gcgallant

ATM, I plan to visit my son in France in late spring or early summer. I have not been to your exact corner of the planet, so I would enjoy the chance to travel there and to meet.

Well, the appalachian mountains aren't as dramatic as the alps, but they have their own charm ... bears, reptiles, insects, etc. I hope to do a little hiking in Europe. My son has hiked the El Camino de Santiago and the GR10.

Everything is improved when you wear the Staaaaag :)

My father was a member of something called the Appalachian Trail Club. He would take me on hikes and to trail maintenance events when I was Djunior's age. I wasn't thrilled to come along at the time, but something stuck. By the time he reached the age I am now, I found ways to accompany him on a lot of short trail hikes.

November 17, 2024

• Brush: Wald Stratos Goldvein 29mm A1 Fan

• Blade Holder: Blackland Razors Blackbird Ti

• Blade: Personna Lab Blue (13)

• Lather: Saponificio Varesino - Opuntia - Soap

• Aftershave: Saponificio Varesino - Opuntia - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Creed - Aventus

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

The SV scents are so sophisticated I feel like an imposter using them. Very nice second luxury shave this evening.

It’s difficult to make a GEM + den portmanteau

"Discretion is the better part of valor"

November 17, 2024

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar

• Blade Holder: GEM Damaskeene CC (1912-1920)

• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (8)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Aftershave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

I'm takin' a ride with my Staaaag … There's really nothing like the Midnight Stag trifecta to start your day. I was getting some odd glances in the store while shopping for junk food for the Sunday afternoon games, but I felt more accepted by the forest wildlife on my morning hike.

@djundjila@sub.wetshaving.social is doing a run through all 14 generations of GEM razors. I only have 3 of them. This Damaskeene happens to be one that he doesn't have. I have the MMOC Gen2 and Flying Wing also. The EldrormR Industries MM24 that I own is still in production and doesn't factor into the 14 generations.

If I weren't so deep into the straight razor side of this hobby, I would collect more examples of these GEM razors. The design and execution of them is very well done, and the ones I have tried have been great shavers.

I'm the only one in the family who likes Stag. Using it is a great way to get some alone time :)

Yeah, I completely forgot that I volunteered to do this for @walden@sub.wetshaving.social. Thank you for the kind words on my SOTD photos. I get out of the habit of doing them when my schedule is packed. I'll try to get back into it in December.

I have had this document for a long time. I admit that I've mostly ignored it but found it very interesting reading. One thing I've tried:

Using just the weight of the blade, very very lighlty pull the razor about one or two millimeters in a direction parallel to the razor's edge [i.e. instead of edge leading or spine leading, move the razor slightly back and forth perpendicular to the stone.--JDR]. Don't move any further than that.

There's a video of Japanese sharpener who, I think, worked with Iwasaki doing this technique. I tried it; testing sharpness and doing microscope images before and after. I found that the edge cleaned up a little bit and became slightly keener. But I was at it for 10 minutes - well into the level of diminishing returns IMO. I made a video of this. Go to the 1hr mark (the video is far too long) and proceed from there.

I've just run through all of the GEMs I have (3) except for the Damaskeene. I can join you with that one.

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

• 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.