Aug. 2, 2022 - Brothers Birthday

• Prep: Icecold shower
• Brush: Böker Synthetic

• Razor: Böker Elite Carbon 2.0

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash

This shave is dedicated to my little halve brother, who becomes 10 years today. He is a pretty odd child, as he is not much interested in gaming, toys or such stuff, but machines, electronics tools and cooking utilities. He already got a steak grill, frier, cotton candy machine, popcorn machine, chocolate fountain, gummibear maker and loves to get us beer from the tab. We have this thing going that we send us postcards, sometimes just for fun. Because he loves tools, Stag is his favorite soap and I hope to get the bar soap on time to give him a piece of it.

Two and a halve passes this morning. I am afraid of going to the office that staggy.

#Stag&Straight #SubstantialStag

Aug. 2, 2022 - Stag Day 2

• Brush: Zenith B26 Retro
• Razor: Merkur 34C
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (2)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

• blink-182: Built This Pool

Yesterday and today went quite nicely with this new brush. Unnecessarily overloaded like a mother this morning, but it's for the greater good, so I didn't mind too much.

Early shift with a nice, peaceful drive and some Stag. Gonna be a great day.

#SubstantialStag #RawHoggin

Stag Spray 2

August 02, 2022 – Austere August 02

• Brush: Cayuen Workshop with 30mm Timberwolf Synthetic
• Bowl: Timeless Shave Bowl, Blue
• Razor: Winning Razor by Wet Shave Club
• Blade: Gillette Winner Platinum (2)
• Lather: Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag
• Video: https://i.imgur.com/p80IL1k.mp4 Disclaimer: https://i.imgur.com/YdJuWhl.jpg

Round #2 with Midnight Stag. Again, another great shave with a steely masculine scent.

#AustereAugust #SubstantialStag

Bonus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bZUMK-n7Y4 ← Comparing The New 2022 Henson Al13 ++ Vs Henson Ti22 +++

Austere August D2: Keep on Hoggin' the Stag

• Prep: Alterra cleaning foam, cold water
• Brush: Tadé NOS vintage boar 22 mm
• Razor: KAI Captain Standard CAP-J7 kamisori shavette
• Blade: KAI Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - shaving soap
• Post-Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• additional care: Osma alum block; Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - ASB
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Valley of Ashes - EDP

AA tags: #SubstantialStag #RawHoggin

Second day of AA and unfortunately a bit more blood lost: had a good amount of weepers on my neck and jawline after the second pass, ATG. Might be needed to just do two WTG passes tomorrow. No one said it'd be easy, but this shavette is comfortable with the guarded AC blades. I'm curious how Feather Proguard would fare with it however, so I'll order some tonight.

As per Raw Hoggin' rules, here is the Tadé before today's shave and here after scrubbing my face with Stag. I feel like it's already fluffing up a tiny bit, but I still mostly have to use paintbrush motions for face lathering. Splaying forcefully hurts. The doorknob handle is surprisingly great to hold.

Today I want to tell you all why I decided against my original plan to use an MMOC/OCMM for the whole month and went with the Headless Horsemen Challenge instead: And no, it's not just that my buddy u/Marquis90 hosts it this year. In fact, the KAI shavette was a piece of retail therapy for me. I got it pretty soon after the breakup with my ex-girlfriend who I still see every day due to working at the same place.

Well, some people say that every breakup holds the possibility to focus more on yourself, to appreciate you for what you are and to pamper yourself a bit. I was always curious about AC shavettes, and when this one was on discount for only 99€, I just had to get it. Pretty soon I also added a RazoRock Hawk V2, so I also had a safety razor that takes said AC blades. I fully admit, I used the Hawk much more than the Captain. I'm just used to safety razors more. But I see this August as a great opportunity to learn and focus on the most important things in life. The CAP-J7 is a wonderful razor, I just need to get my technique right in order to obtain awesome shaves. And this is what AA is perfect for: I love my MMOC and find the use of Single Edge GEM razors pretty intuitive. There'd be little challenge to use it everyday (except the awful nightmare mode for blades, that's just not my thing). But this tool? It is a challenge, even with guarded blades. But I'm eager to learn something new!

