Aug 19, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 19

• 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 (19)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave

Great, near-BBS shave today. The blade has smoothed out nicely, yet I still managed to nick myself. The buffing technique has been countering the ATG tugging and irritation I was experiencing. Hopefully, I can keep this going for 12 more days. I've had several new scents arrive, and I've been itching to try them.

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Rating: 4/5

Aug. 19, 2022 - Austere August 19- Hoggin All The Raw Wisdom of the GEMs

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Semogue 610 Boar
• Razor: MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (19)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap

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

• Post Shave: Zingari Man Cooling Recovery Splash

#GEMsofWisdom Day 19 is proving my theory that there is a smooth side and rough side on this blade. I had another awesome shave with the smooth side this morning so I'm going to ride this as long as I can.

#RawHoggin Here's how the Semogue looked before its morning soak today- https://imgur.com/a/D2S0r2N

#Sidetracked I'm not a fan of Ozzy Osbourne and I was never a fan of Black Sabbath with Ozzy Osbourne on the mic. But I have had a soft spot in my heart for Ronnie James Dio since I heard Holy Diver when I was 13 or so. As I got older and learned that Dio fronted two Black Sabbath albums, I knew I had to check those out. And lo and behold, I became a fan of the two Black Sabbath albums that featured Dio, Heaven & Hell and Mob Rules. Now these are two stellar albums with a frontman who can actually sing. It's too bad this iteration of the band could only keep it together for two albums, but then again those two albums did a fine job propelling Dio's solo career. So u/Teufelskraft and the gang on this Friday, I give you my favorite Dio-fronted Black Sabbath song that makes me crank the hifi to volume 11 every time - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pXLQF7Tdkc

Have a great day all!

August 19, 2022

• Brush: Zenith 506U XSE
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM SS PTFE (53)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger
• Post Shave: Olay Complete
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - unscented skin salve

Rounding out the work week with a good shave just like I started the week. I am enjoying the brush and soap especially, but I am tiring of the razor. I want to get back to my straight razors. That said, this is a good razor and could be a daily driver.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Austere August Day 19

Brush: Rubberset 400-3 w/ Unbleached Zenith 24mm knot set to a 56mm loft 19th use

Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2

Blade: PTFE (19)

Lather: NO Monoi de Tahiti

Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash

Another day, another tuggy shave. Palm stropped the blade this morning and it helped for the first half pass. Going to be a long rest of the month.

My brush is also randomly shedding hairs again. The past 2 shaves have dispensed 3-4 hairs each. Hopefully I'm just getting to the deep set stragglers and broken hairs and nothing is wrong with the knot.

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

Aug. 19, 2022 - RawHoggin & Taming the MMOC

• Brush: Zenith B37
• Razor: Gem MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (19)

• Lather: Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy

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

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

It’s finally Friday, I’m free again.

I’m in the situation where I’ll easily kill this soap by months end. But I’m also trying to stretch it out so I don’t run out and get DQ’d from Taming the MMOC. My conservative loading technique lead me to a runny lather this morning. Still got a nice shave though. This brush is still a treat to use, it has very good backbone.

I feel like a broken record, because all I keep saying is that this blade still feels great. I’m starting to suspect that I’m not going to get a tugging mess like I did last year.

Aug. 19, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: AP Shave Co 24MM SYNBAD
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE (19)

• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Bare Siero - Soap

• Post Shave: Thayers - Unscented - Toner

2 pass shave with a 30 second load.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

Aug 19, 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 (19)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder EdP

Every day tags: #MammothMafia #GEMsofWisdom

Almost to the last third grind of AA! This blade has mellowed out a ton and I’m getting much smoother shaves now. I hope this isn’t a short peak with a rapid decline, last year the last 5-6 shaves were quite the struggle but it’s a whole different setup this year!

Aug. 19, 2022 - Nah nah nah nah nineteen

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Omega Pro 48 Boar brush 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (19)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave

I am most impressed that only today, on my 19th blade use do I feel the slightest bit of drag. My lather was slick af today so I’m sure it really was the blade. Hygge also smelled a little different today. Not sure what I am smelling that’s different but I like it all the same. It’s a bit of a sharper note than usual but can’t put my finger on it.

