Jawing in the Locker Room
"You must be a patient man."
"Why do you say that?"
"I see you here everyday. I mean you're really into this stuff."
"Shaving ritual, you mean."
"Yeah. The brush. Soap. That — straight razor."
"It's my daily drink from the fountain of civility."
"It's nice to be passionate about some things."
"Passionate enough so that you can't wait till morning — so that you can slap on warm, fragrant lather and hear the scraping of the razor against your skin."
"Scary."
"Well, it's like having butterflies just before you step on the stage. Then you roll."
"Takes some kind of skill, I guess."
"It does. And it's a philosophy, too. A way of life. Gives one a sense of individuality. In a way you're your own man — I sound like a TV commercial."
"No. Watching you, I see what you mean."
"It's being one's self."
"How long does it take you?"
"Here at the gym? An hour. Hour-fifteen."
"Man, that's a long time to be shaving."
"That's counting some of the jawing I do with the guys. Always been a sucker for a good conversation."
"Me? I hate shaving."
"That seems to be the general consensus."
"Most people don't have that kind of time."
"Most people can make the time if they want to."
"I suppose. Most of the time I plug in the electric and shave in the car."
"You do hate shaving, don't you?"
"You ever tried the electric?"
"Long time ago. For a short time. It felt like bathing without water."
"What happens if somebody gives you an electric for Christmas?"
"I'd look at it as the Lord's punishment of a sinner."
Regards,
Obie
Jawing in the Locker Room
My dear Khaos,
This is not fair: how come no nubile female ever barges in on me in the locker room? All I get is a bunch of old geezers reminiscing about their grandfathers shaving with a straight, and army of yuppies rushing around as if to see who could get out of there faster.
And my dear Ursus,
I have actually converted several people to the double edge. I figure one thing at a time. My standard line to them is: "If you're ever interested in shaving with the straight razor, I'll be more than happy to train you and give you pointers about what to buy. It will be my pleasure." Two I have even trained on how to use a brush, make lather, and sold them my double edge razors. One of them also bought one of my straights with a replaceable blade.
So there is hope for humanity, gentlemen.
Regards,
Obie
Jawing in the Locker Room
My dear Drew,
Bless your heart for such kind words. Thank you, sir.
Here on SRP, I am indeed among gentlemen. And artists. And craftsmen. People who love what they do.
Those who spend time and effort to be themselves. To define the meaning of individuality. To portray the picture of civility.
Thanks to all of you, gentlemen.
Regards,
Obie
Jawing in the Locker Room
My dear Blade Wielder,
It is not that some of us on SRP try to sound Victorian British. No, not at all. Some of us actually do prefer to use proper English — unless writing dialogue where need might arise for slang or cool words.
"Hey, dude, I'm thinkin' about gettin' a cutthroat razor . . ."
Oy . . .
I feel heartbroken for the letter "g" as it is often eliminated from words by many English-speaking people. "Thinkin'," "Gettin'" — the poor letter "g" keeps "getting" the shaft.
As for the noun "dude," it reminds me of a green horn from back East facing a gunslinger in a Hollywood Western.
"Thanking" you for your thoughts and "Signing" off with regards,
Obie
Shaving in the public venues ...
LOL! Yep, I get some pretty funny looks and remarks, as well, when shaving in a public venue.
I recently tried a straight shave just before skydiving .....(I think I posted somewhere that I was going to try it). Took my trust StraightRazorPlace TI to the dropzone, and shved before the load boarding call.
1) Was funny to hear these Skydivers with thousands of jumps tell me that what I was doing was far too 'dangerous' for them! LOL!
2) The sweet shave from those blades is still unparallelled
3) Freefalling at over 120 MPH face first after a new close shave was simply amazing! It added to the enjoyment; to the exhilaration, to the total immersion and experience of the jump! LAsted through the next coupla jumps, too!
Anyway, we need to be Evangelists of sorts, sometimes, and educators about this amazing skillset. :)
Jawing in the Locker Room
My dear Chaaaz,
I am astonished at your guts and sense of adventurism. You are one in a million, sir. A true swashbuckler. I solute you.
Regards,
Obie
Jawing in the Locker Room
My dear Nathan,
I know what you mean about feeling refreshed and ready for the day after a good workout in the gym followed by sauna and shave.
I workout at the gym five days a week without fail. My daughter, being a dietitian and a physical trainer, makes sure I do or she will haunt my dreams.
For me, that 15-minute steam after the workout makes all the difference in the world. By the time I start to shave my beard is as soft as a bed of roses. Is this heaven or what?
I take the weekends off from working out and shave at home. The only thing missing in my little corner of Paradise is the steam.
Regards,
Obie