gcgallant
@gcgallant@sub.wetshaving.social
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, July 16th, 2025 (#764) 23 minutes ago:
That’s certainly one strategy to which Nash could be applied 😉
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, July 16th, 2025 (#764) 2 hours ago:
That’s a conundrum, but as your formal education is similar to mine, I’ll suggest that your decision can include risk analysis; where you trade benefits of use against the likelihood and consequence of loss 😀
- Comment on Tuesday SOTD Thread, July 15th, 2025 (#763) 19 hours ago:
July 15, 2025
- Brush: Wild West Brushworks Blue Space 26mm Cashmere
- Razor: Shumate Razor 4/8 Hollow Ground Round Point
- Lather: Summer Break Soaps - Daydream - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Summer Break Soaps - Daydream - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This was a shave test for a new edge on this Shumate 4/8 razor. I think the edge is just fine so I’ll be shipping this razor to its owner.
I purchased Daydream with a gift card that was given to me for winning the Friend of the Sub prize. Thank you again for this award. I’m honored to have this title. I have wanted Daydream for quite a while and am very happy to have it now.
- Comment on Sunday SOTD Thread, July 13th, 2025 (#761) 2 days ago:
July 13, 2025
- Brush: Simpsons Chubby 2 Jade 27mm HMW
- Razor: U-No 9/16" Hollow Ground Square Point
- Razor: Max Hessmer 5/8" Hollow Ground Round Point
- Lather: PannaCrema - Nuàvia Verde - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: PannaCrema - Nuàvia Verde - Balm
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Very close comfortable shave with two razors that will ship tomorrow. A U-No 9/16, and a Max Hessmer 5/8.
Nuàvia Verde is a wonderful fresh, bright, citrusy scent. Seems very Italian to me. Perfect for a hot summer day.
- Comment on Saturday SOTD Thread, July 12th, 2025 (#760) 3 days ago:
Shaving with a straight isn’t much like riding a bike
Give it some time 🙂 After a DE shave, my skin feels slightly raw on application of a splash. I don’t get this after a shave with a straight razor. Neither type of razor gives me irritation.
- Comment on Saturday SOTD Thread, July 12th, 2025 (#760) 3 days ago:
July 12, 2025
- Brush: Brad Sears Scotsman XL 28mm Super Badger
- Razor: ERN 7/8 Full Hollow Round Point
- Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Mountain Man - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
- Aftershave: Stirling Soap Co. - Mountain Man - Aftershave
- Fragrance: Creed - Silver Mountain Water
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
The Stirling Mountain Man/Creed Silver Mountain Water combo was perfect for a hot and humid day here in Maryland. Todays shave was a test of my first edge from my new Olympus Stone. The stone provided an excellent quality edge overall. It felt to me very much like an edge from a dense Black Arkansas stone, though the makeup and feel of these two stones is very different. I look forward to much more experience with this Olympus Stone.
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, July 11th, 2025 (#759) 4 days ago:
July 11, 2025
- Brush: Wald Flare “Viola” - Lapis Colorway - 28mm A1
- Razor: Dovo Facharbeit 6/8" Full Hollow Square Point
- Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Roman Spice - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
- Aftershave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Roman Spice - Aftershave
- Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Roman Spice - Eau de Toilette
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Even though it is a fougère Friday, I was in the mood for the refreshing scent of Roman Spice. This was a very quick shave, but totally enjoyable.
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, July 11th, 2025 (#759) 5 days ago:
Chris let me sniff the Crangère and Legenberry fragrances at the Maggard Meetup. I preferred Legenberry. I mentioned that I wasn’t getting much cranberry from Crangère. Chris thought that was because I was expecting more of a candied cranberry. That might be true. My recollection of large swampy bogs of cranberries in Massachusetts is more bog than berry.
- Comment on Thursday SOTD Thread, July 10th, 2025 (#758) 5 days ago:
July 10, 2025
- Brush: AP Shave Co Lemondrop 28mm SynBad
- Razor: Parker 510 13/16" Square Point Full Hollow
- Lather: Wholly Kaw - Hiatus - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Wholly Kaw - Hiatus - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Hiatus is one of my favorite summer scents. Very enjoyable shave today!
