Aug 17, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 17

• 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 (17)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave

Today's shave went much better. The buffing technique, especially on the third pass, has allowed me to get a much closer shave with almost no irritation. I'm going to keep working on using this technique to get around the tugging and biting I was experiencing before.

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Rating: 4/5

August 17, 2022

• Brush: Zenith 506U XSE
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM SS PTFE (51)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger
• Post Shave: Olay Complete
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - unscented skin salve

Nothing new to report. All is going well with the stud chosen for this month.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 17, 2022 - Austere August 17- Hoggin All The Raw Wisdom of the Gems

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Semogue 610 Boar
• Razor: MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (17)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap

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

• Post Shave: Zingari Man Cooling Recovery Splash

#GEMsofWisdom WTG/XTG/Buff it up. This blade felt a bit uncomfortable for the first couple of strokes and then it settled in and I got a better shave than I thought I was going to wind up with. Not too much feedback from the splash.

#RawHoggin The Mighty Steroid Fed 6-year-old of a brush keeps chugging along. This has broken in nicely.

#Sidetracked One of my favorite YouTube rabbit holes is Bill McClintock's channel. On this channel, you can see amazing mashup videos of classic metal songs overlaid on classic non-metal songs and some of the results are outstanding. My favorite is the vocal track from Slayer's "Black Magic" overlaid on the music of Prince's "Let's Go Crazy". It's amazing how the Slayer footage syncs up perfectly with the Prince song- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu5ZhAPcgQ . If you want to see something more messed up, how about Metallica's "Enter Sandman" over Huey Lewis and the News "Hip to be Square"? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MRx4LpYbQ4 . This channel is just laden with pure gold. Regardless of how you feel about heavy metal, this channel is well worth your time because there is bound to be something for everyone. So u/Teufelskraft and the gang, enjoy your time down the rabbit hole.

Have a great day all!

Austere August Day 17

Brush: Rubberset 400-3 w/ Unbleached Zenith 24mm knot set to a 56mm loft 17th use

Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2

Blade: PTFE (17)

Lather: NO Monoi de Tahiti

Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash

The bottom of the tub will poke through tomorrow. I still have plenty of soap left, but thought I had another week until I saw tub. Time to push for my first kill of the year.

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

August 17, 2022: Staging Queen, on the 17th, with the tambourine

• Prep: warm splash of water
• Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia Tuxedo 24 mm
• Razor: GEM OCMM (gen 2)
• Blade: GEM Stainless (18)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

A beautiful day and a wonderful shave. No cuts or complaints today!

Day 17, 3 spritzes

. #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 17, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse

• Prep: Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (17)

• 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

Something really interesting has happened this morning. I’ve noticed this month that my aftershave doesn’t smell quite like the rest of the Stag I have, but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I think I’ve decided what it smells like at this point though. As I dump some of the magic Stag juice on my hands, my nostrils immediately feel inundated by the scent of whiskey! No smoke, oil, gasoline but only whiskey. It’s not bad by any means, but it’s interesting and shows how products can evolve over time. 6 sprays this morning since that’s all the upvotes that came through yesterday.

SubstantialStag

GEMsOfWisdom

RawHoggin

August 17 2022

• Brush: Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (20)
• 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/Declaration Grooming - Cerberus Fougere

I think the soap needed more water today since it was not as slick as I would have preferred. MMOC plowed through but today wasn't the most effortless shave.

Today for u/Teufelskraft's #sidetracked challenge I present a great song from a great singer-songwriter, Amy Macdonald.

