Congratulations for exceeding my expectations. Enjoy your razor over your many lifetimes.
OK, I have an update for everyone! I know I tend to be stubborn, I like to often do things my way. And because my trust in the community is shaken, I absolutely will not be giving my address out to anyone, which means nobody can BST to me. I know sad, but thats just the way it is.
Plus, I've also changed a lot since I was a kid. When I was a kid, I always wanted free stuff. I used to have a saying, "If it's free, it's for me." Part of that was because, I had no money when I was a kid, not unless I mowed a lawn for a neighbor that is lol. These days, I just feel uncomfortable with the idea of people wanting to give me free stuff.
And additionally, I don't really want to do the whole blade exchange thing, so thats out. Call it stubborn if you want, but thats just the way it is. I make my own way, I pay for my own stuff, and the only debt I owe, is to the credit company for my razor purchase lol!
I ordered both book.... one for my Kindle (Magnificent Obsession) and Secret Journal one in hardback.. used.Suit yourself.
What you wrote makes me feel sad on your behalf.
In my view, one of the best things about this community is its strong Pay It Forward culture.
My very favorite books on the subject are Doctor Hudson's Secret Journal and The Magnificent Obsession. The first is a prequel to the second, but they can be read in either order. I'm not saying anyone should read them, but only that they were meaningful to me. I'm thankful to the author for writing them.
Our PIF culture is integral to this community. I'm sorry you've developed a shaken trust in the community. My experience here has been quite the opposite; not perfect, but quite the opposite.
Happy shaves,
Jim
Thank you again @ewk for the blades, especially the Wizamets. I only get the blades here in my country last month, despite you send the blades for Christmas. I’m saving the Wizamets for special occasionsbut to give an opportunity for people to try what works for me to see if it would work for them. They are blades not generally included in most trial packs.
I'm with Jim here, as I think you have a lot to offer to the B&B community @Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker .Suit yourself.
What you wrote makes me feel sad on your behalf.
In my view, one of the best things about this community is its strong Pay It Forward culture.
My very favorite books on the subject are Doctor Hudson's Secret Journal and The Magnificent Obsession. The first is a prequel to the second, but they can be read in either order. I'm not saying anyone should read them, but only that they were meaningful to me. I'm thankful to the author for writing them.
Our PIF culture is integral to this community. I'm sorry you've developed a shaken trust in the community. My experience here has been quite the opposite; not perfect, but quite the opposite.
Happy shaves,
Jim
Wow! I had no idea that would take so long! I am glad you finally got them. No need to save the Wiz blades. They are, after all, just bladesThank you again @ewk for the blades, especially the Wizamets. I only get the blades here in my country last month, despite you send the blades for Christmas. I’m saving the Wizamets for special occasions
I ordered both book.... one for my Kindle (Magnificent Obsession) and Secret Journal one in hardback.. used.
Though you said they can be read in either order... which would you prefer to read first?
Perfect answer. The Journal will show up later since the Kindle Magnificent Obsession was instant. I'll wait until it gets here and read it first, though I might do the other option.. read MO, the journal and repeat the MO.Interesting question and hard to answer, Kim.
A really good little book I read and recommend advised me as I recall to read Doctor Hudson first which is what I did.
Magnificent Obsession is, according to most people including me, a better book. It's better written. It's a better story. It doesn't require you to have first read the prequel.
Actually, even though it is a prequel, Doctor Hudson was written later. The good doctor's secret journal took some deciphering. The mysteries of that process were interesting to me but might not be to you.
If you consider it as a two chapter book, Magnificent Obsession, the second chapter, is like a good novel whose protagonist masterfully applies the secret to great advantage. The first chapter, the Journal, explains the secret, its origin, its discovery, and its ins and outs.
As independent books I enjoyed both, but I went into it planning to read both starting with the Secret Journal.
Magnificent Obsession was published ninety years ago, in 1929. To me, it is not dated in its writing style or content. The author was hugely successful as a writer, very popular in his day, having had books turned into picture shows and such.
This is ridiculous but I'd say the ideal reading order would be Magnificent Obsession, Secret Journal, and then Magnificent Obsession again.
That doesn't exactly answer your question, but it's the best I can do.
