Autumn

Autumn

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Slick As Possum Fat

That's my face this morning...smooth, slick, hairless. Other than my close cropped beard my cheeks glow.

I've thrown those silly little orange tipped plastic razors in the trash. I've gone old school. Say hello to my old friend, a vintage 1938 Gillette Safety Razor.

She's a three piece made of solid brass and nickle plated. I like the fact it came off the assembly line at the tail end of the depression and just a few years prior to the second world war. She has heft. She's solid and fits well in my hand.

I recently found a ready supply of blades. Russian blades - sharp double edged, thin, wicked little suckers, and if handled improperly will skin the hide right off your face. But, if placed gently gives you a fine close shave.

I like Russians.

Anyway, back to my Gillette. When I take her to hand and glance into the morning mirror I like to think of the man that once owned her. Was he a man of the land or sea...I like to believe a farmer. A sturdy man that provided for his family during the dark years then signed on the dotted line when the war was brought to our shores. I like to think he survived the conflict and returned to his farm to walk the fields in peace. The old Gillette probably gave many years of service as his children grew into adults. I hope it was his grandchildren that finally took Papa's old razor, afterwards, and placed it in the estate sale.

Now, seventy odd years later it gives me joy. She has had her nickle plate refreshed. She still holds the double edged razors nice and tight, and when the lather is applied, slides like a dream down my cheeks.

Sometimes the old ways are best.

Stephen




38 comments:

  1. "Sometimes the old ways are best."

    I feel the same way, Comrade.

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    1. Thanks, Bro...and hey, they make fine firearms...sturdy stuff that always goes, bang.

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  2. The old ways are often best; things were done a certain way for a reason.

    My safety razor (not as old as yours) has disappeared, dang it.

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  3. That is the only kind my Dad ever used along with his shaving brush. I can still picture him leaning over the sink with the lower half of his face covered with soapy lather. When finished, he would put on Mennen Skin Bracer. That scent always reminds me of him.
    Thanks for the memories, Stephen! :o)

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    1. My pleasure, Sweet Lady...I'm an Aqua Velva man, at least during the Spring and Summer seasons, then I switch to Old Spice. Thanks, my friend.

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  4. You are a tougher man than I. Between a wire beard and tissue paper skin, I'd need two septic pencils if I used a safety razor. I regret that every time I pay the rip off price for replacement Mach 3s.

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    1. I just paid fifteen bucks for one hundred double edged blades on Ebay...made in Russia. India is a large producer too. The shaving is all in the pressure of the blade. I'm not tougher I just love a close shave. Thanks, my friend.

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  5. Ah I remember these razors well. I have seen them on TV and also found them at Wally's World. I saw the blades for these at Publix over in Celebration. Check Publix by you and see if they carry them?? I think the Europeans may still use this kind of razor. I shave once a week, (because of the cost of replacement blades) and may go back to the good old safety blades, if I can find them.

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    1. Ebay, Rob. I own two old Gillette razors...love 'em. Thanks, my friend.

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  6. I just checked Walmart.com and they carry the safety razor and refill blades. Both Miles Kimball and Personna blades from 4 to 6 bucks for refills.

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  7. Very nice. Have been trying to get my DH to use one for years. But old habits die hard. My dad used a safety razor....still can hear the click click when he took out the blade and shook it when rinsing it. The older safety razors seem to have more heft and are better made.

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    1. It's a personal thing, Sweety....some guys like those new fangled electrical gizmos...

      Thanks, Lovely Lady.

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  8. So you didn't go all the way back to a straight razor? Or how about a sharp rock? Now that would be old school :)

    How did you refresh the nickle plating?

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    1. Too dangerous, and too dull....although I've a certain piece of flint that really holds a nice edge.
      Old fella here in town. Favor to me. He did a nice job. I've another I think I'll have him plate as soon as I get it cleaned. Thanks, Bubba.

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  9. I use the plastic fantastics, but just for a trim and not very often. Shaving is not my thing.

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    1. Give it a try, Harry. Feels nice. Clean, and all my girlfriends enjoy a smooth face....they are always telling me how nice I smell.

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  10. Safety razors and accessories are readily available on Amazon.

    And hey, do you remember medicine cabinets that had blade disposal slots?

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    1. Bob, I sure do remember 'em. Many years ago I rebuilt a bathroom (or at least tried) and when I removed the old medicine cabinet there must have been thirty years worth of rusted blue blades between the studs. Thanks, my friend.

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  11. Chickenmom made me so homesick for my dad. Those were good days . . simpler days.
    And by the way . . I never realized how close 'bread' could get to a 'beard'.
    Check out that second sentence :)

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    1. Cathy, sweet lady, listen...I really need a good editor, proof reader. Ten bucks a copy suit you?

      Thanks, bread, beard, oh well.

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  12. I guess I haven't lived in the south long enough (20 years). I've never heard the "Slick as Possum Fat" saying before. Glad you're back to posting. I missed you!

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    1. Izzy, thanks. Doesn't get much slicker than possum fat...well, there is goose grease, or a Yankee stuck in mud.

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  13. Like the Dillards said..."slicker than deer guts on a door knob"

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  14. Sheesh, no one caught close crop bread yet?

    Ok I'll wait in the corner :-)

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  15. I've got the same razor, not as good lookin as yours. I have a mug, and brush, soap.and several septic pencils. And lots of TP for when I shave just a bit to close.
    Mine is from my great grandfather. He use the term: Slicker than hog fat on a door knob.

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    1. Bet your grandfather was a fine man....thanks, my good friend.

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  16. That is a classic, and that was NOT a cheap razor back in the day...

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    1. Yep, and they're not cheap now...depending on condition. Thanks, my friend.

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  17. They don't make 'em like they used to -except maybe in Russia.

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    1. I'll stick to the vintage models...own two but still want a 'Fat Boy.' Thanks, my friend. Oh, Russia makes fine double edged blades for the old razors.

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  18. My Dad used one of those until the day he passed away.

    And Skin Bracer or Old Spice, depending if it was his daily shave, or his "Saturday Night" shave when he'd get extra spiffed up and take Mom out.

    Mom just loved Old Spice, and I use the "Classic Scent" stick deodorant. As the back of the stick says "If your Grandfather hadn't used it, you wouldn't exist"!

    Thanks for the memories!

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