Aug 18, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 18

• 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 (18)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave

Excellent lather for two passes from a 15 second load. I probably would have had enough for another pass, but I had lather flying off the brush this morning.

On the second pass I used mostly buffing, XTG and ATG, to get a near BBS finish. No bites from the blade and no sting from the AS.

Not the ideal shave in terms of time, but it produced great results.

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Rating: 4/5

August 18, 2022

• Brush: Zenith 506U XSE
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM SS PTFE (52)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger
• Post Shave: Olay Complete
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - unscented skin salve

Everything was perfect today. This brush is seriously good. It has 39 uses on it and it is very well broken in. The more I use this mutton tallow soap base the more I like it. I have gotten very comfortable with the Gen 2 razor and can shave on autopilot with it.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 18, 2022 - Austere August 18- Welcome to the Pleasuredome

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Semogue 610 Boar
• Razor: OCMM Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (18)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap

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

• Post Shave: Zingari Man Cooling Recovery Splash

#GEMsofWisdom I've been flipping my blade every day since this all began thinking it would help extend blade life. Yesterday was a roughish shave and of course I flipped the blade and found today's shave to be very smooth and comfortable. It's possible one edge of my blade is wearing faster than the other so I'm not going to flip right now unless I have to. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.

#RawHoggin Nothing to say today. This brush is great and looks pretty damn good- https://imgur.com/a/QgU5y56

#Sidetracked It's been gray and rainy and in the low 60s for the last 24 hours so, naturally, this would be the perfect day to pull out some doooooooooommmmm for u/Teufelskraft . But no. Days like this require upbeat music so I'm going with one of my absolute favorite guilty pleasure albums. Yes, Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Welcome To The Pleasuredome is what this day requires. If you've never listened to this full album, I highly recommend it. i also recommend listening to this album with headphones. Production-wise, this album rivals Pink Floyd's The Wall as far as the headphone experience goes. This album was way ahead of its time in that regard. Song-wise, it's an hour of pop gold. If you've never listened to this album, I recommend you try the first 15 minutes and see how it grabs you because it may not be what you expect and move from there. My work is done here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDtLsR89Z6c

Have a great day all!

Aug. 18, 2022 - RawHoggin & Taming the MMOC

• Brush: Zenith B37
• Razor: Gem MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (18)

• Lather: Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy

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

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

Day 18 Raw-diggity-Hoggin this brush. Honestly I can’t tell a difference in this brush for the past week. Is it broken in? I guess so. Is it still necessary to soak the brush for a few minutes before the shave, once it is broken in? That’s really the only part that is getting old for me. I’m just used to getting my synths good and wet under the water, then going to town.

This Gem is still feeling perfect. From what I remember, it is going much better this year. Last year I palm stropped the blade, and flipped the blade every shave. This year I flipped the blade once, but other than that I only open it up to let it air dry. This is not a very scientific experiment. But it seems to me palm stropping and flipping doesn’t really help 🤷🏻‍♂️.

bush pic

August 18, 2022: 18 Days of Stag

• Prep: warm splash of water
• Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia Tuxedo 24 mm
• Razor: GEM OCMM (gen 2)
• Blade: GEM Stainless (19)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

A quick and dangerously exciting shave but somehow only one little nick on my chin.

Day 18, 3 spritzes

. #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 18, 2022 - 18 shaves and still no probs

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Omega Pro 48 Boar brush 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (18)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave

Another easy shave. I did flip the blade but nothing more. Maybe I can get through the whole month with no blade crisis. Nah, that's way too hopeful. Either way, so far so good. I am bored of the MMOC and just stare at all my other razors, looking forward to using them again come September. The silly things we do for meaningless internet shaving competitions. AmIrite?! Anywho, getting closer to the goal each day and this boar brush is turning into a great implement that I will continue to use regularly. Happy Thursday to you!

