Evening journal., 1889-12-04
QUEER TEMPERED nAzoRs.


Shaving Instruments Discasecd from the
Metaphysical Point OF View.
when ! say that a razor has good tenn
per, said barber 10 reporter, II mean
something more than that the steel has been
hardened by fire and water to just the right
point In my opinion a razor has disposi-
tion like human being. Ii may be amiabi +,
and always do its work smoothly-though
never did see razor yet that wasn't subject
to of spells once in while-or It may be
sulky half the time and refuse 10 cut prop
erly, even If the best OF tools when in a good
humor And what you've got to do IS to
humor IT, There's no use trying to drive a
razor that doesn't want to shave; you'll only
put yourself out maybe cut the customer
and make the razor 50 angry that 1t won't
work again for goodness knows how long.
The thing to do is to put It right away in a
drawer, without disputing the matter, and
give 1t a rest
Take II out again at the end Of a week, and
ten to one it win be in prime condition and as
willing as possible. There was a college pro
fessor in here one day not long ago who
stuffed me with what he called scientific
explanation Of razors fits He said that If
would look at the edge Of razor through a
microscope / would see that it looked like a
cross cut saw with teeth projecting on either
side BY use these teeth were bent out Of
shape; but If the razor was put away for a
while the teeth would get back into adjust
ment again and the tool would onoe more APP
pear sharp. OF course, that all sounds very
well, but stick to my theory just the same
And / ought to know for I've seen more
razors and handled EN-, than t1at bald
headed old professor ever dreamed or
1T seems 20 me, said the reporter, upon
whom the tonsorial artist was operating
''that the razor you are using upon me at
this moment must be suffering from no small
degree Of irritation on some account OF other,
Judging by the way it hurts"
The barber paused for a moment In the
scraping performance, and extending one
thumb drew the edge OF the blade slowly
across the nail in a manner that sent cold
shiver down the newspaper mans backbone
'lt's sharp enough he remarked, "but I'll
try another. Perhaps this razor did not like
you. You see, there's no doubt Of the fact
that razors have their personal preferences.
The blade that will shave one customer to a
charm won't shave another. OF course, a
difference in the toughness and thickness Of
the beard makes difference in the sort Of
razor required, but am not speaking OF that
at all. II a razor doesn't happen to like you
il won't shave you well under any circum-
stances Now, you observe, the razor am
using at present takes 10 you first rate.
bought it FOR City cents of man whom It
didn't like. It's a good one, and. though |
should hate to part with r. | might let ii go
70 you, sir, for S.. The handles broken, but
you could easily have another put on, and it
wouldn't cost 50 much. Did you say 'tonicr
hoff4fg srafff "a fttN %
Thanks, no, replied the customer.
1--WE been thirty years in the business
went on the barber, accompanying his words
with a brief shampoo. "and what | don't
know about the ways of razors isn't worth
knowing, There was something the professor
/ was speaking about told me, h9wever that
hadn't heard before, though don't guaran-
tee that it is correct, mind you. What he said
was that tile edge uf a cold razor, seen
through microscope, was a wavy line, but
when the blade was plunged into hot water
the steel expanded and the edge was made
straight, like a string drawn taut, and that
was the reason why il was good thing in
cold weather 70 dip your razor into hot wa
ter, 50 as 70 make shaving easier, as OF course
it would be, with straight edge than with a
crooked one.
"lt's funny thing about a razor that buy
ing one is always perfect gamble even for
an expert A first rate blade is an accident
and often fifty cent razor will be better
than another for 81. You see razors have 10
be hand made from beginning to end and the
most skilltul workman can't be sure Of get
ting two just alike 1t IN the temper draw.
ing process that the quality Of the razor is
determined. Laid upon plate Of hot sand
the blade changes gradually from a light
yellow TO a dark straw color and it is by this
color that the workman must Judge Of the
degree Of temper II il Is a shade too light
the steel win be too soft, il shade TOO dark
it win be too hard and win crumble. So il
happens that razors Of the same brand always
vary and a really fine one is a prize
But no man can tell good one when he
goes 60 buy with any certainty unless he is
given an opportunity to try it on a hone In
that case If DO is an expert be can Judge.
Ninety per cent Of all the razors used N this
country are made in England, though deal.
ers have put their own names on them. |
should advise any man who shaves himself
70 have a razor for each day In the week
Then no one Of the seven will ever get tired.
and Il they are all honed once year it VIII
be enough. The chief trouble.with beginners
! at shaving is that they don't know how 10
strop their razors. II they would get some
one that knew how TO show them that, and
always have their lather thick and rub Il in
well, they would he saTs-l great deal Of dis.
tress. Nextn-W Washington Star.