Any Double or Single Edged Brush and Blade Shavers Here?

ren.dnb · Oct 4, 2015

I've been shaving my head with a double edged safety razor for about a year now. Best and closest shave I've ever had. I saw this handle at Target one night, and it had Rick from Pawn Stars on the box all clean shaven on his head and nice and trimmed on his beard. I fell for the marketing but I'm glad I did. 20$ handle, and I get 100 feather razor blades from Amazon for 20$ or so (lasts me almost 6 months or so).

Sure is nice to shave and not have it cost a fortune when I need new razors! Kinda like switching from atomizers to rebuildable decks lol.

UncleRJ · Oct 4, 2015

Glad you brought up Rick Harrison from Pawn Stars.

A few months ago, the Mrs. and I went on a vacation to New Orleans.

Somehow my fancy assed Gillette vibrating razor got broken and would no longer attach to the overpriced blade cartridges.

And I had seen those same commercials so I decided to look into the DE razors.

I joined The Badger and Blade forum http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forum.php to do some research.

One of the members recognized my UncleRJ ID and sent me a cleaned and sterilized vintage Gillette flair tip razor and a selection of blades.

Then I got a Parker 99R from Amazon and 25 Gillette Silver Blue blades.

Since then, I have been picking up vintage DE razors here and there and trying to restore them.

My absolute very much most favorite is a vintage Gillette Super Adjustable (AKA Black Beauty) DE razor.

This razor actually permits me to choose how much blade is exposed.

Most days, I shave at the #5 setting.

If I get lazy and skip a day or two, I set it to #7 to be more aggressive.

For a quick touchup at the end of the day if we are going out for dinner, I will set it to #3.

And after trying a few different blades including the Feather, I have standardized on the Personna Med Prep blades that are used in hospitals to shave patients before surgury.

I am a happy man!

guyakaguy · Oct 4, 2015

I can't do the Personnas. They rip the crap out of my face and leave a lot of hair behind.

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UncleRJ · Oct 4, 2015

guyakaguy said:
I can't do the Personnas. They rip the crap out of my face and leave a lot of hair behind.

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There are several different Personna Blades manufactured in different countries available.

http://shavenook.com/showthread.php?tid=24633

Myself, I love the Personna Med Prep Blades.

While my whiskers don't grow very long except for my upper lip and chin, they feel like small metal wires.

The med prep blades cut through them very, VERY smoothly and I get 4 multiple pass shaves from each and every one of them.

Five shaves is pushing it so I don't even roll the dice for that anymore before they get retired to the spice bottle of dead blades.

R3alJim Shady · Oct 4, 2015

guyakaguy said:
I can't do the Personnas. They rip the crap out of my face and leave a lot of hair behind.

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Yeah the Med Preps did the same to me. Love me some Astra SP's and Gillette Silver Blues though.

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guyakaguy · Oct 4, 2015

jmoney426 said:
Yeah the Med Preps did the same to me. Love me some Astra SP's and Gillette Silver Blues though.

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Even when I only go with the grain I get irritation and lots of weepers.

I am a huge fan of the Astra SPs. I've tried pretty much every other Russian blade out there and nothing seems to beat the Astra SPs. The Gillette silver-blues are very, very close to the Astra SPs, but right now I give the win by just a hair to the SPs.

I also still have about 40 Personnas I'd be willing to pif to somebody. I'd love to trade blade-for-blade, but in the interest of making some room I'll let them go.

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UncleRJ · Oct 4, 2015

guyakaguy said:
Even when I only go with the grain I get irritation and lots of weepers.

I am a huge fan of the Astra SPs. I've tried pretty much every other Russian blade out there and nothing seems to beat the Astra SPs. The Gillette silver-blues are very, very close to the Astra SPs, but right now I give the win by just a hair to the SPs.

I also still have about 40 Personnas I'd be willing to pif to somebody. I'd love to trade blade-for-blade, but in the interest of making some room I'll let them go.

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If you have 40 Personna Med Prep Blades (with the hospital stamp) I would be happy to trade with you!

guyakaguy · Oct 4, 2015

The Personnas I have are the blue box "Lab Blues".

Made in 'Merica so you know they're good... Right?

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UncleRJ · Oct 4, 2015

guyakaguy said:
The Personnas I have are the blue box "Lab Blues".

Made in 'Merica so you know they're good... Right?

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Thanks but no thanks!

I have always been a firm believer if something works for you stick with it and if I have a different opinion and experience, it does not mean a hill of beans.

Whatever works best for you is KING!

