Aug. 9, 2022 - Austere August 9th- Raw Gems of Hoggin Wisdom

• Prep: Cool shower
• Brush: Semogue 610 Boar
• Razor: MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (9)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap

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

#GEMsofWisdom Buttery bread smooth after a WTG/XTG/Buffing clean up. As of now, the blade is performing well. It's not dragging...yet. I have been very conscientious about flipping the blade each day, something I've never done before. I'm curious to see how much impact that will have on this blade and its useability through the end of the month.

#RawHoggin I'm digging this brush. No hair loss. No pig ass stench. Plenty of backbone and is now tub loading like a 6 year old on steroids- small but mighty- https://imgur.com/a/QYPsgyn

#Sidetracked Jack White has released two top notch albums this year. I'm a fan of his guitar playing. Fear of the Dawn came out first and is the plugged in record. A couple of weeks ago, he released Entering Heaven Alive, which is a more stripped down affair. Tucked at the way back of the album is this gem, "Madman from Manhattan". While I could have provided the studio version, this was recorded a couple of weeks ago in London and sounds stellar as well. u/Teufelskraft and the #Sidetraced gang enjoy a sip of something (depending on what time it is where you live) and this swingin' number- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EB9nYjt4w8

Have a great day all.

Austere August Day 9

Brush: Rubberset 400-3 w/ Unbleached Zenith 24mm knot set to a 56mm loft 9th use

Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2

Blade: PTFE (9)

Lather: NO Monoi de Tahiti

Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash

Short on sleep and an over abundance of grogginess lead to me completely missing an entire pass while shaving. WTG went fine, then I got lost in thought (read completely spaced out) while lathering for XTG and jumped right into my ATG. I'm honestly surprised how well it worked. The MMOC gave zero fucks and cut down the stubble that was left with no issue, hesitation, or problem. This may be something I try on purpose later this month to see if it still works.

One thing I noticed today is how hard the urge for variety hit me. Not even half way and I almost reached for my Hawk and Sonder. Gotta stay strong.

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

August 9, 2022

• Brush: Zenith 506U XSE
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM SS PTFE (43)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger
• Post Shave: Olay Complete
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - unscented skin salve

I’m comfortable with every aspect of this stuff now. I like the Gen 2 better than the Gen 1. The brush is fully broken in after only 30 uses. And the soap base is simply awesome.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug 9, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 9

• 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 (9)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave

Last week I was starting to get decent shaves, and this week everything seems to be on the decline. u/brienc23 offered some helpful advice yesterday. When things are not going as expected, it's time to get back to basics.

I really focused on the lather today, slowly adding water, building it up, and getting it to the desired level of slickness and protectiveness. It took much, much longer, but it paid off. Then I focused my attention on the razor: keeping the angle where it's most efficient, using very light pressure, and approaching each pass with the appropriate strokes. I'm still struggling with some tugging from the blade around certain spots.

After two passes, I could tell that was all my skin would allow this morning. It wasn't as irritated as yesterday, so I wasn't going to push it with a third pass or even a clean-up pass. Not a great shave, but it was close enough to look acceptable. I'm hoping that the blade will smooth back out soon.

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Rating: 3/5

Aug. 9, 2022 - Ninth day, eighth month, 8 am shave

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Omega Pro 48 Boar brush 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (9)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave

Autopilot shave today. Everything worked well. Is Hygge my favorite barbershop scent, or am I slipping into a Stockholm syndrome situation?

Who cares?! All I know is that good shaves are happening these days and this brush is getting better by the day. A terrific Tuesday to you!

#GEMsOfWisdom

#MammothMafia

August 9 2022

• Brush: Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (12)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo splash
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo balm
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Alive

I shaved with the MMOC and Mood Indigo, per the rules and stipulations. Three passes. The blade is smooth and effective, the soap smells good.

