gcgallant
@gcgallant@wetshav.ing
- Comment on Monday SOTD Thread, January 5th, 2026 (#937) 3 days ago:
If you organize another buy, and if the tariff situation changes, Outback would probably be my choice.
Nice setup today! Bleu de Chanel (duped by Deep Blue Sea) is one of my favorites.
- Comment on Monday SOTD Thread, January 5th, 2026 (#937) 3 days ago:
The Genco razors are great in my experience. I have 3 of them - all good. If a razor tests well but doesn’t shave well, and if you were being conscious of technique (and have over 100 shaves ;-)), then it is almost always geometry.
To me, new Tabac just doesn’t have the soul of old Tabac, but I say that about many new-fangled things. I just bought Shulton Old Spice Cologne because it is the “real” stuff 🤣
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, December 31st, 2025 (#932) 1 week ago:
I taught myself to use a straight razor around 2010 and shaved that way for several months, but I wasn’t wetshaving. I glommed onto wetshaving in 2021 and joined the sub in 2022. After Lather Games ’22, I decided to go down the rabbit hole again. Both VisceralWatch and @djundjila were on their way at that time, so I joined in.
Wetshaving makes all the difference. This is the way.
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, December 31st, 2025 (#932) 1 week ago:
Happy New Year! It is 15 minutes away in Germany as I write this :)
- Comment on Tuesday SOTD Thread, December 30th, 2025 (#931) 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.
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, December 24th, 2025 (#925) 2 weeks ago:
I “ain’t no expert” (as we Americans say), but I think using a slant razor in the same way you use a standard one gives you the benefit of the “Gillette Slide” (slicing motion) without the need to actually slide across the face. Merry Christmas! Hope it is a good one for you.
- Comment on Free Talk Friday - December 19th, 2025 2 weeks ago:
Are there any delivery opportunities tomorrow? I assume that Sunday is an off-day.
- Comment on Thursday SOTD Thread, December 18th, 2025 (#919) 2 weeks ago:
That was my understanding about the Accuforge blades. I hope they are. The Lab Blue, is one of my favorites.
- Comment on Thursday SOTD Thread, December 18th, 2025 (#919) 3 weeks ago:
I just bought the Accuforge super stainless thinking they are the replacement to the Lab Blue. Haven’t tried one yet.
- Comment on Thursday SOTD Thread, December 18th, 2025 (#919) 3 weeks ago:
Stirling + a boar brush is my happy place
A totally dependable pairing
- Comment on Thursday SOTD Thread, December 18th, 2025 (#919) 3 weeks ago:
December 18, 2025
- Brush: Wald Nimbus Bloodline 27mm J3
- Razor: J.A. Henckels 50 9/16 Hollow Ground Square Point
- Lather: Wholly Kaw - Entropy Man - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
- Aftershave: Wholly Kaw - Entropy Man - Aftershave
- Fragrance: Wholly Kaw - Entropy Man - Eau de Toilette
- Talc: Yardley Classic
2 passes. Face lather. Good shave.
This was a test shave for the Jnat edge that I put on this Henckels 50. From testing, I know that the edge is very sharp and consistent on this razor, but my results were different than expected. I strongly suspect that I did not adapt to the 9/16 width properly, so I’ll try another test shave to form a better opinion on this edge.
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, November 14th, 2025 (#885) 1 month 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 month 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 month ago:
Not only that, these are famous stones for having exceptional quality!
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, November 14th, 2025 (#885) 1 month 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) 1 month 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) 1 month 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) 1 month 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) 1 month 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) 1 month 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) 1 month ago:
OK. Thanks! I have enough Personna GEM PFTE blades to last many years.
- Comment on Saturday SOTD Thread, November 8th, 2025 (#879) 1 month 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) 1 month ago:
Accuforge? Did they take over Personna?
- Comment on Saturday SOTD Thread, November 8th, 2025 (#879) 1 month 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) 1 month 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) 1 month 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) 2 months 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) 2 months 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) 2 months 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) 2 months 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.