Aug. 11, 2022 - Headless Frozen Mammoth Hoggin' Day 11

• Brush: Proraso Professional Boar | Break-in photos
• Razor: Feather Artist Club SR (Kamisori)
• Blade: Schick Proline (11)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive - Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Alive - Eau de Parfum

AA Tags: #RawHoggin #MammothMafia #>!hidden!<

A third of the way through AA and things are getting a bit monotonous so I've been looking for ways to spice things up.

The first thing is trying to get a bit more creative with my SOTD photos because simply changing the placement/angle wasn't very exciting. As much as I like seeing various break-in brush photos, it's also nice to see people getting insane stacks with their gear and trying new things. Shout out to u/djundjila for joining me in getting some toys involved in his SOTD photo yesterday.

Additionally, I got in some synthetic cooling agent yesterday and I tried adding several drops to my lather and it was exactly what I was looking for. 🥶 The slow build up of cooling seemed to peak around my third pass but it was never painful or excessive. When I applied my balm I also added a few drops and the cooling effect lingered for around 5-10 minutes. Summer has been brutal here (35C+ and humid every day) so I'll be making good use of this cooling agent for another month at least.

Not a lot of changes to my brush in the past few days, but I do feel like it may be holding on to more water than it did initially so I'm starting to do some very light shakes before loading again. I'm thankful that the combination of this brush + the Tusk base is giving me effortless top tier lathers compared to some others who can't seem to get decent lather for 2 passes using more than 5 grams of soap. 🤯

Aug. 11, 2022 - Stag Day 11

• Brush: Zenith B26 Retro
• Razor: Merkur 34C
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (11)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

• Dexter Gordon: You've Changed

First day in ages I don't have to open, and I couldn't be more excited.

Great shave, gonna be a great day.

#SubstantialStag #RawHoggin

Stag Spray 11

Aug. 11, 2022 - Austere August - Because stacking is fun

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(11)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
• Post Shave: Zingari Man Hydration Potion

RawHoggin

Either I've gotten used to pork stink or it's losing its delicate aroma. Nice face lather, not too pricky, enough smooth, it has developed tons of foam.

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

Nice shave without issues, two passes WTG & XTG, a couple of nicks and a smooth feel on the skin without irritation. The blade is in his soft spot, being smooth and keen.

#sidetracked

String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D 810 (Der Tod und das Mädchen, Death and the Maiden) , composed by Schubert in his lasts days, sick, ruined and almost alone. Depressing tune, a confrontation with death. Sublime, beautiful and frightening ends in the fourth movement with a tarantella, a traditional dance to escape death and insanity.

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 11, 2022 - Austere August 11- Raw Gems of Hoggin Wisdom

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Semogue 610 Boar
• Razor: OCMM Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap

• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Zingari Man Cooling Recovery Splash

#GEMsofWisdom WTG/XTG/Cleanup. Day 11 on this blade and I am buttery smooth and there was zero feedback from the splash (and we know Stirling splashes aren't exactly light on the alcohol).

#RawHoggin The 6-year-old on steroids of a brush I'm breaking in is trying to become the Incredible Hulk. It now takes a 15 second load to get all that I need for my shave. This is the second Semogue I've added to my den in the last year and I think Semogue is my jam. See SOTD pic for brush progress.

#Sidetracked u/Teufelskraft hates metal with -core in it. He's made that pretty clear. No hardcore, no metalcore, no mathcore, no emocore, no corecore or whatever. So today's offering is -core-free. Duel from Austin, Texas is carrying the trad rock flag in fine fashion. This is music made by men flaunting their hairy chests in their leather vests. This is music made by men who would scoff at those of us shaving every day and piss on men who are shaving more than their faces and heads. This is music meant to be listened to while swilling cheap beer like Busch Light from 30 racks. This is music that sounds good with the windows down in the car and the speakers at top volume (with a road soda between your legs). You like riffs? Duel's got 'em. Like hooky songs? Duel's got them too. Duel's 2021 album, In Carne Persona, had all of them in spades and this is one of my favorite tracks from that album- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3G6QVXGQNg

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 11 https://imgur.com/a/J3ieyx9

August 11, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (11)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Good shave. Tried to load less vigorously to avoid broken bristles. But now, I have what maybe looks like mold? Or something from the hair splitting?

Album here

These are two different bristles. Is this just a natural byproduct of the tips splitting? It’s on another (clipped) tip that looks like it might split soon, too. It appears to be at the base of where the hair will split

/u/EldrormR and /u/USS-SpongeBob any insight? The brush is drying completely every day, and the tips are getting mashed around in soap daily, too, so hopefully it’s not mold?

