Aug 15, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 15

• 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 (15)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist - Eau de Parfum

It was a better, closer shave today. Got a little too overzealous and had some irritation on the neck, but that's been par for the course this month.

This brush has really won me over. A 45 second load time is consistently yielding really impressive lather for three passes.

Almond Leather is still going strong and the full scent has returned for me after going a little nose blind to it for a while.

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Rating: 3.5/5

Aug. 15, 2022 - Austere August 15- Raw Wisdom of the Hoggin Gems

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Semogue 610 Boar
• Razor: MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (15)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap

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

• Post Shave: Duke Cannon Ice Cold AS balm

#GEMSofWisdom This blade has reached the halfway point. I'm not getting any tugging or pulling but it is starting to reveal some inefficiency. This is the point in the month where shit gets interesting.

#RawHoggin My 6-year-old on steroids of a brush has a neat way of letting me know my lather is hydrated- it starts flinging it around my bathroom. Here he is at 15 days old, messy little bugger- https://imgur.com/a/0ELo4uI

#Sidetracked I've been a fan of Baroness since their sludgy beginnings and have really enjoyed following their progression to the album that I consider their peak, Yellow & Green. This album contains one of their best songs that hits me in all the feels, "March to the Sea". Lyrically, it is a bummer of a song, but musically, there is something anthemic about it that really makes this an uplifting song. For u/Teufelskraft and the gang, here's my Monday entry- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxNYP-OaPhE

Have a great day all!

August 15, 2022

• Brush: Zenith 506U XSE
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM SS PTFE (49)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger
• Post Shave: Olay Complete
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - unscented skin salve

Starting off this work week the same way I started off the last two. An enjoyable shave with good stuff.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Austere August Day 15

Brush: Rubberset 400-3 w/ Unbleached Zenith 24mm knot set to a 56mm loft 15th use

Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2

Blade: PTFE (15)

Lather: NO Monoi de Tahiti

Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash

Pretty much halfway. The brush is going strong and the software is good. The blade is starting to crap out and now we being the mental side of AA. Can I find the positives in a worn blade? I don't understand how u/djundjila is working a PTFE blade past the century mark when I hate these things after about 20 shaves.

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

Aug. 14, 2022 - RawHoggin & Taming the MMOC

• Brush: Zenith B37
• Razor: Gem MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (15)

• Lather: Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy

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

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

After my concerns of not having enough soap to make it through the end of the month, I decided to load less soap today. I got a good lather, it just wasn’t as luxurious as previous shaves.

The Gem is still smooth sailing. Maybe it’ll stay this way through the rest of the month.

August 15 2022

• Brush: Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (18)
• 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 - Sonder

'Twas a good shave this morning. Mood Indigo and Sonder complement each other well..

Since I'm gonna listen to the shit outta some Tom Waits today at work, I'll hop in u/Teufelskraft's #sidetracked challenge and suggest Downtown Train, which like a lot of Tom's music combines a sense of loneliness and beauty in a way that few others can. I really love the line "They're just thorns without the rose / Be careful of them in the dark."

Tom Waits - Downtown Train

#MammothMafia

#GEMSofWisdom

Aug. 15, 2022 - Halfway

• Prep: Warm shower w/ B&M Diamond Bath Bar
• Brush: Copper Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (15)

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

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

#RawHoggin

Great lather today, just the right amount of loading for an already wet face in the shower. I always dial this version first and it take a bit longer to do one out of the shower.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Great, normal three pass shave on not quite a full day's growth. No irritation, very happy with the result.

Aug. 15, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse

• Prep: Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (15)

• 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

Another great shave. It’s really nice to get in this kind of rhythm with both the hardware and software to just totally zone out for the shave. Quick slap of 8 sprays and I’m done.

SubstantialStag

GEMsOfWisdom

RawHoggin

August 15, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (15)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Great shave. I can’t tell a daily difference in the brush any more (and haven’t for a few days).

Hopefully someone will pick Bon Jovi for the sidetracked challenge today.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 15, 2022 - Half way home - Austere August Day 15

• Brush: RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar
• Razor: GEM OCMM (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (15)
• 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

Well, here we are at the half way point. That's it??? It seems like it's been a lot longer than that...

#RawHoggin

Brush good.

#GEMsofWisdom

Razor good. Blade is starting to show its age I guess. Still not bad in the grand scheme of things. I've used DE blades that felt far worse on their first and second shaves.

