Thread: Trending, a word I dislike

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Absolutely Positively without a doubt I did NOT make that razor, nor did I hone it or touch it (at least not in that configuration)

Any Other questions ????

Originally Posted by gssixgun

No

456789

Originally Posted by gssixgun

That is absolutely positively not true,,,

You are confused between a Restorer and a Seller and are somehow lumping all together and I take offense to your generalization...

A restorer does exactly what they are commissioned to do, nothing more, nothing less, each razor is built to the owner's requests...

A seller does what they think will sell the fastest and for the most..


Keep in mind that if those of us that are "Restorists" posted pics of all the work it would be dominated by what I call a "Vintage Restore" which in my little world means brought back to as close as the day it left the factory as humanly possible... This of course would make for tons of pics of the exact same razors..

We do tend to post the pics of the more flashy and difficult restores and Custom Restores (now that is a trend)


Vintage Restore Defined

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post736914

Glenn seemed to be getting a bit annoyed with the baiting (which turned out to be humour), maybe I was reading his responses wrong though. That's what I meant about it getting heated. But please bear in mind that it is only my opinion, yours may be different but equally right. .

I don't think it's a slippery slope at all. If someone goes around trying to do this with all original parts and tools, cool, but I don't think many will try to follow him. And it's just a discussion with opinions, it's not someone saying that this is the only way to do it.

As far as what Darl was saying, the aesthetics of razors and scale geometry has been developing for hundreds of years, and a lot of folks just like the looks of the different periods. No need to use original tools, just to capture the styling elements of a certain period (i.e. how much bend, how much vertical taper, distance from pivot to end of scale, wedge thickness etc etc). Some people throw away those aesthetics and go for something new. I don't like how those usually look on an old razor, but that's me.

I try to keep my thoughts on vintage razors simple; if the razor has damage that makes it difficult to shave with, like broken scales or missing pins, then fix it with whatever material you desire at the moment.

but,,,

If the razor, in it's original state, can be used to shave with, including butt ugly scales, initials on scales, cheap plastic, then it stays that way.

Preserve the tradition, by preserving the tools of that tradition.

I can't see how anyone could be offended by what someone else has done to a straight. We all have our personal likes in that regard and in the end the owner of the razor gets to pick how it is worked on. There will always be trends and they do change constantly. It is up to you if you want to jump on the latest trend or not.

My preference for vintage razors is what Glen calls a "Vintage Restore" if at all possible. Sometimes that is not possible or wanted so you get creative to your tastes.

Bob

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

I don't think it's a slippery slope at all. If someone goes around trying to do this with all original parts and tools, cool, but I don't think many will try to follow him. And it's just a discussion with opinions, it's not someone saying that this is the only way to do it.

As far as what Darl was saying, the aesthetics of razors and scale geometry has been developing for hundreds of years, and a lot of folks just like the looks of the different periods. No need to use original tools, just to capture the styling elements of a certain period (i.e. how much bend, how much vertical taper, distance from pivot to end of scale, wedge thickness etc etc). Some people throw away those aesthetics and go for something new. I don't like how those usually look on an old razor, but that's me.

As you mentioned, it's an opinion.

So what if someone's opinion is that it's not authentic if original parts, techniques and tools aren't used?

Is that not a valid opinion? Of course it's valid, it's their opinion.

However, it changes completely when someone tries to impose their opinion on someone else's tastes or likes, that's the difference. And I personally get uncomfortable when someone else anoints themselves as the standard bearer and negates or dismisses someone else's tastes in a derogatory, dismissive manner.

And the thread certainly took on the tone to me that someone was saying that this is the only way to do it, and anything else was a cartoon or caricature.

But here we are again, that's my opinion....

So it is settled, anything you feel like doing to a razor is ok. Hey that was simple.

Originally Posted by Phrank

As you mentioned, it's an opinion.

So what if someone's opinion is that it's not authentic if original parts, techniques and tools aren't used?

So what? It's their choice. I respect that opinion and will take it into consideration, but no one can actually force those views on someone.

However, it changes completely when someone tries to impose their opinion on someone else's tastes or likes, that's the difference.

Isn't that criticism (not in a bad sense)? It's up to the persons whose work is being criticized on how to take it. I agree that this should be done with some sensitivity. And criticizing craftsmanship and artistry are two different things. I think we move the art forward when there's more than just 'Hey, good work, looks great' being said and discussed about pieces.

edit: I truly don't mean this to be an attack or to sound derogatory, just discussing...

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

So what? It's their choice. I respect that opinion and will take it into consideration, but no one can actually force those views on someone.



Isn't that criticism (not in a bad sense)? It's up to the persons whose work is being criticized on how to take it. I agree that this should be done with some sensitivity. And criticizing craftsmanship and artistry are two different things. I think we move the art forward when there's more than just 'Hey, good work, looks great' being said and discussed about pieces.

edit: I truly don't mean this to be an attack or to sound derogatory, just discussing...

We're in agreement here ScienceGuy.

I respect other's decisions for what they choose to do with what they own. And I always appreciate different visions. While I may not like everything I see, I certainly always appreciate what they've done and have my horizons expanded by being exposed to different things. How else can you get new ideas and inspiration, right?

Constructive criticism is always beneficial; however, dismissing or denigrating someone else's vision or work is not constructive, nor does it help in moving discussions forward.

One thing I have discovered. I know Tarkus has as well as many others. Collecting and restoring razors comes after one immerses himself in the history. As some start out, nothing is off-limits. After a while, we tend to be more appreciative of unbuffed blades and correct scales. I always urge guys to learn how to remove scales without damage and save collars.
The day might come when you want to chuck the g-10 and break out the epoxy and horn dust. Fix some cracks and bug bites. Get it back to how it was made, or close.
Ya never know!

As to criticism, I do try to be constructive. However it is not always received well. I have taken to letting someone else to open that door and see how it is taken first. Some take it well, go back and unpin and fix this or that. Some run home crying. It seems to discourage some from the forum. We don't want that! BUT if you show something, be aware some may not like it. The old adage of saying somethin nice, or not at all would apply.
I have noticed a trend of creating confident monsters with kind words. JMO

Originally Posted by sharptonn

One thing I have discovered. I know Tarkus has as well as many others. Collecting and restoring razors comes after on immerses himself in the history. As some start out, nothing is off-limits. After a while, we tend to be more appreciative of unbuffed blades and correct scales. I always urge guys to lern how to remove scales without damage and save collars.
The day might come when you want to chuck the g-10 and break out the epoxy and horn dust. Fix some cracks and bug bites. Get it back to how it was made, or close.
Ya never know!

Pretty much describes my development since starting to a T!