I found this community right before Easter 2010 and really needed some help. My frustration with the department store and drug store fare since I was a teenager about 40 years before had come to a head. I bought another new Gillette Fusion razor set and it irritated my face once again by Tuesday of that week. Then I bought new blades for my electric razor and they got dull after a week of use. And I don't even have a heavy beard.
I went to look on the internet for an alternative way to shave, not knowing that the old-style razors from yesteryear were still in use and available. By accident I found an article online called The Zen of Shaving (see the link on my signature). That was what I needed! It was written by a moderator at Badger and Blade and I followed the link here and signed up.
My first DE razor was a defective Parker 91R and I didn't know it. After trying to use if for a week or two I contacted a vendor who diagnosed the problem and led me to a Merkur 34C HD.
Then I got the itch for straights and had some very humble beginnings. My first efforts looked like I got my face stuck in a fan blade. Then a month later I was concentrating so hard on my technique I sliced my thumb to the tendon switching hands and had to have four stitches. The doctor at the walk in clinic was laughing at me while sewing me up.
The founder of the forum, Joel, put out a video about that time and I memorized the choreography to the inch and still got lousy shaves.
Why couldn't I do it by making the same moves? I somehow got the guts to contact the head of this giant forum and said, what gives? He surmised that the razor wasn't properly honed and offered to look at it. He fixed it up and I was on my way.
I studied other videos made by other members, particularly the one by Chiminesch, and eventually got the hang of it.
It has been a fun ride and a needed diversion through some tough times personally. I have been introduced to a whole new world of great grooming products. Shaving has become a true love after hating it for 40 years and I can't thank this community enough.
So with this, my 2,500th post, I wanted to take the time to thank you for all the good times and great advice, and I look forward to more participation in this great forum.
John Ayers, aka California Cajun
Merci Beaucoup from Cajun Country and Laissez le se bon temps rouler (let the good times roll!)
I went to look on the internet for an alternative way to shave, not knowing that the old-style razors from yesteryear were still in use and available. By accident I found an article online called The Zen of Shaving (see the link on my signature). That was what I needed! It was written by a moderator at Badger and Blade and I followed the link here and signed up.
My first DE razor was a defective Parker 91R and I didn't know it. After trying to use if for a week or two I contacted a vendor who diagnosed the problem and led me to a Merkur 34C HD.
Then I got the itch for straights and had some very humble beginnings. My first efforts looked like I got my face stuck in a fan blade. Then a month later I was concentrating so hard on my technique I sliced my thumb to the tendon switching hands and had to have four stitches. The doctor at the walk in clinic was laughing at me while sewing me up.
The founder of the forum, Joel, put out a video about that time and I memorized the choreography to the inch and still got lousy shaves.
I studied other videos made by other members, particularly the one by Chiminesch, and eventually got the hang of it.
It has been a fun ride and a needed diversion through some tough times personally. I have been introduced to a whole new world of great grooming products. Shaving has become a true love after hating it for 40 years and I can't thank this community enough.
So with this, my 2,500th post, I wanted to take the time to thank you for all the good times and great advice, and I look forward to more participation in this great forum.
John Ayers, aka California Cajun
Merci Beaucoup from Cajun Country and Laissez le se bon temps rouler (let the good times roll!)
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