B&B is definitely an "Occasion of Sin"

[JCinPA]

The Roman Catholic church has a concept called the Occasion of Sin, which is putting yourself in tempting situations, thus making it harder to avoid the actual sin. The idea is it's easier to resist temptation if you keep it at a distance in the first place.

Well, I thought I was through with my AD issues after clamping down and starting a 'sabbatical' during the second half of last year. I'm really not a collector of razors, I only use 2 now, and I have a birth year Gillette red tip and an extra flare tip (just in case), but I only use my DE89 on an Ikon bulldog handle and my replated Gillette NEW LC on a BRW handle.

I got myself down to a half dozen lather products, and after being at this two years I know what I REALLY like now, and having more simply raises my anxiety level choosing my morning shave. I have about 6-8 after shaves I like, all old classics. I had 3 badger and 2 boar brushes. I narrowed my favorite daily shaver to the Gillette Super Platinum Blacks. I was happy as a clam! In fact, I kinda forgot about this place and drifted away for a while.

Well, Marco brought me back here, damn you, Marco! and now I started all over again. (just kidding about Marco, he's fantastic).

So, now I ordered a couple more boars off the B/S/T JUST before seeing the B&B green handled Omega (my favorite brand of brush). So I ordered the B&B, of course, and now I'll have to unload those others back on the B/S/T. I also ordered some D.R. Harris Marlborough, just, well I don't really know why. When I bought the B&B brush, I figured I had to get something else to make shipping sensible, so I got some TOBS Jermyn soap. I picked up a few pucks of vintage Old Spice just because it is world-class soap. I tried some Polsilver blades, well, just because. Got some Astra SPs just because they are cheap.

I even started looking on eBay again and found myself being tempted by old EverReady brushes thinknig I might do another restore. I even put a gold Aristocrat on the watch list even though I gave one away last year! What the heck is going on? I'm back to having 3-years worth of consumables and more hardware again, and I'm lusting after new stuff like I did back on day one!

OK, too late for this year's sabbatical, but I am on the wagon again. Officially. You people are the sirens of the shaving world, luring us to ground ourselves against the rocks of shaving gear gluttony. You are all, collectively, occasions of sin!

 

[ironfist]

Everyone comes back........they always do.

 

[JCinPA]

LMAO!

Yeah, who am I kidding?

 

[Mick]

Hey kid.... come ear... try this.... Go-on.... you know you want it.... You like it.... You'll be back for more

 

[VT_Hokie]

Reunited and it feels so good!

 

[Delawareguy]

I feel the same way about Dunkin Donuts.

 

[Fatestorm]

I get such a kick out of this thread. It seems, as St. Thomas said, that the case is twofold.

"I answer that, In whatever things good consists in a due measure, evil must of necessity ensue through excess or deficiency of that measure. Now in all things that are for an end, the good consists in a certain measure: since whatever is directed to an end must needs be commensurate with the end, as, for instance, medicine is commensurate with health, as the Philosopher observes (Polit. i, 6). External goods come under the head of things useful for an end, as stated above (117, 3; I-II, 02, 1). Hence it must needs be that man's good in their respect consists in a certain measure, in other words, that man seeks, according to a certain measure, to have external riches, in so far as they are necessary for him to live in keeping with his condition of life. Wherefore it will be a sin for him to exceed this measure, by wishing to acquire or keep them immoderately. This is what is meant by covetousness, which is defined as "immoderate love of possessing." It is therefore evident that covetousness is a sin." (Summa Theologiae IIaIIae Q.118 a.1 co.)

So excessive and intemperate acquisition, which is truly vicious and not merely apparent (as is the case for joking "ADs"), is sinful. But, the master has more to say!