But after trying the the Russian (they start with "V" and I am too freaking lazy to look at the package) and the Astra Superiors, and the Feathers and the Gillette Silver Blues, I stand firm in my own personal belief that the Personna Med Prep blades are absolutely Perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well for me anyway.

I gotta tell you that I am very surprised that the other folk here think they suck!

But it is what it is..................

Now if you want to hear about a blade that is the King of Suck, and it is really so very bad that if you have the Balls to tell me that it is a great (or even marginal blade) I will track down where you live and with a Channel (Pick a Number) film crew in tow, I will give you a near fatal "Wedgie".

With Film at 11:00!

In addition to my insistence on giving myself a Barbershop Shave every morning, I want my Moustache and Beard nicely trimmed and groomed as well.

So I found a very good deal for a gently used (actually in mint condition) Merkur Gold Moustache and Eyebrow trimming razor.

Looks perfect for the job, don't it?

And there is only one place that makes blades to fit it.

$(KGrHqV,!mEFBOewKnCVBRhG1LQhh!~~60_35.JPG

These things are about as sharp as a hammered out beer bottle cap.

The best they can do is try and catch hold of the whisker and yank it out..

Fortunately, with great care, I have found that I can cut a section out of a DE razor blade and fit it in.

A complete PITA but once fitted the blade is good for quite a few trimmings!

guyakaguy · Oct 4, 2015

UncleRJ said:
...after trying the the Russian (they start with "V" and I am too freaking lazy to look at the package) and the Astra Superiors, and the Feathers and the Gillette Silver Blues, I stand firm in my own personal belief that the Personna Med Prep blades are absolutely Perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are Voskhod blades. The first couple times I used them I thought 'meh', but after several uses and multiple blades I kind of don't like them. I don't DISLIKE them nearly as much as I dislike any Personnas (red, blue, med), Derbys, Nacets, and Wilkinsons, but they still have a tendency to be rough and yet not remove all of my whiskers even after going over multiple times (with lather).

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UncleRJ · Oct 4, 2015

Like I said, I was being lazy.

Too lazy to go into the bathroom and see how Voskhod was spelled.

It seems that that there a a lot of similarities between Shaving and Vaping.

One mans trash is another mans treasure.

And each to their own is rule #1!

Hank F. Spankman · Oct 4, 2015

UncleRJ said:
Like I said, I was being lazy.

Too lazy to go into the bathroom and see how Voskhod was spelled.

It seems that that there a a lot of similarities between Shaving and Vaping.

One mans trash is another mans treasure.

And each to their own is rule #1!

This is beyond true. Blade choice is very much an individual thing. That's why it's best to start out with a sampler

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R3alJim Shady · Oct 4, 2015

Hank Spankman said:
This is beyond true. Blade choice is very much an individual thing. That's why it's best to start out with a sampler

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Absolutely. It's really funny how blades can vary in performance depending on the razor you put them in. Sort of like coils in RDAs I suppose!

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ren.dnb · Oct 4, 2015

I'm looking at getting a Merkur one of these days. But that Rick Harrison endorsed handle I got works well with the blades I buy so... not really pressed to get one. But I've heard Merkurs are really nice.

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guyakaguy · Oct 5, 2015

I can't say whether Merkurs are any good, but I can definitely recommend getting a solid vintage Gillette Super Speed. My personal favorite are the adjustable ones because I can make a more aggressive cut for my first pass with the grain, and a less aggressive cut for my second pass against the grain. Some people do the opposite, which I still don't understand.

They shouldn't set you back more than $30 for an adjustable (as long as it's not a "Fat Boy") or $20 for a non-adjustable in decent and definitely usable condition.

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Hank F. Spankman · Oct 5, 2015

guyakaguy said:
I can't say whether Merkurs are any good, but I can definitely recommend getting a solid vintage Gillette Super Speed. My personal favorite are the adjustable ones because I can make a more aggressive cut for my first pass with the grain, and a less aggressive cut for my second pass against the grain. Some people do the opposite, which I still don't understand.

They shouldn't set you back more than $30 for an adjustable (as long as it's not a "Fat Boy") or $20 for a non-adjustable in decent and definitely usable condition.

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Or you go searching through the folk's/grandparent's bathroom/linen closet lol

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Hank F. Spankman · Oct 5, 2015

The merkur razors are good. From all I hear their blades are a whole different story

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guyakaguy · Oct 5, 2015

Hank Spankman said:
Or you go searching through the folk's/grandparent's bathroom/linen closet lol

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Some of us are more lucky than others.