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug 11, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 11

• Prep: Warm Water Wash
• Prep: Klar - Activated Charcoal - Face Soap
• Brush: Zenith Cobalt Blue 28mm Boar Knot (505BC SE)
• Razor: GEM Open Comb Micromatic (2nd Gen.)
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (11)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Ombré Leather - Eau de Parfum

Still hanging in there with this blade. Hopefully it still has enough life in it to make it to the end of the month because these past few shaves have been neither close nor comfortable.

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Rating: 2.5/5

Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury Pt. 11

• Prep: Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap
• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (11)
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation)
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE (80)
• 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
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette

So, today is a bit weird. My next job starts on Sep 1, and I just finished the last things I had to do for my old job. I'm officially a free man without a emailbox accumulating new shit waiting for me when I come back from vacation. It's a clean slate, and it feels weird because I haven't had that since graduation one and a half decades ago.

Shout-out to u/gfdoto who's continuing our toy themed SOTD picture back-and-forth!

I sometimes forget about the pig smell of my #RawHoggin brush, that's how much it has diminished. I think it's just pure enjoyment from here on out.

#GEMsOfWisdom: This blade is now officially an octogenarian, but doesn't tug a day over 60 😂

Aug. 11, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse

• Prep: Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

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

Starting to feel a bit of tugging when I neglect to pay attention to the angle of the razor head, but nothing too bad as of yet. The brush is continuing to open up nicely as the shaves continue. I’m not actively doing anything extra before or after I shave, but I’m also not being gentle with it during the shave. It’s been a neat process to take part in and not skip around on. Got hit with a respectable 15 sprays today and I’m ready to get this day over with.

SubstantialStag

GEMsOfWisdom

RawHoggin

A Mammoth Micromatic Raw Hoggin’ August

Brush Progress

• Brush: Zenith B26 #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (11)
• Lather: House if Mammoth - Hygge in Tusk
• Post Shave: Hygge Splash & Balm
• Fragrance: Hygge EDP #MammothMafia

Brush in a great spot, doing it’s job and softened to the point of happiness.

Today I focused on getting through the shave with good technique and knocking down hair whoever it was left over (carefully). The blade may have turned a bit of a corner, and with focus I was able to mow everything down for a 98% BBS except trouble areas on the neck. It’s possible this outcome is as good as my first few shaves. And I think the level of burn on splash application is the same as it has been. So all around I’m happy with it!

Day 1 Prep Video

RawHoggin Unboxing Pics

MammothMafia

Aug. 11, 2022 - Austere August Day 11

• 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 (11)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

🐗Raw Hoggin' Progress🤮:
•Unused
•Shave 1 through 7
•Shave 8
•Shave 9
•Shave 10
•Shave 11

Thoughts for the day:
After seeing Fearless Leader (u/Semaj3000) complain about the state of his PTFE, I felt deeply concerned. Not only because it's increasingly likely he will "semaj" himself, but I also felt bad thinking of how wirey and manly his beard must be with that overly sensitive skin...

Me? I haven't even flipped this blade. Still glass smooth, and finally not smelling like pig ass. The knot is softer than I would have ever expected and I think the steady diet of Tusk is helping that. This is officially my favorite boar now. That said, I don't want another unbleached knot any time soon... Imma need some time to mentally recover from this one.

Will the 31mm green soap slayer unseat this brush? Only time will tell...

Mandatory Taggage:

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Austere August Day 11

Brush: Rubberset 400-3 w/ Unbleached Zenith 24mm knot set to a 56mm loft 11th use

Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2

Blade: PTFE (11)

Lather: NO Monoi de Tahiti

Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash

More of the same loveliness. The software scent continues to be pleasant and the boar stink continues to dwindle to almost unnoticeable levels. The blade is hanging in there and hasn't started gettting tuggy yet. 18 shave seems to be where I notice a change in blade sharpness. We'll see how far this one goes.

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

August 11, 2022

Brush: Omega 10049

Razor: Rockwell 6S Plate 5

Blade: Astra SP

Lather: Barrister & Mann Diamond

Post Shave: Barrister & Mann Diamond Splash

Post Shave: Barrister & Mann Diamond Balm

Today was the first day since early on that the brush felt a little pokey on my face. Nothing overly bad but let me know that it’s still breaking in.

