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

Sounds more like a trip in a time machine than to the center of the universe.

Nice!

Congratulations Obie. Those are some nice sizes, not so common to find.

Great find in the razors and in 'My Father's Mustache'. I enjoyed reading your story!

Congrats on the score and on finding some good company with whom I'm sure you'll revisit. That later find is the one that I'm personally most appreciative of in discovering this art.

Great finds and a very readable story. Thanks, Obie.

Dear Obie,

You do get around, don't you? Sounds like a excellent place and sounds that you had good time. Awesome. Did they still apply their trade or was it just a museum?

My dear Ursus,

Yes, I've always been a wanderer, on streets, in history books, museums, and also in my mind.

Years ago, when I was in radio, once a year I would host a concert and opera tour of European cities. Along with some 30 or so members of my audience, I would visit several cities in a two or three-week period, attending concerts, visiting museums, and so on. London, Berlin, Leipzig, Prague, Vienna and a host of beautiful European cities made up our list — usually three cities maximum on each trip. It was wonderful.

Also, years ago I had a column in the local newspaper whereby I wandered the streets of the city where I live and wrote about them.

I spent one day at the library and the museum doing research on the history of the particular street I would write about. The next day I walked the street from one end to the other, or as much of it as I could, stopping people on the street to talk to, visiting shops, chating in coffee shops and saloons.

The third day, Saturday, I went to the newspaper office about 5 a.m. and spent the next few hours writing the piece. At the time I also had a full time radio gig. The whole thing was tiring, but I loved every moment of it.

I never got to the street where this barbershop is located. That's why I did not know about it.

The barbershop is a genuine functioning place with two barber chairs and two delightful old time barbers who still give a straight razor shave. Because of the law, I think they use straights with replaceable blades. At the same time, the place is a jewel of a barbershop museum. It's an incredible place. Should the chance arise, I'll visit the place again and shoot some pictures for SRP.

So yes, I do get around. Wandering is one of life's greatest joys: not only wandering the streets and the historical places, but also the avenues of the mind.

Regards,

Obie

Pictures. .... Pictures ! ....

oh ya, sorry, congrats!

Yes please, pictures...preferably before and after restoration. Congrats.