Thread: Let's Have a Contest.

For every endearing fan there must be the devil or his advocate.

American blades may be everything described above: tough, dependable, fine steel that takes a keen edge. But all that I have used and all to have passed through my hands have been lacking in 'soul'. None have had that immeasurable quality that made me want to pick them up for a second shave right after the first, none have lured me to gaze on them for hours, none make me jealous or anxious when another keen shaver picks them up.

Perhaps that attached feeling is built on a foundation of connection with a place, its land and resources. Perhaps it's built on a relationship with the people or their industry and craftsmanship. I don't for one moment question American craftsmen or their ability to fuse utility with art - to paraphrase another writer above, America's razors, its motor vehicles, its apple pie, its women, its film - all are fantastic.

But there's still something missing - something exotic, some mysterious flair, a deep and dark subliminal layer that can't quite be explained or valued. Something beyond the motor, something more than a tan and beautiful blonde hair, something more than great steel.

It's that soul, that character which shines through, glowing from even the darkest corner of the antiques store, calling out from behind the glass and weathered coffin and layers of patina... It's there that I have yet to find an American blade.

I hope to one day be proved wrong.

Well played, sir.

Gee, Suavio. I hope you can find one with soul! Gotta keep looking!

Thanks sharptonn, looks like you have some lovely examples there. The Torrey also looks great - perhaps the biggest issue is that my hunting ground is lacking in American blades generally - I'm not going to find a great white shark in the desert am I? ;-)

Genco Easy Aces. It's got plenty of soul.

Originally Posted by Suavio

Thanks sharptonn, looks like you have some lovely examples there. The Torrey also looks great - perhaps the biggest issue is that my hunting ground is lacking in American blades generally - I'm not going to find a great white shark in the desert am I? ;-)

HA! I appreciate what you mean. As out looking, the vast majority are pretty generic-looking. Most of the ones pictured came off the bay over the years. I doubt many made it to NZ. Still, Keep an eye out!
Sorry for hijacking the contest! Let's have some more entries!

Well Suavio, after those posts I think the great white has eaten your chance to win this competition-har har-

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Well Suavio, after those posts I think the great white has eaten your chance to win this competition-har har-

Ah, Lets not be too hard on him, Spendur. After all, he is way down under-under. If he might win, esp for his honesty, he shall become a convert. He could be an honorary American with a razor like that.
We could even send him our president! That would do the trick!

well i think that American razors are the best cause not only was it a sign and another way to try to completely separate ourselves from other country's it gave opportunity for others who had brought the art over to make a name for them self without well established company's to compete with in there own area ! and with that im sure brought more pride in joy to be able to pass on there art as well as take pride in there work ... and being raised in America i enjoy carrying on the tradition of such razor and find it almost over whelming to use a piece of American history from a time when history is still young for America !!

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Well Suavio, after those posts I think the great white has eaten your chance to win this competition-har har-

Bravo gentlemen. Yet another example of what makes these forums so special - you can post your mind, you can post your best work, you can post what you think is an example of perfection in a razor - and each time there will be both support and someone to help prove that you're only just getting started!