#MammothMafia

#GEMSofWisdom

Aug. 9, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse

• Prep: Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (9)

• 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

Today felt like cheating again. Seriously. This brush is consistently getting easier to use every day and was only really challenging the first few days and it seems I’ve hit the point that I have less work for a good lather every day. The only remotely hard thing to figure out has been the pomade. I’ve had to change the hair style a bit because it weighs my hair down too much. Hell, I barely used any at all today and have washed my hair twice since the last application yesterday morning and I went super light on it. I also went relatively light on the EdP today with only 14 sprays.

SubstantialStag

GEMsOfWisdom

RawHoggin

Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury Pt. 9

• Prep: Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap
• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (9)
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation)
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE (78)
• 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

In preparation for the #RawHoggin challenge, chief enGEMeer u/EldrormR and myself extrapolated from our unbleached Zenith 506U XSE brush break in eperience and expected a foul miasmic bitch fest in the first days of the challenge with vociferous and eloquent grievance airing about how offensive the manure concentrate on one's face smells and how demoralising the knowledge is to have to repeat this self flagellation the coming day. Turns out that the joke's on us and that only our particular brushes happened to come from an extra super stinky batch. C'est la vie, and we were together alone in our self-inflicted pain.

The really sad part of this story, however, is that we had prepared memes which have sadly mostly remained unused for aforementioned bitch fest, with the exception of a few pearls published by eld (pearl 1, pearl 2, pearl 3, and pearl 4). I've decided so post a few more of my favourites, since it seems unlikely that they can ever be used in the originally intended context given the overall pleasant way this challenge is unfolding (with the exception of the two early quitters).

First, a meme I had prepared for day two when some poor soul finds out that the stench has not yet relented, then a political one which I had hoped to place under some poor unscented rawhoggin Euroshaver's post who took the austerity angle a bit too serious, and finally, one prepared for u/Semaj3000 who ended up not joining in the challenge.

As far as the shave is concerned, I appreciate the simplicity of knowing that my shaving hard and software is already ready for me, and I don't have to think about any choices. However, I have collected all my samples and put them in a box for Sample September, and it has made me curious and wanting diversity. This is not a good sign only 9 days into Austere Hogust. At least the razor, brush and scent I chose for this AA are fantastic. That helps #GEMsOfWisdom

August 9, 2022: Triple triple, 9 Stag 9

• Prep: warm splash of water
• Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia Tuxedo 24 mm
• Razor: GEM OCMM (gen 2)
• Blade: GEM Stainless (10)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

With one week of AA down, I'm sad. The bright news is that having more spritzes of Stag means having more joy in my life.

Day 9, 2 spritzes

. #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 9, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: AP Shave Co 24MM SYNBAD
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE (9)

• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Bare Siero - Soap

• Post Shave: Thayers - Unscented - Toner

2 pass shave with a 30 second load. Whipped up a great lather today. Hoping today goes by quickly.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

August 9, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (9)
• 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)

While I was inspecting the edge after yesterday's shave I noticed some variation in the width of the primary bevel. Today's photo shows an example of this. It's pretty subtle.

Something is happening at the edge, but it did not affect today's shave which was like my previous shaves this month - comfortable, close, no irritation.

Now, some of my good fortune on these shaves comes from the brush which has been good to me; allowing me to pretty easily build rich well-hydrated lathers. The brush is softer than it was on day one, but day one was completely workable luckily.

I'm also doing 2-pass shaves with neither pass against the grain. I've altered my pattern to perform an across-and-with the grain pass and an across-and-against the grain pass. This is working really well.

I'm a bit rushed today, so you're spared more of my drivel.

Aug. 9, 2022 - RHOCMMSF - Austere August Day 9

• Brush: RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar
• Razor: GEM OCMM
• Blade: GEM PTFE (9)
• 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

Another day, another raw hoggin' micromatic Stagfest. I gotta be honest, this is getting boring, but on the other side of the coin it's nice to not have to choose anything. Just get busy with the stuff that's already sitting out on the counter.

