Thread: Customs and Restorations?

My thinking is that if somebody feels their restored razor isn't worthy to be in the showcase section, it probably doesn't really belong there. Most likely a more appropriate posting about such razor would be the general workshop forum, the razor clubs, the show and tell (if there isn't really much restoration done), or just the general razor section which seems to be the catchall for researching information. I mean, if the showcasing it is not the most important feature of that razor, certainly there is something else about it that is more important, so it's best to figure out what it is and post in the place where it fits best.

Showcase of poorly restored or poorly photographed razors sounds like an oxymoron, especially since there are already other forum sections where such things would most likely fit better (I realize some now will jump to call me an elitist and a snob).

The thing is, all us us who do restore work or make new razors started out as complete newbies.
I only started learning about razors when I found SRP. Then I honed a couple of razors and then I started to restore. And my first couple of restores were simple restores.

Everyone who gets started can make beautiful restored razors with only a very minimal financial investment. And it doesn't take special skills either. All it takes is patience and a desire to work on razors. We are all just common men. Some of us just have been doing this a bit longer.

I made my first blade because of the Customs/Restore forum and The Forge. I have only been doing this (not making I mean shaving with a straight) since some where near the beginning of this year and really appreciate the way this site is laid out (mostly). I had previously only made one other blade, a knife. I found a lot of inspiration and knowledge in these 2 forums. We can pick and choose which posts to look at or whose posts we do or do not want to look at.

To me making the choice between what is a custom or a resto becomes a little blurry and does not leave much room for a newly built traditional style straight, which, I believe, is a limited and not a custom. Where any rescale or slight modification to an existing razor becomes a custom by definition. Most blade makers seem to consider one of a kind blade, no mater how "traditional" to be a custom.

Sharptonn, I do see your point and appreciate the "common man" thought process. I am him, though with a metal working background. I had wanted to make a couple of knives for several years, and it was, in part, the posts and people here who pushed me over the edge and helped to get the ball rolling. I am now working on my 2nd and 3rd knives and planning my 2nd razor. I think if you look you will see some less polished work by myself and paco664. I have seen others around here some where, but I go to these 2 subforums because of what I would like to become. I see it as having to "play up". When we are playing against better opponents our game improves much more quickly, to use a sports metaphor.

I am off to go look for more inspiration now.
Thank you for the mental exercise.
Jeff

Thank You for your responses. Indeed it would be bad to have poorly restored and poor photographs in that subforum. It is, after all, about nice stuff! How can you remove a thread, for example, citing " your razor is not what we want, sorry" or "your photos suck!". I can see what you guys are saying and do agree with it. This was my first post here. I had a thought and am happy that you have responded with such vigor. I did not intend to step on toes, nor cause problems for anyone. Again, I appreciate your work! Kill the Thread Tom

I enjoy being part of the community I do not want to be split off from it. I enjoy see all types of work, from peoples first attempts to highly skilled craft. We are all in this together. I remember posting my early chunky, klutzy rescales at a time when Joe Chandler, Robert Williams, Bill Ellis were doing some amazing stuff. I always thought what cool supportive place. I get to post my work in the same forum as those guys. I find the different types of work interesting and inspirational, I like it all, we are all learning together.

Charlie

spazola that is spot on. I have seen a couple of the knife forums that have people who are Ummm, rather snobish about some of the younger or less talented makers. In the sense that they do not entirely like their style and give some (IMO) rather harsh criticisms, where they are not deserved. I have not seen that type of response here and appreciate it greatly.

Jeff

PS sharpton this has been a good post, Thanks and I'm not sure it needs to be killed (not meant in any snide way at all)

Originally Posted by TURNMASTER

people who are Ummm, rather snobish about some of the younger or less talented makers.

I think it is childish to be like that. Mainly because usually it has nothing to do with talent but with the amount of time you've been doing something. Talent can be the difference between being number 1 and number 10. The difference between number 10 and number 100 is just hard work.

Originally Posted by TURNMASTER

PS sharpton this has been a good post, Thanks and I'm not sure it needs to be killed (not meant in any snide way at all)

Thank You. To be honest I have almost regretted it. The Mods on the forum do a great job. In no way was I implying something was not being done correctly and truly respect and admire all posts, makers and restorers.
I do suppose it has given us some things to discuss and has been enlightening, at least for me. I really like everyone's attitude here. Thats why this forum is #1. As the saying goes: "How ya gonna know, if you don't ask!" Tom

Gugi, you are an elitist and a snob.


(ask and ye shall receive)