Thank you very much, Bruce - I also did FOLFOX which is indeed the neuropathy culprit. Do you still suffer from it, or did it fade?Welcome back. Your chemo side effects mimic mine. I had FOLFOX for mucinous adenocarcinoma back in 2013-14. Best wishes in your cancer fight.
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Strop Dragging My Journal Around...
- Thread starter Strop Dragging
- Start date
KJ - what a joy to see you! When writing about the kindness and encouragement of the community in the above post, you were most certainly one of the folks I was thinking of! Your long ago offer to rid you of some safety razor clutter (which I took you up on) had a very big impact on my journey. I still feel immense gratitude for it.
Congrats on your marriage too! Look at us grown ups!
Perhaps at some point we can have a discussion, DM or otherwise, about our cancer journeys ...curious to hear where you're at now with it now in all aspects - physical, emotional, practical, etc etc. I really hope you are doing well, all things considered. So nice to re-connect.
It did fade some in my fingers and toes, though I still have some residual in my fingertips and toes. My oncologist stopped the Oxaliplatin after eight cycles, so my last four were without. The numbness isn’t bad; it’s a small price to pay for being alive, IMO. Cancer sucks.
,
Indeed. I’m glad the side effects have not been of a debilitating nature for you.
They haven’t. I was fortunate to have remission after one 6 month run of chemo (after two surgeries). My experience pales compared to your three year effort to beat cancer. I hope there are good support groups near you. Cancer is a personal journey, but it helps to have the support of others who know exactly what you’re going through. There are online support groups for whatever cancer you’re fighting. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to check them out. Be well.
Thank you for your response, Bruce. When my cancer came back, I did reach out to support groups to help me manage and contextualize my experiences. I have found some good folks through that support community. I very much appreciate you making that suggestion.They haven’t. I was fortunate to have remission after one 6 month run of chemo (after two surgeries). My experience pales compared to your three year effort to beat cancer. I hope there are good support groups near you. Cancer is a personal journey, but it helps to have the support of others who know exactly what you’re going through. There are online support groups for whatever cancer you’re fighting. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to check them out. Be well.
Shave #....I have no idea...
Razor - Schick injector
Brush - Sterling boar
Soap - CBL Orange Dirt
After - Eleven orange facial toner
Well...exciting news in my little shave world in that I got some new soaps from @CBLindsay ! I shall be rolling them out over the next little bit. The last time I was really engaging on the Cadre forum, I believe Chris had not yet been professionally producing soaps...so I was super excited to discover upon my return that there was a Cadre member (and I believe co-founder?) who was making shaving gear!
I have learned some things since being a regular contributor to the forum (some 8 years ago) - meaning I'm not a totally idiot...only a partial one. Given that, I decided to limit the new variable in the shave to one thing only, in this case the Orange Dirt soap. Having done a full face shave with a straight for the first time in many a moon, I felt the pull to getting out another oft-ignored cut throat and going to town...but I controlled myself to fully be able to assess the soap only. So...I grabbed for the razor that has kinda become my main go-to, particularly in these neuropathy days, and that is the Schick Injector - a razor that @Spider gifted me way way back when I was bemoaning for the millionth time my straight razor inconsistencies, and he clocked that I had jumped right from Gillette Mach 3 world right into vintage straights. Again, so grateful to the friends I have on here...
Oh, this soap! What great slickness and performance - just top tier!! The scent is wonderful and a little bit surprising...earthier and darker than I expected...but just glorious. So well done, @CBLindsay ! I am really impressed. For whatever reason - likely laziness - I did not search this site for peoples reviews of the CBL soaps, so I didn't know what to expect (although I had a pretty strong hunch
). I really hope Chris keeps producing soaps, because I think he may have found a lifetime customer. (But I have 2 other soaps to try, so perhaps I should calm down a tiny bit...)
The shave itself was glorious, a lovely BBS affair...and the relatively bright and citrusy Eleven orange facial toner was a perfect match, leaving me smooth, comforted and feeling e every bit the LA guy I currently am. Very happy!
Onward and Shaveward.
Brad
Razor - Schick injector
Brush - Sterling boar
Soap - CBL Orange Dirt
After - Eleven orange facial toner
Well...exciting news in my little shave world in that I got some new soaps from @CBLindsay ! I shall be rolling them out over the next little bit. The last time I was really engaging on the Cadre forum, I believe Chris had not yet been professionally producing soaps...so I was super excited to discover upon my return that there was a Cadre member (and I believe co-founder?) who was making shaving gear!
