So for Father's Day I got my Grandpa some TOBS Sandalwood AS. Recently my Grandma told me he's been shaving every day just so he can use the AS. I asked her what kind of cream or soap he uses and what he shaves with. He said, "I use an old Gillette with some double edge razors. You ever heard of those?" I actually laughed and we got into a long discussion about wetshaving. He was impressed. Needless to say, I'm sending him a tub of TOBS and a badger brush in the near future. Can't have the old man using a boar!
Accidental Bonding
- Thread starter Bcobu1102
- Start date
That's awesome that you can share this experience with him. You'll have some great memories there.
He will probably still use the boar. Old habits die hard.
I would bet using that AS everyday has as much to do with it being a gift from his grandson as it does how much he enjoys it. Cool story.
What's wrong with boar?
A well broken in boar is a beautiful thing. Could always grab him a Semogue.
Yeah, I don't get the negative comments about boar brushes. My Semogue 1305 is my favorite brush right now.
Boar vs. badger is a matter of personal preference, of course.
That's awesome, congratulations! I remember my grandfather used a can of Barbasol and an old Trac2. I wish I could have something like this with him!
That is a great story. Treasure your time with your Grandpa. I would give anything in the world to have my Grandpa back. He was the kindest man I've ever met. I know he shaved with a DE because it was always sitting in a little white bowl on the sink, everywhere they lived. I can see it now. I know we could have talked about shaving and he wouldn't have thought it was silly. He died when I was 23. Far too young to understand the importance of gentlemanly grooming habits. Everything new was better. I would give anything to have him here now.
Make the most of the time you have and build great memories.
Make the most of the time you have and build great memories.
Last edited:
Jeff H has it just right....my Grandpa used to shave with a straight; stropped it just before and just after the shave. He passed in 1970 when I was 23. I was old enough to share a few cigars and stories with him, though. Wish I had the razor. He used the Veg, I remember. Every now and again I'll splash some on, just in remembrance. My wife tells me it makes me smell like an old guy.....I tell her that's just the point....
Jeff
Jeff
I tried to bond with my father over wet shaving. Sort of. (I don't have any living grandfathers; one passed on when my father was a toddler, so no grandpa memories on that side at all).
My earliest memories of a grown-up shaving were my father, who used, at the time, a Red Tip Superspeed. I mentioned this to a forum bro who went out of his way to get me one (!). When I called my father to tell him, he'd have none of it. He couldn't imagine anyone going back to DE razors, and was telling me I ought to try whatever it is he's using.... he wasn't sure what it was, but it had four blades in a cartridge and was the greatest razor ever.
Sigh.
My earliest memories of a grown-up shaving were my father, who used, at the time, a Red Tip Superspeed. I mentioned this to a forum bro who went out of his way to get me one (!). When I called my father to tell him, he'd have none of it. He couldn't imagine anyone going back to DE razors, and was telling me I ought to try whatever it is he's using.... he wasn't sure what it was, but it had four blades in a cartridge and was the greatest razor ever.
Sigh.
This just got me all sappy.
Great story! I hope you don't mind if some of us live this vicariously through you.
This is truly awesome. I remember my surrogate grandpa used to shave with a DE. I found him boiling water on the stove one day, razor in hand, and I asked what he was doing. When he replied that he was about to shave, I remember being confused because dad always did it with an electric razor. That memory comes to mind almost every time I shave. It makes me very happy to know that you, and hopefully many others, have the chance to actually bond through the experience. I'm nowhere near having grandchildren, but if I'm blessed enough to have a son(s)/grandson(s), I hope to have the chance to share this ritual(?) with him/them.
On another note, I also often think of an afternoon when I was in 9th grade. My teacher had us read and analyze a short story as a class. The story was "Shaving," by Leslie Norris. It's about a teenage boy who's father is near his life's end, and the boy must take on the responsibility of the head of the house. Toward the story's end, the boy gives his father a shave. I remember this particular story/lesson so well because at the time I was immature, and when my teacher explained that shaving was a very intimate thing, I thought he was crazy. This story is not exactly uplifting, but it is a beautiful picture of what shaving represents to many men. I think this line summarizes it, "He had let go all his authority, handed it over..." Like hunting, or going to a ball game, or fixing some broken thing, shaving has become an essential act of manhood for many men. The thing these acts have in common is that modern society is trying to take these things away, and replace them with convenience... If you think I'm crazy, just try doing some other things for yourself instead of paying to have them done conveniently. Hunt for, or grow your own food; fix your own window, porch, faucet, etc.; go to a live ballgame instead of watching on TV. I think just about anyone will agree that these are the so called "little things" in life, that really make it worth living. Having the opportunity to share the human experience with those closest to you is priceless. I lost my father 12 years ago, when I was 18, and my grandpa about 7 years ago. I never had the chance to share this experience with them, but I think of them every time I shave. Enjoy this opportunity to share the experience of life with your grandfather. It is something you will cherish.
If you're interested, you can find the short story here: Shaving - By Leslie Norris
On another note, I also often think of an afternoon when I was in 9th grade. My teacher had us read and analyze a short story as a class. The story was "Shaving," by Leslie Norris. It's about a teenage boy who's father is near his life's end, and the boy must take on the responsibility of the head of the house. Toward the story's end, the boy gives his father a shave. I remember this particular story/lesson so well because at the time I was immature, and when my teacher explained that shaving was a very intimate thing, I thought he was crazy. This story is not exactly uplifting, but it is a beautiful picture of what shaving represents to many men. I think this line summarizes it, "He had let go all his authority, handed it over..." Like hunting, or going to a ball game, or fixing some broken thing, shaving has become an essential act of manhood for many men. The thing these acts have in common is that modern society is trying to take these things away, and replace them with convenience... If you think I'm crazy, just try doing some other things for yourself instead of paying to have them done conveniently. Hunt for, or grow your own food; fix your own window, porch, faucet, etc.; go to a live ballgame instead of watching on TV. I think just about anyone will agree that these are the so called "little things" in life, that really make it worth living. Having the opportunity to share the human experience with those closest to you is priceless. I lost my father 12 years ago, when I was 18, and my grandpa about 7 years ago. I never had the chance to share this experience with them, but I think of them every time I shave. Enjoy this opportunity to share the experience of life with your grandfather. It is something you will cherish.
If you're interested, you can find the short story here: Shaving - By Leslie Norris
Hi,
Horsehair for me, thanks. Badger is too soft for me. Not enough lift on the whiskers. In fact I just bought this cute little horsehair brush for the travel kit from WCS.
I dont know as I ever had a boar brush though.
Stan
thank you
