shave long distance!

Was chatting with the old man today on the phone. We don't talk very often. 3 or 4 times a year as I'm in Co and hes in CA. He knew the last time we were talking about razors I was into DE's ans SE's. Said he never did have any luck with the DE when he was in the Marines. Well, I was talking about learning to hone and he said honing what? I explained my shaving has now grew into straights. He told me used to have a straight years ago like back in the late 60's. He found himself in need of cutting some Styrofoam and used the straight. Said it did a great job but he could never get it sharp again. Even took it to a barber who put some time into it and he couldn't get it to hold an edge ether so the old man tossed it in the trash.
I told him if he was interested I send him one to play with and see if he still remembers how to use one. He was excited to have one and give it a go. Even offered to buy one from me. As if I'd sell him one. Give him yes but not sell! The conversation when on to other things and an hour later we were done chatting. I got to thinking that his abilities to use a straight are long gone by now and I have no idea how much knowledge he really had back then to start with. As long as I've know him he used an electric razor.

So I got a box and dropped in 4 shave soaps, a strop I had for traveling, A badger brush and three straights of various sizes and shapes. I wrote a 3 page letter to explain how to S.R. shave. I told him in the letter to watch a few vids on you-tube but I know he wont. He hates computers and really don't use one. Hope he give me a call when he start to use them. It was kind of odd, me telling him how to shave. I know he will get a kick out of it but I hope he learns and enjoys the shave as I do now days. He has always had a nicely trimmed short beard so it will be used for trimming mainly.

Just wanted to share my latest shaving experience with you all and hope DAD has fun.

Short and Simple:

Good For You! You made the effort, it's now up to the 'Old Man' to carry through.

That's very cool. Kind of a role reversal.
Usually the father teaches the son.
I hope he takes to it like a fish to water!

Pete <:-}

There is a member here that was brought into straights by his son and his son taught him one on one. I think it is a cool story. I hope the old guy picks it up and has a great time and that you two will have one more point of connection.

At least he now has a new tool for cutting Styrofoam

I can remember the folk rock song "Cat's in the Cradle" written by Harry Chapin, but sung by Cat Stevens, Johnny Cash and others as well. The lyrics tell the tale of busy fathers, focused on their careers, who have little time for their sons. Then as they age, the father's career ends and the sons are now engaged in careers of their own, so they have little time for their fathers.

It was bad enough back in the mid-70's when the Chapin song reached No 1 on the billboard charts. Today, we have far better avenues of communication, but we are busier with our own lives than every before. We have precious few opportunities to spend quality time with family and friends.

Perhaps, by sharing your love of straight razors with your father, you will forge a connection that he will cherish as long as he lives and you will cherish long after he is gone. One day those razors and brushes will be back in your shave den. Each time you use them you will cherish the memories of your shared time together, even though separated by 1000 miles.

"When you comin' home son? I don't know when, but we'll get together then; you know we'll have a good time then....." Harry Chapin

Originally Posted by RayClem

I can remember the folk rock song "Cat's in the Cradle" written by Harry Chapin, but sung by Cat Stevens, Johnny Cash and others as well. The lyrics tell the tale of busy fathers, focused on their careers, who have little time for their sons. Then as they age, the father's career ends and the sons are now engaged in careers of their own, so they have little time for their fathers.

It was bad enough back in the mid-70's when the Chapin song reached No 1 on the billboard charts. Today, we have far better avenues of communication, but we are busier with our own lives than every before. We have precious few opportunities to spend quality time with family and friends.

Perhaps, by sharing your love of straight razors with your father, you will forge a connection that he will cherish as long as he lives and you will cherish long after he is gone. One day those razors and brushes will be back in your shave den. Each time you use them you will cherish the memories of your shared time together, even though separated by 1000 miles.

"When you comin' home son? I don't know when, but we'll get together then; you know we'll have a good time then....." Harry Chapin

After reading this post and sobbing deeply for 15 minutes I remembered I came here to give a big thumbs up to GasMan for re-engaging your pops into straight razor shaving. Great thought!

Originally Posted by Aerdvaark

After reading this post and sobbing deeply for 15 minutes I remembered I came here to give a big thumbs up to GasMan for re-engaging your pops into straight razor shaving. Great thought!

Couldn,t of said it better myself,Ty

Very kind words from you all. I hadnt thought about them coming back to me some day but i bet your right.
I told him to try them out and find what he likes in a razor and id hook him up with what he wants. Also said he would never have to worry about honing as ill take care of it for him. Hope he enjoys it and doesnt cut ANYTHING with them. Ha.

Well done.