Sometimes fate & timing seem like the same thing. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….I started reading the blog Art Of Manliness. Having grown up without a father that was always around (like Luke) I was most fascinated with the safety razor shaving posts. I immediately wanted to ditch my electric razor and buy all the gear I would need to “shave like yer grandpa”. But since I was young (and poor) and my razor was new, I did not bite the bullet and get the stuff. Fast forward like the Falcon on the Kessal run to February 2017. My electric razor has just died, I am financially in a better place, and I just chewed up my neck trying to shave with what ever disposable razor that I could find around the house. My wife was a bit exasperated with my complaining of low quality shaving utensils, recommended that I “finally get that shaving stuff you’ve always wanted.” Heck, valentine’s day was coming up so that was my gift from her. I went to task reading reviews for what I would need. My weapon of choice was a Merkur 23C (long handle) safety razor (thanks to an excellent review by a gent on amazon who listed out all the stuff he uses). I couldn’t buy the entire shopping list of products, but I got the basics. Light saber = safety razor is a decent analogy when you are shaving with one for the first time (especially if you haven’t wet-shaved in years!) Ultimately, I love it! Yes, it’s dangerous (like a light saber) but it really forces you to “slow down” and pay attention to the moment. That’s been a recent theme lately in my life, stop and smell the flowers (or go on night walks with the wife with a cup of hot tea). When my son learns to shave I plan on teaching him the “old school” safety razor way (might even pass down my Merkur 23C). Learn from the past and share it with the future.
TimBuck02 