Gentlemen — and, as always, Ladies,
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
I hope this season good fortune swam in your lane, as it did in mine — oh, yes, indeed.
* My two lovely girls gave me a gift certificate to Straight Razor Designs — one of the best gifts I have ever received. I used it toward the purchase of a Dovo "Bismarck" 6/8" and the SRD English Bridle Strop. They arrived in the post today. What a lovely pair. I will give you some thoughts on the combo in a few days.
* Just before Christmas I received a 3/4 hollow Le Grelot from Rasurpur. It arrived in perfect shape. White plastic scales. I love the razor. It's unpretentious and at the same time a great shaver. Very gentle. I like Martin's service. I like Martin.
* I have a Le Grelot 1/4 hollow with the thumb notch coming from a dear friend. I can't wait to receive it.
* The mustache on the Dovo "Bergischer Lowe" finally had to go. That's the little rubber band on the shank I call the razor's mustache. What a nuisance. The one on mine kept sliding. You can cut your throat with that thing skating up and down the shank, you know? So I snipped it off. Who needs it? I must say, that is an absolutely gorgeous razor, with or without a mustache. The workmanship, the etching, the rich cherry-brown bone scales, everything is gorgeous on that razor. My "Bergischer Lowe" was honed by the noble Lynn and, therefore, it is also a fabulous shaver. But that mustache had to go.
* THE STRANGE CASE OF THE PREGNANT STROP:
Scene: My little shaving kingdom, which dearly beloved has invaded:
"How many of those things do you have now?"
"Strops."
"Whatever."
"I have four now."
"Eight, you mean."
"Four."
"I count eight."
"Oh, that. No. They come in doubles. See? One piece is linen and the other leather. Gentlemen shavers need both."
"I swear I saw only two a few months ago. They keep multiplying like rabbits."
"The strop you saw was pregnant."
"Ah, I'm glad you told me."
"Lovely kids, eh?"
"Yes, very."
"One is an SRD two-inch, one an SRD Latigo three-inch, and one a small Tony Miller I use for traveling. My latest is the SRD three-inch English Bridle Strop."
"Like I understand all that."
"They're part of my identity."
"You're a little crazy, you know?"
"Eccentric, you mean? Only poor people are crazy. The rich are eccentric."
"If you're rich, how come we're not living in a mansion on Lake Drive?"
"I am rich, because I have you."
"Hmmmmm. Maybe by your next birthday the strop will get pregnant again."
"Thank you, my love. I can always use another strop. I mean the strop can always use another baby."
She turns to the sink counter, where my razors rest in two long wooden racks, similar to pipe racks a friend built for me. "I see your first straight razor must've been pregnant, too."
"The Dovo 'Renaissance' you mean?"
"Oh, absolutely."
"She was definitely pregnant, the sweet thing."
"I can see that. How many kids does she have now?"
"Twenty — but Lynn is restoring three or four more."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"I told you I was rich."
"I love you, too."
"Maybe by my next birthday my 'Renaissance' can give birth again?"
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, my dear SRD friends.
Regards,
Obie