#thinning shears professional

[factoryedgesharpening]

Factory Edge Sharpening

Website: https://www.factoryedgesharpening.com

Address: 331 Spyglass CT, Rio Vista, California 94571

Factory Edge Sharpening, owned by Raymond Faria, specializes in professional scissors sharpening services. Catering to beauticians, barbers, and dog groomers, the business offers a range of services including repairing, replacing, and restoring shears and knives. Utilizing Japanese water stone and water-cooled flat hone techniques, Factory Edge Sharpening ensures precise maintenance of both convex and bevel edges. The company also provides mobile sharpening services, a mail-in option, and sells high-quality scissors and accessories.

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/factory-edge-sharpening-rio-vista

Nextdoor: https://nextdoor.com/city/rio-vista--ca/

Keywords:

scissor sharpening service

scissor sharpening service near me

professional thinning shears

high quality scissors

mobile scissor sharpening near me

scissor sharpening equipment

knife and scissor sharpening service near me

professional hair thinning shears

japanese water stone sharpening

high quality barber scissors

high quality hair cutting scissors

hair cutting scissor sharpening service

hair scissors sharpening service

hairdressing scissor sharpening service near me

knife & scissor sharpening service

mobile scissor sharpening service

professional scissor sharpening services

professional scissor sharpening equipment

best professional thinning shears

best professional thinning shears for dogs

professional dog grooming thinning shears

professional dog thinning shears

professional thinning shears for hair

thinning shears professional

mobile hairdressing scissor sharpening

mobile hairdressing scissor sharpening near me

mobile scissor sharpening

mobile scissor sharpening service near me

mail in shear sharpening

japanese water stone knife sharpening

japanese stainless steel hair scissors

japanese stainless steel scissors

high quality dog grooming scissors

high quality hairdressing scissors

high quality nail scissors

high quality scissor jack

high quality scissors for cutting hair

high quality stainless steel scissors

hair stylist scissor sharpening

edge beveler sharpener

leather edge beveler sharpener

sharpening edge beveler

sharpening leather edge beveler

scissor sharpening equipment for sale

equinox professional thinning shears

professional barber thinning shears

professional thinning shears for dogs

knife sharpening japanese water stone

scissor sharpening for hair stylists

ergonomic grooming shears

hairdresser scissor sharpening service

metal scissor sharpening service

online scissor sharpening service

professional hair scissors sharpening service

scissor sharpening service in chico ca

electric knife scissor and equipment sharpener

hair scissor sharpening equipment

knife and scissor sharpening equipment

best non professional cutting and thinning shears

best professional dog thinning shears

professional double sided thinning shears

professional double thinning shears

professional pet thinning shears

professional thinning shears for dog grooming

professional thinning shears for sale

top professional hair cutting scissors and thinning shears set

pet grooming shear sharpening

2 sided water japanese garden sharpening stone

best japanese sharpening water stone

japanese water stones for knife sharpening

knife sharpening with king japanese water stones

sharpening with japanese water stones

japanese stainless steel hairdressing scissors

japanese stainless steel razor edge scissors

bevel edge manual sharpener

sharpening craftool pro edge beveler

[factoryedgesharpeningus]

Website : https://www.factoryedgesharpening.com

Address : 331 Spyglass CT, Rio Vista, California 94571

Factory Edge Sharpening, owned by Raymond Faria, specializes in professional scissors sharpening services. Catering to beauticians, barbers, and dog groomers, the business offers a range of services including repairing, replacing, and restoring shears and knives. Utilizing Japanese water stone and water-cooled flat hone techniques, Factory Edge Sharpening ensures precise maintenance of both convex and bevel edges. The company also provides mobile sharpening services, a mail-in option, and sells high-quality scissors and accessories.

Yelp : https://www.yelp.com/biz/factory-edge-sharpening-rio-vista

Nextdoor : https://nextdoor.com/city/rio-vista--ca/

Keywords: scissor sharpening service scissor sharpening service near me professional thinning shears high quality scissors mobile scissor sharpening near me scissor sharpening equipment knife and scissor sharpening service near me professional hair thinning shears japanese water stone sharpening high quality barber scissors high quality hair cutting scissors hair cutting scissor sharpening service hair scissors sharpening service hairdressing scissor sharpening service near me knife & scissor sharpening service mobile scissor sharpening service professional scissor sharpening services professional scissor sharpening equipment best professional thinning shears best professional thinning shears for dogs professional dog grooming thinning shears professional dog thinning shears professional thinning shears for hair thinning shears professional mobile hairdressing scissor sharpening mobile hairdressing scissor sharpening near me mobile scissor sharpening mobile scissor sharpening service near me mail in shear sharpening japanese water stone knife sharpening japanese stainless steel hair scissors japanese stainless steel scissors high quality dog grooming scissors high quality hairdressing scissors high quality nail scissors high quality scissor jack high quality scissors for cutting hair high quality stainless steel scissors hair stylist scissor sharpening edge beveler sharpener leather edge beveler sharpener sharpening edge beveler sharpening leather edge beveler scissor sharpening equipment for sale equinox professional thinning shears professional barber thinning shears professional thinning shears for dogs knife sharpening japanese water stone scissor sharpening for hair stylists ergonomic grooming shears hairdresser scissor sharpening service metal scissor sharpening service online scissor sharpening service professional hair scissors sharpening service scissor sharpening service in chico ca electric knife scissor and equipment sharpener hair scissor sharpening equipment knife and scissor sharpening equipment best non professional cutting and thinning shears best professional dog thinning shears professional double sided thinning shears professional double thinning shears professional pet thinning shears professional thinning shears for dog grooming professional thinning shears for sale top professional hair cutting scissors and thinning shears set pet grooming shear sharpening 2 sided water japanese garden sharpening stone best japanese sharpening water stone japanese water stones for knife sharpening knife sharpening with king japanese water stones sharpening with japanese water stones japanese stainless steel hairdressing scissors japanese stainless steel razor edge scissors bevel edge manual sharpener sharpening craftool pro edge beveler

[noiivvern]

oh god. long hair in the hot weather.

[butterfly-stitches]

SESSIONS.

[18+ MDNI]

AO3

Pairings: John "Soap" MacTavish/Simon "Ghost" Riley Kyle "Gaz" Garrick & John "Soap" MacTavish Ensemble: John "Soap" MacTavish, Simon "Ghost" Riley, Kyle "Gaz" Garrick, John Price, Kate Laswell, Nikolai

Warnings: Heavy BDSM ⛓️ BDSM ⛓️ Dom/sub ⛓️ Size Difference ⛓️ Rough Sex ⛓️ Rough Oral Sex ⛓️ Oral Sex ⛓️ Anal Sex ⛓️ Anal Fingering ⛓️ Rimming ⛓️ Hand Jobs ⛓️ Size Kink ⛓️ Kink Negotiation ⛓️ Orgasm Delay/Denial ⛓️ Collars/Leashes ⛓️ Minimum Effort Aftercare ⛓️ Porn With Plot ⛓️ Bottom John "Soap" MacTavish ⛓️ Top Simon "Ghost" Riley ⛓️ Simon "Ghost" Riley is Bad At Feelings ⛓️ Bisexuality ⛓️ Touch-Starved ⛓️ Denial of Feelings > Other Additional Tags to Be Added <

Synopsis: While out bar hopping with his longtime friend Kyle Garrick, John MacTavish accompanies him to a nightclub called the 141. Renowned for its exclusivity, rumored to house hedonism in the form of domination and submission. An encounter with an enigmatic man in a skull mask leaves him curious, leaves him wanting. And despite himself, curiosity gets the best of him as Johnny follows the white rabbit down the rabbit hole and right to the masked man. A notorious Dom known only as Ghost. What was a simple arrangement to explore the dichotomy of pain and pleasure soon turns complicated as each session becomes less professional and more personal.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 1: encounter

Words: 6,111 Summary: In which he has a chance meeting…

For an alcohol-fueled, bar-hopping night to turn into wandering aimlessly when a friend claimed to know a place nearby — only to misremember the way there — wasn’t surprising in the slightest. The causation was a single whim impelled by rounds of drink. The consequence was what remained of a “fun” night out after a long and grueling work week being misspent. And the culprit?: an overconfident Scouser. One who was supposedly a boy scout as a youngin and therefore knew his bearings like the back of his hand. 