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, July 9th, 2025 (#757) 1 week ago:
July 9, 2025
- Brush: Wild West Brushworks Blue Space 26mm Cashmere
- Razor: Dovo Bismarck 6/8" Full Hollow Round Point
- Lather: Elysian Soap Shop - Olympus - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Elysian Soap Shop - Olympus - Aftershave
- Fragrance: Elysian Soap Shop - Olympus - Eau de Parfum
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Very close comfortable shave today. Olympus is one of those scents that I like a lot, know the scent notes, but have no idea what I’m smelling.
- Comment on Sunday SOTD Thread, July 6th, 2025 (#754) 1 week ago:
I’m making my home-grown one even more complicated. I like the features you picked for yours.
- Comment on Monday SOTD Thread, July 7th, 2025 (#755) 1 week ago:
July 7, 2025
- Brush: Wald Nimbus Chryselephantine 29mm A1 Fan
- Razor: Dubl Duck Pearl Duck 6/8 Full Hollow
- Lather: Subtle Art Soap Co. - Maple Bourbon - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Elysian Soap Shop - El Dorado - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This is another new coticule edge. Like yesterday’s it is very comfortable and the result is very close. Unlike with Jnats, I always feel as if a coticule has more keenness that it can give. In my experience, I have yet to find one that does.
- Comment on Sunday SOTD Thread, July 6th, 2025 (#754) 1 week ago:
I have my own, too complicated Excel system that I use, but I looked at your SDS and am very impressed. Great stuff my friend!
- Comment on Sunday SOTD Thread, July 6th, 2025 (#754) 1 week ago:
July 6, 2025
- Brush: Muninn Woodworks w/AP Shave Co 24mm Titanium Synthetic
- Razor: Wacker Jungmeister 6/8 Half Hollow Round Point
- Lather: The Cajun Blade - Bon Temps Barbershop - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Stirling Soap Co. - I, Rich Moose - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Very close shave with this Wacker that is new to me. I put a very comfortable coticule edge on it.
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, July 4th, 2025 (#752) 1 week ago:
It’s a thicc scent and I like it
Sounds perfect for the colder months :)
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, July 4th, 2025 (#752) 1 week ago:
July 4, 2025
- Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts with Declaration Grooming B10
- Razor: Geneva Cutlery Co. 6/8" Hollow Ground Round 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.
Wonderful Independence Day shave today!
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, July 2nd, 2025 (#750) 1 week ago:
Definitely! I play my own game that is not particularly focused on points.
- Comment on Thursday SOTD Thread, July 3rd, 2025 (#751) 1 week ago:
July 3, 2025
- Brush: Wild West Brushworks Deep Pearl 26mm Sweet Spot Badger
- Razor: Koraat 6/8" Full Hollow
- Lather: Elysian Soap Shop - Atlantis Blue - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Elysian Soap Shop - Atlantis Blue - Aftershave
- Fragrance: Elysian Soap Shop - Atlantis Blue - Eau de Parfum
- Talc: Yardley Classic
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Very nice shave with my newly acquired Atlantis Blue soap, splash, and EdP. This was purchased as part of a pre-order, but I did not think there was much risk. The scent is a fresh aquatic and perfect (IMO) for a hot summer day. This soap has a new soap base called Cashmere. I found it quite nice, especially for straight razor shaving.
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, July 2nd, 2025 (#750) 1 week ago:
I’ll need to adjust the beer intake from the usual level to an appropriate one
The sacrifices we make for our families!🙄
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, July 2nd, 2025 (#750) 1 week ago:
July 2, 2025
- Brush: Simpsons Chubby 2 Jade 27mm HMW
- Razor: Thiers Issard Évidé Sonnant 6/8" Extra Hollow
- Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
- Aftershave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
- Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Great shave with the Midnight Stag. I’m definitely thinking of using this one for all 31 days of Austere August.
- Comment on Monday SOTD Thread, June 30th, 2025 (#748) 2 weeks ago:
Cerberus and Black Watch. You really can’t do better than this! 🥂
- Comment on Monday SOTD Thread, June 30th, 2025 (#748) 2 weeks ago:
👍
- Comment on Monday SOTD Thread, June 30th, 2025 (#748) 2 weeks ago:
Thank you!