Amy Macdonald - Automatic

#MammothMafia

#GEMSofWisdom

Aug. 17, 2022

• Prep: Exercise and shower
• Brush: Semogue 1438
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM blue star (17)

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

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

Ok shave today blade flipped now and its not a whole lot better but it still cuts. I am also stropping it a bit on my arm it seems to help make a couple strokes a bit better. Going to be a wild ride in the coming weeks. The brush is basically the same for the last week I am having trouble picking out much of a change. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

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

Aug. 17, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: AP Shave Co 24MM SYNBAD
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE (17)

• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Bare Siero - Soap

• Post Shave: Thayers - Unscented - Toner

2 pass shave.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

Aug. 17, 2022 - Hump day shave-o-rama

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Omega Pro 48 Boar brush 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (17)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave

Blade starting to degrade. Or maybe my lather wasn't as slick today. The shave was fine, but this might be the start of shittier shaves. We will see tomorrow. Nothing to report, really: Brush feels great. Hygge smells great. Blade TBD. Hump day always means that the work week is more than halfway through. Good.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#MammothMafia

August 17, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (17)
• 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)

Something has changed with my cheap microscope. My normal setup for viewing the blade edge did not show the edge with the same clarity or focus as before. Either something in the sensor mounting, or something about the optics, seems to have changed. It took me a long time to examine the edge, and today's picture, poor as it is, required a complete lighting and configuration change. I'll take it apart today to see if I can figure out what's what.

Having used the same brand and scent of shaving goo for years, it really isn't a challenge to use one manufacturer's trifecta for 31 days. And I'm really not getting tired of Midnight Stag. If I do, it will be easy just to ignore it, but currently, I look forward to my shave with it every morning.

After today, I've decided that the star of this month is the brush. The brush is just wonderful. It has its own combination of softness and backbone, and it makes it very easy for me to control the lather. Definitely a keeper, and I look forward to the r/Wetshaving green monster when it arrives. Thanks to u/EldrormR for running the RawHoggin' challenge. I doubt I would have had this experience without it.

August 17, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (17)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

This was a good shave. The blade was less harsh than yesterday, when I flipped it.

The brush is basically effortless at this point. I’ve been loading wetter, and have to add very little water while face lathering. It’s a comfortable brush, and probably faster than my synthetics at building a lather now.

I’m interested to compare to my synthetics once this month is over. I was thinking I’d still prefer the synthetics, but I’m not sure now.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug 17, 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 (17)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder EdP

Every day tags: #MammothMafia #GEMsofWisdom

Aug. 17, 2022 - Austere August Day 17

• Prep: Hot Shower, Stirling Soap Facial Soap
• Brush: Zenith 508A SE 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (17)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver

Day 17. We are beginning the back half of AA. Had a pretty good shave today. Blade is performing well and my brush is lovely. I am putting a pretty good dent in this soap, but I think the balm will last forever. So little goes so far with this stuff.

Mandatory Tagging:

#GEMsOfWisdom

#Rawhoggin

#MammothMafia

A Mammoth Micromatic Raw Hoggin’ August

Brush Progress

• Brush: Zenith B26 #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (10)
• Lather: House if Mammoth - Hygge in Tusk
• Post Shave: Hygge Splash & Balm
• Fragrance: Hygge EDP #MammothMafia

Brush losing a few more hairs over the last couple shaves.

Things are just fine, mainly a matter of getting used to DFS in some spots.

Day 1 Prep Video

RawHoggin Unboxing Pics

MammothMafia

Aug. 17, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM (17)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap

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

• Fragrance: Gallagher Fragrances - Pearfecto

• Passes: WTG, XTG

• Coffee: Colombia. Ciudad Bolivar, Antioquia - v: Catillo & Colobia - p: Natural
• Music: Masao Nakajima Quartet - Kemo-Sabe
• August 2022 SOTD Photo Album

#GEMsOfWisdom / #RawHoggin

Question for the community:

When you lather with a high-backbone, scrubby brush, how do you actually move the knot on your face?

I've noticed side to side strokes work pretty well with this Zenith brush—the 'ol painting motions—but I have to be sparing with any attempts to splay or swirl the brush. Doing so feels good on my chin, and helps work up the lather, but is actively uncomfortable on my cheeks and is a little abusive on my neck as well. Like the MMOC, this brush demands a light touch.