Brush album

Stag sprays - I actually did 5 sprays today because I did a video with 2 first then I realized it's week 3 so I had to do another video lol.

Aug. 15, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: AP Shave Co 24MM SYNBAD
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE (15)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Bare Siero - Soap

2 pass shave with a 30 second load. This is the second Monday in a row that I forget my post shave. Yesterday I went to the driving range in the middle of the day, and got a little sun. My face was a little tender during the shave. A thing I have noticed from the few times spans that I shaved daily is my problem areas go away/disappear.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

Aug. 15, 2022 - Day 15, still going strong

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Omega Pro 48 Boar brush 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (15)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave

Another fine shave, all is still working just great. Brush keeps getting better with each use. Blade has not started getting worse with each use. Yet. Hygge remains delicious.

Ah, Monday... How I dislike you.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#MammothMafia

Aug. 15, 2022 - AA Day 15

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305
• Razor: GEM Open Comb Micromatic
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (15)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

SubstantialStag

GEMSofWisdom

A fast and irritation-free shave, even on the sensitive areas that have wonky grain patterns and with products not made by a hippie soap maker. I could seriously only use Chiseled Face for the rest of my life and not pay tons of money to all the hippie soap makers who can’t possibly have the ability to research what is good for my face and are only out to hype their products in order to separate me from my money and still not pay exponentially more money to the mega-million-dollar-giant-corporations with unlimited R&D budgets who can research the latest and greatest products to make my shave and facial care the greatest it could ever be.

Sprayin’ for school

First day, but no students until tomorrow.

Edit: punctuation and formatting

Aug. 15, 2022 - Austere August Day 15

• 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 (15)

• 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
•Shave 12
•Shave 13
•Shave 14
•Shave 15

Thoughts for the day:
Just one today... I'll condense the gallery later...

Mandatory Taggage:

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury Pt. 15

• Prep: Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap
• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (15)
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation)
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE (84)
• 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

I've hit a weird groove where the shaves are super easy and mindless. NGL, this is a bit of a thrill dampener. #GEMsOfWisdom

The #RawHoggin brush has reached perfection. This may be my favourite brush now.

Aug. 14, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM (15)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap

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

• Fragrance: Gallagher Fragrances - Carpe Cafe

• Passes: WTG, ATG

• Coffee: Ethiopia, Sidama, Oromia - v: Ethiopia Heirloom - p: Natural
• Music: Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Denial
• 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
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	◊	◊	◊

I enjoyed today's shave a lot. The lather came together quickly, the knot is starting to feel correct, and I avoided any obvious scraping.

Speaking of the knot, does anyone know how close this is to "broken-in"? I know it's hard to tell from a photo, but here you go. u/EldrormR, what do you think? Do you recall how many lathers it took to break yours in?

Not much to report on the MMOC front. The blade is still going strong; I find ten to twenty shaves to be the comfort sweet spot for most blades, including GEMs. I'm anticipating some tugging once I round twenty-five.

⁂

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

Yesterday's "Whale Trail" write-up reminded me of a different song that's related in title, but not at all in theme, style, or aesthetic.

I slept on Car Seat Headrest for ages because I couldn't take the band's name seriously. That was a mistake, because Will Toledo's guitar rock is varied and full of stellar hooks. Try "Martin," "Sober to Death," or "Something Soon," for just a sampling. But the oddly-titled "Drunk Drivers / Killer Whales" is the song that got me into the band, and it's also a heck of an introduction to Toledo's music.

I believe Teens of Denial is the first full-band studio recording under the Car Seat Headrest name, and that makes it a little easier to appreciate, though Toledo's songwriting was dynamic and imaginative long before he signed to Matador. In the case of "Drunk Drivers / Killer Whales," the song goes through a couple of lyrical and melodic ideas before it even hits the first refrain—a triumphant, arena-destined harmony around 3:20. Bouncing between quiet, hesitant verse and top-of-their-lungs chorus, "Drunk Drivers / Killer Whales" steadily commands more attention as it progresses, building to a rousing finish. It's a centerpiece of Teens of Denial and an excellent combination of everything that makes the album such a fun listen.

Bandcamp: Car Seat Headrest - "Drunk Drivers / Killer Whales"

A Mammoth Micromatic Raw Hoggin’ August

Brush Progress

• Brush: Zenith B26 #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (15)
• Lather: House if Mammoth - Hygge in Tusk
• Post Shave: Hygge Splash & Balm
• Fragrance: Hygge EDP #MammothMafia

Not much to shave since I had an afternoon shave yesterday and I’m back to a morning shave today. Generally smooth, not much hair to take down. By no means a perfect result.

