Hello all you people who refuse to give in to the easy way: Bic released the disposable razor in 1974. Somewhere around that time probably a little earlier, cartridges were released; the beginning of the dumbing down of humanity. Those lovely safety razors some of you use began a serious decline in the early seventies. Reading books from the Napoleonic Naval Wars the straight razor is always the method of shaving used by officers and sailors. History does say that the safety razor was invented in the late 18th century by a guy who was inspired by looking at a joiners plane. But for the last 40 years the skill of a few centuries has been all but blotted out. Enter me: I was born in 1969. Somewhere along the way I developed a preference for all things primitive. I prefer to do things the way that they were done back when a certain skill was required. There may be some deep seated psycho-Freudian meaning in that but to me it means this: society is developing people that have multiple options of instant gratification. All one has to do is look at other people and what they are doing, go to the nearest store for the masses and instantly purchase the items needed to clone oneself according to the subject coveted. I saw it one moment and have decided to do things "another" way. I like sailing, building wooden boats, primitive camping, blacksmithing. I forge my knives from scrap pieces of metal on a forge and anvil that I made. I use hand planes, chisels, handsaws and spokeshaves when I can when I am building something out of wood. My motorcycle has one cylinder, and I shave with a straight razor. I had done some internet preparation beforehand but about 6 weeks ago I started. My friend gave me a old Hunoldine with black plastic scales. I purchased a old Bismarck with black plastic scales from an antique dealer for $10.(It doesn't say Dovo anywhere) Somewhere along the way I picked up a small stone that feels like plastic, I figure it's between 8000 and 10000 grit. I have a 6000 grit King water stone that I use to finish up my chisels and plane blades. I have made two strops; one's a hanger that I haven't used yet and one is 4"x18" glued to a board. I used leather I have laying around from making sheaths for my knives. I have only used two soaps, Williams and van der Hagen. (Williams sits now) My after shave is either an old bottle of Nivea after shave or witch hazel (which I hate). My brushes are, well, cheap. Both came from the drug store, ones red handled and the other is a boar that I got in a kit from VDH. I've had two really inspiring shaves, but they are always a learning experience and I'm always improving. I'll shave tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it. (that's so weird) But I'm loving it. I feel free. Someone on their thread posed the question; why go thru all this? Just because, that's why. Why take the red pill? It defines us. It assures us that we are not a zombie trapped in a traffic jam. There is a sense of pleasure and accomplishment when we willingly take on a challenge just because we choose to. It expands us. It makes our box bigger. So, I didn't come here to rant. Someone said to come over here and post so that others can get to know me. Hi, I'm kernel....
Welcome to TSD. Looks like you have a servicable set-up with some room for upgrades. Enjoy the journey.
I'm glad you look forward to shaving. It's interesting you found this little place on the world wide web.
