First shave with freshly honed G. Johnson

Gents,

Just wanted to share the results of my first shave with my new to me G. Johnson, which Raol here on the forum honed up for me, and brought back from the dead! (Awesome guy BTW! :) )

This is the first time I've ever shaved with a straight that's not new, as my only other razor is a new Dovo I bought a year ago.

The shave was great, and seemed to get better as I got used to the different blade profile, and before I knew it, I was done 3 passes with very little irritation. :)

The most impressive thing for me wasn't the shave however. For the majority of the shave, I found myself lost in wonder and amazement that a razor which by all counts should be between 178 and 180 years old, was still very capable and up to the task, just like the day it was first used. I couldn't help but stare into the mirror and wonder about all the other fine gentlemen that stood in front of their mirrors with this very same razor, trusting it to preform admirably. If it could only talk! Tell me it's story...who used it, how many generations of the same family it's been in, what it's been through, and how it ended up here. ;)

Now, if my dating is incorrect, someone please correct me. According to the forum here and some other places, I've ascertained that G. Johnson was granted the 7 star logo in 1835, and the company stamp was changed to read George Johnson & Co. in 1837, placing this razor firmly between those three years. I'd be very grateful if anyone had any more information to share on the matter. :D

And without further ado: The newest (and oldest??? LOL) addition to my daily rotation... :o

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Awesome!

I agree with you... being able to use something that is still perfectly functioning, as designed, that is over a hundred years old is truly an experience. I am glad to hear that others contemplate the history of the instruments that they use. ( and yes, I do consider them to be an instrument). I believe that this is part of the attraction, at least for me, for the SR passion. It takes a moment to reflect, slow down and recall a simpler time. It seems like everything has to be instant or its not "good". Heck, how many people do you know that still have a manual wind watch? (Yeah, I have several of those too... :0 )

Great addition, I am envious!
Shave well!
-K

I feel the same way when I shave with my Granddad's razor. Out of six grandsons I'm the only one who shaves with a straight.

That's so cool. It's the little things in life that we should appreciate. Shaving with a 180 year old razor is definitely one of them and your shaves will never be boring!