Gotta keep it going, about half way there!

Day 1 Prep Video

RawHoggin Unboxing Pics

MammothMafia

August 15, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (15)
• 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)

Sit-rep: Lather and scent - great, brush - really good, razor - excellent, blade - starting to fade.

Other than a month of Stagnation, two other positives that I hope to obtain from this experience are a 2-pass pattern that will leave a better-than DFS shave, and better technique for smoother edges.

The edge on the blade has definitely changed. It is not cutting the way that I would like. For the remaining two weeks, I hope to develop technique that provides for a comfortable shave under these circumstances. My tendency is to go over areas until stubble is removed, but I think that as keenness is reduced, so is cutting efficiency. I'd like to adapt to this gracefully by getting the most I can out of the edge, without any irritation in the shave.

Here is an edge image that was taken at less magnification -- meaning that the primary bevel is smaller. The microscope is still scaling at this level, but the overall image appears a little sharper. For me, too much detail is given away in this image, but I'm also the one inspecting the entire edge with video from the microscope, and then curating an image for these posts. If you like the "sharper" format, just let me know.

Aug. 15, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1438
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM blue star (15)

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

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

Today I shaved well sort of my skin feels pretty beat up. The blade is beginning to get pretty rough and I’m really dreading the rest of the month. Well I guess the fortunate part is that the brush is doing a good job and feels pretty nice. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

https://i.imgur.com/9o2A1Iy.jpg

August 15, 2022: QuincenStaga

• Prep: warm splash of water
• Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia Tuxedo 24 mm
• Razor: GEM OCMM (gen 2)
• Blade: GEM Stainless (16)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

After an exhausting weekend, it's going to be a relaxing day today. No nicks or cuts, which is surprising, given the state of this blade. Halfway and living on a Stag.

Day 15, 3 spritzes

. #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 15, 2022 - Austere August - How not to make a lathering video! UNCUT LATHERING

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(15)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)

Today has been a weird shave. It's the first time I recorded myself and I've been more aware of the camera than the shave, going from the mirror to the tiny camera screen trying to have a clear vision of what I was doing.

The camera focus has been crazy constantly dancing as it can be heard in the video.

Besides, there is a shaving video that I think I'm going to reserve because it's even more awful.

RawHoggin

Nice lather, I overlooked the pigscent you can imagine why, and lately, Southern Witchcrafts Aftershave hides all hog stink and gives me the unscented luxury perfume.

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

Good shave despite doing it almost blindly, with a couple of nicks.

#sidetracked

u/Teufelskraft Some stoner today ASG - Blood Drive

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug 15, 2021 – Austere August. Day 15.

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (15)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
• Music: Bon Jovi – Livin on a Prayer

Woooah… We’re halfway there! Woooahhh… Living Austere August! New Boar Brush we’ll break-in, I swear… Woooahhh… Living Austere August…

Today’s the 15th and we’ve reached the halfway mark of Austere August. Another great shave with my MMOC. No issues at all today, and while I miss the variety of wetshaving, these challenges I’ve embarked on for the month of August will help me appreciate all the scents and different brushes and different blades and different razors all that much more on September 1st.

Not much to say about the brush or MMOC that I haven’t said in the last couple of days. Today was a good, unscented shave all around.

Today’s #sidetracked music selection is Jon Bon Jovi – Livin on a Prayer. This song literally needs no introduction. Everyone knows this song. Everyone likes this song. And this main reason I picked this song is for the lyric “We’re halfway there” to commemorate being 50% through Austere August.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug 15, 2022 - Getting Sidetracked while searching for the Wisdom of a Mammoth

• Prep: Hot shower and CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

• Brush: Maggard Green Handle 2 Band Badger 24mm

• Razor: GEM - MMOC

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (15)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder EdP

Every day tags: #MammothMafia #GEMsofWisdom

This is my last day of Paternity Leave and while I was happy to get 6 weeks off with our newborn I am looking forward to getting back to work. It will be very nice to get all of us back into our normal routine which my family thrives on. I probably will regret saying that next Monday when facing a full week of work but for now I’m looking forward to it.

August 15th

• Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm
• Razor: GEM - MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (15)
• Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Edp video

15 down and 16 to go, starting to go a little easy on the splash as need to make it last and not run out too soon.

Austere August 2022 day 15- Mammoth Raw Hoggin GEMs

• Prep: Warm water

• Brush: Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!”

• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (15)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Splash

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

#MammothMafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Before Shave 15 and After

Took a work break to get in my shave today. Noticing that the hog has started to have the bristles splaying more in one direction that others. I think it is my right handed heavy use and tendency to swirl clockwise. So I tried to mix it up in my lathering today. Not sure it will do much, but this whole month is kind of an experiment.

Built good lather and had a very trouble free shave today. Trying to see if I can pick out more scents. Off the tub is when I seem to be able to get the apple scent. Once I lather up and shave, the musky and greenery type scents dominate.

Hopefully, when I head back in a few minutes, the job I’m running will have completed without any errors. I have to get some things finished before my boss comes back from vacation later this week.

SOTD Aug 15, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (15)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

• Post Shave: MacDuff’s Soap Co. - Viticulture - Splash

Great 2 pass shave today per usual these days. Running around like a headless chicken so not much to say. Excited to design my new shave den in the new house.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 15, 2022 - AA - Day 15

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - Short & Scrubby
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Blade (15)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Ferox - Soap
• After Shave: Fine Accoutrements - L'Orange Noir - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave

Today i feel the bristles are a little softer than usual. Midway point for the brush and performance is getting better. Blade is skipping so using light touches which is still cutting with ease. Slight burns when applying aftershave and the balm to soothe things. Good start to the week.

Tags: #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

20220815 Austere August Day 155

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

I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing. Plato, The Republic

Aug 15, 2022 Trickhole Stag + MMOC + RawHog - Old House Cleaning Edition

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Dogwood Unbleached Boar
• Razor: MMOC MM24
• Blade: GEM (16)
• Lather: Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag
• Post Shave:Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag Balm
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag

Stagging it up 2x

#GEMsOfWisdom

Cheers

2022-08-15 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC

Prep: Warm Shower
Brush: Semogue Torga - C5
Razor: GEM MMOC version 2
Blade: GEM Stainless (15)
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/g7s44OQ

15 great shaves and counting...

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 15, 2022 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' MMOC Ultra Nightmare Mode

• Prep: Cold water splash to the face
• Brush: Zenith Boar - B37 - Gray Chubby #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen2 #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (15)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave

Day 15 - pretty much half way through and I think I am where I thought I would be by the end of AA. The brush has broken in nicely and while I keep telling myself there is no way this thing is going to get any better it does. The razor has been awesome and I feel just as comfortable using it as I do any of my other razors for 2 passes. The blade is still performing really well and does its job every time.

The Brush: The brush was awesome as usual and seems to be getting better with each use. Today I took notice that I think the smell is completely gone and I haven’t noticed any lost bristles in a long time. We will keep on hoggin. #RawHoggin

Brush Picture Pre-shave: Side Top

Brush Picture Post-shave: Side Top

The Razor Today was a quickie as I didn’t have a ton of time. I went 2 passes and as before very routine with no nicks or cuts. I absolutely love this razor. #GEMsOfWisdom

Days since last blood: 10

The Soap and Aftershave I’m still enjoying the soap although I think that I might be waning a tad. The menthol is super refreshing which makes me look forward to using it but I do think I will be longing for something else soon.

Day 15 Puck Picture

Aug. 15, 2022

• Brush: Grey Chubby - Zenith B37
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (15)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave

Over the course of the month, I've occasionally stated that the face-lather-hate thing has been a bit that I've been doing. A bit, a joke, a gag. It's not that I don't loathe face-lathering—I do—but this has all been exaggeration. I've said as such.

#GEMsOfWisdom
#RawHoggin
#unscented
#MammothMafia

Aug. 15, 2022 - Austere August Day 15

• Prep: Hot Shower, Stirling Soap Facial Soap
• Brush: Zenith 508A SE 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (15)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver

Day 15, 16 more shaves remaining. Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.

Mandatory Tagging:

#GEMsOfWisdom

#Rawhoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 15, 2022 - AA Day 15

• Prep: Warm shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (84)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

Another fantastic shave this fine Monday morning. I did get a slight itch to use something different today, but no faltering here. The brush isn't changing much at this point, but the lather still isn't as good as I would have hoped for at this point in the month.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Monday!

