Thread: It all arrived today!

One thing I have learned from reading this forum over the years, and going to the Meets to help beginners

For every expert of one month that knows everything, is a student of 1 year that knows they knew nothing 11 months ago...

This is what the guys are trying to say

Originally Posted by earcutter

If you have read any of my posts on honing, you would know that I am a big fan of honing as soon as possible. Moreover, I can't be self-interested in this case, as I don't hone for a living and have no affiliation with anyone who does.

I was merely responding to your posts that seemingly imply that there is nothing to honing and we all make too big a deal over it - basically that anyone can do it. YOU may be ok honing out of the gate - but many aren't, and the last thing most of the gents here want to do is encourage bad shaves right off the bat.

I note on another thread you are also telling people to use film to "fix" an area of his blade. I thought that odd advice. I wonder if you have much experience with it as well. Surely you don't have that many razors yet that you know all these techniques? Or do you?

I have the film I spoke of and I was responding to someone who had already inflicted the damage. I told him that he can either send it to someone if he's not into learning how to do it himself or for $15 he could get film rather than $150 for the full set of stones.

I also mentioned that if he had access to an 8k he "might" be able to fix it if he hadn't done too much damage.

If it didn't work and he had to send it to someone he wouldn't be causing more damage with my advice.

I think that a "discussion" board rather than a "promotion" board should have more than one point of view.

The view that everything should be purchased from one or two places and a great shave can't be had with a boar brush and every razor should first be sent to someone...this view is well represented here.

Does everyone have to have that same view to post on here? If you read my posts you will not find any "bad" advise. I've frequently even mentioned sending a razor out for honing or buying one from Whipped Dog.

There was one post where someone implied that one can't get a decent straight razor for less than $80. Does that need to be everyone's view?

I find hobby related boards more interesting when I'm new to that hobby when there are many differing viewpoints on a board. I can then make my own decisions. Here you seem to be imply that "we the board will make those decisions for you...just take our word for it".

When everyone says the same thing it's not very helpful or educational. Nothing could be more arrogant than that approach.

You have said that perhaps I did all right with learning to hone right away but that someone else might not.

That's fair. You and most everyone else have given the option to send the razor out. That's one point of view. I had another point of view and expressed that.

What's the problem? I actually don't think you need to be worrying about what I post as long as it's factual and my opinion. I'm not trying to change your opinion.

I think it would be helpful for new people coming to the board to hear more about Whipped Dog and ebay as other options.

There is a FAQ somewhere on here recommending that one should only shave a 1 inch strip on the right side of the face on day one and to continue this way so that it takes a month to do the whole face.

Has anyone ever really done that? No. Someone today compared jumping right in with handing the keys to a new driver to an 18 wheel truck!

If I posted something like that I would deserve to be called arrogant. It may be like going directly to a stick shift but people used to do that all the time.

People used to jump right in with straight razors as well because that's all there was.

Really, is it necessary for every single poster to have the same opinion?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

One thing I have learned from reading this forum over the years, and going to the Meets to help beginners

For every expert of one month that knows everything, is a student of 1 year that knows they knew nothing 11 months ago...

This is what the guys are trying to say

I'm well aware of what "the guys" are trying to say.

Originally Posted by gcbryan

I'm well aware of what "the guys" are trying to say.

Then I guess from reading your last post your not interested in listening, which means that I have nothing more to discuss with you...

Originally Posted by earcutter

...I was merely responding to your posts that seemingly imply that there is nothing to honing and we all make too big a deal over it - basically that anyone can do it. YOU may be ok honing out of the gate - but many aren't, and the last thing most of the gents here want to do is encourage bad shaves right off the bat...

I think you make some good points. When I realised I could hone; I guess I myself may have downplayed the difficulty a little; I was so astonished that I could do it with no experience in hobbies that use one's hands; like carpentry, etc. However, it certainly wasn't easy. I think the main skill I learnt was concentration; concentration on the task at hand, the long and short term goals, the pressure, the wave of water, the light, etc.

I value the ability to do this so much, that I do place it in the realm of art, however, no, it's not as difficult (I imagine) as playing a Chopin piece flawlessly on a grand piano...

