Thread: Journey to the Center of the Universe

I'm always happy to see somebody live life to the fullest, and glad that you did find them eventually. Looking forward to reading the article when you get the funding.

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen,

I have just returned from the center of the universe bearing treasures. Allow me to go back to the beginning.

I spent 30 years behind the radio microphone, and a little longer as freelance writer and novelist. Although no longer in radio, I continue to write. I still keep in touch with some of my old listeners and readers.

One telephoned me yesterday. We chatted, as we have many times before. The topic of straight razors came up when I mentioned I planned to visit a huge rummage sale in town tomorrow to see what I could find.

"Oh, my father was a barber for some 40 years," she announced.

What did she say? Oh, those loving gods were smiling at me. I began to drool. "You don't happen to have any of his straight razors, do you?" I asked.

"Well, sure," she said. "I had. I gave them to my son. I'll call him and see if he's willing to sell them to you."

Two hours later she telephoned me and said that her son would not part with the razors. "But I know a barber who I think has all kinds of old razors," she added.

I telephoned him and set a time to meet him today. When I stepped into his shop, situated in a converted farmhouse built in 1875, I thought I was stepping into a turn-of-the-century barbershop. The place is a virtual museum of barbering paraphernalia, with everything from wall displays of shaving mugs, straight razors and strops to genuine barber chairs and old time cash register.

Oh, and the place is named Your Father's Mustache.

Best of all, the owner and his cousin were Vietnam veterans with ready laughs and rapid stories. One was a former marine and the other a former paratrooper with the 101st Airborne. I was with the 4th Infantry Division. So here we were, three Vietnam veterans partaking in the joys of a genuine old time barbershop — the center of the universe to me.

I bought several old razors. I also sent out a query to a local publication to do a little essay on the shop. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the assignment, because this is a little story I would love to take for a spin.

Anyway, here is what I came away with:

1. F.W. Engels, 5/8" spike.
2. Wade & Butcher, 3/8" spike.
3. Geneva Cutlery, NY, 4/8" spike, with a buck's antlers insignia on the shank.
4. Genco, 4/8" spike, with some heavy honing.
5. Dubl Duck satinedge, 5.8" spike, with some heavy honing, original translucent yellow scales.

The razors are in the usual state of neglect and disrepair. All scales look original and in a fairly good shape. I would love to send the Engels and the Dubl Duck for a complete refurbishing by one of the SRP experts, but right now I am completely tapped out and it will have to wait.

So that's it, gentlemen: my journey to the center of the universe. Thanks for reading.

Regards,

Obie

That type of stuff never happens to me. Kudos on a good find.

Great story Obie.

Sorry Obie, but you know the rules, pics or it didn't happen!

Great story!

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Sorry Obie, but you know the rules, pics or it didn't happen!

Come on brothuh, don't be hatin' on Obie.

Originally Posted by ControlFreak1

Come on brothuh, don't be hatin' on Obie.

Look at it this way, he tells me this story and wants me to believe it, thats okay, just show me the razor porn and we're good! It's not like I'm a moderator and will delete him from SRP, I just wanna get the facts straight.

That is great! Thanks for sharing with us!

Steve

My dear Nun2Sharp,

Thank you for throwing the bait.

In this case, however, whether I take it or not is of little importance to me. What matters is that circumstances threw this little journey to the Center of the Universe my way and I had a great ride. That I wrote about it in my post — during a short break from my work — made it even more memorable.

When I am able to provide photos of the razors depends on when my daughter is available to shoot them for me. That's the reality. Bless her heart, she is my photographer, aside from being a young mother. I must wait for what's convenient for her. Now, to me, that is of great importance.

I own a Vietnam-era Pentax, which I used in the war while serving as a U.S. Army combat correspondent. I prefer not spend money on a digital camera. I don't need it. All the photography I do is in my head — and that, too, is important to me.

Should I get an assignment to write about the barbershop, then I can justify the time for another visit. Otherwise, my busy schedule leaves me little spare time, even though I would love to spend a day just hanging out there with my little tape recorder.

The photos will come, but only when these realities make it convenient for me. I am sure my SRP colleagues will understand. In the meantime, I'll try to find a some time soon to select three or four of what I think are my best finds and engage one of the SRP pros to refurbish them. The others I can work on myself in the coming months as I learn how to clean and hone razors — as a little break from my work. I don't want to screw up the good ones.

So, my dear Nun2Sharp, I hope that provides enough of a catch for the bait. I did enjoy it, though, thank you. Now, if you will forgive me, it's time to get back to work.

Oh, by the way, during my regular breaks today, I managed to whip up a pot of spaghetti and meatballs to die for. It has been cooking slowly for several hours. Tomorrow it will cook still more. Tomorrow night, my good friend, I shall take myself on a culinary adventure with Spaghetti and meatballs, Chianti, garlic bread and a lovely green salad. For desert, port wine, Stilton cheese and apples should do it.

Is this heaven or what? Stay well.

Regards,

Obie