Stag Spray 15 #GEMSofWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Aug. 15, 2022 - AA Day 15

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B34
• Razor: MMOC (Gen 2)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (15)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

Today's shave was almost a disaster. I did an arms workout immediately prior to shaving - it was heavy on the biceps and shoulders - and when those muscles are worked and then you try to use them for fine motor things (like shaving) it's not easy. Fortunately two and half passes later my face was smooth as can be and no bleeding. The MMOC gets better by the day and I'm a big fan at this point, though I am a bit nervous about what's going to happen now that I've gotten sloppy and then throw in a new blade.

The Zenith here and here is great. Again, big fan. I did feel my Trotter Gelousy yesterday (just in my hand) and I am very excited to use that thing come September, but otherwise I'm still feeling great with the gear I'm using. I can't decide right now if I'm going to order HoM Voices on my next budget or if I'm going to get a Georgetown Pottery Scuttle to start using. While tub loading and face lathering is going just fine, I sure miss GUTL. And, allegedly GUTL was birthed using a Georgetown Scuttle, so, yeah. Good thing (?) is we're only just not even half way through the month so I've got some time to figure out what the next purchase is.

Sonder continues to impress. Some days I prefer the soap over the splash, but today was a splash day - the cooling after effect was glorious. Maybe if I order voices I'll have to grab some Permafrost.

Sonder thought of the day: Welp, today was my daughters 3rd birthday and she wanted a "farm animal party" and loves cows, hence the SOTD pic. But, my Sonder thought isn't about her or the amazing little girl she is or any of that. My sonder thought is about my opportunity to understand sonder and blowing it anyway. I had a head cold all last week and am feeling fine. My wife and kids, however, have a worse version - they've all got wet coughs and are pretty much getting their butts kicked by it. So last night, after a long day I came downstairs from putting my two older kids to bed and started to clean up after dinner. My wife happened to be on the couch taking a break and I got frustrated and the rest of the night didn't go well. I thin k the worst part was I knew I'd made a big mistake within 3 minutes of our dispute, but, it took me much longer than that to apologize and own my stupidity. She needed a break, she's getting crushed by sickness and it's really not a big deal to clean up the table and empty the dishwasher. Yes, I had a long day, too, but, I'm not sick. And I love my wife. And I was a jerk. Live and learn, right? So - I apologized (although much later than I should have). Fortunately my wife is much more gracious and kind than I am and we had a great family day today celebrating the youngest. So what's my Sonder thought? Awareness isn't enough. I knew very quickly that my wife was right, I saw the issue from her side and from mine and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt I was wrong. But, stupid me, I just doubled down. People - don't be me. When you know you're wrong, or when you know you should be doing something differently, just do it. I promise you'll save yourself some guilt and a headache later.

That said, have a good one, all.

#mammothmafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 15th, 2022

Prep: Warm water

Razor: Gem MMOC

Blade: Gem Blue Star (15)

Brush: Omega Model 13564 23mm boar

Soap: LA Shaving Soap Co. Black Void

Post: Noble Otter Bare

Comfort: 7.5/10

Smoothness: 8/10

15 second load.

2 pass shave XTG/ATG.

Made sure to use plenty of soap and give the blade every opportunity to shine. Unfortunately, got a bit of tugging and now will have to ride out the rest of the month with this.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

RawHoggin

Aug. 15, 2022 - Day 15: a ferry good shave

• Prep: Water splash
• Brush: Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Persona GEM PTFE Coated (15)

• 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

Today’s shave is brought to you by the New London to Orient Point Ferry.

The sink was a motion sensor and there was no way to soak the brush. There was no hot water. This is all the same as the airport shave. BUT there were two large differences. First the bathroom door is locked open, so anyone walking past the door got to watch me. Second, the motion of the ocean, luckily was gentle.

The shave was actually good. I’m getting better with the light touch technique. I am pretty happy with the shave.

Brush break-in album #rawhoggin #mammothmafia #GEMSofWisdom

Aug. 15, 2022 - AA Day 15

• Brush: ShaveForge 28mm Boar, 3d Printed Handle #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM Stainless (15)

• 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

Half way there!

This is the first day I can say I really lusted after another soap. I went to find my Semicolon tub, and I really wanted to use something else instead.

Nevertheless, I resisted.

Only two passes tonight, because I want really feeling it. Also I lost another chunk of brush handle.

Only 1g of soap used today. Brush is downright soft- way softer than my existing boar with probably 60 shaves on it.

Aug. 15, 2022 - AA 15

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (21)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album and SOTD in title.

Halfway. That is all. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 15, 2022

• Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (15)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

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

3 spray days, things are getting serious!

Boar Break In Album

Stag Spray

#RawHoggin

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#UNCHALLENGE