Aug. 30, 2022 - Stag Day 30

• Brush: Zenith B26 Retro
• Razor: Merkur 34C
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (30)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

• Iron Maiden: Coming Home

Great shave with some great gear. Though I am looking forward to some variety, it has been a great month.

#SubstantialStag #RawHoggin

Stag Spray 30

Edit: formatting.

Aug. 30, 2022 - Headless Mammoth Hoggin' Day 30

• Brush: Proraso Professional Boar | Break-in photos
• Razor: Feather Artist Club SR (Kamisori)
• Blade: Schick Proline (30)

• 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

I spent the day looking at Casio G-Shock watches which was a good distraction from AA but I almost forgot to put in my write up. My face has felt slightly more irritated the past few days possibly because I've been trying too much with this blade, but it's almost over so I'll just push through it. The brush felt very nice today but I'm ready to stuff a fat broosh in my face on September 1st. It's getting quite challenging to get a very close shave and it feels pointless to try to improve my technique using suboptimal equipment.

One more day!

Aug 30, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 30

• 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 (30)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Confluence - Eau de Toilette

I'm glad there is only one more day left because this blade is feeling really rough again. It's still performing well, but I'm looking forward to using a fresh blade after tomorrow.

The boar knot just continues to improve. Enough lather for three passes with barely any load time. I'm not measuring it like I used to, but it couldn't have been more than 15 seconds. Two normal passes and a third ATG pass with mostly buffing produced a BBS shave.

This was my first use of the Confluence EdT sample, and while I would normally not be a huge fan of the individual scent notes as they are listed, this scent as a whole it's absolutely spectacular. I'm bummed that I put off trying this scent for so long.

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Rating: 4.5/5

• 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 30 https://imgur.com/a/0ztdQrH

Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury - The Penultimate Part

• Prep: Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap
• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (30)
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation)
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE (99)
• 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

The countdown to the end of AA seems to accelerate, and I'm looking forward to shaving with a fresh blade and a new soap on September first. I didn't get sick of my software and my blade is hanging in there, so there's no real suffering going on, but the routine did get a bit old. We're soon done, and that's great.

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

Austere August Day 30

Brush: Rubberset 400-3 w/ Unbleached Zenith 24mm knot set to a 56mm loft 30th use

Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2

Blade: PTFE (30)

Lather: NO Monoi de Tahiti

Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash

One more day until freedom! Variety and a fresh blade here I come.

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

Aug. 30, 2022 - Austere August 30- I Think I Can, I Think I Can

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Semogue 610 Boar
• Razor: MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (30)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap

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

• Post Shave: Zingari Man Cooling Recovery Splash

#GEMsofWisdom This blade clearly has one more shave in it. It hasn't gone over the cliff to awfulness but it really wants to start it's next life in the Peanut Can Retirement Home for Dead Blades.

#RawHoggin I've got nothing to add about this brush.

#Sidetracked I think I opened AA with my all-time favorite album, Prone Mortal Form, from Only Living Witness that features one of my all-time favorite vocalists, Jonah Jenkins. Well, Jonah has done a shit ton of projects post-OLW including Miltown, Milligram, Raw Radar War and, more recently, The Northern Skulls (all of which can be found on Bandcamp). The Northern Skulls gets today's vote because you just need this tremendous vocal talent in the rock/metal world singing some hooky as fuck rock/metal songs. The Northern Skulls EP has some serious earworms and if you like the earworms, buy the EP and get a few more included. So u/Teufelskraft and the gang, here's my musical contribution to the penultimate day of AA- https://thenorthernskulls.bandcamp.com/releases

Have a great day all!

August 30th, 2022: Second to Last Stag Shave

• Prep: warm shower with Stag bar

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

• Razor: MMOC

• Blade: GEM PTFE (30)

• 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

Blade still causing hella problems, my neck looks like a fucking warzone but I shall persist. Cannot wait to get back into my razor backlog and onto a fresh fucking blade. Also I miss my badgers, not that this brush is bad by any means. I'd use this everyday if I didn't have such a thrill for variety.

Stag sprays of the day!

