Thread: 2015 Minnesota Razor Meet May 23, 2015

Originally Posted by LeoK

I'm sorry I couldn't attend (couldn't get the day off) and it sounds like a wonderful time. As a beginner I haven't started shaving with a straight yet (I wet-shave with DE's and Schicks) and a meet-up or one on one probably is the best direction when I'm ready to start. So it's too bad I missed it. At the moment I'm still hesitant slightly due to costs and the process of learning a new process. I take it day by day though

If you can make it to Rochester, and you are serious about trying it, I will loan you a couple of razors and a hone. You would still have to buy a strop. Whether or not the straight works out for you a decent brush and a good soap would still be good investments.

Originally Posted by Utopian

This was my 20th meet-up.



--Too much time is spent focusing on honing. It's what beginners struggle with but they also need to be helped with stropping, making lather, and oh, I don't know, maybe shaving. I'm going to try to change that at future meet-ups.

--It's hard to keep track of names. As an online community, we usually communicate with the written word. When we have the opportunity to come together in person, it really would help to have name-tags. I'm going to invest in some of those!

--They are not well enough attended by beginners! Seeing this stuff in person makes everything a lot easier. Seriously, if you are a beginner and have a chance to go to a meet-up, you should do it.

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I fully agree. We need to create Razor Meets with a specific focus other than just honing. Honing instruction can be done on a 1 on 1 basis most anytime.

Your idea for a "Lathering Gathering" is very good and I would do my best to help you put one together anytime, anywhere.
The other areas to focus on are razor restoration, scale making, brush making/restoration, strop making/restoration just to name a few. Seth has said he would be willing to host another most anytime.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

...snip...
Your idea for a "Lathering Gathering" is very good and I would do my best to help you put one together anytime, anywhere.
The other areas to focus on are razor restoration, scale making, brush making/restoration, strop making/restoration just to name a few. Seth has said he would be willing to host another most anytime.

These are just my opinions; that said:
I would be very happy to participate in such a meet. From past experiences, it must be time structured to accomplish such goals. No more than one each separate activitie of "hands on shop work" and shaving, honing related things in the same area at one time. Otherwise folks find they do not get what they want. A couple shave type demos could repeat to make that possible.

"Hands on" demos/ involvement to start an hour after meeting time.

Renewal: ( about 1.5 hours)
A. cleaning
B. hand work; sanding and polishing.
C. etching renewal
D. Handout of links to suppliers of tools and supplies.

Re-manufacturing: ( ~2-3 hours)
A. Power tools used on blade
B. Unpinning
C. Scale renewal or replacement
1. cleaning and sanding
2. making of new scales ( Acrylic for simplicity)
3. pinning
4. Handouts of links to suppliers and tools would be a plus.

Obviously there are more possibilities.
Thanks to all!
~Richard

I was one of the new guys at this meet. I can say that it was fun & informative, although a little overwhelming. I'm not sure if anything could be done to make it less so though.

Next time I do plan to stick around a little longer.

Thanks for the meet!

I agree as handy as I am with a razor working on it I can't shave my chin to save my life. I can sure shine a set of horn and that looks great but I can't use a razor worth a hill of beans lol

I was wondering what you all would think of doing this once a quarter. It seems we have many folks who would be willing to host. Just a thought

Randy and I have talked about having series of small very focused (honing, restoration, new guy only, stropping etc) get togethers. I think it's a good idea

Maybe this goes with the restoration piece. I have no idea what I am looking for when searching for razors at antique stores. What should I avoid? How do I know that it is a good fixer upper? Might be nice to have a session on this along with some examples.

Originally Posted by Rsutrick

Maybe this goes with the restoration piece. I have no idea what I am looking for when searching for razors at antique stores. What should I avoid? How do I know that it is a good fixer upper? Might be nice to have a session on this along with some examples.

I'm pretty sure we could help you with that. I know I have a few boxes of razors that we could go through razor by razor and point out what is good and bad. I know Randy has a lot too, but mine probably have more of the examples of what not to buy.

I lovingly refer to them as the extreme fixer-uppers!

Future razor meets now have 4 possible venues, 11 Wells in St. Paul, Minnesota, Utopian in Rochester, Minnesota, Jballs in Tomah Wisconsin and Rolodave in Racine, Wisconsin. I want to develop another here in the Twin Cities such as American Legion, Knights of Columbus, VFW etc.
Seth Reid will be at my home tomorrow evening for a honing session and I will discuss the focused razor meet idea with him.