Yet here they were, lost somewhere downtown, their phones dead. Walking through alleyways that reeked of sewage and rubbish. All for some posh club. Johnny heaved out a deep sigh, and began to slow down his stride. Annoyance was starting to set in just as his patience thinned. The burning in his calves and the aching in his feet from all the walking, didn’t help his mood. And worse, the buzz from the drinks prior were starting to wear off, and he was getting more sober by the minute. 

He let out another tired sigh before he stopped walking entirely, standing still to take a breather. He took in his surroundings with a breath. He was on some upslope backstreet surrounded by old brick buildings and townhouses. A hilled boscage of English countryside on the other side, fenced off by low cobblestone walls and iron gates. The dark was honed sharp by a moonless night that ate away at the glow of lampposts. The shadows deepened, a quietness persisted, and the world seemed to fade away at the seams. 

The itch to sketch the scene thrummed through the tips of his fingers. A rarity for him nowadays. But as a cool breeze wafted through, tousling the top of Johnny’s mohawk and shivering the skin underneath the freshly sheared sides of his undercut. So went the creative urge along with it. Gone. He stared off for a long moment before refocusing towards a figure atop the street’s apex in the distance. Growing smaller as it faded into the dark, leaving him behind. Johnny stuffed his hands in his jacket’s pockets and grit his teeth, soldiering up the slope despite the strain in his legs. Just in time to see the figure duck into a side alley in his peripheral. 

“Slow down, ye muppet.” He said short-winded and red-faced, jog-trotting forward to catch up with the person in front of him. 

“Keep up.” 

Johnny slowed to wipe away the sweat on his brow. Only to bound forward in order to not lose Gaz as he rounded the corner and onto another silent street. 

“I am just not sure ’bout this, Gaz.” 

The Scouser only scoffed at his words. “Middle age really hit you that hard, mate? Where's your sense of adventure?”

“Just don’t want to get mugged. Bit dodgy nipping through ginnels at night. Especially out here.” 

Gaz shrugged, waving at him dismissively as if it wasn’t a valid concern but a mild hypothetical. “Heh, more reason for you to keep up then.”

Johnny huffed. “D’ya even know where you’re going?” 

He was met with a flash of pearly teeth, a boyish grin thrown over the shoulder reminiscent of old times. A childhood full of skinned knees, blistered palms, a broken arm, and growing pains. 

“Of course.” 

“You sure? Think we’ve been down this street already — twice actually. We're going in bloody circles at this point.”

“Huh, no sense of adventure and no sense of direction. You’re one strike away from a retirement home, Soap.”

“Oh, sod off. Don’t want to waste the rest of my night trying to find some clubhou — Wait, look.” 

Gaz stopped in tracks and turned to see what the Scotsman was directing his attention towards: a lamppost that was a bit crooked with a dimming bulb. A maintenance concern, sure. A hazard even but not anything worth stopping for. He lifted a brow from underneath his ball cap, eyeing Johnny who was pointing at it as if it was an omen.

“See, been here before. I remember that lamppost. And those’re yer shoe prints!” 

“The bevvies are messin’ with your bloody head, Soap.”

“Just admit that you don’t know where you’re going, Scouser.”

“Christ, stop whinging,” Gaz told him, stopping where the pavement met a T-junction. “Come on, the night’s still kickin’.” 

He watched Gaz duck into a side alley of a warehouse building, disappearing in the dark. He let out a deep sigh.

“Boy scout, my fuckin’ ass,” Johnny mumbled under his breath and chased after him.

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

It felt like hours before they both came across surroundings that they both recognized. The alley had led them down another network of alleyways and dead ends, trapping them like lab mice in a maze. But they eventually stumbled onto a street leading back toward the downtown area. The way back was illuminated by neon signs from afar piercing through the cold night and the sounds of city life echoing in the distance. Before long, they were right on the edge of a city center. And immediately the pavement was overrun by other people, soused and boisterous despite the week night. Faces in the crowd blurred, the outlines of bodies silhouetted by the flashing lights of the sign boards overhead. Flocking to the nearby restaurants and pubs, making it difficult for him to follow along. Cutting through the opposite way of foot traffic was like swimming against a river current. Despite it, he heeded Gaz’s words to keep up and stuck close.

He assumed that the place they were heading to was located somewhere nearby in the heart of it all. But the relief he felt drained away as Johnny was led further past it into the outskirts. Not as heavily populated as the prior, making it easier to move around, but still a bustling area nonetheless. Gaz and Johnny stopped on the corner of a roundabout with a stone fountain at its center and hedges lining its circumference. A sight that made Gaz walk faster with a newly gained energy and across the way, towards an adjacent street’s laneway. Gaz nodded upwards, tilting his head towards a cluster of buildings and warehouse that were ahead of them. They halted in front of one of them, a multistory that loomed over them. Its stonework was weathered and begrimed, and, from what he could tell, it was seemingly empty. 

“This is wha’ you dragged me all the way here for?” Asked Johnny as he stared up at it disapprovingly.

“Not this. It's by it though.” 

“Let me guess, we have to go down another alley?” He teased, a small smirk on his face. Only for Gaz to ignore him and walk away with the shake of his head.

Johnny gave one last look at the building then followed Gaz to the side of it. They didn't walk far, only a few meters before they came to a stop. There, in front of them was a metal door tucked along the wall. Inconspicuous if not for the two men guarding it. 

“Huh. An underground club, eh? Didn’t know that was yer kind of scene, Gaz.”

“No, it’s not an – it’s more like a … lifestyle club.”

Realization hit Johnny like a whiplash. 

“You took me to a sex club?”

The bouncers turned towards both of them at the rise of Johnny’s voice and the shushing by Gaz. 

“Listen, just trust me, alright.” 

“Gaz, I dinna-”

“Look,” Gaz sighed out as he turned and grabbed onto Johnny’s shoulders, “Just want to check it out that’s all. We’ll go inside. Grab some drinks and if it's not up to par, we’ll leave.” At the uncertainty on Johnny’s face, he added: “I’ll even buy you a bloody pint. But please trust me on this, ok?”

Johnny narrowed his eyes at Gaz, eyeballing him. Saw the eagerness on his face, the nervousness of his stature; his uncharacteristic bashfulness that was borderline desperation. And the Scotsman wondered if it was more than just innate curiosity that made the Scouser bring them over here specifically. He looked from the man in front of him to the bouncers in his peripheral then back to Gaz again. Who looked at him imploringly like a kid begging their parents for a new toy. Tensed brows furrowed over wide brown eyes, lips pursed in a plea, and a light sheen of sweat from their trek.

Johnny let out a huff.

“Fine,” He brushed away Gaz’s hands on him and shouldered past, “But you owe me more than a bloody pint.” 

Gaz’s face fell into sudden ease, that wide boyish smile returning as he took a big step back. 

He nodded at Johnny. “Right, just follow my lead.”

Johnny was right behind him as Gaz took point. All the while the bouncers’ attention never left them. They glowered as Johnny and Gaz approached, looking both of them up and down, sizing them up. 

“You lost, lads?” One of them asked.

“No, just trying to head inside.” 

His eyes squinted at Gaz, skeptical. “Hm. Name?” 

“Uh, Kyle Garrick.”

With a sneer, the other bouncer crossed his arms across his chest. “Don’t recognize it. Either of you got a membership card?”

“We don’t bu-”

“Then I suggest you turn around and get going. No membership, no entry.” 

“I’m a guest. I was invited here.”

The bouncer in front of him let out a hearty chuckle. “Sure you were, lad. Now, piss off.”

“I’m invited,” Gaz ticked his jaw, his cool demeanor disappearing by indignation. “I’m supposed to be let in.”

