I love getting a new razor. Experiencing that first shave with it, learning the nuances of a new blade, and (often times) the joy of restoring/repairing/honing a new vintage blade...they are all part of what I enjoy about a "new" razor.

I do not have a lot of razors (at least not by the standards around here), but I have a few and they are all special for some reason or another.

I recently (today) took delivery of one that will be tough to top--My Grand-Father's razor.

My father had it shipped to him from his brother, and he received it yesterday. I was out all day, so he presented it to me today.

I am not sure how old this razor is...I am sure it is not the oldest razor I own, but my Grand-father died over 20 years ago...and I was unsure how it was cared for during his life...and particularly after his death. When I received it, I was pleasantly amazed at the condition it was in...but it still needed a little shining up and definitely needed some edge repair. I immediately took some photos of it, then moments later went to cleaning it up and restoring the edge. There was some decent edge damage near the toe...but every moment of repairing it was enjoyment....this was my Grand-Father's razor. I imagined his frustrations with it (I was told, he had fits with keeping it sharp).

When I got it:


I opted to retain the patina and only use metal polish on felt to buff off the few surface rust spots by hand. I figure it took a while to get this patina and I can only remove it once...and it will be lost forever (along with the character the age spots add).

After "clean up":


Anyway, I finished honing it and set up for a test shave.

Shave ready:



I pulled out my new favorite soap (Bald Frog Wasabi) and added a little hot water to the tin to soak and soften the soap while I soaked in a hot tub of water. My grandfather had no shower in his home, only baths for him (so I enjoyed a long soak with this in mind). I soaked for a while and enjoyed a very hot towel on my face. After re-wetting the towel a few times with hot water, I decided it was time to get up and get started. My brush had been soaking in very hot water this whole time in a mug my son made for me for Christmas in 2008...my wife took him to the ceramic store a month earlier to select the mug and paint/glaze it prior to firing it....I think he did a fantastic job for a 6 year old



I dried off and wrapped my towel around my waist and started my lather. I dumped out the mug, and gave the brush a shake. I placed the brush into the tin of soap and began loading it. Moments later I was churning up a nice glistening lather in the mug my son had made for me.

I removed the towel from my face and began brushing on the later. The wasabi has a cooling affect on my skin. I skipped the strop, as I had just finished honing this razor, and went directly to shaving.

The razor glided across my face...not unlike many of my other blades, but the experience was something I will fail to ever put into words adequately.

The spike point had never been muted in the slightest, and I maintained it that way...I thought perhaps it might get into me during the shave, but no...it just allowed me to sculpt with...well....razor-like precision (seems like the appropriate phrase).

I re-applied my lather for an additional two passes, and finished up with a smile. This experience will be difficult to top. I am truly happy to have this member in my collection to use regularly. I am sure I will desire other razors in the future, but I seriously doubt any will provide an experience like I had today...my first shave with my Grand-dad's razor.

Thanks for reading.