#RawHoggin

Well, I think 90% of the barnyard pig ass aroma is pretty much gone and replaced with the pleasing scent of smoky leather and gasoline. I have noticed the tips getting softer and my lathers coming together much faster now. I'll have to break out a magnifying glass and see if the tips are starting to split.

#GEMsofWisdom

Today was not as smooth as my previous two or three shaves, but I'm not ready to say it's the blade stating to decline. I think my lather just wasn't as top notch. I wish I had more to say regarding this razor, but I'm not having any issues with it or anything to work through (nicks, weepers, irritation). It's easy to use and I'm getting nice shaves.

Brush album

Stag sprays

Aug. 9, 2022

• Prep: Exercise and shower
• Brush: Semogue 1438
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM blue star (9)

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

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

Good shave today. Brush is feeling ok and so is the GEM blade. I am getting pretty consistent results now actually enjoying this adventure. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

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

Aug. 9, 2022

• Brush: Grey Chubby - Zenith B37
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (9)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave

The first usage of tools is generally regarded as a pivotal step in the evolution of human history. I'm no anthropologist, but I believe the appearance of stone tools in generally regarded as a mark of cognitive development in our species. It is necessarily the case that combining tools, i.e. using separate tools together such as with a mortar and pestle, came later, and perhaps marks further cognitive development.

Face-lathering, then, is clearly stuck in that earlier, more primitive stage. Face-lathering is literally more primitive than banging two rocks together!

^I ^jest.

Once again, throwing another #unscented thing I use into the photo (the presence of which is independently dictated by RawHoggin): Stirling Unscented Shampoo Bar.

I've long since switched to Stirling shampoo bars, but I found that any scent was easily missed. Even the mentholated Margaritas went fairly unnoticed by me while using it. So I've been using the unscented more. Whatever scent I intend to keep around is introduced after the shower, anyway.

#GEMsOfWisdom
#RawHoggin
#unscented
#MammothMafia

Aug. 9, 2022 - Austere August Day 9

• 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 (9)

• 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

*Edit: thanks to u/ChrisdaBombz for telling me my increasingly long list of photos was doomed to cross the character count. Cheers. 🍻

Thoughts for the day:
If you havin' GEM problems I feel bad for you, son. I got 99 problems, but my GEM ain't one. 💎

I am still liking everything, especially with the reduced stench, but damned if I didn't wake up wanting to use some other shit. My shave library getting dusty... 😩

Also, the Mammoth Mafia see you hating.

Mandatory Taggage:

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

August 9, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (9)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Thanks to /u/putneycj and /u/EldrormR. Moar loading and less water seemed to be the answer. This was definitely the best shave yet with the brush. A good, hydrated lather that was enough to get through my normal two-pass shave.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

A Mammoth Micromatic Raw Hoggin’ August

Brush Progress

• Brush: Zenith B26 #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (9)
• Lather: House if Mammoth - Hygge in Tusk
• Post Shave: Hygge Splash & Balm
• Fragrance: Hygge EDP #MammothMafia

Blade definitely not as efficient as I like, but not too uncomfortable. Need to try maybe flipping it, stropping on palm etc. tips welcome!

I think the hog smell is pretty much gone from the brush. And whereas previously it had smelled up my soap tub, I think it’s all Hygge now!

Day 1 Prep Video

RawHoggin Unboxing Pics

MammothMafia

Aug 9, 2021 – Austere August. Day 9.

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (9)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
• Music: Ruth B. - Lost Boy

Another day, another shave. Austere August is like the Groundhog Day of shaving. The same thing, every single day. The Lather Games flew by for me, and AA seems be to going on forever. As an adult, I’ve come to learn how my brain operates and part of that is knowing my brain craves constant stimulation, it needs variety. I am always trying and researching new things. Austere August challenges my brain to use one tool for each task, even though I have a variety of tools available. My fellow neurodivergents out there know the struggle that I’m talking about. But not all heroes wear capes, and I think that fact that I'm narrowing my focus on 1 razor, 1 new brush, 1 unscented soap, and 1 unscented aftershave is heroic to say the least! That's partially the reason why I’ve putting effort into the music selection. I need SOMETHING to change every day!

