James Bond Skyfall film inspires psoriasis sufferer to dump multi-bladed cartridge razor & embrace cut throat shaving

February 26, 2013 · Posted in Straight Razor Shaving · Comment 

For many men around the world shaving can be a very painful daily activity, and something that is a regarded as a chore and not the pleasure it should be.

Psoriasis sufferer Neil Jary was a guy you could put into this category, but fortunately for him after watching the latest James Bond film Skyfall he decided to dump his multi-bladed cartridge razor and instead opt for a cut throat shavette.

During a scene in Skyfall, British actress Naomie Harris gives 007, played by Daniel Craig, a close shave using a cut throat razor, whispering in his ear “sometimes the old ways are the best” as she performs the shave.

Neil works the shaving cream into his beard

Here is Neil’s story/journey:

I have psoriasis and as such shaving became a chore. I would shave maybe once or twice a week when my partner hinted I was too stubbly by calling me “spike”!

I’ve been looking at straight razors for ages and the scene in Skyfall finally got my curiosity hooked and I quickly found The Shaving Shack! I’ve been a multi-bladed cartridge razor user since I started shaving; was it really the best a man can get? Surely if anyone knew best it was Bond!

Neil gets to work on the shave

One purchase of a shavette later (I didn’t think I would justify a full blown cut throat to begin with!) and I was eager to get going. My first attempt was fumbling to say the least but the closeness of the shave and lack of irritation proved to me that it might be worth carrying on and investing time and money to move forwards!

And to be honest it was thrilling to do! Nerve tingling and scary but thrilling none the less!
A few more purchases of some quality shaving cream, some pre shave oil and an alum block have followed and my second shave; after only two days (an almost unheard of short time span for shaving with my cartridge razor) proved to be even more successful! One very minor nick and the closest shave I’ve had in years!

Neil enjoys a close shave with his shavette razor

It actually feels like I’m pampering myself! Not something I’m used to being a born and bred rugged outdoors type of guy!! But it genuinely is a pleasure! I’ve yet to try the pre shave oil, but I’m actually looking forwards to the shave! I actually want my stubble to grow faster so I can “treat” myself again!

All in all a shocking discovery but one I’m happy to indulge in! It takes time, patience, and skill and focus! All things that make this method of shaving a pleasure! It’s something a man can master; a technique to learn and hone until it’s perfect! A man likes to have skills to practice and shaving with a straight razor is amongst the very greatest to learn I can now see!

So thanks to 007 James Bond and The Shaving Shack for getting me on the right path….now if only I can persuade the missus into some Miss Moneypenny role play I’ll be laughing!

Looking good Neil

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