Thread: I AM A MAN!!!!......Well almost....

Howdy...this is my first post as well as the date of my first str8 shave.

I decided earlier this week that I was going to do this....watched a couple of videos on line, all of which told me to take my time and go slowly...start off small and work my way up to more and more surface area with the passing of the weeks. I didn't listen. I ignored them all.

I went to my parents home and convinced my mother to grant me access to my deceased father's things. His father was a barber and I could remember a box that contained half of his barbering tools (my uncle got the other half). Specifically I remembered a bunch of straight razors that my father was almost afraid to touch himself as they were so sharp that I'd surely "lop your finger off."

If dad was afraid, then I NEVER went near something that made that man fret.

After cajoling mom a bit (I mowed her grass for her) I mentioned the razors and the box and my desire to NOT slit my throat and how neat it would be to be shaving with Grandpa's barber razors. She acquiesced and I was granted temporary permission to dig into the box.

Right on the top I found two saran wrapped packages that I KNEW immediately were straight razors. Unfortunately, the first one I grabbed was in bad shape, I could see the rust through the layers of saran wrap and the generous lathering of petroleum jelly that either grandpa or dad had used to pack the razor....I opened it up and discovered a badly rusted (but I believe salvageable.....maybe) straight razor that surffered from what I learned was called "Celluloid Rot".

The second one that I opened appeared intact, the scales appeared to be yellow celluloid or plastic with the words Olean Wedge engraved on them - the blade is tarnished, but still had enough of an edge to make me respect it instantly. I put it aside and kept digging.

I discovered another box that contained 4 smaller boxes.....now I was grinning ear to ear...this was the cashe that I remembered from my youth. I opened the first box and discovered more Celluloid Rot. I wrapped it back up and set it aside to assess later, the second box was opened and the razor appeared near new, almost no blemishes whatsoever....when Mom saw that, she grabbed all of the boxes from my hands and said I couldnt have any of them (she gets that way some time) and that was the end of my fishing expedition. I was allowed to take the Olean Wedge and the first severely rotted one that I had found however and took them home - along with a strop from the barber shop that I managed to finagle away from mom.

I cleaned up the Olean Wedge and studied and re-studied the stropping and honing videos that I had found. EVERYTHING.....I mean EVERYTHING I read said that I should send should send the razor out to get it honed professionally so I could experience what a "shave ready" razor really was......did I mention Im impatient? I stropped 20 passes on the canvas side and 20 passes on the leather side and shave tested on my forearm...the hair just fell off my arm. It was good enough for me.

Shower followed....extra hot and then up to the soap, brush and cup (which I have used for years). I lathered and started on my left sideburn with my right hand and shaved almost the entire left side of my face.....there was one initial adjustment of the angle of the razor, but it just "fit" after that and away I went.

But then I started thinking too much. I started overthinking too much....then I started thinking....Jeezus....what if I slit my throat???.....then my hands started shaking....NOT GOOD.

I pretty much finished up MOST of the left side of my face except near my mustache and goatee and then started on the right side of my face....all of a sudden I couldn't decide if I should hold the razor with my left hand or right hand....I kept it in my right hand but couldnt see my sideburns....so now they're a little high.....the more I thought about it, the worse it got. I finished the opposite side of my face in three or for times the amount of time it took to do the first side.

End result....no nicks....no cuts...NO BLOOD....serious need to re-shave near my mustache and beard, but other than that.....I'M A MAN!!!!!!

Welcome to SRP. That was a great story. Thanks for sharing. I've got a barber stone that was my Great Grandfathers. My Grandfather used it as well. It means a lot.
Kent

Thank you for sharing this. I hope you get the opportunity to discuss these items with your mother, and why they mean what they do to you...and her.

Welcome.

She gets a little funny every now and then. I've offered to take all of the equipment, pay to have it refurbished and then disburse it amongst my brothers equally, hopefully she'll see the light. My two brothers are now seriously considering the wet-shave lifestyle. The photo attached is the Olean Wedge that I used today.

What a great start! Thanks for the story.

X

Welcome to SRP. A very nice razor. I hope you can get some more of them. If your Mom allows another search through the articles look for a razor hone. If you find one that is creamy off white on one side and dark brown on the other that would be a great stone to hone your razors with. Many barbers used them and they are know as Belgian coticules. They used other hones as well and whatever you can find may serve you well if you decide to maintain your own razors. Check out the SRP Wiki here for more info.

Awsome job.. I had my first shave today and I too couldn't resist the temptation to stray from the recommended "sideburn only" rule. Glad you came out unscathed also..

Good job!! Congrats and welcome to The SRP and the cool world of Str8 shaving.

Whoot it's a great feeling to shave with a piece from the family.

Welcome to SRP

One of the coolest stories ive read, to date. Its a great honor to be able to have and shave from a razor that belonged to our fathers and forefathers...my mom has finally found my greatgrandfather's straight and im waiting for it in the mail.
Thanks for the story. It was awesome!

Mac