The most important thing for me is whether I LIKE the whole deal or not. I don't care if it's easy, hard or whatever, I just know I like the tools, the ritual, the time for me, the 'oddness' of it, the coolness of it, etc. I didn't like surfing because it was hard, I liked it because it was cool.

Actually, I must also say that in my MOST humble opinion, the best piece of advice that Lynn ever gave is 'have fun'

lol - well group-think is never a good thing... unless it's right lol! I mean just because I can drive on the left side of the road doesn't mean it's a good idea lol.

Seriously - I am not sure why you are trying to imply that everyone here is a trained monkey spewing out the same stuff. It's insulting really - especially when I have witnessed awesome debates on all sorts of issues on this site. If there is consensus from trial and error - it doesn't mean there is a group mentality going on.

You are a self admitted noob who has some great ideas - but somehow you think that your "ideas" should be more valid than others! Others who have been at this for a long time.

Actually - nothing you are saying makes any seance to me at all - We don't talk about eBay and Larry enough?? Says you! People here recommend Larry all the time - and as for eBay - there is an entire section for discussing eBay actions! But you think we aren't talking about it enough??!! Dude that's arrogant!

Anyway - I have said enough and too much - to a person who clearly isn't thinking about what he's saying!

Originally Posted by gcbryan

...I think that a "discussion" board rather than a "promotion" board should have more than one point of view.

The view that everything should be purchased from one or two places and a great shave can't be had with a boar brush and every razor should first be sent to someone...this view is well represented here.

Does everyone have to have that same view to post on here? If you read my posts you will not find any "bad" advise. I've frequently even mentioned sending a razor out for honing or buying one from Whipped Dog.

There was one post where someone implied that one can't get a decent straight razor for less than $80. Does that need to be everyone's view?

I find hobby related boards more interesting when I'm new to that hobby when there are many differing viewpoints on a board. I can then make my own decisions. Here you seem to be imply that "we the board will make those decisions for you...just take our word for it".

...

I think you're generalising. I feel that I have been trying to give a different perspective, I have never really promoted sending one's razor out, I like to be self sufficient myself.

There are lots of different views here (as well as many the same or similar) in regards to the different aspects. You'll find many posts and threads comparing badger and boar brushes, and boar brushes are a strong presence here.

I think that if you are suggesting that this is a "promotion" forum, then you might need to take a step back and re-consider. It isn't. It's just that we are a bunch of guys who have built up a friendship with each other and who trust each other.

Of course, having said that, if you choose to, then I guess there's a whole lot of other places on the net where you can get a more diverse set of opinions. You talk almost like we're forcing you to be here...We're not. We love you, and to prove it we will set you free...

Carl

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I think that if you are suggesting that this is a "promotion" forum, then you might need to take a step back and re-consider. It isn't. It's just that we are a bunch of guys who have built up a friendship with each other and who trust each other.
Of course, having said that, if you choose to, then I guess there's a whole lot of other places on the net where you can get a more diverse set of opinions. You talk almost like we're forcing you to be here...We're not. We love you, and to prove it we will set you free...
Carl

As usual, Carl states his case with grace, eloquence, and tact.

It's interesting that so many are piling on as if I brought this subject up. All I did was to express excitement with the items that arrived today and more or less summed up my impressions of the last few weeks.

Now I'm having to justify my comments. I don't think there was a problem until earcutter decided to try to characterize my attitude as arrogant.

It's very kind to offer to set me free. How about just comment when/if I'm factually wrong and refrain from posting when it comes to trying to assess another person's character?

I don't think I've made any posts that were meant to be anything other than helpful until earcutter and crew decided to pile on.

It's odd that not one person sees anything wrong with this piling on.

How did I miss this thread?
In post # 1 , you said that the razor from Whipped Dog basicly fell apart; then in post # 22 you want to send more new shavers to Whipped Dog, how about sending your razor back to them to fix. If I purchased a razor from a vender & it fell apart, they would be getting it back. Yes, even the best venders can let one get by.

Why do I have a feeling you have visited us before; under a different name?