#RawHoggin

Aug. 11, 2022

• Prep: Exercise and shower
• Brush: Semogue 1438
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM blue star (11)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Soap

• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Aftershave

Good shave today. Flipped my blade back to the normal side and it worked the way it had been. The brush is comfortable now I do not believe that it is fully broken in or even close but it does what it needs to. Looks like rain is coming in which is fine I finished picking up bales yesterday now we are patiently waiting for harvest. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

https://i.imgur.com/N43jUMW.jpg

Aug. 11, 2022

• Brush: Grey Chubby - Zenith B37
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (11)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave

For all the shit I talk about face-lathering, you can't say I'm not giving it a fair shot. Every day, I think, "Is this it? Is this the day I come around and say that face-lathering isn't the atrocious bullshit it proves itself to be, time and time again?" and every day I think, "This is the worst fucking way to shave! Awful!"

The face-lathering-hate is mostly a joke (except it does really suck, like wow, it's terrible), but I'm guilty of thinking that way much more seriously of certain other things. For example, Microsoft Excel is the worst fucking software to deal with data (seriously, it is the wrong software for at least 98% of what it's used for, and VBA is crap, but on the other hand M in Power Query is surprisingly handy). I also tend to have a glint of the same feeling whenever I'm typing text with anything that's not vim or at least vim-like. I'm typing this out in reddit's text-entry box, and sure, I could do it with vim and then copy it over, but.... Actually, there's no real reason I'm not doing exactly that...

#GEMsOfWisdom
#RawHoggin
#unscented
#MammothMafia

Aug. 11, 2022 - Glow in the dark Austere August Raw Hoggin’ Challenge

• Brush: Omega 20102
• Razor: Karve Bronze SB B
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (10)

• Lather: Red House Farm - Lumos - Shave Soap

• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. (Formerly Oleo Soapworks) - Irving Park - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Zoologist - Seahorse

11th day of #RawHoggin

Aug. 11, 2022 - The Hog is raw no longer - Austere August Day 11

• Brush: RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar
• Razor: GEM OCMM (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Zingari - Rescue Potion - Serum
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

Boredom is setting in, but imma keep on chugging along. Knighthood or death!

#RawHoggin

I think the stink is finally gone. The only stink left is that of the glorious Stag. I normally just paint the lather on for my second or third passes, but today I opted to do some scrubbing motions to really test the softness of the knot. I am pleasantly surprised with the progress. This is probably the softest boar knot I've ever experienced. Good stuff.

#GEMsofWisdom

So I went with the palm strop technique before my shave and can't say it made a damn bit of difference compared to yesterday. I'm just gonna let it ride from here on out. I'm finding that like many other things, if I think about how I'm doing something while I'm doing it leads to errors or results that aren't as good. I'm much better if I just let it flow and shave by feel. When I think about how I'm holding the razor or tinkering with angles and such I usually end up with some missed stubble or lingering irritation.

Brush album

Stag sprays

Aug 11, 2021 – Austere August. Day 11.

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
• Music: Hanson - Ain't No Sunshine

Great shave today. Seriously 10 out of 10… Well maybe 6.8 out of 10 since the unscented path is still part of my life, but other than that, everything was great. Shaving without a scent kills me a little bit every day, but this is the path I chose to go down.

The good news is, I got a nice, smooth shave out of the MMOC and dare I say this new boar brush has officially broken in? I didn’t smell any farm animal stank today and I created a nice lather with enough on the brush for both (WTG & ATG) passes. I’m really, really happy with how this brush has grown on me from day 1 and weirdly excited to see how it progresses.

Today’s #sidetracked music selection, I have the Band, Hanson, covering Bill Withers' “Ain’t No Sunshine”. Yes, that Hanson. Unfortunately for the Hanson boys, the world will forever remember them as the kids that sang “MMMBop”, which has undeniably become an absolute joke of a song. Not without good reason. MMMBop is an annoying, catchy pop song, then add in the ridiculous video of 3 boys with long, blonde hair playing rollerblading around and playing their instruments. Cringe-city. Especially watching it now, as an adult. However, today, I’m here to say that we, as a society, did Hanson wrong. MMMBop came out in 1997, among a slew of boy bands that were insanely popular that year, Hanson was the goofiest. NSYNC and The Backstreet Boys were the sexy ones that could dance, 98 Degrees were the sexy ones that could sing, and Hanson were the goofy little kids that gave off a weird 1990s Partridge Family vibe. But these dudes were actually good musicians. They wrote their own music, played their own instruments, and sang their own songs – and were damn good at it! But they were victims of their own success. MMMBop made them loved, and quickly hated. The song was overplayed and annoying and we got sick of them and made them the punchlines to many jokes.

But, today, I urge you to give this song a listen. They are good. And while MMMBop may not have been for everyone (or ANYONE), they have put out some decent music that never stood a chance because they were always gonna be the little boys with long hair that sang MMMBop.

Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 11, 2022 - AA Day11

• 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 (11)

• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Waterlyptus - Soap

• Post Shave: Proraso - Menthol and Eucalyptus - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Osma Alum Block

• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette

Wow, almost forgot to do the AA sotd today! Good shave, got a real good lather today with the boar brush. I am now doing 1.5 passes per day, as the scruff near jaw was bugging me, so do XTG a bit, but not entire face. I do have a question for those of you using same blade for 31 days, do you do anything to prevent rust on it? I notice some tea rust stains creeping from under, have not removed blade from razor since I started AA, wondering if I should to let it dry out.

Lather Pic on brush: https://i.imgur.com/uCh7xH7.jpg

UNCHALLENGE

RawHoggin

11 August 2022 - Austere August

• Prep: splash of warm water
• Brush: Zenith B33
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Ti
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (11)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Balm

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

August 11, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (11)
• 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 (before use) - Brush History
• Fragrance Video
• Blade Edge (before use) - Edge Histiory
• Blade Orientation (black dots - odd days, red dots - even days)

After years of shaving mindlessly, I knew it would be pretty easy just to go on autopilot for 31 days. However, I've enjoyed this experience far more than I expected; at least for the first third of the month. For me, Midnight Stag has not become old, and the soap base is very easy for me to control. (My Stag trifecta is brand new.)

The brush has been the biggest surprise. It was comfortable enough on day one that I could splay it and build a lather and it could paint lather without feeling like a paint brush made of needles. Today, it is just good. It has its own personality, and I like that a lot.

I've mentioned before that the MMOC has never been a problem for me. I like mine (I have two) much better than my Flying Wing.

Today's blade edge photo shows more of the variation I've noticed at the edge. It is definitely becoming less of a straight line, and more toothy. This is what I expect since I'm flipping the blade each day; giving each side the same wear characteristics, presumably. I was aware of a very slight amount of tugging today. But very slight and only on parts of the pattern that have an ATG component.

Aug. 11, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1460 Boar Brush 21mm
• Razor: Razorock GameChanger .84
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (11)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Balm

I figure if I'm uploading a SOTD picture every day, it might as well be half decent. I know next to nothing about photography, but for the rest of the month I'm going to try to learn something and get a few good pictures.

I think today my lighting was alright, but the soap tub started tipping over and the angle the picture's taken at looks a little awkward. Well, maybe I'll get a better one tomorrow.

Tags:

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 11, 2022 - AA - Day 11

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - Short & Scrubby
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Blade (11)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Ferox - Soap
• After Shave: Fine Accoutrements - L'Orange Noir - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave

2 pass face shave and surprised the blade is still doing well. Brush is breaking nicely but keeps eating lather. I guess that is how boar brush are. Slight burns when applying aftershave but cooled down with the balm.

Tags: #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

August 11th, 2022 - Mammoth Hoggin Raw GEMs of Wisdom

• Prep: Warm water

• Brush: Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!”

• Razor: GEM (is truly outrageous) MMOC Gen 2

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (undieci)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Splash

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

#MammothMafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Before and After

The hog is getting easier to splay and is loading up lather quicker today. Took about 15 seconds of swirling the brush to pick up the lather I smeared in the bowl. First pass lather was about the best I’ve made this month. Second pass wasn’t as billowy, but was very slick.

The GEM is staying in the zone with about the same amount of feedback and no irritation. It has been about a week since I got a nick or weeper. I might have gone a bit too light on the pass, not as close of a shave today.

Not doing the sidetracked challenge, but in honor of the Tusk base, today I played Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk”. Not going to watch the Kevin Smith film “Tusk”. Don’t want to watch a crazy man try to surgical change someone into a walrus.

Edited to put in the link to the SOTD picture.

Aug. 11, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM (11)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap

• Post Shave: Porter's Lotion, WSP - Neroli - Cooling Aftershave Balm

• Fragrance: Cognoscenti - No. 19 Warm Carrot

• Passes: WTG, XTG

• Coffee: Peru, Inkawasi, La Convencion - v: Bourbon, Typica, Caturra - p: Washed
• Music: UGK - Ridin' Dirty
• August 2022 SOTD Photo Album

#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

I upped the load to 60 swirls of soap, with a damp brush (instead of fully squeezed out). The results continue to be confusingly variable, which tells me u/gfdoto has a point, and I'll need to weigh the puck at the same time of day to account for water loss. Starting tomorrow, I'll start weighing the puck right before I shave. Or should I weigh it right after I shave? Sigh.

On the #RawHoggin front, this Zenith knot is starting to give a little and feather at the edges. I'm starting to comfortably "splay" the brush on my cheeks and neck, though it doesn't really compress in that way, but it's also no longer straight-up uncomfortable to do so. We're approaching comfortable scrub. Also, it looks better and better by the day.