#GEMsOfWisdom

#MammothMafia

Aug. 18, 2022 - Flight of the Stagvigator - Austere August Day 18

• Brush: RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar
• Razor: GEM OCMM (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (18)
• 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

I'm leaving on a jet plane to Denver in a few hours. I hope the other passengers like the scent of gasoline, leather, and burning rubber. :D

#RawHoggin

One thing I've noticed about this brush is that it hasn't shed a single hair. I have plucked out a couple dark hairs that I saw, but that's it. It feels great on my face and makes a really quick lather. The stank is long gone too. This is turning into a really nice $15 brush.

#GEMsofWisdom

Just as a challenge to myself today I was seeing how fast I could shave with the OCMM and not get cut lol. You may be thinking that it's madness to try that with a blade that has 18 shaves under its belt, but it was just fine. No cuts or irritation. For some reason it felt smoother than some previous days. I'm really comfortable shaving with this razor now. Cruise control ------->>>

Brush album

Stag sprays

Austere August Day 18

Brush: Rubberset 400-3 w/ Unbleached Zenith 24mm knot set to a 56mm loft 18th use

Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2

Blade: PTFE (18)

Lather: NO Monoi de Tahiti

Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash

Got in a quick shower and 2 pass shave with a sick kiddo at home.

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

August 18, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (18)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Got a little ‘eavy ‘anded with the razor this time. No blood, but my face was a bit sensitive after. Otherwise, things are going well. The blade is still fine, the razor is second nature, and the brush is doing great. I'll update brush pics this afternoon.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 18, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: AP Shave Co 24MM SYNBAD
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE (18)

• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Bare Siero - Soap

• Post Shave: Thayers - Unscented - Toner

2 pass shave with a 30 second load.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

Aug. 18, 2022

• Prep: Exercise and shower
• Brush: Semogue 1438
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM blue star (18)

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

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

Good shave today maybe I have successfully transformed my face to leather. The blade is pretty rough but it doesn’t seem to be getting much worse for now. Brush is working great or I think it is. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

https://i.imgur.com/JDgCdd3.jpg

Aug. 18, 2022

• Brush: Grey Chubby - Zenith B37
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (18)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave

I didn't think much of it on Monday when I took someone's elbow in the ribs. I had actually forgotten all about it until the pain resurfaced yesterday, while I was on my back on the floor and trying to free myself from a man I had never met before who was on top of me. I could rephrase that, but... nah. That was only my second time back to krav maga, too, after I had had a rough cough that kept me away for a while.

From that perspective, it's kind of turning out to be a rough month, and it seems to have started right as the month began. Clearly, the root cause of all of it—and quite probably the root source of all evil—is face-lathering. Right from the instant that I first raised those bristles directly from tub to face, my fate was sealed.

But hey, if I can put up with two and a half weeks of this, and then a full month, I can handle anything, really.

This is the first time I've used a single soap consisently from a brand-new tub. If it weren't for some dedicated usage of Port-au-Prince earlier this year, it'd be the first time I've used a soap so consistently at all. I didn't realize how much of the soap had gone, becuase I was looking for hints of levels of usage at the edge of the soap, where it meets the side of the tub, much like how the level of aftershave has almost reduced to the top of the label. But that's not how soap gets used up. It was just the other day that I noticed that the top of the soap has become deeply concave.

I've been told that, because face-lathering is relatively ineffective, it requires more soap to be loaded, making it relatively wasteful. I don't know how any of that might be construed as an argument in favor of face-lathering, but okay.

#GEMsOfWisdom
#RawHoggin
#unscented
#MammothMafia

Aug 18, 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 (18)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder EdP

Every day tags: #MammothMafia #GEMsofWisdom

A Mammoth Micromatic Raw Hoggin’ August

Brush Progress

• Brush: Zenith B26 #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (18)
• Lather: House if Mammoth - Hygge in Tusk
• Post Shave: Hygge Splash & Balm
• Fragrance: Hygge EDP #MammothMafia

I did some arm stropping, and it’s possible this blade is back in good standing with me, and now I understand why my dad, a frugal gent, only replaces his blades every 50+ shaves. I have to say, this is an achieving unlocked for me in shavedom.

