This is a community of enthusiasts, hobbyists and artisans who enjoy a traditional wet shave: brush, soap, and safety or straight razor. We are a part of the WetShaving community found on Reddit, Discord, and IRC.
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November 16, 2024
Brush: AP Shave Co Lemondrop 28mm SynBad
Blade Holder: GEM Micromatic Flying Wing
Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (6)
Lather: Ariana & Evans - Peach & Cognac - Soap
Aftershave: Ariana & Evans - Peach & Cognac - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Like the Gillette NEW short comb, the Flying Wing is another example of a design that never needed changing. The mechanism that opens and closes the cap, and that clamps the blade is a thing of beauty.
the Flying Wing is another example of a design that never needed changing.
Speaking of designs that didn't need changing, I'm doing a run through the 14 generations of GEMs over the next 14 days, starting tomorrow, and will compare and contrast their designs. You're more than welcome to join, tomorrow is the 1912/Cadet/Junior/Damaskeene's turn
I've just run through all of the GEMs I have (3) except for the Damaskeene. I can join you with that one.
Perfect! I'm missing a Damaskeene in my DEM (GEN? It's difficult to make a GEM + den portmanteau.).
It’s difficult to make a GEM + den portmanteau
"Discretion is the better part of valor"
Saturday Night.
This was a late evening shave. I had yet again gotten to the point the scruff on my throat was irritating me to the point I wouldn't be able to sleep. I am constantly amazed at how well the budget friendly Omega Pro-48 Boar brush lathers. The Barrister's Reserve Fern isn't a soap I use often, but for late night shaves I tend to grab something pretty neutral smelling as to avoid angering my wife.
Omega 10048 might be my favorite brush so far. It just keeps getting better the more I use it.
I just wish the handle was nicer… so I transplanted my knot after AA 2023
Oh nice, I’ve considered doing the same
Nocturne ♥
I've bought and enjoyed the zing/BaM collaboration version early in my wetshaving journey before I stopped using zing products (with a few exceptions), and when Will brought Nocturne back as a full BaM I happily jumped on the opportunity. The difference between the two fragrances is pretty clear, with less smoke in the BaM version. I really dig it. The warm apple scent is much more front and centre, not entirely unlike Pomona. With international shipping prices being what they are, getting samples of things doesn't often make financial sense, so I'm delighted when a blind buy like this turns out exactly like I hoped.
After discussing TI steels with u/FireDragonMonkey I wanted to use my TI 14 today, and it's such a pleasant razor, despite all its battle scars. All the pitting is cosmetic and the edge is soft-feeling and smooth. It reminds me of the Wade and Butcher blade feel. Less loud than many other 14s, I suspect the grind it a bit thicker. I can't tell whether I prefer the newer high carbon C135 TI steel or the vintage steel they used to use. but both can clearly take a great edge (Although it takes me longer to sharpen the newer ones. I'm not sure if it holds the edge longer, but it would stand to reason)
I smell delicious.
Less smokey? That's my favorite part! I have the Zing version.
I love the zing version, and I was always a bit sceptical when I read Will's comments complaining about it being too smokey. What does he mean, this smells great!
Now I get it what he was going for, because the sweet warmth of the apples comes through so well here. It's really lovely, the kind of fall fragrance that smells delicious without being cloying. It's a corner of the equilateral Pomona-Autumn Ash-Nocturne triangle, and right down my alley. I love gourmand scents in cold weather, so no surprise there.
Saturday, November 16, 2024: FLS - First Luxury Legacy Shave
New razor day!
I recently got a great deal on this razor from a kind soul over on the Discord. Today was my first shave with it, and damn did it perform. Much more blade gap than I'm used to, but it was easy to find the right angle. I'm definitely glad I picked this up!
Stirling + boar gave an amazing lather, as always.
November 16, 2024
Brush: Elite Razor Neo-resinate 26mm Mother Lode
Blade Holder: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (7)
Lather: Ariana & Evans - Vanille de Tabac - Soap
Aftershave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Spiced - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
The MMOC is my favorite GEM razor. It just feels right to me.
November 16, 2024
Saturday, November 16, 2024: SLS - First GC Shave
My first shave with the GC .68 this evening didn't disappoint. I suspect this razor will replace my Rockwell 6C. It felt a lot nicer to shave with.
The Yaqi synthetic felt much nicer on my face than the last time I shaved with a synthetic. I think I just need to be more mindful of how much pressure I apply when using a synthetic brush.
Arkadia++++; Always a lovely scent.
I enjoyed this morning's Nocturne shave so much I had to partially repeat it. As predicted (and entirely unsurprisingly), Pomona is a great pairing for Nocturne.
Nocturne++;
I was disappointed that Pomona gave me frag burn, it's a wonderful fall scent!
Oh, that's a pity! Pomona smells so nice