# Razor blades sewn into the flat cap

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-razor-blades-in-flat-cap
- Themes: violence, nostalgia, London, family
- Life situations: complaining that the world is getting worse, family history

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

His father, apprenticed as a bricklayer in late-1920s East End London, was taught first to sew razor blades into the peak of his flat cap so he could slash anyone who gave him trouble — and many East End streets were no-go areas for police.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

the first thing he was taught on the building site was how to sew razor blades in the peak of his flat cap. So, if any police or anyone gave him any trouble, he would slash them with like hidden sharp edges. And many places in the East end of London were no-go areas for police

## Teaching point

Nostalgia that 'kids today are worse' forgets how violent 'the good old days' really were.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

Apprenticed as a bricklayer in London's tough East End, Ajahn Brahm's father was taught first to sew razor blades into his cap for fights. Some streets were no-go areas even for police. So when people say the world is worse than ever, he asks: really? The good old days weren't so good. Look at today more kindly.

## Source

- [Transcending Negativity of Our World | Ajahn Brahm | 12 April 2019](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WL9MQss2o) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 13:21 to 13:50: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WL9MQss2o&t=801s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Friday Night Guided Meditation | Ajahn Brahm | 12 April 2019](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuRAcMjVqgs) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 53:12 to 53:57: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuRAcMjVqgs&t=3192s