I love this scent so much, it’s not something I’m really tiring of yet. I do wish I could use some other stuff just to switch it up.

Best shave in a few days!

Day 1 Prep Video

RawHoggin Unboxing Pics

MammothMafia

August 18 2022

• Brush: Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (21)
• 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 - Restore

Much credit to those of you still finding new insights in your Austere August posts; my well has run dry. Today's shave was better than yesterdays since I was careful to extra hydrate the ol' lather.

#MammothMafia

#GEMSofWisdom

Aug. 18, 2022 - Busy Thursday

• Prep: Warm shower w/ Duke Bath Bar
• Brush: Copper Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (18)

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

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

#RawHoggin

Another great lather, loaded more and had plenty of left over for all my desired passes

#GEMsOfWisdom

I tired to change things up for some reason and tried an ATG pass on the concave part of my chin below my mouth that was unhappy with that with some redness and bumps post shave. Back to my old reliable technique, I think, for the next few days.

August 18, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (18)
• 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)

Simple fix on the microscope. Now I'm back to the high magnification, low resolution quality that's normal for me. Today's microscope shot does not show any feature that's unusual, and that's what I see from a full examination of the edge also. I think that edge wear will be slow from this point on. Since I'm being careful to distribute the wear evenly on each side of the edge, I fully expect the blade to reach a point of diminishing returns later this month where its keenness stabilizes. I'm guessing that its shaving characteristics at 30-ish shaves will be very similar to its shaving charactistics at 50+ shaves ( u/Old_Hiker ), or 80+ shaves ( u/djundjila ).

Otherwise, "same ol same ol". The brush continues to be good to me. My wife is not wild about the soap scent or the aftershave scent, but can tolerate the EdP (big win for me!). Been happy with the MMOC since before day one. Having a blast with AA!

Aug. 18, 2022 - Austere August

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(18)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Short post today too sorry, it's the end of the day with a bit cold on me and a snuffy nose (not an issue with unscented AA), pain on the back that is coming to my neck I'm exhausted. Nevertheless, I had a nice close shave this morning with tons of lather.

PigEvolution 1 2

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 18, 2022 - AA Day 18

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B34
• Razor: MMOC (Gen 2)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (18)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

Today was another top tier shave. The MMOC performed very well although I am quite confident that when I put a new blade in my face is going to be chewed up because this dull(er) blade allows me to be a little sloppy without much consequence. I thought today's shave was perfectly smooth with no nicks and no issues and then I put the splash on post-shave and wow - lava mountain on my face. Of course due to the magnificent qualities of the R2D2 synthetic cooling, I was quickly experiencing post-shave bliss.

Face lathering with the Zenith here and here was once again an experience in jubilation as my follicles were massaged until the stubble was perfectly ripe for the shaving. What a joyful experience to start each day as I blissfully rub those pig hairs around and around on my face, whipping up a beautiful lather that would be pleasing even to the most stubborn of grumpy old men.

Sonder - top tier. It's really lasting so long, too. Some have talked about the death circle appearing in the middle of the tub, not me, not even close. Tusk loads up so well that it's not an issue. What this does tell me, though, is that I already have enough soap to last a whole lifetime, probably. The splash isn't even down to the top of the label yet after 18 days and I feel like I'm not being all that conservative with it. Whatever. There are worse problems to have than too much soap.

