Thread: PIF

To date I have given away 5 Rolls with sticks of arko, 3 brushes, 2 strops, 4 straights, 2 Gem's with blades, and 4 DE's with blades. I really enjoy having one of my friends come back to me and say "why did I ever use a mach 3?" puts a smile on my face every time.

Lynn,

That is one of the things that drew me to this forum when I found it. The culture that you had fostered here is a testement to you. I have been lucky enough to meet with you and a number of the other members here and we all seem to PIF in one way or another. Be it in soap, brushes, razors, experiance, restoring etc... I am with Thesus though in most str8's don't get PIF'd LOL.
And thank god for Lynn that the only wedge restore He got from me was from the razor Nervin had me do for him!!!! After sitting at Lynn's feet I learned patience in honing a wedge.
This truly is a Gentlemans Forum.
Paul

Originally Posted by Theseus

I think that what makes the hobby of wet shaving so enjoyable is the sharing of it with others. I pick up DE razors all the time and gift them to friends and family. The straights I pick up seem not to want to leave my house though.

So True

Well after a year I have given away 2 razor. 1 I did for a friend whom had PIF for me in another area of collectables. He had broken his faux frameback lengthwise and didnt have the money to replace it. I cleaned up and hone a Winchester (perfect choice for this individual) and sent it to him. Its his only razor right now. And the second one was for a new member here. I had an old Torrey that I just couldnt get the edge right, so WillN got it shaving and the got it to the final user ChiefX. But you know a lot of collectors and hobbiest are like this, at least that has been my experience.

I believe that SRP's spirit of helpfulness is greater than that of just about any forum on the Internet.

A couple of years ago I was down on my luck with a pile of medical bills, and with winter coming had no money to fill the propane tank to heat my house. I was forced to sell my favorite razor, the crown jewel of my collection, for money to fill the tank.
A few weeks later, that razor showed up back at my house with a note saying, "Merry Christmas from your SRP family."

Not only are the folks here gracious enough to have sent a $600 razor back to me - to this day I don't even know everyone that helped to make it happen. I know a few people that did, and I am forever grateful to them - others have chosen to remain completely anonymous - having given for the sake of helping a guy out and not wanting any recognition in return.


I try as much as possible to help out other members here, in that spirit - rarely do I make an announcement in a thread that I am going to help someone. Usually it's done by PM. I know that there are quite a few other members who do the same. In a way, it would be nice for the community to know that these things happen, but in a way I think it makes it extra special - we have a community of people that help each other for no reason other than the pleasure of helping.

A lot more PIF stuff goes on here than the average member realizes.

Originally Posted by HNSB

I believe that SRP's spirit of helpfulness is greater than that of just about any forum on the Internet.

A couple of years ago I was down on my luck with a pile of medical bills, and with winter coming had no money to fill the propane tank to heat my house. I was forced to sell my favorite razor, the crown jewel of my collection, for money to fill the tank.
A few weeks later, that razor showed up back at my house with a note saying, "Merry Christmas from your SRP family." It was supposed to say "Quit selling off heirlooms!!!

Not only are the folks here gracious enough to have sent a $600 razor back to me - to this day I don't even know everyone that helped to make it happen. I know a few people that did, and I am forever grateful to them - others have chosen to remain completely anonymous - having given for the sake of helping a guy out and not wanting any recognition in return. Only 2 people know everyone that participated. I will give you a fun fact....the largest donor didn't even know you.


I try as much as possible to help out other members here, in that spirit - rarely do I make an announcement in a thread that I am going to help someone. Usually it's done by PM. I know that there are quite a few other members who do the same. In a way, it would be nice for the community to know that these things happen, but in a way I think it makes it extra special - we have a community of people that help each other for no reason other than the pleasure of helping. It also helps cut down on the "I am a poor college student....." threads that seem to follow PIF threads.

A lot more PIF stuff goes on here than the average member realizes.

Dang software still wants 10 characters......."Hi Eric!!!"

I think the most powerful PIF's involve knowledge. I love helping people out (Go figure....I teach grade 1 for a living!). I really get a kick out of seeing someone that finally "gets it".

There have been times where I've passed on a strop or razor or some soap, but I prefer to pass on information. The best PIF's to me have been the same: information - including some of the most important words in the english language: SURFACE FEET PER MINUTE.

Now that being said, there have been people who have helped me out....a lot! I know these guys have helped countless people, but still, Glen and Max, as well as Brad, have been on the other end of my restoration questions for a while! If I ever visit these guys, I'm going to have to bring them a case of wine each as a thank you....not just a bottle!

Originally Posted by Lynn

Pay it forward.

Examples: Someone gave you a razor because you couldn't afford one. When you could afford to buy a better one, you gave the old one to someone else who couldn't afford one. Same with a strop. Giving a new person a nice soap to use because you have tons of them hanging around that you may never use.

Have fun.

Lynn,

This is so true!!

With my meager income, I’ve helped others financially get into honing/trying different hones etc, buying razors, strops etc and have always gotten paid back.

I’ve also given razors to those that are just getting started! I gave the very first razor I’d purchased from Eric (HSNB) and the man who took the time to take me under his wing and help me when I was a clueless Newbie/ a nice 5/8 Red Point to a guy I worked with who had purchased one of those worthless Paki razors just so he could continue on! I also loaned him a strop AFTER showing him how to use it.

While it’s given me great personal satisfaction doing these kind of things, I think that the greatest satisfaction is when those who I’ve help succeed! It really does give me a great feeling having helped someone who might have just given up!

Roy

I have been a recipient of a razor that I just mentioned I thought was COOL looking but on a auction site in another country.
The member who sent it to me, did so out of the KINDNESS of his heart.

I appreciated this SO MUCH that I said I would do the same for someone one day.

That time did come and I sent a razor to a person in need.
The pm's and friendship from this is worth more than any amount of money that could have been exchanged!

The members here are not only friendly and helpful but just a GREAT bunch of people to have the honor to get to know!

All sorts of knowledge has been bestowed and I like sharing what I have learned to others. A few folks have honed my razors for free, loaned me items and given me lessons in person. Gotta love that. SOTD is great too. Shavers take the art of shaving and photography to new levels. I am the recipient of the time they devote to the SOTD.

Knowledge is a great PIF we should all be involved in, however I don't think we should pat ourselves on the back and brag about a PIF. If the recipient brings it up, great...