Can You Handlebar?

Beard Poetry: Joe Cassada

Doug — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:01:08 +0000

A little about Joe: “I’m a blissfully married father of three pastoring near Saint Louis, Missouri. I love good coffee, old books, the great outdoors, and all things Spurgeon. Recently, my little girl was hospitalized with pneumonia. During her 6 day stay, my daily routine was shot to pieces, including the shaving o’ the whiskers. After five days of razorlessness, I liked what I saw in the mirror and decided to join the bearded brotherhood. Both my daughter and my beard are doing fine and growing strong.”

A beard’s (to most) a silly thing -
Just facial hair allowed to cling
Upon its bearer’s face too long.
“’Tis best,” say they, “to shave. C’mon!”

With bearded men this hallowed truth
Is known quite well; they swear: “Forsooth!
My beard is not some whiskered shame!
‘Tis crown, and rank, and lion’s mane!”

And, would you ask the buck to lop
His antler’s off with chopping block?
Why then the pleas for faces nude,
And not my manliness exude?

Did Erikson with bald face sail?
Or Shakespeare take up ink and quill
And write with smooth and beardless grace?
Did Plato teach with shaven face?

Did soft-cheeked Leonidas fight
With beardless Spartan manly might?
Or Peter, Paul, and Jesus preach
With hairless, girly, rosy cheeks?

I hope you’ve seen o’er time and age
That warrior, preacher, and wise sage
Each one their manliness allowed
To show with beard grown long and proud.

Thus I shall keep my face unshorn -
With locks my cheeks and chin adorn.
For bearded face is how God made
This man. So bearded I shall stay.

- Joe Cassada

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Beard Poetry: Ian Goldsmith

Doug — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:07:33 +0000

This poem and artwork was created by the incredible mind and pen of CanYouHandlebar customer, Ian Goldsmith. We have some real talent around here!

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Becoming a Gentleman: Monday mornings

Doug — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:54:09 +0000

Even “bad jobs” are good

Even the “bad jobs” I have had over the years have taught me something about myself and about life. When I was a spot welder and came home each day exhausted, burnt and bruised, I learned what hard work really was and I was proud of what I had built. I used to dig little bit of metal out of my belly that got there when a spray of white metal picked me instead of spraying 40′ across the factory floor. I have seen (and felt) copper so hot it turned shades of purple and green. I’ve worked 42 days straight doing manual labor and the first two weeks of that were over 12-16 hours per day. I’ve sweated so hard that even though I drank several bottles of water, I didn’t need to urinate. In some ways it was hell and yet part of me loved it. I knew I was a man (or closer to that goal). A job like that is like a merit badge you wear on the inside.

The symptom

These days, some Mondays are definitely less welcomed than others, but to work is a blessing (especially in this economy!). I may complain about work sometimes but deep down it is honorable and satisfying. As an aspiring gentleman I try to keep this perspective and avoid the trendy complaining cycle on Facebook. The men I most admire would never say something like “ugh, it’s a Monday.” We all feel that way sometimes, I suppose. But it seems like people who are enjoying life complain–if they complain at all–about how little time their is to do the work they have picked. The don’t complain about having to work.

The new approach

The idea of being a gentleman can seem a little nebulous sometimes. We may have a mental picture of a man in a three piece suit and a monocle sipping a tea. In practice, being a gentleman it is more like a thousand little decisions, not owning a pocket watch or twirling our moustache. So, here is the approach I am working on: I am challenging myself to protect my mindset against petty resentment toward the gift of work. I will apply myself and think in bigger increments than a week at a time. To check my progress I remember that I am choosing to become the man I want my son to think I already am.

Who is with me?

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Open letter: let’s be a real beard community

Doug — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:37:58 +0000

Community: a label or a reality?

People tend to refer to a group of people who share common features and call them a “community.” I think it is sort of a shorthand (or maybe it just sounds better to say “black community” or “bearded community” than to say “black people” or “guys with beards”). It seems to me, regardless of the reason, if we are called a community, let’s be one. Because the truth is, being a community should be more than being lumped in with a bunch of people that look like you.

