Pipes and Double Edged Razors?

[Flatfish]

Title edited for capitalization. Rule 9! -jpm

I am curious what the relationship is between pipes and razors. All the tobacconists I have come across (including online) seem to sell nice razors and shaving brushes.

Could it simply be that both products appeal to the same type of gentleman?

The double or single edged razor being a device that can't be rushed and requires a bit of learning how to use.

For the record I use a 1912 Ever Ready single edge razor. Also have some Gilette DE's

 

[Streeper541]

They are products for men. That's all.
Folks are into the retro bespoke thing right now. Pipes & razors hit both markets.

 

[anotherbob]

They are products for men. That's all.
Folks are into the retro bespoke thing right now. Pipes & razors hit both markets.

or it could be because they think pipe smoking is the last stop before taking a long walk off a short chair. Oh he's smoking the pipe not long before he buys a farm. Why not sell them razors. It's possible.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Good thread. I’ve used vintage devices for several years to shave.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

When I was younger, I noticed that all of the Tinderboxes in malls carried razors, banker's desk lamps, nice chess sets, expensive ass pens, all of the things that men would want... and women that identify as men also, I guess.

What other stores would carry razors? Bed Bath and Beyond?

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

I like old ?. ?️

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

The 1930’s were the best overall decade for blade holders. Schick, GEM, and Gillette produced wonderful tools.

i gave my son in law a ‘56 Gillette Red Tip and Astra SP’s . He says it’s saved him $20 per month

 

[kcghost]

I don't shave much any more but when I did I used disposable single edge razors.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

A buddy just sent me this from 1905

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

Interesting to note that King Camp Gillette himself always used a cut-throat razor for his personal shaving.

 

[TheWhale13]

Hipster's nowadays seem to love everything old. Not saying that old things are worse, a lot of things were of good quality. But I've found that modern alternatives for some things can be less finicky and sometimes more reliable. Just one moron's point of view I guess

 

[anotherbob]

I find that a lot of times when an old way is better, that the trade off has been quality for convenience. For example those disposable razors are garbage but involve less steps and less ephemera to use. The double edged are better but you have to learn how to use them (it's not hard but you can't just get it right the first time). Kind of like cigs compared to pipes or nasal snuff. You don't have to learn to smoke a cig and they come in already prepared and you don't even have to pack them.

 

[mikethompson]

I use a newer Merkur and have never looked back. I can't believe I ever dragged a disposable across my face.

 

[isaac]

I’ve used a straight razor for over twenty years. I like the ritual of it all

 

[WildTurkeySurprise]

I love pipes, but I smoke cigars, too. They serve slightly different purposes for me. For razors, however, the old-school butterfly safety razor is my one and only. Like pipes, a certain amount of technique is involved, but at a TINY fraction of cost in disposables, the shave is closer. A clear choice, as I see it. As retro tools go, I did the straight razor thing for a bit, but it wasn’t worth the effort. Coincidentally, it lives in my pipe tray now, and its job is cutting up plug tobacco.

 

[Mr_houston]

It’s a good question. I use both.

I went through all the safety razor types and spent a year with only straight razors. Learned to restore and hone them. It was a big hobby. Very similar to the pipe hobby. Hardware: pipe/razor. Software: tobacco/soap. Oh, and the soap makers put out limited releases! I have drawers full of soaps and some $400 razors - Wolfman. It’s a rabbit hole.

 

[jttnk]

I have a beard, but, you still gotta clean the neck, cheeks and uneder the nose. I really dig my DE’s. As has been said , some of the enjoyment is the ritual, the thoughts of this is how my grandfather did it…. I also love the clean burn of good aftershaves, bay rum and all different, not perfumey scents.

Now to get crazy, I ride bikes pretty regularly and nothing gives a better shave on the legs than a careful DE. However, careful is the operative term! I’ve alsontorn some flesh doing it too! Ahhh the vanity of cyclists.

 

[captpat]

DE and Straights for me. I occasionally try one of the new Gillettes -- the blades/cartridges are expensive as hell and the shave is no better -- always go back to a DE.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Hipster's nowadays seem to love everything old. Not saying that old things are worse, a lot of things were of good quality. But I've found that modern alternatives for some things can be less finicky and sometimes more reliable. Just one moron's point of view I guess

Yes, I listen to a radio...LOL!!

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

And then I discovered the GEM Micromatic circa 1930. The GEM coated PTFE blades are still available.