When I first decided I wanted to learn to shave the old fashioned way, with a straight razor, I decided that even before buying the razor, I would find a barber to shave me. That way I'd know what I was getting into, or so I thought.

I found an old man of a barber in Santa Monica, California who still did straight razor shaves. From the moment I walked into his shop for that one and only shave, I watched everything he did. I watched as he honed the razor and then stropped it. I paid attention to every move he made over my face.

At the end, as I paid him, I nerved up and asked him if he would take the time to teach me to use the straight razor. He waved me off saying "no, it would take too much time."

Wow, I was a little hurt and disapointed. Really, how much time would it take to show a kid a few things?? Grouchy old fart!

Now, 27 years later, I completely understand the old master.

I had my wife read your posting. When she finished she said, "boy, you guys sure are passionate about this." I said, "yes we are, in fact we're passionate about a lot of things. We're just passionate people."

Hmmmm. Passion and craft, or skills of the hand, seem to be a theme in my life.

Go to the store and buy ice cream? I'd rather make my own in my hand cranked White Mountain ice cream maker, a hand crafted piece of art in itself, made the same as it was 150 years ago. No store bought ice cream tastes as good to me. How to tell when it's time to stop cranking? By feel.

Baking. I've baked at home, and in commercial bakeries. Sure, I buy ready made bread, but nothing beats hand made. How does a baker know when to stop kneading bread dough? By feel. It comes with experience. The satiny, springy feel of bread dough ready to be formed into loaves.

I've always admired those who made wood furniture by hand with old hand tools. I always wanted to learn, but never did.

What allows someone to continue long enough to develop the "feel," the skill? I'm guessing it's passion. Kind of silly to associate shaving with passion, but then, when put into the context of a craft, I think it fits.

So, I've gone on long enough too, but thank you for the great post, Dale.

Scott