A couple of weeks ago, my publisher tossed a small package on my desk with a verbal message that went something like this: “They sent this to me by mistake.” Huh, I wondered as I took a look at what was inside the plain brown wrapper. To my surprise, the package contained an old-fashioned safety razor called the RetroRazor. Cool as a slab of South Dakota granite, I resisted the urge to race off to the men’s room to see if my beard looked particularly gnarly that day. Within an hour or so, I was able to quell the sick-to-my-stomach feeling that the big-boss might be telling me that he would prefer the fuzz off my face. Luckily, I remembered that I have never met anyone more direct and to the point than the captain of our ship. That’s when I decided to investigate this cool little shaver a little more thoroughly.
The RetroRazor is a lot like the device my dad used to hack his face to pieces every morning when I was a kid. Of course it was that he was so stingy with new razor blades that dad so often had those little bits of tissue stuck to his face when he headed out the door to work. I was as impressionable as the next youngster, so when it came time for me to shave – I mean really time – I chose a straight razor with strop. Heck, if the outlaw Josie Wales could shave with a straight razor, so could I. As luck would have it, I managed to avoid seriously injuring myself with the straight razor. I nicked my lip once pretty badly trying to trim-up my dripping-off-the-sides of-my-chin Wyatt Earp moustache, however. It was about then that I decided to enter the high-tech razor world; I’ve been looking for a simple, multi-bladed, fancy-named, tool that I could afford to use ever since.
Well, I believe that I have indeed found just the right razor. Actually my publisher found it and passed it on to me. The RetroRazor is a metalworking piece of art. It is fun to hold, it is beautiful to look at, there are no plastic buttons or snaps or levers to break off, and it uses regular old double-sided razor blades that are inexpensive and readily available. I used the RetroRazor to trim up my beard and shave my cheeks and neck over the weekend and it performed wonderfully. Not only did the RetroRazor work, but it worked better than my triple-bladed wonder with the super-expensive, proprietary blades. I am happy to report that my face, neck and Adam’s apple failed to shed any blood while receiving a close shave with the RetroRazor. This cool old-style shaver is now my all time favorite – so much so that I tossed all the fancy razors in the trash.
I still brood that our publisher was sending me a message when he dropped the RetroRazor on my desk. I suspect he was just being nice. In any case, I am tickled that he turned me on to the RetroRazor – it is the only shaver that, in my book, makes the cut.
Hank Will III is the editor of Grit Magazine.
GRIT is a bi-monthly magazine distributed throughout the United States and Canada that celebrates country lifestyles of all kinds, while emphasizing the importance of community and stewardship. As North America’s premier rural lifestyle title, GRIT publishes feature-length articles on a broad range of topics that appeal to those already living in the country and those who aspire to get there. Our readers are well-educated, successful and choose to live on the land for many reasons. Most do not depend on their soil for significant income – some choose not to work their land (in the conventional sense) at all. But all share an appreciation for life out where the pavement ends.
GRIT offers practical advice, product reviews, livestock guides, gardening, cooking and other do-it-yourself information, humor and the inspirational stories of folks who moved to the country and love it. Each issue covers topics related to country living, land management, wildlife, gardening, livestock or pets, skills and techniques, seasonal food, community, machinery or tools, and lifestyle events.
by Top Gumby from Shoreline Washington:
There are supposed to be five stages for dealing with traumatic loss.
There are twelve steps to sobriety in AA.
What are the stages a new wet shaver goes through?
My own journey has gone like this:
Well, I haven’t really got to that last stage, and I’m stuck in more than one of the earlier stages.
Is it always like this?
Posted at Badger and Blade, reposted with permission of TopGumby
While water is an essential element to Wet Shaving, filling your sink with a bit of hot water is better than running the tap, or shaving in the shower.
Using a large bowl as a basin can further reduce the amount of water used , rather than filling a cold sink.
We installed a hot water circulating pump, and while it likely uses a bit more energy, we save in cold water running down the drain.
Ramshackle Solid featured a post about this awesome WWII-era Razor Sharpener
WWII German Razor Sharpener
With many contemporary blades having exotic coatings, I am not sure how the sharpener would affect the performance? But from a consumption angle, this takes the cake. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…
A British ad from 1954 ads some additional perspective….could this be the same sharpener?
I was looking for a holiday gift for the little lady. Jewelry is already a safe gift, and so I was looking for some Retro Jewelry. Rockabilly Jewelry was a fantastic search term, and I ran across this site: Lucky Loo Loo.
Since Rockabilly Girls wear Retro and Rockabilly Clothes, I thought Lucky LooLoo Jewelry was a good choice. They had a pretty great selection of Retro Jewelry, Rockabilly Jewelry, Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets, Buckles and Accessories. Plus they are based in Portland – love supporting Northwest companies!
King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson highlights the RetroRazor Weishi on KOMO-4 TV
Another link for the video clip: Green Gifts from Tom Watson and Mary Nam
Thanks Tom and Mary for the shout-out!
Here are the other products featured:
Waste Free Holidays program http://www.wastefreeholidays.com
Seattle Bug Safari – discounted gift offer for Waste Free Holidays
Sweet Beauty’s Mojito Body Scrub – Made with Seattle’s Theo Chocolate
Elf booties for baby – Made in Seattle from recycled wool sweaters – From Goods for the Planet
Iqua Sun Bluetooth solar-powered headset
Hanukkah menorah made from pipe fittings
Retrorazor – Traditional double-edge-blade durable razor, from Seattle company: Booyah!
Totes Eco ‘brella – Umbrella made from recycled pop bottles
Beards have been part of humanity’s hairy history for decades, this tree of beardly bushiness is from Wondermark’s Beard Spotting Guide by David Malki!
Here is an orderable poster
Credit to BoingBoing
“I got this last week and I just LOVE IT! I used to shave twice a week with a 5 bladed razor and had tried 3 and 4 bladed razors in the past and it was a chore…only a little better than having stubble. With the Weishi, it’s a real joy to shave. It took a little getting used to but it was so worth it. After 4 shaves, I had not nicked myself once and my face was baby smooth! Now I look forward to shaving!!!”
I have always hated to shave. I mean it’s tedious and often causes cuts and nicks (how very unladylike). And yet, being from a family where women are still women, I wouldn’t dare walk out that door showing hair that was not on my head.
I have tried every razor under the sun (and waxing to boot). Shaving has always brought on horrifying cases of razor burn. I even ended up spending an afternoon soaking my legs in freezing water to bring down the swelling before a night out. I turned to waxing. It was a great alternative until I got my credit card bill. Unwilling (and unable) to spend that much on beauty, I stumbled upon the RetroRazor.
The RetroRazor means I can shave, without razor burn, with very little monetary expense to myself. My legs are just as smooth as waxing, but without the painful ripping and the even more painful bill. Whoever says this is a man’s razor, has not met my legs. I recommend RetroRazor to every lady looking for the smoothness of a wax, without the pain and financial burden.