Wait...it's only August 11th?

⁂

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

I don't listen to much rap. I didn't grow up with it playing around the house and failed to keep up with many of the developments in the genre over the last twenty years. I need to make a more concerted effort to explore and appreciate it. Nevertheless, I have some favorites, including UGK's "One Day."

While 2007's Underground Kingz really hit me at the right time, 1996's Ridin’ Dirty was Pimp C and Bun B's earlier triumph—an often soulful, funky, distinctly Southern meditation on resiliency. “As far as Pimp and I are concerned, it’s the first real UGK album.” And nowhere is that musical growth and theme as obvious as in the opening track. "One Day" is a reaction to two days in jail and the tragic death of a hypeman's son (and three other children) in a house fire, lamenting life's struggles, fragility, and chaos. "One day you're here, baby / and then you're gone." Pimp and Bun both flow languidly over a rich, head-nodding melody, the refrain balancing exasperated desperation and weary acceptance.

Ridin' Dirty is terrific all the way through, but it's hard to top that first track.

YouTube: UGK - "One Day"

August 11th

• Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm
• Razor: GEM - MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (11)
• Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Edp video

32c here in Devon and boy does Stag play to the heat, touch wood it wears off before the wife gets home. The whole of August has been mad so far so hardly put much effort into AA, hopefully I can play catch up a little next week.

Aug. 11, 2022 - AA Day 11

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B34
• Razor: MMOC (Gen 2)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

Shave today was as solid as could be. I was up early again because my daughter has just decided that sleep is for the birds and she wants to be awake. All the freaking time. Sometimes I see these memes and videos about "just a reminder that you're living the life younger you dreamed of, so make it count" and I get that, I really do like my life and I'm grateful for it, but, parents, let's be honest - we could do without the sleeplessness and just enjoy the rest. But I digress.

The Zenith continues to work beautifully and it seems like it's splitting more day by day. Soft lather, whipped up real well today. One big think I've learned in using this brush is that adding water to the soap isn't as finicky as I'd thought. Since I'm tub loading, I tend to have too much soap in it and the first bit is almost always too thick. Early in the month I was trying to gently add a few drops of water but no more - now I just dunk the first 1/2 inch of the tips or so in the sink and work it right in - works like a dream. If I need more, I might paint it on or just dunk 'em again and keep going. That's how we ended up with a great lather today, anyway.

MMOC was smooth and efficient for today's 2 pass (With and Against). I was a bit short on time so I didn't get to do the full 3, but it was still a darn fine shave. I realized this morning that I've really come to like this razor and I'm going to need to grab some more blades for it to work it into my regular rotation. This is the beauty of AA - equipment that you thought might suck becomes stuff you learn how to use and enjoy.

Sonder was, as always, excellent. As I got out of the shower today my shelf did catch my eye and there's some gear on there I'm looking forward to using in September. I'm loving Sonder and the cooling effect, but on these hot humid days I just want to bust out some SBS Cannonball! for a full cool down. In due time.

Sonder thought of the day: Even though you can recognize the reality of Sonder - that everyone you interact with is living a life that's as vivid and complex as your own - there are still going to be people and situations that catch you totally off guard. I'm dealing with a real complex situation at work that affects so many people and is just, really not great. My boss' former best friend turned out to be someone that nobody thought he was. Knowing people is such a hard thing to really do. I'm sure there are parts of each of our lives that nobody knows about. Hopefully they're not like that (and if they are, well, stop and turn yourself in), but situations like this make you wonder how deeply you can really know people. It's startling when you realize that a person you thought you knew and thought you wanted to be like was living a total double life and may actually be some sort of socio- or psycho-path - devoid of any kind of social or mental regulations, mimicking what it's like to feel emotion while using his position of power to prey on others.

Anyway - What's my takeaway here - I guess it's just be careful. As we have worked with a training organization to make sure we do everything we can to prevent something like this from happening where I work the main trainer has said that we have to be "appropriately vigilant" to prevent keep kids safe. So - do what you can to keep your kids and others' kids safe. Be vigilant. And when or if you see something that's alarming - say something. There's not always an opportunity to see something, but sometimes there is. And when you do, do something about it. It takes a community to keep a community safe.

Hope you have a good one.

#mammothmafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Edit: removed the sensitive parts of the post and replaced it with "dealing with a complex situation." I feel better about that.