And on it goes. Happy Friday.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#MammothMafia

Aug. 19, 2022

• Prep: Exercise and Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1438
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM blue star (19)

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

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

Ok shave today got everything with a bit of a fight. Flipped my blade over and it was pretty much the same. Brush is good no complaints it picks up soap and puts it down. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

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

August 19 2022

• Brush: Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (22)
• 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 - Mood Indigo

Let's (Mood Indi)gooooooooooooo!

#MammothMafia

#GEMSofWisdom

August 19, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (19)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Until this shave, I’d have said that I prefer my synthetics, still. This was a good shave, though. Tons of very well-hydrated lather after a regular (not heavy) load and not too long lathering on the face to get it perfect. I’ll have to do some detailed comparisons after this month, but I’ll say this brush is busting some preconceptions I had.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 19, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse

• Prep: Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (19)

• 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

I wasn’t in as big of a hurry today so I was able to really enjoy the entire process from start to finish. 20 sprays today since I posted late again. I’d call it a self-imposed penance, but I enjoy this olfactive flagellation.

SubstantialStag

GEMsOfWisdom

RawHoggin

Aug. 19, 2022 - Austere August Day 19

• 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 (19)

• 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
•Shave 19

Thoughts for the day:
Imgur acting like 💩 still... 😩

Great shave. No issues. I love this brush. I liked it a lot when it had the B&W knot, but now it's perfect. Still around 1g/day for soap. Still 2 passes plus buff. I've been doing good refraining from purchases as well, but Auryn is poised to mess that all up tomorrow. I guess we'll see.

Happy Friday!!

Mandatory Taggage:

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 19, 2022 - Travelling Stag shave feat. the not-so-raw hog and the OCMM

• Brush: RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar
• Razor: GEM OCMM (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (19)

• 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

So imgur is a flaming fucking pile of shit so I won't be able to upload my pics/video until later (hopefully). Another nice shave with the eternal Stag/boar/OCMM combo. It's funny how auto pilot your shaves become when you're not constantly changing up every component.

#RawHoggin

I think the tips are splitting more and more with every shave, but I can't perceive it being any softer.

#GEMsofWisdom

I love how easy mode shaving with this razor is now, but I'm getting really bored with it. It's still giving me great results though even with a bit of tugging in some areas.

Brush Day 19

Stag sprays

EDIT: Pics and vid finally uploaded in a roundabout way...

August 19, 2022 - Seeking the GEMs of Wisdom through Raw Hoggin Mammoth

• Prep: Warm water

• Brush: Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!”

• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (19)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Splash

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

#MammothMafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Before shave 19, lather after the first pass, and after the shave

Summer Friday hours are almost over. 😢 I finished up today a bit after 1PM. Plenty of time for an early afternoon shave.

Brush keeps getting easier to lather. I added a picture of the brush after building up for the first pass. Plenty was left in the brush for the second pass.

The GEM might be out of the smooth zone. Feedback on second pass was much worse than yesterday. I felt some irritation on my cheeks, and the aftershave splash had a bit more burn to it. I probably could have added more water on my face building the lather in the first pass. I didn’t have the best residual slickness after the first pass, but second pass was good. Maybe it was the lather and not the blade. I hope that is the case. I want to make it to the end on this blade. Starting a new blade would not be any better right away; actually it would probably be worse than today for the first few shaves.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Aug. 19, 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(19)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

#unscented

#RawHoggin

I've mindless loaded soap onto the brush since it couldn't hold more, that will be a constant until the 31, to end that unscented punishment.

There are some thicker black bristles that need to be broken yet to gain smoothness and remove some prickliness when splaying furiously with the brush on the face for lathering.

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

I prefer doing single-pass cutting with the razor but due to the loss of the effectiveness of the blade in the last few days, I'm using some buffing shaving technic to compensate for the lack of original sharpness.

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

Today listening to the Japanese band Boris I stumbled upon this video with a more commercial sound than they use to, but I liked it. Boris ~ Reincarnation Rose, bonus track Boris with a more ambient noise sound also more unique and interesting Flood

August 19, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (19)
• 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)

Today's blade edge image shows the slight non-linearity that I see when examining the blade. These crap images will continue for a little while, but big news(!), I'm going to upgrade my microscope during the final week of August. The new microscope is designed for reflective material, has better optics, and is a 5 megapixel unit. I have high hopes for this.

I noticed a little bit more roughness on the edge today, but had a very nice shave anyway. I'm working my way down my "good" category towards "average". I would not be surprised if my final few shaves are in my "average" category. We'll see.

The outside strands of hair on the brush are now completely floppy when wet. I'm guessing that is their final state of broken-in-ness.