I have learned some things since being a regular contributor to the forum (some 8 years ago) - meaning I'm not a totally idiot...only a partial one. Given that, I decided to limit the new variable in the shave to one thing only, in this case the Orange Dirt soap. Having done a full face shave with a straight for the first time in many a moon, I felt the pull to getting out another oft-ignored cut throat and going to town...but I controlled myself to fully be able to assess the soap only. So...I grabbed for the razor that has kinda become my main go-to, particularly in these neuropathy days, and that is the Schick Injector - a razor that @Spider gifted me way way back when I was bemoaning for the millionth time my straight razor inconsistencies, and he clocked that I had jumped right from Gillette Mach 3 world right into vintage straights. Again, so grateful to the friends I have on here...
Oh, this soap! What great slickness and performance - just top tier!! The scent is wonderful and a little bit surprising...earthier and darker than I expected...but just glorious. So well done, @CBLindsay ! I am really impressed. For whatever reason - likely laziness - I did not search this site for peoples reviews of the CBL soaps, so I didn't know what to expect (although I had a pretty strong hunch
). I really hope Chris keeps producing soaps, because I think he may have found a lifetime customer. (But I have 2 other soaps to try, so perhaps I should calm down a tiny bit...)The shave itself was glorious, a lovely BBS affair...and the relatively bright and citrusy Eleven orange facial toner was a perfect match, leaving me smooth, comforted and feeling e every bit the LA guy I currently am. Very happy!
Onward and Shaveward.
Brad
Shave #…I’m not going to tell you.
Razor - Schick Injector
Brush - Stirling boar
Soap - CBL Fresh Lime
After - Eleven facial toner
Well…what a glorious shave!!
As some of you dear readers know, I am a native Torontonian now living in LA. Today was not a particularly cold day in TO - my weather app says it is currently -2° celsius there…and it was not a particularly hot day here in LA, currently sitting at 14°. Still, this Canuck finds a livable temp like that in the middle of February rather balmy, and I took advantage of it by having a nice afternoon swim!
Post swim and hot shower, I decided to have a calm, leisurely shave, and debuted (for me) another new soap from our friend @CBLindsay - Fresh Lime!
Oh my, what a wonderful soap! The scent is really lovely - to my nose a very “real” lime scent, with a tiny bit of earthiness to it. By earthy I do not mean to say that it competes with the Orange Dirt for that ground smell…it’s just that it was more like an actual fruit smell, and less like an artificial, “bright” scent. I absolutely love the smell.
And the performance was amazing! I think I did a better job lathering this than I did the Orange Dirt (which also performed very well), because it was just so cushiony, slick and comforting!
I was rewarded with a really, really great BBS shave - the best one I can recall in recent memory. Staying in citrus world, I finished again with the Eleven facial toner. As I sit here typing, post shave, I keep taking quick breaks to feel my face, because I am so happy with the smooth and comfortable result of today’s shave! Sometimes, even for a flounderer like me, it all clicks…and today was such a day.
Onward and shaveward…
Razor - Schick Injector
Brush - Stirling boar
Soap - CBL Fresh Lime
After - Eleven facial toner
Well…what a glorious shave!!
As some of you dear readers know, I am a native Torontonian now living in LA. Today was not a particularly cold day in TO - my weather app says it is currently -2° celsius there…and it was not a particularly hot day here in LA, currently sitting at 14°. Still, this Canuck finds a livable temp like that in the middle of February rather balmy, and I took advantage of it by having a nice afternoon swim!
Post swim and hot shower, I decided to have a calm, leisurely shave, and debuted (for me) another new soap from our friend @CBLindsay - Fresh Lime!
Oh my, what a wonderful soap! The scent is really lovely - to my nose a very “real” lime scent, with a tiny bit of earthiness to it. By earthy I do not mean to say that it competes with the Orange Dirt for that ground smell…it’s just that it was more like an actual fruit smell, and less like an artificial, “bright” scent. I absolutely love the smell.
And the performance was amazing! I think I did a better job lathering this than I did the Orange Dirt (which also performed very well), because it was just so cushiony, slick and comforting!
I was rewarded with a really, really great BBS shave - the best one I can recall in recent memory. Staying in citrus world, I finished again with the Eleven facial toner. As I sit here typing, post shave, I keep taking quick breaks to feel my face, because I am so happy with the smooth and comfortable result of today’s shave! Sometimes, even for a flounderer like me, it all clicks…and today was such a day.