Johnny stood up straighter as the bouncers walked forward, standing next to each other with crossed arms. And formed a bulwark against them to assert their edict.

“I said, ‘No membership, no entry’.” One growled out, glaring at Gaz who was standing chest-to-chest with him. Johnny furled the hands at his side, his body intuitively going tense as the other bouncer did the same to him. They were deliberate, trying to coax a reaction out of them that much was obvious. But before Johnny could step in and say something provoking, Gaz was the first to break the tension.

“Chimera.” 

The hardness of the bouncers’ sneers faltered as both their faces fell in recognition. They stood quiet for a moment, their lips pressed into a thin line. And reluctantly, the bouncers moved back.

With a tipping of the bouncer’s head towards the door, the second bouncer moved away from Johnny to open it. 

The bouncer stepped towards the now opened metal door and stood in the doorframe. “This way, lads.” 

Johnny and Gaz shared a look. They were led through the door by the bouncer and down a small set of stairs.

Johnny leaned towards Gaz as they descended down. “Did ya say the magic word or something?”

The bouncer looked over his shoulder but said nothing. Gaz gave Johnny a pointed look, but chuckled anyway at the notion. They were escorted into a narrow foyer of some bricks-and-mortar facility. It was pointedly bare but minimalistically so. Taking up most of the space was a large semicircular desk of a reception area by the front brick wall; velvet stanchion posts formed a waiting line – which was currently empty – and led to the fore. And to its right, hanging along the wall, were dark dupioni silk drapery, the indentation of a doorway barely noticeable against the fabric. 

As they neared, an older woman greeted them with a warm smile from behind the front desk. The bouncer leaned against the desk, leaning himself on it, in such a casual manner that it made the receptionist quirk her brow at him.

“Brought you some visitors.” He said, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder towards the men standing awkwardly behind him. 

Her smile dropped as her brows furrowed in confusion. But it was quick to reappear, more professional than anything as the receptionist glanced behind the bouncer to Johnny and Gaz. 

Her eyes flicked away to the man leaning on her desk. “I thought we weren’t allowing any more visits.” 

Johnny felt the man next to him go tense as a board.

“Thought so too but they’re invitees.” The bouncer rubbed the back of his neck, “Chimera’s.”

Her face hardened.

The rest of their conversation was hushed between themselves. Johnny caught a few snippets of it: Watcher. Unhappy. Policies. Crossed the line. But he found himself uninterested after a while, not caring to eavesdrop. Johnny's eyes flicked around the foyer looking at nothing really until they landed on the drapery on the wall. He shifted, feeling a sudden shiver along his skin. Wondered what to expect in this place, what sort of debauchery it had. Surely more than just a bar with watered down drinks and an empty dance floor. Maybe some ropes and chains? Blindfolds and gags? Voyeurs? Plumbers? Tax evaders? The possibilities were endless if his dabbling of adult films was anything to go by. 

Before he could think further on it there was a dig in the ribs. He turned to Gaz who gestured his chin to the front desk. Their discussion had ended and the bouncer was moving away with a tired sigh. 

“Best of luck, lads.” He said as he walked past with a curt nod, out of the foyer and up the steps.

Then, “I can help you gentlemen here.”

With a nudge, Johnny walked forward and greeted the receptionist with a rather clumsy ‘hello’. Though strained, the receptionist’s smile remained warm and welcoming. She fixed the reading glasses on her face, her hand typing away on her keyboard. Johnny couldn’t help but be impressed by how fast she typed. She abruptly stood up from her chair and brushed out the wrinkles in her pencil skirt. She riffled through the file cabinet behind her, pulling out stapled packets that she fastened to two clipboards. 

“Here you are,” The receptionist handed both of them a clipboard. A pen dangled off of it by a bead chain, “Fill these out. If you’re confused or need any clarification on any of the questions please let me know.”

Johnny glared at the first page like it was a school exam. Eyes squinted as he looked it over. It was a standard form for personal information: full name, date of birth, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, etcetera, etcetera. He flipped through the rest. Medical survey. Informational pages. Risk and safety. To-do and not-to-do sheets. He shifted as he skimmed through a short questionnaire about his interests. Then the last few pages were rules, policies, agreements, information pamphlet and an NDA; all needing his signature. Johnny stole a sidelong glance at Gaz. The man was focused, wholly engrossed in the task. Concentrating like it was his life on the line. He was half way through the packet now. Grasping the pen in his hand, Johnny quickly followed suit, finishing it just in time as Gaz did – his writing neater than his own. 

“Hope this isn’t too much trouble.” Gaz apologized, giving her a small smile as he handed her his clipboard. The Scotsman rolled his eyes at him working his charm on the older woman. “Don’t want to be a bother.”

The receptionist blinked. Smiled shyly. Seemingly flustered as she shuffled in her office chair. “You’re not a bother. Not at all. Just a little misunderstanding on our end. We’ve postponed any guest visitations for the foreseeable future. But it looks like the new policy failed to be... specific regarding certain conditions.”

She cleared her throat, realizing she was being too transparent, and continued, “Luckily, on that note, because you're both invitees your entrance fees are waived for your first visit.” The receptionist opened a side cabinet below the desk, ruffling through a drawer before grabbing two opaque plastic baggies. “Ok, now show me the wrist of your non-dominant hand. Now turn it, palm up.” 

She clasped a gray tyvek wristband onto Johnny’s wrist. Then with a shaky hand, she did the same to Gaz.

“You guys are all set.” The older woman wiped her palms on her skirt. And motioned to her left from behind the desk, pointing to the drapery. 

“Welcome to the 141. Please, enjoy yourselves.” 

141.

He thought it an odd name for a clubhouse. Unconventional by his standards. Wondered what the numerical nomenclature alluded to or the significance of it. Or perhaps he was thinking too much on the underlying meaning of just some numbers. 

Johnny stepped away from the front desk, his hands clammy by his growing nervousness. He messed with his wristband, twisting it around the joint. Prepared himself to internally clutch his pearls at what he was about to witness: all the perversion, all the lechery. If his mother only knew what her wee boy was getting himself into. And knowing her, the Protestant woman would drag him out by his ear and crucify him herself. Be it due to peer pressure, curiosity, temptation support of a friend or idiocy, Johnny was here. Willingly. 

And a little bit of sin didn’t hurt anybody. Right? 

The imprint of the doorway grew clearer against the material as they stood face-to-face with it. The faded blur of lighting and silhouettes apparent from the other side. An exhale from them both. Then they walked through.

“Steamin’ Jesus.”

Johnny looked around wide-eyed, gawking around the place.

The nervousness dissipated as the sight settled in. It was a regular looking place, nothing out of the ordinary, and not what he expected a supposed ‘lifestyle’ club to look like. There was no man being dog-walked by a Dominatrix or a lit stage where people gathered to watch a sadist punish someone like it was an public execution. Nor were there any orgies happening in the middle of the room. Not even a couple displaying any PDA. It was more like a pub than anything. More posh and classy, sure. Yet it was rustic like old English pubs usually were, warm and smoky. Carpet and flagstone flooring. High top tables. Aged brickwork and joinery, solid wooden furniture with dark accents. And had low lighting that was similar to a club’s atmosphere. It emphasized the shadows, perpetrating a mysteriousness to it. An embodiment of the theory of omission, that there was more to this place if he scratched the surface long enough. Dissimilarly, it had a strange hushedness.

The place wasn’t packed per say but there were other occupants. Some outfitted rather formally in refined garbs like leather, lace, satin and silks as of it was a ballroom. Adorned themselves with jewelry, brooches, bows, and even feathers. But there were other occupants that were dressed informally like Johnny and Gaz were. Even then, both men couldn't help but still feel out of place. All their staring didn't dissuade the feeling.

Still, Johnny couldn't help but be underwhelmed. And from the glance at Gaz, he seemed to feel the same by the deflate of his shoulders, and the drop of his facial expression.

“Kyle? Is that you, приятель (priatel’ - friend)?” Someone called out from somewhere near them. 

