Thread: Journey to the Center of the Universe

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