Onward and shaveward…
Shave #... who can say
Razor - Schick Injector
Brush - Stirling Boar
Soap - CBL Drinks & Daves
After - TOBS St James
Cologne - H et V Cognac and Cuban Cigar
Well...another very nice shave, in no small part, I'm sure, due to the quality of lather that I am getting from @CBLindsay wonderful soaps. I have just been getting top notch performance from the CBLs (which I am completely new to), and it has made my time in front of the mirror lately quite joyful.
Of the 3 new soaps I've tried of Chris's... the D&D is the only scent I think I need to give another shave with before determining exactly how I feel. Both the Orange Dirt and the Fresh Lime were immediate winners for me...but the D&D was a little perplexing. As evidenced by my choice of cologne after this shave, the Henri et Victoria Cognac and Cuban Cigars is a real fave of mine, so although Chris told me it was not going to be particularly similar...I somehow thought that D&D would just hit me as an instant "Oh yes!" But THEN I remembered that C&CC had a similar effect on me...I don't think I was 100% on board with my first shave with it, either.
D&D was somehow reminiscent for me of an Ethiopian restaurant. Frankincense maybe? This is not remotely a criticism - I am a huge Ethiopian food fan, and the ambiance and scent of a good Ethiopian restaurant is very appealing to me. It was just an unexpected association. I will certainly be lathering up D&D again next shave- as I sit here typing this (with a still rather smooth face from yesterday's shave!) I am intrigued by it, and curious how it will hit me on the second run. I mean, for god's sake, I shaved with Tabac at least three times before jettisoning that awful, hideous smelling (but good performing) stuff, so I certainly can lather this amazing soap again. I get the feeling it's going to somehow click with the next shave. I shall write and reflect on it more with my next entry.
The shave itself was wonderful. I'm not sure the St James is the best scent pairing with D&D...but that Taylor of Old Bond Street scent is a nostalgic fave of mine...one I haven't used in some time, so it was nice to splash on.
In other shaving news, I have sent off 2 straight razors (the only two I currently have at my disposal, despite a collection of about 30) to @Luecke3262 for some honing! I am so removed from my honing experience that I honestly can't remember when the last time my Northfield Cutlery and my Joseph Rodgers & Sons were honed...or even if I was the one to hone them! I shaved with my JR&S a few shaves ago, and it was ok...but as the tiny straight razor ember is beginning to re-ignite in my soul, I thought it best to start again with some fresh edges by someone who knows what they're doing. I look forward to properly honed blades again!
Onward and shaveward...
Razor - Schick Injector
Brush - Stirling Boar
Soap - CBL Drinks & Daves
After - TOBS St James
Cologne - H et V Cognac and Cuban Cigar
Well...another very nice shave, in no small part, I'm sure, due to the quality of lather that I am getting from @CBLindsay wonderful soaps. I have just been getting top notch performance from the CBLs (which I am completely new to), and it has made my time in front of the mirror lately quite joyful.
Of the 3 new soaps I've tried of Chris's... the D&D is the only scent I think I need to give another shave with before determining exactly how I feel. Both the Orange Dirt and the Fresh Lime were immediate winners for me...but the D&D was a little perplexing. As evidenced by my choice of cologne after this shave, the Henri et Victoria Cognac and Cuban Cigars is a real fave of mine, so although Chris told me it was not going to be particularly similar...I somehow thought that D&D would just hit me as an instant "Oh yes!" But THEN I remembered that C&CC had a similar effect on me...I don't think I was 100% on board with my first shave with it, either.
D&D was somehow reminiscent for me of an Ethiopian restaurant. Frankincense maybe? This is not remotely a criticism - I am a huge Ethiopian food fan, and the ambiance and scent of a good Ethiopian restaurant is very appealing to me. It was just an unexpected association. I will certainly be lathering up D&D again next shave- as I sit here typing this (with a still rather smooth face from yesterday's shave!) I am intrigued by it, and curious how it will hit me on the second run. I mean, for god's sake, I shaved with Tabac at least three times before jettisoning that awful, hideous smelling (but good performing) stuff, so I certainly can lather this amazing soap again. I get the feeling it's going to somehow click with the next shave. I shall write and reflect on it more with my next entry.
The shave itself was wonderful. I'm not sure the St James is the best scent pairing with D&D...but that Taylor of Old Bond Street scent is a nostalgic fave of mine...one I haven't used in some time, so it was nice to splash on.