I also had an off-the-cuff thought about the MMOC while I was chatting with u/VisceralWatch yesterday. It's an efficient razor, with some notable aggression. However, when folks complain about how it feels, I wonder if at least some of what they're feeling is the comb (versus the blade, or the edge of the razor head). My brass Peerless Clog-Pruf feels totally different than the MMOC; the teeth are smaller, more plentiful, and sit on a smooth bar. That Micromatic variant is extremely comfortable, and doesn't scrape at all, while feeling just as efficient as the MMOC.

Anyway, fourteen more shaves to go and then I can put this Lime soap aside for a while. I'm over it.

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	207.2	1.8	60 swirls
8/17	207.2	◊	◊	~62 swirls

⁂

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

I'm not sure how I feel about Portugal. The Man as a whole, or even today's song—"Modern Jesus," which is undeniably catchy—but I love the song's music video. It's a weird little snapshot of mid-2000s America, composed of footage recorded across nine states. The glimpses of blighted neighborhoods in Detroit and open land in Wyoming are particularly striking, and the way people exist in the diegesis of all these culturally and geographically disparate shots ranges from the whimsical, to the alarming, to the weird, to the profound. I'm not sure the song is as smart as it wants you to think it is, but if the video was made as organically as it appears, it's one of my favorite works of observational documentary.

YouTube: Portugal. The Man - "Modern Jesus"

Aug. 17, 2022 - AA Day 17

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B34
• Razor: MMOC (Gen 2)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (17)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

This morning was another great start to the day as far as the shave went. I accidentally overslept by a half an hour, so the morning was a bit rushed, but still made it to work on time and it's been a good and productive morning.

The MMOC performed well today - nothing to complain about. I did nick a little bump on my neck that caused some bleeding, but otherwise a solid shave.

I got a lot of sandalwood off Sonder today - still with a hint of green, but as my splash rubbed in it was mostly a nice soft sandalwood coming through for me. I like the smell of sandalwood a lot, but, my only experience with a strictly sandalwood scent was from TOBS when I first started. I thought their cream would be good - it reviewed well on amazon - and ordered it. It was fine, but every time I shaved my face would be on fire afterwards. I couldn't even use Nivea Sensitive Balm post shave because it was too painful. I don't know if it was an allergy to strong sandalwood, if it was my terrible technique, or it was brush burn from the cheap boar brush I had no idea how to use or break in. My guess is it was the latter two and sandalwood is fine, but I've not been brave enough to order anything pure sandalwood scented since in the event I was wasting my money.

The Zenith 12 was again excellent. Unfortunately the logo seems to be rubbing off a bit, which is understandable since it's printed on, but kind of a bummer. I had to dip the brush in water a couple times to get the lather wet enough this morning from overloading a bit too much, but no big deal. Lathering on my face, though, was glorious.

While some cough u/ginopono cough loathe the process of face lathering, I can't imagine not including my face in the lathering process. How else will my follicles be massaged and what else can cause so many endorphins to release that I am positively euphoric by the time I'm all lathered up? Do I think a bowl appreciates being massaged? Not at all. It's a stupid porcelain bowl, it doesn't have feelings. Such a wasted opportunity to increase blood flow, shave quality, happiness hormones, and quality of lather. What kind of monster spends a whole month spitting in the face of happy shavers everywhere? Be better.

Sonder thought of the day: Nothing too profound today except to say that I have to remind myself a lot that connection in relationships, whether a marriage, friendship, working relationship, whatever - needs to be cultivated regularly, and when I'm feeling disconnected from someone, often they are, too. It's important to remember sonder and not treat people like they're emotionless drones who are oblivious to the nuances to your relationship - they know your dynamic, too, and - well - you (I) might not be the easiest person to have a relationship with all the time. So - it's important to do little things to tune that relationship up, whether it's asking an intentional question and listening, if it's a kind gesture, whatever. Their world is alive like mine and reaching out across the divide means something.

Have a great day.

#mammothmafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 17, 2022 - Austere August - Killing Soap

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(17)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

I have one purpose, finishing the soap and the aftershave on day 31, ending this unscented nightmare. According to my spreadsheet today there's 71.6 gr of soap, I've to use 5.14gr/day of soap to achieve my goal.