Aug. 11, 2022 - Elevensies

• Prep: Warm shower w/ B&M Diamond Bath Bar
• Brush: Copper Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Soap

• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave

#RawHoggin

Decent lather today, a bit sick so out of things this morning meant I only soaked for 1-2 minutes, but brush still treated my face just fine.

#GEMsOfWisdom

In a bit of a hurry I tried a technique that I saw someone had accidentally pioneered utilizing a two pass WTG to ATG, it was fine but I am already feeling my stubble in the afternoon and my problem areas near my chin all day.

Aug. 11, 2022 - Oveja Eléctrica 11

• Brush: Zenith 28mm Boar (2 piece)
• Razor: Kai Kasho Western Style Shavette
• Blade: Kai Captain Pink Mild (30)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Electric Sheep - Soap

• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Electric Sheep - Aftershave

• Mosquito Bites: None

I have adapted to the new state of the blade - good enough shave tonight. It seems strange two years ago when I got my first shavette that I could shave comfortably with a shavette every day, and that my principal worry would be that the shave is not close enough? I truly have attained the #truepath, and I'm #stillalive.

On the boar front, the new contraption seems stable enough, and so I didn't hold back on splaying today. The boar turns out well, and it was just enough for my 4 passes. I also see good splitting of the bristles. #RawHoggin

The mosquito repellency of Electric Sheep is either extremely good, or there are somehow no mosquitos around this year. Someone asked me if the scent repels also family: it doesn't. You will need the stag for this.

For #sidetracked, here is (Alors on danse)[https://youtu.be/VHoT4N43jK8] by Belgian artist Stromae. It's a very upbeat and danceable track, having the same message as /u/Old_Hiker's Friday Free Talk contributions: Work sucks. The end.

Good night everyone!

Aug. 11, 2022 - AA #RawHoggin Day 11

• Prep: Stirling spice preshave oil
• Brush: Semogue2000
• Razor: GC84
• Blade: Gillette nacet (11)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Gemütlichkeit - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Gemütlichkeit - Aftershave

Good shave. Made it all four passes

Aug. 11, 2022 - 11.08.22 - Austere August #RawHoggin

• Prep: Warm shower
• Brush: Omega 10048
• Razor: Henson Ti22 ++
• Blade: Gillette SuperSharp

• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Daemon

• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Daemon

RawHoggin

Austere August D11: late shave after a stressful day

• Prep: cold water splash
• 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

While the last few shaves were only posted late, this one today was actually a SOTN. Had a very stressful day and just needed to relax a bit with my shave...

On a positive note, it was mostly positive stress. Got my plan for nursing school and aw... I'll only see my new ward in October. All of September is filled with school. Nevertheless, progress is progress! I also got my new smart watch and smart scale yesterday and set up the watch today - it's actually more comfortable than I'd have thought and I'll even try sleeping while wearing it.

Two pass WTG shave. Nothing fancy, just a comfortable shave without going for ultra close and smooth results.

The Tadé boar on day eleven felt pretty soft this time around and it's now like a good companion. I'll have fun using it for the whole remaining month. Granted, it'll forever be baptized in Stag - but isn't that awesome in its own regard? Speaking of Stag: the scent is like an old friend now too. Hello Stagness my ol' friend, I've come to shave with you again... Or something along those lines.

Sidetracked
Today's track is quite interesting. I'm not big on watching Tv series, or streaming for that matter. I'm one of the few people below 40 without a Netflix subscription. But I often enjoy watching little snippets of scenes. One series I probably should watch is Invincible - not only for the memes it has spawned or the over the top violence and gore, or the fact that it's adult animation that finally isn't comedy. No, it also seems to have great sound design and soundtracks. Case in point: when Omni Man, one of the main characters, follows invading aliens back to their planet just to annihilate them all - they play the song Tom Tom by Holy Fuck. It takes big balls to call your band Holy Fuck as radio stations will flat out refuse to play your material. Marketing is probably also problematic. But the tension, the precision and underlying rage is just such a perfect fit with this scene. I was seriously happy when I finally found out how the song is called! As a bonus, here is said scene (NSFW) - such a perfect fit when you're feeling like you're fed up with someone's crap and just want to destroy everything that's against you.

Edit: forgot the AA tags: #SubstantialStag #RawHoggin

2022-08-11 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC

Prep: Warm Shower
Brush: Semogue Torga - C5
Razor: GEM MMOC version 2
Blade: GEM Stainless (11)
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/WsVsFuD

The brush is awesome, maybe the best l have. The razor is still excellent and the Sonder is one of my favorites. A DFS in 2 passes.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 11, 2022 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' MMOC Ultra Nightmare Mode

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - B37 - Gray Chubby #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen2 #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (11)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave

Day 11 was the first true quick shave I’ve had with this setup. I had 30 minutes to shower, shave and get ready and knew I’d be pushing it with the brush and razor. While it wasn’t the most enjoyable shave, I managed to get right through it quickly without any cuts or nicks and ended up with a comfortable shave.