Why we grow our beards and moustaches

There are a lot of reasons why guys grow beards or moustaches. Some guys just like the way it looks. Other guys feel like it makes them look more distinguished, or rugged, or older or younger. Others grow a beard or moustache to symbolize that they are a gentleman or that they believe in classic masculinity. I suppose I am motivated, in part, by most of these. Bearding isn’t zero sum; wearing a beard may win, but not wearing a beard does not lose. If you want to see the “right way” in action, check out a competition. From what I have seen and heard, competitions are the real deal when it comes to acceptance, real friendship and respect.

Deciding to make it a real community

To be a real community of bearded guys (or guys with moustaches) becomes a random group of dudes with hair on their chin. We can enjoy our choices while at the same time being cool with people that want to do something different. If you shave, that is pretty damned manly too, what with it being something only guys do. If you have a “business beard” and not a two foot long flowing mane, that’s cool too!

Wrapping it up

I guess, when I think about it, what I am trying to say is that if I had to pick, I would rather hang out with a gentleman that doesn’t have a beard before I hang out with a dude that does any day. That is the community that I want to be in. If you can swing both, all the better. Am I alone in this?

Do you need some wax or beard oil to go with your comb? Be sure to check out our fine products:

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Product Review: Moustache Comb by Offerman Wood Shop

Doug — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 20:14:36 +0000

Product Review: Moustache Comb by Offerman Wood Shop

Handmade moustache (err, beard) comb

There are a few things in this world of which I am a big fan: craftsmanship, things made of wood, heirloom quality, beards, moustaches, and the free market. Nick Offerman, perhaps best known as Ron Swanson on the show Parks and Recreation, offers all of these rolled up into one handcrafted comb, which I received this week.

Overview of the moustache comb:

The comb is touted as a moustache comb, perhaps because Ron Swanson/Nick Offerman wears a moustache and not a beard, but this comb is a far better beard comb than moustache comb. The fingers of the comb are too far apart to provide much utility as a moustache comb. That does not take away from the comb at all but if you are looking for a moustache comb for daily use, this is probably not it.
The comb is made from three pieces of wood–maple, wenge, and walnut seamlessly combined into a high-contrast form that gently tapers from the handle toward the ends of the eight tines.
The finished product is both beautiful and functional as a beard detangling brush. As well as it works as a beard comb, the real charm is as an homage to American manufacturing and classic grit and masculinity. As a functional decoration it is a reasonable $75 (or $100 monogrammed). As merely a comb, it would be steep.

Noteworthy details

I was fortunate to have mine monogrammed with “CYHB” for CanYouHandlebar. The letter of the monogram, like the logo on the opposing side are burned in so I won’t need to worry about the logo wearing off over time.
The details are what really make this comb stand out from the pack.
Each tine is carved by hand and the marks from the knife are left in place.
From the reputation Offerman has as a master wood worker I knew the product would be technically flawless and I was not disappointed.
The grain of the tines goes along the length of the tines and the grain of the handle goes along the width of the handle. I suspect this provides the most strength for each application. This attention to detail and knowledge of the materials he uses is the mark of a good craftsman.
The overall piece has a suitable amount of fit and finish without removing the charm of a slightly rustic handmade tool.
Frankly I would have been a little disappointed if everything were too perfect because I would then need to compare it to a mass produced comb from Amazon and it may have fallen short on account of the price versus utility ratio. As it stands, I feel like I am buying something made by the hands of a person I’d like to know.

Verdict

If you have a beard or just like good old-fashioned men’s lifestyle products like combs, dopp kits or straight razors, then this comb will make a nice addition to your collection. If you are looking for the cheapest way to arrange the hairs on your face, then you probably will feel this costs too much. Personally, I am really happy with the purchase and the opportunity to support another craftsman and enjoy the thought that went into delivering such a high quality product.

This is a close up of the finish of the comb. Fortunately, the grain of the comb was allowed to show through.

This is my comb with a can of my beard Dry Oil, my MOMUG and my pen from Silver Spring Outdoor Service. I keep all of these close at hand.