#SubstantialStag

#RawHoggin

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug. 30, 2022 - RawHoggin & Taming the MMOC

• Brush: Zenith B37
• Razor: Gem MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (30)

• Lather: Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy

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

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

Rawhoggin

GemsOfWisdom

This blade has caught a second wind, it went from feeling terrible to being decent. If it keeps it up tomorrow then we’ll end the month strong.

I got a little too conservative with my soap usage. I checked yesterday and I have just enough for 4 more shaves. So I had a decision to make. Use a normal amount of soap and finish it off next month, or scoop two days worth of soap and finish it now. Obviously I chose to finish it off over the next two days. So I scooped my two days worth, and used the Marco Method to completely eviscerated the large hunk of soap. In case you’re wondering, this 28mm chubby boar knot holds a ton of water, and creates a boat load of lather. It was phenomenal.

August 30, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (30)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

One more day everyone! Hope you have a good last AA shave.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 30, 2022 - AA Day30

• 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 (24)

• 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

One more shave left!! Today's shave went well, lather as a bit better than yesterday. Seems easier to lather after coffee, probably due to the energy required. No brush issues, I consider it fully broken in at this point (same for last week or so).

Here is a tuxy skunk outside vid: https://imgur.com/8xQ93Tk

RawHoggin

Aug. 30, 2022 - Raw Hoggin Day 30

• 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

Next to last #RawHoggin shave. Tomorrow I’ll also be finishing off this tub so it’s been a fun journey this month going through it.

For my #sidetracked challenge choice I’m going with “Crimson and Clover” by Tommy James and the Shondells. As I mentioned in my last shave post, my mom is a big fan of pop music from the 60s. I must have heard this song from her collection when I was really little because I remember the song unsettled me. It might be the tremolo effect of the vocals or maybe the pacing, but I’ve always thought the song sounded kind of creepy. I add it to my Halloween playlists and I think that sometimes confuses people but it has just stuck in my head as a strange song that affected me strongly as a kid. u/Teufelskraft

Aug. 30, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1438
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM blue star (30)

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

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

I am so excited to get back to a new blade different brush and just a change of soap its been to long. Update blade still sucks brush is still fine but this soap and aftershave are barely noticeable I am so used to them. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

https://i.imgur.com/qbv1FwZ.jpg

Aug. 30, 2022

• Brush: Grey Chubby - Zenith B37
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (30)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave

It can't be great that, at the end of these month-long events, the prevalent kind of thinking seems to be that the end can't come soon enough. Why, indeed, do we do this to ourselves? I do miss scents, my bowl, and a blade that is capable of cutting. What I won't change on Thursday, though, is the soap base; i.e. I'll still use a Mammoth Soap, so as to not change too much at once in order to make for a direct-er comparison to the past 31 days.

As for tomorrow, I'm likely to need to report for jury duty. Or rather, report to sit in the courthouse for a day, waiting to find out if I'll even make it into a potential jury, much less get selected for one. There seems to be a widespread idea that you're supposed to want to avoid jury duty, but I'm not sure if that's because people actually want to avoid it or if that's just what people think they're supposed to think. Of course, I'm not ruling out the very real cases where having to take time to serve on a jury would indeed create hardship.

I actually want to serve on a jury. If nothing else, for the experience of it. But also because in none of the past (3, I think) times that I've been called have I gotten to. Instead, in every past case, I've had a precious day's time taken away from me at a time when I had some kind of deadline that I would have been able to push back if I had been selected, but instead just lost a day.

Wait, one of those times I was actually selected for a jury. I don't recall the details of the case, but I'm pretty sure it involved assault charges, including sexual assault or rape, because there was a big point made during the selection about DNA evidence and juries' possible expectation of a requirement thereof. In any case, the trial never actually started. Once again, I don't recall the details, but for some reason the defendant had an opportunity to opt for a mistrial because of circumstances with the judge (I feel like they maybe could have gone with another judge, but the defendant wanted to keep this one for the trial). In any case, I didn't really serve on the jury, even if it says so on paper.

If I do get selected tomorrow, I already know what the case to be tried will be: surely, it will involve charges unduly conduct, crimes against humanity, contributing to the delinquency of the general populace by conspiracy to influence the widespread usage of face-lathering. Trouble is, I wouldn't be able to serve on such a jury, either, as I have been the victim of such heinous crimes for the past month, so I obviously couldn't be impartial in such a case.