Johnny turned towards an extensive mahogany saloon like bar, an antiquity that reminded him of American western movies. There, a man beckoned them from behind it. Gaz instantly perked up, his face lighting up. He went towards the bar with Johnny trailing behind. 

“Nik!” Gaz clasped hands with him in a firm shake. But laughed as the man surprised him with a tug of his arm and leaned over the bartop to give the Scouser a one-armed hug. “It’s good to see you here.”

The man, Nik, chuckled. “Likewise, my friend!” 

For a man tending to the bar in such a place, he was dressed quite casually in jeans, a shirt, and a brown leather jacket. With a gold Cuban link chain around his neck and his raven hair slicked back. He had an Slavic accent that was sonically rhythmic. Harsh yet smooth. Russian, Johnny soon recognized.

His eyes were quick to hone in on Johnny staring from behind Gaz. With his hands shoved deep inside his jacket pockets, unsure of himself. Gaz clapped Johnny behind the shoulder with a grin.

“This is John. John, this is Nikolai. A friend of mine.”

“Nice to meet you,” Johnny shook his hand. A bit more firmly than he meant to. By the look on Nikolai’s face, he was a little surprised by it. 

He hummed, seemingly impressed. “Strong grip.” 

Johnny grinned from ear to ear at his words.

“Please take a seat, my friends.” Nikolai gestured to the wooden barstools tucked underneath the bartop. 

Johnny shrugged his jacket off, hanging it off the back of the barstool as Gaz settled into the one next to him. He heaved out a sigh, knackered by all that walking. His feet still ached in his boots, calves a bit sore. But the coolness of the wood grain was nice against the skin. He felt a sudden shiver run down his spine. Goosebumps trailed along his arms, raising the hairs. Like he was being watched.

“Can I get you, anything?”

Johnny rubbed at his arms, blaming his nerves. He couldn’t stop himself from smacking his lips together, mouth dry, feigning for a nice cold pint. “A Tennant’s Lager, if you would mate.”

Gaz looked at the drink menu. “Think I’ll take a Black Russian.” He winked, “Needing something a bit sweet to wake me up.”

With a smile, Nik nodded, “Right away.”

And went off to fetch the drinks.

“Your tab, aye?” Johnny lifted a brow at him in reminder. “Owe me a round. Maybe two.”

Gaz tsked, taking off his ballcap. “That’s all I owe ya? Surprised you’re not gonna hold it over my head.”

“Heh, feeling a bit lenient s’all. Like yer wallet’s going to be, aye. Hope yer promotion to a bloody peeler is paying well. We Scots have a high tolerance. Takes alotta bevvies for us to get sloshed.”

“Yeah, whatever. Just mind ya self, Soap.” He nudged his arm, “ I don’t want to have to break up another fight and drag your sorry ass back home. Earned myself a shiner in Glasgow the last time.”

Johnny huffed and rolled his eyes, “Says the man who pissed himself then cried in the bathroom. I know my limits, ye ken. Not like ye.”

But before Gaz could continue their banter with another comment, Nikolai returned with their drinks in hand.

“Cheers.” Johnny was quick to grab his lager, immediately taking a gulp of it. The cold golden alcohol was like flowing ichor. A much needed treat despite it being a light brew. He let out a satisfied exhale.

His skin grew aflame, then another shiver down his spine, rattling his shoulders like the rush of an unexpecting cool breeze. He thought it was because of the alcohol but the feeling of being watched grew stronger. Despite himself, he turned around. There amongst the dark, was a figure looming in the far corner, blending in well with the shadows. A big, scary bloke from what he could tell even from where he was. He stared on as the figure slowly leaned forward, catching the low lighting from the bar. And saw upon the figure’s face was bleached bone – a skull. 

Johnny swallowed.

A gentle grab onto his shoulder and he jolted up. Eyes wide as he turned around and met Gaz’s.

“Soap. Everything alright?” Gaz followed his gaze, trying to see what the man was staring at. Then, with a laugh. “You see another lamppost?”

He blinked at Gaz’s words and swallowed again, his mouth feeling dry. “Eh, n-no.” Johnny took a swig of his lager, letting the liquid settle on his tongue. “No. Just see some fucker tall as one.” 

Gaz turned back to him. Johnny's proneness for puffing out his chest and peacocking earned him a sharp glare.

But Johnny brushed the glare aside and smiled up at Russian bartender. “Heh, didna know it was the spooky season already, Nik."

The man gave him a blank stare back. “I don’t know what you mean.” But by the quirk of the Russian man’s brow, Nikolai was amused. His small smirk only encouraged Johnny. Much to Gaz’s disfavor.

Johnny tilted his chin behind himself with pressed lips. Kept his voice steady. “Talking ’bout the Halloween decoration in the corner - the big boy with the skullface. He looks ready for some trick-or-treating. Probably gonna scare your customers away though.”

Nik’s smirk grew wider, his eyes twinkling as he shined a pint glass. It reminded Johnny of a fox. 

“Soap.” 

“Aye, aye. Just being observant.” He relented and elbowed Gaz’s arm in jest, “Don’t worry yer head, I'll be good.”

“Tch, you better mate.” Gaz swirled the Black Russian in his hand. His fingers clutched tight around the glass. Despite himself, as Gaz and Nikolai were talking, Johnny peeked over his shoulder again. But saw that the figure was gone.

Despite the alcohol boosting their mood, dismay still lingered. Gaz grew less talkative than usual, more interested in nursing his drink than their bantering. His face was impassive but Johnny could tell he was in a sour mood. Affected by the belief that this place was not worth all their effort or the ‘invitation’. Confused on how a purported sex club was more saintly than a church service and twice as dull. 

If it was any other night, Johnny would’ve relentlessly taken the piss out of him. Never letting him live it down. But now wasn’t just any other night. Nikolai seemed to sense it as well, hanging around them whenever he wasn’t serving orders or cleaning the bartop. By Johnny’s second lager, Nikolai’s presence seemed to help Gaz’s mood. By Johnny’s third, it didn't take long for them to get Gaz to brighten up. Dismay dismissed from the mind. 

And by his fourth, Gaz had disappeared. Gone off like some wean in the supermarket. Was it to go check out the price of the tab or was it to head to the bathroom? Johnny couldn’t remember. Either way, it’s been almost half an hour since. And Johnny was worried.

“Want another one?” Nikolai came by and cleared the empty mug, wiping away the small puddle that had gathered from all the condensation. 

“Aye, another.”

The next drink clunked against the wood as it was placed down in front of him.

“Ye seen Gaz, Nik? Don’t know where he's gone.”

Nik scratched at his beard, thinking, before saying, “He was talking to someone by the rooms. Haven’t seen him since.”

“Un-fuckin’-believable.” He grumbled into his drink, peeved. “Bloody Scouser.” Then Johnny let out a deep sigh, “Aye, well. Thanks, Nik. Make sure this one’s on his tab too, eh?”

“Of course.”

When another ten minutes had passed with Gaz still gone, Johnny was more than just a little bit peeved. He finished the last of his drink and stood up. Feeling the need for some fresh air and a smoke – something to get his mind off of being ditched. Johnny reached over the bartop for his charging mobile and unplugged it. And sent Gaz a quick text. Gaz had charged his dead mobile a bit before Johnny did his own. He knew Gaz took it with him wherever he had gone. 

Johnny shrugged on his jacket, stuffing his hands into the pockets. Despite the later hour, people were still there mingling and drinking amongst themselves. He could feel them staring as he left the bar and towards a non-emergency side exit along one of the walls. The door clicked open as he pressed against its push bar and stepped out into the tenfoot.

The cold night was a welcome sight, its chilliness was another. His chest rose as Johnny gulped in the night air. Lungs burned as he held it. A second then another, then it blew out harshly past his lips. He leaned against the side wall, the entire night settling in his bones, weighing heavily on him. Maybe Gaz was right, he was getting old. Johnny ruffled through his pockets until he found his carton of cigarettes. The cardboard was partially squashed, the box flattened at the corners from travel and use. They were the cheapest kind, just a pack he picked up from his local Tesco a few days ago. But it was almost empty now, so another visit was needed for resupply. Johnny shook the remaining few in the carton, hearing them shuffle inside. 