Sonder thought of the day: Sometimes your wife (or spouse or partner or best friend or whoever) know best about what you need because they, too, are living a full life a la the concept of Sonder. So - listen to them. If they say - "we need to just get lunch today because everyone will feel better and the food we have at home is going to not work today," sometimes it's best to just listen. At lunch today, after a short night of sleep which came after a stressful day of changing my water heater (again) only to find out that it was never my water heater that had a leak but a clogged condensation drain hose, the morning did not go super well. Kids were a bit tired and crabby, I am exhausted, my wife as exhausted, and - well, getting lunch just helped. She knew best. I wanted to argue about it, and I did push back a bit because I hate spending 40 bucks to feed my family fast food, but in the end I just said ok and it made the day better. Should you eat fast food and waste your money? Probably not. But - you definitely should listen to people who love you when they're trying to help. They're not idiots, and they know you better than you know yourself sometimes. So - listen up.

Have a great day, all!

#mammothmafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug 18, 2021 – Austere August. Day 18.

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (18)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
• Music: Bush – Wild Horses

So today the first pass of the right side of my face felt off. It was super aggressive and the blade was dragging. I wondered for a second if the blade was going, but it was such a dramatic change from yesterday, that couldn’t be it. Then I looked at the blade and realized the blade wasn’t properly seated and was on top of those little blade holders, not behind them, like they should be. Whoops! After I took the blade out to dry it and strop it on my arm yesterday, I must’ve not been paying attention and just closed the door without making sure the blade was in the right spot. Won’t do that again! Fortunately, no cuts of anything bad resulted from this blunder. Just a couple uncomfortable strokes.

The brush was good again today. Made plenty of lather for two passes and felt comfortable on my face. No complaints whatsoever.

For my #sidetracked music selection, I’m going with the sweet, gravely voice of Gavin Rossdale from Bush covering the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses”. Bush was an absolute force in the late 90s and fun fact about me: the first CD I ever purchased. Everyone I knew listened to and loved Bush in those days, and with good reason. Their music seemingly took the baton from Nirvana and kept Grunge/Rock music popular. To me, Gavin Rossdale’s voice is a lot like the Zenith Boar Brush I’ve been using: possibly a bit too scratchy at first, but then it grows on you and you recognize just how beautiful it is. And this song really shows off his voice, which is why I selected it. I’ve always said he has the voice of a fallen angel and for me, few are better. Admittedly, I haven’t kept up with Bush after they initially broke up in the early 2000s, but I just listened to some of the stuff they’ve put out recently and it has a similar sound to the Bush of old. Good for them for staying true to themselves.

Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

20220818 Austere August Day 18

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

The one thing I'll take from this "experience" is how good the Stirling Sheep base has been through all this.

It is more civilized to make fun of life than to bewail it.

Seneca, On the Shortness of Life

August 18th

• Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm
• Razor: GEM - MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (18)
• Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Edp video

I can't believe there is still nearly two weeks left if this month

Aug. 18, 2022 - Austere August Day 18

• Prep: Hot Shower, Stirling Soap Facial Soap
• Brush: Zenith 508A SE 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (18)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver

Day 18 was a nice shave. Looks like I am putting a decent dent in this soap... balm not so much. Pretty sure this stuff would last forever. Blade is still going strong.

Mandatory Tagging:

#GEMsOfWisdom

#Rawhoggin

#MammothMafia

2022-08-18 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC

Prep: Warm Shower

Brush: Semogue Torga - C5

Razor: GEM MMOC version 2

Blade: GEM Stainless (18)

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/r4vE3uK

Another good shave. l am interested to see if the brush breaks in more, it is pretty soft and it works very well.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 18, 2022 - Where did today go?

• Brush: Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM (18)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap

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

• Fragrance: The Zoo - Amber Classico Modern

• Passes: WTG, XTG

• Coffee: Peru. Panchia, Tabaconas, Cajamarca - v: Yellow Caturra & Typica - p: Washed
• Music: The Nightmare Before Christmas OST
• August 2022 SOTD Photo Album

#GEMsOfWisdom / #RawHoggin

Today was super busy, so I apologize for the late post everyone.