"I answer that, In human affairs whatever is against reason is a sin. Now it is against reason for a man to be burdensome to others, by offering no pleasure to others, and by hindering their enjoyment. Wherefore Seneca [Martin of Braga, Formula Vitae Honestae: cap. De Continentia] says (De Quat. Virt., cap. De Continentia): "Let your conduct be guided by wisdom so that no one will think you rude, or despise you as a cad." Now a man who is without mirth, not only is lacking in playful speech, but is also burdensome to others, since he is deaf to the moderate mirth of others. Consequently they are vicious, and are said to be boorish or rude, as the Philosopher states (Ethic. iv, 8)." (Summa Theologiae IIaIIae Q.168 a.4 co)

Badger and Blade offers companionship above and beyond a sheer marketplace or occasion to acquisitive sin. Good friendship is a good to be pursued for its own sake (in a natural sense), an aid in the moral life in general, and the proper context for achieving one's supernatural end. So too the pleasure connatural with this good is a remedy against pain, weariness, and the sin of despair.

Therefore, so long as our love of shaving is moderate, it would in fact be intemperate not to engage in mirthful fellowship! After all, you don't want St. Thomas to call you boorish, rude, or a cad!

 

[ouch]

There's lots of cool stuff you haven't tried yet. It's okay. Go ahead.

-Satan

 

[dparish1952]

"I'm back to having 3-years worth of consumables and more hardware again, and I'm lusting after new stuff like I did back on day one!"

I weep at your predicament, and I want to atone by sharing your burden--say 2 years of the software. No, don't thank, I just want my conscience clear.

 

[Marco]

Well, Marco brought me back here, damn you, Marco! and now I started all over again. (just kidding about Marco, he's fantastic).

This community was not the same without you, John. I'm very, very happy to see you fully back again!

 

[JCinPA]

Wow!

St. Thomas followed immediately by Satan! I knew this was a big community, but it's also a lot more diverse than I thought!

Actually, I like the zen of shaving a lot. For me, too many decisions causes me stress, so I'm glad I caught myself doing this and recognized it! Seriously! Unless I start daydreaming and don't concentrate, I usually get DFS every morning with no nicks at all. I attribute that in large part to using only two razors (and only one daily depending on which shave den I'm working out of) and knowing my lather products.

I admit I am having fun breaking in this new, cheap Kent boar brush, though. A little vintage Old Spice this morning, I think. But with the possible single exception of replacing my beloved QCS Green Irish Tweed (which I've been out of for a year!), I'm back on sabbatical again.

Fatestorm has me in the mood for a little Gregorian chant during my shave this morning. Wonderful!

 

[redrako]

Wow!

St. Thomas followed immediately by Satan! I knew this was a big community, but it's also a lot more diverse than I thought!

Actually, I like the zen of shaving a lot.

I know just enough theology to get myself in trouble, but to me that state of zen would be equivalent to a state of grace, that perfect quiet time where one is connected with all that is well with the universe.

Hat's off to Matthew (Fatestorm) for being able to pull shaving appropriate quotes from Saint Thomas and of course, Marco, our wet shaving evangelist!

 

[JCinPA]

Well. OK. I got the B&B brush today, I put the two vulfix brushes on the B/S/T. I am about to order my QCS Green Irish Tweed and Basilica, and THAT'S IT! I'm shutting down again until the rest of the year. This is really a struggle!

Anyway, here is a shot of the initial de-stinkifying lather with TOBS Jermyn Street soap. Look at that lather hang out there on the left! Yummy!

 

[celestino]

John, that is a great looking brush!
You should check out this one, also, but i am not trying to enable you!

 

[ouch]

I'm thinking of getting a second B&B as a backup.

 

[MFNEWYEARAMDG]

I'll be a catholic priest in 13 months. I think this thread is hysterical! And btw, this site is definately my near occasion of sin.

 

[JCinPA]

Congrats! And thanks! We're running out of priests. Thanks for serving!

 

[Marco]

John, what are your thoughts on Taylors Jermyn Street soap? The lather on your new B&B brush looks fantastic, my friend.

 

[mdove47]

I'll be a catholic priest in 13 months. I think this thread is hysterical! And btw, this site is definately my near occasion of sin.

Catholic here...just be careful taking a vow of poverty. Also watch faceturbation.

 

[Useless shaver]

You are all, collectively, occasions of sin!

Thank you, sir! Most grateful!

I just have 12-year worth of blades....