Thread: Are we doing something new and wonderful?

I had a short conversation with gssixgun this weekend, and I thought I'd post it here..

I think, and I'd like others opinions, think that we're doing more here then preserving an old art. We're taking it to another level. Some of the custom work we see, the laser etching, the custom scales, the new methods of restoration, are we doing new things? And doing the old things even better?

I'd also really dig seeing some examples of what we're doing, that takes it to another level. I saw some this weekend.. A spider razor that oldblades did, some Chandler razors that blew my socks off. And some really great scales by Traveller.

What do you guys think?

dw

I think you're right. Now I'm speaking as someone who barely has his toe in, or should I say barely has a whisker in, and has no expectation of participating at those new levels. But I doubt very much that the level of artistry and customization that I've seen here has ever been approached, or as widely done, in the past. Not to mention the scientific and technological resources that I see people bringing to the fine-tuning of the blades.

~Rich

You have to remember in the past a razor was a cheap common tool used by men to shave every day. It would be like someone making a screwdriver with damascus steel and engraving and exotic wood handles. Certainly in the day there were expensive razors catering to the well healed and rich but they were the exception. Straight razors to us in this day and age have been elevated to more of a hobby status so that's why there is so much more hand work and skill going in to them. Does that mean they shave any better than a vintage? I don't think so but they are prettier and rarer and I like looking at them and acquiring them when I am able.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

You have to remember in the past a razor was a cheap common tool used by men to shave every day. It would be like someone making a screwdriver with damascus steel and engraving and exotic wood handles. Certainly in the day there were expensive razors catering to the well healed and rich but they were the exception. Straight razors to us in this day and age have been elevated to more of a hobby status so that's why there is so much more hand work and skill going in to them. Does that mean they shave any better than a vintage? I don't think so but they are prettier and rarer and I like looking at them and acquiring them when I am able.

I have a straight shaving buddy, that inherited some razors from his great grandfather. Apparantly, that men was a razor aficionado. He had a small collection of different razors, and it seemed that he liked to go on a trip to the Solingen vicinity every few years (not that far away from Belgium) and buy a new razor. He kept them in a special box. That man was a slaughter-barkeeper by profession, he was certainly not among the wealthy few of that era. I don't think he was the only one who made a hobby out of his shaving practice, but I agree that for many others it was a daily chore, or a weekly visit to the barber. According to a retired barber I spoke to, a lot of men never shaved themselves. They owned their own razor though, stored and cared for by their barber, who used it to perform the owners weekly shave. Common people came in on Saturday, rich folks had their shave on Sunday, before the Holy Mass.
I just wanted to contribute this. I agree that we are exploring our straight razor hobby at an entirely different level. I think it has everything to do with the fact that our world has become much bigger. Today it's very easy to find and connect with people sharing the same passion. We're pushing each other onward, here at SRP, and I mean that in the best possible sense.

Bart.

I think it is a good observation Dave. I've thought about it myself and where this "hobby" might be 10 years from now. It seems like this still may be near the ground floor. Bart brought up the modern aspect of information sharing which may have something to do with this, as does bringing back old tried and true ways of doing things. I think craftsmanship and skill in almost all aspects of life are constantly being brought to a higher and higher level. Learning and being inspired by others is what gave this modern age such a higher curve in terms of improvement I'd say- brought on by such easy access to knowledge. Hopefully things will only get better, and I'm pretty sure they will.

I think in my opinion though, that preservation alone will not waken the sleeping art. It is the taking it to the next level that will inspire more and more people to start using straights.

The quest continues...

I do see some beautifully crafted razors and reading the devotion understanding and skill that individuals use
to craft these beautiful blades is inspiring. I applaud these craftsmen and want them to succeed.

This said, a highly competitive industry was operating for centuries and that industry made some astonishing
products that will always be difficult for an individual to replicate. The industry had specialists that progressed in a full time career to learn every different aspect of razor manufacture. Each manufacturer could offer a whole range of qualities, sizes and types of razor.

I do not think the knowledge of steel or razor design has progressed. No. Replicated, yes. New artistry, yes. But "better" shaving instruments, no.

I do think that the tools available to allow us to DIY a straight razor has improved significantly and the understanding of what works has come on leaps and bounds because of this forum in particular. In the past knowledge meant power and money. But now as a hobby industry, knowledge is shared freely. But try asking Gillette what angle they sharpen their blades at and see the reaction.

Originally Posted by English

I do not think the knowledge of steel or razor design has progressed. No. Replicated, yes. New artistry, yes. But "better" shaving instruments, no.

David said he thinks we are doing more than restoring an old art; we are taking it to a new level. I certainly think the art is being taken to a new level.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

David said he thinks we are doing more than restoring an old art; we are taking it to a new level. I certainly think the art is being taken to a new level.

Well said sir. The great thing about this forum is that it is pushing innovation wherever it can in the straight razor world. I think that there is plenty left to learn that is not artistic. We have tools and processes available to us today that were not even thinkable at the beginning of the last century. As Dave mentioned in his initial post, Oldblades is using laser etching tools to create detailed marquetry that would have been well outside the scope of the craftsmen of yesteryear. This isn't inlay mind you, they are COMPLETELY PASS THROUGH! The design that he makes is visible on both the inside and the outside of the scale! This is not to even mention the detail that he is able to laser etch on the metal. Now what if those same tools and processes could be used to put an Edge on the blade too? This is but one example of the stuff that is out there. Has anyone ever imagined a ceramic razor blade? Carbon nano-tubes used in the steel make-up? Everyday, someone imagines and realizes something new.

I think we are doing something that is both new and wonderful.
New:
Taking old razors and restoring them to better than new condition.
Creating true works of art that have daily utility.
Wonderful:
Providing a fellowship of folks interested in the art of str8 shaving.
Promoting str8 shaving to folks that would not have thought of it before.
Providing a support group for all who are interested in str8s (creation, shaving, honing, etc.)
Many thanks to everyone that participates, the founders, and the mods that make this place so special!