Well, I have finally took the red pill.......I converted from a traditional wet shaver and "hey, it'll save me lots of money while being a real man, to a hobbyist, to "hey, just one more soap this month, a maybe that aftershave - then I'll press pause", to joining the Shaving Cadre, and since I love this place and all you Cadre for what you made, I thought I'd start a journal.......you're welcome 
I started traditional wet shaving back in 2016 - had no idea what I was doing and my first purchases were a Weishi long handle (because the gun metal color was cool and which I still have) a tub of TOOBS Sandalwood (still one of my favorite sandalwood scents), and a sleeve of Astra greens. I chose these because they both items had the highest rating on Amazon - which is the best way to pick shaving gear - still to this day (these crazy YouTubers don't know what the heck they are talking about - Amazon has it all figured it out. I picked Aqua Velva as the AS - because - that's what my dad used his entire life - and he did have it figured out.
I got into the hobby (late 2019) after going through the TOOBs getting frustrated on how quickly I was going through the TOOBS, and I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on - so I turned to Wikipedia...just kidding.... I searched YouTube.......which led to getting lessons from GeoFatboy, Mark Szorady, and Nick Shaves. That led to my YouTube stream being filled with Shaving Youtubers (you typical ones.....Kevy Shaves, Ken Surfs, IAMCDB......and the Cadre Boys. I became a soap base b*tch because I started watching Ruds and if the rating wasn't high enough - well it can't be good soap right? (nice guy, but I am glad those days are behind me - I missed out on so much in the early days).
I am serious when I say the Cadre had a significant impact....@cvargo videos helped me make up my mind between the Karve and the Rockwell (first shaving controversy - kinda like in Philly - Are you a Pats or Ginos cheesesteak person?). I chose the Karve (then bought the Rockwell as well - because I got a veterans discount and the Karve was taking too long to get here. My youngest started watching videos with me because she into goth /punk right now - and she saw me watching a video with @Spider........I joined the Cadre, but didn't really do anything other than searches on vendors for the most part (again, missed out early on)........then I came across @BarberDave - who really impressed me with his straights and mentioned the Zoom get togethers. My first post on the Cadre was joining a zoom call..... and I met you wonderful, crazy folks........so thanks..
Anyways, as far as my shaving goes......
Razors - I like Stainless Steel and Brass - I like it heavy - if you could put a blade on a dumb bell, I'd use it. I can't really pick a favorite - it's like choosing between my kids.....ok, who am I kidding - I could easily pick one of my kids - and my razor would be the Vector.
Soaps - now that I am past my base phase.......I love almost every vendor out there......I choose scents first (Citrus please! or a good old school scent), I'm a menth head, and I have to admit - I am a sucker for a good label!
Aftershaves - I run the gamut as well......scent first - I can always add some skin food or a balm. I dig aqua velva and the old school shaves and also love boozy scents.
Blades - in order: Gillette Nacet, Gillette 7 O'Clock (Yellow), Bolzanos, Wizamets, and Astra Greens.
Brushes - this is one area in which I am not really picky and haven't gotten into the expensive side - I have one badger, two boars, and the rest are synthetics.
I also like fragrances - Jazz Club is my best, and 1.5 is Bleu de Chanel. My two most recent pickups are Dior Eau Sauvage and Tom Ford Beau de Jour.
I have 4 kids - all teenagers (2 girls, 2 boys).
I am just getting into the audiophile side of music - picked up a pair of Apple Airpods Max and a pair of Drop Seinheiser 580x with a DAC.
I am from PA - so that will always be near in dear to my heart - especially Philly where I went to school - Go FLyers and Phillies! Boo Eagles (long story) - Go Steelers.
'
I am going to try to weave in theme weeks to my shaves - I calculated that I have about 71 years worth of soap and 35 years worth of razor blades.....which means I am desperately in need of more blades. Love the Cadre!
I started traditional wet shaving back in 2016 - had no idea what I was doing and my first purchases were a Weishi long handle (because the gun metal color was cool and which I still have) a tub of TOOBS Sandalwood (still one of my favorite sandalwood scents), and a sleeve of Astra greens. I chose these because they both items had the highest rating on Amazon - which is the best way to pick shaving gear - still to this day (these crazy YouTubers don't know what the heck they are talking about - Amazon has it all figured it out. I picked Aqua Velva as the AS - because - that's what my dad used his entire life - and he did have it figured out.
I got into the hobby (late 2019) after going through the TOOBs getting frustrated on how quickly I was going through the TOOBS, and I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on - so I turned to Wikipedia...just kidding.... I searched YouTube.......which led to getting lessons from GeoFatboy, Mark Szorady, and Nick Shaves. That led to my YouTube stream being filled with Shaving Youtubers (you typical ones.....Kevy Shaves, Ken Surfs, IAMCDB......and the Cadre Boys. I became a soap base b*tch because I started watching Ruds and if the rating wasn't high enough - well it can't be good soap right? (nice guy, but I am glad those days are behind me - I missed out on so much in the early days).
I am serious when I say the Cadre had a significant impact....@cvargo videos helped me make up my mind between the Karve and the Rockwell (first shaving controversy - kinda like in Philly - Are you a Pats or Ginos cheesesteak person?). I chose the Karve (then bought the Rockwell as well - because I got a veterans discount and the Karve was taking too long to get here. My youngest started watching videos with me because she into goth /punk right now - and she saw me watching a video with @Spider........I joined the Cadre, but didn't really do anything other than searches on vendors for the most part (again, missed out early on)........then I came across @BarberDave - who really impressed me with his straights and mentioned the Zoom get togethers. My first post on the Cadre was joining a zoom call..... and I met you wonderful, crazy folks........so thanks..
Anyways, as far as my shaving goes......
Razors - I like Stainless Steel and Brass - I like it heavy - if you could put a blade on a dumb bell, I'd use it. I can't really pick a favorite - it's like choosing between my kids.....ok, who am I kidding - I could easily pick one of my kids - and my razor would be the Vector.
Soaps - now that I am past my base phase.......I love almost every vendor out there......I choose scents first (Citrus please! or a good old school scent), I'm a menth head, and I have to admit - I am a sucker for a good label!
Aftershaves - I run the gamut as well......scent first - I can always add some skin food or a balm. I dig aqua velva and the old school shaves and also love boozy scents.
Blades - in order: Gillette Nacet, Gillette 7 O'Clock (Yellow), Bolzanos, Wizamets, and Astra Greens.
Brushes - this is one area in which I am not really picky and haven't gotten into the expensive side - I have one badger, two boars, and the rest are synthetics.
I also like fragrances - Jazz Club is my best, and 1.5 is Bleu de Chanel. My two most recent pickups are Dior Eau Sauvage and Tom Ford Beau de Jour.
I have 4 kids - all teenagers (2 girls, 2 boys).
I am just getting into the audiophile side of music - picked up a pair of Apple Airpods Max and a pair of Drop Seinheiser 580x with a DAC.
I am from PA - so that will always be near in dear to my heart - especially Philly where I went to school - Go FLyers and Phillies! Boo Eagles (long story) - Go Steelers.
'
I am going to try to weave in theme weeks to my shaves - I calculated that I have about 71 years worth of soap and 35 years worth of razor blades.....which means I am desperately in need of more blades. Love the Cadre!
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who have found a way to blow three leads in the last four games - and all to Division Rivals. But as they say - that is Philly sports for you. But to add another note to give you some insight on my family - my youngest son is a Yankees fan - I don't know where I went wrong.
