Some sobering numbers / reality check

RezDog

Member
I would so love to drive down to Charlie. Maybe some year the dates will line up well for me to make the drive. I also would really like to do a shop to shop tour, where I go see everyone I know at their shop and tinker for a little while and then move on.
 

petercp4e

Focus to Win
After last year's fiasco of flight cancellations, delays and missed connections, I probably should consider driving too. It's 1,700 - 1,800 miles one way which would mean at least 3 days of travel on each end of the trip. Sounds like a lot especially in winter.

Pete <:-}
 

32t

Active Member
This sight has been compared to Charlies meet and I can see many good comparisons in my opinion.

People from many different places and backgrounds interested in similar things. Maybe not the most easy to get to or the most popular but the people that show up have at least enough interest to attend and that we all get along.

I don't know how to run the sight and things needed but keeping smaller is good.
 

Bruno

Administrator
Staff member
After last year's fiasco of flight cancellations, delays and missed connections, I probably should consider driving too. It's 1,700 - 1,800 miles one way which would mean at least 3 days of travel on each end of the trip. Sounds like a lot especially in winter.

Pete <:-}
Last time I was at Charlie's I spent a couple of days at Robert Williams' place. On the way other there, my flight got rearranged. I don't remember exactly where the layover was, but it was bad weather there, and some incoming flights got cancelled because some other airport had to close, which meant that subsequently, outbound flights were getting delayed or cancelled. I remember being moved from gate to gate a couple of times, while my flight to the final airport was delayed 'until further notice'. Many hours later, my flight was completely overbooked but at least it was one of the lucky few that got out.

I think the year before, my transatlantic flight got cancelled. So they rebooked me. I had to fly to frankfurt first, then wait until afternoon, then fly to washington, and then fly to St Louis in a plane that was basically an aluminium cigar tube with wings. 24 hours in total.

Next year I am going straight to TX so I think I will choose a flight with a layover in Frankfurt. Chances of delays from Brussels to Frankfurt are small. And then a direct flight from Frankfurt to DFW. 1 huge airport to another, which should minimize chances of such shenanigans.
 

Bruno

Administrator
Staff member
In any case, in order to preserve the 'garage spirit' I will not make overly broad changes, but a general 'things I made' gallery will be added, and perhaps a more general 'metalwork and blacksmithing' section in the workshop or so. I'll think of a good name.
 

ScottGoodman

Hobbiest surrounded by pro's.
Something else, maybe I don't have my settings right...but I don't get an email when a thread I have commented on.
 

Bruno

Administrator
Staff member
We do have a fb group. It has the same problem :)

I will look at the email. For me it works. It could be that either you don't have notifications enabled or the mail may be in your spam folder. In that case you need to mark it as not spam.
 

Sharptonn

Member
Your graph looks like my stocks, Bruno.
1210
Straight shavers are rare, it seems.
The crop from a few years back could not cut the mustard......As it were.

As men stop wearing buns, we may be able to share more.
It's a little work to properly shave with a straight IF you know what you are doing.
Making them is another thing entirely, IMO. Shaving razor stuff is pretty dead these days?
It should come back someday soon
 

Bruno

Administrator
Staff member
I think the community as a whole is back to the group it was around 2009 or so, before the hype started. The only difference is that currently, the market is saturated with equipment and makers. a year or 2 ago, everyone and their dog started making carbon steel razors. The lower end segment of the market is still over saturated.

People who have been in this long enough will be able to survive, and the market will weed out the ones who started doing this for the money instead of passion for the hobby.

Also many people seem to have switched their focus to artisan soaps and creams, and other things that are arguably much cheaper to chase than custom razors or rare vintage razors.
 

JoelMercier

New Member
Personally, I've been too busy to carry on my razor making journey. I also felt a bit discouraged about making those to be honest. The smiths community being very small and the shavers community being very finicky.

On a side note, perhaps if the pros here did some tutorials it would catch some interest I'm certain.
 

Bruno

Administrator
Staff member
The shavers community is finicky indeed. Most successful makers come out of the restoration community. They have benefit of understanding the geometry and being able to rate shaving quality.

Someone coming in from the outside has an uphill battle for sure. I've seen several times in the past that a knifemaker makes a couple of prototypes and is shot down over geometry issues. The comments are usually on point, but the interaction itself can be awkward.

In terms of tutorials there are a couple of good ones out there. It may be a good idea to start a thread and bundle the good ones. Thanks forvthe suggestion.

Btw i love the knives you make! If you have new ones please post them. Also i am interested to learn about the polishing process you use to bring out a hamon
 

Sharptonn

Member
Events of recent years has shown me life is fleeting. I have enjoyed my razor obsession and still do, just differently I suppose.
Razor guys are some fine friends. Most all are decent sorts. Fun to share with. That is the best part, I think.
Picking out something you restored a few years back and stropping it up for a shave is not as exciting as a full-blown project for certain.
Big fun these days is to see others restore. With all the guys who share techniques and ideas there is a steady crop on the palace who progress pretty fast. I also have stopped buying anything razor-related. I have drawers full of projects for later

Other things are getting done. Working on some firearms and other delayed projects.
Then there is my slow little business I must save or there will be no workshop. THAT would suck.
 

whoever

Anonymous new guy
am I late bose????, just been bussy with makein' $$$$. and thank you to those 10 people who continiously post
 
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