The wanderer returns - a tale of betrayal and redemption....
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 11:26 am
So....it's been 6 long years since I ventured into these parts having previously been a regular visitor. I previously bought into the DE shaving thing big time. I have a tough beard and sensitive skin and cartridge razors were killing me, giving me skin infections and soreness. I had the usual epiphany when trying DE razors, blades and brushes for the first time. I tried all the old razors, fatboys, slims, adjustables, the whole shebang. I bought numerous creams, soaps and blades galore...I tried them all. I found my razor nirvana with a 1938 Aristocrat and for a while luxuriated in the legendary "Swedes" as my blade of choice (until they sadly disappeared).
However, all was not well, in my newly found zealotry, I strayed from the righteous path. I still obsessed over different blades, creams and soaps. I started to get sore skin and dryness, experimenting more in an effort to fight the problem. I loved the woolfat but the scent was not strong enough, my quest continued to find the right combination, I mocked the Derby, I laughed at the Israeli's (the blades not the nationality). I could never be satisfied, nothing worked, dejected, I hung up my brush and committed the ultimate sin....I went electric...my fall from grace was complete....
I started a new quest, an electric razor which didn't irritate, I eventually found a Remington which did a reasonable job, no real irritation, a passable shave, nowhere near what I could get from a wet shave but the soreness went. So I stuck at it for a while, my Simpson Eagle 2 and '38 Aristrocrat sitting forlorn and unloved in a drawer, and so the years slowly passed. Over time I realised something was wrong, I felt dirty, a little depraved, skulking into the bathroom with this noisy beast. The experience became soulless, tedious, a chore, I hated the drudgery, I yearned for the soft caress of bristle and slick creamy lather......but I persisted, like an alcoholic unable to kick the habit.
Then, one day, about a week ago, my Eagle 2 whispered my name, I dug out my beloved '38 Aristocrat and popped in an Iridium ( I'd kept my blades, I just couldn't part with them ). I grabbed a long forgotten half used puck of the fat and excitedly lathered up a lanolin infused storm. I brushed like never before and nervously started the shave, like I hadn't done it before, but I didn't care, all the old feelings came back, the subtle sweet scent of Mitchells filled my nostrils, damn that brush felt good! The shave didn't matter, the ritual was back, I was in the saddle once again. I finished and smiled, the shave was good, I felt good. So I continued, I even popped in a Derby from a long ago purchased pack of 200 that I couldn't bring myself to throw away ( I hate waste ). The first shave with it was a little rough, but I carried on and I'm still using it and loving it, (these blades obviously have to be broken in). So here I am, a week later, no soreness, my skin hasn't felt this good in years, the fat is where its at. No more experimenting, I realised my mistake, trying too hard using too many products, pressing to hard to get the perfect shave, ignoring the irritation but chasing the scent, I was lost but now I am found.
I recognise some old faces on here, I doubt anyone remembers me but you never know. Forgive me my sin for I knew not what I had done, I angered the shave gods, forsaking the fat and the Aristocrat, I come here seeking forgiveness and throw myself at your mercy.....
However, all was not well, in my newly found zealotry, I strayed from the righteous path. I still obsessed over different blades, creams and soaps. I started to get sore skin and dryness, experimenting more in an effort to fight the problem. I loved the woolfat but the scent was not strong enough, my quest continued to find the right combination, I mocked the Derby, I laughed at the Israeli's (the blades not the nationality). I could never be satisfied, nothing worked, dejected, I hung up my brush and committed the ultimate sin....I went electric...my fall from grace was complete....
I started a new quest, an electric razor which didn't irritate, I eventually found a Remington which did a reasonable job, no real irritation, a passable shave, nowhere near what I could get from a wet shave but the soreness went. So I stuck at it for a while, my Simpson Eagle 2 and '38 Aristrocrat sitting forlorn and unloved in a drawer, and so the years slowly passed. Over time I realised something was wrong, I felt dirty, a little depraved, skulking into the bathroom with this noisy beast. The experience became soulless, tedious, a chore, I hated the drudgery, I yearned for the soft caress of bristle and slick creamy lather......but I persisted, like an alcoholic unable to kick the habit.
Then, one day, about a week ago, my Eagle 2 whispered my name, I dug out my beloved '38 Aristocrat and popped in an Iridium ( I'd kept my blades, I just couldn't part with them ). I grabbed a long forgotten half used puck of the fat and excitedly lathered up a lanolin infused storm. I brushed like never before and nervously started the shave, like I hadn't done it before, but I didn't care, all the old feelings came back, the subtle sweet scent of Mitchells filled my nostrils, damn that brush felt good! The shave didn't matter, the ritual was back, I was in the saddle once again. I finished and smiled, the shave was good, I felt good. So I continued, I even popped in a Derby from a long ago purchased pack of 200 that I couldn't bring myself to throw away ( I hate waste ). The first shave with it was a little rough, but I carried on and I'm still using it and loving it, (these blades obviously have to be broken in). So here I am, a week later, no soreness, my skin hasn't felt this good in years, the fat is where its at. No more experimenting, I realised my mistake, trying too hard using too many products, pressing to hard to get the perfect shave, ignoring the irritation but chasing the scent, I was lost but now I am found.
I recognise some old faces on here, I doubt anyone remembers me but you never know. Forgive me my sin for I knew not what I had done, I angered the shave gods, forsaking the fat and the Aristocrat, I come here seeking forgiveness and throw myself at your mercy.....