The Sweet Little 5/8

Gentlemen,

We take some things for granted. For me, my sweet little Otto Fromm 5/8 is an example. I bought the razor used a couple years back, where I don't recall, cleaned it up, honed it and shaved away to my delight. Then I sold it, and later kicked myself in the tokhus for doing so, because the razor was an exceptional shaver.

At the time, I sold several other coveted 5/8 razors — Tennis, Lou Per, Puma, Alcoso, Red Imp, and others — and later, again, kicked myself for doing so. Blame my continuous love of the German-made 6/8 round point, my overall preferred razor, for forcing my decision to pass on the 5/8 razors.

Several weeks ago, my little Fromm came up for sale on another forum and I jumped on it. The gentlemen who bought my razor initially had sold to a newbie, who shaved with it once or twice and gave up on straight razors. By the time I received the Fromm, it was almost as dull as a butter knife, and the edge had taken a beating. No wonder the newbie gave up on the straight razor. Perhaps he dulled the blade, or he thought he bought a shave ready razor and it was not. I don't know.

For the second time, I cleaned up the Fromm and honed it. This morning, I shave tested my little Fromm, a full shave, and could not contain my joy in having it back in my humble shave den. What a sweet little 5/8. I know this time around my Otto Fromm stays home where it belongs.

Gentlemen, look through your collection. Do you have such a neglected little sweetness making sad eyes at you? If so, give her some attention and watch her smile with the sweetest shave.

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Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen,

We take some things for granted. For me, my sweet little Otto Fromm 5/8 is an example. I bought the razor used a couple years back, where I don't recall, cleaned it up, honed it and shaved away to my delight. Then I sold it, and later kicked myself in the tokhus for doing so, because the razor was an exceptional shaver.

At the time, I sold several other coveted 5/8 razors — Tennis, Lou Per, Puma, Alcoso, Red Imp, and others — and later, again, kicked myself for doing so. Blame my continuous love of the German-made 6/8 round point, my overall preferred razor, for forcing my decision to pass on the 5/8 razors.

Several weeks ago, my little Fromm came up for sale on another forum and I jumped on it. The gentlemen who bought my razor initially had sold to a newbie, who shaved with it once or twice and gave up on straight razors. By the time I received the Fromm, it was almost as dull as a butter knife, and the edge had taken a beating. No wonder the newbie gave up on the straight razor. Perhaps he dulled the blade, or he thought he bought a shave ready razor and it was not. I don't know.

For the second time, I cleaned up the Fromm and honed it. This morning, I shave tested my little Fromm, a full shave, and could not contain my joy in having it back in my humble shave den. What a sweet little 5/8. I know this time around my Otto Fromm stays home where it belongs.

Gentlemen, look through your collection. Do you have such a neglected little sweetness making sad eyes at you? If so, give her some attention and watch her smile with the sweetest shave.

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Ah what an old romantic you are.

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Originally Posted by hipsley

Ah what an old romantic you are.

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Right you are, my dear friend, a romantic and a daydreamer, indeed. As far back as I can remember, I have floated on this puffy and soft cloud of romance — in everything I have done. Good heavens, I even found a hint of romance in the jungles of Vietnam. And every morning in the shave den, seven days a week, I float on that cloud of romance with straight razors that talk to me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Obie

Right you are, my dear friend, a romantic and a daydreamer, indeed. As far back as I can remember, I have floated on this puffy and soft cloud of romance — in everything I have done. Good heavens, I even found a hint of romance in the jungles of Vietnam. And every morning in the shave den, seven days a week, I float on that cloud of romance with straight razors that talk to me.

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And slightly mad I suspect. It helps, as we said to myself earlier...

Obie, dear friend, as you are a writer and strive for excellence and accuracy in all written and printed word, let me, as your ancestral servant, post a small correction on your use of Yiddish. Tokhus should be spelled tochis (rhymes with duck kiss). The Joys of Yiddish by Leo Rosten is my source.

That's a great story, and a great piece of luck to have a chance to re-capture it! It's a classic looking razor to boot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hipsley

And slightly mad I suspect. It helps, as we said to myself earlier...

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Oh, indeed, and as our good friend Will Shakespeare put it: "The lunatic, the lover, and the poet/ Are of imagination all compact."

Sorry but it's tuchas. My source? My wife, she taught Sunday School.

A quality razor is a quality razor no matter the age or the cost or the country of origin or the name on it.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Sorry but it's tuchas. My source? My wife, she taught Sunday School.

A quality razor is a quality razor no matter the age or the cost or the country of origin or the name on it.

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Spendur, my dear friend, how right you are about the razor. There is something magical about a good razor and my little Otto Fromm fits the bill.

I'll have another glass of wine for dinner to solute the tuchas.

It is so nice when items once sold and perhaps regrettably sold in the first place find their way back into our dens! As for 5/8 razors, my "rotation" is twin 5/8 Heljestrands. I've owned 800 plus of all shapes grinds and sizes but nothing shaves me better so I gave up looking and buying pretty much. Glad The Otto Fromm is back where it belongs!

Know how you feel Obie, I have this Shumate's Tungsteel, a mere 5/8. Swayback I think they are called, and that little razor seems to know my face better than I do. It is a pleasure to use, and because of it's shape, the point sits off your skin until you need it. A keeper for sure.

I have 9/16, 5/8 and 6/8 razors. The little (and big) differences between them all is what makes it a joy to shave with them. YMMV.
I'm glad your friend came back home.

I've got a couple of 3/8's that I'll use when I want to prolong the shave. Only on the days I have little planned.