gcgallant
@gcgallant@wetshav.ing
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, November 14th, 2025 (#885) 1 week ago:
The Escher company went out of business. To my knowledge, the Thuringian mountain ranges are not mined for stones any more, but material from those mountains is used to make some synthetic whetstones. (I’ve never seen these). The original stones are very desirable.
- Comment on Tuesday SOTD Thread, November 18th, 2025 (#889) 1 week ago:
With one shave on it I assume it’ll be pretty close to how it looked when fresh after stropping.
Yes, definitely. I don’t do it anymore, but I used to do a microscope inspection of each razor after I did a test shave. I’ve seen enough of how edges change from one test shave to have confidence that the edge is almost unaffected.
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, November 14th, 2025 (#885) 1 week ago:
Not only that, these are famous stones for having exceptional quality!
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, November 14th, 2025 (#885) 1 week ago:
November 14, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B44 28mm Boar
- Razor: Geneva Cutlery Co. Heavy 6/8 Hollow Ground Square Point
- Razor: Geneva Cutlery Co. Henry’s X 6/8” Hollow Ground Square Point
- Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Aftershave
3 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This was a test shave for edges from two Vermont slate stones; a mottled grey stone and a purple stone. The two Geneva Cutlery razors had the same geometry and steel and tested at the same level of keenness when they were sharpened. I found that the two edges were very similar, with the edge from the mottled grey stone having comfort similar to a Thuringian edge, while the one from the purple stone had more of an Arkansas edge feel to it.
The mottled grey stone takes a little more effort while sharpening because it is porous and requires hydration maintenance. The purple stone, like most razor finishers, is just splash-n-go.
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, November 12th, 2025 (#883) 2 weeks ago:
November 12, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
- Razor: Geneva Cutlery Co. Henry’s X 6/8” Hollow Ground Square Point
- Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Roman Spice - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
- Aftershave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Roman Spice - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Roman Spice is such an elegant scent. The aquatic component stood out for me today, but it doesn’t always. This one’s very clever by Shawn Maher.
- Comment on Tuesday SOTD Thread, November 11th, 2025 (#882) 2 weeks ago:
November 11, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B40 28mm Boar
- Razor: Gillette Aristocrat US (1948-1951)
- Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Stainless (Green) (4)
- Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Spiced - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
- Aftershave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Spiced - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
- Comment on Monday SOTD Thread, November 10th, 2025 (#881) 2 weeks ago:
I can’t unsee that typo
Hear! Hear! I know what you mean. I have a soap called “Doc Holiday” that is themed on the famous Doc Holliday who was best known as one of the gunfighters at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.
Like you, I can’t unsee this typo.
Edit: 15er;
- Comment on Monday SOTD Thread, November 10th, 2025 (#881) 2 weeks ago:
November 10, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B44 28mm Boar
- Razor: Geneva Cutlery Co. Henry’s X 6/8” Hollow Ground Square Point
- Lather: The Cajun Blade - Cuba Libre - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: The Cajun Blade - Cuba Libre Aftersauce - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
I was challenged to hone a razor with my left hand then to shave with it using my right hand. This was the right hand shave portion of the challenge. I just enjoy shaving. Doesn’t really matter which hand I use :)
- Comment on Sunday SOTD Thread, November 9th, 2025 (#880) 2 weeks ago:
November 9, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
- Razor: Feather AS-D2
- Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Stainless (Green) (3)
- Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Second Luxury Shave. I mixed the lime with the coconut.
- Comment on Saturday SOTD Thread, November 8th, 2025 (#879) 2 weeks ago:
OK. Thanks! I have enough Personna GEM PFTE blades to last many years.
- Comment on Saturday SOTD Thread, November 8th, 2025 (#879) 2 weeks ago:
November 8, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B44 28mm Boar
- Razor: Gillette Slim Aristocrat H4 (setting: 7)
- Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Stainless (Green) (2)
- Lather: Ariana & Evans - Daniele Maullu Legacy - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
- Aftershave: Ariana & Evans - Daniele Maullu Legacy - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Second Luxury Shave. Very relaxing.
- Comment on Saturday SOTD Thread, November 8th, 2025 (#879) 2 weeks ago:
Accuforge? Did they take over Personna?
- Comment on Saturday SOTD Thread, November 8th, 2025 (#879) 2 weeks ago:
November 8, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B40 28mm Boar
- Razor: Gillette President Y-2
- Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Stainless (Green) (1)
- Lather: Ariana & Evans - The Undersea - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Ariana & Evans - The Undersea - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
I’m continuing to enjoy BBS Novemboar. Almost done with my A&E soaps. I think Undersea is blended very well. It’s obviously aquatic but keeps me guessing while I use it.
