u/chronnoisseur42O's SOTDs for challenge 'MammothMafia 2022'

Aug. 1, 2022 - AA 1: Sonder Seville

• Prep: Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (7)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Unboxing pics of the semogue. Accidentally took a 1 sec video instead of a picture. Oops. The AA set up, in case it was missed in title.

What better way to start the games than with a (NSFW? upper man skeletor bod) aggressive skidmarko method chest lather. to really try and beat the shit out of said boar brush. I forgot to take the pic until after I’d swiped my cheeks, but it gives the mirror selfie portrait some character. This is only my 2nd boar I’m breaking in myself, the other being a zenith, as 2/4 I have came with decent use. This one is pretty scritchy, my chest was a bit red. But honestly, a good exfoliation on the face is nice now and again, so hopefully I’ll be ok as it breaks in coupled with having to wear a mask again a bunch for work. I look forward to its progress, here’s day 1 post use.

Simply put, I still suck with the MMOC. I can do cheeks mostly ok, most of the neck ok, but the chin, mustache, and under lower lip will be a learning curve. Might be AA patchface edition for me.

Let’s get into the tags for those couple challenges. u/EldrormR, u/semaj3000. Thanks to u/djundjila too for the boys and side side judging. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

I thought the tags would be crazier considering it’s 4 (5 if we count the side side challenge separately?) challenges. Happy AA shaving fam.

Aug. 2, 2022 - AA 2: Sonder Seville

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (8)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Day 2, another evening shave.

Here’s the progress album.. SOTD in title pic.

Pretty scratchy on day 2 still, no surprise. The brush does fan out though some even after these first couple uses. For a brush on the smaller side it can use a fair bit of soap, a true latherhog if you will. I find myself using the vast majority of said lather on the first pass though, it doesn’t like to hold much in the knot currently. I can see myself revisiting the tub between passes this month. Also, as for the GEM, def get a little razor burn here and there, hoping this improves with the learning curve. #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 3, 2022 - AA 3

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (9)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Day 3. Progress pic album. SOTD in title.

Still feels mostly the same to me, scritchy and scratchy. That said, paint strokes aren’t too bad really. Just the lather building mostly when doing swirling motion. Still, nothing horrendous. Still kinda suck at the chin area and under nose. Also, def still some razor burn post 2nd pass. I wish I had started a new blade this month, instead to starting on a half dozen or so. I’m sure it’s mostly my technique but I need all the help I can get. #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 4, 2022 - AA 4

• Prep: Cold water splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (10)

• Lather: House of Mammoth- Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Sneaking in another late night shave. Didn’t really have time to soak the brush today, and to nobody’s surprise it’s still a little scratchy.

Progress pic. SOTD in title.

Spoiler alert, I still sort of suck with the MMOC. Hit 10 shaves on this blade though. I did try a little ATG on my cheeks on my 2nd pass. The head geometry on the razor does lend itself a bit well in a way to ATG passes. Between the shape and weight, it weirdly lines itself pretty close to what I think should be the correct angle (again, still sort of experimenting and figuring it out overall). #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 5, 2022 - AA 5

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Alright, no fat fingers fucking up the input on my phone today. Shaving even later than all the previous nights. Hopefully the shave ~~gods~~ judges take pity on me and don’t succumb to the data of our bot overlords.

Progress album. Realized and added in a couple of the unboxing pics today to start of the album too, since they were separate in the first post. SOTD in title.

Surprise! It’s still scratchy. Got a little better under my chin, but still feeling some razor burn with 2x passes. I feel like my “soul patch” area is taking a bit of a beating, breaking out a little as I hack it up. Also, not sure if it’s the balm itself or more due to the razor, but the mammoth Sonder gives me a little burn which I typically attribute to alcohol splashes. Probably more tied to the razor I think, but there I did read the ingredients today and a type of alcohol was listed too, so maybe just that. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 6, 2022 - AA 6

• Prep: Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (12)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Progress album. SOTD pic in title.

