My tenth shave aka Dante's ninth ring of hell...Graham Field

My tenth shave was set to be grand, but I choose to accept a Graham Field blade. The offer came with numerous warnings that this was the dullest blade known to mankind. But, little did I heed that warning.

So, I set up as usual with a sample of a new soap called Chiseled Face Groomatorium sandlewood (from the USA, specifically Rancho Cucamonga, California) and to hedge my bets I decided to use a pre-shave spray sample of Pacific Shaving Co. All Natural Shaving oil, a Omni badger brush and Parker 22R. The pre-shave spray was great, I could see my stubble turn grayish white as it coated the stubble nicely. I lathered up the Chiseled Face, which had a modest foam in my bowl. I applied and this is what happened.

I noticed immediately the audible scratch of the blade against my whiskers-it was loud, but, a sound I actually liked, telling me it's working. The shave was ok, a few weepers in the normal problem spots. I finished with four passes using cold water: WTG, XTG, ATG & WTG. I used a Gillette aftershave gel and Dove Care Men's moisturizer.

I decided that I would give the Graham Field blade one last try on my next shave. But, oddly I think saw the words "abandon all hope, he who uses these blades" etched in the steamed mirror and after I blinked it was gone.

But, the next day after my shave, I noticed a mild irritation upon touching my neck under my chin and throat on the left side, ingrown hairs on the left line of my jawbone from my chin to cheek, and my shave didn't last as long (w wet shaving I can skip a day between shaves). Sadly, I'm a newb, so I don't know the difference between a dull blade and a feather. But, I will say, even the .99 cent store Personna blades I started with fared better.

My take away, Graham Field blades were as advertised, simply rubbish. But also, that I need to respect the Parker, or it won't respect me. The Chiseled Face soap was intriguing (I've got a few more samples of different fragrances that I am looking forward to trying; starting to love trying different soaps, pardon the pun, but loving the slippery slope on new software). Lastly, pre-shave lotions should be added to my routine for the time being to see if they add any real value.

Glad that, the words in the mirror didn't say "there will be blood".