The MMOC continues to shave great for me. No complaints at all. No nicks/cuts and a smooth shave again today. The blade is holding up great as well. After every shave, I dry it off and strop it on my arm, so hopefully that keeps it going nicely.

The brush break in is also progressing. I still got a faint animal smell today, but it seems like the brush isn’t requiring as much soap to build a lather as it did at the start.

For my #sidetracked music selection, I’m changing it up and going with Ruth B. I’m such a sucker for music that is just a piano and singer. There’s something raw about it that gets me. There’s no hiding for the performer. There’s no back-up for the artist or distractions for the listener. I love that. Canadian singer Ruth Berhe, goes by “Ruth B.” (very creative) and got her start when Vine was a thing (it was like a primitive TikTok, but limited to 6 second clips), singing 6 seconds covers of songs. She posted a short clip of her singing a line she made up about Peter Pan, her followers told her she should make it a full song, so she did. And she posted this song on her personal YouTube in January of 2015, then 6 months later Columbia Records signed her to a record deal. It’s just that easy, boys and girls. This single, “Lost Boy” went 4x RIAA Platinum and was a huge hit, worldwide in 2015. The music that Ruth B. has come out with since “Lost Boy” has been far more produced and has more of a Pop sound, which is unfortunate, in my humble opinion. From my outsider perspective, the record company took someone that wrote a great, unique, and popular song and has been trying to turn her into a Pop-Star, instead of letting her create the music that made them want to sign her in the first place. And that’s a damn shame.

Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 9, 2022 - Day Nine

• Prep: Warm shower w/ B&M Diamond Bath Bar
• Brush: Copper Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (9)

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

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

#RawHoggin

Pretty good lather today, I think at least for shave in the shower days I am dialing in how much I need to load much better.

#GEMsOfWisdom

I am starting to feel more tugs with this setup, but I'm committed to soldiering on and keep working on whisker reduction on each pass and be willing to do more passes if required. Well except for today when my partner said she needed to take a shower as well and could I kindly hurry up and get out, so I was left with an abbreviated third pass missing a few rough spots. But that is okay, more to improve on tomorrow.

Aug. 9, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM (9)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap
• Post Shave: Porter's Lotion, WSP - Neroli - Balm
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Just Right for a Tuesday - Eau de Parfum
• Passes: WTG, ATG
• Coffee: Colombia. Ciudad Bolivar, Antioquia - v: Catillo & Colobia - p: Natural
• Music: Bryan Ferry - These Foolish Things
• August 2022 SOTD Photo Album

#GEMsOfWisdom / #RawHoggin

Now this knot is starting to loosen up. The tips still don't look particularly feathery, and there's still a ton of rigidity to the knot, but I feel like there's now the telltale promise of comfortable scrub. I also only used a little over a half gram of soap, though this lather was a bit thin, and I'll succomb to u/gfdoto's peer pressure and add a few more swirls.

But here's the thing—I don't try to minimize soap usage to conserve it. I try to keep the amount of soap loaded reasonable because I hate how long it takes to hydrate all that soap if I load too heavy. I particularly hate long lathering times if I'm in the early stages of breaking in Zemporor Scrubby, Destroyer of Faces. I want to keep the abuse to a minimum.

Speaking of, I tried shaving with a very light touch today, and let the razor hinge in my lightly pinched fingertips. Doing so worked well. No cuts, no irritation, and a very close shave.

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
8/8	216.5	215.9	0.6	40 swirls

⁂

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

Yesterday I mentioned that I don't listen to Bob Dylan's music that often. However, that's not quite true. Dylan is famously one of the most often-covered songwriters out there, and I count many of those covers among my favorites, including the three I'll highlight today. (Presented in chronological order.)