#GEMsOfWisdom
#RawHoggin
#unscented
#MammothMafia

August 30, 2022

Brush: Omega 10049

Razor: Rockwell 6S Plate 5

Blade: Astra SP

Lather: House of Mammoth Tobacconist

Post Shave: House of Mammoth Tobacconist Splash

Post Shave: House of Mammoth Tobacconist Balm

#RawHoggin

Aug. 30, 2022 - Glow in the dark Austere August Raw Hoggin’ Challenge

• Brush: Omega 20102
• Razor: Karve Brass SB B
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (13)

• Lather: Red House Farm - Lumos - Shave Soap

• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Rawr - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Chanel - Bleu de Chanel - EDP

Nearing the finish line #RawHoggin

Aug. 30, 2022 - Austere August Day 30

• 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 (30)

• 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
•Shave 30

Thoughts for the day:
One shave left. I better come up with some insightful shit quick, huh? 😬

Mandatory Taggage:

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 30, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse

• Prep: Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (30)

• 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

Another smooth and easy shave today. The hole is getting bigger by the day and that’s always exciting as hell. Also finally figuring out the pomade. I might be cheating and mixing it with a bit of a matte clay pomade I use and am able to get the hold I want without looking like I haven’t showered in a week. Topped it off with around 12 sprays today.

SubstantialStag

GEMsOfWisdom

~~#RawHoggin~~

Aug. 30, 2022 - ONE. MORE. DAY. - Austere August Day 30

• Brush: RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar
• Razor: GEM OCMM (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (30)

• 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

Underloaded like a mofo today for some reason. It's weird because I was wanting to take my time and have a really nice lather. I had an appointment with a plumber to have a drain snaked and didn't have to be to work on time. Oh well. I still had a decent shave, but the desire to use something different has never been stronger.

#RawHoggin

Like I said, thin lather today but that's not the brush's fault. I like this brush quite a bit. I'm excited to get back to my badgers though.

#GEMsofWisdom

I flipped the blade today out of boredom. It didn't make a difference. Still a little tuggy, but smooth enough. I might try and take this blade to 100 just for shits and giggles. I'm not sure if it would fare as well in a milder GEM razor or not. I'll give it a try.

Brush Day 30

Stag sprays

August 30, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (30)
• 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. Average 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

Another surprisingly good shave. I guess I'll be able to finish out the month this way.

I've been going through the other posts on this daily thread throughout the month. I'm very surprised by how many people are RawHoggin, and doing the MMOC challenge. And it is good to see how many others are doing well with both challenges. I'm looking forward to seeing all the data that is compiled for this month.

I found a good section of the blade's edge to capture for today. I think this shows the progression of edge-rounding and edge-breaking pretty well. It would be great to see the edge condition for those who have taken their GEM blade to 100 shaves this month. I wonder if their edges look different from mine.

30 August 2022 - Austere August

• Prep: splash of warm water
• Brush: Zenith B33
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Ti
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (30)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Balm

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 30, 2022

• Brush: Semogue 1460 Boar Brush 21mm
• Razor: Razorock GameChanger .84
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (30)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Balm

Tags:

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 30, 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(30)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Countdown ... 1

#unscented Soap must be consumed but don't do this at home if you don't want to finish with blood-injected-eyes.

#RawHoggin

Let's a closer look at the bristles,

Three different bristles, from left to right mid brown, finest white and thicker black

Some detail of the thicker ones, 1 2, bristle has a break where it has begun to split 1 2, the tip begins to break 1 2, the break is more advanced here and here, detail of the split black bristle 2 3.

The thicker beside the split finest thread. Take a look at the brown fibre between two finest 2. The thicker the bristle it will split into more sections and subsections.

The finest bristles are translucent, detail of one full tip, here just started to split, full split

the write is between meh and bad but the pictures are pretty interesting

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

Good shave without irritation but with an uneven result. This blade needs to be replaced.