He grabbed one, putting it in his mouth and held it between his lips. He patted around his pants for his zippo but let out a harsh sigh when his search for it came out empty and he cursed under his breath.

“Need a light?”

A sudden voice in the night. Gruff, deep and husky. Johnny jumped away from the wall, startled, teeth almost biting through the filter paper. Goosebumps riddled his skin, hair stood on at the ends. He whipped around, wide-eyed and his heartbeat pounding against his chest like a rabbit’s. A silhouette emerged from the night. Appeared suddenly as if he manifested from the surrounding darkness. The edges of him blended well in the night like a pencil sketch, barely there. He stepped out into the dimmed light of the flood lamps above the exit door. Face eclipsed in shadow, white skull gleaming.

Johnny stood paralyzed as the skullfaced figure walked closer to him. Slowly, deliberately. He was a towering, hulking behemoth of man; built like a brick house. Dwarfing the Scotsman with his sheer size as he stepped beside him. Johnny thought himself pretty muscular but even he was nothing comparison. He realized then and there that ‘big, scary bloke’ was a descriptive understatement. He hoped that the man didn’t hear what he had said at the bar. Johnny was frozen in place with eyes blown out like saucers, adrenaline pumping through his bloodstream. The natural instinct to run coursed through his body. But his feet stayed rooted to the ground, like they were made of concrete. Fear shot through his body like a cold bullet. And he wondered if the man could smell it, like a predator could.

The man was dressed in dark clothing, a navy windbreaker taut against his broad chest, brawny arms at his sides. One arm rose and Johnny flinched. In a large gloved hand, he held a metal zippo out to him. But Johnny could do nothing but stare, breathless, speechless. He blinked, then blinked again. Dumbstruck. His brain muddled, overwhelmed by his flight-or-fight instinct. The Scotsman hesitated, eyes darting from the lighter in his palm then back up to him. After a moment, with a clammy hand, Johnny reached out for it. Their fingertips brushed, skin slid against the rough material of the man’s gloved palm. Johnny quickly pulled his hand away, zippo in hand, clutched it against his chest as if scalded. The man’s eyes narrowed at the gray wristband peeking out from Johnny's sleeve, visible from the motion. The burning stare made Johnny shiver and he fixed his sleeve, tugging it down to the wrist. Hiding the gray band like it was a scarlet letter.

Johnny's mouth opened to say something, anything to thank him. But his throat was hoarse, mouth dry and the words never came out. Instead he thumbed the flint wheel until it struck and bore a tiny flicker of fire. The man watched with interest as Johnny lifted it up to his mouth. The amber flame reflected in the deep set eyes behind the skull mask. Dark as black tourmaline. Shakily, Johnny lit the filter tip of it. Killed the little flame as he flipped the top back on and took a drag of his cigarette. A burst of nicotine on his taste buds, shooting up to his brain as smoke filled his mouth. He exhaled it, letting it pour out from parted lips. 

With as much courage he could muster, Johnny turned around and held out the zippo to return it. Dark eyes never left his face as the man grabbed it. Fingertips brushing again, gloves against clammy skin. Johnny swallowed – hard. He swiftly turned around and leaned back against the wall. The man next to him followed suit. Johnny kept his gaze to the ground, not wanting to catch the man’s eyes. Wishing he could melt into the wall and disappear. He could feel the man’s eyes on him every so often, stealing small glances at him from the corner of his eye as Johnny smoked. The man was still and silent as they took in the night, loitering together in the tenfoot. The man reminded him of the sit-and-wait type of predators in nature documentaries. Hiding just out of plain sight. Waiting patiently. But for what? 

Johnny took another drag of his cigarette, letting his head brew it over. Then a moment of boldness as he offered the lit cigarette to the man next to him. Tilting his head, the man plucked the cigarette from Johnny and held it between his thick digits. With his other hand, the man rolled his mask up, the balaclava sitting just below his nose. Revealing pale skin and a sharp underjaw, cleanly shaven. A scar marred across thin pink lips. It was Johnny’s turn to watch him now. Gawking as the man lifted the cigarette to his mouth and inhaled, the tipped ember burning brighter with his intake. With a slow exhale, the smoke tumbled out from his lips like a dragon’s breath. Coiling up and around, catching the light before dissipating into the cool night.

Something stirred within him, something in him ached. Watching the man smoke, inhaling and exhaling - broad chest rising up and down. Jaw tensed, lips wrapped around the end with every drag. Johnny met his gaze when he pulled down his balaclava and handed the cigarette back for him to finish. Dark eyes bore into blue as the cigarette rose to Johnny’s lips. The man moved from the wall, standing up to his full height. He stared down at Johnny just as he exhaled, the smoke blown out against his clothed jaw. Black tourmaline eyes went to Johnny's mouth as his tongue darted out to lick chapped lips. In those eyes, Johnny saw himself — round-eyed, cornered. Johnny shifted, fingers twitching as he let out a strangled breath, blood thundering in his ears. He couldn’t think straight, couldn’t breathe properly. The man’s presence was all-consuming, all-encompassing. Suffocating him. Overwhelming his senses. The Scotsman was struggling to keep it together with him so close. He could feel the heat coming from the man’s body. Could hear his respires.

Those same eyes that pinned him in place, narrowed as they darted away from his face, moving back and forth. As if thinking to himself, processing it all. Weighing out his options. The man was quick to step back, moving away. And without a word, he turned on his heel and walked away. Down the tenfoot and disappeared into the night. Johnny finally breathed and slumped against the wall, not trusting his legs. Hands shaky, mouth dry as he gasped for air. His clouded mind was unable to grasp what just happened and what led up to it. He rubbed a hand down his face and sighed, exhaustion and confusion settling in. Johnny didn’t know how long he stayed there in the tenfoot by himself, staring up at the moonless night.

The exit door opened with a grinding squeak and he turned to see Gaz squinting at him from the doorway, ballcap in hand.

“Soap? That you mate?”

“Yeah.” Johnny pushed himself off of the wall. Dropping the cigarette bud on the floor and crushed it with his heel even though the ember had long since died out. 

“You alright?” Gaz’s eyes looked over his face in concern as he stood in front of him. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Johnny could only stare at him wordlessly. 

“Come on. Let’s get a hackney home.” Gaz went to the door, rubbing the side of his neck. “It’s already way past your bedtime.” 

Johnny nodded, his usual snark gone. He walked forward to follow but his foot stepped on something on the ground. He stopped and reached down, picking up something cool to the touch. A metallic zippo. The same one that belonged to the man in the skull mask. It must’ve fallen out of his pocket. He clutched it in his palm, skin warming the metal casing, and peered behind him to where the man had disappeared to. Johnny licked his dry lips, the taste of smoke fading on his tongue.

Then with a deep sigh he went through the exit door and followed after Gaz.

[pawsitivevibe]

Oh my gosh it was so embarrassing on Sunday at the dog show. I was walking along the main street through the showgrounds, so lots of people around, vendors on either side, etc. And I freaking tripped on a pothole and wiped out. Lots of people saw. Several people came to ask if I was okay. A professional handler gave me a wet wipe. I was like "oh no I'm fine thank you." But we go stop in at one of the vendors and my knee starts just streaming blood. Great. Ugh. I'm more embarrassed than anything. But the vendor at the booth we were at saw me bleeding and gave me a bunch of stuff to clean up and bandaged my knee. Well, how's that for customer service? If I wasn't already going to buy something I would feel obligated to lol. Coincidentally I've ordered a lot of stuff from this guy's business, and I was actually there to see if he could fix my thinning shears, and buy an expensive nail grinding bit. (he demonstrated that I was simply holding the shears wrong, and tightened them for me, and also upsold us on an even more expensive Dremel bit lol).

