A client in Seattle showed me his old straight razor collection and it changed how I think about tools

He came in for a trim last week and brought a small wooden case with three razors from the 1920s. Each one was perfectly balanced and had a different grind, which he explained was for different beard types. I've been using modern shavettes for years, but holding those old tools made me realize the craft in their design. Has anyone else switched to vintage gear after a similar moment?

3 comments

3 Comments

jamiesullivan1mo ago

That's a nice story for @kai839 but honestly, old tools are just worse technology. They're less safe and way more work to keep sharp.

kai8391mo ago

Got my grandpa's old hand plane from the 40s after he passed and it completely changed woodworking for me. Modern tools get the job done but that old plane just feels right in your hand, like it was made to be used for a lifetime. I still use my new stuff for rough work but reach for the vintage tools when the finish really matters. You start to notice how much thought went into the weight and the grip on the old stuff.

william_craig71mo ago

Okay but come on, it's just a block of metal. The old ones might feel solid, but a sharp blade in a modern plane will leave the same finish. A lot of this just sounds like nostalgia.