My father, his father, and my mother's father are (and were) all electric razor shavers.

I did find a really cool old 3-head Norelco at my grandparent's house when we were cleaning it out about 16 years ago. It was right around the time I started shaving myself. My grandfather and father thought it would be a good idea for me to use it. That was up until I used it. That was the bloodiest my face has gotten from any shaving experience. Needless to say that old Norelco went where it should've gone 20 years earlier: in the trash.

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R3alJim Shady · Oct 5, 2015

Hank Spankman said:
Or you go searching through the folk's/grandparent's bathroom/linen closet lol

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I got pretty lucky. My brother got me the Dorco Prime set that comes with a Weishi razor. Not bad actually!

My aunt then gave me two vintage Gillettes: a flare tip Super Speed and a Rocket (flare tip Super Speed made in England).

Then a really kind user here sent me a Maggard M3 along with some Proraso and shave oil.

So I had four safety razors before I even bought one myself, which so happens to be a Gillette Slim Adjustable. Love them all for different reasons.

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Zamazam · Oct 5, 2015

The blades I use are Merkur, Feather, and English Wilkinson's. I bought 250 of the English Wilkinson's when a local pharmacy was going out of business 10 years ago, they are old stock from the early 80's and made in Jolly old England. I have no idea where the current ones are made, probably China or Poland. I used to use Iridium Platinum blades, but they disappeared from the market 6 years ago. They stayed sharp, even after 7 shaves. With the Merkur's, and Feathers, I'm lucky if I get 4-5 shaves out of them. The English Wilkinson's are pretty good. 4-5 shaves with the blade still remaining sharp. They are approximately 1mm less wide than the other blades, so a mild razor become mid aggressive due to the acute angle of the blade to the guard being decreased.

Hank F. Spankman · Oct 5, 2015

Zamazam said:
The blades I use are Merkur, Feather, and English Wilkinson's. I bought 250 of the English Wilkinson's when a local pharmacy was going out of business 10 years ago, they are old stock from the early 80's and made in Jolly old England. I have no idea where the current ones are made, probably China or Poland. I used to use Iridium Platinum blades, but they disappeared from the market 6 years ago. They stayed sharp, even after 7 shaves. With the Merkur's, and Feathers, I'm lucky if I get 4-5 shaves out of them. The English Wilkinson's are pretty good. 4-5 shaves with the blade still remaining sharp. They are approximately 1mm less wide than the other blades, so a mild razor become mid aggressive due to the acute angle of the blade to the guard being decreased.

Here you go zam

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1444083032.430293.jpg

Made in st. Petersburg Russia.

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Zamazam · Oct 5, 2015

Spot the counterfeit:
Quite a lot of the Super Iridium blades on the market now are cheap Chinese counterfeits.

R3alJim Shady · Oct 5, 2015

Clones even in the wet shaving game... I take it the counterfeit is on the right?

Anyone else cursed with sensitive skin and coarse hair?? I can never get a baby smooth shave on my neck without serious irritation. I only do two passes: one with the grain and one across the grain. If I go against the grain, that's when the razor burn appears.

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Hank F. Spankman · Oct 5, 2015

jmoney426 said:
Clones even in the wet shaving game... I take it the counterfeit is on the right?

Anyone else cursed with sensitive skin and coarse hair?? I can never get a baby smooth shave on my neck without serious irritation. I only do two passes: one with the grain and one across the grain. If I go against the grain, that's when the razor burn appears.

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Me. Astras tore me up. I got lucky & found the Voskhods & haven't looked back

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wally · Oct 6, 2015

LOL I have been on the hunt for 5 years now every since mine broke oh and be care full not to turn your head while using them.

R3alJim Shady · Oct 7, 2015

I'll have to pick some Vokshods up. Thanks!

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UncleRJ · Oct 7, 2015

I was motivated to get into the whole DE Wet Shaving routine when my vibrating multi blade cartridge razor broke.

Also tired of financial rape when I went to purchase blades.

Here is the next greatest and besstes with mut lbad cartidg razorssss

jack · Oct 8, 2015

I have tried Merkur blades , and it seems as though the first shave with any blade brand is just so,so. Maybe, today they are all coated with something . But for the increase cost of the Merkur I could not see the big deal .But every beard is different . Went back to my Personna blades and they are always consistent , 2 or 3 shaves , turn the blade over (I know , I know 12 cents apiece how cheap can this guy be ),and get 2 more shaves out of it .
Just tried Stirling Soap Company , supposed to be great with hard water , which is all we have in Texas . Cost is $11.00 to $12.00 for a 5.3 oz. jar , half the price for just a puck . Works ok , just takes another min. to lather . They just moved to Arkansas . A small artisan soap company .
I just put an order in for a Satin tip Purest synthetic brush , with a jar of Taylor of Old Bond Street , Sandalwood shave cream , I want to see how that turns out . Thanks for the info. on some of those blades !