Anyway wait is this just my round-about endorsement of Wheatley Wares? Lol. Well if you're in the market for dog grooming supplies, the customer service is GREAT.

But no seriously wiping out at the dog show in front of everyone was not my favourite part of the weekend. But several people checked if I was okay, and I got to pet a passing Borzoi. So.

I'm kinda glad I didn't then have to go show my dog with a bloody knee. We were done for the day luckily.

[takuyakistall]

body language

Consulting the local embalmer wasn't the brightest idea after cutting your hand, but love can make you endure the stabbing pain in your hand as he treats you like a corpse.

— trade with @beth-bethar00 / @ask-idv-baker

Love; it wasn't something Aesop would usually concern himself with. He was far too busy perfecting every stroke of his brush on surrogates to use during times a dead person enters his workplace – it was an artist's trait. He was much too focused on his masterpieces to think about anything else, but perhaps that was his biggest strength and weakness. Despite knowing so much, there are also a lot of things he doesn't know. He might know how to keep a dead body look like it didn't deteriorate for a week or how to insert needles into the skin to make it seem like their corpse was smiling even in death, but he does not know the exhilarating thrill of a passionate romance between two lovers.

He intended to keep it that way. He didn't need love to go on with his life, and it wouldn't certainly help him with his line of work or any of his goals – if anything, it'd serve as nothing but a distraction for him. That was what he intended but the world does wonders trying to prove people wrong, he could only sigh as he brought out his makeup box and took out a sharp needle and a thin piece of silver thread. He was no medical expert, but he learned enough under a certain person about how to stitch up wounds so it would seem as if the cut wasn't there in the first place.

He took your hand in his; you felt his cold touch over his gloves and you couldn't help but wonder if you should strike up a conversation regarding it. But your bleeding hand was already keeping you busy with excruciating pain taking over your head in a haze. Aesop stuck the needle into your skin as he smoothly started sewing the wound shut seamlessly as tears started forming in the corner of your eyes – if there was an option to have a licensed professional stitch it up for you, you would've chosen that instead of having an embalmer stitch you up with little to no regard about your well-being since he was so used to handling dead people who couldn't feel anything.

But you knew better than to complain, he was already helping you out in the middle of the night and it was hardly polite to be thinking of such things. Aesop finished up the stitch, cutting the threat with shears before cleaning up the blood with a wet towel. He couldn't help but notice how different dead people were compared to those who live – he had to be more careful, more considerate to living people rather than being in full control over a corpse. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why he liked the dead more than the living.

You sighed, clutching your newly stitched hand with your other hand, "thank you… I don't know what I would've done without you, Sir Carl." You winced as you felt a sharp pain from your hand, but you tried to ignore it as you shot a smile at the embalmer. His gaze was indifferent and his stance was unchanging, it was as if talking to a statue without any remorse or feelings known to him. His silver locks framed his face perfectly, bits of soot staining his skin and over his white mask – he looked as mysterious as an abandoned statue in the middle of nowhere. You could see why people made a big deal out of him going out whenever he does, he reeked of a mysterious aura.

"There's no need to thank me," he replied, adjusting his gloves as he put his materials back into his makeup box. "If there's anything else you need from me, please let me know immediately. I advise consulting an actual medical expert for that wound of yours, I only did what I could."

Love; you couldn't help but grow interested in someone like him. It was laughable – he was in a position most of the villagers held in contempt. They thought he was vile or dirty for dealing with dead people and corpses that no one would want to touch in their lifetime, ignorant of the fact that Aesop did everything in his power to send them off in the best way possible. To him, death was just as beautiful as life. Perhaps even more beautiful than life itself. And you found that part of him admirable despite being shrouded in mystery. You knew nothing about him except for the fact that he had cold hands, and that his actions spoke louder than his words.

The lingering touch he left on your skin as he pressed the needle into your skin, his soft breathing as he concentrated on closing your wound, and the way he trailed his fingers against your hand gently as if to memorize each and every single line on your hand. Even his body language as he tidied up told you things he wouldn't even think of saying – you already knew well that Aesop was someone who wasn't aware of his own interest in you, yet each and every action he left on you was enough to tell you that he was fond of you.

As a living person? Or perhaps he was fond of you because of your body? Did he think about how delightful it would be for him to put you out of your misery as he stabbed the needle into your hand? Did he think that you would be more beautiful in death? Perhaps the answer to those questions could define what love truly is to the embalmer. But despite all the questions you had, despite all the blurry hints and all of the mixed messages – your heart was something that refused to sit still, you'd rather show him directly your interest in him. And you silently prayed that he would take the hint and finally mess with love a little. You stood up, calling out his name, "Sir Carl."

"Is there a problem?" His voice was small as he wiped his little knives inside his makeup bag, cleaning it from any residues. He allowed himself to be distracted by you. Yet you only drew closer to him, dragging your feet against the stone tiles before cupping his cheek with your uninjured hand and leaning in to give him a light kiss over his mask.

And that was when Aesop felt something foreign bloom inside his chest, something hot and made his chest contract – his cheeks grew hotter by the second as you pulled away sweetly after making such a brazen act. He almost dropped his knife and stabbed his foot, but he kept his composure and pretended to be unfazed by your actions as he ignored the warm feeling blooming inside of him. Amore. How strange it is for him to feel such things. "... Please refrain from doing such things from now on, it's hardly proper between acquaintances."

He denied liking such an act. He refused to acknowledge the fact that he was starting to concern himself with sappy things such as love. All he wanted was to show off his artistry and send people off in a manner befitting of an embalmer such as himself, and yet here he was blushing over a living human – he might be able to comfort himself with the fact that all humans die eventually; you included. Maybe all he needed was to wait, perhaps you'd turn into something he can love with his whole heart. But, for now, he'll savour the ghost of your lips hovering over his own for now.

[kultofathena]

Balaur Arms – German Kriegsmesser (Oct. Preorder)

Its large, saber-like blade coupled with a two-handed grip for power and leverage creates a sword with superb cutting and slashing ability. Whatever the source of the Messer and its smaller and humbler forms, a Kriegsmesser such as the one here with its elevated stylization was a weapon for a professional warrior, mercenary or noble.

This Balaur Arms Kriegsmesser – inspired by the Albion Knecht and collaboratively produced with LK Chen – manages to recreate this powerful, large sword in a form that is particularly agile and swift for its size. Its blade features a high degree of distal taper with a thick and strong base which thins considerably toward the main striking portion of the sword to create a blade that will bite into and pass through a target with minimized drag and resistance. The keenly sharp blade is ready for powerful cutting right out of the box; the blade is well-tempered high carbon spring steel with a hardness of 54-55 HRc. The guard and pommel are stainless steel and the grip has two halves of smooth-polished rosewood which are solidly copper riveted to the thick tang of the blade for a tough construction. For heightened durability, the blade tang is peened over the pommel. The nagel gives excellent protection to the knuckle and is solidly fitted to the guard; its base pin goes straight through the guard and is peened on the reverse to ensure that it will not shear off in an impact.

This Kriegsmesser is paired with a durable scabbard of wood which features a finely cast locket and chape of stainless steel. The wood is bound in leather and etched with late Medieval scrollwork on a single side to complete the sword.

Available to pre-order here.

[wyatt-06]

How to Choose the Best Dog Grooming Scissors?

Unleashing Perfection: A Comprehensive Guide On How To Choose The Best Dog Grooming Scissors

Pet Grooming is essential to responsible pet ownership, and choosing the right tools is crucial for maintaining your furry friend's well-being. Among the array of pet grooming tools, scissors play a pivotal role in keeping your dog's coat in top-notch condition. However, with numerous options, selecting the best dog grooming scissors can take time and effort. In this guide, we'll explore the key factors to consider when making this critical decision.