That being said, the #sidetracked-song I want to share with y'all today is Melvins - Honey Bucket. Heavy riffing, aggressive vocals, perfect for getting stuff done. Would make a great entrance song for a fighter. I really appreciate each and everyone who participates in my challenge and shares a song. Thanks for the great variety, folks!

Edited: formatting/tag issues.

Aug. 2, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse

• Prep: Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (2)

• 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

As sacrilegious as it sounds to day this, it was bit harder to make myself do the full bit today. Hell, I didn’t want to get out of bed this morning. Yesterday completely kicked my ass. I’m still trying to oversee the care of my grandmother who fell and broke her femur Sunday morning and has been in the hospital about an hour away since then. No idea when surgery will be because no one communicates worth a damn. Add in a delightfully hellish day in clinic yesterday and a Jim that is still trying to fully recover from Covid and you’ve got the recipe for pure exhaustion. But Stag waits for no man and the scent when I walked into the bathroom this morning helped to peek me right up and I was able to rally and get ‘er done.

I couldn’t tell a substantial difference in the brush from yesterday and it still felt like I overloaded when in fact I needed to go back to the tub for more soap before I was satisfied with my lather. But oh boy it was such sumptuous lather when I got it dialed in to my preference! The shave itself was dreamily easy with the MMOC and the rest of my routine went swimmingly. I’m really enjoying the beard balm in a stick form, which is something I’ve never experienced before but something about this routine has my beard looking more well-kept than it truly is. And 15 sprays hit just right today.

SubstantialStag

GEMsOfWisdom

RawHoggin

Aug. 2, 2022

• Prep: Cold Water
• Brush: Semogue Barbear Classico Cerda 22mm
• Razor: Alumigoose
• Blade: Kai Captain Titan Pro Touch MG (2)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

I still have the tub from last year and i must say that i like that label a little more so i'll switch lids now and then so i don't get bored.

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1 spray to start the day

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Have a great day! #SubstantialStag

Aug. 2, 2022 - AA Day 2

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305
• Razor: GEM Open Comb Micromatic
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (2)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

GEMSofWisdom

SubstantialStag

After watching u/J33pGuy13 zip through his shave yesterday, I thought about how slow and meticulous my first shave with the OCMM was a year ago. Now I only have about 45 shaves total since then, so I am far from an expert, but after today, I think I may have it. I remember being very deliberate about keeping what I believed to be the perfect and proper angle and it was dreadfully slow compared to today. Having now used a shavette (Not the Chopstick Kamisori, mind you) a few times, I decided to take a cue from that. Today I increased the angle maybe by a degree or two, but just enough to give me a more effortless shave in less time than that first one. The net result is more blade feel, and it is a stark reminder that wielding this GEM is not for the feeble-minded. For me, the difference was most noticeable on my neck, where I need to mind any razor. But I also have trouble under my nose in keeping my mustache in order. If I get a weeper, it will be up there. Nothing today, but those stark reminders, but I will take those over blood.

Two shaves in on the blade means it's still yet to hit its sweet spot, so I can't say that had a detrimental effect on comfort today. Stay tuned for more.

Throwing EdP to the wind. I'm not counting after the first few sprays. Just know that I wear it boldly!

Off to spend some time with my daughter at the Ohio State Fair. Ohio Pork Producers Council Rib-off today = tasty sampling for the People's Choice Award then American Idol winner Scotty McCreery tonight. Should be a fun day.

Happy shaving!

