Aug. 29, 2022 - Headless Mammoth Hoggin' Day 29

• Brush: Proraso Professional Boar | Break-in photos
• Razor: Feather Artist Club SR (Kamisori)
• Blade: Schick Proline (29)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive - Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Alive - Eau de Parfum

AA Tags: #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Another solid shave. The loading of the brush has been slightly hampered by the ever growing ring of death and I've been compensating by loading a bit longer, but if the ring expands much further I'll spend some time gathering the soap back into an even layer on the bottom to facilitate loading. The brush is comfortable but I do still feel a few stiffer bristles here and there and that takes away from the enjoyment of the brush slightly.

My care package from /u/frankieivfingers (thank you!) arrived today just in time for Sample September! There are some nice samples of some of the newer releases I've been wanting to try and also my birth quarter Gillette Super Adjustable AKA Black Beauty, so I can finally start thinking about what I want to use on September 1st. The timing couldn't have been better, because the temptation would have been too great if I received these things in the beginning of the month.

This month feels like it's going slowly and quickly at the same time but I'm just glad AA is almost over. I really have a love hate relationship with AA, but I do appreciate that I was finally able to get very comfortable with the shavette which is now making me want to try out an actual straight razor. I'm looking forward to trying out my new Zenith brush, but at the same time I'm also not looking forward to going through the break-in process again especially since I want to go back to using a variety of brushes, so it might take until the end of the year for the Zenith to break in properly. It will be hard to evaluate soap scents in September if the scents are fighting against boar funk as well.

Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury Pt. 29

• Prep: Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap
• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (29)
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation)
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE (98)
• 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

All I could think during this shave was "The end is nigh!" and I can't help but to reminisce.

The shave itself was excellent. I'm still enjoying Sea Ice Lime, and this veteran blade is hanging in there like a champ. This of course begs the question whether I should take it further, maybe AA 23?

The brush seems to have reached stability. I don't perceive any day-to-day changes anymore.

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

Aug 29, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 29

• 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 (29)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Valley of Ashes - Eau de Parfum

It's hard to believe there are only two days left in AA. Flipping the blade yesterday has made the shaves much more bearable and efficient.

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Rating: 4.5/5

Aug. 29, 2022 - Stag Day 29

• Brush: Zenith B26 Retro
• Razor: Merkur 34C
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (29)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

• Lenny Kravitz: It Ain't Over 'til It's Over

Seeing as I have early mornings the last two days of this event, I thought I'd take this chance share a few thoughts about my experiences with this year's challenges.

First off, Raw Hoggin. This is something I'm super glad I decided to take part in. For literal months I've had my eye on this Retro Zenith brush, like had it open in a tab since like January. I knew I wanted to do it, but for some reason I needed a little push to make the leap, and Auster August was that push. This brush has been a dream. I have very little recollection on breaking in my Semogue, as that was like 7+ years ago where everything about this hobby was new to me, and I wanted to experience the joy of witnessing the evolution from stiff and stinky to soft and lovely. I feel as though this brush made that transition significantly quick, as the funk wore off after only a few days, and the bristles softened up before I even knew it. I'm just curious if the bristles will fan out after a few years like my Semogue, or if it'll stay closer to its original shape. The way I see it, this brush was blessed heavily by our glorious Stag. Speaking of which -

This year's Stag Challenge was probably the easiest year for me thus far. My most difficult was my first year in 2020, as I was required to wear a facial covering at work then. Now, don't get me wrong, I really dig Stag, but back then the combination of the August heat accentuating the fragrance and not being able to escape it due to the facial covering made it really, really cumbersome after a few weeks. I imagine anyone else who had to be in a similar situation with the facial covering alone felt much the same. That said, this year was a breeze in comparison. Last year wasn't bad by any means, but this year I guess my nose has become quite jaded towards the scent, as I hardly notice it some days. Maybe it's because Indiana's August has been quite mild in regards to heat, but nevertheless, my body has become one with the Stag.

Brothers and Sisters of the pale forest, O children of Stag. I hope this has been a most memorable and special Stag Challenge.

#SubstantialStag #RawHoggin

Stag Spray 29

Aug. 29, 2022 - Austere August 29- The GEMs are Raw and The Hogs are Wise

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Semogue 610 Boar
• Razor: OCMM Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (29)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap

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

• Post Shave: Zingari Man Cooling Recovery Splash

#GEMsofWisdom Day 29 and the blade was a wee bit tuggy on the first WTG pass. For the second pass XTG, I made sure to add more hydration to the lather and everything seemed to flow fine. Almost no feedback from the splash so that's a win.

#RawHoggin Yadda Yadda Yadda...great brush...yadda yadda yadda

#Sidetracked On the third to last day of AA, I figured I'd go with the second band to change my musical life. The first band was The Cult. The second band to change my musical life was Jane's Addiction. I remember listening to WVUM, the University of Miami radio station, one night during my senior year and they played "Mountain Song" from the then newly released album Nothing's Shocking. My jaw hit the floor. I had never heard anything like...that!...before. The DJ fortunately backsold the song a bit later and the next day, it was off to Spec's Records and Tapes to add it to my collection. Damn I played the shit out of that record and knew every song by heart. I was in college and doing college radio when Ritual de lo Habitual came out so I got a promo copy delivered to me and spent days being blown away by that record as well. Of course, one of the standout tracks from Ritual is none other than "Three Days" which I think would be quite fitting as we enjoy our third to last shaves of AA- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmvG2GZ3S7o So u/Teufelskraft and the rest of you, enjoy the Monday tuneage.

Have a great day all!

• Prep: warm shower
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: Novelty Cutlery Co straight razor
• Lather House of Mammoth - Z
• Post Shave: Equate witch hazel
• Post Shave: Zingari Man - unscented aftershave balm

Headless Horsemen

#RawHoggin #unscented

Austere August 2022 day 29 https://imgur.com/a/brDZh5K

Aug. 29, 2022 - AA Day29

• Prep: Shower/Wash with Warm Water
• Brush: Zenith Gray Chubby (B37)
• Razor: Wolfman Razors WR2-SB Razor Head (0. 95mm Blade Gap), WRH7 Handle (90mm Solid)
• Blade: Nacet (29)

• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Waterlyptus - Soap

• Post Shave: Proraso - Menthol and Eucalyptus - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Osma Alum Block

• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette

Excited AA is almost completed! Today's shave was a boring one, no issues, although blade definitely pulled today, not sure if I did not lather enough. Couple more days! I can do it!

RawHoggin

Austere August Day 29

Brush: Rubberset 400-3 w/ Unbleached Zenith 24mm knot set to a 56mm loft 29th use

Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2

Blade: PTFE (29)

Lather: NO Monoi de Tahiti

Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash

Two. More. Days.

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

August 29th, 2022: THE LAST MONDAY

• Prep: warm shower with Stag bar

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

• Razor: MMOC

• Blade: GEM PTFE (29)

• 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

Final Monday Weigh in:

Week	Soap	Splash	Balm	Frag
08/01	126.74	213.51	154.96	185.18
08/08	122.84	202.99	152.39	182.08
08/15	113.62	195.14	149.81	177.1
08/22	107.2	185.46	146.86	168.65
08/29	100.36	176.14	144.49	157.91

Soap usage was way way lower than I expected this month, not a bad thing but definitely a surprise. This is my first run with a "small" knot (24mm) so I guess that could be part of it, also the CF base is stupid easy to load and build lather.

We only have 2 shaves left folks! So close and yet so far, my skin is ready for a blade that is fresh!!!

Stag sprays of the day!

#SubstantialStag

#RawHoggin

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug. 29, 2022 - RawHoggin & Taming the MMOC

• Brush: Zenith B37
• Razor: Gem MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (29)

• Lather: Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy

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

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

Well boys, we’re in the home stretch. I was really hoping to kill this soap but idk if it’s going to happen. It has less than 5 shaves left so maybe I can go back to loading like a mad man and FINISH HIM.

I’ve actually quite enjoyed the brush this month. Call me crazy but I think I liked it better when it wasn’t broken in and a backbone of steel.

I am so ready to move on from this blade. Luckily flipping it the other day has some how smoothed things out a little bit, but it’s still not the best experience.