RawHoggin

Today, I've used 2.21gr of soap only but I had lather for two passes and for the comfort lather. That's far away from my mission I should start shaving my parts too. Tomorrow, I will load more soap with the hog.

The Hog is almost unscented but it's not really broken in, it'll need more work to be fully tamed.

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

Monday, I hand stropped the blade and made some videos of the edge before and after (they are bad I'll try again and post them), but I didn't see any difference, and the blade continues performing well.

But today, I've experienced some blade resistance to cut white hairs. I think is losing efficiency. I'll adjust the razor angle to see if it helps, with those stubborn hairs.

#sidetracked

u/Teufelskraft From the Bagdad Cafe movie OST - I'm Calling You performed by Jevetta Steele, such a beautiful tune from such a candid and tender film. I used to 'sing' that song to my elder kid when he was a baby to calm him down, It brings me back good memories.

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 17, 2022 - AA - Day 17

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - Short & Scrubby
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Blade (17)
• 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 things are still going okay. The brush it getting softer but keeps eating lather. Razor and blade are still doing fine though there are times where i feel its not cutting but just apply more lather and try again. Post shave is the same and the balm is keeping things calm.

Tags: #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

Aug. 17, 2022 - It's all downhill from here - Austere August Day 17

• Brush: RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar
• Razor: GEM OCMM (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (17)
• 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

Yes, you guessed it! Midnight Stag all the way baby!

#RawHoggin

The brush has really come into its own, I probably already said that but it's true. I honestly can't see it getting much softer, but time will tell.

#GEMsofWisdom

It's a battle of attrition with the blade from here on out. Let's see if I can win it.

Brush album

Stag sprays

August 17th, 2022 - Austere Raw Mammoth GEMs Hoggin of Mafia Wisdom

• Prep: Warm water

• Brush: Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!”

• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (17)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Splash

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

#MammothMafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Before shave 17 and After

Well boss is back so I took a lunch break shave. It was between meetings, but not a lot of time to get much work done. Brush is getting easier to splay, and I’m noticing it is slowly adding more split ends. Hopefully in the next 14 shaves will get to where the majority of ends split and get a well cushioned little scrubber. It is getting easier to build lather on my face. I added about a blueberry sized scoop of lather to the bowl. I got enough to do a 3 pass+ shave (although stopped after 2 passes).

The GEM had no noticeable change in the last couple shaves. Today I got about as smooth a shave as I could from two passes and a bit of buffing. Very close to a bbs shave. I’d say best shave this month 4 1/2 out of 5.

The reason for the great shave, besides the GEM blade and razor, or even the Zenith B36, is squarely on the excellent foundation this Tusk base provides. I am getting great slickness from the lather, and residual slickness is good enough for a pass if I want. I still added more lather for the second pass, but for a little buffing it was great without adding more. The scent is still enjoyable. I will appreciate the variety, but I could use this set until it runs out if I didn’t have lots of good things to sample in September. I wonder if I should have gone with Sonder or Hygge, but I think I picked the right one for me. Great scent, some menthol in the splash gives a nice cool aftershave feel, and the balm makes a nice finishing touch.

Aug. 17, 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 (17)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave

Day 17 - Same good shave with the GEM however a couple new observations with the brush. Aside from that, not much new to report. Good 2 pass shave.

The Brush: Today I planned to load even less soap to see what I could get away with. Even with a quick 30 second load, the brush was ready to rock. I immediately noticed that the brush was pillowy soft and splayed easily today. I’m not sure when this happened, but today was the first observed “easy splay” of the brush. I also noticed soap forming at the base of brush today after splaying and lathering. This is pretty common with my badger and synthetic, but haven’t noticed it on the boar until today. Today was the first time I had to use my chin to collect the lather off the base of the brush. Again, I can’t believe this brush continues to improve. #RawHoggin

Brush Picture Pre-shave: Side Top

Brush Picture Post-shave: Side Top

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: 12

The Soap and Aftershave I am starting to quickly get tired of MITA however, the methanol keeps it pleasant.

