Shave of the Day

Interesting story behind the Shave today.

Mrs. CW made me a gift of this straight razor.  It's handled in Brazilian Ironwood, and the blade is made by the Germans for the Turner Hardware Co. of Muskogee.  Everyone knows that old song "Okie from Muskogee,", but this blade has the abbreviation I.T. , and no mention of Oklahoma.

That's because it stands for Indian Territory, which was what Oklahoma was before it became Oklahoma.  Every Oklahoman knows the five civilized tribes of the territory are the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole.

And my grandpa on my mom's side.  His birth certificate lists "The Indian Territory" as the location of his entry into this world, although he wasn't Indian. He was plenty civilized and one tough hombre. To make the circle complete, on the other side of the family, they married into the Choctows.

It's a blade that could have been owned by Rooster Cogburn.  Gotta have true grit to dare use it.

Now, thanks to Mrs. CW, I can shave with a cut throat that was likely in use at the same time my grandpa roamed the Ouachita country, the banks of the Poteau River, and old Fort Smith, Arkansas. 

Today's shave is made of Local Gent California Barber soap, the Lava on Ice two band badger brush from Wild West Brushworks, Barrister and Mann Le Grand Chypre aftershave, and of course the edge provided by the Civilized Indian Territory Turner Hardware Co. straight.