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft some Post - punk-hardcore from their last album MTT 420 RR bonus track Mother

August 30, 2022 - AA Day 30

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

• Razor: Dubl Duck 5/8 Satinedge

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

I shaved a good bit earlier today so that I don't have to bother with it later and so that I can officially say one more day and then freedom! Really though it’s been great getting to constantly revisit the same setup to dial it in properly and especially putting in more time with a straight. Definitely offered me a lot of opportunities to learn because sometimes successful shaves are flukes. You have a few good ones in a row and then you get a bad one that offers an opportunity to learn.

Going to post something from a group a bit more common and well known, but perhaps the song not so much. This song brings back memories from our honeymoon back in 2017 when we were at the Hard Rock Cafe in Honolulu and this song came on. I was familiar with the group, but had not heard this song and it just gave off good vibes sitting on the balcony overlooking the stores and such while enjoying ourselves. When I hear 3OH!3 - Hear me now that is instantly where my mind goes. Gotta love relating events in life to some good music.

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

Aug. 30, 2022 - AA Day 30

• Brush: ShaveForge 28mm Boar, 3d Printed Handle #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM Stainless (30)

• 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

Penultimate day of AA. Another great 2 pass over lunch.

Headed to family's house tonight, so I've already picked out my first 4 samples for September. We'll see what gets the nod for day one.

Aug. 30, 2022 - 30.08.22 - Austere August #RawHoggin

• Prep: Warm shower
• Brush: Omega 10048
• Razor: Henson Ti22 ++
• Blade: Gillette SuperSharp (1)

• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Daemon

• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Daemon

I've come down with an infection today so my shave took quite a while. I'm hoping it will be cleared by tomorrow but who knows really.

RawHoggin

Aug. 30, 2022 - Penultimate

• Brush: Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM SS (30)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap

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

• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Just Right for a Tuesday - Eau de Parfum

• Passes: WTG, XTG

• Coffee: Peru, Cajamarca - v: Caturra, Typica, Pache - p: Washed
• Music: Strange Advance - Over 60 Minutes With...
• August 2022 SOTD Photo Album

#GEMsOfWisdom / #RawHoggin

Really good shave today. I'm at that point in the month with the MMOC where it's still a noticeably more aggressive razor than I prefer, but shaving with it feels like I'm on autopilot.

Also, the Zenith Scrubby is starting to yield a ton of lather. It took a while to get there, but this knot feels great, and is using soap efficiently. I expected it to eat a ton of soap but I haven't needed to load that heavy after the first week or so with this brush. It is still a touch more scrubby than I'd like for daily face lathers, but I bet it will be perfect for more of a 50/50 Precision Loading™ approach.

I also want to try the u/USS-Spongebob Method™ for breaking in boar knots after tomorrow's shave. Looking closely at the tips of this knot, there's still plenty of splitting in their future. I'm curious to see if the hairdryer makes a dramatic difference after 31 daily face-lathers.

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	191.0	0.9	80 swirls
8/30	191.0	◊	◊	◊
8/31	◊	◊	◊	◊

⁂

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

I started this month of #sidetracked blurbs with a contemporary cover of an '80s tune, so as we wrap up Austere August, I'll to return to that decade.

While Vince Clarke is more well known for his work with Depeche Mode, his 1981 duo with Alison Moyet should be a big name too. Yazoo—apparently also known as Yaz in North America—only released two albums, but packed those full of synth-pop gems, including their 1982 torch song "Only You." Clarke gave Andy Fletcher and Martin Gore a chance to record the song, but I'm glad they passed on it, because I can't imaging how "Only You" would have sounded without Alison Moyet's robust, bluesy, soulful vocals. She's outstanding here. And I love how this ballad could have only been recorded in the '80s; the bouncy synths we now associate with vintage RPG soundtracks; the twinkling production over sparse instrumentation; the gated drum sound; the "nursery rhyme simplicity" and classic arpeggios.

Yazoo - "Only You"

Vancouver's new wave act Strange Advance only made it one album farther than Yaz, before going dormant after their 1988 release The Distance Between. They recorded a number of great songs, but I'll point you to the gorgeous, cinematic title track of their debut—Worlds Away. This exquisitely-produced single is one of my favorite evening headphone listens. The starlight intro sets the mood before a few tentative drum beats pull the song into its steady tempo, Darryl Kromm's voice heavy with emotion, and the guitar solo around 4:30 streaks through the night sky in neon '80s splendor. "Worlds Away" should be up there in the pantheon with "Glittering Prize," "Blue Monday," "The Chauffeur," "More Than This," and "Don't You Want Me."

Strange Advance - "Worlds Away"

August 30th

• Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm
• Razor: GEM - MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (30)
• Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Edp video

I may of used a little much

Aug. 30, 2022 - Oveja Eléctrica 30

• Prep: Proraso Green Preshave
• Brush: Zenith 28mm Boar
• Razor: Kai Kasho Western Style Shavette
• Blade: Kai Captain Pink Mild (49)

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

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

Let's get it over with. Another shave with minor irritation, and not very close. Insert here the previous complaints about the blade.

Still only good things to say about the brush.

Good night everyone!

#RawHoggin

#stillalive

#truepath

Aug. 30, 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 (30)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave

Day 30 - Hard to believe we only have 1 more day left. Today I was only planning on doing a 2 pass shave but after pass number 2 I decided that if I load it, I'm gonna use it. I approached my third pass a little more confidently today and while the shave turned out good, I REALLY felt it after putting on the aftershave. Hopefully I don't regret it later.

The Brush: Brush is definitely floppier than it was before. I made the observation yesterday, but really noticed it today. Brush is still awesome. #RawHoggin

Brush Picture Pre-shave: Side Top

Brush Picture Post-shave: Side Top

The Razor The blade is still performing like a champ. Went at the third pass with a little more gusto and walked away without any cuts or nicks. Not sure if I'm going to get any irriation today but the aftershave let me know that I might have went a little too hard. #GEMsOfWisdom

Days since last blood: 13 (officially my longest stretch without drawing blood with the GEM)

The Soap and Aftershave I now have a big ol' donut at the bottom of my puck. Not bad for a month of rawhoggin'.

Day 30 Puck Picture

August 30th, 2022 - GEMs of Wisdom Raw Hoggin Mammoth Mafia

• Prep: Warm water

• Brush: Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!”

• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (30)

• 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

Shaved a little earlier today. Brush was still damp from yesterday. I miss bowl lathering. Face lathering doesn’t do much for me.

MMOC has just stayed about the same roughness last 5 or so shaves. It still removes hair, but isn’t a smooth shave. Tomorrow, I will see if I can get a fine shave out of it, and try 3 passes, and possibly 4 or touch ups. I think the MMOC when the blade was at its best (probably shaves 8-15), was fantastic and I could have easily achieved a bbs shave if I wasn’t worried about making it over 30 days with the razor blade.

The House of Mammoth - Alive set has been wonderful this month. It is fresh, clean, and hints of green things growing outside. The hit the nail on the head with the description from the website:

“I made Alive as a way to work through my own process of emerging from the lockdown and pandemic disruptions, to find ways to be reborn, to reemerge celebrating the growth that often happens through death and dormancy.”

It has been many years since I had laundry that dried on a line outside. The floral and green notes combined with the laundry musk, remind me of summer vacations at my great aunt’s cabin. She had a clothesline outside amongst the aspens and pines. It was so nice to get my favorite t shirt and jeans freshly cleaned and smelling fantastic right off the line.

If I do this kind of challenge again, I’d be tempted to go with Alive again.

2022-08-30 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC

Prep: Warm Shower
Brush: Semogue Torga - C5
Razor: GEM MMOC version 2
Blade: GEM Stainless (30)
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/dnEsef4

2nd last shave, no problems to report.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 30, 2022 - Austere August Day 30

• Prep: Hot Shower, Stirling Soap Facial Soap
• Brush: Zenith 508A SE 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (30)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver

Day 30 in the books! One more shave to go. My posts have basically gone to hell at this point, but I don't have much left to say.... Tomorrow I will give my final thoughts.

Mandatory Tagging:

#GEMsOfWisdom

#Rawhoggin

#MammothMafia

AA D30: Penultimate Stag

• 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: #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Almost missed to post! Had my final day on my old ward today. I don't miss a single thing but my older colleague S., who'll be all alone without me and M. now. I'm having ~~tomorrow~~ (wait, it's already today here!) off before nursing school starts on the first of September. So to say, it was also my last day as a nursing assistant. Crazy. But also cool AF. In other glad that it's finally over news, my mom has beaten Covid as her rapid test was finally negative today!

Mandatory Tadé boar shot for the penultimate day. What a month. This brush turned from stiff and stinky to supple and... even stinkier. Thanks Midnight Stag.

Had a bit more tugging and weepers than usual, so despite it being the penultimate day, I binned the blade after the shave. Maybe I should try one without a guard for the final shave of AA. But I also don't want to show up to nursing school with a nasty cut...

Sidetracked
Jauge - Gather

Another synthwave track. One of my personal "success songs". Every time something goes really well, I try to play this song. It's strange how music can give such joyful feelings to us - like straight up euphoria from certain tracks. Neon Knights from Black Sabbath was already shared by u/loudmusicboy and does the same for me. As does Don't stop believing by Journey. But I thought this was too generic and kitschy. This tune here? It's not too loaded with instruments, but it gives a nice progression of rhythms. It's somehow rewarding to finally hear this in my head. I'm now on a new path towards a different way of my life; wish me luck, sidetracked crew!

Day 30 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

Shave was very interesting, at least for me. Currently trying to find a new flat to move into because they moved me to the other block of the dormitory and this new room sucks ASS it's finally time to fine a one or two bedroom apartment, but it's crazy, with all of the fake ads etc... I have until the end of September to find one so it's no big deal. Can't wait for tomorrow to end and have a small break from shaving, also I might even go and do a video outside somewhere. We'll see on that one.

• #RawHoggin
• #SubstantialStag

Aug. 30, 2022 - AA Day 30

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B34
• Razor: MMOC (Gen 2)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (30)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

And then there was one.

Solid shave tonight. I really didn't to shave, if I'm honest, but, 2 left, I'm not blowing the month long trek 2 shaves before it's over. But, tonight was the first time I was looking forward to it being over. I love these contests when they start, but, by the end, well - doing this every day can be a lot.

All that to say, the Zenith was great again Pic 1 Pic 2 - whipped up a great lather and was plenty soft. I cannot wait to dry that thing out on Thursday. It's going to be so great to rub those bristles on a towel and really dry 'em out. Gosh, so satisfying.

MMOC with the Gem was fine. My first lather was a little dry so it was a bit tuggy, but I added some water and then next pass and buff were really good. Somehow after 30 shaves I can still mess it up. I'm going back to GUTL on Thursday and I think that'll help - it's so tough tub loading to have any kind of consistency in amount of soap. That said, all month the lathers have been great.

Sonder thought of the day: There are plenty of happy people in the world, too. It's not just that everyone struggles - people are joyful and pleasant and have lots to give. Some of those other vivid lives are worth having in your own for encouragement and friendship and general positivity. People often say that "you are the net of your 5 closest friends." So - surround yourself with people you want to be like. People with positive outlooks and encouraging thoughts and a willingness to challenge you. It's for the best. You've only got 1 vivid life to live, but you can benefit from the lives of so many others.

Have a good night, all.

Edit: Forgot my tags

#mammothmafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 30, 2022 - AA 30

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (36)

• 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.

Morning shave despite the evening post. Post shower have the brush decent soak time. Additionally, morning shave after shaving last night, so it was basically going through the motions with only about ~10 hours between. I’m glad tomorrow is the last day. Again, soaps and scents have been great, I’ve gotten much better with the razor (the point of AA), and the brush is pretty soft after a decent soak. I’m just a growing a little bored with the razor and still better with a DE. I’m also a wee bit tired of posting in general. Some days I just like to shave with logging the damn thing. Until tomorrow fellow AAers. #GEMsOfWidom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 30, 2022 - Day 30: This ship has sailed

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush
• Razor: GEM MMOC GEN 2
• Blade: Persona GEM PTFE Coated (30)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Aftershave

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Eau de Parfum

Well only 2 more passes left! I guess the MMOC isn’t that bad. The blade I am using is no good tho. The brush is pretty decent, WAAYYY better than the month started. The House of Mammoth Fú Dào is really the highlight of this month.

