OK, I Gave in and Got Saved

**Trius** · 09-06-2008, 03:09 PM

I've been shaving with a variety of cartridge razors for quite a few years, though I'm old enough that I started out with a Gillette DE. When the munificent gods of marketing sent me a "free" Shick Quattro, I obediently bowed down to progress. Actually, I think my dear wife filled out some on-line form and had it sent to me. Little did she know what would transpire ... bwa haa haaa!!!!

Being a lazy kinda guy (sometimes), I don't shave on casual (work) Fridays, weekends, and not on holiday (vacation) ... so when I go back to work on a Monday, it's a mess on my face, and (as you all know) more blades = more clogging.

So after coming back from this summer's holiday (did I say this story would be short? No, I didn't think so...), I shaved with a disposable Bic twin blade, then took a second pass with the Quattro. OK shave, no excessive irritation.

The next morning I popped in a BRAND NEW Quattro cartridge, and ... OUCH! One of the roughest shaves I've ever had! No nicks, just a feeling that Mr. Shick had cleverly disguised very rough grit sanding strips as blades. WTF????

"That's it!!!", I says to meself, I'm done with this s h i t e!!!

Somehow I instinctively knew that a DE setup was the way to go. (Yes, I considered a straight razor. I have no fear of learning the technique, but don't want the care and feeding bit.) After a lot of Googling and surfing, I settled on a Merkur 38C, a sampler pack of blades, and some Creamo cream. I nearly ordered from one west coast website, but found almost-as-good pricing at Fendrihan. Since I have a second address (closest friends) in Brampton and am frequently there, I figured I could kill two birds with one stone. Support the Ontario economy (and poke a finger in Harper's eye!) and perhaps be able to pick up additional supplies when I visit.

OK, I'm long-winded, so sue me. The kit is in transit, but I'm thankful to B&B for both a lot of info and opinion which helped in my decisions, plus a discount coupon code to use at Fendrihan.

You fellow Ontarians will maybe pick up on my Trius handle, which I also use on Rangefinderforum -- RFF.

Thanks to all the contributors here ... I'll report back with my first results.

**THECHEBB** · 09-06-2008, 03:10 PM

Welcome to the mix! Looking forward to your reports....

**Bobtrumpet** · 09-06-2008, 05:18 PM

Welcome to B&B! Thanks for sharing your story.

**burnwood** · 09-06-2008, 05:22 PM

Welcome to the site.

**DunEdinRanger** · 09-06-2008, 05:26 PM

Welcome, and what wee dram do you prefer?

**Trius** · 09-06-2008, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by DunEdinRanger

Welcome, and what wee dram do you prefer?

As many as I can get ...

Seriously, for "everyday", I fancy Speyburn. It's inexpensive by single malt standards, and seems well balanced.

When I'm looking for a real man's dram, I favour Laphroig, Talisker, and other Islays.

When I am looking for sublime, right now it is is Balvenie cask.

Overall, however, the problem is so many malts, so little time, too little ca$h.

Thanks all for the welcome.

**Shane** · 09-06-2008, 05:45 PM

Welcome to B&B!

**kevtex** · 09-06-2008, 06:42 PM

Welcome to B&B. Never give into the "munificent gods of marketing" again.

**ouch** · 09-06-2008, 06:45 PM

I thought this was another religion thread for a second.

**thirdeye** · 09-06-2008, 06:47 PM

Welcome to B&B, we're glad to have you...Enjoy!!!

**Bflobill 1125** · 09-06-2008, 07:57 PM

Welcome Trius!

**blary54** · 09-06-2008, 08:06 PM

Hello...welcome but beware...this forum is a gateway to spending more money.

**Trius** · 09-06-2008, 08:09 PM

blary: Famous last words, but I doubt I'll spend exorbitantly. You see, I have GAS ... Gear Acquisition Syndrome, from time to time. As in cameras and lenses. Way more expensive than shaving!

Ouch: As for religion,it sorta went the other way.

**Masterofsparks** · 09-06-2008, 08:12 PM

Welcome to B&B! Get out the checkbook!

**Mainecanefan** · 09-06-2008, 08:20 PM

Welcome aboard.

**Chuckaluck** · 09-06-2008, 08:26 PM

welcome aboard!

**blary54** · 09-06-2008, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by Trius

blary: Famous last words, but I doubt I'll spend exorbitantly. You see, I have <i>GAS</i> ... Gear Acquisition Syndrome, from time to time. As in cameras and lenses. Way more expensive than shaving!

Ouch: As for religion,it sorta went the other way.

Way off topic...but what kinda camera do you shoot with?
Im big into photography also and have an issue with spending money on lenses. I shoot with a Canon 40d.

**studman46** · 09-07-2008, 08:46 AM

Welcome to the fold. Keep us posted.

**Trius** · 09-07-2008, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by blary54

Way off topic...but what kinda camera do you shoot with?
Im big into photography also and have an issue with spending money on lenses. I shoot with a Canon 40d.

I'm mainly a film guy ... rangefinders ... mostly Olympus fixed lens, but am looking at an M mount in the next year, either a Leica M4 series, the Zeiss ZM, or maybe a Voigtlander 3 and Voigtlander 4. I also have a lot of Olympus OM gear, plus a Toyo 45A (4x5 sheet film) with two lenses. I'm old school, so I figured going back to safety razor shaving was about right. In fact, when I told my wife what I was doing, she mentioned film as she laughed at me.