nodaktim reporting in...

[nodaktim]

I have been away for far too long. After my company abruptly went out of business, I lost 3 weeks of earned pay. So, desperate to make ends meet, I signed onto another company and became an over-the-road trucker for years.

It made shaving regularly a bit of a challenge. As time went on I adapted to less frequently, less than optimal set ups. I treated myself to a good and proper wet shave only while home about once a week before church.

I recently switched jobs and drive closer to home and at least during these winter months, home most nights. I found my box of shaving gear that was stored away by my wife. It brought back memories, awakened some a.d. temptations and reminded me about SMF.

I have.missed the fellowship and conversations here and the wealth of information found here among you fine gents.

I hope to be around at least occasionally to start. I have questions, many questions, but don't want to just be a consumer of the knowledge here. I don't know as of yet what I can do to contribute, but glad to be back with you all.

[drmoss_ca]

And we're glad to have you back!

Chris

[Sam]

Read your other thread. I’ll also try posting more. I watch too many reels on instagram. Funny ones

[nodaktim]

Thank you. It is good to be back. A lot has changed on here and with products we use. So many changes, I am overwhelmed trying to catch up. MWF gone, Trumper Violet, so many other things too. Where to begin...?

[Sam]

Yes. Trumpets Violet. The SMF brush in limited runs. Gordon (Bernards66). And some of us go back to the Microsoft, the wet shavers group.

[nodaktim]

I saw the thread about Gordon (bernards66) going missing. Sad indeed. Hope he is well. At least we still have our Sam and Dr. Moss

[CMur12]

Hi Tim. I remember you! It's good to see you back.

I think in the case of the few of us who remain here, we have settled on tools and consumables that serve us, so we don't experiment much with new products on the market.

If you have questions, please fire away, as that will spark new exchanges.

Welcome back.

- Murray

[nodaktim]

Thank you Murray,

I feel like I was still a work in progress on my wet shaving journey when life threw a curve ball. It seems like everything was put on pause for way too long. It is almost like starting over and from scratch on what products to try. Several items have disappeared or changed. Are the 3Ts still making decent creams/soaps or just move on to other suppliers such as DRH etc? Apparently the Personna "Med use" blades are now Accuforge or something, still the same quality or diminished?

I ordered a couple of WestCoast shaving scuttles for my son and I to try as Sara Bonnyman is not currently shipping to the USA. Supposedly, the DRH soaps are better than before instead of diminished like so many competitors. Getting cologne samples from DRH, Trumpers, T&H etc is difficult with shipping from the UK restricted on alcohol items. US suppliers don't seem to carry the sample vials.

So much to explore and consider going forward.

[brothers]

Hi Tim. It's good to see you've gained some extra time now, and here's hoping you are able to chat.

[nodaktim]

Thank you Gary,

One thing that does help is using my 'smart' phone while in the truck getting loaded or unloaded, instead of having to be home on the PC to access the forum.

[CMur12]

Tim, the soaps and blades I have in inventory I bought a long time ago, so I'm not up to date. I have avoided soaps and creams by the 3Ts because I am sensitive to fragrances. My favorite European soap was made by Valobra (Shave Sticks, Cakes, and the original Art of Shaving soaps). I have a goodly stash of these and I have also been well served by artisan soaps, provided they were unscented or scented with EO.

My favorite blades were made by the Procter & Gamble/Gillette factory in St Petersburg, Russia, so I doubt these are being imported now, though you can still find some of them available. I think Gillette Perma-Sharp blades are among the very best, and I see that Bullgooseshaving.com has them in stock.

I like two of the Treet DE blades: Dura Sharp in the yellow-and-red tucks (PTFE-coated carbon steel) and Platinum Super Stainless. It seems people really like Treet DE blades or they don't at all. I only like the two I named here.

I have some blades from Iran that I really like, though I suspect they are a repackaged St Petersburg product.

I also have a lot of vintage and highly-regarded discontinued blades.

You might check out the Gillette Perma-Sharps at Bullgoose Shaving.

- Murray