nzFuzzy and livingontheedge, thanks for your kind responses. My reason for posting my narrative was to help others who may be placed in a similar situation at some time and may not be familiar with "redirection of pain". I have been taken off Plavix so it is now a non-issue. I am well aware of the dangers of depression but with close to 25 razors to restore and being a generally happy go lucky sort of fellow I figure I'm in pretty good shape. I have a wonderful wife of 29 years, 2 beautiful Burmese cats, a full powder horn and plenty of flints. Life is good , my friends.