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As this blog is read by more and more folks, I’m beginning to get requests to review products.  Some people want me to mention their site or talk about their products.  Many want to send me free stuff to try out or use and talk about it on the site.  Understand that I’m being very careful not to abuse this privilege; I don’t just want free stuff.  In fact, I’ve turned down more than I’ve accepted because I want to give them the time they deserve, and want to stay true to the readers.  I don’t want to talk about something that doesn’t have anything to do with men’s gifts.

So, when I was contacted by the makers of Skin MD Natural shielding lotion, I politely declined.  Come on, lotion?  On a men’s gift blog?  Well they insisted, saying that many guys that work with their hands really use the stuff for it’s protective qualities.  Guys like mechanics, fishermen, chemical worker people.  All right, send some over, but no promises.

Over the last like month I’ve used it here and there.  You know, it’s lotion.  In fact, I had planned not to mention it on the blog, because you know, it’s lotion.

Well last night my wife had me out on the back porch putting up Christmas lights.  This is central Virginia.  Certainly there are much colder areas, but still it’s cold enough here.  So it took me forever.  All the lights were still in the box, so I had to pry each light out of that hard plastic carrier.  I’m working around the porch with the staple gun.  Had to back up once because I cut part of the cord with a staple.  Well I got all the way around and on my last staple, I sliced right through the cord and blew the fuses in the whole line.  Screw it, I’m going inside.

My hands hurt.  The cold, the little cuts from the plastic, the cold.  All right lotion, let’s see what you can do.

Look, you can go to their site to read all the things the dermatologists say.  You can even see a video of some guy pouring acid on his hand after using the lotion.  Well forget all that.  Let me tell you from a guy that doesn’t know anything except that his hands hurt, this is great stuff.

Well I’ve finally gotten on the video bandwagon. Never thought I’d do it, but there are just some things that need to be shown, rather than written about. Jonathan Boos, the creator of the Wurkin Stiffs magnetic collar stays sent me a sample to try out. Well I’ve been working on this post for weeks, not only using the product, but learning how to record and make a video. Well it’s not good, but maybe no too bad. Take a look:

So overall, I really like Wurkin Stiffs as a gift for the professional guy. I hope Jonathan will let us revisit his product when the new product is out.

Want a free set of WurkinStiffs magnetic collar stays?

I am giving away a free set as part of The Men’s Gift Guide Birthday Bash Give Away! All you have to do is subscribe to the feed, and then use the special link on the feed to enter the contest. It’s that easy. Click here for more information.

A few months back, I told you about an article in Details Magazine that was what I considered one of the best shaving articles I’ve read. Here is the original post. Well, Details also has a shaving trouble shooting slide show on that same page. The slide show suggested that many of the most difficult shaving problems can be solved by using a single bladed razor. It got me thinking. What is a single bladed razor? If it’s good for the tough areas, wouldn’t it be good for the whole thing? I guess there’s only one way to find out. Time for my own research.

I started out with some online research. After searching around, I found a series of instructional videos on You Tube. Here is a great overview video on single blade shaving.

So I decided to give it a go, and have been using the Merkur "Heavy Classic" Double-Edged Safety Razor for a few weeks now. Now, it does take some getting used to as it’s very different from other store bought razors you’ve probably used. However, after getting some practice, and giving my face time to adjust, I’m really enjoying it. I would highly recommend watching more of this guy’s shaving videos. All are very well done and informative. His collection is here.

Finally, this is the razor I’ve been using. It’s classy looking, heavy, and does a great job. Now it’ll set you back $31, but it is made to last a lifetime. So it absolutely can be the last razor you ever buy. However, it’ll pay for itself very quickly when you consider that the blades are only $.50 each! I was really getting tired of spending a small fortune on those multi-blade cartridges that other razors use.

So give it a try and let me know what you think. But remember to be patient. You face always needs time to adjust to a new shaving method or tool. Give it a few weeks, practice often, and I think you’ll like the results.

Here is a pretty unique item that piqued my curiosity and would be a perfect gift for men. I sit at a desk all day, papers everywhere; wife complains all the time. So naturally, I like desk stuff, plus I’m a sucker for anything Redskins. So anyway I found this paperweight from The Sports Jewelry Superstore. It is designed to look like the top of a signet ring. Kind of neat, so for $20 I was in.

The item shipped quickly and I had it in hand in just a few days. It arrived in a padded envelope with some bubble wrap. The packaging did the job, but it was a little less than I expected.
This item is beautiful and well detailed. Much more so than the picture shows. This is the sort of thing that a picture can only show so much. The Redskins probably have one of the more complex logos, but the cuts within are sharp and clean. The paperweight actually takes up more of a footprint than you would think from the measurements on the site (W=2.63″ H=1.25″ L=3″). What they don’t tell you, and you can’t see from the picture, is that it is angled toward you. The front edge is only only 1/8″ thick, while the back is more than 1″ tall. It gives it the illusion that it is coming out of the table at you. A felt lined bottom completes the package.

Overall, this is a well done piece. Although the red paint is shiny and complete, my only complaint would be the lack of filling within the logo. Upon closer look, however, this is totally my mistake, as the picture clearly shows this feature.

These particular paperweights only seem to be available for specific NFL teams (Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington). So, if he is a fan of one of these teams, and has a desk job, The NFL Ring Top Paperweight could be a really unique gift for him.

Of course, there are many other options for him at The Sports Jewelery Super Store. Officially liscensed rings and watches from all major sports and colleges. As well as items for military and law enforcement.

As seen in Playboy and Cigar Aficionado!

Make no mistake about it, shaving is not fun. Almost any man would rather skip it today than deal with it. For years, I’ve used an electric razor. I just wanted to get it done quick so I could get on with the rest of my day. Sure, the job was done quick, but I always was uncomfortable. Especially under my neck. I always had red bumps that burned. No amount of “non-alcoholic soothing after shave” could help.

Enter the products from The Grooming Lounge. I met these folks at a product show. They explained how much research was done at their barber shop (years!) to develop the perfect shave. These products helped with everything that every man has problems with.

Anyway, they gave me some of the products to try, and I have to tell you, they are wonderful. The box comes with an instruction sheet that explains how to use all four products. These are a face wash (to get all the junk off before shaving), a shave oil (which may be the secret to it all), a shave cream, and aftershave. I’ve used all four together, as suggested, every time and my face feels AWESOME!! Smooth, no burning or red bumps, and my wife lets me get near her now.

Also in their research, they have determined that the Mach 3 razor is the best. They have a perfectly balanced razor available that provides the ultimate in luxury. And it takes Mach 3 refills.

This kit would be perfect for any man that shaves. Now some guys may not have the time or desire to shave manually every morning. It still is a great gift for the special occasion. He can still use his electric for mornings, but save this stuff for the special night on the town when he wants to look his best.

Buy the gift set here and check out The Groming Lounge for refills later.