In other shaving news, I have sent off 2 straight razors (the only two I currently have at my disposal, despite a collection of about 30) to @Luecke3262 for some honing! I am so removed from my honing experience that I honestly can't remember when the last time my Northfield Cutlery and my Joseph Rodgers & Sons were honed...or even if I was the one to hone them! I shaved with my JR&S a few shaves ago, and it was ok...but as the tiny straight razor ember is beginning to re-ignite in my soul, I thought it best to start again with some fresh edges by someone who knows what they're doing. I look forward to properly honed blades again!
Onward and shaveward...
Shave # - no one can say
Razor - Parker safety
Brush - Stirling Boar
Soap - CBL D&D
After - Razor Emporium Barber Shop
So, a real rarity in front of the mirror today... a shave with this Parker safety razor! This is a razor that I bought my wife back when I was first getting into wet shaving, and she really liked the idea of not throwing a bunch of plastic into landfills. I got it for her, I think, Christmas of 2016 maybe?
I have a safety and a SE razor back in Toronto...but here in LA, I only have 2 straight razors (both out for honing), and my Schick injector. This DE caught my eye in the shower, and so I put a new Shark blade in it (not necessarily my blades of choice, but what there currently is in the bathroom) and went for it.
I have to say I could feel the newness of the blade...very close, but my face most definitely gave me some feedback on it when I splashed the Barber Shop on it. A bit of a zing. Not awful, but not as gentle as my injector.
Something I haven't mentioned in this resurrected journal is how much I've progressed since my earlier entries (up to 2018) in the area of beard mapping. I realized today as I was shaving that I really follow the grain of my growth very carefully on all three passes....and boy does this make a huge difference, both in comfort of shave and in results. Folks on this forum were always mentioning it to me when I was struggling...and I would try my best...but I realized that I just do it now without thinking. My shaves have progressed a lot due to it!
I also realized I haven't said anything about weepers in this new phase of the journal...and that's because I haven't been getting any! I don't wish to curse myself...but I have been pretty weeper free for quite some time. This might be down to more injector shaves than straight razor shaves...but it is another marker of progress that I am happy about.
The jury, which likely doesn't work on weekends, is still out on Drinks & Daves for me. The performance again was top shelf, but I'm still a little perplexed by the scent. I don't hate it, that's for sure...but I need a few more shaves with it to decide if it's my olfactory's cup of tea (or whisky, as the case may be...).
So this was a really really great shave - a BBS affair, perfect but for the afore mentioned slight zing from the aftershave. I'll tell you this...I'll take it.
Onward and shaveward...
Razor - Parker safety
Brush - Stirling Boar
Soap - CBL D&D
After - Razor Emporium Barber Shop
So, a real rarity in front of the mirror today... a shave with this Parker safety razor! This is a razor that I bought my wife back when I was first getting into wet shaving, and she really liked the idea of not throwing a bunch of plastic into landfills. I got it for her, I think, Christmas of 2016 maybe?
I have a safety and a SE razor back in Toronto...but here in LA, I only have 2 straight razors (both out for honing), and my Schick injector. This DE caught my eye in the shower, and so I put a new Shark blade in it (not necessarily my blades of choice, but what there currently is in the bathroom) and went for it.
I have to say I could feel the newness of the blade...very close, but my face most definitely gave me some feedback on it when I splashed the Barber Shop on it. A bit of a zing. Not awful, but not as gentle as my injector.
Something I haven't mentioned in this resurrected journal is how much I've progressed since my earlier entries (up to 2018) in the area of beard mapping. I realized today as I was shaving that I really follow the grain of my growth very carefully on all three passes....and boy does this make a huge difference, both in comfort of shave and in results. Folks on this forum were always mentioning it to me when I was struggling...and I would try my best...but I realized that I just do it now without thinking. My shaves have progressed a lot due to it!
I also realized I haven't said anything about weepers in this new phase of the journal...and that's because I haven't been getting any! I don't wish to curse myself...but I have been pretty weeper free for quite some time. This might be down to more injector shaves than straight razor shaves...but it is another marker of progress that I am happy about.
The jury, which likely doesn't work on weekends, is still out on Drinks & Daves for me. The performance again was top shelf, but I'm still a little perplexed by the scent. I don't hate it, that's for sure...but I need a few more shaves with it to decide if it's my olfactory's cup of tea (or whisky, as the case may be...).
So this was a really really great shave - a BBS affair, perfect but for the afore mentioned slight zing from the aftershave. I'll tell you this...I'll take it.
Onward and shaveward...
Shark blades have NEVER been good to me. I have formally banned them from my entire zip code. Funny thing about a hood injector, they feel a lot like having used a good straight razor for the shave. I think it’s the rigidity and probably grind of the blade.
D&D is a fun scent for sure, the leather could be what is tripping you up. It’s not horse saddle, not Italian loafer and sadly…not a perfect leather lounger (but that’s what it’s trying to be).
D&D is a fun scent for sure, the leather could be what is tripping you up. It’s not horse saddle, not Italian loafer and sadly…not a perfect leather lounger (but that’s what it’s trying to be).
Shave # - TBA
Razor - Gillette Safety
Brush - Stirling Razor
Soap - Rex Supply 1988
After - Razor Emporium Barber Shop
So this was a new gear shave! After taking my wife's Parker razor for a spin last shave, I decided that I should just get myself a vintage safety to have here in LA, while my other one sits unused in Toronto. I must say, it has been a fair few years since I searched on Ebay for razors! Thankfully, my substandard, or at least varied honing skills kinda made me stop accumulating straights...and I never was one to drool too much over non-cut throat blades. But I found this simple vintage Gillette for cheap, and so here it is..
So I loaded it with a Shark blade (the only ones I have at home right now) and went for it.
The soap is from a series that Rex Supply has created based on year. They have a 1955, '66, '77, '88, and I think now a 1944. When I was at Razor Emporium in Phoenix last year, I actually chatted for some time with the woman who makes the Rex soaps. I was buying some RE soap and aftershave, and she gave me samples of the 55, 66, 77 and 88 to try. The other years are sitting in TO...but I happened to have the '88 in my toiletries bag...
How do people shave with samples like this?! It was not an easy lathering...and I think my shave suffered a bit because of it. The soap was a little on the thin side...but I'm taking full responsibility for that. The scent was quite nice - a little bit floral and a little bit sweet and powdery. I feel like it paired REALLY well with the RE Barber Shop aftershave...I was rubbing my face hours later and smelling my hand, haha, loving the scent that lingered...
I shall have to do a bit of digging on the site to see which DE blades folks on here prefer...
This shave was a bit of a celebratory one for me - a very positive PT scan after 6 rounds of chemo for cancer nodules on my lungs. I had 2 tiny spots - one on each lung - and the scan a few days ago indicated that one had shrunk and one is gone! I'll certainly take that.
Onward and Shaveward...
Razor - Gillette Safety
Brush - Stirling Razor
Soap - Rex Supply 1988
After - Razor Emporium Barber Shop
So this was a new gear shave! After taking my wife's Parker razor for a spin last shave, I decided that I should just get myself a vintage safety to have here in LA, while my other one sits unused in Toronto. I must say, it has been a fair few years since I searched on Ebay for razors! Thankfully, my substandard, or at least varied honing skills kinda made me stop accumulating straights...and I never was one to drool too much over non-cut throat blades. But I found this simple vintage Gillette for cheap, and so here it is..
So I loaded it with a Shark blade (the only ones I have at home right now) and went for it.
The soap is from a series that Rex Supply has created based on year. They have a 1955, '66, '77, '88, and I think now a 1944. When I was at Razor Emporium in Phoenix last year, I actually chatted for some time with the woman who makes the Rex soaps. I was buying some RE soap and aftershave, and she gave me samples of the 55, 66, 77 and 88 to try. The other years are sitting in TO...but I happened to have the '88 in my toiletries bag...
How do people shave with samples like this?! It was not an easy lathering...and I think my shave suffered a bit because of it. The soap was a little on the thin side...but I'm taking full responsibility for that. The scent was quite nice - a little bit floral and a little bit sweet and powdery. I feel like it paired REALLY well with the RE Barber Shop aftershave...I was rubbing my face hours later and smelling my hand, haha, loving the scent that lingered...
I shall have to do a bit of digging on the site to see which DE blades folks on here prefer...
This shave was a bit of a celebratory one for me - a very positive PT scan after 6 rounds of chemo for cancer nodules on my lungs. I had 2 tiny spots - one on each lung - and the scan a few days ago indicated that one had shrunk and one is gone! I'll certainly take that.
Onward and Shaveward...
wristwatchb
Jr. Shave Member
Praise the Lord for the great health news!
Thank you, friend!
Excellent news! More chemo to kill the rest of it?