Visited my barber today. Joe's a mid 60's lifer who learned as a young lad in Italy. Always great conversation. His shop's unchanged since the early 70's. Old red leather barber's chair, worn linoleum floors, hand painted window sign & fragrances a shop like this should have. You know the place.
I'm telling him I've started shaving with a str8. All stop!! "Seriously"? Once I let him near my hair again I tell him how much I'm enjoying shaving again. He went from surprise to interested to supportive.
As I'm getting ready to leave the empty shop he asks if I'd wait a minute, disappears into the back and emerges with an old box. Inside is a collection of str8's and old stones. As he's pulling them out he's telling me how long it's been since they've been used. All were definite vintage items. He told me there was a time he'd do 25 to 30 shaves a day.
He then grabs a stone and razor walks over to the counter, gives the stone a soaking and proceeded to hone the razor. We stood there for 15 or 20 minutes talking about the fine art of honing while he worked it to a fine edge. You could see right away he still had a smooth touch. Happy with the edge he pulled out an old strop, did 40 to 50 laps, put it into a box and handed it to me. Told me to give it a try and if I liked it then it's mine. Only condition next time in I bring a few of mine. I was stunned but gratefully accepted. What a nice gesture.
The spine shows honing wear but I love that this was a working razor. Solid blade, scales show a lot of age but are solid, the pins are a little loose. I'm not sure if it would be worth restoring? Any thoughts on possible restoration would be appreciated.
I'm telling him I've started shaving with a str8. All stop!! "Seriously"? Once I let him near my hair again I tell him how much I'm enjoying shaving again. He went from surprise to interested to supportive.
As I'm getting ready to leave the empty shop he asks if I'd wait a minute, disappears into the back and emerges with an old box. Inside is a collection of str8's and old stones. As he's pulling them out he's telling me how long it's been since they've been used. All were definite vintage items. He told me there was a time he'd do 25 to 30 shaves a day.
He then grabs a stone and razor walks over to the counter, gives the stone a soaking and proceeded to hone the razor. We stood there for 15 or 20 minutes talking about the fine art of honing while he worked it to a fine edge. You could see right away he still had a smooth touch. Happy with the edge he pulled out an old strop, did 40 to 50 laps, put it into a box and handed it to me. Told me to give it a try and if I liked it then it's mine. Only condition next time in I bring a few of mine. I was stunned but gratefully accepted. What a nice gesture.
The spine shows honing wear but I love that this was a working razor. Solid blade, scales show a lot of age but are solid, the pins are a little loose. I'm not sure if it would be worth restoring? Any thoughts on possible restoration would be appreciated.
Attachments
Last edited:
