Aug. 9, 2022 - Headless Mammoth Hoggin' Day 9

• Brush: Proraso Professional Boar | Break-in photos
• Razor: Feather Artist Club SR (Kamisori)
• Blade: Schick Proline (9)

• 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

Soap Weight: 134.2g (0.8g used)

This hog sure is temperamental. It seems like each time I mention something about the brush not being comfortable, the day after the brush feels like it's behaving better again. I'm really starting to enjoy this brush and the face feel. The lack of density makes it easier to splay compared to the Zenith I've been playing around with doing a few hand lathers.

Yesterday a few people commented on my soap usage saying 80-90 swirls is too much so I tried 60 today and I had barely enough to complete my full shave (3.5 passes). What do these 2 pass (or in some cases, single pass) shavers know anyway? 😂 To me, those 20-30 swirls was the difference between a good shave and a great, luxurious shave and today I was left with slightly subpar lather for my cleanup pass. Also it turns out that a swirl is a very inaccurate measurement since u/RedMosquitoMM loaded far more with 40 swirls yesterday than I did with my 60 swirls today, so YMMV and all that. I'm going back to my luxury lather tomorrow. Wet shaving for me is a way of pampering myself so I'm not going to hold back to save a few pennies each day.

A few years ago I went down the path of weighing my soaps and trying to optimize soap usage but it was tedious and definitely took some of the fun out of the hobby. I'm revisiting soap usage right now mostly to get a feel for how the boar is breaking in and how its soap usage compares with other brushes. I've already confirmed that I'm not somehow using up a ludicrous amount of soap lathering this softer soap so I'll just get a few more data points and be done with this experiment.

I'm continuing to notice incremental improvements to my shaves with the shavette. The past few days I've been getting better results along my jawline and less irritation and not spending as much time getting there. The blade still feels smooth but it feels like it's taking more effort to get a close cut even going ATG.

Side Story

Since there are a lot of silly acronyms in our hobby, I thought I'd share an amusing story related to that from a few days ago.

August 8th is Father's Day in Taiwan, because the number 8 is pronounced "ba" in Mandarin so 8/8 is baba, which also means father in Chinese. This past Sunday we went to a nice shopping mall in Taipei with my parents to celebrate Father's Day early at a Japanese BBQ restaurant inside the mall. After the meal, we decided to walk around a bit with the kids and we passed by an area where they had a bunch of expensive ($2000+ USD) massage chairs on display for people to try out. The brand of these massage chairs is OSIM, which I wasn't really familiar with and I didn't think much of it as we walked past the display to head to the elevator.

Out of nowhere, my dad approached me and asked (in Mandarin), "Do you know what OSIM stands for?"

"I don't know." I responded.

"Oh shit, it's Monday." My dad said, with a shit eating grin.

The thing is, my dad is generally a pretty serious person. Before he retired he was a physician and it's very rare for him to joke around so this caught me off guard.

Not sure if I got the joke, he continued to explain with almost a whisper next to my ear since we were in public: "TGIF means Thank god it's Friday. OSIM is: Oh--- Shit--- It's--- Monday."

He seemed rather proud of himself and couldn't wait to share with my mom as well, so as we were waiting for the elevator, he walked over next to her and explained OSIM to her. My mom seemed unsure about what my dad said, and she repeated, "Oh shi... shi... shit it's Monday?"

My parents spent around 30 years in the US so they've seen enough American television to be familiar with the word and what it means, but to hear it from both of them for the first time in my life (and probably their lives as well) was such a precious and hilarious moment.

A belated Happy Father's Day to all the wet shaving dads out there.

Aug. 9, 2022 - Stag Day 9

• Brush: Zenith B26 Retro
• Razor: Merkur 34C
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (9)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

• The Naked and Famous: Girls Like You

Anyone else think it's nuts that December is only 4 months away?

#SubstantialStag #RawHoggin

Stag Spray 9

Aug. 9, 2022 - Raw Hoggin Day 9

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

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

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Natural - Balm

• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Boat Drinks - Splash

Another good shave with the boar. Not really much more to say besides that. #RawHoggin

Hope y’all have a good day!

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

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

• 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 #MammothMafia

Austere August 2022 day 9 https://imgur.com/a/v0fZxmw

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 9th, 2022: Stag Stack AGAIN

• Prep: warm water

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

• Razor: MMOC

• Blade: GEM PTFE (9)

• 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

Glorious stank rolling off my being today, still haven't had anyone notice or comment on it yet. I sprayed extra off camera cause I needed to reprime the atomizer after my stacking shenanigans.

Stag sprays of the day!