Yesterday’s Gillette President was a restored model that was gold plated, but this one is an unrestored, vintage rhodium version. Even though I rarely pick up my DE razors these days, I enjoy them when I do use them.
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, November 7th, 2025 (#878) 2 weeks ago:
November 7, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
- Razor: Gillette President Y-2 (Revamp)
- Blade: Wilkinson Sword Black (10)
- Lather: Ariana & Evans - St. Barts - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
- Aftershave: E&S Rasage - Azur - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
I keep forgetting to post these, but this was a very nice second luxury shave. This revamped President is plated in gold. For some reason I really like it. The originals (I have one) were done in Rhodium. This model is pretty aggressive as a shaver. I like it a lot. (Obvious, I guess, since I have two of them.)
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, November 7th, 2025 (#878) 2 weeks ago:
November 7, 2025
- Brush: Zenith r/Wetshaving 31mm x 57mm Moar Boar
- Razor: J.A. Henckels 5/8 Hollow Ground Square Point
- Lather: Ariana & Evans - Peach & Cognac - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Ariana & Evans - Peach & Cognac - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This was a very successful test shave of the Butterscotch Arkansas edge on the carbon steel J.A. Henckels.
- Comment on Thursday SOTD Thread, November 6th, 2025 (#877) 3 weeks ago:
How could I say no to that?
Because there are generally consequences to saying no 😉
- Comment on Thursday SOTD Thread, November 6th, 2025 (#877) 3 weeks ago:
November 6, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
- Razor: Wolfman Razors WR2/WRH2
- Blade: Wilkinson Sword Black (8)
- Lather: Ariana & Evans - SoCal Hipster - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Ariana & Evans - SoCal Hipster - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
I haven’t used SoCal Hipster in a long time but I thoroughly enjoyed it today. I know that some people have issues with burning on some A&E fragrances, but I have never had issues. I’m fortunate in that regard.
The Wolfman is a work of machining art. This is my month for safety razors. I’m sure I will use this one again.
- Comment on Thursday SOTD Thread, November 6th, 2025 (#877) 3 weeks ago:
November 5, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B44 28mm Boar
- Razor: H.M. Christensen 5/8 Hollow Ground Round Point
- Lather: Barrister and Mann - Leviathan - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Leviathan - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Second Luxury Shave
I’m ending my run of BaM soaps with the mystical sea creature. Such a special dark, brooding scent. This was the second test shave of this razor.. After correcting the frown at the edge, which I did by freehanding the shaping of the blade, I analyzed the wear pattern and realized that the spine needed some wear to lower the bevel angle enough to allow for more even bevel wear. I did this on a 4K, then moved to a LV coticule, followed by the butterscotch Ark on oil then with ONR. Huge difference in the shave result. The edge now has much better feel.
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, November 5th, 2025 (#876) 3 weeks ago:
November 5, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B40 28mm Boar
- Razor: Blackland Razors Blackbird Ti
- Blade: Wilkinson Sword Black (7)
- Lather: Barrister and Mann - Sandalwood - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Sandalwood - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This is a wonderful Sandalwood scent imo, and I really enjoyed using the Blackbird. I listened to u/raymoonie’s podcast with Shane last night and was inspired.
- Comment on Tuesday SOTD Thread, November 4th, 2025 (#875) 3 weeks ago:
November 4, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
- Razor: H.M. Christensen 5/8 Hollow Ground Round Point
- Lather: Barrister and Mann - Vespers - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Vespers - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Second luxury shave.
This is definitely the season for Vespers. Great scent. Also, this was a test of an edge that was created on a new Translucent Arkansas. The shave was comfortable and close, but the edge did not wow me. This razor had a frown in it and I had to grind that out. I’m not sure if the repair left a wide bevel angle or if the stone has more to give. I’ll look into this tomorrow.
- Comment on Tuesday SOTD Thread, November 4th, 2025 (#875) 3 weeks ago:
November 4, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B44 28mm Boar
- Razor: Smart Helix Apollo (setting: 0.85 plate)
- Blade: Wilkinson Sword Black (6)
- Lather: Barrister and Mann - Amazelnut - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
- Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Leviathan - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
To me, this scent is always that of a hazelnut coffee with some cream. Love it. The Apollo (made in Ukraine) is a terrific DE razor. It’s stainless steel and has a long handle. I prefer a long handle, and really like the weight of this razor.