Nice words Steve...
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Nice words Steve...
I agree, I'm glad I am not the only who enjoys still recollecting- I enjoy looking at old posts, the banter, the furious exchanges when someone got it wrong and he would blast them with both barrels. And when someone would post wanting some advice or history and you could wait for Neil to come in with encyclopedic knowledge, cuttings, pictures and just settle the argument. We had some great threads, still think about him often and miss him.
Indeed, I also read old posts of Neil... And still waiting to be corrected for some generalization I made for some natural stone, with his strict yet in most times elegant remark.
Strange thing, some months back we've had a meeting at Ardennes coticule shop in memory of Henk Bos. Forgetting for a tiny moment the circumstances and the purpose of the meeting, first two people I would think would be present there would be Neil and Henk. More so than even Maurice, the owner/expert.
They have that door with a bell above and whenever someone opens the door, you hear it.
I along with my friend, arrived on time, I think, still, some were there before us. And, every time that little bell sound was heard, I was waiting for him to show up with the impression "I got you all!". As you can guess, the bell from him was never heard. And the same for Henk. When his wife and daughter entered, I was like 99% sure he would walk in there right behind them, that not even death would keep these two gentlemen miss the meeting. I was sure he was just outside the door, in fact after greeting them I went outside to check if any or both of them were waiting outside, or walking towards the building or checking the coarse gravel on the ground for slurry stones (you are basically walking on flakes from Belgian blue and Lorraine there)... Strange emotions, maybe a bit paranoid from my part... the fact is I still miss them both, I would have talked with them for dozens of subjects... and the hones forum is emptier without them... the last year or two I'm starting exploring in depth the Japanese stones world, and their absence is definitely a factor, in one way or another (pleasant, I'm sure), they have changed our lives. And I'm still waiting for one of his paddle strops, he would make me one when he had the time, I've been waiting for about 5 years before... the start of this thread.
Anyway, sorry for my rumbling and I sincerely hope it's better there, wherever they are from here.
(And I would definitely ask his opinion for the referendum like the rest of the forum, but let's all forget about this comment)
Will miss seeing some of his beautiful new creations as well as his knowledgeable replies.
Myron
If you are in this thread, you liked Neil.
I missed this when I was away. Terribly sad. I'm fortunate enough to have some of his work and experienced his patience rehoning razors when I got clumsy. RIP Neil.
Has it been two years? Still miss the guy. I don't suppose that's gonna change.
We will see him again, just not for a while.
Nope, I don't think so either- I was thinking that this morning using one of his razors and bridle strops. Its a good thing.
Indeed. One thing to have his strops. Use where his hands were.
Quite another to have the trove he left behind here.
I am grateful for that. My mind can only hold so much.
Neil Miller!
Well my friend, the time is approaching again & it will be 3 years. You're in a better place now with no more suffering, a place full of peacefulness. Most of all, your beloved family love & miss you so dearly & so do many here on the forum who knew you. Your knowledge & wit is greatly missed. I could go on but my thoughts are with you.
See ya soon, maybe sooner than expected Neil.
Wish I could have known him better and purchased on of his strops. He passed not too long after I joined. I recently found an old post one day where he said his copy of Goins? had corrections on every page from his research. It would be nice if things like that could be recorded to benefit others. I'm sure he took a wealth of knowledge with him as well. He was certainly a character who was quick to assist others.
One of his first posts I read certainly made an impression!! Quote is regarding a cheap strop I bought for my first straight razor. :)
"Thanks Jimmy,
I certainly can offer some advice here.
What you need is some naptha. It is a volatile spirit, so you have to use it with caution. Old timers probably know it best as Ronson Lighter Fluid, it came/comes in a yellow can with a red plastic spout that acts both to seal the can and to pour the fluid. It is what you use for zippo style lighters.
Now find a place outdoors where the fumes from the naptha can disperse freely without harm. Take some corrugated card, the same xize as the strop and three times wider, and fold it three times so it is approximately tne width of the strop. Liberally apply the naptha to it, then place the strop on top. Apply what remains in the can to the surface of the strop, then ignite with a match (safest option) or your zippo lighter if you dont like your hairy hands. Tossing the zippo lighter while it has a flame going onto the pile as they have a propensity to do in the movies is just wasteful and you should refrain from this questionable practice.
Once the flaming inferno has subside, tread the mass into ashes and let them be transported by the four winds to the remotest parts of the globe.
I trust that you will find that said erstwhile strop will never threaten to injure another razor.
Regards, Neil"
That quote has put a stupid grin on my face. Neil had a way with words. As long as this palace is here so will he.
Same here, Mark. The man was a treasure.
I was fortunate to enjoy a few years of his wide range of knowledge and those pithy comments. I wish I had his knack of responding to an Ass in such a way that only the Ass thought it was a compliment.
~Richard
Truly a gentleman, a craftsman, and a wordsmith of the highest caliber.
I was reading one of Neil's posts today and my cursor went to the like area.....
I liked it anyway.
Thanks Neil!
Still hard to believe as Neil was so full of life.
He is missed.
Myron