This is the other side of the same comb with the Offerman Wood Shop log put in place with a wood burner. I am very glad to have this in my collection of man stuff.

Do you need some wax or beard oil to go with your comb? Be sure to check out our fine products:

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What moustache comb should I use?

Doug — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 14:56:32 +0000

“What moustache comb should I use?”

I recently got this question from a customer.

My response:

“Great question! I use a lot of different combs and brushes depending on my mood and how my moustache and beard and moustache are acting.

Everyday use:

I keep an “unbreakable” black plastic or nylon comb in my pocket at all times. The ones with both coarse and fine teeth are nice to have on hand and are not very expensive. Usually they cost about a dollar. The coarse teeth are good for combing a waxed moustache since they do not pull hairs as much as the fine teeth. I typically run the coarse side through a couple times to get the hairs going the same direction and then follow up with the fine side to separate the hairs properly. Given that it is plastic, I can clean it easily with hand soap to remove any wax it picks up and dry with a towel before putting it back in my pocket.

My nice comb:

I also use a really wide toothed comb that I steal from my wife on occasion when my hair is wet. I am careful to clean it well before I put it back on the counter (because I value my life). These are often called “volumizing” combs and are great for beards if you have one. For my anniversary, my wife bought me a comb from the workshop of Nick Offerman, the gentleman that plays Ron Swanson on Parks and Rec. He is a master woodworker and though it is expensive, it will make a nice addition to my collection of manly mementos! Here is a link: http://offermanwoodshop.bigcartel.com/product/mustache-combs-limited-edition“ (links are not affiliate)

Do you need some wax or beard oil to go with your comb? Be sure to check out our fine products:

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CanYouHandlebar supports “Manly Marks: A Letterpress Project” after Kickstarter campaign

Doug — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:10:06 +0000

Manly Marks: A Letterpress Project

“Manly Marks: a Letterpress Project” is a very cool idea and there are 5 days left, so if you want a really cool and totally unique memento of your journey–follow the link and order yours! In addition to a handmade book there are other cool items at different award levels.

As many of you know, I love entrepreneurs and well made things. Brandon is a printmaker and has assembled a really cool hand made book about being a man. In his video, Brandon mentions the merits of the beard and so I am happy to announce that I am giving some beard Dry Oil to some of the backers of one of the coolest Kickstarter projects I have ever seen once the campaign has wrapped up!

Of course you know page three should be “apply Dry Oil to your beard.” :}

(Disclaimer: I make nothing if you sponsor the project).

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Cool stuff: Misc Goods Playing Cards Co.

Doug — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 20:47:48 +0000

Cool stuff: Misc Playing Cards Co.

What they look like

What makes these cards special

For me, playing cards have a certain mystique. This is probably in part because they have remained generally the same for centuries and are so simple, yet such amazing and complex games and strategies can be made with them. Playing cards have been around in one form or another since the 9th century A.D. In the past couple hundred years the 52 card deck we use today has started to settle into the format we now know and love.

The Misc Goods Playing Card Company have literally left their mark on the familiar deck. I appreciate the detail and clean take on the card’s artwork. I can’t pinpoint why, but the word “honest” comes to mind. The presentations from the shipping box, to the card box, to the cards themselves are understated and tasteful.

The packaging itself prepares you to open something special. The cards do not disappoint. I will likely never play with them. Instead, I will add them to my man cave as tasteful decoration. I was an early backer on Kickstarter and and so privileged to own something someone else put so much time and effort into.

How to get your own

Currently, the cards are not available for sale. I expect them to be soon, given the tremendous success of the Kickstarter campaign. Check this site often for news of the release. (Not an affiliate link).

