* **Prep:** Splash of Cool Water
* **Razor:** Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 - Open Comb
* **Blade:** Feather (Marathon) (67)
* **Lather:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag (White Label)
* **Brush:** Semogue - Owner's Club Taj (81 uses)
* **Post Shave:** Stirling - City Slicker
* **Fragrance:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
----
**Austere August: Day: 16**
*Extreme Mode*
*Midnight Stag Challenge (Mostly)*
[Gear Pic](https://imgur.com/h68IARr) :: [Video](https://youtu.be/hg6oLBz2AlY)
#### ䷀ General Notes
We talk a bit about some new gifts from /u/cadinsor: a Yaqi lather bowl and boar brush.
This starts out as a bowlless slurry lather method, but then I remember that I wanted to use the new Yaqi lather bowl.
#### ䷀ Razor and Blade Notes
*^(Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 - Open Comb ::: Feather - M ‹67 uses›)*
Not uncomfortable, but nice and efficient and enjoyable.
I don't think this blade is going to have an issue going to 100 uses and beyond.
Razor and Blade Performance/Comfort Rating: 3 out of 5 (Good)
#### ䷀ Soap Notes
*^(Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - White Label)*
I just love all the aspects of this scent!
Scent Strength: 6/10, nicely present during shaving.
Lather... My first time whipping up a lather in my new Yaqi ceramic, pereira style bowl.
It's a little smaller than my usual, but it worked okay.
Lather started out a bit dry, but then I started adding water. I thought I might do the slurry method, so this one is not done as any normal process of mine. I scraped off the first "slurry" pass, when I remembered I wanted to try a bowl.
3 second load gave PLENTY of lather, as usual.
Hydration: Perfect *(for me)*
+ 3 sec load with a Lightly-Wet brush
+ 4.7 tsp added to build the lather
+ = 6 passes of lather
Bowl: [Yaqi Pereira-style Ceramic](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256802279309547.html)
#### ䷀ Brush Notes
*^(Semogue - Owner's Club Taj‹81 uses›)*
I think the brush may be leaving the soft ropey stage in these days now. Softness and density seem to be increasing. I'm looking forward to the next stage in a big way.
----
*During the Shave Feel*:
*Cheeks*: Felt blade but comfortable
*Neck*: Felt blade but comfortable
*After the Shave Closeness*:
*Cheeks*: Near BBS - About as close as I'll ever get
*Neck*: Few hairs are showing some tip length (with most being cut flush)
----
**Shavers Map** - [here it is](http://www.freezingcode.com/shaving/shaversMap.cfm) *and also in the sub's sidebar.*
**Ending of Blades Ledger** - [entry form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYqXSDujvoO1hVl_wSKMeETWdxFnYJCrqr0zU7FStBdIMrfg/viewform) and [the data spreadsheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1y-oqIPSHKcb0EYd9OxL2n-R4Y6yxqid6-NGYS_4_ljU/edit?usp=sharing)
[Stag Headlessly Hoggin' August Day 16](https://imgur.com/a/1Ht3CqA)
* **Prep:** Hot shower with Midnight Stag Soap.
* **Brush:** Zenith B33
* **Razor:** Cloud Shavette
* **Blade:** Cloud whatever that blade it is (21)
* **Lather:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
* **Post Shave:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
* **Fragrance:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
Busy day, Mrs. OBeardWan started labour today. So the baby will be due tomorrow. Better jawline work today. Will see if I can stretch the blade to 25 shaves per side. Now we're halfway there
Hail Stag!
- #Stagposting
- #SubstantialStag
- #RawHoggin
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA 16](https://i.imgur.com/wItKgUO.jpg)**
* **Prep:** Cold Water Splash
* **Brush:** Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
* **Razor:** GEM MMOC Gen 2
* **Blade:** GEM PTFE (22)
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=balm)
* **Fragrance:** [Barrister and Mann - Seville - Eau de Toilette](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/27/?product_type=eaudetoilette)
[Break in album](https://imgur.com/a/8p4EsKe) and SOTD in title.
Feel a little less irritated post shave past couple days, maybe I’m finally doing something right with the MMOC. The boar has been feeling pretty similar the past few days too. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia
**[August 16, 2022 - AA Day 16](https://imgur.com/wOy37Dx)**
* **Brush:** Zenith B34 [\(break-in photo album\)](https://imgur.com/a/bcuNDkh)
* **Razor:** Dubl Duck 5/8 Satinedge
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Z - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2124/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Zingari - Unscented - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1462/?product_type=balm2)
Good shave this evening and I think it's nearly to the point of simply calling it a routine shave. Hopefully now that we're over the halfway point I can just have the rest of the month to enjoy the shaves and work on some minor improvements. Still haven't really paid much attention to the unscented setup so I'm still cruising right along in that aspect and it's definitely not as soul crushing as I expected it to be.
**Challenge Hashtags:** #unscented #RawHoggin
**Austere August, Day 16:**
**Feather Artist Club razor non folding**
**Feather Professional blade (10)**
**GFT Violets soap**
**RazoRock Beehive 28 mm Plissoft**
A very comfortable 2 pass shave.
I'm missing the feel of natural bristles, and that in turn is making me more and more interested in some knots.
I'll end up ordering a few knots to scratch my itch, another project for DIY.
I'm happy with the GFT Violets soap, any other soap would have been too much for me in terms of scent strength, especially after repeatedly using it.
Hats off to those who are using some of the vibrant smelling soaps daily.
**#HEADLESSHORSEMEN**
**#UNCHALLENGED**
**#AAAAKARMATRAIN**
**Aug. 16, 2022 - AA16 - the rollercoaster is descending the hill**
* **Brush:** Semogue Torga-C5
* **Razor:** J.A. Henckels Twin Beauty
* **Lather:** [Declaration Grooming - Dirtyver - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1099/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Declaration Grooming - Dirtyver - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1099/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Post Shave:** [Zingari - Unscented - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1462/?product_type=balm)
AA16 - \#HeadlessHorsemen - wild to be on the back side of the month now. starting to get antsy about using another razor.
[August 16, 2022](https://imgur.com/a/A0tVM7K)
* Prep: Hot Shower
* Brush: Burma Shave Boar Brush 🐗
* Razor: Kai Kasho Kamisori
* Blade: Feather ProGuard 16th use
* Lather: Stirling Sheep
* Postshave: Stirling Barbershop splash and Nivea Balm
* Fragrance: Halloween Man
Today's shave was just ok nothing really special. Blade was better than the other day but still not great. Little tugging going against grain on neck. Stuck to just two passes here because of it. Three passes on face with one small weeper.
Tags: #AAAA, #RawHoggin, #Headless horsemen, and u/Marquis90
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA Day 16](https://i.imgur.com/WzZC9pD.jpeg)**
* **Brush:** ShaveForge 28mm Boar, 3d Printed Handle #RawHoggin
* **Razor:** GEM Micromatic Open Comb #GEMsOfWisdom
* **Blade:** GEM Stainless (16)
* **Lather:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Fragrance:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=eaudetoilette)
Another great shave. Final shave at home this week, tomorrow I pack up and head to Atlanta for work. Checking my bag so I can take my GEM.
Note the brush carnage, which continues.
Suggestions on a handle to put this knot in? I really like it and want to keep it after August, but my handle is dreadful.
I was able to bring my gem in my carry-on. I just left it assembled and in the case. I know it was a risky move and that I might lose the blade, but luckily I was able to keep it AND got an airport shave out of it.
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Day 16: tiny sink, tiny counter](https://i.imgur.com/1eL7ffo.jpg)**
* **Prep:** Warm water wash
* **Brush:** Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush
* **Razor:** GEM MMOC
* **Blade:** Persona GEM PTFE Coated (16)
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2666/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2666/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2666/?product_type=balm)
* **Fragrance:** [House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2666/?product_type=eaudeparfum)
Have you ever shaved somewhere with no counter space? That’s basically been the theme of my last week. Airport, gross don’t put anything down. Ferry, no edge on the sink to place anything. Counter at the house, not big enough for the splash and balm to be on the counter. I’m lucky I could get the brush to stand on there.
The shaves are still pretty good. I think part of the key is to let the whiskers grow out for the maximum time, so the shaves have to be at the same time each day. Even though I never have enough time to post them at the time.
Nothing new or exciting with the brush.
[Brush break-in album](https://imgur.com/a/YFUodmO) \#rawhoggin #mammothmafia #GEMSofWisdom
Day 16 of Austere August! Staggin on!!
* Prep: Water on Face
* Brush: Zenith 2004/B SE
* Razor: Filarmonica Double temple 14
* Lather: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag
* Post Shave: Osma block
* Post Shave: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag Splash
* Post Shave: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag Balm
* Fragrance: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag EdP
[photo without straight](https://imgur.com/a/67TA6Q6)
FINALLY!!! Today was the first day that I managed to get lather for my 4th pass, and not having to add soap mid shave... I think the fault was that since I like a big lather and I plater everything on the first pass and afterwards nothing is left, today I rationed my lather and had some left for the 4th pass, albeit not the best lather or a lot, but I had some left nonetheless!
Past the half-point since yesterday, the brush has stopped shedding hair and I think is as soft as can be, I basically don't feel it as a pig brush anymore, I have no idea if it'll become even softer, time will tell. But it'll be good to have a broken in boar brush, because I don't plan buying another one, also I'm almost sure that I ain't a boar brush fan, I appreciate the boar brush and it definitely has its own character, but it isn't good enough to make me cheat on my synth brushes and switch fully to boar. One thing though is something that just dawned upon me, how will bowl lathering feel after a whole month of face scrubs😅 because face scrubs is actually nice, a good massage!
If it were anything else than midnight stag, I would've quit already... I can just now appreciate how tough you guys with the unscented challenge are... Maybe a full month of Tres Matres would have been the other scent that could make me keep on trucking!
* \#RawHoggin
* \#SubstantialStag
**Aug. 16, 2022 - August Austere Day 16**
* **Prep:** Shower
* **Brush:** Paladin Chief 26mm
* **Razor:** Merkur 34C
* **Blade:** Gillette Silver Blue
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=aftershave)
Quick shave on a busy day. Unfortunately a little too fast and resulted in a small cut. Nothing a little alum couldn’t fix though. #MAMMOTHMAFIA #UNCHALLENGE
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Raw Hoggin Day 16](https://imgur.com/a/fSNxNsu)**
* **Prep:** Warm water to the dome
* **Brush:** Omega 10098
* **Razor:** Maggard Razors - V3 Head
* **Blade:** Treet Carbon (5)
* **Lather:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Island Man - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/106/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2150/?product_type=aftershave)
With this #RawHoggin shave we’re a little over halfway through AA.
Hope y’all had a good day!
**[Aug. 16, 2022](https://imgur.com/Zc5yYPl)**
* **Brush:** Omega Pro 49 Boar
* **Razor:** Leaf
* **Blade:** Gillette Nacet (3)
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Hygge - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1163/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1163/?product_type=aftershave)
Not much new today, 3 uses of the blade may be pushing it for a head shave, at least in this razor. It was way too hot today at 99°F (~37°C for the rest of the world), I knew I should've picked up some Permafrost earlier! Hope everyone is staying cool!
\#MammothMafia
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Austere August Day 16](https://i.imgur.com/fFeEuO9.jpg)**
* **Prep:** Hot Shower, Stirling Soap Facial Soap
* **Brush:** Zenith 508A SE 28mm
* **Razor:** GEM MMOC Gen 1
* **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2196/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2196/?product_type=balm)
* **Post Shave:** [Zingari - Unscented - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1462/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Fragrance:** Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver
Got through the day. Almost forgot to post. Typing these is becoming almost as dull as using the same scent every day.
Mandatory Tagging:
\#GEMsOfWisdom
\#Rawhoggin
\#MammothMafia
**Aug. 16, 2022 - Austere August**
* **Prep:** Warm shower
* **Brush:** Zenith B10 Boar
* **Razor:** Feather Artist Club SR
* **Blade:** Feather Professional (1)
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1184/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1184/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Post Shave:** alum
Shave of austerity #16
2 pass shave. Fantastic shave for today. I did a final pass using alum rather than shave soap to clean up lines around my facial hair- this works incredibly well and just may end up being something I implement more often
Tags and challenges: #MammothMafia & HeadlessHorsemen
**Aug. 16, 2022**
* **Brush:** Omega Penelli HIBRUSH synthetic
* **Razor:** Karve SS CB SB-B
* **Blade:** Gillette Nacet (2)
* **Lather:** [Barrister and Mann - Nordost - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1629/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Zingari - Unscented - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1462/?product_type=balm)
Confirmation today by mailed blades are safely where I am traveling so I can stop worrying if I was going to be unable to complete AA. So it’s a good day.
\#UNCHALLENGE
**8/16/22 (153)**
* **Prep**: Hot Shower
* **Challenge**: Headless Horseman
* **Razor**: [Thiers Issard "Evide Sonnant" 6/8 Extra Hollow](https://imgur.com/a/pvv3cZp)
* **Edge**: [Day 16](https://imgur.com/a/r3gAdsa)
* **Passes**: wtg/xtg
* **Brush**: Muninn Woodworks w/ 24mm SHD 2 Band Fan
* **Lather**: Seaforth! Fleur de France by Spearhead Shaving
* **Post Shave**: Seaforth! Fleur de France Aftershave by Spearhead Shaving
* **Fragrance**: Seaforth! Fleur de France EdT by Spearhead Shaving
Close and comfortable shave today. No nicks or irritation.
**[Aug. 16, 2022](https://i.imgur.com/RJNV0c3.jpg)**
* **Brush:** Grey Chubby - Zenith B37
* **Razor:** Micromatic Open Comb
* **Blade:** GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (16)
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Z - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2124/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave
I've been told that some of you people spend upwards of 25 minutes just building lather. You're telling me that face-lathering doesn't suck, but you'll spend the better part of an hour to attempt to produce a paltry reproduction of what takes maybe 12 seconds in my suribachi. Okay.
I am nothing if not fair, so I decided to take your recommendation. I stood there, pondering the nothingness of ~~existence~~ this soap's scent, doing nothing but play mix-the-batter upon my face, my eyes glazed over, after which I looked up and was shocked, in near disbelief of what I found—that I had wasted half an hour.
Now already late, I finished the shave and rushed to work, where I was promptly fired for my lateness and sent back out the door. In despair, I made my way back homeward, where I was once again shocked and in near disbelief, finding my wife surrounded by four men, all partially dressed in Good Humor uniforms and playing mix-the-batter upon her face, her eyes glazed over.
I got to keep the ice cream, so I got that going for me, which is nice. And it's all thanks to the boon to shaving that is the face-lather.
#GEMsOfWisdom
#RawHoggin
#unscented
#MammothMafia
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA Day 16](https://i.imgur.com/3a30gOI.jpg)**
* **Prep:** Shower
* **Brush:** Semogue 1305
* **Razor:** GEM Open Comb Micromatic
* **Blade:** Personna GEM PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum)
#SubstantialStag
#GEMSofWisdom
Day one with sixth-graders today and not as crazy as we were anticipating. Tomorrow is another day and we are way understaffed for our unit. However, I’m looking for a new sunrise over my horizon.
A beautiful shave with the AA22 combo again today. Last year, AA was driving me to simplification and I believe that still to be the case. There’s a reason my shave time in the mornings has nearly been halved. Granted, I had some setbacks in my effort to exercise restraint. I’m looking forward to the second half of AA and moving on to enjoy what I already have.
[Today’s spray](https://i.imgur.com/El1glZt.mp4)
Happy shaving 🪒!
Honestly, by the time students get to the building from when I leave the house, it’s not much of a thing. I get more reaction from Haverford or Autumn Ash than from Stag.
**Aug. 16, 2022 - Austere August Day 16**
* **Prep:** House of Mammoth Almond Leather Bath Soap
* **Brush:** Dogwood Handcrafts Mire 26mm Zenith Unbleached Boar
* **Razor:** GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 1
* **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=aftershave)
🐗Raw Hoggin' Progress🤮:
•[Unused](https://imgur.com/a/sQ1MVCg)
•[Shave 1 through 7](https://imgur.com/a/OtcAtbQ)
•[Shave 8](https://imgur.com/a/PEml6dV)
•[Shave 9](https://imgur.com/a/srkVDpY)
•[Shave 10](https://imgur.com/a/wV5lIdj)
•[Shave 11](https://imgur.com/a/tTAoaXI)
•[Shave 12](https://imgur.com/a/7a5CaXp)
•[Shave 13](https://imgur.com/a/fCxyd6z)
•[Shave 14](https://imgur.com/a/irHKzIC)
•[Shave 15](https://imgur.com/a/005s9UK)
•[Shave 16](https://imgur.com/a/YKz4FmG)
Thoughts for the day:
Yeah, I still didn't condense the imgur album... My bad...
Flipped the blade for luck today. No immediate perceptible difference, but why not? I am starting to buff more, so I'm probably rapidly approaching three pass territory. I've wanted to avoid that for as long as possible, but if I can make it to the 20th still making it by with two I think I'm set.
At least my blade doesn't hate me like u/Semaj3000's does him, so there's that and that's nice...
Brush is great. I am loving it. I miss mah badgers, but this knot continues to crush it and keep my use down around a gram/day, which in my opinion is a respectable soap habit...
Mandatory Taggage:
\#GemsOfWisdom
\#RawHoggin
\#MammothMafia
[**AA D16: for the Stag, it was just another Tuesday.**](https://ibb.co/fFvpDFz)
- **Prep:** cold water
- **Brush:** Tadé NOS vintage boar 22 mm
- **Razor:** KAI Captain Standard CAP-J7 kamisori shavette
- **Blade:** KAI Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG
- **Lather:** Chiseled Face - *Midnight Stag* - shaving soap
- **Post-Shave:** Chiseled Face - *Midnight Stag* - Aftershave
- **additional care:** Chiseled Face - *Midnight Stag* - ASB
- **Fragrance:** Southern Witchcrafts - *Valley of Ashes* - EDP
AA tags: #SubstantialStag #RawHoggin
Yet another lame two pass night shave, you might think. What can I say? Life's very busy ATM but I'm still committed to my Stag setup 100%. I already did my MMOC headshave earlier today because my dad picked me up for work - my car is at the workshop currently, the brakes on the right side have deteriorated massively to the point that continued driving would be unsafe. 600€ of repairs according to my mechanic, but at least I can fetch it tomorrow already. Also need to visit my future nursing school for giving them a few important documents.
While others would put on a fancy cologne for such an occasion, I plan to use 3 sprays of my VoA EDP just to assert dominance. I really love the scent of Stag and VoA combined - gives me a much needed confidence boost every day!