R3alJim Shady · Oct 11, 2015

Just a quick share: So I've had my straight razor for a month now and have been doing one pass with it before switching to my DE when I have the time. Today I decided to use it on my second pass (across the grain). Only a small weeper on the left side of my neck. Pretty excited about it seeing as I have tendinitis in my right arm, so it shakes at that particular angle and hurts like a bitch!

I also tried some Bluebird Hi Stainless DE blades. Right up there with the Silver Blues and Astra SP's for me. Maybe a hair smoother.

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jack · Oct 11, 2015

jmoney426 said:
Just a quick share: So I've had my straight razor for a month now and have been doing one pass with it before switching to my DE when I have the time. Today I decided to use it on my second pass (across the grain). Only a small weeper on the left side of my neck. Pretty excited about it seeing as I have tendinitis in my right arm, so it shakes at that particular angle and hurts like a bitch!

I also tried some Bluebird Hi Stainless DE blades. Right up there with the Silver Blues and Astra SP's for me. Maybe a hair smoother.

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Put those on my list , thanks .

Zamazam · Oct 13, 2015

So I got a few packs of Gillette Super Thin blades (Thailand). These things are the shiz. They are really, really thin and are better than feathers IMHO. Last 5-6 shaves with my beard that likes to grow a 5 o'clock shadow at 2 pm. Now to see if I can find a 120 pack for $20 or so...Any leads guys?

MrScaryZ · Oct 13, 2015

UncleRJ said:
Like I need another hobby to add to my passion for vaping

My modern multi blade cartridge razor broke about 3 weeks ago.

So I started using the cheap ass disposables while I went on the hunt for a truy great shave.

Did a lot of research and ended up joining a forum devoted to the art of shaving like our fathers or grandfathers used to use/enjoy.

http://badgerandblade.com

I figured if vaping newbies come to us for help, I was thinking that this place could do the same for me.

Long story short, I was right and got a bunch of help and advice.

I ordered a new (as opposed to a vintage collectable) Double Edged Razor, blades (A Hell of a Lot Cheaper than the new cartridge heads), brush, soap, skin treatment and post shave balm. And a Styptic Pencil.

I have been shaving this way for about 10 days now and what a difference!

Sure I picked up a couple of nics getting used to it but it is still worth it!

I actually enjoy shaving now.

Anyone else here?

You are going to cut your head off with dat.. haha

Hank F. Spankman · Oct 13, 2015

Zamazam said:
So I got a few packs of Gillette Super Thin blades (Thailand). These things are the shiz. They are really, really thin and are better than feathers IMHO. Last 5-6 shaves with my beard that likes to grow a 5 o'clock shadow at 2 pm. Now to see if I can find a 120 pack for $20 or so...Any leads guys?

Westcoast & bullgoose both have them. But they're $35 for 100

Zamazam · Oct 13, 2015

Considering they're about $8 for that quantity in Thailand, I'd say there's a bit of profit scalping going on.

MrScaryZ · Oct 13, 2015

Zamazam said:
Considering they're about $8 for that quantity in Thailand, I'd say there's a bit of profit scalping going on.

Your going to cut your head off with this thing

MrScaryZ · Oct 13, 2015

Zamazam said:
Spot the counterfeit:
Quite a lot of the Super Iridium blades on the market now are cheap Chinese counterfeits.

Dats just scary reminds me of my snorting thing days

Zamazam · Oct 19, 2015

jack said:
I have tried Merkur blades , and it seems as though the first shave with any blade brand is just so,so. Maybe, today they are all coated with something . But for the increase cost of the Merkur I could not see the big deal .But every beard is different . Went back to my Personna blades and they are always consistent , 2 or 3 shaves , turn the blade over (I know , I know 12 cents apiece how cheap can this guy be ),and get 2 more shaves out of it .
Just tried Stirling Soap Company , supposed to be great with hard water , which is all we have in Texas . Cost is $11.00 to $12.00 for a 5.3 oz. jar , half the price for just a puck . Works ok , just takes another min. to lather . They just moved to Arkansas . A small artisan soap company .
I just put an order in for a Satin tip Purest synthetic brush , with a jar of Taylor of Old Bond Street , Sandalwood shave cream , I want to see how that turns out . Thanks for the info. on some of those blades !

