SOTD by u/gcgallant

August 4, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (4)
• 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)
• Fragrance Video
• Blade Edge (before use)
• Blade Orientation (black dots - odd days, red dots - even days)

The edge photo is much better today. I figured out a way to use the microscope to allow for much better magnification. I'm tagging u/sgrdddy because he and I talked about this scope, and I want to point to the better results that I'm now able to get. This photo shows structural detail of the grind marks on what I would call the primary bevel (the bevel used to actually form the edge). I looked at both sides of the blade with the microscope using the this new configuration, and this photo is typical of what I found. As you might expect, after only four, 2-pass shaves, there's no noticeable wear, and I can report that, while shaving, the blade feels the same to me as on its first use.

I continue to enjoy Midnight Stag. The scent on my skin does not have a strong motor oil accord, or gasoline accord, I get more of the leather, oakmoss and other components. Either that, or I'm just so accustomed to motor oil and gasoline that I don't notice.

I'd say there's no change in the brush. It's working for me. I can build a very rich first pass, and a thin straight-razor-friendly lather from the brush on the second pass. The feel isn't unpleasant when splayed or with painting strokes, but let's just say that it can't compete with my Wald badger brush, and I'll be astounded if it ever does.

You know, I have two MMOC's; both Gen 2. I bought the second one because I liked the first one so much I thought it must be an anomaly. Nope. MMOC's just suit my shaving technique well. I'm getting very comfortable, close shaves from both razors. I'm only using the gold one for AA since it looks cooler in the SOTD photos.