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Cool Stuff: The Holdster Mason Jar Mug

Doug — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 23:19:45 +0000

Cool Stuff: The Holdster Mason Jar Mug

What it looks like

What stands out about the Holdster

I have a special place in my heart for old stuff. Classic stuff. And I really like when someone finds a new way to solve an old problem. The Holdster hits all of my buttons. What is more classic than a Mason Jar? Growing up in the South I recall drinking sweet tea from mason jars and somehow the threads at the top of the glass makes a perfect lip for drinking. The Holdster I own takes the Mason Jar and wraps it in a really warm colored leather with copper rivets and a cool finger loop. Other models use stitching instead of rivets, or come without loops.

The leather wrapping serves two important purposes. First, it insulates the coffee, presumably keeping it warmer longer. Second, it allows me to grab the jar without burning my hands. If you want, you can actually screw on the Mason Jar lid but I am not sure if that will vacuum seal the hot coffee or not. So, that is up to you to try. Overall, I really like the mug and I keep it in regular rotation. Though I have not used it this way, it would work well on cold drinks as well!

Where to get yours

Prices range from $20-$30 and include a mason jar! Click here for the store (not an affiliate link). Check out the Kickstarter page to see the “behing the scenes” by clicking here.

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How to properly apply moustache wax

Doug — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 00:38:45 +0000

How to properly apply moustache wax

Content covered in the article

I spent some time today creating a guide for applying moustache wax. This page is under the hover menu under “Shop” Here are the steps I cover:

Pre-work: warming the wax
Step One: admire the can
Step Two: scrape some wax
Step Three: transfer to finger tips
Step Four: rub between fingers
Step Five: confirm wax is melted
Step Six: wax back of moustache
Step Seven: wax rest of moustache
Step Eight: wipe off excess wax
Step Nine: confirm all is well

Here is an excerpt

How to apply moustache wax under less-than-deal scenarios.

Touch ups: In this picture I am just doing a “touch up” so I focused mostly on the ends of my handlebar moustache. In addition to touching up the tips, I occasionally add a little wax to the lip line before dinner to keep those hair out of my mouth and a dab for any fly aways. I basically trace the side of the moustache, starting in the middle and working my way out to the ends. The ends are where most of the wax is needed. The middle of the moustache doesn’t support or look good with a ton of wax because you are breathing out at ~98.6 degrees all day long and constantly melting anything you put there.
Fresh application: When I have just taken a shower, I start with a totally dry moustache (oil and water don’t mix!) and put a light amount of wax in the center, working my way out and, as above, focus most of my attention on the tips. I like to use a hair dryer on low heat to ensure no wax clumps are visible and to make sure I am not dragging a comb through wax that at holding strength. If you pull a comb through wax that isn’t warmed you may pull out hair ahead of schedule. I recommend combing the freshly waxed hairs down first and then to the right and left. After the hairs are combed I gently twist the ends toward my face, using extra wax as necessary.
Under construction: If your handlebar moustache is still in the growing phase, use more wax because it is training the hairs to grow the right direction, soothing the skin underneath that my be scratched by hairs as they grow out and it will help you resist the temptation to trim at the hairline and give yourself a mullet handlebar moustache. After three months, start using less wax in the middle (see above).
Emergency touch-up tips: I live in Michigan and have had to apply or reapply wax under less that optimal conditions. Here are some tips and tricks for these emergency situations.
- In a vehicle: crank the heat up to high and use it to warm the wax and to blow onto your moustache after application to melt any clumps. I turn all vents “off” except for the one right in front of me to get maximum airflow on my face. Then I cup my hands to aim all of the air at my moustache. This is surprisingly effective.
- Armpit: Your armpit is the closest you can get to your body’s core temperature that isn’t illegal in some states. Putting your wax in your armpit for several minutes will soften it better than riding shotgun in your pants pocket (where I normally carry my Primary6)
- Cup your hands: If all else fails, you can use your own breath to soften the wax you’ve just applied. The trick is to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Cover your mouth like you are sneezing and you will be exhaling nearly 99 degrees of heat to your moustache. After 10-15 breaths you can usually get a pretty decent outcome. Just pay close attention to clumps and use as little wax as possible to reduce the amount of wax as possible–the less you use, the less you have to try to warm with your own breath. The tips you can warm by rolling them back and forth with your thumb and forefinger.

For the full article click here.

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