Dylan adapted the traditional "Who's Gonna Buy Your Chickens When I'm Gone" melody into his "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," and I'd bet most folks associate that melody with Dylan. But his own recording of that song isn't my favorite. American folk contemporaries Peter, Paul, and Mary (for the youth out there, yes, that Peter, Paul, and Mary) performed a bunch of Dylan songs, but their version of "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" is so hauntingly beautiful—so poised—that it even helped push The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan up the charts.

I started this month's #sidetracked posts with a relatively modern Bryan Ferry cover, but he's recorded many over the years, and Ferry's take on "Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" is one of his best. These Foolish Things is great because all of the covers are so consistently sincere; a little goofy, but also obviously reverent of the original source material. "Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" is possibly the most obvious exception, deconstructing the overly sombre lyrics and filtering them through a performative, arch, high-energy rendition. Starting in the second verse, Ferry includes matching sound effects after a few of the lines, and after all of them in the third (thunder, waves, newborn baby, howling wolves, whispers, laughs, sighs, and a crying guitar bend), which is both detailed and impossible to take seriously. Ferry makes the song his own, utterly transforming it with a wink and wiggle of the shoulders.

And finally, while almost unseated by Antony and the Johnsons' 2019 version, Warren Zevon's version of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" will always be my favorite. It's arguably the most emotionally resonant take on the song I know of; both Antony and Zevon's sound wounded, weary, and scarred, but Zevon's cover is made all the more impactful by his terminal cancer diagnosis at the time of the recording, which I'm pretty sure you can hear in his voice throughout The Wind. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is an artist in top form, looking back on their career, and starting to come to terms with it all through a tribute to the lyrics of one of the greatest songwriter's of our time. Zevon embodied the song's meaning as literally as a performer can.

• YouTube: Peter, Paul & Mary - "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" (1963)
• YouTube: Bryan Ferry - "Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" (1973)
• YouTube: Warren Zevon - "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (2003)

August 9th, 2022 - Seeking the GEMs of Wisdom from Raw Hoggin Mammoths

• Prep: Warm water

• Brush: Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!”

• Razor: GEM (is truly outrageous) MMOC Gen 2

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (nove)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Splash

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

#MammothMafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Before the shave and After the Shave

Didn’t mention it yesterday, but got out my Barrister and Man 42 Towel as a new backdrop for some pictures. I like the contrast of the blue background. I’ve been checking up on the verdigris developing at the base of the knot. I don’t think the blue/green has leeched up the knot any further, perhaps 1mm total. I do not think it is a problem, just noticing how quickly it showed up there. Maybe it will get more verdigris at the top of the handle transitioning to an old penny brown on the rest. That’s one of the fun things about every day items made from copper. They will keep changing as they age. I have a couple flashlights and a fountain pen made from copper. They are getting areas of that old penny patina, but not going to the blue/green.

Shaving today around my lunch break. Actually kind of working at the time as I have a forecast model running that takes around 2 hours to finish. Today I got my best lather yet. I load from a bowl after scooping a dollop of soap from the tub. I decided yesterday to not rinse out the soap the brush didn’t load. That loaded up pretty quick once the wet brush hit the bowl. The knot is getting easier to splay as well. Overall, I was satisfied with the lather, but have not been won over to face lathering full time. The GEM blade has been very consistent the last few days. Two passes and a little touch up completed the shave. I had no irritation again today. I just need to keep from relaxing and getting careless, or the MMOC will get its blood.

August 9th

• Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm
• Razor: GEM - MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (9)
• 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'm a world full of crazy at least The Stag Is A Constant.

This hardware is definitely one I could use everyday, more boars to be added to the deb starting with the Sub Exclusive hopefully.

Aug. 9, 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(9)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)

Better than yesterday, worst than tomorrow.

RawHoggin

I think that the pig will go full unscented at the end of the week, any bets?

Nice lather, only two bristles lost.

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

Haste is a bad companion, I don't know what the heck I did yesterday when I tried to load the B-Side of my AA-GEM-Blade that it didn't fit in the razor, today making a video fitting the blade I've loaded it on the first try.