Day 17 Puck Picture

Aug 17, 2021 – Austere August. Day 17.

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (17)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
• Music: Billy Joel – Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

Today’s shave was good and uneventful. Me and the MMOC continue to be in our nice groove.

The new boar brush does better and better every day. I can absolutely see this Zenith turning into one of my favorites, long beyond Austere August.

For today’s #sidetracked music selection, I have Billy Joel’s “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. One of my favorite songs of all time. This song is a musical adventure, taking us all through the lives of Brenda and Eddie, as told over a bottle of red or a bottle of wine… Whatever kind of mood you’re in tonight. There are few artists who could pull off what Billy Joel has been able to pull off in his life. The guy hasn’t written a song in nearly 30 years, yet he still sells out arena after arena and has a residency at Madison Square Garden and he’s said that will continue on until he stops selling it out. And early month every single seat gets sold. He is The Piano Man and his music connects to both the young and old. I’ve seen him live in a few stadiums and at MSG and the energy of the shows are amazing, but if I had the ability to time-travel, I would love to be transported back to the 1970s, when he was playing the types of bars he talks about in Piano Man, and the piano sounds like carnival and the microphone smells like a beer. Imagine being able to tell people you witnessed one of the greatest to ever do it, before the world knew who he was… Gotta be a cool feeling… And honestly one of the reasons why I ALWAYS love to be introduced to new music. You never know who is gonna be the next Billy Joel.

Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

August 17th

• Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm
• Razor: GEM - MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (17)
• Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Edp video

Long day travelling down to see family and back today then home for a quick stag shave, the wife went in the bathroom after me and promptly became repulsed by the scent once more.

Aug. 17, 2022 - AA Day 17

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305
• Razor: GEM Open Comb Micromatic
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (17)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

SubstantialStag

GEMSofWisdom

The only problem I’m seeing with my Semogue brush is the consistent loss of bristles. Mostly, I think they are just breaking. Other than that, the performance with Chiseled Face soaps is spot on.

The GEM is still holding up and I haven’t even palm stropped it as much as last year. Mostly it just sits in the razor, but I’m sure it’s getting scummed up pretty well. Zero irritation from my typical two hybrid passes.

What are the odds I have a spectacular blade versus just an average blade and coupled with improved technique I’m getting terrific results?

Sprayin’

2022-08-17 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC

Prep: Warm Shower
Brush: Semogue Torga - C5
Razor: GEM MMOC version 2
Blade: GEM Stainless (17)
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/VcyDhk4

17 shaves in the books. The blade is fine, l think daily shaving is the key. My daily stubble is less difficult than a few days growth would be. The brush is pretty awesome.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

20220817 Austere August Day 17

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

Stropped the blade last night on my ass for a laugh. Today seemed a little better.

Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury Pt. 17

• Prep: Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap
• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (17)
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation)
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE (86)
• 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

Oops, almost forgot to post again. I'm catching up on a bunch of accumulated todos during my break. The blade is still holding up well and the brush is still fantastic. Have a great evening!

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

Aug 17, 2022 Trickhole Stag + MMOC + RawHog - Setting up in the New House

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Dogwood Unbleached Boar
• Razor: MMOC MM24
• Blade: GEM (18)
• Lather: Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag
• Post Shave:Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag Balm
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag

Stagging it up 3x

#GEMsOfWisdom

Cheers

Aug. 17, 2022 - Austere August Day 17

• 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 (17)

• 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
•Shave 16
•Shave 17

Thoughts for the day:
Imgur is pissing me off. Even in desktop view. Whatever.

So shave went fine. No complaints. I am looking forward to a new soap but I'm still enjoying it. Skin is doing great with just the magic splash. I could skip post most days but I really like aftershave so why not? I think my skin was a bit softer last year when I used the magic balm, but it's not by a huge margin and I prefer this.