Happy shaves,
Jim
OK... I got email replies from both ESC and Connaught.. and I'm only partially insane... both can ship razor blades to the States... however, this is the reply I got from Peter at Connaught:Hey, it's good you reported it for other members so we could figure this out. A potentially big issue. I think govt realised it was a bad move, business wise.
Things are very fluid here at the moment, as we 're-position' ourselves on the world stage. Imports, exports, trade agreements, etc.
Interesting times.
At this point, I only have one soap to PIF.... and after I get all the boars broken in, perhaps I'll like some better than others. But I've only been at this for a short time. I seem to be ok at the moment with what I have... though the General V2 SE AC head just popped up on BST. I think I should be able to resist... I can't see it adding anything over the Claymore Evo, but I've never seen one for sale since I've been wet shaving.Sometimes I envision myself probably selling a lot of gear sometime if that's vague and inconclusive enough.
The more items click for me the way the Polsilver/Wizamet SI blades and the SV-HMW brush have the more likely it becomes.
Happy shaves,
Jim
It is certainly interesting how some people perceive generosity suspiciously. As if it implies that there are strings attached. The blade exchange idea is fantastic and I can’t see any reason at all to announce your refusal to take advantage of it. Especially as you‘re merely swapping blades for the cost of 2 stamps!!!! How can you possibly lose?
Traditional wet shaving is for many of us a form of therapy, as is participation in forums. Unfortunately, there are some people who, for whatever reason are afraid of feeling that they will “owe” something if they are the recipient of generosity and will inevitably separate themselves even further from society.
Also, a divergence of opinion from one’s own should never be perceived as a personal attack.
I enjoy reading about the experiences and opinions of others. They can confirm my own thoughts or provide a great reason for me to re-examine what I previously thought. Imagine if everyone refused to accept advice, help and generosity! Finding one‘s own way is best done with the help of others.
I have to ship out the blades from the US to my country. I’m trying new blades and your blade samples helps me a lot. There are only 2-3 brands available here (Lord, Derby and the Brazilian Wilkerson). I’m trying the less sharper first, when I got the ones I like will be more easy to order the 100 bundles. It’s a pain to import goods and imagine order a lot of blades you don’t like . I’ll try the Feather, Kai and Wizamets later. Thanks again for the blades. I’m still searching “the one” blade brandWow! I had no idea that would take so long! I am glad you finally got them. No need to save the Wiz blades. They are, after all, just blades
These types of exclusions may be related to distribution rights in the US. Feather may issue distribution rights in different regions/countries. This is a big MAY BE, on my part.OK... I got email replies from both ESC and Connaught.. and I'm only partially insane... both can ship razor blades to the States... however, this is the reply I got from Peter at Connaught:
Hello,
Yes we can ship all types of blades to the US. The only items we cannot ship to the US are all Feather products including blades and any Aftershaves or Colognes.
Best Regards
Peter Mayhew
Connaughtshaving.com
I had tried to add some Feather ProGuard AC Blades to an order.... mystery solved...
Again, I apologize for putting incorrect information out there.
Thanks, Alum Ladd, for getting the correction on the record.
Btw, AF, I haven't used those Ethos and other samples you sent me yet. I had a pretty horrible face burn from a otherwise brilliant soap I recently purchased so I've been sticking with the Canada Shaving Soap of late because it's unscented and I'm not having any reactions from it. I think my skin has healed sufficiently but I was at my rheumatologist the other day and she said my break outs don't look like psoriasis to her and suggested I get an appointment with the dermatologist that originally diagnosed my psoriatic arthritis and ask them.These types of exclusions may be related to distribution rights in the US. Feather may issue distribution rights in different regions/countries. This is a big MAY BE, on my part.
When I join B&B I got blades samples from other members. It’s very expensive and annoying dealing with my local customs. Without the samples, I would have to get a lot of blades I don’t like. @Michael W send a couple of full tucks of brands (brands I never heard of and I will never have the pleasure to try), @ewk send a top tier selection of blades and @Paulford send me one blade of all brands in existence of the galaxy . So much kindness.The blade exchange idea is fantastic and I can’t see any reason at all to announce your refusal to take advantage of it. Especially as you‘re merely swapping blades for the cost of 2 stamps!!!! How can you possibly lose?