I shaved at the house and took brush pictures there, BUT I forgot the brush drying so it’s not in the picture. At least I remembered to take the preshave brush pictures.

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

Aug 30, 2021 – Austere August. Day 30.

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (30)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
• Music: The Get Up Kids – Out of Reach

Quick post before I go to bed today. Another good shave and we’re so close to ending this journey. MMOC is a smooth operator and the Zenith Brush great at this point. I feel like I could use these two pieces of hardware for a long time and not get tired of them. The soap is a different story. I can’t wait use ANYTHING else is a couple days.

The #sidetracked music for today is The Get Up Kids – Out of Reach. Anyone that knows me knows I love songs that take me back, and this song takes me back to college. It’s a great jam. I have a lot I could say about this band and song, buuuut... It's been a long day and I'm tired and there's no way in hell I'm going to miss a post with 2 days left of Austere August. Good night!

Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 30, 2022 - AA Day 30

• Prep: Warm shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (99)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

Another not terrible shave today. Still able to get pretty close to BBS, but only with quite a bit of cleanup. Certainly excited to swap at least the blade in two days.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Tuesday!

Stag Spray 30 #GEMSofWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

August 30th, 2022

Prep: Warm water

Razor: Gem MMOC

Blade: Gem Blue Star (30)

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.

Only one last shave before it's over. Got called in to work earlier when shaving and forgot about posting. So along with a rough shave was the fun of scrambling out the door to cover a no show.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

RawHoggin

August 30, 2022

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Burma Shave Boar 🐗
• Razor: Kai Kasho Kamisori
• Blade: Feather ProGuard 30th use
• Lather: Stirling Sheep
• Postshave: Stirling Barbershop splash and Nivea Balm

Three pass shave tonight felt great. I have noticed that my shaves are better when I play music while I shave. Don't know if that calms my ADHD down or what not but it allows me to focus better and pay more attention to my pressure and angle. I also feel like the shaves go quicker when I do that. Almost at the end of the tub of Stirling Sheep so getting enough lather has been fun since you have to hold it so close to the rim to gather enough soap. Luckily I have like 2 more refills so no need to worry about running out after this month. 1 more day left until I go back to trying new products. Definitely going to give some of my new razors and products though a two week trial before trying something else because if I learned anything from this month it would be that reputuon allows you to develop better technique. Have a grwat day, and have a great shave.

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

Aug. 30, 2022 - AA #RawHoggin day 30

• Prep: Stirling spice preshave oil
• Brush: Semogue 2000
• Razor: GC84
• Blade: Voskhod (15)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Bergamot Lavender - Soap

• Post Shave: Stirling bergamot lavender toner

Stag Headlessly Hoggin' August Day 30

• Prep: Hot shower with Midnight Stag Soap.

• Brush: Zenith B33

• Razor: Cloud Shavette

• Blade: Cloud whatever that blade it is (35)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

• Post Shave: Zingari Man - Sego balm

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

Now on time before baby goes mad. One more shave to go! I just can't wait to try my B1 Washo. My jawline was a little better today. Stay strong, one more day.

Hail Stag!

-#Stagposting

-#SubstantialStag

-#RawHoggin

Aug. 30, 2022

• Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (30)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

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

So glad to be here at the end of the month finally. Also, holy shit, 5 spray is a LOT.

Boar Break In Album

Stag Spray

#RawHoggin

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug. 30, 2022 - AA - Day 30

• Brush: Zenith Boar - Short & Scrubby
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Blade (30)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Ferox - Soap
• After Shave: Fine Accoutrements - L'Orange Noir - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave

The brush is soft and scrubby and i feel this can be a great brush. Created amazing lather with great backbone. The blade is still cutting which is great. I think i will continue to use this blade for head shave after AA gets over. The aftershave had it burn and the balm kept things in check.

Tags: #RawHoggin #GemsOfWisdom

A Mammoth Micromatic Raw Hoggin’ August

Brush Progress

• Brush: Zenith B26 #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (30)
• Lather: House if Mammoth - Hygge in Tusk
• Post Shave: Hygge Splash & Balm
• Fragrance: Hygge EDP #MammothMafia

Day 1 Prep Video

RawHoggin Unboxing Pics

MammothMafia