Mandatory Taggage:

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 17, 2022

• Brush: Grey Chubby - Zenith B37
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (17)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave

It's been what feels like a pretty unproductive day of ~~messing with database server clusters at work~~ searching for jobs and apartments at the public library. In a little bit I'm going to ~~go to a krav maga class I haven't been to in a while because I had a bit of a cough~~ attempt to bury my emotions in ice cream because face-lathering has destroyed my life.

To be clear, I don't have anything against anyone who happens to like face-lathering. After all, subjective experience is exactly that—subjective. By the same token, I won't get in anyone's way if they, say, prefer to eat ice cream with chopsticks. Meanwhile, I might find it to be the case that chopsticks provide a time-consuming, ineffective, and unsatisfying method of ice cream consumption, in contrast to a spoon. To each their own, I say!

#GEMsOfWisdom
#RawHoggin
#unscented
#MammothMafia

SOTD Aug 17, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (17)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Finished moving into the house today, feels great. Got a free cabinet that will be perfect for shaving gear and such. Looking forward to unpacking my den and setting everything up.

Had a great shave again today, pretty similar to the last few shaves. I think I feel the blade dulling a little but still mows down the daily growth with ease.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 17, 2022 - RawHoggin & Taming the MMOC

• Brush: Zenith B37
• Razor: Gem MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (17)

• Lather: Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy

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

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

I’m quite enjoying this Zenith. It’s starting to get pretty soft, yet has a pretty stiff backbone. And I respect a stiff backbone.

This blade is feeling great. It still feels very smooth and is still efficient. I picked a really great setup. This has been a good AA.

Aug. 17, 2022 - It's Wednesday

• Prep: Warm shower w/ Duke bath bar
• Brush: Copper Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (17)

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

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

#RawHoggin

Decent lather post shower today, no complaints getting the hand of the loading. Still probably could be a little more patient in slicking down the initial lather as I think this help spreads some of the soap better to the brush for later passes.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Again another drama-free shave. The blade is defiantly not as good when first starting, but it still works well enough for a shave I have been very happy with.

Aug. 17, 2022 - Day 17: another hotel shave

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Persona GEM PTFE Coated (17)

• 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

Well today the shave was just alright. I just do not know what changes to make it good or bad. The shave was mostly comfortable, but my neck got a couple rough spots.

The brush is getting better. It was probably the first shave that I did not feel any pokey scratchy discomfort from the brush. I am still not sold on the boat brush. I just do not really like how it holds water or how I have to add water to hydrate the lather.

Edit: correction.

Brush break-in album #rawhoggin #mammothmafia #GEMSofWisdom

August 17th, 2022

Prep: Warm water

Razor: Gem MMOC

Blade: Gem Blue Star (17)

Brush: Omega Model 13564 23mm boar

Soap: LA Shaving Soap Co. Black Void

Post: Noble Otter Bare

Comfort: 7/10

Smoothness: 9/10

7 second load.

2 pass shave XTG/ATG.

Same as yesterday, with a bit less left over lather at the end.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

RawHoggin

Aug. 17, 2022 - AA 17

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (23)

• 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.

Only “groundbreaking” thing about my shave today was that my lather was noticeably under hydrated ok my first pass. User error for sure, just being a bit lazy and rushing. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 17, 2022 - AA Day 17

• Prep: Warm shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (86)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

Still playing around with the lather a bit, but other than that this setup requires almost no thought now. When all is said and done this just might be my favorite brush, top three at least for sure.

Hope Wednesday treated everyone well!

Stag Spray 17 #GEMSofWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Aug. 17, 2022 - AA Day 17

• Brush: ShaveForge 28mm Boar, 3d Printed Handle #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM Stainless (17)
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Soap

Day 17. Traveling. Everything is fine

Aug. 17, 2022

• Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (17)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

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

It Friday yet? Definitely feels like it should be Friday by now.

Boar Break In Album

Stag Spray

#RawHoggin

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#UNCHALLENGE