Have a good weekend!

August 19, 2022: 19 Stags on the Wall

• Prep: warm splash of water
• Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia Tuxedo 24 mm
• Razor: GEM OCMM (gen 2)
• Blade: GEM Stainless (20)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

Woof, a terrible night's sleep paired with a busy past few days makes for a very late posting. Tired but dedicated to The Stag. May it shine on you all, even when you're tired.

Day 19, 3 spritzes

. #GEMsOfWisdom

August 18th

• Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm
• Razor: GEM - MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (19)
• Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Edp video

Blade is really starting to tug now, Brush is still great and not eating the soap as fast as I thought

Aug. 19, 2022 - AA - Day 19

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - Short & Scrubby
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Blade (19)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Ferox - Soap
• After Shave: Fine Accoutrements - L'Orange Noir - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave

The brush and soap are performing better now. I have also starting to add more water at the start during loading the soap. 2 pass quick face shave as this best way to get good shave with this blade. After shave had some burns but nothing the balm couldn't handle

Tags: #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

20220819 Austere August Day 19

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

🫣

"Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be One.” – Marcus Aurelius

Aug. 19, 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 (19)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave

Day 19 - Today I was back to a cut free shave from the GEM after yesterday’s face / not face debacle. The star of the show today was the brush which continues to improve. At this point I was half expecting tiny improvements, but today’s observation was around the ease and softness of the splay. A good 2 pass shave as I wind down the rest of my trip to Turkey. 1 full day left :(

The Brush: The brush continues to impress (I feel like a broken record at this point) and feel remarkable on the face. To future me and anyone else who might stumble upon this AA post - do it. Boars are awesome. While I did notice splaying becoming much easier and enjoyable, today is when it really went to another level. The splaying, while still scrubby and firm, was reminiscent of my soft badger. Very pillowy to the face with the backbone to provide a nice scrub. #RawHoggin

Brush Picture Pre-shave: Side Top

Brush Picture Post-shave: Side Top

The Razor Nice, routine 2 pass shave with no injuries. The GEM definitely let me know yesterday who was boss. #GEMsOfWisdom

Days since last blood: 1

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

Day 19 Puck Picture

Aug. 19, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM (19)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap
• Post Shave: Porter's Lotion, WSP - Neroli - Cooling Aftershave Balm
• Fragrance: Olympic Orchids - Osafume
• Passes: WTG, ATG
• Coffee: Colombia. Ciudad Bolivar, Antioquia - v: Catillo & Colobia - p: Natural
• Music: The Soft Pink Truth - Was It Ever Real?
• August 2022 SOTD Photo Album

#GEMsOfWisdom / #RawHoggin

Nineteen days into Austere Hogust, I am feeling very, thoroughly, maximally exfoliated. As a general routine, I typically use a boar, then a soft synthetic, and then a badger brush every three days, but Austere August yet again proves that I could use a boar brush every morning and not get too beat up. However, this is more exfoliation than I really need. I really like this Scrubby more and more as it progresses, so I may try using my boar brushes more frequently to give this one regular lathers.

Today is the first day I noticed the MMOC beginning to tug. I've been pulling the blade out of the razor each night so it can air dry, but nineteen two-pass shaves on a GEM blade is still a good amount of use. I'll be fine for the full thirty-one shaves, but it will be pushing the blade farther than I need to, and I'd usually toss a GEM blade shy of thirty uses.

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	204.4		60 swirls
8/19	204.4	◊	◊	60 swirls

⁂

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

Yesterday's Halloween-themed track included an all-star cast of early-Aughts indie musicians, including the singularly-eccentric Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields. He's an exceptional songwriter, and I enjoy the stylistic breadth of his recordings, including the diverse Magnetic Fields records, as well as his work in film and musical theater. i is one of my all-timefavorite albums, and a few of the 69 Love Songs rank up there among my most played tracks.

Lesser known is Merritt's Gothic Archies project—namely The Tragic Treasury: Songs From a Series of Unfortunate Events, a compilation of songs recorded for the series' audiobooks. My favorite of those is "Crows," written to accompany "The Vile Village." Despite the band's name and the track's titular corvid, "Crows" isn't an overly spooky song, instead leaning into a grungy guitar sound, psychedelic synths, and a swirling chorus of voices fluttering about. Merritt has a unique gift for melody and "Crows" is no exception. It's short, deliberate, and captivating.

Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury Pt. 19

• Prep: Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap
• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (19)
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation)
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE (88)
• 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 been working on the djudge portal these last weeks and today, I finally got it to a point where it can track and display everyone's Austere August Challenge posts and we djudges can grade them. Have a look at djudge.me if you're curious (Fair warning, the site is fugly.), or if you want to check whether all your posts have been hoovered up by u/RoboDjudge. I might also add leader boards and such things down the line, we'll see. It's been my first foray into the arcane world of writing and deploying web-apps, and it's been a lot of fun. I never thought that this shaving hobby would push me to learn to do this.

I'm at 88 shaves on this blade now, and it's still working OK. This made me think of all the "traditional wetshaving will save you money" lines and how true they could be. A kg of Vitos or Cella, and a handful of blades could last half a decade if need be.

The brush is fantastic and may be my favourite, but I'm not enjoying Sea Ice Lime that much anymore. I don't dislike it, but smelling it didn't spark joy today. Pity.

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

2022-08-19 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC

Prep: Warm Shower
Brush: Semogue Torga - C5
Razor: GEM MMOC version 2
Blade: GEM Stainless (19)
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/zwzRCnh

Another nice shave. Everything is trouble free and dialed in.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 19, 2022 - AA Day 19

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B34
• Razor: MMOC (Gen 2)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (19)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

If you've followed the saga of bows and clips left on the counter during several of my SOTD pics, well, today's is called "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

I broke the hiatus on shave related purchases today. It's the weekend and things probably won't be shipping until early next week at best, which is good with me. I can't change anything about my setup until September 1 anyway so honestly the longer it takes for anything new to arrive the less I suffer. Grabbed a Georgetown Pottery G20 Second at the advice of u/merikus - pics will show up in a future mail call, but I can't wait.

Shave was really good - one small nick just below my jawline somehow, but overall very solid.

The MMOC was smooth and easy. I'm confident my shaves are benefitting as far as bloodiness goes from the dull blade, but I do wonder how much it's impacting the post shave splash burn - I suspect a fair amount. A draggy blade that isn't cutting super efficiently has to cause some irritation that the splash causes to burn, right?

I overloaded Sonder today for funsies and my lather was thick and excellent - plenty for a full 3 pass shave. The Zenith here and here continues to have more and more bristles splay out when it's "dry" (as though it's ever dry). Soft and smoother latherer, though.

The scent of Sonder was great. Love it. Keep it coming. My wife says "it's fine" when I beg her for feedback, but, that's about as good as it gets with her.

Sonder thought of the day: We have a family member with an anxiety disorder called "selective mutism" (SM) and yesterday the Selective Mutism Association (SMA) shared this quote: "If we could look into each other's hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, we would treat each other more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care." I'm not into the cheesiness of looking into people's hearts, but - swap that out for "If we could look into each others lives..." and you've got me. As I continue to consider sonder each day I found this quote to be particularly helpful and I'm working hard to consider the vivid lives and experiences of people I interact with on a daily basis - even though I know I can't do it perfectly and I will probably always tend toward snap judgments and trusting my initial read on people, I'm working on it. Having SM in the family has taught me so much about trying to understand things from others' persectives. I used to think this individual was just being difficult or defiant or at best a little shy and as we've learned about SM I've come to see that that's just not the case. It's not just anxiety that causes people to behave in certain ways that are hard to understand - we've all got challenges and experiences that shape so much of who we are and how we react to things - some of those experiences are of our own choosing, some things have been done to us, and still other things just are, to the fault and credit of no one. So - consider the challenges and treat people better - that's my goal.

Have a good night!

#mammothmafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 19, 2022 - Austere August Day 19

• Prep: Hot Shower, Stirling Soaps Activated Charcoal Facial
• Brush: Zenith 508A SE 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (19)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver

Day 19. Decent quick 2 pass shave this morning because I was running late. Almost coming to the last leg of the month. September 1 is going to be a glorious day.

Mandatory Tagging:

#GEMsOfWisdom

#Rawhoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 19, 2022

• Brush: Grey Chubby - Zenith B37
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (19)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave

I should preface this by saying that I have no concern about whether anything is awry with my soap; I have, after all, been using it for nearly three straight weeks.

This little dark spot has been along for the ride since the beginning of this Austere August. I admit I did carve out a little divot when the soap first arrived, but the spot goes deeper than I originally thought. The divot has since smoothed out, and in the meantime I've grown fond of it.