The Brush: My first high speed lather with this brush went really well. I was able to really appreciate how much this brush has broken in by doing a quick tub load and then working up a quick, fairly hydrated lather good enough for 3 passes (I only did 2). Today I also noticed that the hog stank is still present but definitely seems milder. #RawHoggin

Brush Picture Pre-shave: Side Top

Brush Picture Post-shave: Side Top

The Razor Another great shave from the GEM. I was able to quickly get through this shave with minimal effort and without blood loss. I feel confident and comfortable with this razor and am eyeing up some 3 pass shaves in the near future. Part of me wonders if it’s because the blade has slightly dulled or if I am really gaining some proficiency with this thing. Only time will tell. #GEMsOfWisdom

Days since last blood: 6

The Soap and Aftershave The soap continues to perform like a champ and I’m really appreciating the cooling with the hot and humid weather here in Turkey. I’m also still happy with the scent and am not growing tired of it yet.

Day 11 Puck Picture

August 11, 2022

• Brush: Semogue 820
• Razor: Merkur 34C
• Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum (Shave 11)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann Eigengrau
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann Unscented Balm with a drop of Eigengrau splash

Shave 11, one-third of the way there. My only gripe so far with the 820 is not holding enough later. I hope that changes upon break in! If not I still love the little rascal.

RawHoggin

Aug. 11, 2022 - Austere August Day 11

• Prep: Hot Shower, Stirling Soap Facial Soap
• Brush: Zenith 508A SE 28mm
• Razor: GEM Micromatic OC Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver

Decent shave this morning. Had to cut it to down to two passes as I was a bit rushed this morning. 20 days left…..

Mandatory Tagging:

#GEMsOfWisdom

#Rawhoggin

#MammothMafia

August 11th, 2022: Haha 11 is a Stranger Things Number

• Prep: warm shower with Stag bar

• Brush: Vintage Rubberset 400-3 with 24mm unbleached Zenith knot

• Razor: MMOC

• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post-Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

• Post-Shave: Chiseled Face - Natural - Balm

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - EdP

2 passes, 0 complaints. This brush feels fucking amazing on the face, a good deep scrub if I splay it hard with 0 scritch. Absolute treat to use!

Stag sprays of the day!

#SubstantialStag

#RawHoggin

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug. 11, 2022 - Raw Hoggin Day 11

• Prep: Warm water to the head
• Brush: Omega 10098
• Razor: Maggard Razors - V3 Head
• Blade: Astra SP (5)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Island Man - Soap

• Post Shave: Aqua Velva - Ice Sport - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Natural - Balm

These #RawHoggin shaves are getting to be automatic. I’m still getting a bit of pointy ends from the bristles when I’m lathering but it’s not bad. Shaves are good, soap is good, and this brush is only getting nicer.

Hope y’all had a good day!

August 11th, 2022

Prep: Warm water

Razor: Gem MMOC

Blade: Gem Blue Star (11)

Brush: Omega Model 13564 23mm boar

Soap: LA Shaving Soap Co. Black Void

Post: Noble Otter Bare

Comfort: 8/10

Smoothness: 9/10

5 second load.

2 pass shave XTG/ATG.

Really noticing my soap is being eaten up. Shorter shave but still good. Nearly forgot to post as I rushed out after shaving to the lake to try paddle boarding.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

RawHoggin

August 11, 2022

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Burma Shave Boar Brush 🐗
• Razor: Kai Kasho Kamisori
• Blade: Feather ProGuard 11th use
• Lather: Stirling Sheep
• Postshave: Stirling Barbershop splash and Nivea Balm
• Fragrance: Halloween Man

Did a three pass shave today that went pretty well got a DFS even on my neck. Shave felt pretty comfortable today. Lather was extremely well hydrated and cushiony. It provided enough protection and enough lather for all three passes. Tips felt nice and soft with just enough backbone. Blade is on its 11th use and still fells like it is going good. Hope it makes it through until the 31st day.

Tags: #AAAA, #RawHoggin, #Headless horsemen, and u/Marquis90

Day 11 of Austere August! Staggin on!!

• Prep: Water on Face
• Brush: Zenith 2004/B SE

• Razor: Filarmonica Sub Cero 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

​

better, but still a night photo...