#SubstantialStag

#RawHoggin

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug. 9, 2022 - AA Day9

• 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 (5)

• 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

Boar brush definitely not eating my soap much anymore. Still a little scritchy, when it dries going to compare with all ready broken in omega, to see how much more it has to go. I hated the omega, just didn't grip well with my hand, and ached my hand after roughing around the soap. I might be feeling a little bit of the 9 use blade now, but not sure. I have not been making the soap wet enough, due to constant rush in the morning, wonder if thats wearing down blade faster than usual.

UNCHALLENGE

RawHoggin

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 - Glow in the dark Austere August Raw Hoggin’ Challenge

• Brush: Omega 20102

• Razor: Random travel razor

• Lather: Noble Otter - Lonestar - Soap

• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Deep Blue Sea - Balm

• Fragrance: Taylor of Old Bond Street - Jermyn Street - EDT

#RawHoggin on the road

August 9, 2022

Brush: Omega 10049

Razor: Rockwell 6S Plate 5

Blade: Astra SP

Lather: Black Ship Grooming Barnacle Bob

Post Shave: Thayers Witch Hazel

Post Shave: Stirling Unscented Balm

#RawHoggin

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

Aug. 9, 2022 * Brush: Omega 10005 * Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley * Lather: Noble Otter Orbit * Post Shave: Noble Otter Orbit Aftershave * Post Shave: Geologie Daily Moisturizer Balm

#rawhoggin brush after day 9

The good: BBS! My two pass method, ATG & XTG, is working really well. I also paid much more attention to my grain when I was using my facial scrub in the shower and realized my hair is very much not symmetrical. Longer soak in warmer water helped the brush today too and the softness gave me my best lather yet.

The bad: overshaved a bit on my neck and now it’s warm/itchy. I think when AA is over I’ll move up to the D plate in hopes that the extra efficiency will help my avoid that problem. I’m still not sure if my neck is capable of being BBS but dammit I’m gonna try.

Edit: I forgot to mention in my previous posts but I LOVE the beechwood handle on this brush. It has a clean, natural look that I really enjoy.

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, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1460 Boar Brush 21mm
• Razor: Razorock GameChanger .84
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (9)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Balm

Tags:

#RawHoggin

#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.

9 August 2022 - Austere August

• Prep: splash of warm water
• Brush: Zenith B33
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Ti
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (9)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Balm

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 9, 2022 - AA #RawHoggin day 9

• Prep: Stirling spice preshave oil
• Brush: Semogue2000
• Razor: GC84
• Blade: Gillette nacet (9)

• Lather: Tabac

• Post Shave: Tabac

Good shave. Loaded 1/4 passes. Preshave on 2-4 passes.

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

Aug. 9, 2022 - Break Again

• Brush: Zenith 28mm Boar (3 piece)
• Razor: Kai Kasho Western Style Shavette
• Blade: Kai Captain Pink Mild (26)

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

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

• Mosquito Bites: None

The super glue I used doesn't withstand soap and water, so back to stage 1. I hope I can find Epoxy somewhere (and maybe even golden powder) tomorrow.

Other than that, not much to report, it is difficult to concentrate on the bristles when your handle comes apart.

#RawHoggin #stillalive

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

Austere August D9: StagStacked

• Prep: Klar activated charcoal soap, cold water
• Brush: Tadé NOS vintage boar 22 mm
• Razor: Kai Captain Standard CAP-J7 kamisori shavette
• Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - shaving soap
• Post-Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• additional care: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - ASB
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Valley of Ashes - EDP

Didn't have time for a photo yesterday, so I wanted to redeem myself with a Stag-Stack today. I was quite happy with my composition. AA tags: #SubstantialStag #RawHoggin

Day 9 of the Tadé boar brush and it's really getting better every use now. When dry, the feel is not yet comparable to my Zenith New Titanio (my most broken in boar), but it is already more comfortable than other boars I have. There are still some bristles being shed, but it's no big deal. Somehow, it's easier to use this exclusively so far than I'd have imagined. I guess I have too many synthetic brushes and will need to do some den thinning soon...

Stag and VoA is a great combo. There, I said it - I'm happier that I have chosen the powerful guidance of the mighty Stag than using one of my Mammoth soaps or even no scents at all! I'm feeling bold and confident and don't give a damn if someone likes my scent or not. There's something great about changing back into my daywear shirt after my shift and being embraced by the warm notes of those two ultra-raw scents. Plus, I am now slowly becoming a pro at lathering CFG soaps. Despite the low price, this base is damn good!