Aug. 29, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse

• Prep: Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (29)

• 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

The finish line is in sight! Two more shaves and it’ll be another AA in the books. Today’s shave went as well as basically all the others. Think I’m gonna go Headless Horsemen next year because the MMOC isn’t a challenge to me. I haven’t opened the razor or touched the blade except for during the shave and I’m still getting great shaves every time. Hell, I even figured out how to shave my neck without any redness or irritation afterwards! The only difference today was the newest bottle of the Stag EdP is A LOT darker than any of my previous bottles. Smells smokier to me, but I wonder if that’s my mind playing tricks on me. Either way, everything has gone smoothly and I’m pleased. Oh, and only 6 sprays today.

SubstantialStag

GEMsOfWisdom

~~#RawHoggin~~

Aug. 29, 2022

• Prep: Exercise and shower
• Brush: Semogue 1438
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM blue star (29)

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

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

Shave today was not enjoyable. It very much felt like scraping my cheeks with a butter knife or other kitchen utensil although it did knock the hair down eventually. The brush dried very little since I used it yesterday, it was cold and rainy all day and night. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

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

August 29, 2022

Brush: Omega 10049

Razor: Rockwell 6S Plate 5

Blade: Astra SP

Lather: Macduffs Soap Backcountry Bourbon

Post Shave: Thayers Witch Hazel

Post Shave: Stirling Unscented Balm

#RawHoggin

Aug. 29, 2022

• Brush: Grey Chubby - Zenith B37
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (29)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave

If it wasn't yesterday, it was going to be today: I broke through to the bottom.

I suspect it goes without saying that this blade has been next to worthless for the past couple of weeks. I do think there's value in having the experience of pushing a blade past its useful point, because it allows one to recognize when a blade has reached that point. To continue to use it, though, feels pretty asinine, but Mr. ST:TNG dictates another two days.

I've said that—even though it, too, surely goes without saying—come Thursday, I plan to take this brush for a proper lather after a month of such unrefined face-kneading. Probably more important, though, is the opportunity to use a fresh blade. I do not consider it unlikely that, while I grew adept with the MMOC after my first uses last month and then as I commited to daily use this month, using it for so long with an ineffective blade has allowed some bad habits to develop without me noticing. Habits that I will discover that I need to unlearn after a sharp blade acutely brings them to my attention.

#GEMsOfWisdom
#RawHoggin
#unscented
#MammothMafia

August 29, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (29)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

I did one final blade flip after the first pass, and this blade is still going strong. I’m switching back to DEs after this month, but I may try to see how long I can keep each of those blades going– maybe I can use a blade a month. That would mean that, without a shadow of a doubt, wetshaving does, in fact, save money^on^blades.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 29, 2022 - The End is Nigh - Austere August Day 29

• Brush: RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar
• Razor: GEM OCMM (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (29)
• 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

Not much shaving to be done today since I just shaved last night, but I still did the minimum requirement of two passes. I'm not sure it's any closer than when I started to be honest lol.

#RawHoggin

I've not noticed any changes in the brush for quite a while so I'm thinking this bad boy is at it's full potential.

#GEMsofWisdom

It's safe to say I've mastered this razor and it doesn't live up to its scary/aggressive nature that it previously had for me.

Brush Day 29

Stag sprays

Aug. 29, 2022 - Glow in the dark Austere August Raw Hoggin’ Challenge

• Brush: Omega 20102
• Razor: Karve Brass SB B
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (12)

• Lather: Red House Farm - Lumos - Shave Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist - Balm

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

Nearing the finish line #RawHoggin

Aug. 28, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1460 Boar Brush 21mm
• Razor: Razorock GameChanger .84
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (29)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Balm

Another busy day, another boring picture. I'm hoping to set aside a little time to get half decent pictures for the next couple of days to finish the month out strong, but we'll see what happens.

Tags:

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 29, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM SS (29)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap

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

• Fragrance: Motif Olfactif - Nectar Boisé

• Passes: WTG, XTG

• Coffee: Colombia, Bruselas, Huila - v: Caturra, Colombia - p: Washed, Sun-dried
• Music: Scout Niblett - It's Up to Emma
• August 2022 SOTD Photo Album

#GEMsOfWisdom / #RawHoggin

We're almost there, y'all. Two more shaves. If you're about to kill a tub, load heavy, because you might just pull it off. I believe in you. We believe in you. May the bristles be in your favor and the wind ever blow your lather away from the mirror. This is your time. This is your moment. Fulfill your destiny!

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	1.5	60 swirls
8/19	204.4	203.3	1.1	60 swirls
8/20	203.3	202.8	0.5	70 swirls
8/21	202.8	202.0	0.8	60 swirls
8/22	202.0	200.5	1.5	60 swirls
8/23	200.5	199.2	1.3	60 swirls
8/24	199.2	197.9	1.3	65 swirls
8/25	197.9	196.3	1.6	80 swirls
8/26	196.3	194.4	1.9	80 swirls
8/27	194.4	192.9	1.5	80 swirls
8/28	192.9	191.9	1	80 swirls
8/29	191.9	◊	◊	◊
8/30	◊	◊	◊	◊
8/31	◊	◊	◊	◊

⁂

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

Scout Niblett's "Gun" is among the angriest songs I know of. Her guitar growls, Scout snarls, and the lyrics drip with scorn, disdain, resentment, and bitter, murderous jealousy. "She took your love away from me / and I am thankful, every day." She lays out her plan to acquire the titular nice little silver one and show up in the crowd of her ex's "shitty band." And none of this is obscured by verbosity or sloppy vocals. Scout sounds raw and raging, but she articulates every sharp-tongued syllable, and details the depths of her feeling in methodical, excrutiating detail. She's been waiting for this and can wait as long as it takes.

Scout Niblett - "Gun"

August 29, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (29)
• 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)
• SOTD Album

Well, where did that shave come from? It was tuggy, comfortable, and without any feel for the edge, yet I got a "good" shave. For me, this is a quality that is beyond what is workplace acceptable. Life's a mystery.

Earlier today in a comment thread that referenced the Emacs, I had a missed opportunity for a response. Briefly, and you had to "be there", u/djundjila commented,

"And M-x Butterfly!"

The appropriate response (not given - addled brain),

"Desired bit flipped."

This started me thinking not about other missed opportunities, but about opportunities taken. For a long time, I've been influenced by the Louis Pasteur quote, "Chance favors the prepared mind". I really like this concept. I have tried to incorporate it into my outlook, and to be grateful when I've benefitted from it.

Without waffling on much longer here, I'm aware of some opportunities taken that Austere August afforded me:

• A whole month of a shaving setup that I fully enjoy - never actually done that before.
• Focus on face-lathering. I added a step to my face-lathering procedure that gives me a better feel for dialing in hydration, slickness, and cushion.
• In analyzing edge degradation daily, I became aware of a way that I could investigate straight razor honing in an organized, pragmatic way. This has opened up a new project that I'm excited about, and I got a new toy!
• In making daily SOTD photos I got to think visually a little bit each day for a month. This has made me more aware of "found" compositions as I go through my day. Can I say that I'm seeing the world differently because of AA? Ok, probably not.

Aug 29, 2021 – Austere August. Day 29.

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (29)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
• Music: Tupac – Changes

Really nice shave today all around today. The MMOC gave me a nice, smooth shave, and while the blade is getting a little tired and doesn’t glide as well as it did earlier in the month, it still gives me a really, really good shave. I just strop it on my forearm before and after every shave now.

This Zenith brush may have slowly become my favorite brush. It’ll be fun to use one of my synthetic ones again to compare/contrast, but I’ve come to really enjoy this one far more than I ever expected. While the process of breaking it in wasn’t super-fun, it wasn’t as awful as I originally expected it to be.

Today’s #sidetracked is brought to you by ‘Pac. I’m an East Coast guy, but I always took the West Coast rap scene’s side in their East vs West feud. As a white kid growing up in Massachusetts, Tupac’s music spoke to me so much more than Biggie’s did. Changes was released after Tupac got ~~murdered by the LVPD~~ shot and killed and is a phenomenal song. Tupac was no saint, but he was clearly passionate about the problems people like him face on a daily basic. Listening to this song (that is about 25 years old) is interesting because it focuses on problems that we’ve since completely solved – police brutality, race relations, drugs, the struggle of poverty, and wars in the Middle-East. Thank God we’ve solved ALL of those issues in the last 25 years and we never hear about any of them at all anymore. I have to wonder what my kids will think of this song in another 25 years. I really hope Tupac is wrong when he says “That’s just the way it is”.

Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 29, 2022 - 29.08.22 - Austere August #RawHoggin

• Prep: GFT Coral Skinfood
• Brush: Omega 10048
• Razor: Henson Ti22 ++
• Blade: Gillette SuperSharp

• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Daemon

• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Daemon

Only 2 shaves left! I'm going to miss the familiraity of this month I think.

RawHoggin

A Mammoth Micromatic Raw Hoggin’ August

Brush Progress

• Brush: Zenith B26 #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (29)
• Lather: House if Mammoth - Hygge in Tusk
• Post Shave: Hygge Splash & Balm
• Fragrance: Hygge EDP #MammothMafia

Day 1 Prep Video

RawHoggin Unboxing Pics

MammothMafia

Aug. 29, 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(29)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Countdown ... 2

#unscented #clean #bored #apatic #selfinflictedanosmia

#RawHoggin How good this brush could be, is something that will be discovered in the coming months. It has been improving day by day, and the best is yet to come. I will continue using it interspersing it with the rest of the brushes and documenting the improvements.

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

I rushed through the shave and paid the price with a cut on the nose flap, happily on a spot where there isn't hair and I don't need to shave so it won't interfere in future shaves. I failed to make a piercing.

In my rush, I don't use my glasses to write this so you can expect some threats on the thread, just like yesterday, please treat me with love.

I have forgotten my #sidetracked section u/Teufelskraft, two bands that I have been following lately, that bring freshness, Sleaford Mods and Amy and The Sniffers, two different continents, two visions not too far away on the concept but musically disparate.

Sleaford Mods with Amy Taylor - Nudge it

Bonus tracks...

Amyl and the Sniffers - Hertz Sleaford Mods - Moptop

On a side note, I'm enjoying so much Sleaford's British accent.

29 August 2022 - Austere August

• Prep: splash of warm water
• Brush: Zenith B33
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Ti
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (29)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Balm

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 29, 2022 - AA Day 29

• Brush: ShaveForge 28mm Boar, 3d Printed Handle #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM Stainless (29)

• 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

Spent a few extra minutes and had a really pleasant 3-pass today.

Only two shaves left.

August 29th

• Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm
• Razor: GEM - MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (29)
• Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Edp video

Penultimate Eve Day

Aug. 29, 2022 - Austere August Day 29

• 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 (29)

• 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
•Shave 20
•Shave 21
•Shave 22
•Shave 23
•Shave 24
•Shave 25
•Shave 26
•Shave 27
•Shave 28
•Shave 29

Thoughts for the day:
I've really contributed very little to the wisdom part of GEMs of Wisdom... Huh...

Mandatory Taggage:

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 29, 2022 - Oveja Eléctrica 29

• Prep: Proraso Green Preshave
• Brush: Zenith 28mm Boar
• Razor: Kai Kasho Western Style Shavette
• Blade: Kai Captain Pink Mild (48)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Electric Sheep - Soap

• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Electric Sheep - Aftershave

Two more to go. Today's shave got me better results than the last few days, but with some irritation. I'm looking forward to binning the blade. Was it worth to push the blade to 50 uses? I'm reminded of a documentary on Japan, where someone stated: "Everyone should ascend Mount Fuji once in his life, but only a fool would ascend it twice."

I'm still happy with the brush, but I cannot feel any changes anymore. It still hasn't fanned out like my SOC, and I don't know whether it will, but I guess it's more or less fully broken in.

Have a good night!

#RawHoggin

#stillalive

#truepath

#theendisnigh

Aug. 29, 2022 - Raw Hoggin Day 29

• Prep: Warm water to the face
• Brush: Omega 10098
• Razor: Maggard Razors - V3 Head
• Blade: Astra SP (3)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Island Man - Soap

• Post Shave: Aqua Velva - Ice Blue - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Natural - Balm

Only a couple more #RawHoggin shaves to go.

I figure I should probably go ahead and get in on the #sidetracked challenge u/Teufelskraft is doing by sharing a song I’ve been listening to my whole life. My mom didn’t do the traditional nursery rhymes for kids so we grew up hearing her sing a lot of pop songs from the 60s and 70s. One of my earliest memories is hearing my mom singing Janis Joplin’s“Mercedes Benz”. It’s a simple acapella song but every time I hear it I think of my mom and just last week she was over at my brother’s place holding her new grandson and started singing it to him. If I ever have children of my own I’m almost certainly going to pass that on.

AA D29: Stagday is better than Monday

• Prep: cold water splash
• 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: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - ASB
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Valley of Ashes - EDP
• AA tags: #SubstantialStag #RawHoggin

Bleh? Bleh. Somehow powering through it all. I think I'll go with either SSL or Oceana as my first post-AA shave. Either would be great for the start into something new!

Obligatory Tadé boar pic. It's such a great brush by now, but y'all heard this about a hundred times now and are sick and tired of it. Look at these damp, split bristles and form your own opinion.

Not much to say on the kamisori shavette front: I think my left hand barely improved, the only blades I've used are guarded ones soooo... Yeah safety?! I guess I should finally try the Feather Proguard, don't really worry about shelling out money for something if it works for me.

Sidetracked
High on Fire - The Black Plot [NSFW]

Animated video clip again? Check. Metal music? Check. Some of the craziest stuff you'll ever see? Probably. But in all seriousness, High on Fire are awesome. I wish I had seen them back when I had the chance very close to me; sadly I missed that concert. Nevertheless, let's enjoy this gem of a music video.

2022-08-29 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC

Prep: Warm Shower
Brush: Semogue Torga - C5
Razor: GEM MMOC version 2
Blade: GEM Stainless (29)
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/sStVFgk

29 shaves with the same gear, it's all good.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 29, 2022 - Austere August Day 29

• Prep: Hot Shower, Stirling Soap Facial Soap
• Brush: Zenith 508A SE 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (29)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver

Day 29 done. Only two shaves left gents. That makes me very happy. I am about to go crazy with this stuff. Two more.

Mandatory Tagging:

#GEMsOfWisdom

#Rawhoggin

#MammothMafia

August 29th, 2022

Prep: Warm water

Razor: Gem MMOC

Blade: Gem Blue Star (29)

Brush: Omega Model 13564 23mm boar

Soap: LA Shaving Soap Co. Black Void

Post: Noble Otter Bare

Comfort: 4/10

Smoothness: 4/10

5 second load.

2 pass shave XTG/ATG.

Brush is great, but still a sub par shave. Nearing the end of using this blade. Only patting dry with a towel and no oil for the blade, I believe oxidation is setting into the edge. It definitely feels like I'm shaving with a rusty blade now.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

RawHoggin

Day 29 of Austere August! Staggin on!!

• Prep: Water on Face
• Brush: Zenith 2004/B SE
• Razor: Filarmonica Double temple 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

photo

Especially now that I got my Basique by Grooming Dept, I can't wait to try some new stuff😁

Shave was great today, had an ultra BBS, but did cut myself kind of bad, but skin heals so I don't care really, also it's with a straigh and those cute are always way cleaner and heal much faster.

• #RawHoggin
• #SubstantialStag

Aug. 29, 2022 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' MMOC Ultra Nightmare Mode

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - B37 - Gray Chubby #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen2 #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (29)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave

Day 29 - I figured as AA winds down, I'll try to make the remaining shaves 3 passers. While the ATG pass still makes me uneasy with the GEM, it was still a nice, comfortable shave.

The Brush: Today I did notice that the brush has a tad more "flop" than before. I'm not sure if this new to the brush today or if it's just my first time observing it. Brush is still awesome. #RawHoggin

Brush Picture Pre-shave: Side Top

Brush Picture Post-shave: Side Top

The Razor A smooth, 3 pass shave with no cuts, nicks or irritation. The blade is still performing like a champ. #GEMsOfWisdom

Days since last blood: 12

The Soap and Aftershave My wife officially hates MITA now and it might end up going on the war department shave for next year's LGs. Kind of makes me sad, because I do enjoy the smell. Maybe after a hiatus, she will enjoy it again (and so will I).

Day 29 Puck Picture

August 29, 2022

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Burma Shave Boar 🐗
• Razor: Kai Kasho Kamisori
• Blade: Feather ProGuard 29th use
• Lather: Stirling Sheep
• Postshave: Stirling Barbershop splash and Nivea Balm
• Fragrance: Halloween Man

Two pass shave tonight because I was on call for the OR and had to go back to work. Got a close comfortable shave. Did end up with some irritation or ingrown hairs from the shave last night or the night before. Hope everyone has a great day and have a great shave. Only 2 more shaves until we are done with this month.

Tags: #AAAA, #RawHoggin, #Headless horsemen, and u/Marquis90

Aug. 29, 2022 - AA Day 29

• Prep: Warm shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (98)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

I am loving everything about this setup still except the blade. It's so hard to get a close enough shave to be happy with. Just another two days though and all will be well.

Hope everyone had a fantastic Monday!

Stag Spray 29 #GEMSofWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Aug. 29, 2022 - AA Day 29

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B34
• Razor: MMOC (Gen 2)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (29)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

Quick evening shave tonight after a long day. Great way to unwind, though.

Razor, Blade, and Brush were all fantastic tonight. No tugging, minimal aftershave burn, and a great lather. I think 3 passes with the MMOC is not the way to go, and I need to stick with just 2 and a buff, I still get almost BBS and about 5% as much burn as when I go the full 3. Maybe something to take forward there in general.

Zenith B34 - Pic 1 Pic 2

Finally busted through, too.

Sonder thought of the day: Life is hard. Everyone is struggling. Everyone is tired. We all cope in different ways and it's ok to deal with things different than someone else would. Obviously it's best to choose healthy coping mechanisms, and it's great to encourage those around you. People need to hear it. Be a kind and encouraging voice. It makes a difference.

#mammothmafia #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

August 29, 2022 - AA Day 29

• Brush: Zenith B34 (break-in photo album)

• Razor: Dubl Duck 5/8 Satinedge

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

Something, something good shave. Blah, blah smooth as butter. Huff, puff unscented sucks. Even though my nose is still super screwed up and I struggle with scents sometimes. I'm just ready to be done!

I'm going to refer back to my post last night for the love of female vocalists and share another this evening. Back at the end of high school in 2008 when I first started really online gaming a lot and saving videos to YouTube playlists this was one of the first like 5 songs I added to that playlist and is most likely the reason I enjoy what I do now. This was easily one of those songs I could just listen to over and over again. Definitely takes me back to some of the more carefree days of my life. So here's UNSUN - Whispers and I certainly hope someone here enjoys it as much as I do!

Challenge Hashtags: #unscented #RawHoggin #sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

Aug. 29, 2022 - AA #RawHoggin day 29

• Brush: Semogue 2000
• Razor: GC84
• Blade: Voskhod (14)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap

• Post Shave: Stirling gin and tonic toner

August 29th, 2022 - If we did Austere August in February, we’d be finished.

• Prep: Warm water

• Brush: Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!”

• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (29)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Splash

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

#MammothMafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Before and After

Meh, Monday, back to work, didn’t shave early today, and the moon shot got scrubbed. Shaving pretty late today. Had me worried since it is almost a day and a half since Sunday’s shave. Feedback is getting harsh, very loud. Still very tuggy at times, especially first pass.

For all the harshness, the splash didn’t sting much, no real irritation tonight. A little balm to make the skin feel nice. Overall, not the worst shave this month. Blood free for over 3 weeks now. I think I can make it for the last 2 days. Not the smoothest shave. To get there would need the other direction xtg, or an atg pass, but I am not doing 3 passes on this blade.

Aug. 29, 2022 - AA 29

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (35)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album with SOTD in title.

Yet another late night shave. Its nice smelling good when going to bed soon after. #GEMsOfWidom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 29, 2022 - Day 29: almost there

• Prep: Warm water wash
• Brush: Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush
• Razor: GEM MMOC GEN 2
• Blade: Persona GEM PTFE Coated (29)

• 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

If this was the only blade, My whiskers would be as long as this shag rug!

The brush got tossed in my bag for most the day, and so it became misshapen. After using it the brush went back ti normal.

House of Mammoth software is the saving grace.

Brush break-in album, brush break in album part 2 #rawhoggin #mammothmafia #GEMSofWisdom

Aug. 29, 2022

• Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (29)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

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

It's the final countdown.

Boar Break In Album

Stag Spray

#RawHoggin

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#UNCHALLENGE