Fellow B36 shaver u/Environmental-Gap380 pointed out yesterday that there's more than one way to splay and that our brushes are performing a little differently. I kept that in mind when lathering this morning. I splayed the brush slowly, and then attempted to agitate; before I was combining those two motions, which sounds very similar (and is), but roughed up my cheeks. I was able to splay the brush more than I expected and do so without that same discomfort.

Good shave today.

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	205.9	1.3	~62 swirls
8/18	205.9	◊	◊	60 swirls

⁂

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

I mentioned a favorite music video yesterday, which reminded me of the singularly weird and wonderful "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?" This charity record involved dozens of contributors, many of which remain big names, including members of Arcade Fire, Beck, David Cross, Feist, Peaches, Jenny Lewis, and Karen O., and was written by the succinctly-named North American Halloween Prevention Initiative (NAHPI) band (mainly Adam Leith Gollner and Nick Diamonds, of Islands and the Unicorns). Everybody involved really hams it up, invoking "pure tarr-rarr", singing in kooky ghost voices, and doing their best Vincent Price impressions over sound effects cribbed from somebody's well-used trick-or-treating soundtrack CD. Combine that with a frenetic and retro music video and you've got yourself a perfect artifact of the early Aughts.

North American Hallowe'en Prevention Initiative - "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?"

Aug. 18, 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 (18)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave

Day 18 - Today I was going for lucky number 13 of blood free shaves with the GEM and then disaster struck. While starting my 2nd pass XTG, I cut my……. Ear? Yes, stupidly and carelessly I went too far east and nicked my tragus (look it up - I had to google it). Aside from that, my face was nice, smooth and scratch free.

The Brush: Today I underloaded and shook way too much water out of my brush before beginning my lather. At first there was a super thin layer of soap but once watered created a plethora of lather. Love the brush. #RawHoggin

Brush Picture Pre-shave: Side Top

Brush Picture Post-shave: Side Top

The Razor Should have been a routine 2 pass shave but I screwed it up by being careless. Blood counter back to 0 after 12 incident free days. #GEMsOfWisdom

Days since last blood: 0

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

Day 18 Puck Picture

August 18th, 2022 - Mammoth Raw Wisdom of GEMs Hoggin Mafia

• Prep: Warm water

• Brush: Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!”

• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (18)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Splash

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

#MammothMafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Side view before shave, Top view, and After the shave

The hog is getting easier to splay, but sometimes I notice a part tries to tuck under instead of splay out. The brush definitely builds more lather when splayed.

The GEM showed hints of decline today. First pass felt a bit rough with a bit harsher feedback. Second pass settled down, and overall it was still a good shave.

The splash was a bit stingier tonight. Definitely welcomed the menthol and the balm to finish tonight.

Got good news today for my wife. Her long Covid symptoms have improved, and she is going to start back to work part time on September 1st, and then gradually add more hours every couple weeks until back to full time. Still waiting on her benefits from Aflac, but her HR rep says we have addressed their questions about the claim. Just hope it comes in before we need to hit what’s left of our savings.

Aug. 18, 2022 - AA Day 18

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305
• Razor: GEM Open Comb Micromatic
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (18)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

SubstantialStag

GEMSofWisdom

Another effortless lather and shave, though I hate getting up earlier only because I end up taking more time than I should and I don’t get to school any earlier like I want, and it fouls the family routine in the mornings.

Today might be the first day I can say the blade might be wearing. Nothing is drastically different. I get the same audible feedback and the shave was close after two passes. But I can detect some feelings of inefficiency creeping in. Just a bit if pull. I’m miles ahead of last year, though.

Happy Stagging!

Happy 🪒 shaving!

Aug. 18, 2022 - Austere August Day 18

• 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 (18)

• 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
•Shave 18

Thoughts for the day:
Imgur is still pissing me off.