Understanding The Types Of Dog Grooming Scissors

Before delving into the selection process, it's essential to understand the various types of dog grooming scissors. The two main categories are straight-edge scissors and curved-edge scissors. Straight-edge scissors are ideal for precise cutting of straight lines. In contrast, curved-edge scissors are designed to follow the natural contour of your dog's body, making them perfect for shaping and trimming

Consider The Blade Material

The material of the scissors' blades significantly influences their performance and durability. The High-quality pet grooming scissors often have blades made from stainless steel or a combination of stainless steel and other alloys. Stainless steel blades are rust-resistant, easy to clean, and provide a sharp cutting edge. Scissors with titanium or ceramic coatings are also popular, offering additional durability and reducing friction during grooming.

Scissor Size Matters

Choosing the right size of scissors is crucial for effective grooming. Small scissors are suitable for precision work around sensitive areas like the face, ears, and paws. In contrast, larger scissors are better for cutting more significant coat sections. Ensure that the scissors feel comfortable in your hand and are well-balanced, contributing to a smoother grooming experience for you and your dog.

Choose Between Convex And Beveled Edges

The edges of dog grooming scissors can be either convex or bevelled. Convex edges are razor-sharp and provide a smooth cut, making them ideal for professional groomers. On the other hand, bevelled edges have a more standard design and are suitable for general at-home grooming. Consider your skill level and grooming needs when choosing between these advantages.

Grooming Scissors For Specific Breeds

Different dog breeds have varying coat types, lengths, and textures. Some grooming scissors are specifically designed for specific pet breeds or coat types. For instance, dogs with curly coats may benefit from scissors with serrated blades. In contrast, those with thick double coats might require thinning shears for effective thinning and blending.

[climbingdutchmanvic]

Pruning Trees and Shrubs With Tree Loppers

Pruning Trees and Shrubs With Tree Loppers https://ift.tt/4fJvL3i Trees and shrubs add beauty to your garden, but sculpting them into their full potential takes time and patience. Achieving the ideal look requires careful pruning, and the right tools, such as a pair of loppers. Larger than pruning shears, a pair of loppers has long handles attached to a sharp blade that can cut thicker branches and stems. They can be either anvil or bypass – the former crushes wood for easier removal, and the latter works much like scissors for a clean cut. Loppers are also often used to remove diseased or dead trees. This is a more extensive process than simply pruning and can require removing large sections of a tree or removing the entire canopy. Tree lopping companies are able to provide this service with safety measures and ensure there is no lasting damage or environmental impacts. While some homeowners may want to try their hand at tree lopping, a professional is a better option due to the knowledge and expertise they have. An unqualified, non-certified tree lopper only thinks about the immediate needs of the plants he or she is cutting, while an arborist considers both short and long term effects of what they do. It’s also a good idea to hire a tree lopping company who is insured, as this can protect you in the event that anything goes wrong during the process. Properly pruning and cutting trees and shrubs can prevent them from becoming overgrown or falling over, as well as reducing their risk of pests or diseases. It also promotes healthy growth and shape, and allows for the removal of branches that are obstructing roads or sightlines. It can also reduce wind resistance and help the plant to retain moisture during droughts. Using the right tree loppers can help you achieve a lush, beautiful garden and maintain a safe environment for people and pets. The best loppers have ergonomically designed handles for comfort and are easy to grip. They also have durable blades that are resistant to rust and corrosion, with low-friction coating for improved cutting performance. Some have shock-absorbing bumpers to minimize strain on your hands and joints, and padded grips for added comfort. The simplest loppers are manual, and are ideal for pruning narrow or thin branches that are 12 inch or less in diameter. For thicker stems, there are ratcheting and compound-action loppers with one or more pivoting arms located at the fulcrum of the blades to increase their cutting force. These loppers can also be telescopic, meaning they have extendable handles that allow you to reach higher branches without having to climb a ladder. Whether you’re trimming live green growth or removing dry, brittle branches, a pair of loppers can make the job much easier. At Lowe’s, we carry a wide range of sizes and styles to suit your needs. Bypass loppers are great for trimming live vegetation, as the two blades pass each other and create a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing cut than anvil loppers that crush the limbs rather than cutting them.

[arborists-corner]

8 Tips for Trimming and Pruning Trees and Shrubs in the Spring

These tips are brought to you by The Branch - a team of certified arborists in San Diego, California. Tree trimming and pruning are essential tasks for maintaining the health, aesthetics, and safety of trees, particularly as spring approaches. With the arrival of warmer weather, trees begin to bloom and grow vigorously, making it an ideal time to assess and tend to their needs. Proper trimming and pruning practices can promote healthy growth, prevent disease, and enhance the beauty of your landscape. Here are some tips for tree trimming and pruning in spring:

Inspect Your Trees: Before starting any trimming or pruning activities, it's crucial to inspect your trees carefully. Look for signs of damage, disease, or deadwood. Check for broken or rubbing branches, as well as any insect infestations or fungal growth. Identifying these issues early can help prevent further damage and ensure the overall health of your trees.

Timing Matters: While spring is an excellent time for tree trimming and pruning, it's essential to consider the specific needs of each tree species. Some trees may benefit from pruning in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, while others are best pruned after flowering. Research the optimal pruning time for the types of trees in your landscape to maximize results.

Know Your Goals: Before picking up your pruning shears, determine your goals for trimming and pruning. Are you aiming to improve the tree's structure, remove dead or diseased branches, or enhance its appearance? Understanding your objectives will guide your pruning decisions and ensure you achieve the desired results.

Use the Right Tools: Invest in high-quality pruning tools designed for the task at hand. Sharp, clean tools make cleaner cuts, reducing the risk of damage and disease transmission. Common tools for tree trimming and pruning include pruning shears, loppers, pruning saws, and pole pruners. Ensure your tools are properly maintained and sanitized between uses to prevent the spread of pathogens.

Practice Proper Pruning Techniques: When pruning trees, follow proper pruning techniques to minimize stress and promote healthy growth. Start by removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches, making clean cuts just outside the branch collar—the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk. Avoid cutting too close or leaving stubs, as this can hinder healing and invite pests and disease.

Thin Out Overcrowded Branches: Thin out overcrowded branches to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration throughout the canopy. Remove crossing or rubbing branches and any branches that are growing inward toward the center of the tree. Thinning out the canopy can reduce the risk of disease and improve the tree's overall health and vigor.

Consider Tree Health and Safety: While trimming and pruning can enhance the beauty of your landscape, it's essential to prioritize tree health and safety. Avoid over-pruning, as removing too much foliage can stress the tree and make it more susceptible to pests and diseases. Additionally, be mindful of nearby structures, power lines, and pedestrian pathways when trimming trees to prevent accidents and ensure safety.

Consult with a Professional: If you're unsure about the best approach for trimming or pruning your trees, consider consulting with a certified arborist or tree care professional. They can assess the health of your trees, recommend appropriate pruning techniques, and provide expert guidance to ensure the long-term health and vitality of your landscape.

In conclusion, spring is an ideal time for tree trimming and pruning to promote healthy growth, improve aesthetics, and enhance safety. By following these tips and practicing proper pruning techniques, you can maintain the health and beauty of your trees while enjoying a thriving landscape throughout the season and beyond.

[biancoinstruments]

Mastering Precision Cuts: The Art of Thinning Shears

If you're trying to create soft blended layers, complex textural effects or even precise geometric designs, thinning, customized as well as sapphire shears let stylists let their imaginations run wild and produce flawless results with each cut.

[sgtreeservices]

The Essential Guide To Tree Trimming In Aberdeen: Techniques And Tips For Healthy Trees

Tree trimming is an integral part of maintaining the health, aesthetics, and safety of trees in Aberdeen's diverse landscape. Whether it's the majestic Scots Pine, the stately Oak, or the delicate Cherry Blossom, each tree species requires specific care to thrive. This guide provides essential techniques and tips for residents of Aberdeen to ensure their trees remain healthy and vibrant.

Understanding the necessity of tree trimming is the foundational step. Trimming is not just about enhancing the visual appeal of trees; it's a vital practice to remove dead or diseased branches, promote growth, and prevent potential hazards. Regular trimming ensures trees are less susceptible to diseases and pests, contributing positively to the local ecosystem.