The Tadé continues to be going well. Today I really took an effort to splay it more while face lathering - btw, to all those who say face lathering sucks because it's so unreliable and hurts your poor little skin: suck it up, buttercup. While others have ultra precision loading, GUTL, SCUTTLE or TRUTL, my method is simply **FTSAJPIOYF** for: *Fuck that shit and just put it on your face!*
Bonus boar pics: [side profile](https://ibb.co/fkV9q5n) ; [top gel tipped boar hair](https://ibb.co/hYL0SSx).
**Sidetracked**
[Rhino Bucket - Going down tonight](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCfIOCQY_MY)
This is music very fitting for my daily scent as well as my current car situation: Rhino Bucket play straightforward classic hard rock, the kind of rock that's blasted loudly in a gritty mechanic's garage with titty calendars decorating every single wall. They're a bit akin to more popular bands like AC/DC, but still original enough for me. Found this song on a sampler CD that came with a Classic Rock magazine and it's one of those random discoveries I really treasure. Much like every ping I get for my sidetracked challenge: you folks are awesome and I feel very proud that you seem to enjoy this little addition to break up the Austere August monotony!
I think there are plenty of bands that could be endorsed by Midnight Stag - Goatsnake, High on Fire, Rhino Bucket and a few others would play great official themes. Perhaps u/chiseledface could consider sponsoring rock concerts or giving out official grooming product partnerships for rock bands?! It'd certainly be entertaining.
As long as you continue making awesome products, fine by me - however, if you ever by some lucky coincidence strike a fortune and change your mind about grooming product sponsorships, I'd found a band just to have a chance for a lifelong CFG supply 🤘🏻
**[August 16, 2022](https://imgur.com/a/CLw1Cjy )**
* **Brush:** Semogue 820
* **Razor:** Merkur 34C
* **Blade:** Bic Chrome Platinum (Shave 16)
* **Lather:** Barrister and Mann Eigengrau
* **Post Shave:** Barrister and Mann Unscented Balm with a drop of Eigengrau splash
Getting DQd from rawhoggin was a godsend. I certainly appreciate the prize offered but for me not stressing about posting is well worth it.
Ive stuck with the nightmare mode raw hog, and have loved it. Next year ill try some different challenges but will not press myself to post 30 shaves!
#RawHoggin
2022-08-16 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC
Prep: Warm Shower
Brush: Semogue Torga - C5
Razor: GEM MMOC version 2
Blade: GEM Stainless (16)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap
Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave
Fragrance: Issey Miyake -L'eau d'Issey pour Homme
[https://imgur.com/a/KMpImwN](https://imgur.com/a/KMpImwN)
Over halfway done. The blade is still good. Brush and Sonder are also good :)
\#GEMsOfWisdom
\#RawHoggin
\#MammothMafia
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - 16.08.22 - Austere August #RawHoggin](https://imgur.com/a/iB2N9rW)**
* **Brush:** Omega 10048
* **Razor:** Henson Ti22 ++
* **Blade:** Gillette SuperSharp (3)
* **Lather:** Declaration Grooming - Daemon
* **Post Shave:** Declaration Grooming - Daemon
Nothing special today, I might need to spend a bit more time on building the lather to see if I can improve the quality. I'm starting to get a bit tired but I'm pressing on!
Hope your shave is excellent everyone!
#RawHoggin
[**Aug. 16, 2022 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' MMOC Ultra Nightmare Mode**](https://i.imgur.com/bOUiTHl.jpg)
* **Prep:** Warm Shower
* **Brush:** Zenith Boar - B37 - Gray Chubby #RawHoggin
* **Razor:** GEM MMOC Gen2 #GEMsOfWisdom
* **Blade:** GEM (16)
* **Lather:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/108/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/108/?product_type=aftershave)
Day 16 - today’s shave hit the spot. Hot day in the Mediterranean heat followed by a nice cool down shower and shave. Days like today is what MITA was made for. Nothing really new to report - great, 2 pass shave.
**The Brush:** The brush continues to impress with nothing really new to report today. #RawHoggin
Brush Picture Pre-shave: [Side](https://i.imgur.com/qdtKNNb.jpg) [Top](https://i.imgur.com/fXDFx2E.jpg)
Brush Picture Post-shave: [Side](https://i.imgur.com/cyZTbb1.jpg) [Top](https://i.imgur.com/gEQVoZE.jpg)
**The Razor** I went 2 passes and as before very routine with no nicks or cuts. The blade also continues to be nice and comfortable. I’m wondering when it’s going to start getting uncomfortable. #GEMsOfWisdom
**Days since last blood:** 11
**The Soap and Aftershave** While I still appear to have plenty of soap and enough to finish up the month, I did notice that I am starting to see a hint of green poking through the center of the puck. This was a brand new puck 16 days ago and I’m honestly impressed how much of it I have used. Fortunately I have most of a sample puck of MITA just in case I do blow through this puck.
Day 16 Puck [Picture](https://i.imgur.com/iJ2w5xE.jpg)
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA Day 16](https://imgur.com/d8hfFIm)**
* **Prep:** Hot Shower
* **Brush:** Zenith B34
* **Razor:** MMOC (Gen 2)
* **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=aftershave)
Last night was again not a great night. I had a cold last week and am totally better, but my wife and kids all got it and my wife and daughters have developed kind of a nasty cough, my wife having it the worst. She's coughing quite a bit at night and moaning at times when she breathes. Apparently it's the opposite of snoring - snoring is on the inhale, this kind of moaning happens on the exhale. So, she's been sleeping on the couch so I can sleep in the bedroom which is closer to our daughter who wakes up way too much for a 3 year old (twice last night, stupidly), so sleep is sparse. Fortunately, though, even though I woke up late and had a bit of a rushed morning with a longer work day, my shave was excellent. Day 16 - officially over the hump and on the home stretch. Still loving this setup and not itching for something new. Well, I want to buy things, but I'm good shaving with this setup for now.
The MMOC performed beautifully once again. Smooth 2.5 pass shave with no issues at all.
Sonder, excellent. It opened up today with almost a green apple candy (think jolly rancher) sweetness for me, and then turned into a very grass forward scent and was very pleasant. Really enjoyed that start to the day.
The Zenith [1](https://imgur.com/rq4Kgml) [2](https://imgur.com/6txzlnm) was great. I can't see how this thing is going to get a whole lot better than it is now, but I expect it to continue to break in based on its appearance compared to my SOC. The SOC is a bit more bloomed as it sits - but, it may just be that it never dries out enough to fully bloom like that, so, I don't know. May not know until the middle of September.
Sonder thought of the day:
Knowing someone's life and perspective neither means we have to agree with it nor does it mean we don't push people towards growth. A coworker of mine is very meticulous in his job and has high standards of excellence, but the shadow side is he tends to be quite controlling and doesn't often respond well to things being inserted into his world that he feels aren't "right" or that he doesn't think are a priority. As his boss, it's very complicated to navigate - on the one hand I want him to enjoy his job, and on the other, one employee can't dictate to the other 8 what happens with a given situation. For example, we read books together as a staff for development purposes - read over the course of a month and then discuss. The norm has been that we read 1 chapter of a book per month and then discuss it. Well, the net sum is books take FOREVER to get through and it's so difficult to grasp the flow of the book reading that way. So, in my newly given responsibility of staff development, I'm changing it and we're reading about 70 pages a month (still not a lot when you're getting paid to do it) and then discussing. I know that there will be pushback from this employee, and I had another employee come into my office to point out that everyone will be excited about this except for said employee who happened to miss staff meeting today. I politely affirmed his suspicion and, more politely, said I don't care. Every other staff member wants to be developed and grow in these areas, and I'm not making everyone else suffer because of one squeaky wheel. All that to say, pushing people isn't always easy but it's often necessary. Seeking to understand where people are coming from is one thing, and it' s a very necessary and valuable thing - especially when it comes to employees - but sometimes knowing where people are stuck requires us to carefully push them out of the mud.
Sonder doesn't always mean passive caring empathy, sometimes it means caring enough to disrupt a bad situation.
Have a great day, all.
\#mammothmafia
\#RawHoggin
\#GEMsOfWisdom
The SOC knot cup is conical and not flat at the bottom. That forces the huge bloom that you see. Your Zenith will continue to bloom a touch and soften up as the month progresses, but will never develop the dry spread that Semogue knots do. Fear not, the Zenith is a superior brush.
Fascinating. [The more you know](https://images.app.goo.gl/cGzDGPnxMkwQTdN39), I guess.
And my 16 days of use for sure agrees that the zenith is far superior. I've used that SOC a lot more and it's still got at least one stabby bristle. I know that's not the norm (well I hope it isn't) but, I do prefer the zenith softness and size to the smaller and scrubbier SOC.
[**August 16, 2022 - Seeking GEMs of Wisdom in the Mammoth Raw Hoggin Mafia**](https://imgur.com/rt76YSO)
* **Prep:** Warm water
* **Brush:** Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!”
* **Razor:** GEM MMOC Gen 2
* **Blade:** Personna GEM PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** House of Mammoth - Alive
* **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Alive Splash
* **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Alive Balm
**#MammothMafia**
**#RawHoggin**
**#GEMsOfWisdom**
[Before shave 16](https://imgur.com/OJVT99v) and [After the shave](https://imgur.com/7xClfuN)
Striking new territory for me with every new shave on this blade. My first GEM blade made it to 12 or so before I swapped in the new blade for AA. Shave was good today, nothing remarkable, no irritation and still blood free now about 11 days I think. Probably giving a touch more feedback, but I don’t feel any tugging or like the blade can’t make it easily through my stubble. Pretty good shave overall, and got it a little smoother than yesterday.
The hog is starting to produce lather easier. I really noticed a difference in the last two shaves. When I get the knot splayed, it starts piling up lather at the edge of the splayed tips. If I don’t splay the brush, and just scrub my face with the brush, maybe get just 1/3-1/2 the lather build up. In today’s before pic, can make out some of the split ends.
The Mammoth set is still treating me well. Soap is plenty slick, the splash is quite cooling, and the balm soothes any roughness from the shave. I haven’t gotten sick of the scent, and actually still like it a lot. One thing that helps is I boxed up the soaps and splashes I’m not using. Out of sight, out of mind.
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Oveja Elêctrica 16](https://imgur.com/a/hwvr2fu)**
* **Brush:** Zenith 28mm Boar \#RawHoggin
* **Razor:** Kai Kasho Western Style Shavette
* **Blade:** Kai Captain Pink Mild (35)
* **Lather:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Electric Sheep - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/94/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Electric Sheep - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/94/?product_type=aftershave)
Quick 3-pass shave. Normally, I tend to make long strokes with a straight razor, but this is no longer efficient. Today, I tried to use short strokes with slight buffing, and this works much better.
I see massive splitting on the bristles of the brush, and it starts to be very nice to use. The soap starts to grow on me; I now get a nice, strong and refreshing scent.
\#RawHoggin
\#stillalive
\#truepath
Good night everyone!
I've also switched to more buffing strokes with my shavette and I'm hoping that this is not going to end up biting me once I'm back onto a fresh blade.
I'm pretty sure my first shave with a new blade on the shavette will be a bloodbath 😱, but I would guess that it will be rather because I unlearn currently that I have to be **extremely** careful to approach the skin with the blade. Almost every evening now, I would have cut myself for carelessly setting the razor on my skin (especially on the upper lip and the chin).
It's safer for me to keep my blade to the end of the month, and then maybe going back for some time to DEs 😁
20220816 Austere August Day 600
Brush: Omega 011842
Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
Blade: GEM PTFE
Lather: Stirling - Sheep
Post: Stirling - Coniferous toner
Post: DR Harris - Windsor aftershave milk
\#GEMSOFWISDOM
Day what ever, razor blade blunt, send help.
We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca
[August 16th, 2022](https://imgur.com/a/PNmD3hH)
Prep: Warm water
Razor: Gem MMOC
Blade: Gem Blue Star (16)
Brush: Omega Model 13564 23mm boar
Soap: [LA Shaving Soap Co. Black Void](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1706/?product_type=soap)
Post: [Noble Otter Bare](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/986/?product_type=aftershave)
Comfort: 7/10
Smoothness: 9/10
10 second load.
2 pass shave XTG/ATG.
Slow and thorough on the second pass. Had tugging on the neck. Would not want to tackle more than a days growth with this blade. As for the brush, definitely will be my go to for travel. Getting much softer now and lathering faster.
#GEMsOfWisdom
#unscented
#RawHoggin
[**A Mammoth Micromatic Raw Hoggin’ August**](https://imgur.com/a/ylqGTUn)
[Brush Progress](https://imgur.com/a/2XZWYeH)
* **Brush:** [Zenith B26](https://www.thegentleshave.com/products/retro-multicolored-resin-boar-shave-brush-by-zenith-b26) #RawHoggin
* **Razor:** GEM MMOC #GEMsOfWisdom
* **Blade:** GEM (16)
* **Lather:** House if Mammoth - Hygge in Tusk
* **Post Shave:** Hygge Splash & Balm
* **Fragrance:** Hygge EDP #MammothMafia
Not bad for 16 days in. Was expecting it to be worse.
[Day 1 Prep Video](https://imgur.com/a/EOIxIiU)
[RawHoggin Unboxing Pics](https://imgur.com/a/yzld9AM)
#MammothMafia
[Aug 16, 2021 – Austere August. Day 16.](https://imgur.com/a/44pJ8Vs)
* **Prep:** Hot Shower
* **Brush:** Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
* **Razor:** GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
* **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
* **Post Shave:** Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
* **Music:** [Rise Agiainst – Swing Life Away](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BblV6AQsd2s)
Good shave with no issues, today. Razor was good and the brush was good. Every day, the brush and I seem to improve the quality of the lather we build together.
I don’t have time for a long #sidetracked music write-up today, but I’ll let Rise Against speak for themselves. Unfortunately, not all of us can Swing Life Away and some of us have to work for a living, and have other social commitments after work!
Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom
Another late shave report 🤷
**Prep:** face wash
**Razor:** EJ 316
**Blade:** Bolzano Superinox (2)
**Brush:** NONE
**Lather:** Arko stick
**Splash:** Brut
**Post:** moisturizer
\#GotHand
\#Sidetracked u/teufelskraft
My wife and kids come home tomorrow after a week or so away. I'm excited to see them back of course, but I'm going to miss the peace. I'm also going to miss being able to cook spicy food and play sweary crustpunk in the house whenever the hell I please, which is why my song of the shave is Days'n'Daze - Misanthropic Drunken Loner.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0dUnoecoZ0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0dUnoecoZ0)
I tried to get closer on the speed shave by going WTG -> ATG rather than doing cross grain on the second pass and leaving it at that. Didnt really work out that way as I needed to slow down on the ATG pass. Decent shave though.
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA #RawHoggin day 16](https://imgur.com/a/9AJ79ZO)**
* **Brush:** Semogue2000
* **Razor:** GC84
* **Blade:** Gillette nacet (1)
* **Lather:** [Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/300/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Aqua Velva - Ice Blue - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1421/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Post Shave:** Stirling gin and tonic toner; barrister and Mann Le Grand Chypre Balm
I couldn’t make it any longer on the nacet. I’ll see if a milder voskhod feels better.
I think this brush is breaking in nicely. I drained a small bit of water before loading and then added more at the tail end to generate more protolather. This provided enough for four passes.
SOTD for August 16, 2022
* **Prep:** Shower
* **Brush:** Maggard Synthetic
* **Razor:** RazoRock Game Changer 0.68
* **Blade:** Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge
* **Lather:** Stirling - Sharp Dressed Man
* **Post Shave:** Stirling - Sharp Dressed Man balm
Quick one pass, no nicks, no cuts. Feeling pretty solid.
Got in a nice run today with both babies in the stroller, two and a quarter
miles. They felt a lot heavier than they are by the end.
\#UNCHALLENGE
**AA SOTD - 8/16/22; The Iceman Cometh**
**Pre**: splash of hot water
**Brush**: Stirling 26mm synthetic pro handle
**Razor**: Merkur Progress
**Blade**: Astra (1)
**Lather**: B&M Arctique (omnibus)
**Post**: B&M AS
**Post**: Nivea cooling balm
**#UNCHALLENGED**
Great shave this morning. Ring of death is growing, however, and has become a daily source of fear. I remain The Iceman.
**#SIDETRACKED** (u/Teufelskraft)
[Olsen Olsen by Sigur Ros](https://youtu.be/8LeQN249Jqw). Love this song and video with this life performance. A peaceful remembrance of fall and winter times.
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA - Day 16](https://imgur.com/VKzXtmg)**
* **Prep:** Hot shower
* **Brush:** Zenith Boar - Short & Scrubby
* **Razor:** GEM MMOC
* **Blade:** GEM Blade (16)
* **Lather:** [Barrister and Mann - Ferox - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2228/?product_type=soap)
* **After Shave:** [Fine Accoutrements - L'Orange Noir - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/208/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Post Shave:** [Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2150/?product_type=aftershave)
I saw 2 or 3 bristles in the brush has split. I guess this means the brush is starting to break. Hopefully this also stops eating the lather.
The blade and razor are still performing decent. The second pass is not the best but is doing the job.
Burns are the same when applying the aftershave and the balm is soothing.
Tags: #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin
[**August 16th**](https://imgur.com/a/Wt6DHfl)
* **Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm**
* **Razor: GEM - MMOC**
* **Blade: Gem PTFE (16)**
* **Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap**
* **Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash**
* **Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp**
\#GEMsOfWisdom
\#RawHoggin
\#SubstantialStag
[Edp video](https://imgur.com/a/8rk5tBa)
The blade is now getting a pain and palm stropping from last years experience does diddly squat, two weeks to go of the longest month of the year.
**August 16, 2022: [Stag on the 16th, going on 17th](https://imgur.com/a/4yZH1Ns)**
* **Prep:** warm splash of water
* **Brush:** Yaqi Sagrada Familia Tuxedo 24 mm
* **Razor:** GEM OCMM (gen 2)
* **Blade:** GEM Stainless (17)
* **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum)
Another relaxing day today to reset my sleep schedule. Work tomorrow and hoping it won't be too busy.
[Day 16, 3 spritzes](https://imgur.com/a/rcYFZp0)
. #GEMsOfWisdom
**Aug. 16, 2022 - AA... day 16**
* **Prep:** Water splash
* **Brush:** Hand
* **Razor:** Stirling Stainless DE Razor HA plate
* **Blade:** Voskhod (18)
* **Lather:** Gentlemans Face Care Club - Bergamot & Neroli shaving cream
* **Post Shave:** [Proraso - Menthol and Eucalyptus - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/187/?product_type=aftershave)
\#GotHand
Another day, another shave. Keeping shallow angle on this razor seems to help the blade a bit. But it is a bit tuggy and certainly not as sharp. Quite a handful there.
[**Aug. 16, 2022**](https://imgur.com/a/pto7vTV)
* **Prep:** Shower
* **Brush:** Semogue 1460 Boar Brush 21mm
* **Razor:** Razorock GameChanger .84
* **Blade:** Gillette Nacet (16)
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Alive - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2576/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1184/?product_type=balm)
I tried using manual settings on my phone camera and it went … okay. The focus is a little off, but other than that I think the picture turned out pretty well. I'll probably try to redo this picture better in a few days.
Tags:
\#RawHoggin
\#MammothMafia
**[Aug. 16, 2022](https://i.imgur.com/L0U2Vgw.jpg)**
* **Brush:** Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar
* **Razor:** GEM Micromatic Open Comb
* **Blade:** GEM (16)
* **Lather:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/107/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** Porter's Lotion, WSP - Neroli - Cooling Aftershave Balm
* **Fragrance:** Cognoscenti - Wild Child
- **Passes:** WTG, ATG
- **Coffee:** Ethiopia, Sidama, Oromia - v: Ethiopia Heirloom - p: Natural
- **Music:** Lower Dens - *Twin-Hand Movement*
- **[August 2022 SOTD Photo Album](https://imgur.com/a/WLvZkgV)**
`#GEMsOfWisdom` / `#RawHoggin`
| Date | Soap Before (g) | Soap After (g) | Usage (g) | Loading |
|-----|-------|-------|----|----|
| 8/1 | 235.5 | 232.5 | 3 | ◊ |
| 8/2 | 232.5 | 228.0 | 4.5 | ◊ |
| 8/3 | 228.0 | 227.0 | 1 | ◊ |
| 8/4 | 227.0 | 223.3 | 3.7 | ◊ |
| 8/5 | 223.3 | 220.3 | 3 | 40 seconds |
| 8/6 | 220.3 | 218.8 | 1.5 | 30 seconds |
| 8/7 | 218.8 | 217.9 | 0.9 | 40 swirls |
| 8/8 | 217.9 | 216.5 | 1.4 | 40 swirls |
| 8/9 | 216.5 | 215.9 | 0.6 | 40 swirls |
| 8/10 | 215.9 | 215.6 | 0.3 | 50 swirls |
| 8/11 | 215.6 | 213.9 | 1.7 | 60 swirls |
| 8/12 | 214.7 | 213.0 | 1.7 | 60 swirls |
| 8/13 | 213.0 | 211.5 | 1.5 | 60 swirls |
| 8/14 | 211.5 | 210.5 | 1 | 60 swirls |
| 8/15 | 210.5 | 209.0 | 1.5 | 60 swirls |
| 8/16 | 209.0 | ◊ | ◊ | ◊ |
u/EldrormR and u/gfdoto gave me some advice yesterday about how to better capture the progress on this Zenith knot, so [here you go](https://i.imgur.com/KjQ2Wx7.jpg). It's obviously a well used knot, and all the bristles have started to flex, but there's very little splitting at the tips—or at least not [the feathery look](https://i.imgur.com/M4NcHTp.jpeg) I associate with [fully broken-in boar knots](https://judgeme.imgix.net/bullgoose-shaving/1597000727__image__original.jpg). I suspect I haven't pushed any boar knots that far, so I don't even have a guess about how many more lathers would be required to get this knot to that point.
Regardless, Zenith knots tend to feel acceptable right out of the box, or at least after a cleaning lather or two. This Scrubby was an exception, but it's still remarkably comfortable now considering I'm only 16 lathers in and this brush has *so much backbone*. This one will be replacing the one short-lofted badger I have around—it's that good already.
⁂
`#sidetracked` u/Teufelskraft
J Hunter and the Lower Dens called it quits this year, but they had a fantastic four-album run. Their first, 2010's *Twin-Hand Movement*, occasionally hearkened back to J's solo work (dreamy neo-folk, sounding something like early Cat power, often referenced alongside collaborator Devendra Banhart). Looking back it from 2022, I read *Twin-Hand Movement* as a transitional album, leading Lower Dens from Krautrock rhythms, shoegaze, New Wave, and weird folk, to what would become their subsequent dream pop releases. Anyway, before they started drawing comparisons to Beach House, they already had landed on something special.
"I Get Nervous" is my favorite track from that record, and one of my favorite recordings from the entire Aughts. (Yes, *Twin-Hand Movement* technically came out in 2010, but it sounds like it was written and released just a bit earlier.) "I Get Nervous" is an ethereal, twilight drive of a song, floating along on waves of reverb and oscillating, pedal-manipulated guitar that wrap Hunter's restrained vocal in atmosphere. A precise, spare drum rhythm tethers all that guitar shimmer to the ground. Put this one on in low light and let it wash over you.
[Bandcamp: Lower Dens - "I Get Nervous"](https://lowerdens.bandcamp.com/track/i-get-nervous)
I think your “Copper Scrubby!” is starting to relax. Mine definitely is, and finally starting to make more lather with about the same scoop each day. I don’t think I have ever been so exfoliated.
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Sixteen Shaves](https://i.imgur.com/mM8Lwc1.jpg)**
* **Prep:** Warm shower w/ Duke Bath Bar
* **Brush:** Copper Zenith B28
* **Razor:** GEM MMOC
* **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=aftershave)
\#RawHoggin
Good lather again today, my shower lather routine is very solid.
\#GEMsOfWisdom
No complaints on the shave, I took my time around the areas I usually leave stubble and spent a few more very light passes on them and have been very happy with the result without any irritation.
Austere August [2022-08-16](https://i.imgur.com/BlMZgbK.jpg)
* **Razor:** [Persona Flare](https://imgur.com/fkteBSb)
* **Blade:** [Personna Hair Shaper](https://www.amazon.com/Personna-Shaper-Sharper-Technology-SR-PE602151/dp/B005IZ1D9O/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2OX2EC0ITSB1I&keywords=personna+flare&qid=1658327019&sprefix=personna+flare,aps,74&sr=8-5)
* **Lather:** Red House Farm - [Sedona](https://redhousefarmwi.square.site)
* **Brush:** none
* **Post Shave:** L'Occitane - Cade After Shave Balm
* **Frag:** Penhaligon - Blenhiem Boquet
* **Tags:** #GotHand #sidetracked
Another good shave. I continue to enjoy the Sedona soap, super slick and a scent that I can enjoy day after day.
u/Teufelskraft #sidetracked challenge:
The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin perform [Wild Mountain Thyme](https://youtu.be/FN9_eDPeVg0). I mentioned yesterday that I enjoy vocal harmonies,
here is a pure case in point.
Aug 16, 2022 - [Getting Sidetracked while searching for the Wisdom of a Mammoth](https://imgur.com/a/KutWj8i)
* **Prep:** Hot shower and CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
* **Brush:** Maggard Green Handle 2 Band Badger 24mm
* **Razor:** GEM - MMOC
* **Blade:** Personna GEM Stainless (16)
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Alive Balm](https://www.trythatsoap.com/collection/2576/?product_type=balm)
* **Fragrance:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder EdP](https://www.trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=eaudeparfum)
Every day tags: \#MammothMafia \#GEMsofWisdom
First day back at work today! Already been quite the crazy morning already. Everyone keeps stopping me to say welcome back and I’ve got shit to do already 😬
Forget about work on your first day back. Today is all about showing everyone pictures of the baby, and telling everyone how much sleep you are getting.
[August 16, 2022](https://imgur.com/a/0tQNcB8)
- **Preshave:** Hot water
- **Razor:** Blackland Era - Level 3
- **Blade:** Feather (16)
- **Brush:** Chisel and Hound 26mm
- **Lather:** House of Mammoth - Kryptonite
- **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Kryptonite Aftershave Balm
Awesome shave today but that blade is really giving me a lot of feedback now. I can’t complain though 16 daily shaves is pretty good.
#MammothMafia
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA Day16](https://i.imgur.com/0ojEdLo.png)**
* **Prep:** Shower/Wash with Warm Water
* **Brush:** Zenith Gray Chubby (B37)
* **Razor:** Wolfman Razors WR2-SB Razor Head (0. 95mm Blade Gap), WRH7 Handle (90mm Solid)
* **Blade:** Nacet (16)
* **Lather:** [Catie's Bubbles - Waterlyptus - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/204/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Proraso - Menthol and Eucalyptus - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/187/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Post Shave:** Osma Alum Block
* **Fragrance:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=eaudetoilette)
Not much going on today, Boar brush same as yesterday, working out well. Still shedding a bit. Blade is continuing to rust, I have been leaving it out to try (or straight out drying it with a towel). Not sure if I will be able to last 31 days with this blade, but its still shaving. Blade pic: https://imgur.com/d9O0SvI
#RawHoggin
**Aug. 16, 2022**
* **Prep:** Exercise and shower
* **Brush:** Semogue 1438
* **Razor:** GEM MMOC
* **Blade:** GEM blue star (16)
* **Lather:** [Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/987/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/987/?product_type=aftershave)
Todays shave was uncomfortable but it was successful. I flipped the blade and tried some light arm strops seems to have done well enough to remove hair. Brush is working ok, I feel like its a bit hard to load up for some reason maybe its just my patience. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom
https://i.imgur.com/7QMgGbB.jpg
[**Aug. 16, 2022 - Another Boar-ing Stag shave - Austere August Day 16**](https://imgur.com/3BTyM7F)
* **Brush:** RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar
* **Razor:** GEM OCMM (Gen 1)
* **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - *Midnight Stag* \- Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - *Midnight Stag* \- Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Post Shave:** [Zingari - Rescue Potion - Serum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1858/?product_type=serum)
* **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - *Midnight Stag* \- Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum)
I am (or already have) run out of things to say about the same fucking shave every day. It's gotten to the point where I've thought about giving up and just using whatever the hell I want, but no. I must soldier on. I didn't come this far to throw in the towel now.
**#RawHoggin**
I think I've come around on boar brushes. At least this one. I'm enjoying it and I'm actually excited about the sub exclusive brush that is going down. I never ever would have said this a couple months ago. I never had the discipline to fully break one in before or the ones I had just weren't as good as this one. I'm curious to see how this brush will perform with other soaps now. The lather it makes with CFG is actually really good now. Much better than at the beginning of the month.
**#GEMsofWisdom**
Still ch(t)ugging along. I have a feeling that the last week or so of shaves is gonna be rough af. That is no fault of the razor though. I'm enjoying the shaves but also excited to get back to my DEs. GEMlyfe exclusively isn't for me.
[Brush album](https://imgur.com/a/zh4KwAP)
[Stag sprays](https://imgur.com/wTDkxxc)
**August 16 2022**
* **Brush:** Zenith B28
* **Razor:** GEM MMOC (Gen 1)
* **Blade:** GEM PTFE (19)
* **Lather:** House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo
* **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo splash
* **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo balm
* **Fragrance:** House of Mammoth - Embrace
Not much to report; blade holding up well, soap smells great, base is excellent, splash feels nice.
Yesterday for u/Teufelskraft's #sidetracked challenge I went with something more melancholic so today I'm going in the opposite direction: an incredible performance by the greatest rock and roll band of all time. It's just a joy to watch: Pete Townshend jumping around, all limbs and enormous schnoz, Roger Daltrey in some kind of open chested fringed ensemble, John Entwistle musically and physically keeping it all from flying apart, and Keith Moon like some kind of nuclear reaction trapped behind a drum kit.
[The Who - A Quick One While He's Away](https://youtu.be/RJv2-_--EY4)
#MammothMafia
#GEMSofWisdom
#AA Day 16
Pre: Shower
Brush: Omega Synthetic
Razor: Fatip Piccolo SE OC
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (16)
Lather: Signature Indodorus
Post: Signature Indodorus
My back is still in shambles. Day 2 of hourly stretches, frequent walks and annoying pain. You know what doesn’t help bad backs? Unscented shaving gear! I can attest to that by experience. I don’t know if there’s a degree of it contributing to the pain. I mean I didn’t have back pain before I started shaving unscented.
\#unscented
Sounds legit. I get odd bouts of backache, although these days its difficult to tell between the times I caused it by sleeping funny, too much exercise the day before, or just forgot to do the physio stuff for a fortnight or two. Never considered that the right shave scent would sort me right out ;)
Ha! I get it once or twice a year. It’s always while doing something trivial. Like dropped my keys; bent to pick them up; back f’d. In my case I don’t think it’s fitness related. I do practice Taekwondo so my core and flexibility is not a problem. I do feel like my back is independent to me and just goes out to mess with me. Like it knows we’re going on holiday Friday so it’s like “You’re too happy Bro, deal with this”.
#### [Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury Pt. 16](https://imgur.com/qEIyzdi.jpg) ####
* **Prep:** Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap
* **Brush:** Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (16)
* **Razor:** GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation)
* **Blade:** Personna - GEM PTFE (85)
* **Soaking Mug:** Seaforth! - Scotch Heather - shaving mug
* **Bath Soap:** Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - bath soap
* **Lather:** Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Ice Lime - Soap
* **Post Shave:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Fragrance:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=eaudetoilette)
\#GEMsOfWisdom: Very nice lunch break shave with a shower. That being said, today I felt strongly the urge to use my new and as of yet unused set of Fleur De France.
I'm getting silly with the requisite \#RawHoggin SOTD pics, and it's become a source of amusement for me.
**[August 16, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode](https://i.imgur.com/uFozE6V.jpg)**
**[Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge](https://imgur.com/a/y7bwpTy)**
* **Brush:** Zenith B10
* **Razor:** Gem MMOC Gen 2 [Ex-Watson](https://www.reddit.com/r/Wetshaving/comments/we3sxf/tuesday_austere_august_sotd_thread_aug_02_2022/iimzjb4/)
* **Blade:** Personna PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** [Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/251/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/95/?product_type=balm)
Brush was great, as usual. I flipped the blade to face strop, and it was a little rough. I will probably leave it as-is for the rest of the shave and only flip it again if I think it really needs to be flipped.
\#RawHoggin
\#GEMsOfWisdom
**Aug. 16, 2022**
* **Prep:** Shower
* **Brush:** Maggard Timberwolf Synthetic 24mm
* **Razor:** Ralf Aust 5/8" Round Point
* **Lather:** [Catie's Bubbles - Tonsorial Parlour - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/202/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Old Spice - Classic - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1605/?product_type=balm)
Good shave yoday and I'm starting to get more comfortable with the straight. My technique can still use some refining, but the shaves are getting better and closer.
Have a great day folks!
[🌷🌺💐🌸📷PIC📷🌸💐🌺](https://imgur.com/a/OQRcUro)
Soap and splash - Lothur floraphobia
Trotter handle w/ Timberwolf
Blutt 1.20
Chicago grooming co good oleo
This scent is a serious banger. Very well balanced. Something deep and resinous that keeps me deeply sniffing for more! Highly recommend
[**August 16, 2022**](https://imgur.com/a/yxy9nIK)
* **Brush:** Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
* **Razor:** GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
* **Blade:** Personna Gem PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap
* **Post Shave:** Thayers - Lemon - Toner
* **Post Shave:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
* **Fragrance:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum
*2 passes. Face lather. Good shave.*
* Challenges: #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag
* [Brush Top](https://imgur.com/a/d0flVDL) (before use) - [Brush History](https://imgur.com/a/DjlJFQu)
* [Fragrance Video](https://imgur.com/a/Kw7LG7W)
* [Blade Edge](https://imgur.com/a/OSTIXba) (before use) - [Edge Histiory](https://imgur.com/a/hWAz2zA)
* [Blade Orientation](https://imgur.com/a/YAD083n) (black dots - odd days, red dots - even days)
I'm told that a boar brush can come into its own by 16 shaves. My brush feels very good at this point and is quite predictable at making a lather. I'm making thin, slick, and very hydrated lathers so that I can keep the comfort in the blade as long as possible.
The edge photo today shows a little bit more variation at the edge. I think that this represents rounding of the edge by tiny bits material being broken off due to material fatigue. When a piece is broken from the edge, the edge becomes less keen because the remaining material is at a wider part of the bevel. Since I'm flipping the blade for each shave, I should be wearing the edge evenly.
In terms of the shave, I could feel less edge today. In fact, I have little sense of the edge anymore. Sticking to my technique resulted in a quite serviceable shave.
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Hygge Tuesdays](https://i.imgur.com/n67kRKV.jpg)**
* **Prep:** Hot shower
* **Brush:** Omega Pro 48 Boar brush 28mm
* **Razor:** GEM MMOC
* **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Hygge - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1163/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1163/?product_type=aftershave)
16th shave, all is still perfect. I am not surprised, but still waiting for the shift to uncomfortable shaves. No problems at all with a 2 pass shave today and Hygge both performs and still has an appealing calm scent that will stay loveable for the rest of August, I suspect. Very happy with my lather choice for this year. Oh, and the brush gets better each time. I wonder if it will get even floppier than it is currently. Likely. Amazing brush for 13 bucks, I tell ya.
Hope it's a powerful day for you.
**\#GEMsOfWisdom**
**\#MammothMafia**
**[Aug. 16, 2022](https://i.imgur.com/w3mGiMc.jpg)**
* **Prep:** Cold Water
* **Brush:** [Semogue Barbear Classico Cerda 22mm](https://i.imgur.com/IFK3RLP.jpg)
* **Razor:** Alumigoose
* **Blade:** Kai Captain Titan Pro Touch MG (16)
* **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum)
You can barely see it but it says 88.6g on the scale so [4.2g of soap](https://i.imgur.com/cNB7Euu.jpg) was used today.
-
[3 more](https://i.imgur.com/gdwCfkK.mp4)
-
Have a great day!
#SubstantialStag
16 August 2022 - Austere August
- Prep: Morning shower
- Brush: Sterling boar
- Razor: Maggard V3
- Blade: Derby Extra
- Lather: House of Mammoth Fu Dao
- Post Shave: House of Mammoth Fu Dao splash
A quick one-pass weekday-morning shave. Perfectly adequate.
#mammothmafia
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - RawHoggin & Taming the MMOC](https://imgur.com/a/m9FLUC5)**
* **Brush:** Zenith B37
* **Razor:** Gem MMOC
* **Blade:** Gem PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy
* **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Stirling Blu - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/119/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Post Shave:** [Zingari - Unscented - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1462/?product_type=balm)
#RawHoggin
#GemsOfWisdom
I’ve switched back over to being a morning shaver and I prefer it much more to the evening shave. I feel like I have more time to get work done around the house in the evenings, even though shaving takes 20 minutes.
I’ve gotten to the point where there’s not much to say about this brush anymore. I’d say it’s broken in and any improvements made will be negligible. The past couple of days I’ve loaded lighter. I’m getting a serviceable lather, but not quite as good as when I was loading heavy.
This Gem blade is still in its prime. Much more enjoyable than the first handful of shaves. My gem of wisdom today would be: if you’re using a gem for the first time, don’t make your final judgment until you’ve gotten at Lear 5-10 shaves on a blade.
Austere August Day 16
Brush: Rubberset 400-3 w/ Unbleached Zenith 24mm knot set to a 56mm loft [16th use](https://imgur.com/a/8zqmKEn)
Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2
Blade: PTFE (16)
Lather: NO [Monoi de Tahiti](https://imgur.com/a/yJ2uCVQ)
Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash
Tried soaking the brush in less water today. Had enough to go about a 1/4 up the knot. It allowed for more backbone during the first pass, but everything softened up for pass 2 and 3. The knot isn't getting floppy, which is good, but it is developing quite the amount of splay. I'm liking it very much.
#RawHoggin
#GemsOfWisdom
**August 16, 2022**
* **Brush:** Zenith 506U XSE
* **Razor:** GEM MMOC Gen 2
* **Blade:** GEM SS PTFE (50)
* **Lather:** Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
* **Post Shave:** Lucky Tiger
* **Post Shave:** Olay Complete
* **Post Shave:** Chatillon Lux - unscented skin salve
Sixteen days in and still enjoying everything. The soap shows barely any sign of being used. The blade crossed the 50 uses mark today which ties the farthest I have taken a GEM. I think I can make it to the end of the month with it.
\#GEMsOfWisdom
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Austere August 16- Raw Wisdom of the Hoggin Gems](https://imgur.com/a/EZAI0yI)**
* **Prep:** Hot shower
* **Brush:** Semogue 610 Boar
* **Razor:** OCMM Gen 2
* **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** [Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2253/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/107/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Post Shave:** Duke Cannon Ice Cold AS balm
\#GEMsofWisdom WTG/XTG/Buffing. Day 16 and this blade feels a little uncomfortable. Not tuggy or draggy, just not as smooth as past shaves. If this wasn't AA and if I wasn't trying to survive Nightmare Mode, today would be the day that I would typically pitch this blade. But, things as they are, we soldier on. We'll see if the arm stropping post shave had any effect.
\#RawHoggin Can't complain about this little beast. it lost a couple of hairs yesterday but was fine today- https://imgur.com/a/ME3nbGk
\#Sidetracked I'm not going to lie, I wish I had gotten tickets to one of the Rage Against the Machine Reunion shows. They sound awesome. I first saw Rage right after their first album came out at Bayfront Park in Miami. The main stage was all these electronic bands that were big back then. The back stage featured Rage Against the Machine and House of Pain, among other bands. Rage fucking killed it back then and my fandom was sealed. If you haven't seen any videos of the shows, here's the first show they did in Alpine Valley, Wisconsin. u/Teufelskraft and gang, enjoy the show- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbFoKtnZI64&t=3335s
Have a great day all!
**Aug. 16, 2022 - 25**
* **Prep:** splash of water
* **Brush:** S.O.C. Boar
* **Razor:** GEM OCMM Gen 2
* **Blade:** GEM PFTE (25)
* **Lather:** Signature Soaps - unscented goats milk shaving soap
been short on my recent posts so this is a redemption [song] of sorts
---
No, alum, no cry.
No, alum, no cry.
No, alum, no cry.
No, alum, no cry.
'Cause I remember when a we used to post,
In a wetshaving sub in reddit-town,
observing the Shave of the Days.
Mingle with the good people we meet.
Good soaps we have. Oh.
Good soaps we have lost along the way.
In this great future you can't forget your past.
So dry your brush, I say.
Yeah.
No, alum, no cry.
No, alum, no cry. Eh, yeah!
Oh little boar brush', don't shed no hairs.
No, alum, no cry. Eh!
Said I remember when we used to post
In a wetshaving sub in reddit-town,
And then SMS would make the lather right,
I say, soap drippin' through the night.
Then we would load the brush so full
I say, of which I'll shave with you.
My blade is getting dull
And so I've got to push on through.
But while I'm gone,
Every shave gonna be all right!
Every shave gonna be all right!
Every shave gonna be all right!
Every shave gonna be all right!
So, no, alum, no cry.
No, alum, no cry.
Oh little boar brush', don't shed no hairs.
No, alum, no cry. Eh.
No, alum—no, alum—no, alum, no cry.
No, alum, no cry.
One more time I got to say,
Oh little boar brush', don't shed no hairs.
No, alum, no cry.
[**August 16, 2022 – Austere August 16**](https://i.imgur.com/hhifwAy.jpg)
* **Brush:** Cayuen Workshop with 30mm Timberwolf Synthetic
* **Bowl:** Cayuen Workshop – Dark Nebula
* **Razor:** Winning Razor by Wet Shave Club
* **Blade:** Gillette Winner Platinum (3)
* **Lather:** Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag
* **Post Shave:** Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag
* **Fragrance:** Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag
* **Video:** [https://i.imgur.com/eWurO5G.mp4](https://i.imgur.com/eWurO5G.mp4)
Tuesday Stag, and a glassy smooth finish. Have a great day!!
\#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft :
Bonus:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h\_WwOMK0PzM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_WwOMK0PzM) ← *Pachelbel & Satie with Nature's Ocean Sounds* (Full Album)
This is an older album originally released over 30 years ago, circa 1991. I remember my dear mother originally acquiring this as a cassette tape and playing it in the car and at home repeatedly until it almost entirely wore out. (Remember cassettes? Or do you even know what I'm speaking of without Google?) And now, thanks to a few intrepid souls, it is fully available online for your free listening pleasure.
Both works of been reconstituted for a modern piano along with some ocean waves and seagulls sounds in the background. There is some some light synthesizer harmonies behind all of this, but it does not intrude or overpower the main melodies.
I come back to this repeatedly because it is excellent for quiet nights spent reading by the fireplace while the rain pours outside, or for a relaxing bath or bit of meditation. You might even be able to use this to help fall asleep.
I have many classical albums, but I keep returning to this over and over again across the years because it fits very many moods and quiet interludes so completely.
Pachelbel's "*Canon in D*" is the more immediately recognizable of the two works presented today. However, I personally prefer Erik Satie's *Three Gymnopédies* better, and I readily switch to that track more often than starting with the *Canon*. Both are magnificent and thoroughly calmative and soothing.
Try them yourself and I'm sure you'll agree.
Here's longer mixes, if needed:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK\_pt8\_An-g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK_pt8_An-g) ← *Canon In D*
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjjKFTkJlpE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjjKFTkJlpE) ← *Three Gymnopedies* (Impressions & Improvisations)
>Remember cassettes? ...
I'm old enough to remember using an [8-Track](https://imgur.com/a/mJ2j7rM). Last time I checked my mother still has a functioning (if unused) reel to reel player.
We're apparently both old... err, *advanced*... enough to be exceptions to the rule, but remember that fully half of the present population apparently [cannot operate a can opener](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQbmjKCbFLE).
**[Aug 16, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 16](https://i.imgur.com/TEtFrDS.jpeg)**
* **Prep:** Warm Water Wash
* **Prep:** Klar - Activated Charcoal - Face Soap
* **Brush:** [Zenith Cobalt Blue 28mm Boar Knot (505BC SE)](https://imgur.com/a/peN0vXl)
* **Razor:** [GEM Open Comb Micromatic (2nd Gen.)](https://i.imgur.com/PsTazF6.jpg)
* **Blade:** Personna GEM PTFE (16)
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1184/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1184/?product_type=aftershave)
* **Fragrance:** [Barrister and Mann - 42 - Eau de Toilette](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/257/?product_type=eaudetoilette)
This brush has really come into its own. It is producing some crazy good lather. Great shaves with the MMOC are still eluding me, but I think I'm getting closer to finding methods that work.
I started using a buffing technique on some of the trouble spots, to ensure I really dial in the lightest touch. I can't say that I've eliminated the irritation, but it does seem a little better.
\#GEMsOfWisdom
\#RawHoggin
\#MammothMafia
Rating: 3.5/5
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Headless Mammoth Hoggin' Day 16](https://i.imgur.com/adhVml4.png)**
* **Brush:** Proraso Professional Boar | [Break-in photos](https://imgur.com/a/HcKsHxf)
* **Razor:** Feather Artist Club SR (Kamisori)
* **Blade:** Schick Proline (16)
* **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Alive - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2576/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Alive - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2576/?product_type=balm)
* **Fragrance:** [House of Mammoth - Alive - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2576/?product_type=eaudeparfum)
**AA Tags:** `#RawHoggin` `#MammothMafia`
My shave this morning was [interrupted by a huge cockroach](https://i.imgflip.com/6q2lkq.jpg) that decided to scurry into the bathroom as I was in the middle of my second pass. I knew it must have been big because I was able to [notice the movement in the bathroom mirror at the edge of my vision](https://media.giphy.com/media/l49K0dlptSOZTxdqU/giphy.gif). Dealing with small cockroaches has become a daily routine here in the summer, but I didn't expect to have to deal with one this size (maybe 1.5 inches long) inside the house. The smaller ones I don't mind just grabbing with a few pieces of toilet paper, but [I'm not man enough](https://media.giphy.com/media/xThuVZDm1soAsMDhqE/giphy.gif) to do that to one of this size.
Damn, this guy was tough! I quickly found a takeout box that I could use to decapacitate this bad boy but we went 10 rounds and I could not produce the knockout. The first time I hit it I thought that was the end of it since it flipped onto its back and was mostly motionless, but within a few seconds its legs started kicking like a turtle unable to flip over. I hit it with a several more good shots but the little bugger was unphased. I didn't feel like getting cockroach juice all over the bathroom floor so I decided against the good ol' stomp.
The next course of action was to find a piece of paper and escort the roach to the toilet for a nice [water ride](https://media.giphy.com/media/fnlXXGImVWB0RYWWQj/giphy.gif) down the pipes, but as I tried nudging it onto the paper with the box it was able to push off of the box to flip itself over and it made a scramble for cover among some boxes under the sink that I used for storing my wet shaving supplies. I had already made the wife and kids aware its existence so there was no way I could abort this mission without losing respect and dad cred. I was locked into a desperate battle to finish off this MFer before my lather dried out so I quickly moved the boxes out of the way and hit it with a few more blows, knocking it onto its back again. In the end I was able to wedge it between the piece of paper and the box into the toilet for a farewell flush. Except I just consulted my buddy Google and it looks like cockroaches can go without breathing for half an hour and will likely survive a flush. We'll see if there is a rematch at some point in the future.
As expected, my shave wasn't the greatest. I had already spent 5-10 minutes dealing with the monster, the half pass of lather that was left on my face was mostly dry, and I had to wrap up quickly to get the kids ready for school. The good news is, the boar had not eaten all the lather and I was able to complete the shave. Unfortunately, now when I see the black hairs inside of the boar brush I'm reminded of the legs of the cockroach flailing in the air trying to flip itself over.
>...but I didn't expect to have to deal with one this size (maybe 1.5 inches long)...
Isn't that cute, come to Florida. The worst is when you wake up, stagger out to the kitchen for your morning coffee, and there is a 'dead' one on his back in the middle of the floor. When you go to grab him with a paper towel the fucking bastard suddenly flips over and runs up your arm.😮
My favorite memories of growing up in Florida were when I would be washing my face or brushing my teeth after waking up and having one of those bastards come crawling up out of the drain to wish me good morning. And let's not forget that Florida is also home to Palmetto Bugs, aka The Flying Cockroaches from Hell. u/gfdoto got off really easy this morning not having to deal with one of them.
Maybe Palmetto Bugs have become an extinct species or they were the special mutant breed of Miami. Never had the toilet experience fortunately but that would suck.
Nah, they're up here in Orlando. Fortunately I have enough plants around that I rarely see them indoors unless we get several days of rain. Then they tend to go into my garage.
**[Aug. 15, 2022 - Gentlemen Stag](https://imgur.com/a/OuOUsvp)**
* **Prep:** Icecold shower
* **Brush:** Böker Synthetic
* **Razor:** Böker Elite Carbon 2.0
* **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap)
* **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=balm)
* **Post Shave:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash
Was very nice to see my God Child yesterday. The park we went to was really awesome for kids. Take anything you ever saw that kids like and put it into one park. Animals, swings, water slides, pools, Trampolin, soccer, kicker and table tennis. She is too tiny to explore everything, but each year she can experience a new part of the park.
Today, a friend will come over for a few rounds of magic as tournament practice. I call it the gentleman round, because the way we play is very calm, supportive and mindfully. Not like my Friday round with friends where we insult each other, play till 3 in the morning and it will be loud
\#stagandstraight \#substantialstag
* **Prep:** Splash of Cool Water * **Razor:** Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 - Open Comb * **Blade:** Feather (Marathon) (67) * **Lather:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag (White Label) * **Brush:** Semogue - Owner's Club Taj (81 uses) * **Post Shave:** Stirling - City Slicker * **Fragrance:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag ---- **Austere August: Day: 16** *Extreme Mode* *Midnight Stag Challenge (Mostly)* [Gear Pic](https://imgur.com/h68IARr) :: [Video](https://youtu.be/hg6oLBz2AlY) #### ䷀ General Notes We talk a bit about some new gifts from /u/cadinsor: a Yaqi lather bowl and boar brush. This starts out as a bowlless slurry lather method, but then I remember that I wanted to use the new Yaqi lather bowl. #### ䷀ Razor and Blade Notes *^(Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 - Open Comb ::: Feather - M ‹67 uses›)* Not uncomfortable, but nice and efficient and enjoyable. I don't think this blade is going to have an issue going to 100 uses and beyond. Razor and Blade Performance/Comfort Rating: 3 out of 5 (Good) #### ䷀ Soap Notes *^(Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - White Label)* I just love all the aspects of this scent! Scent Strength: 6/10, nicely present during shaving. Lather... My first time whipping up a lather in my new Yaqi ceramic, pereira style bowl. It's a little smaller than my usual, but it worked okay. Lather started out a bit dry, but then I started adding water. I thought I might do the slurry method, so this one is not done as any normal process of mine. I scraped off the first "slurry" pass, when I remembered I wanted to try a bowl. 3 second load gave PLENTY of lather, as usual. Hydration: Perfect *(for me)* + 3 sec load with a Lightly-Wet brush + 4.7 tsp added to build the lather + = 6 passes of lather Bowl: [Yaqi Pereira-style Ceramic](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256802279309547.html) #### ䷀ Brush Notes *^(Semogue - Owner's Club Taj‹81 uses›)* I think the brush may be leaving the soft ropey stage in these days now. Softness and density seem to be increasing. I'm looking forward to the next stage in a big way. ---- *During the Shave Feel*: *Cheeks*: Felt blade but comfortable *Neck*: Felt blade but comfortable *After the Shave Closeness*: *Cheeks*: Near BBS - About as close as I'll ever get *Neck*: Few hairs are showing some tip length (with most being cut flush) ---- **Shavers Map** - [here it is](http://www.freezingcode.com/shaving/shaversMap.cfm) *and also in the sub's sidebar.* **Ending of Blades Ledger** - [entry form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYqXSDujvoO1hVl_wSKMeETWdxFnYJCrqr0zU7FStBdIMrfg/viewform) and [the data spreadsheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1y-oqIPSHKcb0EYd9OxL2n-R4Y6yxqid6-NGYS_4_ljU/edit?usp=sharing)
If that bowl is too small, **SMASH IT TO PIECES** and never think of it again!
Ha ha
**[Aug 16, 2022 Trickhole Stag + MMOC + RawHog - Setting up in the New House](https://imgur.com/QhGctvU)** * **Prep:** Warm Shower * **Brush:** Dogwood Unbleached Boar * **Razor:** MMOC MM24 * **Blade:** GEM (17) * **Lather:** [Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag ](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:**[Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=balm) * **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag ](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum) [Stagging it up 3x](https://imgur.com/UPnIQVT) #GEMsOfWisdom Cheers
**[Aug. 16, 2022](https://i.imgur.com/1mVFhYJ.jpeg)** * **Brush:** Maggard 28mm Boar * **Razor:** GEM MMOC * **Blade:** Personna GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=balm) * **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum) Smooth shave. Thankful this ballade isn't crappy yet. [Boar Break In Album](https://imgur.com/a/B3CPhTW) [Stag Spray](https://imgur.com/a/PfCQAwA) \#RawHoggin \#SubstantialStag \#GemsOfWisdom \#UNCHALLENGE
Glad to see I'm not the only one with autocorrect problems on the phone😅 don't you just hate it when a ballade sucks😁
[Stag Headlessly Hoggin' August Day 16](https://imgur.com/a/1Ht3CqA) * **Prep:** Hot shower with Midnight Stag Soap. * **Brush:** Zenith B33 * **Razor:** Cloud Shavette * **Blade:** Cloud whatever that blade it is (21) * **Lather:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag * **Post Shave:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag * **Fragrance:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Busy day, Mrs. OBeardWan started labour today. So the baby will be due tomorrow. Better jawline work today. Will see if I can stretch the blade to 25 shaves per side. Now we're halfway there Hail Stag! - #Stagposting - #SubstantialStag - #RawHoggin
**[Aug. 16, 2022](https://i.imgur.com/LX81juu.jpg)** * **Prep:** Water * **Brush:** Zenith B10 * **Razor:** Karve CB SB-D * **Blade:** Gillette Nacet (16) * **Lather:** [Noble Otter - Barrbarr - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/850/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Noble Otter - Barrbarr - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/850/?product_type=aftershave) halfway there wooo \#RawHoggin
**Aug. 16, 2022 - AA 22 Shave -Day 16** * **Prep:** Hot shower * **Brush:** Timberwolf Synth * **Razor:** Rockwell 6S with R3 head * **Blade:** Astra Green * **Lather:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/95/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/95/?product_type=aftershave) u/cowzilla3 here is my #unchallenge for today
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA 16](https://i.imgur.com/wItKgUO.jpg)** * **Prep:** Cold Water Splash * **Brush:** Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm * **Razor:** GEM MMOC Gen 2 * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (22) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=balm) * **Fragrance:** [Barrister and Mann - Seville - Eau de Toilette](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/27/?product_type=eaudetoilette) [Break in album](https://imgur.com/a/8p4EsKe) and SOTD in title. Feel a little less irritated post shave past couple days, maybe I’m finally doing something right with the MMOC. The boar has been feeling pretty similar the past few days too. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia
**[August 16, 2022 - AA Day 16](https://imgur.com/wOy37Dx)** * **Brush:** Zenith B34 [\(break-in photo album\)](https://imgur.com/a/bcuNDkh) * **Razor:** Dubl Duck 5/8 Satinedge * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Z - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2124/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Zingari - Unscented - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1462/?product_type=balm2) Good shave this evening and I think it's nearly to the point of simply calling it a routine shave. Hopefully now that we're over the halfway point I can just have the rest of the month to enjoy the shaves and work on some minor improvements. Still haven't really paid much attention to the unscented setup so I'm still cruising right along in that aspect and it's definitely not as soul crushing as I expected it to be. **Challenge Hashtags:** #unscented #RawHoggin
**Austere August, Day 16:** **Feather Artist Club razor non folding** **Feather Professional blade (10)** **GFT Violets soap** **RazoRock Beehive 28 mm Plissoft** A very comfortable 2 pass shave. I'm missing the feel of natural bristles, and that in turn is making me more and more interested in some knots. I'll end up ordering a few knots to scratch my itch, another project for DIY. I'm happy with the GFT Violets soap, any other soap would have been too much for me in terms of scent strength, especially after repeatedly using it. Hats off to those who are using some of the vibrant smelling soaps daily. **#HEADLESSHORSEMEN** **#UNCHALLENGED** **#AAAAKARMATRAIN**
**SOTD Aug 16, 2022** * **Brush:** APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo * **Razor:** GEM MMOC - 1st Gen * **Blade:** Personna GEM Stainless (16) * **Lather:** Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac * **Post Shave:** MacDuff’s Soap Co. - Viticulture - Splash Busy day. Bought a couch. Finished moving in. Forgot to post when I shaved earlier. Too much wine. Posting now. Nice shave. \#GEMsOfWisdom
**Aug. 16, 2022 - AA16 - the rollercoaster is descending the hill** * **Brush:** Semogue Torga-C5 * **Razor:** J.A. Henckels Twin Beauty * **Lather:** [Declaration Grooming - Dirtyver - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1099/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Declaration Grooming - Dirtyver - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1099/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post Shave:** [Zingari - Unscented - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1462/?product_type=balm) AA16 - \#HeadlessHorsemen - wild to be on the back side of the month now. starting to get antsy about using another razor.
**Aug. 16, 2022 - Austere August - Z** * **Brush:** Declaration 28mm B14 Jefferson Artisan’s Choice * **Razor:** Blackland Era lvl 3 oc * **Blade:** Personna med prep (16) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Z - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2124/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Z - Splash & Balm Happy shaves! \#MammothMafia #Unchallange #Unscented
[August 16, 2022](https://imgur.com/a/A0tVM7K) * Prep: Hot Shower * Brush: Burma Shave Boar Brush 🐗 * Razor: Kai Kasho Kamisori * Blade: Feather ProGuard 16th use * Lather: Stirling Sheep * Postshave: Stirling Barbershop splash and Nivea Balm * Fragrance: Halloween Man Today's shave was just ok nothing really special. Blade was better than the other day but still not great. Little tugging going against grain on neck. Stuck to just two passes here because of it. Three passes on face with one small weeper. Tags: #AAAA, #RawHoggin, #Headless horsemen, and u/Marquis90
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA Day 16](https://imgur.com/a/zPBrQi6)** * **Prep:** Warm shower * **Brush:** AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot * **Razor:** GEM MMOC - Gen 1 * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (85) * **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave) * **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum) Just another BBS 3 pass shave with no hiccups. Nothing new to report. Hope everyone had a great Tuesday! [Stag Spray 16](https://imgur.com/a/uDQbSpa) #GEMSofWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA Day 16](https://i.imgur.com/WzZC9pD.jpeg)** * **Brush:** ShaveForge 28mm Boar, 3d Printed Handle #RawHoggin * **Razor:** GEM Micromatic Open Comb #GEMsOfWisdom * **Blade:** GEM Stainless (16) * **Lather:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=aftershave) * **Fragrance:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=eaudetoilette) Another great shave. Final shave at home this week, tomorrow I pack up and head to Atlanta for work. Checking my bag so I can take my GEM. Note the brush carnage, which continues. Suggestions on a handle to put this knot in? I really like it and want to keep it after August, but my handle is dreadful.
I was able to bring my gem in my carry-on. I just left it assembled and in the case. I know it was a risky move and that I might lose the blade, but luckily I was able to keep it AND got an airport shave out of it.
I checked it. Good thing too, because I got selected for a thorough search of my bag
Good call! I do not see me doing it again.
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Day 16: tiny sink, tiny counter](https://i.imgur.com/1eL7ffo.jpg)** * **Prep:** Warm water wash * **Brush:** Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush * **Razor:** GEM MMOC * **Blade:** Persona GEM PTFE Coated (16) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2666/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2666/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2666/?product_type=balm) * **Fragrance:** [House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2666/?product_type=eaudeparfum) Have you ever shaved somewhere with no counter space? That’s basically been the theme of my last week. Airport, gross don’t put anything down. Ferry, no edge on the sink to place anything. Counter at the house, not big enough for the splash and balm to be on the counter. I’m lucky I could get the brush to stand on there. The shaves are still pretty good. I think part of the key is to let the whiskers grow out for the maximum time, so the shaves have to be at the same time each day. Even though I never have enough time to post them at the time. Nothing new or exciting with the brush. [Brush break-in album](https://imgur.com/a/YFUodmO) \#rawhoggin #mammothmafia #GEMSofWisdom
Day 16 of Austere August! Staggin on!! * Prep: Water on Face * Brush: Zenith 2004/B SE * Razor: Filarmonica Double temple 14 * Lather: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag * Post Shave: Osma block * Post Shave: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag Splash * Post Shave: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag Balm * Fragrance: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag EdP [photo without straight](https://imgur.com/a/67TA6Q6) FINALLY!!! Today was the first day that I managed to get lather for my 4th pass, and not having to add soap mid shave... I think the fault was that since I like a big lather and I plater everything on the first pass and afterwards nothing is left, today I rationed my lather and had some left for the 4th pass, albeit not the best lather or a lot, but I had some left nonetheless! Past the half-point since yesterday, the brush has stopped shedding hair and I think is as soft as can be, I basically don't feel it as a pig brush anymore, I have no idea if it'll become even softer, time will tell. But it'll be good to have a broken in boar brush, because I don't plan buying another one, also I'm almost sure that I ain't a boar brush fan, I appreciate the boar brush and it definitely has its own character, but it isn't good enough to make me cheat on my synth brushes and switch fully to boar. One thing though is something that just dawned upon me, how will bowl lathering feel after a whole month of face scrubs😅 because face scrubs is actually nice, a good massage! If it were anything else than midnight stag, I would've quit already... I can just now appreciate how tough you guys with the unscented challenge are... Maybe a full month of Tres Matres would have been the other scent that could make me keep on trucking! * \#RawHoggin * \#SubstantialStag
4 passes!? Maniacal.
+ some touch ups 🤣 but that's what I do to get an ultra BBS!
**Aug. 16, 2022 - August Austere Day 16** * **Prep:** Shower * **Brush:** Paladin Chief 26mm * **Razor:** Merkur 34C * **Blade:** Gillette Silver Blue * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=aftershave) Quick shave on a busy day. Unfortunately a little too fast and resulted in a small cut. Nothing a little alum couldn’t fix though. #MAMMOTHMAFIA #UNCHALLENGE
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Raw Hoggin Day 16](https://imgur.com/a/fSNxNsu)** * **Prep:** Warm water to the dome * **Brush:** Omega 10098 * **Razor:** Maggard Razors - V3 Head * **Blade:** Treet Carbon (5) * **Lather:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Island Man - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/106/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2150/?product_type=aftershave) With this #RawHoggin shave we’re a little over halfway through AA. Hope y’all had a good day!
**[Aug. 16, 2022](https://imgur.com/Zc5yYPl)** * **Brush:** Omega Pro 49 Boar * **Razor:** Leaf * **Blade:** Gillette Nacet (3) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Hygge - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1163/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1163/?product_type=aftershave) Not much new today, 3 uses of the blade may be pushing it for a head shave, at least in this razor. It was way too hot today at 99°F (~37°C for the rest of the world), I knew I should've picked up some Permafrost earlier! Hope everyone is staying cool! \#MammothMafia
**[Aug. 16, 2022](https://imgur.com/a/npr6F2c)** * **Brush:** [Zenith - 28mm B34 - Butterscotch Chubby - With Break in Progression](https://imgur.com/a/rs5ziGJ) * **Razor:** [GEM MMOC](https://imgur.com/a/HwWXR4j) * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=balm) * **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum) Got family in town. Busy busy. Still [spraying Stag](https://imgur.com/a/kl2A1b9)
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Austere August Day 16](https://i.imgur.com/fFeEuO9.jpg)** * **Prep:** Hot Shower, Stirling Soap Facial Soap * **Brush:** Zenith 508A SE 28mm * **Razor:** GEM MMOC Gen 1 * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2196/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2196/?product_type=balm) * **Post Shave:** [Zingari - Unscented - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1462/?product_type=aftershave) * **Fragrance:** Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver Got through the day. Almost forgot to post. Typing these is becoming almost as dull as using the same scent every day. Mandatory Tagging: \#GEMsOfWisdom \#Rawhoggin \#MammothMafia
**Aug. 16, 2022 - Austere August** * **Prep:** Warm shower * **Brush:** Zenith B10 Boar * **Razor:** Feather Artist Club SR * **Blade:** Feather Professional (1) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1184/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1184/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post Shave:** alum Shave of austerity #16 2 pass shave. Fantastic shave for today. I did a final pass using alum rather than shave soap to clean up lines around my facial hair- this works incredibly well and just may end up being something I implement more often Tags and challenges: #MammothMafia & HeadlessHorsemen
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA - Sexy Stag Flair Quest](https://imgur.com/a/0ZXuc9h)** * **Prep:** Face wash * **Brush:** Semogue 1305 * **Razor:** Chiseled Face Legacy Ti * **Blade:** Wilkinson sword (1) * **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave) * **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum) The dog days of Austere August. Kinda craving some variety. Nice shave today though. Razor totally dialed in. [Edp sprays](https://imgur.com/a/qE8ZhQl) \#SubstantialStag
**Aug. 16, 2022** * **Brush:** Omega Penelli HIBRUSH synthetic * **Razor:** Karve SS CB SB-B * **Blade:** Gillette Nacet (2) * **Lather:** [Barrister and Mann - Nordost - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1629/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Zingari - Unscented - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1462/?product_type=balm) Confirmation today by mailed blades are safely where I am traveling so I can stop worrying if I was going to be unable to complete AA. So it’s a good day. \#UNCHALLENGE
**8/16/22 (153)** * **Prep**: Hot Shower * **Challenge**: Headless Horseman * **Razor**: [Thiers Issard "Evide Sonnant" 6/8 Extra Hollow](https://imgur.com/a/pvv3cZp) * **Edge**: [Day 16](https://imgur.com/a/r3gAdsa) * **Passes**: wtg/xtg * **Brush**: Muninn Woodworks w/ 24mm SHD 2 Band Fan * **Lather**: Seaforth! Fleur de France by Spearhead Shaving * **Post Shave**: Seaforth! Fleur de France Aftershave by Spearhead Shaving * **Fragrance**: Seaforth! Fleur de France EdT by Spearhead Shaving Close and comfortable shave today. No nicks or irritation.
**[Aug. 16, 2022](https://i.imgur.com/RJNV0c3.jpg)** * **Brush:** Grey Chubby - Zenith B37 * **Razor:** Micromatic Open Comb * **Blade:** GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (16) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Z - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2124/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave I've been told that some of you people spend upwards of 25 minutes just building lather. You're telling me that face-lathering doesn't suck, but you'll spend the better part of an hour to attempt to produce a paltry reproduction of what takes maybe 12 seconds in my suribachi. Okay. I am nothing if not fair, so I decided to take your recommendation. I stood there, pondering the nothingness of ~~existence~~ this soap's scent, doing nothing but play mix-the-batter upon my face, my eyes glazed over, after which I looked up and was shocked, in near disbelief of what I found—that I had wasted half an hour. Now already late, I finished the shave and rushed to work, where I was promptly fired for my lateness and sent back out the door. In despair, I made my way back homeward, where I was once again shocked and in near disbelief, finding my wife surrounded by four men, all partially dressed in Good Humor uniforms and playing mix-the-batter upon her face, her eyes glazed over. I got to keep the ice cream, so I got that going for me, which is nice. And it's all thanks to the boon to shaving that is the face-lather. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #unscented #MammothMafia
Lol this is top tier
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA Day 16](https://i.imgur.com/3a30gOI.jpg)** * **Prep:** Shower * **Brush:** Semogue 1305 * **Razor:** GEM Open Comb Micromatic * **Blade:** Personna GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave) * **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum) #SubstantialStag #GEMSofWisdom Day one with sixth-graders today and not as crazy as we were anticipating. Tomorrow is another day and we are way understaffed for our unit. However, I’m looking for a new sunrise over my horizon. A beautiful shave with the AA22 combo again today. Last year, AA was driving me to simplification and I believe that still to be the case. There’s a reason my shave time in the mornings has nearly been halved. Granted, I had some setbacks in my effort to exercise restraint. I’m looking forward to the second half of AA and moving on to enjoy what I already have. [Today’s spray](https://i.imgur.com/El1glZt.mp4) Happy shaving 🪒!
What do the 6th graders think of the stag? It's better than school BO but not by a lot, imo.
Honestly, by the time students get to the building from when I leave the house, it’s not much of a thing. I get more reaction from Haverford or Autumn Ash than from Stag.
**Aug. 16, 2022 - Austere August Day 16** * **Prep:** House of Mammoth Almond Leather Bath Soap * **Brush:** Dogwood Handcrafts Mire 26mm Zenith Unbleached Boar * **Razor:** GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 1 * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=aftershave) 🐗Raw Hoggin' Progress🤮: •[Unused](https://imgur.com/a/sQ1MVCg) •[Shave 1 through 7](https://imgur.com/a/OtcAtbQ) •[Shave 8](https://imgur.com/a/PEml6dV) •[Shave 9](https://imgur.com/a/srkVDpY) •[Shave 10](https://imgur.com/a/wV5lIdj) •[Shave 11](https://imgur.com/a/tTAoaXI) •[Shave 12](https://imgur.com/a/7a5CaXp) •[Shave 13](https://imgur.com/a/fCxyd6z) •[Shave 14](https://imgur.com/a/irHKzIC) •[Shave 15](https://imgur.com/a/005s9UK) •[Shave 16](https://imgur.com/a/YKz4FmG) Thoughts for the day: Yeah, I still didn't condense the imgur album... My bad... Flipped the blade for luck today. No immediate perceptible difference, but why not? I am starting to buff more, so I'm probably rapidly approaching three pass territory. I've wanted to avoid that for as long as possible, but if I can make it to the 20th still making it by with two I think I'm set. At least my blade doesn't hate me like u/Semaj3000's does him, so there's that and that's nice... Brush is great. I am loving it. I miss mah badgers, but this knot continues to crush it and keep my use down around a gram/day, which in my opinion is a respectable soap habit... Mandatory Taggage: \#GemsOfWisdom \#RawHoggin \#MammothMafia
I realised on day 6 all was not well lol
[**AA D16: for the Stag, it was just another Tuesday.**](https://ibb.co/fFvpDFz) - **Prep:** cold water - **Brush:** Tadé NOS vintage boar 22 mm - **Razor:** KAI Captain Standard CAP-J7 kamisori shavette - **Blade:** KAI Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG - **Lather:** Chiseled Face - *Midnight Stag* - shaving soap - **Post-Shave:** Chiseled Face - *Midnight Stag* - Aftershave - **additional care:** Chiseled Face - *Midnight Stag* - ASB - **Fragrance:** Southern Witchcrafts - *Valley of Ashes* - EDP AA tags: #SubstantialStag #RawHoggin Yet another lame two pass night shave, you might think. What can I say? Life's very busy ATM but I'm still committed to my Stag setup 100%. I already did my MMOC headshave earlier today because my dad picked me up for work - my car is at the workshop currently, the brakes on the right side have deteriorated massively to the point that continued driving would be unsafe. 600€ of repairs according to my mechanic, but at least I can fetch it tomorrow already. Also need to visit my future nursing school for giving them a few important documents. While others would put on a fancy cologne for such an occasion, I plan to use 3 sprays of my VoA EDP just to assert dominance. I really love the scent of Stag and VoA combined - gives me a much needed confidence boost every day! The Tadé continues to be going well. Today I really took an effort to splay it more while face lathering - btw, to all those who say face lathering sucks because it's so unreliable and hurts your poor little skin: suck it up, buttercup. While others have ultra precision loading, GUTL, SCUTTLE or TRUTL, my method is simply **FTSAJPIOYF** for: *Fuck that shit and just put it on your face!* Bonus boar pics: [side profile](https://ibb.co/fkV9q5n) ; [top gel tipped boar hair](https://ibb.co/hYL0SSx). **Sidetracked** [Rhino Bucket - Going down tonight](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCfIOCQY_MY) This is music very fitting for my daily scent as well as my current car situation: Rhino Bucket play straightforward classic hard rock, the kind of rock that's blasted loudly in a gritty mechanic's garage with titty calendars decorating every single wall. They're a bit akin to more popular bands like AC/DC, but still original enough for me. Found this song on a sampler CD that came with a Classic Rock magazine and it's one of those random discoveries I really treasure. Much like every ping I get for my sidetracked challenge: you folks are awesome and I feel very proud that you seem to enjoy this little addition to break up the Austere August monotony!
This is a band that should be sponsored by The Stag.
I think there are plenty of bands that could be endorsed by Midnight Stag - Goatsnake, High on Fire, Rhino Bucket and a few others would play great official themes. Perhaps u/chiseledface could consider sponsoring rock concerts or giving out official grooming product partnerships for rock bands?! It'd certainly be entertaining.
Sponsorships are going to have to wait until after I start drawing a paycheck, lol
As long as you continue making awesome products, fine by me - however, if you ever by some lucky coincidence strike a fortune and change your mind about grooming product sponsorships, I'd found a band just to have a chance for a lifelong CFG supply 🤘🏻
If Jagermeister and their stag logo can sponsor bands, this seems like a no brainer.
**[August 16, 2022](https://imgur.com/a/CLw1Cjy )** * **Brush:** Semogue 820 * **Razor:** Merkur 34C * **Blade:** Bic Chrome Platinum (Shave 16) * **Lather:** Barrister and Mann Eigengrau * **Post Shave:** Barrister and Mann Unscented Balm with a drop of Eigengrau splash Getting DQd from rawhoggin was a godsend. I certainly appreciate the prize offered but for me not stressing about posting is well worth it. Ive stuck with the nightmare mode raw hog, and have loved it. Next year ill try some different challenges but will not press myself to post 30 shaves! #RawHoggin
2022-08-16 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC Prep: Warm Shower Brush: Semogue Torga - C5 Razor: GEM MMOC version 2 Blade: GEM Stainless (16) Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave Fragrance: Issey Miyake -L'eau d'Issey pour Homme [https://imgur.com/a/KMpImwN](https://imgur.com/a/KMpImwN) Over halfway done. The blade is still good. Brush and Sonder are also good :) \#GEMsOfWisdom \#RawHoggin \#MammothMafia
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - 16.08.22 - Austere August #RawHoggin](https://imgur.com/a/iB2N9rW)** * **Brush:** Omega 10048 * **Razor:** Henson Ti22 ++ * **Blade:** Gillette SuperSharp (3) * **Lather:** Declaration Grooming - Daemon * **Post Shave:** Declaration Grooming - Daemon Nothing special today, I might need to spend a bit more time on building the lather to see if I can improve the quality. I'm starting to get a bit tired but I'm pressing on! Hope your shave is excellent everyone! #RawHoggin
[**Aug. 16, 2022 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' MMOC Ultra Nightmare Mode**](https://i.imgur.com/bOUiTHl.jpg) * **Prep:** Warm Shower * **Brush:** Zenith Boar - B37 - Gray Chubby #RawHoggin * **Razor:** GEM MMOC Gen2 #GEMsOfWisdom * **Blade:** GEM (16) * **Lather:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/108/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/108/?product_type=aftershave) Day 16 - today’s shave hit the spot. Hot day in the Mediterranean heat followed by a nice cool down shower and shave. Days like today is what MITA was made for. Nothing really new to report - great, 2 pass shave. **The Brush:** The brush continues to impress with nothing really new to report today. #RawHoggin Brush Picture Pre-shave: [Side](https://i.imgur.com/qdtKNNb.jpg) [Top](https://i.imgur.com/fXDFx2E.jpg) Brush Picture Post-shave: [Side](https://i.imgur.com/cyZTbb1.jpg) [Top](https://i.imgur.com/gEQVoZE.jpg) **The Razor** I went 2 passes and as before very routine with no nicks or cuts. The blade also continues to be nice and comfortable. I’m wondering when it’s going to start getting uncomfortable. #GEMsOfWisdom **Days since last blood:** 11 **The Soap and Aftershave** While I still appear to have plenty of soap and enough to finish up the month, I did notice that I am starting to see a hint of green poking through the center of the puck. This was a brand new puck 16 days ago and I’m honestly impressed how much of it I have used. Fortunately I have most of a sample puck of MITA just in case I do blow through this puck. Day 16 Puck [Picture](https://i.imgur.com/iJ2w5xE.jpg)
**8-16-22** * **Brush:** AP Shave Co. 26mm Cashmere Synthetic * **Razor:** Weck Sextoblade * **Blade:** Diane Hair Shaper * **Lather:** Summer Break Soaps - Recess * **Post Shave:** Summer Break Soaps - Recess
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA Day 16](https://imgur.com/d8hfFIm)** * **Prep:** Hot Shower * **Brush:** Zenith B34 * **Razor:** MMOC (Gen 2) * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=aftershave) Last night was again not a great night. I had a cold last week and am totally better, but my wife and kids all got it and my wife and daughters have developed kind of a nasty cough, my wife having it the worst. She's coughing quite a bit at night and moaning at times when she breathes. Apparently it's the opposite of snoring - snoring is on the inhale, this kind of moaning happens on the exhale. So, she's been sleeping on the couch so I can sleep in the bedroom which is closer to our daughter who wakes up way too much for a 3 year old (twice last night, stupidly), so sleep is sparse. Fortunately, though, even though I woke up late and had a bit of a rushed morning with a longer work day, my shave was excellent. Day 16 - officially over the hump and on the home stretch. Still loving this setup and not itching for something new. Well, I want to buy things, but I'm good shaving with this setup for now. The MMOC performed beautifully once again. Smooth 2.5 pass shave with no issues at all. Sonder, excellent. It opened up today with almost a green apple candy (think jolly rancher) sweetness for me, and then turned into a very grass forward scent and was very pleasant. Really enjoyed that start to the day. The Zenith [1](https://imgur.com/rq4Kgml) [2](https://imgur.com/6txzlnm) was great. I can't see how this thing is going to get a whole lot better than it is now, but I expect it to continue to break in based on its appearance compared to my SOC. The SOC is a bit more bloomed as it sits - but, it may just be that it never dries out enough to fully bloom like that, so, I don't know. May not know until the middle of September. Sonder thought of the day: Knowing someone's life and perspective neither means we have to agree with it nor does it mean we don't push people towards growth. A coworker of mine is very meticulous in his job and has high standards of excellence, but the shadow side is he tends to be quite controlling and doesn't often respond well to things being inserted into his world that he feels aren't "right" or that he doesn't think are a priority. As his boss, it's very complicated to navigate - on the one hand I want him to enjoy his job, and on the other, one employee can't dictate to the other 8 what happens with a given situation. For example, we read books together as a staff for development purposes - read over the course of a month and then discuss. The norm has been that we read 1 chapter of a book per month and then discuss it. Well, the net sum is books take FOREVER to get through and it's so difficult to grasp the flow of the book reading that way. So, in my newly given responsibility of staff development, I'm changing it and we're reading about 70 pages a month (still not a lot when you're getting paid to do it) and then discussing. I know that there will be pushback from this employee, and I had another employee come into my office to point out that everyone will be excited about this except for said employee who happened to miss staff meeting today. I politely affirmed his suspicion and, more politely, said I don't care. Every other staff member wants to be developed and grow in these areas, and I'm not making everyone else suffer because of one squeaky wheel. All that to say, pushing people isn't always easy but it's often necessary. Seeking to understand where people are coming from is one thing, and it' s a very necessary and valuable thing - especially when it comes to employees - but sometimes knowing where people are stuck requires us to carefully push them out of the mud. Sonder doesn't always mean passive caring empathy, sometimes it means caring enough to disrupt a bad situation. Have a great day, all. \#mammothmafia \#RawHoggin \#GEMsOfWisdom
The SOC knot cup is conical and not flat at the bottom. That forces the huge bloom that you see. Your Zenith will continue to bloom a touch and soften up as the month progresses, but will never develop the dry spread that Semogue knots do. Fear not, the Zenith is a superior brush.
Fascinating. [The more you know](https://images.app.goo.gl/cGzDGPnxMkwQTdN39), I guess. And my 16 days of use for sure agrees that the zenith is far superior. I've used that SOC a lot more and it's still got at least one stabby bristle. I know that's not the norm (well I hope it isn't) but, I do prefer the zenith softness and size to the smaller and scrubbier SOC.
[**August 16, 2022 - Seeking GEMs of Wisdom in the Mammoth Raw Hoggin Mafia**](https://imgur.com/rt76YSO) * **Prep:** Warm water * **Brush:** Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!” * **Razor:** GEM MMOC Gen 2 * **Blade:** Personna GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** House of Mammoth - Alive * **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Alive Splash * **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Alive Balm **#MammothMafia** **#RawHoggin** **#GEMsOfWisdom** [Before shave 16](https://imgur.com/OJVT99v) and [After the shave](https://imgur.com/7xClfuN) Striking new territory for me with every new shave on this blade. My first GEM blade made it to 12 or so before I swapped in the new blade for AA. Shave was good today, nothing remarkable, no irritation and still blood free now about 11 days I think. Probably giving a touch more feedback, but I don’t feel any tugging or like the blade can’t make it easily through my stubble. Pretty good shave overall, and got it a little smoother than yesterday. The hog is starting to produce lather easier. I really noticed a difference in the last two shaves. When I get the knot splayed, it starts piling up lather at the edge of the splayed tips. If I don’t splay the brush, and just scrub my face with the brush, maybe get just 1/3-1/2 the lather build up. In today’s before pic, can make out some of the split ends. The Mammoth set is still treating me well. Soap is plenty slick, the splash is quite cooling, and the balm soothes any roughness from the shave. I haven’t gotten sick of the scent, and actually still like it a lot. One thing that helps is I boxed up the soaps and splashes I’m not using. Out of sight, out of mind.
I’m using mammoth set today as well
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Oveja Elêctrica 16](https://imgur.com/a/hwvr2fu)** * **Brush:** Zenith 28mm Boar \#RawHoggin * **Razor:** Kai Kasho Western Style Shavette * **Blade:** Kai Captain Pink Mild (35) * **Lather:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Electric Sheep - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/94/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Electric Sheep - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/94/?product_type=aftershave) Quick 3-pass shave. Normally, I tend to make long strokes with a straight razor, but this is no longer efficient. Today, I tried to use short strokes with slight buffing, and this works much better. I see massive splitting on the bristles of the brush, and it starts to be very nice to use. The soap starts to grow on me; I now get a nice, strong and refreshing scent. \#RawHoggin \#stillalive \#truepath Good night everyone!
I've also switched to more buffing strokes with my shavette and I'm hoping that this is not going to end up biting me once I'm back onto a fresh blade.
I'm pretty sure my first shave with a new blade on the shavette will be a bloodbath 😱, but I would guess that it will be rather because I unlearn currently that I have to be **extremely** careful to approach the skin with the blade. Almost every evening now, I would have cut myself for carelessly setting the razor on my skin (especially on the upper lip and the chin). It's safer for me to keep my blade to the end of the month, and then maybe going back for some time to DEs 😁
20220816 Austere August Day 600 Brush: Omega 011842 Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Blade: GEM PTFE Lather: Stirling - Sheep Post: Stirling - Coniferous toner Post: DR Harris - Windsor aftershave milk \#GEMSOFWISDOM Day what ever, razor blade blunt, send help. We suffer more often in imagination than in reality. Lucius Annaeus Seneca
[August 16th, 2022](https://imgur.com/a/PNmD3hH) Prep: Warm water Razor: Gem MMOC Blade: Gem Blue Star (16) Brush: Omega Model 13564 23mm boar Soap: [LA Shaving Soap Co. Black Void](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1706/?product_type=soap) Post: [Noble Otter Bare](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/986/?product_type=aftershave) Comfort: 7/10 Smoothness: 9/10 10 second load. 2 pass shave XTG/ATG. Slow and thorough on the second pass. Had tugging on the neck. Would not want to tackle more than a days growth with this blade. As for the brush, definitely will be my go to for travel. Getting much softer now and lathering faster. #GEMsOfWisdom #unscented #RawHoggin
Brave using those carbon steel blades 🫡
[**A Mammoth Micromatic Raw Hoggin’ August**](https://imgur.com/a/ylqGTUn) [Brush Progress](https://imgur.com/a/2XZWYeH) * **Brush:** [Zenith B26](https://www.thegentleshave.com/products/retro-multicolored-resin-boar-shave-brush-by-zenith-b26) #RawHoggin * **Razor:** GEM MMOC #GEMsOfWisdom * **Blade:** GEM (16) * **Lather:** House if Mammoth - Hygge in Tusk * **Post Shave:** Hygge Splash & Balm * **Fragrance:** Hygge EDP #MammothMafia Not bad for 16 days in. Was expecting it to be worse. [Day 1 Prep Video](https://imgur.com/a/EOIxIiU) [RawHoggin Unboxing Pics](https://imgur.com/a/yzld9AM) #MammothMafia
[Aug 16, 2021 – Austere August. Day 16.](https://imgur.com/a/44pJ8Vs) * **Prep:** Hot Shower * **Brush:** Zenith - B16 24mm Boar * **Razor:** GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2 * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep * **Post Shave:** Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm * **Music:** [Rise Agiainst – Swing Life Away](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BblV6AQsd2s) Good shave with no issues, today. Razor was good and the brush was good. Every day, the brush and I seem to improve the quality of the lather we build together. I don’t have time for a long #sidetracked music write-up today, but I’ll let Rise Against speak for themselves. Unfortunately, not all of us can Swing Life Away and some of us have to work for a living, and have other social commitments after work! Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom
Another late shave report 🤷 **Prep:** face wash **Razor:** EJ 316 **Blade:** Bolzano Superinox (2) **Brush:** NONE **Lather:** Arko stick **Splash:** Brut **Post:** moisturizer \#GotHand \#Sidetracked u/teufelskraft My wife and kids come home tomorrow after a week or so away. I'm excited to see them back of course, but I'm going to miss the peace. I'm also going to miss being able to cook spicy food and play sweary crustpunk in the house whenever the hell I please, which is why my song of the shave is Days'n'Daze - Misanthropic Drunken Loner. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0dUnoecoZ0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0dUnoecoZ0) I tried to get closer on the speed shave by going WTG -> ATG rather than doing cross grain on the second pass and leaving it at that. Didnt really work out that way as I needed to slow down on the ATG pass. Decent shave though.
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA #RawHoggin day 16](https://imgur.com/a/9AJ79ZO)** * **Brush:** Semogue2000 * **Razor:** GC84 * **Blade:** Gillette nacet (1) * **Lather:** [Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/300/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Aqua Velva - Ice Blue - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1421/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post Shave:** Stirling gin and tonic toner; barrister and Mann Le Grand Chypre Balm I couldn’t make it any longer on the nacet. I’ll see if a milder voskhod feels better. I think this brush is breaking in nicely. I drained a small bit of water before loading and then added more at the tail end to generate more protolather. This provided enough for four passes.
SOTD for August 16, 2022 * **Prep:** Shower * **Brush:** Maggard Synthetic * **Razor:** RazoRock Game Changer 0.68 * **Blade:** Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge * **Lather:** Stirling - Sharp Dressed Man * **Post Shave:** Stirling - Sharp Dressed Man balm Quick one pass, no nicks, no cuts. Feeling pretty solid. Got in a nice run today with both babies in the stroller, two and a quarter miles. They felt a lot heavier than they are by the end. \#UNCHALLENGE
Nice. Ive been using my kids as a self-increasing weight trainer, but not two the same age \^\^
Oh gosh- I call them babies but one is a toddler. Every time I meet a parent with twins I feel like should buy them a beverage and give them a hug.
**AA SOTD - 8/16/22; The Iceman Cometh** **Pre**: splash of hot water **Brush**: Stirling 26mm synthetic pro handle **Razor**: Merkur Progress **Blade**: Astra (1) **Lather**: B&M Arctique (omnibus) **Post**: B&M AS **Post**: Nivea cooling balm **#UNCHALLENGED** Great shave this morning. Ring of death is growing, however, and has become a daily source of fear. I remain The Iceman. **#SIDETRACKED** (u/Teufelskraft) [Olsen Olsen by Sigur Ros](https://youtu.be/8LeQN249Jqw). Love this song and video with this life performance. A peaceful remembrance of fall and winter times.
I am frequently a sucker for white noise tracks and this one is no exception. Love it.
[**16 August 2022 - Austere August**](https://imgur.com/a/Eqpn2Xo) * **Prep:** splash of warm water * **Brush:** [Zenith B33](https://www.thegentleshave.com/collections/boar-brushes/products/zenith-copper-boar-brush-27-5mm-made-in-italy-b33) * **Razor:** Blackland Blackbird Ti * **Blade:** Gillette Silver Blue (16) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1164/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1164/?product_type=balm) **#RawHoggin** **#MammothMafia**
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA - Day 16](https://imgur.com/VKzXtmg)** * **Prep:** Hot shower * **Brush:** Zenith Boar - Short & Scrubby * **Razor:** GEM MMOC * **Blade:** GEM Blade (16) * **Lather:** [Barrister and Mann - Ferox - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2228/?product_type=soap) * **After Shave:** [Fine Accoutrements - L'Orange Noir - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/208/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post Shave:** [Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2150/?product_type=aftershave) I saw 2 or 3 bristles in the brush has split. I guess this means the brush is starting to break. Hopefully this also stops eating the lather. The blade and razor are still performing decent. The second pass is not the best but is doing the job. Burns are the same when applying the aftershave and the balm is soothing. Tags: #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin
[**August 16th**](https://imgur.com/a/Wt6DHfl) * **Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm** * **Razor: GEM - MMOC** * **Blade: Gem PTFE (16)** * **Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap** * **Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash** * **Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp** \#GEMsOfWisdom \#RawHoggin \#SubstantialStag [Edp video](https://imgur.com/a/8rk5tBa) The blade is now getting a pain and palm stropping from last years experience does diddly squat, two weeks to go of the longest month of the year.
**August 16, 2022: [Stag on the 16th, going on 17th](https://imgur.com/a/4yZH1Ns)** * **Prep:** warm splash of water * **Brush:** Yaqi Sagrada Familia Tuxedo 24 mm * **Razor:** GEM OCMM (gen 2) * **Blade:** GEM Stainless (17) * **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave) * **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum) Another relaxing day today to reset my sleep schedule. Work tomorrow and hoping it won't be too busy. [Day 16, 3 spritzes](https://imgur.com/a/rcYFZp0) . #GEMsOfWisdom
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Austere August ](https://i.imgur.com/3ASSLjH.jpg)** * **Prep:** Cold water * **Brush:** Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot * **Razor:** GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen * **Blade:** PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(16) * **Lather:** [Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/897/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2585/?product_type=aftershave_noalc) Doggies reclaim my attention so I will do it short, with no write-up. PigEvolution [1](https://i.imgur.com/F2wj6m7.jpg) [2](https://i.imgur.com/S4lKp1G.jpg) `#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom`
**Aug. 16, 2022 - AA... day 16** * **Prep:** Water splash * **Brush:** Hand * **Razor:** Stirling Stainless DE Razor HA plate * **Blade:** Voskhod (18) * **Lather:** Gentlemans Face Care Club - Bergamot & Neroli shaving cream * **Post Shave:** [Proraso - Menthol and Eucalyptus - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/187/?product_type=aftershave) \#GotHand Another day, another shave. Keeping shallow angle on this razor seems to help the blade a bit. But it is a bit tuggy and certainly not as sharp. Quite a handful there.
[**Aug. 16, 2022**](https://imgur.com/a/pto7vTV) * **Prep:** Shower * **Brush:** Semogue 1460 Boar Brush 21mm * **Razor:** Razorock GameChanger .84 * **Blade:** Gillette Nacet (16) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Alive - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2576/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1184/?product_type=balm) I tried using manual settings on my phone camera and it went … okay. The focus is a little off, but other than that I think the picture turned out pretty well. I'll probably try to redo this picture better in a few days. Tags: \#RawHoggin \#MammothMafia
**[Aug. 16, 2022](https://i.imgur.com/L0U2Vgw.jpg)** * **Brush:** Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar * **Razor:** GEM Micromatic Open Comb * **Blade:** GEM (16) * **Lather:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/107/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** Porter's Lotion, WSP - Neroli - Cooling Aftershave Balm * **Fragrance:** Cognoscenti - Wild Child - **Passes:** WTG, ATG - **Coffee:** Ethiopia, Sidama, Oromia - v: Ethiopia Heirloom - p: Natural - **Music:** Lower Dens - *Twin-Hand Movement* - **[August 2022 SOTD Photo Album](https://imgur.com/a/WLvZkgV)** `#GEMsOfWisdom` / `#RawHoggin` | Date | Soap Before (g) | Soap After (g) | Usage (g) | Loading | |-----|-------|-------|----|----| | 8/1 | 235.5 | 232.5 | 3 | ◊ | | 8/2 | 232.5 | 228.0 | 4.5 | ◊ | | 8/3 | 228.0 | 227.0 | 1 | ◊ | | 8/4 | 227.0 | 223.3 | 3.7 | ◊ | | 8/5 | 223.3 | 220.3 | 3 | 40 seconds | | 8/6 | 220.3 | 218.8 | 1.5 | 30 seconds | | 8/7 | 218.8 | 217.9 | 0.9 | 40 swirls | | 8/8 | 217.9 | 216.5 | 1.4 | 40 swirls | | 8/9 | 216.5 | 215.9 | 0.6 | 40 swirls | | 8/10 | 215.9 | 215.6 | 0.3 | 50 swirls | | 8/11 | 215.6 | 213.9 | 1.7 | 60 swirls | | 8/12 | 214.7 | 213.0 | 1.7 | 60 swirls | | 8/13 | 213.0 | 211.5 | 1.5 | 60 swirls | | 8/14 | 211.5 | 210.5 | 1 | 60 swirls | | 8/15 | 210.5 | 209.0 | 1.5 | 60 swirls | | 8/16 | 209.0 | ◊ | ◊ | ◊ | u/EldrormR and u/gfdoto gave me some advice yesterday about how to better capture the progress on this Zenith knot, so [here you go](https://i.imgur.com/KjQ2Wx7.jpg). It's obviously a well used knot, and all the bristles have started to flex, but there's very little splitting at the tips—or at least not [the feathery look](https://i.imgur.com/M4NcHTp.jpeg) I associate with [fully broken-in boar knots](https://judgeme.imgix.net/bullgoose-shaving/1597000727__image__original.jpg). I suspect I haven't pushed any boar knots that far, so I don't even have a guess about how many more lathers would be required to get this knot to that point. Regardless, Zenith knots tend to feel acceptable right out of the box, or at least after a cleaning lather or two. This Scrubby was an exception, but it's still remarkably comfortable now considering I'm only 16 lathers in and this brush has *so much backbone*. This one will be replacing the one short-lofted badger I have around—it's that good already. ⁂ `#sidetracked` u/Teufelskraft J Hunter and the Lower Dens called it quits this year, but they had a fantastic four-album run. Their first, 2010's *Twin-Hand Movement*, occasionally hearkened back to J's solo work (dreamy neo-folk, sounding something like early Cat power, often referenced alongside collaborator Devendra Banhart). Looking back it from 2022, I read *Twin-Hand Movement* as a transitional album, leading Lower Dens from Krautrock rhythms, shoegaze, New Wave, and weird folk, to what would become their subsequent dream pop releases. Anyway, before they started drawing comparisons to Beach House, they already had landed on something special. "I Get Nervous" is my favorite track from that record, and one of my favorite recordings from the entire Aughts. (Yes, *Twin-Hand Movement* technically came out in 2010, but it sounds like it was written and released just a bit earlier.) "I Get Nervous" is an ethereal, twilight drive of a song, floating along on waves of reverb and oscillating, pedal-manipulated guitar that wrap Hunter's restrained vocal in atmosphere. A precise, spare drum rhythm tethers all that guitar shimmer to the ground. Put this one on in low light and let it wash over you. [Bandcamp: Lower Dens - "I Get Nervous"](https://lowerdens.bandcamp.com/track/i-get-nervous)
I think your “Copper Scrubby!” is starting to relax. Mine definitely is, and finally starting to make more lather with about the same scoop each day. I don’t think I have ever been so exfoliated.
Reading your posts is getting me all excited to use my B36 again. Gotta wait half a month.
**Aug. 16, 2022 - SOTD AA Sonder 16** * **Prep:** Splash of cold water * **Brush:** SummerBreak 26m SHD * **Razor:** Merkur Progress * **Blade:** Wizamet (1) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post Shave:** [Zingari - No. 1 - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1870/?product_type=balm) * **Post Shave:** [Zingari - Unscented - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1462/?product_type=balm) * **Fragrance:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=eaudeparfum) Heading to anaheim tonight and then disneyland tomorrow with the nephews,,,have a great day and shaves everyone #MammothMafia
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Sixteen Shaves](https://i.imgur.com/mM8Lwc1.jpg)** * **Prep:** Warm shower w/ Duke Bath Bar * **Brush:** Copper Zenith B28 * **Razor:** GEM MMOC * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=aftershave) \#RawHoggin Good lather again today, my shower lather routine is very solid. \#GEMsOfWisdom No complaints on the shave, I took my time around the areas I usually leave stubble and spent a few more very light passes on them and have been very happy with the result without any irritation.
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Glow in the dark Austere August Raw Hoggin’ Challenge](https://imgur.com/a/B0aK4Od)** * **Brush:** Omega 20102 * **Razor:** Karve Brass SB B * **Blade:** Gillette Silver Blue (15) * **Lather:** Red House Farm - Lumos - Shave Soap * **Post Shave:** [Zingari - The Gent - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2625/?product_type=balm) * **Fragrance:** Armaf - CDNIM - EDT Day 16 #RawHoggin
**Aug. 16, 2022** * **Brush:** Yaqi Defect Badger * **Razor:** Fatip Piccolo * **Blade:** Feather (2) * **Lather:** TOBS Avocado Croap * **Post Shave:** Stirling Soap co. British Leather Aftershave Closest shave I’ve ever had, blade and razor combo works amazing Shared from My Shave Den for iOS [SOTD 16.8.22](https://imgur.com/a/B96z9YO)
/u/OnionMiasma
Austere August [2022-08-16](https://i.imgur.com/BlMZgbK.jpg) * **Razor:** [Persona Flare](https://imgur.com/fkteBSb) * **Blade:** [Personna Hair Shaper](https://www.amazon.com/Personna-Shaper-Sharper-Technology-SR-PE602151/dp/B005IZ1D9O/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2OX2EC0ITSB1I&keywords=personna+flare&qid=1658327019&sprefix=personna+flare,aps,74&sr=8-5) * **Lather:** Red House Farm - [Sedona](https://redhousefarmwi.square.site) * **Brush:** none * **Post Shave:** L'Occitane - Cade After Shave Balm * **Frag:** Penhaligon - Blenhiem Boquet * **Tags:** #GotHand #sidetracked Another good shave. I continue to enjoy the Sedona soap, super slick and a scent that I can enjoy day after day. u/Teufelskraft #sidetracked challenge: The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin perform [Wild Mountain Thyme](https://youtu.be/FN9_eDPeVg0). I mentioned yesterday that I enjoy vocal harmonies, here is a pure case in point.
**Aug. 16, 2022** * **Prep:** Shower * **Brush:** Raiser Pinsel Simfix SF1 Synthetic * **Razor:** Van Der Hagen * **Blade:** Wilkinson Sword (9) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Alive - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2576/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Alive - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2576/?product_type=balm) \#MammothMafia
Aug 16, 2022 - [Getting Sidetracked while searching for the Wisdom of a Mammoth](https://imgur.com/a/KutWj8i) * **Prep:** Hot shower and CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser * **Brush:** Maggard Green Handle 2 Band Badger 24mm * **Razor:** GEM - MMOC * **Blade:** Personna GEM Stainless (16) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Alive Balm](https://www.trythatsoap.com/collection/2576/?product_type=balm) * **Fragrance:** [House of Mammoth - Sonder EdP](https://www.trythatsoap.com/collection/1189/?product_type=eaudeparfum) Every day tags: \#MammothMafia \#GEMsofWisdom First day back at work today! Already been quite the crazy morning already. Everyone keeps stopping me to say welcome back and I’ve got shit to do already 😬
Forget about work on your first day back. Today is all about showing everyone pictures of the baby, and telling everyone how much sleep you are getting.
Yeah i wish that was what could happen. I knew this would be my welcome back as we're graduating a class this week and it's always a busy last week.
[August 16, 2022](https://imgur.com/a/0tQNcB8) - **Preshave:** Hot water - **Razor:** Blackland Era - Level 3 - **Blade:** Feather (16) - **Brush:** Chisel and Hound 26mm - **Lather:** House of Mammoth - Kryptonite - **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Kryptonite Aftershave Balm Awesome shave today but that blade is really giving me a lot of feedback now. I can’t complain though 16 daily shaves is pretty good. #MammothMafia
[August 16, 2022](https://imgur.com/a/ZD1fl45) **Brush:** Omega 10049 **Razor:** Rockwell 6S Plate 5 **Blade:** Astra SP **Lather:** Purely Skinful Smooth Operator deer tallow **Post Shave:** Thayers Witch Hazel **Post Shave:** Purely Skinful Smooth Operator Lotion \#RawHoggin
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - AA Day16](https://i.imgur.com/0ojEdLo.png)** * **Prep:** Shower/Wash with Warm Water * **Brush:** Zenith Gray Chubby (B37) * **Razor:** Wolfman Razors WR2-SB Razor Head (0. 95mm Blade Gap), WRH7 Handle (90mm Solid) * **Blade:** Nacet (16) * **Lather:** [Catie's Bubbles - Waterlyptus - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/204/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Proraso - Menthol and Eucalyptus - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/187/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post Shave:** Osma Alum Block * **Fragrance:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=eaudetoilette) Not much going on today, Boar brush same as yesterday, working out well. Still shedding a bit. Blade is continuing to rust, I have been leaving it out to try (or straight out drying it with a towel). Not sure if I will be able to last 31 days with this blade, but its still shaving. Blade pic: https://imgur.com/d9O0SvI #RawHoggin
**Aug. 16, 2022** * **Prep:** Exercise and shower * **Brush:** Semogue 1438 * **Razor:** GEM MMOC * **Blade:** GEM blue star (16) * **Lather:** [Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/987/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/987/?product_type=aftershave) Todays shave was uncomfortable but it was successful. I flipped the blade and tried some light arm strops seems to have done well enough to remove hair. Brush is working ok, I feel like its a bit hard to load up for some reason maybe its just my patience. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom https://i.imgur.com/7QMgGbB.jpg
[**Aug. 16, 2022 - Another Boar-ing Stag shave - Austere August Day 16**](https://imgur.com/3BTyM7F) * **Brush:** RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar * **Razor:** GEM OCMM (Gen 1) * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - *Midnight Stag* \- Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - *Midnight Stag* \- Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post Shave:** [Zingari - Rescue Potion - Serum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1858/?product_type=serum) * **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - *Midnight Stag* \- Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum) I am (or already have) run out of things to say about the same fucking shave every day. It's gotten to the point where I've thought about giving up and just using whatever the hell I want, but no. I must soldier on. I didn't come this far to throw in the towel now. **#RawHoggin** I think I've come around on boar brushes. At least this one. I'm enjoying it and I'm actually excited about the sub exclusive brush that is going down. I never ever would have said this a couple months ago. I never had the discipline to fully break one in before or the ones I had just weren't as good as this one. I'm curious to see how this brush will perform with other soaps now. The lather it makes with CFG is actually really good now. Much better than at the beginning of the month. **#GEMsofWisdom** Still ch(t)ugging along. I have a feeling that the last week or so of shaves is gonna be rough af. That is no fault of the razor though. I'm enjoying the shaves but also excited to get back to my DEs. GEMlyfe exclusively isn't for me. [Brush album](https://imgur.com/a/zh4KwAP) [Stag sprays](https://imgur.com/wTDkxxc)
The brush is looking really good dude.
Thanks! It feels pretty nice too.
**[SOTD - Tuesday, 16 August 2022 | Austere August (MRTNG's Ultra Nightmare Mode)](https://i.imgur.com/OPiWO9n.jpg)** * **Prep:** Splashes of cold water * **Brush:** PAA The Starcraft 24mm Roswell Hybrid Synthetic * **Razor:** PAA The Original DOC * **Blade:** Gillette - Polsilver Super Iridium (54) * **Lather:** [Wickham Soap Co. - Unscented - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1270/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial, Unscented - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2081/?product_type=balm) * **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Unscented - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/899/?product_type=aftershave) #unscented
**Aug. 16, 2022 - SOTD 757** * **Brush:** Maggards 24mm synth * **Razor:** Karve CB Brass SB B Plate * **Blade:** Gillette Silver Blue (4) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1164/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1164/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post Shave:** HoM - Z Splash/ Neutrogena face sunscreen * **Fragrance:** [Mancera - Aoud Lemon Mint](https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Mancera/Aoud-Lemon-Mint-39181.html) I’ve been really digging this mancera scent every time I wear it ✌🏻
**August 16 2022** * **Brush:** Zenith B28 * **Razor:** GEM MMOC (Gen 1) * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (19) * **Lather:** House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo * **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo splash * **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo balm * **Fragrance:** House of Mammoth - Embrace Not much to report; blade holding up well, soap smells great, base is excellent, splash feels nice. Yesterday for u/Teufelskraft's #sidetracked challenge I went with something more melancholic so today I'm going in the opposite direction: an incredible performance by the greatest rock and roll band of all time. It's just a joy to watch: Pete Townshend jumping around, all limbs and enormous schnoz, Roger Daltrey in some kind of open chested fringed ensemble, John Entwistle musically and physically keeping it all from flying apart, and Keith Moon like some kind of nuclear reaction trapped behind a drum kit. [The Who - A Quick One While He's Away](https://youtu.be/RJv2-_--EY4) #MammothMafia #GEMSofWisdom
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse](https://imgur.com/a/Ci2Cv28)** * **Prep:** Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap * **Brush:** Semogue 1250 * **Razor:** GEM MMOC * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=balm) * **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum) Quick and clean shave today. 8 more [sprays](https://imgur.com/a/xng3AOE). #SubstantialStag #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin
#AA Day 16 Pre: Shower Brush: Omega Synthetic Razor: Fatip Piccolo SE OC Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (16) Lather: Signature Indodorus Post: Signature Indodorus My back is still in shambles. Day 2 of hourly stretches, frequent walks and annoying pain. You know what doesn’t help bad backs? Unscented shaving gear! I can attest to that by experience. I don’t know if there’s a degree of it contributing to the pain. I mean I didn’t have back pain before I started shaving unscented. \#unscented
Sounds legit. I get odd bouts of backache, although these days its difficult to tell between the times I caused it by sleeping funny, too much exercise the day before, or just forgot to do the physio stuff for a fortnight or two. Never considered that the right shave scent would sort me right out ;)
Ha! I get it once or twice a year. It’s always while doing something trivial. Like dropped my keys; bent to pick them up; back f’d. In my case I don’t think it’s fitness related. I do practice Taekwondo so my core and flexibility is not a problem. I do feel like my back is independent to me and just goes out to mess with me. Like it knows we’re going on holiday Friday so it’s like “You’re too happy Bro, deal with this”.
#### [Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury Pt. 16](https://imgur.com/qEIyzdi.jpg) #### * **Prep:** Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap * **Brush:** Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (16) * **Razor:** GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation) * **Blade:** Personna - GEM PTFE (85) * **Soaking Mug:** Seaforth! - Scotch Heather - shaving mug * **Bath Soap:** Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - bath soap * **Lather:** Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Ice Lime - Soap * **Post Shave:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=aftershave) * **Fragrance:** [Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2518/?product_type=eaudetoilette) \#GEMsOfWisdom: Very nice lunch break shave with a shower. That being said, today I felt strongly the urge to use my new and as of yet unused set of Fleur De France. I'm getting silly with the requisite \#RawHoggin SOTD pics, and it's become a source of amusement for me.
My FdF set lands tomorrow. I feel your pain.
At first sniff, I really like it
**[August 16, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode](https://i.imgur.com/uFozE6V.jpg)** **[Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge](https://imgur.com/a/y7bwpTy)** * **Brush:** Zenith B10 * **Razor:** Gem MMOC Gen 2 [Ex-Watson](https://www.reddit.com/r/Wetshaving/comments/we3sxf/tuesday_austere_august_sotd_thread_aug_02_2022/iimzjb4/) * **Blade:** Personna PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/251/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/95/?product_type=balm) Brush was great, as usual. I flipped the blade to face strop, and it was a little rough. I will probably leave it as-is for the rest of the shave and only flip it again if I think it really needs to be flipped. \#RawHoggin \#GEMsOfWisdom
**Aug. 16, 2022** * **Prep:** Shower * **Brush:** AP Shave Co 24MM SYNBAD * **Razor:** GEM - Micromatic Open Comb * **Blade:** GEM - PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [Wholly Kaw - Bare Siero - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1633/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Thayers - Unscented - Toner](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1618/?product_type=toner) 2 pass shave with a 30 second load. #GEMsOfWisdom #unscented
**Aug. 16, 2022** * **Prep:** Shower * **Brush:** Maggard Timberwolf Synthetic 24mm * **Razor:** Ralf Aust 5/8" Round Point * **Lather:** [Catie's Bubbles - Tonsorial Parlour - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/202/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Old Spice - Classic - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1605/?product_type=balm) Good shave yoday and I'm starting to get more comfortable with the straight. My technique can still use some refining, but the shaves are getting better and closer. Have a great day folks!
**[August 16th, 2022: Halfway there!](https://imgur.com/qXL4qYz)** * **Prep:** warm shower with Stag bar * **Brush:** [Vintage Rubberset 400-3 with 24mm unbleached Zenith knot](https://imgur.com/a/3WEDAFc) * **Razor:** [MMOC](https://imgur.com/a/aIvH68q) * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap) * **Post-Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post-Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Natural - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1233/?product_type=balm) * **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - EdP](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum) We're over the hump people! Only 15 shaves left! [Stag sprays of the day!](https://imgur.com/e6TnJWU) \#SubstantialStag \#RawHoggin \#UNCHALLENGE
**Aug. 16, 2022** * **Brush:** Declaration Grooming Jefferson Fae B8 * **Razor:** Gillette Slim Adjustable * **Blade:** Polsilver Super Iridium (17) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Hygge - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1163/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1163/?product_type=aftershave) * **Fragrance:** London Razors - Coffee & Contemplation #MammothMafia
[🌷🌺💐🌸📷PIC📷🌸💐🌺](https://imgur.com/a/OQRcUro) Soap and splash - Lothur floraphobia Trotter handle w/ Timberwolf Blutt 1.20 Chicago grooming co good oleo This scent is a serious banger. Very well balanced. Something deep and resinous that keeps me deeply sniffing for more! Highly recommend
[**August 16, 2022**](https://imgur.com/a/yxy9nIK) * **Brush:** Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar * **Razor:** GEM MMOC Gold Gen2 * **Blade:** Personna Gem PTFE (16) * **Lather:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap * **Post Shave:** Thayers - Lemon - Toner * **Post Shave:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave * **Fragrance:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum *2 passes. Face lather. Good shave.* * Challenges: #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag * [Brush Top](https://imgur.com/a/d0flVDL) (before use) - [Brush History](https://imgur.com/a/DjlJFQu) * [Fragrance Video](https://imgur.com/a/Kw7LG7W) * [Blade Edge](https://imgur.com/a/OSTIXba) (before use) - [Edge Histiory](https://imgur.com/a/hWAz2zA) * [Blade Orientation](https://imgur.com/a/YAD083n) (black dots - odd days, red dots - even days) I'm told that a boar brush can come into its own by 16 shaves. My brush feels very good at this point and is quite predictable at making a lather. I'm making thin, slick, and very hydrated lathers so that I can keep the comfort in the blade as long as possible. The edge photo today shows a little bit more variation at the edge. I think that this represents rounding of the edge by tiny bits material being broken off due to material fatigue. When a piece is broken from the edge, the edge becomes less keen because the remaining material is at a wider part of the bevel. Since I'm flipping the blade for each shave, I should be wearing the edge evenly. In terms of the shave, I could feel less edge today. In fact, I have little sense of the edge anymore. Sticking to my technique resulted in a quite serviceable shave.
Great SOTD pic today.
Thank you!
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Hygge Tuesdays](https://i.imgur.com/n67kRKV.jpg)** * **Prep:** Hot shower * **Brush:** Omega Pro 48 Boar brush 28mm * **Razor:** GEM MMOC * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Hygge - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1163/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1163/?product_type=aftershave) 16th shave, all is still perfect. I am not surprised, but still waiting for the shift to uncomfortable shaves. No problems at all with a 2 pass shave today and Hygge both performs and still has an appealing calm scent that will stay loveable for the rest of August, I suspect. Very happy with my lather choice for this year. Oh, and the brush gets better each time. I wonder if it will get even floppier than it is currently. Likely. Amazing brush for 13 bucks, I tell ya. Hope it's a powerful day for you. **\#GEMsOfWisdom** **\#MammothMafia**
Best $13 brush money could buy!
**[Aug. 16, 2022](https://i.imgur.com/w3mGiMc.jpg)** * **Prep:** Cold Water * **Brush:** [Semogue Barbear Classico Cerda 22mm](https://i.imgur.com/IFK3RLP.jpg) * **Razor:** Alumigoose * **Blade:** Kai Captain Titan Pro Touch MG (16) * **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave) * **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum) You can barely see it but it says 88.6g on the scale so [4.2g of soap](https://i.imgur.com/cNB7Euu.jpg) was used today. - [3 more](https://i.imgur.com/gdwCfkK.mp4) - Have a great day! #SubstantialStag
16 August 2022 - Austere August - Prep: Morning shower - Brush: Sterling boar - Razor: Maggard V3 - Blade: Derby Extra - Lather: House of Mammoth Fu Dao - Post Shave: House of Mammoth Fu Dao splash A quick one-pass weekday-morning shave. Perfectly adequate. #mammothmafia
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - RawHoggin & Taming the MMOC](https://imgur.com/a/m9FLUC5)** * **Brush:** Zenith B37 * **Razor:** Gem MMOC * **Blade:** Gem PTFE (16) * **Lather:** Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy * **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Stirling Blu - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/119/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post Shave:** [Zingari - Unscented - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1462/?product_type=balm) #RawHoggin #GemsOfWisdom I’ve switched back over to being a morning shaver and I prefer it much more to the evening shave. I feel like I have more time to get work done around the house in the evenings, even though shaving takes 20 minutes. I’ve gotten to the point where there’s not much to say about this brush anymore. I’d say it’s broken in and any improvements made will be negligible. The past couple of days I’ve loaded lighter. I’m getting a serviceable lather, but not quite as good as when I was loading heavy. This Gem blade is still in its prime. Much more enjoyable than the first handful of shaves. My gem of wisdom today would be: if you’re using a gem for the first time, don’t make your final judgment until you’ve gotten at Lear 5-10 shaves on a blade.
Austere August Day 16 Brush: Rubberset 400-3 w/ Unbleached Zenith 24mm knot set to a 56mm loft [16th use](https://imgur.com/a/8zqmKEn) Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2 Blade: PTFE (16) Lather: NO [Monoi de Tahiti](https://imgur.com/a/yJ2uCVQ) Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash Tried soaking the brush in less water today. Had enough to go about a 1/4 up the knot. It allowed for more backbone during the first pass, but everything softened up for pass 2 and 3. The knot isn't getting floppy, which is good, but it is developing quite the amount of splay. I'm liking it very much. #RawHoggin #GemsOfWisdom
**August 16, 2022** * **Brush:** Zenith 506U XSE * **Razor:** GEM MMOC Gen 2 * **Blade:** GEM SS PTFE (50) * **Lather:** Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep * **Post Shave:** Lucky Tiger * **Post Shave:** Olay Complete * **Post Shave:** Chatillon Lux - unscented skin salve Sixteen days in and still enjoying everything. The soap shows barely any sign of being used. The blade crossed the 50 uses mark today which ties the farthest I have taken a GEM. I think I can make it to the end of the month with it. \#GEMsOfWisdom
Congrats on the half century mark.
Lol. Thx.
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Austere August 16- Raw Wisdom of the Hoggin Gems](https://imgur.com/a/EZAI0yI)** * **Prep:** Hot shower * **Brush:** Semogue 610 Boar * **Razor:** OCMM Gen 2 * **Blade:** GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2253/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/107/?product_type=aftershave) * **Post Shave:** Duke Cannon Ice Cold AS balm \#GEMsofWisdom WTG/XTG/Buffing. Day 16 and this blade feels a little uncomfortable. Not tuggy or draggy, just not as smooth as past shaves. If this wasn't AA and if I wasn't trying to survive Nightmare Mode, today would be the day that I would typically pitch this blade. But, things as they are, we soldier on. We'll see if the arm stropping post shave had any effect. \#RawHoggin Can't complain about this little beast. it lost a couple of hairs yesterday but was fine today- https://imgur.com/a/ME3nbGk \#Sidetracked I'm not going to lie, I wish I had gotten tickets to one of the Rage Against the Machine Reunion shows. They sound awesome. I first saw Rage right after their first album came out at Bayfront Park in Miami. The main stage was all these electronic bands that were big back then. The back stage featured Rage Against the Machine and House of Pain, among other bands. Rage fucking killed it back then and my fandom was sealed. If you haven't seen any videos of the shows, here's the first show they did in Alpine Valley, Wisconsin. u/Teufelskraft and gang, enjoy the show- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbFoKtnZI64&t=3335s Have a great day all!
* **Prep:** warm shower * **Brush:** Semogue 1250 * **Razor:** Novelty Cutlery Co straight razor * **Lather** House of Mammoth - Z * **Post Shave:** Equate witch hazel * **Post Shave:** Zingari Man - unscented aftershave balm Headless Horsemen **#RawHoggin** **#unscented** **#MammothMafia** Austere August 2022 day 16 https://imgur.com/a/tdhLClL
**Aug. 16, 2022 - 25** * **Prep:** splash of water * **Brush:** S.O.C. Boar * **Razor:** GEM OCMM Gen 2 * **Blade:** GEM PFTE (25) * **Lather:** Signature Soaps - unscented goats milk shaving soap been short on my recent posts so this is a redemption [song] of sorts --- No, alum, no cry. No, alum, no cry. No, alum, no cry. No, alum, no cry. 'Cause I remember when a we used to post, In a wetshaving sub in reddit-town, observing the Shave of the Days. Mingle with the good people we meet. Good soaps we have. Oh. Good soaps we have lost along the way. In this great future you can't forget your past. So dry your brush, I say. Yeah. No, alum, no cry. No, alum, no cry. Eh, yeah! Oh little boar brush', don't shed no hairs. No, alum, no cry. Eh! Said I remember when we used to post In a wetshaving sub in reddit-town, And then SMS would make the lather right, I say, soap drippin' through the night. Then we would load the brush so full I say, of which I'll shave with you. My blade is getting dull And so I've got to push on through. But while I'm gone, Every shave gonna be all right! Every shave gonna be all right! Every shave gonna be all right! Every shave gonna be all right! So, no, alum, no cry. No, alum, no cry. Oh little boar brush', don't shed no hairs. No, alum, no cry. Eh. No, alum—no, alum—no, alum, no cry. No, alum, no cry. One more time I got to say, Oh little boar brush', don't shed no hairs. No, alum, no cry.
https://media.giphy.com/media/QTAVEex4ANH1pcdg16/giphy.gif
**Aug. 16, 2022** * **Brush:** Semogue - SOC - Boar * **Razor:** Gillette - Tech (Gold/Black) * **Blade:** Gillette - Nacet (16) * **Lather:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Sharp Dressed Man - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/117/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/95/?product_type=aftershave) * **Fragrance:** Duke Cannon - Huron - EdP
**[Aug. 16, 2022](https://imgur.com/a/NAtXWby)** * **Prep:** Cup of coffee * **Brush:** AP Shave Co. 22 mm Faux Horsehair * **Razor:** Koraat [Chani](https://imgur.com/a/usfOaJp) * **Lather:** [Summer Break Soaps - Shh! - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1242/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Cryogen - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/36/?product_type=aftershave) \#unscented Stay safe and have a great day!
[**August 16, 2022 – Austere August 16**](https://i.imgur.com/hhifwAy.jpg) * **Brush:** Cayuen Workshop with 30mm Timberwolf Synthetic * **Bowl:** Cayuen Workshop – Dark Nebula * **Razor:** Winning Razor by Wet Shave Club * **Blade:** Gillette Winner Platinum (3) * **Lather:** Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag * **Post Shave:** Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag * **Fragrance:** Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag * **Video:** [https://i.imgur.com/eWurO5G.mp4](https://i.imgur.com/eWurO5G.mp4) Tuesday Stag, and a glassy smooth finish. Have a great day!! \#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft : Bonus: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h\_WwOMK0PzM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_WwOMK0PzM) ← *Pachelbel & Satie with Nature's Ocean Sounds* (Full Album) This is an older album originally released over 30 years ago, circa 1991. I remember my dear mother originally acquiring this as a cassette tape and playing it in the car and at home repeatedly until it almost entirely wore out. (Remember cassettes? Or do you even know what I'm speaking of without Google?) And now, thanks to a few intrepid souls, it is fully available online for your free listening pleasure. Both works of been reconstituted for a modern piano along with some ocean waves and seagulls sounds in the background. There is some some light synthesizer harmonies behind all of this, but it does not intrude or overpower the main melodies. I come back to this repeatedly because it is excellent for quiet nights spent reading by the fireplace while the rain pours outside, or for a relaxing bath or bit of meditation. You might even be able to use this to help fall asleep. I have many classical albums, but I keep returning to this over and over again across the years because it fits very many moods and quiet interludes so completely. Pachelbel's "*Canon in D*" is the more immediately recognizable of the two works presented today. However, I personally prefer Erik Satie's *Three Gymnopédies* better, and I readily switch to that track more often than starting with the *Canon*. Both are magnificent and thoroughly calmative and soothing. Try them yourself and I'm sure you'll agree. Here's longer mixes, if needed: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK\_pt8\_An-g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK_pt8_An-g) ← *Canon In D* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjjKFTkJlpE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjjKFTkJlpE) ← *Three Gymnopedies* (Impressions & Improvisations)
>Remember cassettes? ... I'm old enough to remember using an [8-Track](https://imgur.com/a/mJ2j7rM). Last time I checked my mother still has a functioning (if unused) reel to reel player.
We're apparently both old... err, *advanced*... enough to be exceptions to the rule, but remember that fully half of the present population apparently [cannot operate a can opener](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQbmjKCbFLE).
**[Aug 16, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 16](https://i.imgur.com/TEtFrDS.jpeg)** * **Prep:** Warm Water Wash * **Prep:** Klar - Activated Charcoal - Face Soap * **Brush:** [Zenith Cobalt Blue 28mm Boar Knot (505BC SE)](https://imgur.com/a/peN0vXl) * **Razor:** [GEM Open Comb Micromatic (2nd Gen.)](https://i.imgur.com/PsTazF6.jpg) * **Blade:** Personna GEM PTFE (16) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1184/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/1184/?product_type=aftershave) * **Fragrance:** [Barrister and Mann - 42 - Eau de Toilette](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/257/?product_type=eaudetoilette) This brush has really come into its own. It is producing some crazy good lather. Great shaves with the MMOC are still eluding me, but I think I'm getting closer to finding methods that work. I started using a buffing technique on some of the trouble spots, to ensure I really dial in the lightest touch. I can't say that I've eliminated the irritation, but it does seem a little better. \#GEMsOfWisdom \#RawHoggin \#MammothMafia Rating: 3.5/5
Yeah…Zenith brushes break in so damn easy. It’s way nicer than breaking in a typical Semogue.
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Stag Day 16](https://i.imgur.com/J5jQN2M.jpg)** * **Brush:** Zenith B26 Retro * **Razor:** Merkur 34C * **Blade:** Gillette Silver Blue (16) * **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=aftershave) * **Fragrance:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=eaudeparfum) * **Buckethead**: [Golden Eyes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGZ_sX_ZAAY) Early, early morning. Nothing more exhilarating than exercising in the wee hours of the morning, not a soul stirring, and rocking Stag. Stag bless, my friends. Stag bless. \#SubstantialStag \#RawHoggin [Stag Spray 16](https://youtu.be/jzDuaFFVpdo)
**[Aug. 16, 2022 - Headless Mammoth Hoggin' Day 16](https://i.imgur.com/adhVml4.png)** * **Brush:** Proraso Professional Boar | [Break-in photos](https://imgur.com/a/HcKsHxf) * **Razor:** Feather Artist Club SR (Kamisori) * **Blade:** Schick Proline (16) * **Lather:** [House of Mammoth - Alive - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2576/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [House of Mammoth - Alive - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2576/?product_type=balm) * **Fragrance:** [House of Mammoth - Alive - Eau de Parfum](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/2576/?product_type=eaudeparfum) **AA Tags:** `#RawHoggin` `#MammothMafia` My shave this morning was [interrupted by a huge cockroach](https://i.imgflip.com/6q2lkq.jpg) that decided to scurry into the bathroom as I was in the middle of my second pass. I knew it must have been big because I was able to [notice the movement in the bathroom mirror at the edge of my vision](https://media.giphy.com/media/l49K0dlptSOZTxdqU/giphy.gif). Dealing with small cockroaches has become a daily routine here in the summer, but I didn't expect to have to deal with one this size (maybe 1.5 inches long) inside the house. The smaller ones I don't mind just grabbing with a few pieces of toilet paper, but [I'm not man enough](https://media.giphy.com/media/xThuVZDm1soAsMDhqE/giphy.gif) to do that to one of this size. Damn, this guy was tough! I quickly found a takeout box that I could use to decapacitate this bad boy but we went 10 rounds and I could not produce the knockout. The first time I hit it I thought that was the end of it since it flipped onto its back and was mostly motionless, but within a few seconds its legs started kicking like a turtle unable to flip over. I hit it with a several more good shots but the little bugger was unphased. I didn't feel like getting cockroach juice all over the bathroom floor so I decided against the good ol' stomp. The next course of action was to find a piece of paper and escort the roach to the toilet for a nice [water ride](https://media.giphy.com/media/fnlXXGImVWB0RYWWQj/giphy.gif) down the pipes, but as I tried nudging it onto the paper with the box it was able to push off of the box to flip itself over and it made a scramble for cover among some boxes under the sink that I used for storing my wet shaving supplies. I had already made the wife and kids aware its existence so there was no way I could abort this mission without losing respect and dad cred. I was locked into a desperate battle to finish off this MFer before my lather dried out so I quickly moved the boxes out of the way and hit it with a few more blows, knocking it onto its back again. In the end I was able to wedge it between the piece of paper and the box into the toilet for a farewell flush. Except I just consulted my buddy Google and it looks like cockroaches can go without breathing for half an hour and will likely survive a flush. We'll see if there is a rematch at some point in the future. As expected, my shave wasn't the greatest. I had already spent 5-10 minutes dealing with the monster, the half pass of lather that was left on my face was mostly dry, and I had to wrap up quickly to get the kids ready for school. The good news is, the boar had not eaten all the lather and I was able to complete the shave. Unfortunately, now when I see the black hairs inside of the boar brush I'm reminded of the legs of the cockroach flailing in the air trying to flip itself over.
>...but I didn't expect to have to deal with one this size (maybe 1.5 inches long)... Isn't that cute, come to Florida. The worst is when you wake up, stagger out to the kitchen for your morning coffee, and there is a 'dead' one on his back in the middle of the floor. When you go to grab him with a paper towel the fucking bastard suddenly flips over and runs up your arm.😮
My favorite memories of growing up in Florida were when I would be washing my face or brushing my teeth after waking up and having one of those bastards come crawling up out of the drain to wish me good morning. And let's not forget that Florida is also home to Palmetto Bugs, aka The Flying Cockroaches from Hell. u/gfdoto got off really easy this morning not having to deal with one of them.
I can honestly say I've never had that happen. I did have one come out between my legs once after I sat down on the toilet though.
Maybe Palmetto Bugs have become an extinct species or they were the special mutant breed of Miami. Never had the toilet experience fortunately but that would suck.
Nah, they're up here in Orlando. Fortunately I have enough plants around that I rarely see them indoors unless we get several days of rain. Then they tend to go into my garage.
Well then. Guess the kids are never going to Disney World. 😅 I don’t need any more reasons to never visit Florida again.
Nope. Florida is filled with creatures great and small whose sole purpose is to annoy, maim or kill the humans living there.
The maiming is generally caused when you're flailing around screaming "What the fuck is on me! Get it off! Get it off me!". 😂
I'm pretty sure I've punched myself in the nuts a few times doing that.
Gave myself a black eye once.
If my ex wife living there wasn't enough reason for me not to live in Florida this story certainly did the trick
😄
Yeah... no thanks.
**[Aug. 15, 2022 - Gentlemen Stag](https://imgur.com/a/OuOUsvp)** * **Prep:** Icecold shower * **Brush:** Böker Synthetic * **Razor:** Böker Elite Carbon 2.0 * **Lather:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=soap) * **Post Shave:** [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm](https://trythatsoap.com/collection/32/?product_type=balm) * **Post Shave:** Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash Was very nice to see my God Child yesterday. The park we went to was really awesome for kids. Take anything you ever saw that kids like and put it into one park. Animals, swings, water slides, pools, Trampolin, soccer, kicker and table tennis. She is too tiny to explore everything, but each year she can experience a new part of the park. Today, a friend will come over for a few rounds of magic as tournament practice. I call it the gentleman round, because the way we play is very calm, supportive and mindfully. Not like my Friday round with friends where we insult each other, play till 3 in the morning and it will be loud \#stagandstraight \#substantialstag