If you have hard water, use Kirk's Coconut oil Hardwater Castille Soap. That stuff lathers incredibly well in hard water.

Zamazam · Oct 19, 2015

jmoney426 said:
Clones even in the wet shaving game... I take it the counterfeit is on the right?

Anyone else cursed with sensitive skin and coarse hair?? I can never get a baby smooth shave on my neck without serious irritation. I only do two passes: one with the grain and one across the grain. If I go against the grain, that's when the razor burn appears.

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Correct, the fake is the one on the right.

Zamazam · Oct 19, 2015

jmoney426 said:
Clones even in the wet shaving game... I take it the counterfeit is on the right?

Anyone else cursed with sensitive skin and coarse hair?? I can never get a baby smooth shave on my neck without serious irritation. I only do two passes: one with the grain and one across the grain. If I go against the grain, that's when the razor burn appears.

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Try across the grain first, then for the second pass, with the grain.

R3alJim Shady · Oct 19, 2015

Thanks for tip, as always, Zam. I've been using my straight razor and it seems to help. I'll give that a shot for sure. I've also found that shaving every other day is helping as well.

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UncleRJ · Oct 19, 2015

jmoney426 said:
Thanks for tip, as always, Zam. I've been using my straight razor and it seems to help. I'll give that a shot for sure. I've also found that shaving every other day is helping as well.

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Each to their own but how can you pass up the opportunity to shave each and every day!??????????????

R3alJim Shady · Oct 19, 2015

UncleRJ said:
Each to their own but how can you pass up the opportunity to shave each and every day!??????????????

It's been seriously difficult especially with how much I love it.

I was recently given a vintage Seneca Razor & MFG Co straight that I plan on restoring. Hopefully that will fill up my off evenings where I don't shave!

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Zamazam · Oct 19, 2015

jmoney426 said:
Thanks for tip, as always, Zam. I've been using my straight razor and it seems to help. I'll give that a shot for sure. I've also found that shaving every other day is helping as well.

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You could always look for a less aggressive razor, such as a Merkur 180.I have one and use Polsilver or Feather blades in it. It's a mild razor, good for daily shaves.

R3alJim Shady · Oct 20, 2015

Zamazam said:
You could always look for a less aggressive razor, such as a Merkur 180.I have one and use Polsilver or Feather blades in it. It's a mild razor, good for daily shaves.

I have a Dorco Prime (Weishi) that's very mild. I may even have a Feather or Kai to throw in there. I'll definitely give that a shot.

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guyakaguy · Oct 20, 2015

UncleRJ said:
Each to their own but how can you pass up the opportunity to shave each and every day!??????????????

I've been on a bit of a sabbatical from DE shaving for the last two work weeks, and shower-shaved with a Bic single-blade and some Dove canned goo my wife got me last Christmas this weekend.

Work and life have been extremely hectic and I've been taking advantage of every spare moment I have to do absolutely nothing.

That being said my face has been missing having a good shave, especially my neck. My Braun 3 (cheapie) has been the best electric shave I've ever had, but it misses my swirly-curly neck hairs. I end up with those old man stragglers that get to about 1/2 inch long and my wife begs me to have a real shave.

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MrScaryZ · Oct 20, 2015

UncleRJ said:
Each to their own but how can you pass up the opportunity to shave each and every day!??????????????

You will eventually cut ur head off with that

R3alJim Shady · Oct 20, 2015

MrScaryZ said:
You will eventually cut ur head off with that

Fourth trolling post in this thread, three of them saying the same thing. Hilarious.

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MrScaryZ · Oct 20, 2015

jmoney426 said:
Fourth trolling post in this thread, three of them saying the same thing. Hilarious.

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There is Trolling and Jesting I am joking with @UncleRJ after you are on there for awhile sometimes things just grab you as funny
You do realize we are on a vaping forum right?
Then if one wanted to make the argument then the thread would be odd in itself....

R3alJim Shady · Oct 20, 2015

MrScaryZ said:
There is Trolling and Jesting I am joking with @UncleRJ after you are on there for awhile sometimes things just grab you as funny
You do realize we are on a vaping forum right?
Then if one wanted to make the argument then the thread would be odd in itself....

Did we just become best friends?!

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MrScaryZ · Oct 20, 2015

jmoney426 said:
Did we just become best friends?!

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Yes we did... Now give me a Kissy

Any Double or Single Edged Brush and Blade Shavers Here?

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