Becoming a Gentleman: Monday mornings

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?

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.

Must reads for men with moustaches (or beards)

Good Reading for the Fall

From my readers and my archives I have selected the following books you might enjoy this Autumn and into the Winter. Some are light reading and others are thick, heavy makes-you-look-smart books. I hope at least one stands out as a cool addition to your Kindle or book shelf! All of the links are affiliate links which means if a bunch of you all click them, you buy me part of a tank of gas. If you don't like affiliate links on principle, feel free to look them up in Amazon in a different window. No hard feelings.

1. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand) Most folks either love it or hate it. Ayn Rand, an unabashed atheist and capitalist, paints a gloomy picture of what the world looks like as collectivism takes over. The fans of the book appreciate the emphasis on individualism, pride in one's own work and the virtue of trading with our fellow men over use of force or emotional manipulation. Like it or hate it, it is a thought provoking book. She also wrote the Fountainhead. Same story on a smaller scale. If you read only one, make it Atlas Shrugged.
2. Wealth of Nations (Adam Smith) A surprisingly approachable and often funny explanation of the modern economy of trade and division of labor. Sort of a capitalist primer. Again, whether you love it or loathe it, it has shaped the world we live in and is worth a read for that reason alone.
3. The Art of War (Sun Tzu) A Chinese military strategist lays out principles for victory in warfare. If you can look at the lessons abstractly, you can apply it to your own mindset and to the power struggles that we face every day. With much power comes much responsibility. So, don't go invading Canada after you finish reading it just because you could.
4. Moby Dick (Herman Melville) A classic novel of man-versus-himself and man-versus-nature. It has earned its "classic" status for good reason. The writing is vivid and the narrative speaks to the emotions and hubris we all face and must (or should) overcome.
5. Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson) Kind of like the movie Princess Bride or Toy Story, this is one of those books that has broad appeal to young and old. If you are looking for an old-timey adventure--look no further.
6. Gospel of John (J.C. Ryle edition) Regardless of your religious or philosophical views, the life of Jesus made a huge dent on the world (even our calendar). Of the four accounts of the time Jesus spent on Earth in the Bible, John's is widely considered the most approachable and warm.
7. Principa Mathmatica (I. Bernard Cohen) I have no idea what this book is about but it would make me look so smart if I were reading it under a tree while smoking my Meerschaum pipe...
8. Thus Spake Zarathustra (Friedrich Nietzsche) Well, we've had an atheist and a Christian on the list--why not throw in a nihilist? Not that it matters.
9. Space, Time and Spacetime (Lawrence Sklar) Something, something, philosophy and physics. Sounds intriguing. Where and when and wherewhen will I read it?
10. The Golden Baugh (James George Frazer) So, we used to be primitive. We had sex and did weird things. Now, we are civilized and have sex and do weird things. Read about it here.
11. Celestial Navigation: A Practical Guide (Arthur E. Davies) As distinct from all of those esoteric celestial navigation books, this book shows you how to navigate using the sun, in a practical way.
12. The Ashley Book of Knots (Clifford W. Ashley) This book goes into great detail about 4,000 knots. That is 3,997 more than I know. (shoe laces, half-Windsor, full-Windsor).
13. The Goal (Eliyahu M. Goldratt) What do you get when you combine an Israeli physicist with manufacturing process improvement theories in the form of an awkwardly written novel? One hell of a good book, actually. It is weird, but really good if you are able to apply the principles contained within, in your own life.
14. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen R. Covey) So, now we have an atheist, a Christian, a nihilist and a Mormon. I feel we are pretty even handed around these parts. This book is filled with wisdom and will fill in a lot of the cracks that you may have from life knocking you around or what you didn't learn from your dad or grandpa. I have read it multiple times and always become a better man with each reading. Very solid book. Not one of those cheesy self-help books at all.
15. The Rise to the Top (Zig Ziglar) Zig Ziglar and Mr. Rogers are like the world's two grandpas. Nothing you read in this book will be something you haven't heard or thought before, but the way Mr. Ziglar lays it out makes it so encouraging and feasible. A wonderful book for any guy you know that could use a little encouragement.
16. A Year with C.S. Lewis (C.S. Lewis) Better known for the Chronicles of Narnia, he was also an Oxford professor and atheist that converted to Christianity. He also hung out with J. R. R. Tolkien who wrote Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. Smart guy, pretty open about his struggles and also very bright. Makes you think a lot, even if you disagree with some of what he says.
17. Wayland's Elements of Intellectual Philosophy (Francis Wayland) I won't lie. I bought this at a rummage sale because it looked cool. No idea what it says.