August 2, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (2)
• 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)
• Fragrance Video
• Blade Edge (before use)
• Blade Orientation (black dots - odd days, red dots - even days)

Great shave. Today I kept more water in the brush as I went to the puck and that did the trick. I was able to build a rich, slick, lather for the first pass. I did not have to go to the puck for the second pass because the brush had enough lather in it from the first load. The second pass lather was thinner, but still slick and protective. I focus on the Stag scent (which I like), and forget to notice how good the soap base is. It took me by surprise today.

I like MMOC razors because there's good edge feel. In fact, I'm OK with a razor that gives me enough edge feel that I can to focus on it, instead of razor angle, or safety bar, or cap. I actually prefer a DE razor, though, because with a DE razor, there's less rinsing. (Certainly only a small benefit.)

Today's blade edge photo, really shows no visible wear or movement at the edge. This is a view of what was the bottom of the blade for yesterday's shave. I found a place where there's some non-uniformity on the bevel. I think this is just dried soap, but I'm not sure. If you have an idea, feel free to comment. I'll look for it again today to see if it remains. The other side of the edge looked good. No change that I could see as a result of one shave.

August 2nd, 2022: AA Day the Second

• Prep: warm shower with Stag bath bar

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

• Razor: MMOC

• Blade: GEM PTFE (2)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

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

• Post-Shave: Chiseled Face - Natural - Balm

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - EdP

Day 2, my entire bathroom smells like Stag at this point. I did some test sprays with my EdP as I had to reseat the straw thingy so I got better flow. EdP sprays way nicer than it did before so I think that little venture was a success, but the stank from the sprays into the stink permeates throughout the whole bathroom. The bath bar I have in the shower also gives off a wicked odor, I had it in the closet for a week before AA and the whole closet smelled of Stag.

When I pulled my brush out of my soaking mug this morning nothing seemed different, but when I squeezed the water out of the knot I was blasted with a quick waft of pig stink. Still not on the level that I was fearing so I think we will be good from here on out. As soon as the brush hits the soap tho the scent of Stag kills off or blends well with the pig and I no longer pick it up, so I have learned that Stag > Pig when it comes to a stank off.

All in all a fantastic shave this morning. MMOC blade is starting to smooth out.

Stag sprays, I'm doing +1 each day in August. I'll figure out a better way to record the next one so it's not such a weird camera angle lol

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin (new side challenge, tag /u/semaj3000 everyday because he likes the attention)

#UNCHALLENGE

Shave Pic

• Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm
• Razor: GEM - MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (2)
• Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp

Let's get the tags in first

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Relegated to the garage this evening as me wife has a beauty client and apparently Stag isn't what her clients want to smell when they come in the house.

Edp video

Plain sailing shave again looking forward to seeing how the month pans out as this blade struggles with thick stubble.

Aug. 2, 2022 - AA Day 2 - Sexy Stag Flair Quest

• Prep: Face wash
• Brush: Semogue 1305
• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy Ti
• Blade: Voskhod (2)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

Stag still smells fantastic. Only 29 more days.

Amazing shave today, really found the perfect angle with the Legacy, it's closer to 45 degrees than 30 like my other razors. The gods smiled upon my lather, it was magical. Everything stays the same this month except the blade. Gonna try 10-15 different blades. Voskhod was totally rock solid, an 8, maybe even 9/10. Day 2 for the brush, a little better than day 1. This thing is not as prickly as my Stirling Boar was at the start. No Boar stank at all, hmmn.

Stag Edp video Day 2

Happy AA, all!

#SubstantialStag

Day 2 of Austere August! STAAAAAAAAG!!!!

• Prep: Water on Face
• Brush: Zenith 2004/B SE
• Razor: Filarmonica Sub Cero 14
• Lather: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag
• Post Shave: Osma block
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag Splash
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag Balm
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag EdP

I will probably use this for a sidebar contest

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Video(SD buffering)

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Right so today I made it in time, even a video is being uploaded, in English, just for reddit :D Even though it says that it'll upload for 1 and a half hours, which is crazy...

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Anyways, what happened in today's shave.

