2nd Meeting of Chicago-land Str8 Rzrs Club ideas

[Gonzo4str8rzrs]

Hello members and future members of the Chicago-land Str8 Rzrs Club,
Since our first meeting went so well, it is time to start brainstorming about our next meetup. We really appreciated Utopian bringing his large collection of hones, strops, microscopes, razors, and all the goodies to hone up our razors and teach us how to hone. It helped us to have such a successful meetup.
Let's get some ideas of when,where, and what we would like to cover in our next meetup. Looking forward to hearing from you all and let's have another successful meetup. It may even be over 32 degrees finally, also.

Looking forward to hearing from members all of the Chicagoland area.
Gonzo4str8rzrs is my forum name and I go by Gonzo or Bob.

[deepweeds]

I'm up for another meet-up when we can do it. Maybe in a couple of months when we can count on above-freezing temps? I'd be willing to host, but we are in a smallish 2-bedroom walkup apartment, so if someone else volunteers, they're probably the more comfortable bet. We're in Evanston (north of Rogers Park, along the Lake). Of course, if someone wants to host and would like to have it sooner, I'm there!

Honing is always a good idea. I got a little help on tightening pins from TwistedOak last time, but could use more help. If anyone wanted to look at restoration-related stuff (sanding etc), then I might take time to make a couple of iffy eBay purchases for the occasion. Hm: stropping? Anyway, it's all good…heaven knows I have enough to learn. Any ideas that anyone has, it will be something I can learn from.

[TwistedOak]

I like the idea of doing a full restore during a meetup! From making custom scales and wedge to peening.

[Gonzo4str8rzrs]

I agree that some basic restoration would be awesome. I know absolutely nothing about it. I would like to see about hand polishing and sanding. How to unpin and repin also. Maybe we can get someone to come and help instruct us in this topic (anyone volunteers or suggestions?) I would also like a short period of type of strops,strop care and instruction of techniques and such. When should this take place, maybe early April?

[TwistedOak]

Right now my work schedule has me in Chicago until the beginning of May... then I'll be traveling just about every week until November. I will be back all day Saturday during the travel season though.

[oldsCool]

Since I couldn't make the last one, I would still be interested in anything , especially about learning more about honing--the rest of the ideas sound great. I too live in an apartment and couldn't host though.

[CharlesFarley]

I would be interested!

[Gonzo4str8rzrs]

What we need is an area to have meeting at. I did have the first one and would like to see if we can have it somewhere else, if at all possible. Deepweeds offered to have it at his place in Evanston. Not sure how many people will be coming, but if we start getting a little bit larger group, we need to figure on where we can find a room and such. Maybe like a VFW or something like that. I would think it would not cost too much. I am also going to look into the library. If anyone else has ideas of where, let us know. I am thinking maybe first week in April 5. Topics mentioned thus far, more honing, buying strops, care of, stropping, restorations including tightening pins, unpinning, and re-pinning, and whatever else everyone would think would be good. Maybe we should start earlier also. Maybe 9:30. Look forward to everyone's responses.

[Gonzo4str8rzrs]

Gentlemen,
It is now March and April is not that far a way. Are we still interested in finalizing a date and topics? I am thinking April 5. Have not really had much feedback on where yet. It may end up at my house again unless we rent a room somewhere. If someone want to spearhead that, go ahead. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. The topics of interests seem to be:
1. Honing
2. Restoration
3. Strops and stropping techniques
4. Bring soaps, creams, and brushes to try out. Maybe swap some creams or soaps
5. Types/grinds of straights so often we get asked what type of grind or what we like in a razor, but if you are new to the world in straights, you don't have any idea.

What do you think? Schedule, think we need to start at no later at 10:00

tentative schedule first Razor types and grinds, followed by strops and stropping techniques, restoration, then some honing, ending with soaps,creams, and brushes.

For the honing, strops, razors, etc, if there is something you want to use or see ask and we will see if we can get it. Trying to avoid having Ron have to bring all his hones like last time, It was cool to see them all, but not enough time or courage to try something out of the ordinary. I would like to study more Japanese Natural Stones, especially finishers. Please list any suggestions and if that date is good or bad. Hopefully it will start warming up by then. Thanks and look forward to your response.

[Utopian]

I will try my best to come again and also will try to get Randy to come too. Having a date set well in advance does make it easier to make the commitment. I can bring strops again as well some soaps and brushes. I can bring beater razors again for honing practice.

As long as the snow is gone, I'm fine with bringing about the same number of hones again, but sorry Gonzo, that was not all of them--just a representative sample! Here is a photo of them after I unpacked.