- Comment on Monday SOTD Thread, June 30th, 2025 (#748) 2 weeks ago:
June 30, 2025
- Brush: Wolfman WRB2 Bronze w/AP Shave Co MiG 26mm Premium Hybrid
- Razor: GEM MMOC Gen2
- Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (2)
- Lather: Gentleman’s Nod - Zaharoff Signature Rosé - Soap
- Post Shave: Gentleman’s Nod - Zaharoff Signature Rosé - Aftershave
- Post Shave: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
- Fragrance: Zaharoff - Signature Rosé - Eau de Parfum
- Talc: Yardley Gold
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
I’m taking my victory lap with a full-on luxury shave. I don’t really have a favorite soap, but I have soaps that fit different moods. The scent of this one is sophisticated, and most suited to a formal night out, but I think of using it for special occasions. As this is a special occasion, the soap seemed fitting.
As for what makes the setup special. The Zaharoff Rosé EdP and GN aftershave with that fragrance simply complete the trifecta. If you use the soap, it is hard to imagine a luxury shave without these.
The Wolfman brush with the MiG knot continues with the luxury theme. The handle is machined bronze, and the knot is the closest in feel to a plush badger knot that I have experienced from a synthetic.
These days, the vast majority of my shaves are with straight razors. I use more safety razors in June and November and I wanted to end the Lather Games with a safety razor shave. The MMOC is special in this regard. It has a dangerous reputation, but for me, it was love at first use. Becoming a MMOC Whisperer in Austere August of 2022 was a pleasure, not a challenge. Using it today felt like a good way to take a victory lap.
Thanks to the judges for all their work. I enjoyed the enthusiasm of this year’s participants; especially the first-timers.
Until next year!
- Comment on Sunday SOTD Thread, June 29th, 2025 (#747) 2 weeks ago:
June 29, 2025
- Brush: Chisel & Hound Classic 26mm V23 Fanchurian
- Razor: Geneva Cutlery Co. 6/8" Hollow Ground Round Point
- Lather: The Cajun Blade - Cuba Libre - Soap
- Post Shave: The Cajun Blade - Cuba Libre Aftersauce - Aftershave
- Post Shave: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
I’m toasting the Lather Games on its penultimate day with a Cuba Libre; a new soap (released early this month) from The Cajun Blade. The soap captures the essence of the Cuba Libre drink pretty well I think. The cola, rum, and lime are blended well, but the notes are noticeable. The “Aftersauce” provides more of the lime note and has a bit of menthol, providing the sensation of a drink over ice.
- Comment on Saturday SOTD Thread, June 28th, 2025 (#746) 2 weeks ago:
June 28, 2025
- Brush: Oumo Compass Bonfire 27mm Emperor-2
- Razor: Gillette NEW SC
- Blade: Gillette Nacet (4)
- Lather: Mammoth Barrister - Cup of Joe and a Smoke - Soap
- Post Shave: Elysian Soap Shop - Cherie Tobacco - Aftershave
- Post Shave: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
2 passes. Bowl lather. Excellent shave.
Today I mixed Barrister and Mann Amazelnut with House of Mammoth Tobcconist. Coffee and tobacco are a time-honored pairing. This was certainly true when I was young and continues today. The Amazelnut fragrance notes do not have a coffee accord, but the scent reminds me of a mug of coffee with cream and a touch of hazelnut syrup added. That slightly sweet coffee aroma would pair nicely (imo) with an aromatic tobacco. Tobacconist has that cedar and stone fruit aroma that you can get as tasting notes in a cigar like a white-label Davidoff. Cherie Tobacco has a pure pipe tobacco vibe. It wasn’t the best match for the scent of the soap. Leviathan would have been better in retrospect. Overall, I thought this was a successful Frankensoap.
I took the quiz while doing something else, intending to multi-task. I did miserably because I did not notice there was a timer going. My score was 17%.
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, June 27th, 2025 (#745) 2 weeks ago:
June 27, 2025
- Brush: Chisel & Hound Lost Nativ 26mm Fanchurian V13
- Razor: Gillette Super Adjustable 109 (Black Beauty) Gold O-4 (setting: 6)
- Blade: Gillette Nacet (3)
- Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap
- Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave
- Post Shave: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Margaritas in the Arctic uses menthol as its cooling agent. Very refreshing for a hot summer’s day.