On the video I've noted that the blade has some pitting luckily seems that the edge is clean.

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft I missed posting a track yesterday. Yesterday I was listening to P.J. Harvey and I thought to post a lovely love song but then a hardcore song from Trash Talk came from the playlist and I changed my mind, but today jumped a rarity that I usually don't listen. I don't like techno music but my brothers recommended me to listen to MEUTE, I've to say that is impressive what these guys do.

No one should miss them, enjoy...

Meute - Holy Harbour bonus track Meute - Expanse

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 9, 2022 - AA Day Niner

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B34
• Razor: MMOC (Gen 2)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (9)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Admiral - Eau de Toilette

AA Day Niner a solid start to the day.

Last night our local baseball team won their 53rd game of the season and set the record for most wins ever in the Northwoods League. That may not sound like a big deal, but some notable players have come through this league, guys like Ben Zobrist, Chris Sale, Brandon Crawford, Max Scherzer, Jordan Zimmerman, Mark Malancon, and Pete Alonso, to name a few. Pretty cool stuff.

Anyway, my daugher got free tickets to go to a game at the end of May for reading some books and it happened to be towel night so my SOTD Pic is brought to you courtesy of that. Rosco P. Rafter is the mascot of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and to be honest I have no idea the connection between Rafters and River Rats - but they're basically interchangeable around here - we say "Roll Rats" and " Go Rafters" so - whatever. They've got a stellar team this year and nobody is else really even close, but in the playoffs anything can happen.

Anyway - shave was an excellent start to an early day. The Zenith seems to be breaking in very nicely now and the hairs are splitting more by the day.

The MMOC performed beautifully this morning - I was able to do a full 3 pass shave with just one little cut on my jawline but that was cleared up quickly after some Osma. Nothing to see over here.

What is there to say that hasn't already been said about Sonder? It's great. Pairs perfectly with Admiral.

Sonder thought of the day: Even annoying people are living vivid and complex lives. This week is VBS at my church and there's a woman who is helping in a classroom (and who serves with preschool kids during the year) and if I've interacted with her 100 times, she's mentioned that she has "over 30 years teaching experience" a full 80 of those times. She's just one of those people who drives me nuts. And, because it's Sonder month, I'm trying to remind myself that even people that annoy me are valuable and worth knowing. We don't have to be best friends, but, she's got a whole life. She's raised kids, she's a grandma, she's worked (for over 30 years!) as a teacher, she has what seems to be a healthy marriage, she's someone's daughter. Her life is as full, or maybe even more full, than my own. Anyway. Annoying people are people, too. Doesn't mean she won't always get under my skin, but, does mean she's got dignity and deserves kindness.

Have a good one, y'all.

#mammothmafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 9, 2022 - Day Nine - cloudy with a chance of sunshine

• Prep: None
• Brush: Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush
• Razor: GEM MicroMatic Open Comb
• Blade: Persona GEM PTFE Coated (9)

• 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

We cannot have perfect weather everyday. Sometimes you have to have a cloudy day to make you appreciate the sunny days!

The brush is getting better. The lather came out great. It is becoming less scritchy when face lathering. I am figuring out that I have to add water in a different way.

The shave was a little better today. Less tugging and a little smoother with the 3 passes. I did get a couple of weepers though. Maybe I should try the “skin strop” that is allowed for this challenge. Would someone like to give me a brief overlook?

Brush break-in album #rawhoggin #mammothmafia #GEMSofWisdom

August 9th, 2022

Prep: Warm water

Razor: Gem MMOC

Blade: Gem Blue Star (9)

Brush: Omega Model 13564 23mm boar

Soap: LA Shaving Soap Co. Black Void

Post: Noble Otter Bare

Comfort: 8/10

Smoothness: 9/10

10 second load.

2 pass shave XTG/ATG.

