FWAaron

Agreed! I have 2 GEMS and several DEs and I use the GEMS at least half the time. I only like my Gillette Tech and Slim anywhere near as much.

February 5, 2026

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: AKA Brushworx w/ AP Shave Co 26mm Cashmere Fan
• Razor: GEM Junior
• Blade: GEM PTFE
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Haverford
• Post Shave: Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Gel Cream
• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Tobacco Vanille
• Whiskers: Jojoba/Argan w/Tea Tree Oil

Went with the real deal Tobacco Vanille with Haverford soap today. I don't use it much because I just have a small split and I have plenty of other fragrances but dang it's good!

Tub loaded, face lather. Overall the G-Bar is my favorite razor because I just like how it feels in the hand and it's just a good form factor, but the Junior is a nice efficient shaver.

February 4, 2026

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Ca Yuen Workshop w/ Maggard 26mm boar
• Razor: GEM G-Bar
• Blade: GEM PTFE
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Haverford
• Post Shave: Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Gel Cream
• Fragrance: Parfums de Marley - Layton (DUPE)
• Whiskers: Jojoba/Argan w/Tea Tree Oil

Loaded from the tub today as boar brushes a very absorbent and to get enough soap loaded I've found tub loading is the way to go. It seems a lot of folks soak their brush before lathering and I prefer to just get it nice and wet under the faucet, especially with this brush. I find soaking it sometimes introduces too much water into the mix off th bat even if I squeeze out the excess. This is what I prefer to do with badger as well.

This fragrance smells really nice. I've tested authentic Layton in the store as well and it's something I want to get the next time I decide to spend money on designer fragrance but even this cheap dupe smells fantastic.

February 3, 2026

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: AKA Brushworx w/ AP Shave Co 26 mm Synbad Bulb
• Razor: GEM G-Bar
• Blade: GEM PTFE
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. - Rougére
• Post Shave: Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Gel Cream
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Rose Santal
• Whiskers: Jojoba/Argan w/Tea Tree Oil

Rose theme today scentwise. I've had this soap for a while, it's actually on the old Chicago grooming base, not the new one, and use it sparingly cause I never saw it available after I bought it. But - I saw that it was available recently in the new base (sold out currently). Hoping it's available again soon and I can grab some. Scooped so as to use as little as needed, into the Captain's Choice bowl and loaded and lathered in the bowl.

February 2, 2026

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: AKA Brushworx w/ AP Shave Co 26mm Cashmere Fan
• Razor: Gillette tech
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Haverford
• Post Shave: Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Gel Cream
• Fragrance: Etat Libre D'Orange - Exit the King
• Whiskers: Jojoba/Argan w/Tea Tree Oil

Tub loaded and bowl lathered today with the Captain's Choice metal bowl. 2 pass WTG, ATG.

Yes, I bought it very shortly after it came back. It smells the same to me. If I understand the situation correctly, it's supposedly from the same producer, but a different wholesaler? I've seen some people mention they think it seems weaker now and I don't think so, mine seems fine strength wise.

Thanks for linking to WSDB. I haven't posted SOTDs since trythatsoap was a thing and was wondering if there was a tool like that around.

February 1, 2026

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Badlands Shaving Co. W/ AP Shave Co G5C 26mm
• Razor: GEM G-Bar
• Blade: GEM PTFE
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Haverford
• Post Shave: Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Gel Cream
• Fragrance: Tokyomilk Bulletproof
• Whiskers: Jojoba/Argan w/Tea Tree Oil

Tub loaded and face lathered today. The G5C feels pretty nice for face lathering. Been quite a while since I posted a SOTD. Wetshaving was only on Reddit then.

Sup nerds. I just joined this community or whatever you call them on Lemmy.

2026 is a shitshow. So I'm trying to make myself do stuff that is fulfilling and not draining, not be a recluse, and also use less corporate social media (and corporate goods and services in general). So anyway hello.