Thread: Wisconsin Fall Meeting

Except for driving through Chicago twice I had a great time. I met four new friends and renewed friendships with others I had met before. I knew Dave from
previous meetups but this was the first time I met his gracious and charming wife, Bonnie. She did a lot of work playing hostess to us. I am thanking her for
all of us. They, Dave & Bonnie, could not have been any better at making us feel welcome and at home. I learned, I laughed, I ate like a pig and did some
useful work on strops. It was a very good experience. One thing I regret is not taking Dave's offer of volunteering Ron to hone the razor I won in the raffle.
It occurred to me that I have shaved only with razors that I have honed so I have nothing to compare my edges to. I can be a little too slow in the head at times.
At the next meet I attend I will try to get Dave to once again volunteer Ron's services on one of my razors so I can judge my skill at honing.

There were a few people there that can put a nice shaving edge on a blade. At my next opportunity I think I will try to get Randy to put an edge on a blade or maybe Victor. It’s hard to decide who may be next.

The meetup that occurs annually at Dave's and Bonnie's house is always a huge success. Their generosity and sharing their home with all of us makes you feel like you are part of their family. It's so fun to come up for this Meetup, we eat, drink, some smoke pipes, there is always bourbon and sometimes scotch for the sharing. I can vouch for I need to find a bottle of Knob Creek 120, simply amazing stuff. Thank you so much Dave and Bonnie for all you did for me and all of us.

I forgot to mention there were razors, strops, hones, microscopes, razor makers, and fun to be had by so many of us. I know at meetups there is always sharing and donating items. You can't help but learn at least one thing you had no clue about

I know the joke or slogan of the weekend was "almost there", it had Vic Charlie, and I rolling most of the weekend. Thank you all for making this weekend special. There were new participants too. Wish we could get some newbies to come, there is always so much knowlwdge and people willing to assist you.

Thanks to all who made long Trek's to be there, like Charlie, his mom, Peter, and Vic. We did not get to hear Vic play harmonica this time, but he shared many jokes with us. Peter brought many great razors to admire. Such a beautiful collection. Thanks for sharing with us.

Randy and Ron, so much can be said about both of them. Always have great advice and willing to help you learn. Your trip is not short either and is always much appreciated when you come. Ron had the famous scope setup to see edges and such.

Dave has many machines, strop parts, and willing to share. Between Ray and Dave, I was able to make my own first custom strop. Thank you gentlemen.

I loved the time each and all of us got to share and experience all weekend. Look forward to next already. Try this link and let me know if the pictures work this way.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/m6fZvYKFmeHCouDG7

For me, this was my first meet-up. I have only been involved with wet shaving since my retirement five years ago. I was hoping to go last year, but had a conflict. I had a great time and look forward to next year.

First, I want to thank Dave and Bonnie for their gracious hospitality. Bonnie is quite the trooper to put up with a house full off razor enthusiasts for the weekend. I know both of them were worn out by Sunday afternoon.

Being the new kid on the block, I wondered how I would be welcomed by some of those who were vital to the wet shaving reformation in the past couple of decades. However, I had thoroughly enjoyable conversations with everyone there. I learned a lot from everyone there and I hope they learned a few things from me along the way.

Although the theme of the meet was strops, the skill I most needed to acquire was scale making and pinning. I have some vintage razors that were sorely in need of either rescaling or repinning. My first attempt at scale making without outside help was marginal at best. With Dave's help, I was able to remove the scales from my W&B, polish the tang, make a new set of horn scales, and pin it into place. Then I rehoned the blade on Pete's set of Shapton glass stones and stropped it on the new horsehide strop I assembled. Sunday, I got a wonderful shave from the razor. I've got a few more razors to do back home, but now I know how to do them.

We had great conversations on steel types and properties, heat treating, honing, and soaps, in addition to the strop restoration and production. A marvelous time was had by all. I certainly hope to make it next year. There were a few who were unable to make it this year; I hope to meet them next year.

Thanks to all who made this year's meet a great success.

The pics.


Tom's Rum Balls. These were to die for. Thank you, Tom

There were none left, darn it!

Tom aka Learner

Randy's strops and burnishing a strop using the back of a sanding belt.

More of Randy burnishing a strop

Ron aka Utopian and his magic scope

Charlie aka Spazola
For some reason I did not get a pic of Charlie's Mom. My apology.