why do people get banned at shaving sites?

That's the problem with TSN's policy on not talking about why members were banned... They can ban people without cause without the remainder of the membership being able to dispute it. And without knowledge of what goes on via PM, everyone assumes that it was for good reason.

I'm guessing no one will ever get banned there for talking about, starting threads, discussing, defending or over hyping products that BG sells. But it's hard to do when he jumps on every line that comes out, overhypes them (or has other Mods/Admins do it) and then clears them out 2 months later.

They come down hard and heavy on people who talk about, discuss, defend and are excited about products he does NOT sell.

NeoX, That's actually funny if you think about it... overly analytical in a review. :-) Maybe just boil it down to "I liked it", or "I didn't like it". Sheesh! That would be a great review.

Boy, after reading all of this I'm glad that DFS is the only shaving forum I've ever participated in.

NeoX, That's actually funny if you think about it... overly analytical in a review. :-) Maybe just boil it down to "I liked it", or "I didn't like it". Sheesh! That would be a great review.

I liked your post.

I'll say this, I'm glad I found DFS. Came in a roundabout way through B&M, looking at their site before Night Music was released and seeing the DFS soap. Saw some mention of it on another forum, that seems to be in a bit of a decline as far as I'm concerned, and figured I'd check it out. Much more relaxed and less "cool crowd" than any other forums I swing through.

See some familiar names from other places and I'm glad to see them here. Most probably don't know that they've helped me in some way, shape, or form, but that's one of the cool things about forums. Love the fact that the Merchants participate without fear of backlash or loads of BS. I enjoy being able to talk directly to the people that sell and make the products I purchase on a regular basis. The turmoil that exists on so many other outlets is just crazy to me.

The info brought up in this thread reiterates so much of what I thought were the problems with the other places. I hate that it seems I was correct in a lot of my assumptions, but that's humans for you. Be cool, help when you can, talk about what you love or hate, and get on with your day. Not a really hard concept to grasp.


My participation varies, but I really like the general attitude and vibe of DFS so far. I mean, I'm not here for drama. I just want like-minded people to commiserate with me over how much I paid for a vintage razor, or my 20th tub of soap that I "Just had to try". Not too much to ask, I think...

Well celestino and CHSeifert, I, for one, am thrilled to have both of you, AND you unique perspectives, here to contribute to the conversation.

Thanks, Will.

Most of us know, that Celestino has 150+ shaving soaps in his collection, 99% are from Mystic Waters, but even he must agree to the fact, that Mchelle might make the most pleasant scents, but you make the most daring, unique and advanced/polarizing scents in shaving soaps today

Cheers, Claus

Silly to be honest since forums are for discussion since everything usually YMMV. But I guess bans happen b/c there aren't decent discussions causing the ban or not following the rules. I've been on a few forums and haven't been banned fortunately b/c I take things with a pinch of salt by being humble. But i've noticed overtime how things change in a forum. For example I can start a thread where its a question and don't receive any posts in that thread. While someone else can start a thread and is favored by many posts. With that in mind it could be the boasting which helps get the responses. Just stating my observations. In the end all I care about is that my shave is awesome and the same for all members.

On the other site, I was actually lectured by an admin for being excessively analytical (I kid you not).

Why have a forum if analysis is discouraged? "It's just soap" translates to its just razors, brushes, blades and splashes.

Very unfortunate!

This is a very interesting thread and one I have never seen openly discussed on any other shaving forum.

I think that might be due in large part that a thread like this would be deleted at some shaving forums. I try to keep names out of it but I think most people here know exactly what everyone is talking about without mentioning names. I've never been banned anywhere but I was warned at another forum not to make threads about B&M after I posted one asking about the limited edition LGC. That thread was deleted in less than a minute. I posted it and as soon as I hit latest posts about a minute later it was gone and a few minutes later I had a PM from a mod telling me I wasn't permitted to post about banned members. I asked if I could talk about B&M soaps at all considering it's my favorite brand and the moderator told me to be very careful with my wording but said it world be easier to simply not discuss B&M at all. In fairness to that mod, he was very polite and said he didn't necessarily agree with the rule but had to enforce it. That was the end of my participation at that forum.

How ridiculous. It shows that certain brands/sites must be insecure about the success of other brands. Quite embarrassing really. Gentlemanly competition is how we determine what products are best, and the strange authoritarian censorship regime just lets the consumer know that reviews on certain sites aren't to be trusted (especially when the mods/admins pile on about how great certain products are from paid vendors).

I love their veiled intimations that I did something untoward (and the convenient presumption of guilt engendered by the fact that I cannot defend myself). If I broke any rules other than not kissing the feet of the powers that be, I'm not aware of having done so.

And I agree with many of the sentiments here that it's a sign of the freedom of this forum that we can discuss the topic without fear of exile.

Same here lol. Waking up, logging in, and then noticing that you are permanently banned on a ridiculous charge is a very odd experience.

And I agree - that we can discuss this topic at all is a huge credit to DFS.

I'm guessing no one will ever get banned there for talking about, starting threads, discussing, defending or over hyping products that BG sells. But it's hard to do when he jumps on every line that comes out, overhypes them (or has other Mods/Admins do it) and then clears them out 2 months later.

They come down hard and heavy on people who talk about, discuss, defend and are excited about products he does NOT sell.

No of course not. On the other site, one user actually created a fake review that he attributed to me, alleging that I was somehow personally biased in my reviews of CRSW and B&M. It's a hilarious charge really, though terribly rude, but of course the mods allowed it because it protected their paying vendor. It was reported by me and multiple other members, yet that's considered acceptable to them even though it was a personal attack. In contrast, I never personally attacked anyone, and I'm the one who is banned lol.

NeoX, That's actually funny if you think about it... overly analytical in a review. :-) Maybe just boil it down to "I liked it", or "I didn't like it". Sheesh! That would be a great review.

That's funny indeed. Specially, and let's be honest, the so called reviews are more personal opinions than statement of facts. Unless the person reviewing is a professional in the subject, and even then is just a more educated opinion.

I actually read the reviews, but I leave with the impression the reviewer either liked it or not. So you are right, liked it or didn't

True, to some extent I agree that reviews are based on subjective elements. On the other hand, I think it is very possible to compare things in a subjective manner that provides great help to others. For instance, if one is analytical and provides reviews of products in comparison, focusing on specific elements or qualities that the product has, I believe it becomes easier for a person to know whether or not they may like a product simply from reading a well-considered review. In any case, critique is essential and one of the great endeavors of our species.