West Coast Shaving - Gatsby No. 1

Someone sent me a small sample of this soap to try and today was the first time I got to use it. I bowl lathered it using an Alpha T-400 brush with an Envy Shave Luxury Silvertip knot and shaved with a Gillete NEW short comb w/ Personna Red (Israel). The soap lathered very easily. My Turkish hand hammered copper tin-lined bowl was filled with lather. Nice sheen and soft peaks. For the shave it had tons of slickness as I noticed the razor just glide easily over my face without the slightest hint of friction. Cushion was good as I barely felt the razor on my face. I did get some weepers but attribute that to not having used the NEW in a very long time. And I haven't put the tungsten putty in the handle to weight it down a bit as I like a heavier handle. Post shave feel is really nice and moisturized. But what really got me, in a good way, is the scent. I have only found a couple soaps or creams that really draw me in. Stirling Barbershop is one. AOS Sandalwood is another. TOBS Grapefruit is another. Van Yulay Into The Woods is yet another. And WCS Gatsby No. 1 may very well be another to add to my very short list. I have 46 soaps and creams but these are the only ones that really make a real impression on me. To me scent is almost as important as performance and when I find a really good performing soap with an amazing scent, I just go bonkers. I have maybe two more shaves out of this sample but something tells me I may be ordering a full tub after the second shave.

PAA makes that line of soaps for WCS. I totally agree on scent being an important part of the experience. If I don't like the scent, I don't really want to shave with it that much regardless of performance. I have too many other soaps that are enjoyable in all aspects. I really like Stirling Barbershop too.

The Gatsby soap/splash set is a good deal ($32) at West Coast Shaving, and with free shipping right now.
https://www.westcoastshaving.com/product...ologne-set

I’m really intrigued by the scent, as the reviews have been so positive. However, the one negative seems to be a fairly glaring one — a few reviewers have expressed that the wonderful scent of the so-called “aftershave cologne” fades rather quickly. That’s a huge bummer when it’s such a pleasant scent…

(My experiences with other PAA-made aftershave colognes have been similar in the sense that where some stick around for the entire day, others fade rather quickly.)

PAA makes that line of soaps for WCS...

Interesting.

Well, it seems WCS has been out of stock of the Gatsby since before the New Year. I wrote to them and they said they planned on having some in stock either end of January or sometime in February. Since us wet shaving cuckoos have never been a patient bunch, I'm chomping at the bit to get a tub of this stuff ever since I ran out of the sample someone was kind enough to send me. I keep checking the WCS website and now they don't even show it as a product that is out of stock. It's just gone. I'm not too worried though since I believe it is their best selling WCS soap. So, here I sit, impatiently waiting for them to restock it. Writing this post is supposed to be therapy for me so I can feel like I've done something about it.

Well, here it is March and no sign of Gatsby on the WCS website. So i sent them an email and I received a quick response. They said that they are still out of stock and now they have no eta. So they went from having an original estimate of in later January or early February to no eta at all. I realize that they are probably at the mercy of PAA who makes the soap for them but that does't change the fact that I'm disappointed. Because I fell in love with the scent very quickly. And I see it being one of the few permanent members of my rotation. Well, future permanent. So, I pulled the trigger on a used tub of Castle Forbes Lime cream, about 85% used for less than half the price of a new tub and never brush loaded. Only scooped. Looking forward to that arriving. That will tide me over until WCS gets more Gatsby in stock. I wonder. Should I bother PAA and tell them to get their act in gear and mix up a batch of Gatsby? Nah. I'll give 'em some slack. They're a small artisan shop and they can only do what they can do. And when WCS does get it in stock I'll be buying two tubs. That should probably last me the rest of my life given my den of about 45 or 46 soaps and creams and my latest routine of shaving about 2 to 4 times a week.

Have you tried Stirling Baker Street? I find it, though different, in a similar vein as Gatsby. Actually, I like them together as well.

MntnMan62 Well, I'm pleased that this soap isn't available...or I would likely have ordered one. Your endorsement of the scent intrigued me.

I guess, like you, I'll placate my SAD with other soaps.

MntnMan62 Well, I'm pleased that this soap isn't available...or I would likely have ordered one.  Your endorsement of the scent intrigued me.

I guess, like you, I'll placate my SAD with other soaps.

I think that even after receiving the CF Lime, I'll have room for one more tub so I'll reserve it for the Gatsby. Then, I won't be buying any more soap or creams until I've finished something.

MntnMan62 Well, I'm pleased that this soap isn't available...or I would likely have ordered one.  Your endorsement of the scent intrigued me.

I guess, like you, I'll placate my SAD with other soaps.

I think that even after receiving the CF Lime, I'll have room for one more tub so I'll reserve it for the Gatsby. Then, I won't be buying any more soap or creams until I've finished something.

I’ve got a tub that I used once to lather test. Going to include it in a small lot at the end of the week.


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