Sidetracked
Today I want to share something with you folks that should please synthfans, metalheads and retro-nerds alike: I hope y'all remember DOOM. Yes, the video game. A brutal ego-shooter were you're facing off against the spawn of hell, summoned on Mars. You're a badass space marine with a huge arsenal of weapons - including one who's acronym is seriously Big F##king Gun 9000... I love the retro soundtrack, even though Mick Gordon has done something great for the new games. Without further ado, here's Master Boot Record - DOOM. This synth project has covered tons of video game themes - the one for Castlevania and Megaman are worth a listen too! But this one for the first two DOOM games uses a lot of SFX from the game. I love the usage of the chainsaw as a guitar riff, or the chain gun sounds as drums. Simply great. MBR just delivers a great retro feel.

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

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 - 09.08.22 - Austere August #RawHoggin

• Prep: Warm shower
• Brush: Omega 10048
• Razor: Henson Ti22 ++
• Blade: Gillette SuperSharp (2)

• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Daemon

• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Daemon

Today has been a long day, and has shifted my shave to an evening shave. Relaxing as all hell though, today was an amazing shave, I got a great lather, no issues with the brush or razor just all round great.

Daemon isn't a scent I plan on restocking once this tub is gone, but it also looks like this tub will last a decent chunk of time.

RawHoggin

Day 9 of Austere August! Staggin on!!

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

God damn it....

Right... So I dropped my phone around 2 weeks ago and cracked the glass that protects the cameras. I had a guy in a shop remove the glass and as you can see by my photos for the first 6-7 days, everything was fine. Today I returned back home and went to the shop to get the new glass put in(I had a Slavic tuning to cover it in the meantime). When I got back home and tried to make a photo, there was no focus, AT ALL... I'll try and fix the issue after tomorrow, because I'll be on a one day trip for a shaving meet up with some friends on the other part of the country. Damn I'm so annoyed....

Shave, well it was good, not as deep, but no problems. Brush is doing well, can't say I'm feeling much difference since the past 2-3 shaves, but we'll see how it gets at the end. I'm in a crappy mood today anyways, other than the phone, so yeah, no quality content, no good photo, no nothing, haaa haaa double negative😅 I'll try and read up of today and yesterday's shaves, before going to bed, maybe my mood.will cheer up.

• #RawHoggin
• #SubstantialStag

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.

August 9, 2022

• Brush: Semogue 820
• Razor: Merkur 34C
• Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum (Shave 9)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann Eigengrau
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann Unscented Balm with a drop of Eigengrau splash

I love the 820. It still munches soap like a 40 lb toddler that crawled under the sink but I can forgive it <3 kids will be kids

RawHoggin

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

• Prep: Mineral oil massage

• Brush: Wenghè Pure Bristle 🐗

• Razor: Brassbird head CG brass bishop

• Blade: Voskhod

• Soap: Mammoth Z

• Balm: Mammoth Z

Barely a third of the way in, and I’m looking forward to September 1. A brand new blade. My Lambda Athena instead of the Brassbird. Drowning myself in fragrance like my mother in law.

I shaved every other day before AA. Shaving daily has helped me notice my consistent errors. It’s nice to get better at a thing.

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

#Unscented

#ZFighter

Piggy Gyllenhaal

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.

August 9th, 2022

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Burma Shave Boar Brush 🐗
• Razor: Kai Kasho Kamisori
• Blade: Feather ProGuard 9th use
• Lather: Stirling Sheep
• Postshave: Stirling Barbershop splash and Nivea Balm
• Fragrance: Halloween Man

Did a quick two pass shave WTG and ATG because I was on call for the OR and got called back in so I had to finish up quickly. Shave went great blade still going great. Got a CCS and felt great. Brush held the lather great and whipped up great.

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

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

August 9, 2022 - AA Day 9

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

• Razor: Dubl Duck 5/8 Satinedge

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

Significantly better shave than I've had the last few days. Smooth as butter with no nicks or cuts and still had all my body parts attached when I was done. I do a lot of my shave right handed, but found myself tossing the razor in my left hand for a few passes I don't normally do with it. Glad to see some improvement in the muscle memory coming from this challenge.

Challenge Hashtags: #unscented #RawHoggin

Aug. 9, 2022

• Prep: Water
• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Karve CB SB-D
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (9)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Barrbarr - Soap

• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Barrbarr - Aftershave

Chewsday innit #RawHoggin

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

Stag Headlessly Hoggin' August Day 9

• Prep: Hot shower with Midnight Stag Soap.

• Brush: Zenith B33

• Razor: Cloud Shavette

• Blade: Cloud whatever that blade it is (14)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

Day nine. Lots of work. Only went for a two pass shave.

Hail Stag!

• Stagposting

• SubstantialStag

• RawHoggin