Repeat of yesterday. Still feels like I added too much water at the start, but worked out.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

RawHoggin

Aug. 9, 2022 - Austere August Day 89

• Prep: Hot Shower, Stirling Soap Facial Soap
• Brush: Zenith 508A SE 28mm
• Razor: GEM Micromatic OC Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (9)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver

Good shave, busy day. Not much to say as it is all the same stuff from the past.

Mandatory Tagging:

#GEMsOfWisdom

#Rawhoggin

#MammothMafia

SOTD Aug 09, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (9)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Another great shave today, getting more consistent. Smelled great while shopping for our first couch today. Less than a week before we will be in our first house (rental, but still exciting).

#GEMsOfWisdom

20220809 - Austere August Day Nine

Brush: Omega 011842

Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb

Blade: GEM PTFE

Lather: Stirling Soap Company - Sheep

Post: Stirling Soap Company - Coniferous toner

Post: DR Harris - Windsor aftershave milk

/#GEMSOFWISDOM

Did the palm stropping on the blade smooth it out? Is this placebo effect? Of course not, it still feels like pure garbage.

Hoping continually using the blade will push the blade into greatness

Aug. 9, 2022 - AA - Day 9

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - Short & Scrubby
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Blade (9)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Ferox - Soap
• After: Fine Accoutrements - L'Orange Noir - Aftershave
• Post: Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave

2 pass face shave. The brush is getting better. Shed couple of hairs today. Loaded heavy so what i the brush can eat some. Razor and blade are still doing a great job. Post shave was good with light burn but nothing the balm couldn't solve.

Tags: #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

Aug 9, 2022 Trickhole Stag + MMOC + RawHog - Moving Edition

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Dogwood Unbleached Boar
• Razor: MMOC MM24
• Blade: GEM (10)
• Lather: Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag
• Post Shave:Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag Balm
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag

Stagging it up 2x

#GEMsOfWisdom

Cheers

Aug. 9, 2022 - RawHoggin & Taming the MMOC

• Brush: Zenith B37
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (9)

• Lather: Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy

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

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

Another day of posting low quality pics, RawHoggin, and whispering sweet nothin’s to my MMOC. The B37 is still has a big appetite, but a little less than the beginning. I started looking at my tub today, and good grief it’s only day 9 and I have put a huge dent in this soap. I suspect that it will survive AA but it’s going to be hurting. Considering this is a 28mm chubby knot, will it always eat this much soap, or will it level out soon?

The Gem continues to be smooth sailing. I have a few ingrowns on my neck that needs to be addressed. And a nick on my left cheek that I keep aggravating. Other than that it’s been great.

Aug 09, 2022 - Getting Sidetracked while searching for the Wisdom of a Mammoth

• Prep: Hot shower and CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

• Brush: Maggard Green Handle 2 Band Badger 24mm

• Razor: GEM - MMOC

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (9)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder EdP

Every day tags: #MammothMafia #GEMsofWisdom

2022-08-09 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC

Prep: Warm Shower

Brush: Semogue Torga - C5

Razor: GEM MMOC version 2

Blade: GEM Stainless (9)

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/qjThNiX

Another day, another great shave. The brush is 9 uses in and it feels really good. Soap and razor work like a charm.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 9, 2022 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' MMOC Ultra Nightmare Mode

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - B37 - Gray Chubby #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen2 #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (9)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave

Day 9 was a hectic day. We had a 6 hour ride to the northwestern part of Turkey to visit my aunt. I woke up this morning excited to kick the day off with a nice shave. I took my pre-shave brush pictures and then went to turn on the faucet to fill up the mug that I’ve been using to soak my brush and nothing happened . Add that to the list of challenges that I’ve been facing trying to get through AA in a remote part of Turkey. Scarcity of internet, jet lag, working around all the things my dad has scheduled for us and now and unexpected water shut off. Fortunately I had some juice left in the tank for an evening shave once I got to my aunt’s house. It turned out to be a really refreshing shave once again and was very much welcomed after half the day sitting in a van. The brush is prime, the GEM is nimble and the blade is still sharp. Top all of this off with the refreshing chill of Margaritas in the Arctic.