Still same same. Nothing really insightful this evening. I’m doubting this blade coupled with my technique will make it to end of month. Perhaps I’ll just continue torturing myself in the name of camaraderie with my fellow internet shave friends. I did see a few split hairs today when looking more closely. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

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. 7, 2022 - AA 7

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (13)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Progress break in album. SOTD in title.

Probably my most irritation free post shave feelings, but not my closet shave of August. I loaded a shit ton of soap too, which I think helps make the brush feel a bit less intense. That, perhaps, plus the slightest break in. The knot was also soaked a tad longer as its was also my first post shower shave of Aug. seemingly a combo of factors helping me today. That said, between my technique and this blade, still a bit tuggy. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 8, 2022 - AA 8

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (14)

• 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.

Again overloading the soap to add a little cushion. Paint strokes pretty chill, and still swirling hard to break this fucker in. Dare I say today wasn’t scratchy? I won’t call it soft, but it seemed a noticeable breaking point if you will. This blade though, oof. Even if my angle was magically perfect and my technique flawless, I think I’d still be running into a little bit of a struggle with this blade. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 10, 2022 - AA 10

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (16)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album with SOTD in title.

Little nick on the chin today but nothing serious. 1/3 of the way down. I’ll never grow weary of Sonder or Seville. So good. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 11, 2022 - AA 11

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (17)

• 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.

Late evening shave and off to bed. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 12, 2022 - AA 12

• Prep: Brisk walk, live up to my username, cold water splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (18)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album here. SOTD in title pic.

If you look closely on the break in photo, it actually captured a few split hairs decently in focus this evening. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Happy weekend to all the typical M-F folks out there.

Aug. 13, 2022 - AA 13

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (19)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

break in album with SOTD in title.

Pretty decent shave today. Brush starting to get pretty decent splay too. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 14, 2022 - AA 14

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (20)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album and SOTD in the title.

Hydrated the lather a little quicker today sort of unintentionally but it worked out fine with the gobs of soap. Hit 20 shaves on the blade. Getting the slightest hand of it in a sense, but still by no means a convert to the SEs. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 15, 2022 - AA 15

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (21)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album and SOTD in title.

Halfway. That is all. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 16, 2022 - AA 16

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

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album and SOTD in title.

Feel a little less irritated post shave past couple days, maybe I’m finally doing something right with the MMOC. The boar has been feeling pretty similar the past few days too. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 17, 2022 - AA 17

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (23)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in Album and SOTD in title.

Only “groundbreaking” thing about my shave today was that my lather was noticeably under hydrated ok my first pass. User error for sure, just being a bit lazy and rushing. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 18, 2022 - AA 18

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM PTFE Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (24)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

break in album and SOTD pic in title.

It’s late, I’m tired, and I’m just going through the motions today. Although I did make sure to hydrate lather better than my laziness yesterday. Most components of my shave seem to have currently plateaued. Brush feeling fine but waiting for the next aha moment of softness. My technique with the gem is still meh, but def better than it was at the start, but I’m wondering if I’ve peaked there. Pretty over the blade. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 19, 2022 - AA 19

• Prep: Falling asleep on the coach, getting ready for bed, realizing I still need to shave for AA
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (25)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album here and SOTD in title.

Squeaking in under the wire this evening. Actually almost forgot my shave. 25 seems like a decent milestone on the blade. Not much soak time on the brush, oh well. Noticeably prickly. Very underhydrated first pass, nicked the neck. Also, I figured the sticker would be the first to go this brush, but looks like I already have paint peeling a bit, like wtf man. I know it’s a cheaper brush, but I’m surprised this is happening. Perhaps a boar expert has more insights. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 20, 2022 - AA 20

• Prep: Late Night Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (26)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

break in album and SOTD in title.

Nice post shower shave. Well soaked brush this evening compared to yesterdays lazy, rushed, almost forgotten debacle. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 21, 2022 - AA 21

• Prep: Warm water splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (27)

• 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.