Knowledge of tree anatomy and growth patterns is crucial before undertaking any trimming. Recognising parts of the tree such as the crown, leader branch, and lateral branches helps in making informed decisions about which branches to trim. This understanding minimises harm and encourages a natural, healthy growth pattern.

The right tools make a significant difference. Essential tools for tree trimming include pruning shears for small branches, loppers for medium-sized branches, and a pruning saw or chainsaw for larger branches. Ensuring these tools are sharp and clean before use is critical to prevent the spread of disease and achieve clean cuts.

Timing is key in tree trimming. For most trees in Aberdeen, late winter or early spring, just before the growth starts, is the ideal time. This timing prevents sap loss in trees that are susceptible and reduces the risk of disease infection. However, emergency trimming, such as removing broken branches, can be done at any time of the year.

Technique matters greatly in the art of tree trimming Aberdeen. Techniques such as thinning the crown to improve light and air penetration, raising the crown for undergrowth clearance, and reducing the crown to decrease the height or spread of a tree, are all effective methods. Each technique serves a specific purpose and should be chosen based on the tree's needs.

Safety cannot be overstressed when trimming trees. Working at heights, handling sharp tools, and dealing with heavy branches require precautionary measures. Wearing protective gear, securing ladders, and ensuring a clear area below the tree are fundamental safety practices. For larger trees, considering professional arborist services is advisable.

Legal considerations must also be acknowledged. In Aberdeen, certain trees may be protected under conservation laws or local regulations. Before any trimming begins, checking with the local council for any restrictions or required permissions is essential to avoid legal issues.

Responsible disposal of trimmed branches and leaves is part of the trimming process. Turning them into mulch for garden beds, composting, or arranging for green waste collection are environmentally friendly disposal methods that benefit the garden and the wider community.

Post-trimming care is vital for the tree's recovery and continued health. This can include watering, mulching, and monitoring for any signs of stress or disease. Proper care ensures the tree quickly recovers from the trimming and continues to grow strong and healthy.

In conclusion, tree trimming in Aberdeen is a rewarding activity that enhances the health and beauty of both individual trees and the overall landscape. By understanding the proper techniques, timing, and legal requirements, and by prioritising safety and post-care, residents can ensure their trees remain a valuable and cherished part of Aberdeen's natural heritage. Whether undertaken as a DIY project or with the help of professional services, effective tree trimming is key to fostering a green, vibrant, and safe environment.

About Us:

SG Tree Services is a leading tree surgery company based in Alford, Aberdeenshire. Offering a wide range of tree maintenance services across the North East of Scotland, the company is dedicated to providing high-quality, professional tree care solutions. With a team of experienced professionals, SG Tree Services is committed to customer satisfaction, safety, and environmental preservation. For more information or to request a free quote, please visit https://www.sgtreeservices.co.uk/.

[concreterepairsmelbournes-blog]

Epoxy Grouting in Melbourne For Residential and Commercial Properties Offered by Professionals

Start this useful workout by placing your hands and feet on the epoxy grouting in Melbourne. Slowly tense your abdominal and core muscles to raise your legs. Throughout the workout, you must keep your spine straight and maintain proper posture. As you continue the movement, take deep breaths in and out. Be cautious not to hunch your shoulders forward. Hold the V-shape for a few moments once you get there, and as you go forward, extend the hold.

Among the Applications of Carbon Composite in the Construction Sector is Strengthening

Common uses including carbon fibre reinforced concrete buildings; retrofitting existing structures, to increase their load capacity, and enhancing the flexural and shear strengths of carbon structures. It is also used to reinforce cast-iron beams and pre-stress materials in place of steel.

The thermoset resin binds a thin, flexible fibre film to the concrete surface, enhancing the compression and flexural strength of slabs, beams, and column confinement. When this strengthening process is utilised, fewer raw materials are generally needed, and the weight is decreased overall.

Enhanced Flexural and Strength of Tension

 Increased tensile and bending strength is one of FRC's main benefits. Low tensile strength characterises conventional concrete. When bent or exposed to tension loads, it is readily cracked. Concrete that has fibres added to the mixture is more resilient to cracking. Furthermore, it is more resilient to flexural and tensile stresses.

By bridging across concrete fractures, fibres serve as reinforcement by more uniformly spreading the stress. This increases the concrete's overall resilience and helps to stop new cracks from forming.

Concrete Buildings To Strengthen the Structure

The requirement for existing buildings to have more strength has been emphasised by the most recent developments in construction about repair and rehabilitation. Requirements for strengthening include structures that have undergone usage changes, are experiencing deterioration, or have construction or design flaws.

They might serve as the columns' exterior reinforcement. This strengthening method lessens the requirement for further installation and anchoring work, which may be an expensive and time-consuming task.

A robust, long-lasting substance called carbon fibre-reinforced polymer is used externally to reinforce concrete constructions. This removes the requirement to tear down and rebuild existing constructions, including suspended slabs, structural columns, and concrete beams.

Source

[ontimetreelopping]

Tree Loppers

Tree Lopping is the process of cutting branches, shrubs, and twigs for purposes such as modifying the shape of a tree or maintaining health. While some gardeners may use lopping shears or chainsaws to perform this task, loppers are a more specialized tool that provide a high degree of precision and clean-cutting while exerting less force. They are also easier to operate and handle. There are two primary types of loppers: bypass and anvil. The former has a blade that slices past a fat lower base, while the latter cuts by hitting that base at the end of the cut. Both can be used for trimming purposes, but loppers that cut thicker wood are usually used for thinning and shaping while pruning thinner limbs and branches. For gardeners, loppers are an indispensable tool for sculpting and enhancing the aesthetics of their green sanctuaries. They can help create a balanced and manicured look by removing overgrown, unhealthy or dead branches and allowing more sunlight to reach the rest of the tree. This also helps to prevent the spread of disease and maintain the overall health of the plant. Many different sizes and types of loppers are available to suit specific needs, including length and cutting power. Longer loppers can be used for reaching higher branches or thinning shrub leaves. Some models even come with a built-in extension handle for greater height adjustment. For those who are looking for a more powerful trimming tool, there are also a number of ratchet-style loppers that allow the user to increase trimming force with multiple squeezes. The blade material and type can also influence the loppers’ suitability for certain tasks. For example, stainless steel blades resist rust and require minimal maintenance, while carbon-steel blades are harder and offer superior strength. Some models also feature a Teflon or titanium coating that adds a degree of rust protection and makes it easier to clean sap residue from the blade after cutting green branches. While a person can use a pair of loppers to perform most trimming tasks, it is best left to an experienced arborist for more complex and dangerous tree work. A professional knows both the short- and long-term effects of the work they are doing and can ensure that the work is done safely, efficiently, and with the best possible outcomes for the plant in question. Typically, tree lopping is a time-consuming and difficult task that can require a significant amount of physical effort to complete. It is important to follow proper safety measures when performing this job and to only use a reputable company with a good reputation. Otherwise, the task can be incredibly hazardous and lead to costly damage to property or injury. It is also important to be sure that the correct equipment is being used for the job and that the operator has the appropriate training. This will minimize the risk of causing further damage to the plant, surrounding vegetation or other properties, as well as protect the health and safety of the worker. via https://ontimetreelopping.wordpress.com/2024/04/16/tree-loppers/

[witchyuniverseofcarliemichelle]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Professional thinning shears.

[caprafalconerix-blog]

Four (4) PCS Professional Barber Shears Kit Set Razor Edge Barber Scissor Razor Edge Thinning Shear Straight Edge Razor & Stylish Hair Comb

Premium Quality: This professional hair cutting kit includes razor edge barber scissors, thinning shears, and straight edge razor for precise cutting and styling. This hair cutting shears is black powder coated, 2 x Haircutting Razor Edge Shears, 1 x Straight Edge Razor, 1 x PU Leather Bag, 1 x Comb, These scissors are drop produced from a solitary bit of the finest quality hard stainless…