Comment on Tuesday SOTD Thread, December 30th, 2025 (#931)
walden@wetshav.ing 1 week ago
December 30th, 2025
- Brush: Wolf Whiskers - “Gianmaria” w/Maggard 26mm Synthetic
- Razor: Koraat 15/16 Full Hollow - Sub Exclusive ‘Moarteen’ (2)
- Lather: Noble Otter - Logbook - Soap
- Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Santa Noir - Aftershave
- Post Shave: Nivea - Sensitive - Balm
- Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Lavender, Interrupted - EdP
I got this razor back from @gcgallant@wetshav.ing after he put a Japanese Natural edge on it, which you can watch here.
As far as I know, this is my first time shaving with this type of edge. I think everything else I’ve used have had synthetic edges.
I imagine this is what Greg and the other organizers envisioned when they came up with the idea of a sub-exclusive straight razor. Pulling in people who previously had no interest in straight razors and letting them discover what a good edge is all about.
This shave was easily amongst the best straight razors shaves I’ve had, and looking at my database this is my 97th straight razor shave. The only other razor that has felt this good is my Joseph Rogers & Sons with a 10k synthetic edge. I feel like that one feels smooth because of the softer metal (perhaps only because that makes it easier to hone?), while this one feels smooth because of nice edge on it. I’m certainly not experienced enough to pin the smoothness on the fact that it’s a JNAT edge, but I’m one step closer to enlightenment either way!
gcgallant@wetshav.ing 1 week ago
I’m glad you enjoyed the Jnat edge. I wish I could say that it is the magic of the stone, or the skill of the person doing the honing, but I honestly think that a razor’s geometry is the greatest contributor to the quality of shave that it provides. There are other factors, like steel quality, and care in creating a consistently uniform edge, but these are secondary IMHO.
I am (very) slowly doing a series on the “14” razor shape. I use a different finishing stone on 7 razors and evaluate the shave that I get. So far, I’ve done five razors and, while I can feel a difference in the edges, shaving closeness and comfort are almost identical. The constant in this is razor geometry.
I recall that the Moarteen was @djundjila’s idea. He contacted me, pitched the concept, and asked if I wanted to join as part of the organizing group. I thought it was a great idea then, and am really happy with how well the project has gone.