Since yesterday's shave wasn't that deep I had more growth than usual. For some reason I decided to go deep, so I got my ulltra BBS, I'll see what I'll be left with for tomorrow🤣

It seems that boar brushes just gobble up soap, not a big fan of that, since I did around 5 passes with touch ups I had to add soap 2 times... The softness is great, the feeling on the skin is great, but the soap usage is a big turn off for me, also it doesn't get me quite that lather that I would like, but I still have 20 days to get even better at it😁

Other than that, nothing much, good shaves great feeling face and the smell is a killer🥰

EDIT: I figured out today why I'm doing so well at posting and why it's hard for me. I have no time for the interned during summer, it's just traveling, meeting up with friends and vacation, and at the end of the day I'm tired... Sooo yeah, I'm bad with the internet during the summer, actually not long ago 3-4 years, I still didn't have a smartphone so I went almost a whole month without internet, AND IT WAS AWESOMEEEE!!

• #RawHoggin
• #SubstantialStag

Aug. 11, 2022 - RawHoggin & Taming the MMOC

• Brush: Zenith B37
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: Gem PTFE (11)

• Lather: Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy

• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Stirling Blu - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

Excellent shave today. Probably the best of the month. No smooth as a baby’s bottom with no fuss from the razor. And the brush is still doing great of course. Might have ate a little less soap today, but got a great lather.

Aug. 11, 2022 - AA Day 11

• Prep: Warm shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (80)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

Nothing new to report today. Another BBS 3 pass shave with no nicks or irritation.

Hope everyone had a great Thursday!

Stag Spray 11 #GEMSofWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Aug. 11, 2022 - Day El

• Prep: Warm water wash
• Brush: Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush (now with patina concentration device)
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: Persona GEM PTFE Coated (11)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Aftershave

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Eau de Parfum

In preparation of House of Mammoth’s Voices I am drinking a Mango Sticky Rice sour beer from Crooked Run Fermentation.

Today I learned a little something about the MMOC. I took the advice about changing the angle to an extreme. I used a bigger angle away from the skin for the first pass on one side and the normal angle on the other. Then for the second pass on both sides the normal angle. The side with the initial steep angle felt much better. I will try it again tomorrow.

The brush actually does still stink, the Fú Dào just hides it. The water the brush soaks in stinks. I decided I want a cool patina for the handle. So I have a zip tie around the brush and I am going to get an O-ring to go around the center of the brush. I am hoping it will make for some good blue oxidation rings. We shall see.

Brush break-in album #rawhoggin #mammothmafia #GEMSofWisdom

August 11, 2022 - AA Day 11

• Brush: Zenith B34 (break-in photo album)

• Razor: Dubl Duck 5/8 Satinedge

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

Yet another quick and comfortable shave with no fuss and no cuts.

Challenge Hashtags: #unscented #RawHoggin

Aug. 11, 2022 - AA Day 11

• Brush: ShaveForge 28mm Boar, 3d Printed Handle #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM Stainless (11)

• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Soap

• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette

A really good late night shave tonight.

I did some den cleaning earlier. All my other soaps are staring jealously at the star of the month in my SOTD pic.

2g of soap used on a 2.5 pass shave.

Brush feeling great. Still holding but broken.

Aug. 11, 2022 - AA 11

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (17)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Seville - Eau de Toilette

Break in album. SOTD in title.

Late evening shave and off to bed. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 11, 2022

• Prep: Water
• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Karve CB SB-D
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (11)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Barrbarr - Soap

• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Barrbarr - Aftershave

#RawHoggin

Stag Headlessly Hoggin' August Day 11

• Prep: Hot shower with Midnight Stag Soap.

• Brush: Zenith B33

• Razor: Cloud Shavette

• Blade: Cloud whatever that blade it is (16)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

Day eleven. Anniversary day. Three pass was not as smooth as it was last time. Perhaps this side's useful life is coming near to an end, let's see how much further I can push it. Loaded with a less wet brush, so it was less of a mess, but it came at the cost of barely making it to the third pass. Brush is coming just fine.

Hail Stag!

• Stagposting

• SubstantialStag

• RawHoggin

Aug. 11, 2022

• Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

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

Today's shave seemed smoother than the past few. The jury is still out on the MMOC for me. Yeah, it works, but I don't think I'd reach for it frequently.

Boar Break In Album

Stag Spray

#RawHoggin

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug 11 2022

• Prep: Mineral oil massage

• Brush: Wenghè Pure Bristle 🐗

• Razor: Brassbird head CG brass bishop

• Blade: Voskhod

• Soap: Mammoth Z

• Balm: Mammoth Z

Late as shit. Dammit. Two pass shave under the watchful eye of The Boy. He made the lather, but disapproves of the brush.

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

#Unscented

#ZFighter

Peppa