I chose to lather with a bottle of Fiji Water. My choices were Fiji Water or Saratoga Springs Still water. The blue of the Saratoga bottle doesn’t fit with the color scheme and Fiji sounds much more exotic, so Fiji Water must be better. Right?
Anyway, I used Fiji Water for soaking the brush, dipping the brush (to hydrate the lather), wetting the face, and rinsing the face before, during, and after the shave. The lather experience using the Fiji water was much … the same as with tap water. I could not tell any difference in between Fiji Water and tap water for shaving. I don’t drink my tap water, though.
- Comment on Thursday SOTD Thread, June 26th, 2025 (#744) 2 weeks ago:
June 26, 2025
- Brush: Thäter Faux Ivory 29mm 2-band Silvertip
- Razor: Tanifuji Spalding 0411 6/8" Full Hollow
- Lather: Shulton - Old Spice - Soap
- Post Shave: Shulton - Old Spice - Aftershave
- Post Shave: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Talc: Yardley Gold
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
I can’t think of a better choice for The Spice Is Right than Shulton Old Spice because the spice is right. This is the way.
Today’s shave was great, and also efficient. For a straight shave, some might say it was rapid. Therefore, a song to accompany this shave is Rapid Shave by David Burns. I think u/VisceralWatch might agree.
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, June 25th, 2025 (#743) 2 weeks ago:
June 25, 2025
- Brush: Muninn Woodworks w/AP Shave Co 24mm Titanium Synthetic
- Razor: Wolfman Razors WR2/WRH2
- Blade: Gillette Nacet (2)
- Lather: Austrialian Private Reserve - Raconteur - Soap
- Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - I, Rich Moose - Aftershave
- Post Shave: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
I received this smush of Raconteur from u/_walden_. He sent it to me, and to others, for use in our May 21 Buena Vista Wetshaving Social Club (BVWSC) shave. The BVWSC has been a lot of fun and a great way for us all to share our soap collections. I really like the Raconteur fragrance. This would be a good one for someone to “reinvent”.
As for a scent I’d like made (besides Raconteur). I’d like a “Boat Drinks” scent that captures my experience of that event. Stirling’s Boat Drinks, while a very enjoyable scent, is a complete miss for me. I was almost born on a sailboat and have sailed, on and off, for most of my life. This has all been salt water sailing; either on the Chesapeake Bay or from ports along the east coast of the US. My memories of cocktails after the end of a long day sailing (boat drinks) contain a vastly different mix of scents than those captured in Stirling’s effort.
$discord
- Comment on Tuesday SOTD Thread, June 24th, 2025 (#742) 3 weeks ago:
June 24, 2025
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Brush: Wald Stratos Haunter 29mm A1
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Razor: Koraat 14-2.0 8/8" Full Hollow
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Lather: Pasteur|Master Soap Creations - Bloom - Soap
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Post Shave: Pasteur|Master Soap Creations - Bloom - Aftershave
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Post Shave: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
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Fragrance: Tom Ford - Black Orchid - Eau de Parfum
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Talc: Yardley Classic
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This soap has no scent at all – unless you smell it. If you do that, it is a pretty faithful dupe of Tom Ford Black Orchid. There is a woodiness and dark earthiness to this scent that makes it pretty compelling. I should use it more.
I started into wetshaving at the very end of the base wars so this is not a question I can answer from long experience. I did try some of precursors to the current set of soap bases from BaM, Wholly Kaw, Spearhead, and others, but I don’t pine for any of them. My attitude is that I’ll find a way to make any soap base work for me.
That said, I’m certain that when my “old” Tabac runs out, I will miss that base the most. It is wonderful and I find it hard to believe that the new one measures up.
As for my favorite soap base. I can’t list a favorite, but I do have a list of top-tier bases, each of which brings something special to the shave. Most of these are regularly used here on the sub but two really stand out; the base used in Eufros and the base used in Faena The Taurus. The latter is very unique. They don’t have a name for it, but I’m happy to bore you with a description of changes made to their, already good, base:
“The addition of water buffalo milk from Northern Greece gently melds with the renowned Greek goat yoghurt to become the central piece of this new formula. They combine to improve the cleansing and nourishment factors. The addition of organic shea butter and peach kernel oil enhance the conditioning properties and the gliding of the new formula. Aloe vera and home crafted St. John’s wort oil tame the end-result to eliminate skin irritation.”
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