Quick late night shave, came out surprisingly nice considering the haste. Clearly I’ve gotten slightly better with the MMOC through the month. Warmer water soak that normal too, maybe it’s mental, but I think that may have helped too. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 22, 2022 - AA 22

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (28)

• 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.

Late night shave yet again. No complaints really, but I feel like the brush has felt stagnant for about a week or so, or the changes are just not as noticeable. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 23, 2022 - AA 23

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (29)

• 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.

Earlier morning shave, so I only had about 10 hours between shaves, so a lot of going through the motions. The boar remains similarly soft to the past few shaves, with the occasional hair that still likes to make its presence known. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 24, 2022 - AA 24

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (30)

• 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.

Another morning shave, another stellar lather. More fabulous smells, more mostly soft brush. Continued growth on my SE technique, but I also wonder if I’ve piqued here. Like, the razor is cool, it’s pretty, but simply put, I don’t think it’s the best design out there. Areas like under the nose are just not the most accessible with how these razors optimally shave. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 25, 2022 - AA 25

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (31)

• 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.

Back to a later evening shave. Work kicked my but today. Not much to say shave wise except Sonder and Seville are still phenomenal, the boar has seemingly mostly flatlined the last 10 or so shaves (or the change is so incremental I’m not noticing it really), and my technique seems to have gotten better with the SE, but I’ve decided GEMs are not really the razor of choice for me. Too finicky under the nose and trickier around chin curves than a razor should be. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 26, 2022 - AA 26

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (32)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Da Break in album with SOTD in title.

Despite the late night post I actually shaved about 15 hours ago in the morning. From late night last night to the morning today, was mostly going through the motions. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 27, 2022 - AA 27

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (33)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album with SOTD in title.

Nice shave this evening. I’m still feeling some effects of poor decision making last night with some coworkers and cocktails. Had lather literally flying off the brush and landing sink side, so that’s probably a good sign of hydration. The occasional scratchy boar fibers do seem to be few and farther between, meaning I’ve seemingly noticed the biggest changes about 6, 15, and now 27 shaves on FWIW. #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 28, 2022 - AA 28

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (34)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album with SOTD in title.

I’m ready for the month to be over. I don’t mind using the same scents, but I’d much rather be using a different razor at this point. I appreciate how I’ve grown some skills with this one, but it’s time for to return to a DE. I’m also quite surprised how many shaves I have on this blade and it seems fine still for the most part. #GEMsOfWidom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Aug. 29, 2022 - AA 29

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

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album with SOTD in title.

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

Aug. 30, 2022 - AA 30

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

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album with SOTD in title.

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

Aug. 31, 2022 - AA 31 (Finally!)

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (37)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Break in album with SOTD in title.

Wonderful last shave of AA. My quick take always.

Brush: 6, 15, and 27th shave seemed to be my “turning points” throughout the month in what seemed noticeably softer in the progression. It sure helps to have at least a few minute soak of the bristles too, otherwise there is def a bit more pokey scratchiness going on.

GEM: I got a lot better with the GEM. My biggest take away, even when you think the head (do you call it a top cap on an SE?) against the skin, give it a little more tilt for good measure. It’s a cool razor in design and looks, and shaves plenty well in open areas of the face and neck. That said, I do not think the head geometry of this razor suits itself well for areas like under the nose. Finding the right angle around the chin too felt like much more of a learning curve than when using a DE as well. As for the blade, I think I need to try a new on to compare. Considering my technique got better but I presume the blade it passed it’s prime, they sort of balanced each other out.

Soap/Balm: Sonder is amazing. Citrus, creamy, soft. No need to exude the mastery that is HoM and the tusk base and magic balm, we all know that here.

Frag Seville: Gods barbershop for a reason. It’s safe, but so good. I’ve used it for consecutive AAs now and probably used about half the bottle.

Lastly, #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia. Happy shaving everyone, you did it.