Thread: The Man

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

One razor?! And he uses an old, cracked strop?! Twelve dollars a year on local soap!?

Pssshhhaw!

This man couldn't possibly enjoy his shaves at the level we do, eh fellas?!

*Slaps table repeatedly in a rousing manner*

You're right. Twelve dollars a year for soap is ridiculous. I don't spend more than three!

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

back to maybe 1900 you would probably find his story was the norm. People like us, they would look at us like we were crazy or something.

Those who know my shaving habits and what the component cost is look at me like I'm crazy in 2009. A cool story. Thanks for sharing that. If I had met the guy I would be back there again trying to talk him out of the barber's hone that he never used. Might be an old coticule.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

If I had met the guy I would be back there again trying to talk him out of the barber's hone that he never used. Might be an old coticule.

It's funny 'cuz it's true!

I'm going back to this store and speak with the owner -- he and Sam appeared to know each other well. I will see if he might grant me an "audience" (sorry, but I'm really in awe of this guy). I think he's got a huge amount of knowledge that few people do, and I would like to know what it is, preserve it and pass it on. I'd love to see his kit and confirm the condition of the razor and strop. I'd also like to get some of that shave soap.

A couple of things I did not mention. I did ask him what the make of his razor was. He confirmed that it did have a maker's mark, that he last looked at it in the distant past, and had no idea what it was. Imagine that. I can tell you the grind, width, maker, steel type, etc, of every blade I own, and I think that's probably true of most of us.

He also mentioned that his strop maintenance involved rubbing some "cooking oil" on it couple of times a year. Who knows. Maybe he sprays it with Pam.

If he does have an old coticle and he's willing to give it up, I won't be alerting you guys!

Originally Posted by pcb01

I'm going back to this store and speak with the owner -- he and Sam appeared to know each other well. I will see if he might grant me an "audience" (sorry, but I'm really in awe of this guy). I think he's got a huge amount of knowledge that few people do, and I would like to know what it is, preserve it and pass it on. I'd love to see his kit and confirm the condition of the razor and strop. I'd also like to get some of that shave soap.

A couple of things I did not mention. I did ask him what the make of his razor was. He confirmed that it did have a maker's mark, that he last looked at it in the distant past, and had no idea what it was. Imagine that. I can tell you the grind, width, maker, steel type, etc, of every blade I own, and I think that's probably true of most of us.

He also mentioned that his strop maintenance involved rubbing some "cooking oil" on it couple of times a year. Who knows. Maybe he sprays it with Pam.

If he does have an old coticle and he's willing to give it up, I won't be alerting you guys!

You see he just looks at that razor as another tool or implement like a screwdriver or crowbar. Nothing special at all.

If you go back there and visit with him he's really going to think your crazy. He'll probably hit you over the head with the crowbar to knock some sense in.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

You see he just looks at that razor as another tool or implement like a screwdriver or crowbar. Nothing special at all.

If you go back there and visit with him he's really going to think your crazy. He'll probably hit you over the head with the crowbar to knock some sense in.

I'm sure you're right about the first part. The razor is a tool to him. But how many of us have a tool we've used every day for 40 years that's still functional? I would love to see it.

Re: the second part. You appear to have some familiarity with the locals in Scranton. I plan to call first. If he mentions crowbars or Colts (and I believe he would give me fair warning -- most of the people down here do), I'll stay away.

Nope, none at all however the locals living in rural New Mexico are cut from the same cloth.

I've been using "cooking oil" for years. Good stuff. EVVO actually for me. Takes good care of a strop.

Great story! Maybe when I'm an old man I'll be that guy. Of course, everyone else in town will probably still call me crazy for shaving with a straight. I'll still have the better shave, though.

He would cut his cheek off if he used one of my blades.

bj