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The daily shaving of my stubble is definitely different than the once in a week or a month, no idea why when my beard is long it's soft and easy to shave, when it's daily it's barbed wire. I have to adjust definitely for future shaves, because if I continue like this I might need to stop in about 4-5 days. I had irritation of around 3/10 on my face which is not that good, but I will compensate it tomorrow and will be careful so that it doesn't get worse.

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About the brush.. I know I've entered a challenge where you have to explain very unabridgedely how the breaking in of the boar is going, but that might be very difficult because the one I have chosen is already super soft, if it actually gets softer I will be super impressed. Colour me pink and call me Tinkerbell. But time will tell, I can not see any difference between the two shaves. It's still very difficult to make a decent lather even when using more soap, but I see improvement, I managed to make 2 passes, just barely, but maybe tomorrow I'll be able to have lather for 3 passes on so on, maybe on day 31 I'll have lather for 31 passes, who knows :D

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As for the music challenge

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This is one of my most favorite pieces for piano, and it's played very beautifully. Recently I'm in a rut and don't feel the greatest so I'm kind of listening to pieces that are of the melancholy mannerisms and sounds! I will see how it goes for the next few days, there might be a sudden change of styles :D

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u/J33pGuy13 I'm serious my EdP is dark like my ex's heart.... When the video gets uploaded I will tell you the timestamp, you'll see what I mean EDIT

Below I will do all of the tags, and hashtags.

• #RawHoggin
• GEMsOfWisdom
• #SubstantialStag
• #sidetracked

Aug. 2, 2022

• Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (2)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

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

Another day in the greatest month. Stag gives me something to look forward to every day. Can't wait for that alarm clock to go off so I can start smelling like Stag. Could go without the 100deg temp though! Still had to reload between passes. Not sure if I just need to plan on loading longer, or if it'll eventually stop needing as much soap. Smooth shave on the OCMM.

Boar Update

Stag spray

#RawHoggin

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug. 2, 2022 - AA Day 2

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (71)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

Long day at work with evaluators right on our backs every time we turned around. Nothing bothered me today though because I got to shave with Stag yet again this morning. I started off this year where I left off last year with 4 sprays of the EdP. The past two days no one has commented on how great I smell though. I may have to up that number quicker than I thought.

The brush performed beautifully again this morning. Any boar smell I thought I got yesterday was completely gone today. I took special care today not to push the brush to hard on my face because of the brush burn I felt yesterday. That seemed to help as I noticed none today. I'll focus on brush pressure during lathering at least until the tips start to get softer.

The Gen 1 MMOC is incredible. Pairing it with this blade, even with 71 shaves as of today, has given me back to back BBS shaves completely free of irritation. I don't see that stopping anytime soon either.

Hope everyone has had a wonderful Tuesday!

Stag Spray 2 #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom #SubstantialStag

Stag Headlessly Hoggin' August Day 2

• Prep: Hot shower with Midnight Stag Soap.

• Brush: Zenith B33

• Razor: Cloud Shavette

• Blade: Cloud whatever that blade it is (7)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

Day two. Only two pass shave today. I was thinking to myself "maybe next year I do unchallenge with a shavette, this isn't hard at alGHHHHHH!" Damn, I got a double hit, one of them was critical, in my right earlobe, and got me bleeding for like 30 minutes or so, nothing as bad as to require blood transfusion, but still, even with styptic pencil it went on for a while. Lather was great, as ypu can only expect from such a magnificent soap, paired with a majestic scent. Day two of using my Zenith and I even love it more than quite a few of my DG brushes. I'd say minimal to almost none scritch. I can only imagine how this will evolve.

After purchasing the soap, I though I could go full Stagfecta, ala u/Jimtasticness, but kind of messed up with times, so I think I will be going that way next year.

Keep up strong, 29 more days to go!

Btw, here's the spray proof, did one before I started recording.. hehehe

• Stagposting

• SubstantialStag

• RawHoggin