Thread: I don't suffer from my insanity... I live by it

Good even... er morning,

I have been lurking around for a little bit (more so as a non member) and decided to break my silence. First off let me warn you, my step mom has dubbed me as the long winded one once the shy is gone so when I talk (or in this case post) I generally talk a lot. since it's early in the morning it won't be so bad I guess.

I am a Navy Vet and from Tennessee (although anyone who has listen to me talk and then i tell them i am from TN says I am full of it). My actual first exposure to straight razors was my grandfather. He was a farmer and very big on manliness. I had watched him a few times shave and of course would cringe at the thought of putting a blade to your throat like that... But he would say "nothing more manlier than shaving your face with something sooooo sharp"... then he would laugh and say "well that and driving a nail into a block of wood with your wood." Hehehhe I never got the straight razor bug, but at least I got the pun later on (I was 10)... So fast forward, I am 26 and in the Navy and there was a chief (E-7 or boss for those that aren't fluent in military) and he was gruff to say the least... We were out to sea on deployment (starting to sound like a pirate tale) and he comes into the head (bathroom again for non military) and whips out the straight amongst the morning rif raf and while everyone is speeding along and the ship is rocking he takes his time and lathers his face...(normally I get in get my stuff done and get out but this caught my attention and I slowed down to watch... although I felt a little pervy just hanging out in the bathroom to watch another guy shave)... anyway.. he commenced to shave his face slow and almost meditative.. not one single knick.. he finishes up and soaks a towel under the hot water (anyone that has ever been on a ship in the gulf knows this is hot as hell) then trows it on his face... he finally noticed me watching him and just smiled and said "even in war time you sometimes have to slow down and breath and something this sharp will MAKE you do it.. and sometimes when the clock is ticking fast you will get close to the end and realize there is just no time left." When he wasn't there the next day I asked my chief (boss) and he said he was being shipped home and we were just taking him to the aircraft carrier... He had developed cancer and was being medically retired.. Just another one of those moments that sticks with you. I retired out (medically) and a friend asks if I could make a straight razor (I make knives as a hobby).. Told him I would research it first and get back to him.. Heheheh I figured it would be easier than a knife but alas I was wrong..

As I kept finding information I got more and more intrigued with it, and searched ebay for a "Model" to order and base it off of that.. I came across a razor just like my grandfathers Schmid's Straight Razor Special Marke and ordered it.. Didn't really care if it was great quality or not just wanted the sentiments.. and then I ALSO found the one the chief was using or at least close I remembered it had army navy engraved on the blade... Haven't won one yet but working on it.. Haven't had my first shave yet, but I have items on the way. Still waiting on a strop.. and my granfather taught me how to sharpen knives really well (my general stones wouldn't work on getting anything shave ready so I ordered a honing set and researched the technique and figured I would ahve a go.. either I would succeed or it would just be a nifty knife). I have researched about as much as I can so it's just a matter of either getting the razor I got from ebay sharp enough to shave with or get a new one.. So with the info I found on here, I am hoping to not only make a Straight, but get the shaving bug bite (hopefull not a blade bite) as well. Been reading posts, and after reading the Zen of straight razor shaving it kinda reminded me of that chief..
So with some patience and a pound of Lithium (just kidding about that) my first shave will be soon. Plus I haven't really SHAVED since I have been out (bout 6 years) but trimmed my beard so even my wife and 1 1/2 year old son have yet to see the bare skin on my face... this should be interesting..

This is an awesome site BTW glad to be a part of it.. Sorry this is a long post.. Like I said.. long winded one..

Hello, and welcome from a fellow Sailor (AD1). I am sure this site will have all of your questions answered in no time. Welcome and enjoy it.

Ahh cool some of my good friends were AD's, I was an FC2 when they shipped me home.

Oh believe me I have been looking into all the information that I can. Kinda one of those OCD things that stuck too me from the Military... learn learn learn... do then mess up.. learn learn research.... I am sure you know what I am talking about. Always training. I do agree though, seems every bit of info I need is all here. You still active? Or did you decide to stay in Japan?

I am still active. Moving to Norfolk next month. I have been reading all I can on this site for months now, and still find something new every time I re-read something. It is great information. take it slow and learn properly. The shave will get better and better every time.

Well alrighty... sure you here this enough, but thank you for your service.. Have a good time in Norfolk.. I have only been there once and that was for my 2 year retirement med board... Good to meet you.

welcome aboard sailor, good to have you aboard, now the only thing i will caution against is the fact that sooner or later you will have RAd and will make up excuses to get another razor, i have fought it off but i still think about just going out and buying lots old razors just to have them, lol. if you have any questions please feel free to pm me

**Bosun's Pipe sounds and ship's bell clangs, "Now arriving, Nervin."** I did a tour in the Gulf myself with USCG Port Security Unit 311. We were attached to Naval Coastal Warfare Group One. Welcome here and welcome to your new obsession!

Actually, I have already gotten 4 more.. one I bought off of here.. Hehehehehe... sad thing though the ones that are already here have been waiting on my water stones... (grabbed the norton kit from peach tree... just got here today... great deal too)... So my son and I spent the morning lapping them.. thought I would check the site for the pyramid and noticed a few more posts on my intro..... heck i haven't even shaved with one yet and already i am hooked.. I just like sharp things...

LAsoxfan... We did a few stents with the coast guard too... We helped secure a drug ship with 9 tons of cocaine... I was an FC so automatically inducted into the boarding crew... well that and my shooting scores were high.. Never forget that one either... But it was fun, we got to mingle with the coast guard security team... they were amazed at how much INK the navy lets you get away with.. ahahahahah..

Well now its time to start honing.. gonna work these guys to shave ready.. they weren't even close when I got em so lotsa work to do..

Thanks for the welcomes..

Welcome to SRP and thank you for your service!

I have done it.. Finally took my first shave.. details are here.. http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...-all-done.html