Another day where I really didn't need the post. We're dialed in and stink free. 🤌

Mandatory Taggage:

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 18, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse

• Prep: Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (18)

• 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

Late post but great shave today. I was running late and just slowed down enough to post even though I’m still at work. I wanted to focus on my brush and decided to try using it without my normal 2 minutes or so of soaking since I was in such a rush. Honestly, I couldn’t tell a difference. This is already the softest boar I’ve ever gotten my hands on and the more I use it this month, the better it’s gotten. Just the right amount of backbone and damn near no scritch which is the only thing I’d change if given a chance. I do like a bit of scritchiness in my boars but this one is great even without it. It’s already splaying out nice and evenly and whips up a great lather without having to beat it into submission like I did the first week. 16 sprays I think today. I can’t watch my own videos and recount but I’m sure it was 16. I think.

SubstantialStag

GEMsOfWisdom

RawHoggin

Aug 18, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (18)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Okay so now that I can start to see the bottom of the tub, I’m eager to be done with it. The passes continue to be great with the MMOC, though it’s dragging a touch more now. I think I’ll make it to the end just fine.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury Pt. 18

• Prep: Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap
• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (18)
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation)
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE (87)
• 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

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

This Austere August is a well oiled machine, and the setup was a great choice. Still, today I was missing the variety.

Aug. 18, 2022 - AA - Day 18

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - Short & Scrubby
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Blade (16)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Ferox - Soap
• After Shave: Fine Accoutrements - L'Orange Noir - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave

Went to office after 3 months and was productive and almost forgot to post this. Brush is getting better each day and producing better lather. Did a quick 2 pass shave as i wanted to leave early and this is almost the best shave. Maybe this blade works better for quick strokes. Will keep experimenting. Has some burns when applying after shave and the balm to sooth things.

Tags: #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

August 18th, 2022

Prep: Warm water

Razor: Gem MMOC

Blade: Gem Blue Star (17l8)

Brush: Omega Model 13564 23mm boar

Soap: LA Shaving Soap Co. Black Void

Post: Noble Otter Bare

Comfort: 10/10

Smoothness: 9.5/10

7 second load.

2 pass shave XTG/ATG.

May have been the first beer in a few weeks earlier this evening, lack of sleep from the last few days, or dumb luck, but this was the best shave this month so far. Truly enjoyed the shave, and had good results. No stinging with the aftershave, and near bbs perfection. On a negative note, the blade is developing a concerning level of patina.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

RawHoggin

Edit: date correction

Aug. 18, 2022 - AA Day 18

• Prep: Warm shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (87)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

Another easy uneventful shave.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thursday!

Stag Spray 18 #GEMSofWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Aug. 18, 2022 - Day 18: meh

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Persona GEM PTFE Coated (18)

• 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

I was in a bit of a hurry. Two passes but a bit of discomfort, still smooth but there was some decent feedback from the alum.

Brush, nothing new to report.

The direct sun light on the countertop looked cool. I am tired so this is all you get.

Brush break-in album #rawhoggin #mammothmafia #GEMSofWisdom

Aug. 18, 2022 - AA Day 18

• Brush: ShaveForge 28mm Boar, 3d Printed Handle #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM Stainless (18)

• 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

Second day shaving while traveling. I shaved in the morning but just now remembered to post.

No problems with the shave yet.

Aug. 18, 2022 - AA 18

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM PTFE Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (24)

• 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 pic in title.

It’s late, I’m tired, and I’m just going through the motions today. Although I did make sure to hydrate lather better than my laziness yesterday. Most components of my shave seem to have currently plateaued. Brush feeling fine but waiting for the next aha moment of softness. My technique with the gem is still meh, but def better than it was at the start, but I’m wondering if I’ve peaked there. Pretty over the blade. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 18, 2022

• Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (18)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

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

Starting to look at other scents longingly. I'm definitely a big fan of variety. September is about to slay so many samples.

Boar Break In Album

Stag Spray

#RawHoggin

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug 18, 2022 Trickhole Stag + MMOC + RawHog - Setting up in the New House

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Dogwood Unbleached Boar
• Razor: MMOC MM24
• Blade: GEM (19)
• 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