Thread: Pipe smoking and SR shaving

I was wondering if there are others here that hold straight razor shaving and its rituals the same as Pipe smoking and its inherant rituals?

I have been a pipe smoker for over a decade now and can draw similarities with it and straight razor shaving. With the purchase of your first pipe and and pouch of tobacco, you soon find that stuffing a bowl with cheap baccy and setting fire to it is not the way. There is a basic formula that can get you started enough to see that you enjoy pipe smoking but there is so much more to learn and master, then the habit kicks in
Straight razors shaving seems to follow a similar course to that of pipe smoking. You can go out and buy yourself a starter razor, strop and brush, then you set about practicing stroping. You cant seem to get the purfect edge but it will shave, so on goes the lather and off comes the top layer of skin. You know that the razor isn't to blame it's your technique, so, analise and practice some more.

You know in your heart that you can achieve the perfect smoke/shave, you just have to practice and buy lots more gear, (well it has to be your lack of tools for the job, doesn't it )

PuFF

And that Thiers-Issard Razor and/or Lagioule pipe tool will make it all better?

I agree with you, though. I smoke a pipe, and cigars, and I think that they have a lot of similarities with straight razor shaving. I both smoke and shave to relax, for example. Though I have to admit, like an entry-level Dovo, the pouch of Captain Black can sometimes remain satisfying.

Haven't smoked my pipes in years, unfortunately. I mostly favored Ashton pipes and the latakia blends, but went through a period a few years ago where I had a persistent flulike bug for a month, and never got started up again.

I smoked a pipe in college. My father did also for as long as I can remember. If you like it You should try Colleens shaving cream Cavendish Black. It has an aroma of pipe tobacco. Really nice stuff.

Mparker762, Lets hope you don't suffer any afliction that could affect your use of the razor.

PuFF

Originally Posted by RichZ

I smoked a pipe in college. My father did also for as long as I can remember. If you like it You should try Colleens shaving cream Cavendish Black. It has an aroma of pipe tobacco. Really nice stuff.

Not so sure about adding more tobacco smell to my self, the wife hates it as it is without me rubbing extra on my face when I shave

I prefer cigars, good Cubans! Are they still banned from the US of A?

Cubans are still banned over here......dangit. One of our members, Kirk Bosi makes really nice pipes. I have 2 of them. Love Penzance by Esoterica as well.

Lynn

Originally Posted by adjustme69

Cubans are still banned over here......dangit. One of our members, Kirk Bosi makes really nice pipes. I have 2 of them. Love Penzance by Esoterica as well.

Lynn

Im sure you know someone that lives near mexico

Funny, but I was making the same comparisons. I consider pipe smoking and straight razor shaving as hobbies that one has to strive to master. The similarities are there both in the skill part and the collecting part. I remember when I first started smoking pipes in earnest I began with an old Dr. Graybow I borrowed from my Father. I then realized that smoking a quality pipe greatly added to the enjoyment so I started on a quest to upgrade and began a collection program of high quality, vintage English pipes. Once you get that bug there is no end to it. I now have a collection of over 100 great smoking pipes probably worth in the thousands.

I then turned my attention to the art of cigar smoking. Same concept, same compulsion. I now have several humidors filled with hundreds of premium and super premium cigars which I enjoy daily.

Finally came straight razor shaving which I began doing 6 months ago. In that short period of time I've spent hundreds on razors and related paraphernalia.

Beside the similarities of cost, all three hobbies have about the same learning curve before you can begin to truly enjoy the fruits of your labor. But once you've mastered it or at least become proficient in the use, care and maintenance of it, it is something in which you can take great personal pride and satisfaction. To all you puffers out there I salute you.

Ken