I feel inclined to name the little guy, having been there all month, seeing me through this awful gauntlet of face-lathers. "One day", I hear him say to me, "One day soon we'll have a good, decent lather again. I promise!" I know, buddy. I know... Nigel Thadeus Dade.

#GEMsOfWisdom
#RawHoggin
#unscented
#MammothMafia

SOTD Aug 19, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (19)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Long but great day. Nice evening shave to end the day.

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 19th, 2022

Prep: Warm water

Razor: Gem MMOC

Blade: Gem Blue Star (19)

Brush: Omega Model 13564 23mm boar

Soap: LA Shaving Soap Co. Black Void

Post: Noble Otter Bare

Comfort: 7/10

Smoothness: 8/10

5 second load.

2 pass shave XTG/ATG.

Fast evening shave. Blade continues to get worse but still acceptable.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

RawHoggin

Aug 19, 2021 – Austere August. Day 19.

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (19)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
• Music: Grizfolk – Bob Marley

I changed up the shave a bit from yesterday and today I made sure the blade was properly seated in the razor BEFORE I shaved, and today started better than yesterday did.... And finished just as good. Another solid day with the MMOC!

My brush served me well again today. I’m really digging this brush now. Admittedly, it may possibly be Stockholm Syndrome and since it’s the only brush I’ve used in a while.

For my #sidetracked music selection, I’m going with a Swedish-American rock band called Grizfolk. I saw them as an opening act at a concert several years ago and was immediately drawn to their music. Just something about it took to me and I’ve kinda been waiting for them to get big ever since. As I’m waiting for that, relax and have a listen to “Bob Marley”. And thank me when you’re humming the chorus to yourself for the rest of the day.

Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 19, 2022 - AA Day 19

• 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

What a week and I’m happy it’s now a Friday night, although I’ve been on the go all evening. My MIL was discharged from a three-week hospital stay this evening, so Mrs. Donut will be visiting tomorrow evening. Maybe I can have the house to myself for a few hours to mess around in the shave den.

Funny thing she said as we were out this evening getting some groceries. “There’s a stench coming from the half bath and you need to find out what it is and take care of it.” I can assure you it was not the stag aroma that emanates from the walls at this point in the month.

A fine shave, but a little more pull as the blade starts to transition out of its sweet spot.

Sprayin’

Enjoy your shaves and have a great weekend!

Aug. 19, 2022 - AA Day 19

• Brush: ShaveForge 28mm Boar, 3d Printed Handle #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM Stainless (19)

• 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

2 pass shave after packing up to go home.

I'm kinda done with this Austere August thing. Definitely excited to use some other stuff.

Aug. 19, 2022 - AA Day 19

• Prep: Warm shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (88)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

Long annoying day with new leadership visiting today to see how we did things. Super glad I was able to get another fantastic shave to start the day. Brush, blade, and scent are still killing it!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Friday!

Stag Spray 19 #GEMSofWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Aug. 19, 2022 - Day 19: tomorrow is going to mirror today

• Prep: warm water wash
• Brush: Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Persona GEM PTFE Coated (19)

• 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

Just washing my face threw water all over the floor and wall. I really worked up the lather better than the last few days. I don’t have a scale here but I’m working through this tub. It is going to be my first soap tub kill.

This boar brush is breaking in. It’s getting softer, but it still is different than the badger brushes. It just holds too much water in the base of the knot.

Brush break-in album #rawhoggin #mammothmafia #GEMSofWisdom

Aug. 19, 2022 - AA 19

• Prep: Falling asleep on the coach, getting ready for bed, realizing I still need to shave for AA
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (25)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album here and SOTD in title.

Squeaking in under the wire this evening. Actually almost forgot my shave. 25 seems like a decent milestone on the blade. Not much soak time on the brush, oh well. Noticeably prickly. Very underhydrated first pass, nicked the neck. Also, I figured the sticker would be the first to go this brush, but looks like I already have paint peeling a bit, like wtf man. I know it’s a cheaper brush, but I’m surprised this is happening. Perhaps a boar expert has more insights. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 19, 2022

• Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (19)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

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

TGIF. It's Modelo time!

Boar Break In Album

Stag Spray

#RawHoggin

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug 19, 2022 Trickhole Stag + MMOC + RawHog - Setting up in the New House

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Dogwood Unbleached Boar
• Razor: MMOC MM24
• Blade: GEM (20)
• 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