The Brush: Whilst the brush has remained consistent the last couple days, it felt today a tad bit softer than yesterday. The splay still requires a bit of muscle but always seems to get easier with each successive pass. I really thought the hog stank was fading, but today I noticed that it is still very much present and doesn’t want to part with the brush. This brush has been destroying my puck but I’m thinking it might be time to try loading a little less tomorrow. #RawHoggin

Brush Picture Pre-shave: Side Top

Brush Picture Post-shave: Side Top

The Razor The GEM is beginning to feel as comfortable to use, yet more efficient than my 6S. At least it does for 2 passes which today was. I’ve really dialed in the angle and pressure (or lack thereof) and I don’t feel like such a newb anymore. The blade is also hanging in there quite well, effortlessly doing its thing without delivering any nicks, cuts or irritation. I also noticed that today there was no sting from my aftershave. It appears that I am continuing to improve everyday.

Days since last blood: 4

The Soap and Aftershave The soap continues to perform like a champ and I’m really appreciating the cooling with the hot and humid weather here in Turkey. I’m also still happy with the scent and am not growing tired of it yet.

Day 9 Puck Picture

Aug. 9, 2022 - AA Day 9

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305
• Razor: GEM Open Comb Micromatic
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (9)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

SubstantialStag

GEMSofWisdom

Another great shave from the ~~Awesome~~ Austere August combo. No noticeable blade degradation yet. Today I focused on the incredible lather and took some data in the process.

By the numbers

Brush

| 55g | Dry mass |

| 61g | Wet mass |

equals

| 6mL | Initial Water |

| 2g | Soap |

Water addition

| 15mL | Added to bowl |

| 3mL | Added to brush |

| 24mL | Total water |

I applied GUTL by the book and gave a healthy dose of face lathering with the direct addition of 3mL of water to the brush after the protolather application and initial lather work up. SOTD photo is lather remaining after two passes.

Sprayin’ the goodness

Aug. 9, 2022 - AA Day 09

• Prep: Warm shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (78)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

Loaded for almost a full minute this morning to see if that was the issue with my lather. It was better this morning so pretty sure it's just this brush being an absolute monster. The tips are breaking in nicely though and it's a joy to use.

Hope everyone has had a wonderful Tuesday!

Stag Spray 9 #GEMSofWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Aug. 9, 2022 - AA Day 9

• Brush: ShaveForge 28mm Boar, 3d Printed Handle #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM Stainless (9)

• 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

I really got to take my time with today's shave, which has not been the case of late. This extra time resulted in probably my best shave of the month on 3 passes.

Brush status: I'm not going to lie- I still prefer my synthetic. But the boar is getting softer by the day, and no longer actively hurts me. It continues to open up - top view. It's also stopped being such a soap hog. The last several days have weighed in at 1g. Oddly enough, tonight's shave came in a 3g, but I assume that is a rounding error, since my scale only measures to the nearest gram. Smell is gone. It just smells like SSL.

Software - still fantastic. It's interesting with the scents on these, I feel like the toner is distinctly more lime-forward than the soap or EDT. I'm finding myself wishing for some more variety, but that will have to wait until September 1.

Razor - if it weren't for the challenge, I would not choose the MMOC as my AA razor. It's not my favorite, and in particular I struggle with it on my neck. But, I don't notice any tugging at all after 9 shaves, and I do seem to be getting better.

So, in summary, the hardware I'm using isn't what I like the best or what gives me the best shave, but by using equipment I'm less familiar with and forcing myself to be consistent day in and day out, I think I'm ultimately becoming a better shaver.

Aug. 9, 2022 - AA 9

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (15)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album. SOTD in title.

As I mentioned yesterday, seemingly crossed a small threshold where the brush isn’t soft per se, but lacks some of its initial scratch. Lots and lots of soap and paint strokes helps too. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 9, 2022

• Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (9)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

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

Stag!

Boar Break In Album

Stag Spray

#RawHoggin

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#UNCHALLENGE