Thread: Hello and thanks

Thought I'd introduce myself around here since I've spent the last several days digging through all the forum posts.

I'm Gary, 40, and sometimes feel like I should've been born about a hundred years earlier I love old antique things and old ways of doing things which is a real anachronism since I work in high tech. I also write in my spare time and consequently tend to get a little wordy at times as evidenced by the length of this post.

I'm sort of a ritual kind of guy and I like fiddly things. I carry a mechanical pocket watch that requires manual winding. I use a shaving mug/brush although I didn't have much luck when I first tried a straight razor many years ago, mainly because I didn't have anyone to teach me how to properly care for it. I taught myself to tie my own ties when I was 14 (my father died when I was 3 so I've always had to teach myself most everything "manly"). Secretly (ok, maybe not so secretly) I want to be a homesteader when I grow up but the darned government stopped giving land grants.

I get out of sorts if my morning (and evening, and weekend... who am I kidding?) rituals get out of whack and I like to take my time about things. I homebrew (award winning, I might add if I'm allowed to preen a little) beer and occasionally mead and wine. I grill and am learning how to run a smoker. I'm willing to go slow and take my time to make the food turn out right. My fiancee delights in this slow deliberate part of me, even if she does occasionally poke me out of balance every now and then just to hear me grumble and growl. I'm not sure if I'm really a patient man, or if I'm just stubborn and it LOOKS like patience. I do know patience is something I've strived for my entire life.

I believe in paying attention to detail. I believe in spending a long time learning to do something *right*. I believe that a man should be willing to take on the responsibility to do whatever he's going to do the best he possibly can. I also believe in at least knowing how to do as many things as possible by hand instead of relying on running down to the store to purchase yet another something that's going to fill up the landfills. I dislike the disposable mentality of our society in general and I try to leave a small footprint when and where I can.

I'm grateful to find this site, even if I'm a bit in awe. I don't *think* I'm as obsessive (grin) as some of you, but I do think that it will take me a good bit of time to soak up the collective wisdom and experience around here and I wish I'd had a resource like this the first time I tried a straight razor. Lord knows what I'd look like today without all these hack marks and scars (lol, just kidding).

I don't have a razor yet, but I'll be getting one eventually after I do a lot of reading and studying and asking for advice I'm sure. I'm also the kind of guy that wishes he had his granddad's razors, and am more fond of having something old and cherished than something new and shiny. The history of things means something to me. Not sure if that makes sense but I suspect it strikes a chord in at least a few of you as well.

I think that it's great that there are other people like me who are interested in walking a slightly different path. You just can't rely on your father to teach you this stuff now days... but I guarantee you that my son (well, none yet but a man can hope can't he?) will learn how to shave with a straight razor, brew his own beer, raise, slaughter and grill his own meat and learn to slow down and appreciate the world and what's in it instead of racing through life always in a hurry.

Thanks guys! I thought I was weird for being the way I am but now I know no matter how weird you think you are, there's a group for you to belong to that has members weirder than you'll ever be I'm looking forward to learning all I can from you all!

-- Gary F.

Welcome Gary. This is a great place for information and for sharing it with people who really enjoy this obcession or art as we call it. Keep us posted on your progress. Lynn

Cool dude welcome aboard. Straight razor shaving is truely something that is better than the new way of shaving. Plus you get a feeling of accomplishment when you finish a good shave. I am 51 and have been at it for over a year and a half, I shave almost every day and will never go back to the moch3 way of shaving. In fact besides being fun, if you can limit yourself from buying everything under the sun it is actually cheaper. Nagghh you can't stop buying stuff once you get addicted like the rest of us. So don't even use that as an excuse my wife busted me on that one. If I live to be 135 I will have saved money.

Here's a typical story... Nenad told me to try the Body Shop shaving creme. I wanted to swing by the mall and at least give it a sniff.. On my way there I came across C&E and remembered that people recommended their badger hair brush. Instead of a $10 creme I spent $75 on the brush and a Kent stand. I really hope I bought enough food to last me until Monday, b/c I don't have any cash now, but at least I finally have a good brush lol

P.S. Welcome aboard, fasten your seatbelt and get ready to take off

Gary,

Welcome to our little corner of world wide web. I am 41
and started shaving with a straight 3 months ago. I had
been wanting to do this for years but had no one to turn
to for advise. This forum has made my dream a reality.

Some of these guys call this little hobby of ours an addiction.
They are wrong, it's more like a disease.

Well you are off to a good start by joining this forum.


Terry

Welcome aboard gary. Most of us here are relative newbees. I've been straight shaving around three years or so and to me less than five years is still a beginner. I think many of us here have your philosophy of life so you should feel ay home here. I'm a long time pocketwatch collector and carry an old Hamilton 950 every day. People ask me why and I say thats my trademark.

Well be looking forward to your questions.

What a great introduction. Thank-you. I was 38 when I started straight shaving nine months ago. I was also poking around here for about three months before getting it all together. I'll likely spend the same amount of time humming and hawing over brush and mug and such which is my next adventure.

Good to have you here.

X