Aug. 1, 2022 - Austere August Unscented Raw Hog Madness (questioning my sanity)

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM Stainless Steel (1)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

I could say that has been the weirdest shave of my life and thinking about doing it for 30 days more gives me goosebumps. The only thing that comforts me is that it will be really scentless with the passing of days.

RawHoggin

I've knotted an Ever-Ready 200 with an unused Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot. I left it in the sun to accelerate drying and prayed for the knot not to get loose during the shave.

I have to say that despite my best efforts to make this shave unscented, following all the requirements dictated by u/rocketk455, it was like shaving in a pigsty romping with hogs in the mud. I hope that doesn't DQ from the unscented side challenge.

Fragrance rating

• Scent: Overpowered "cortezas de cerdo", like eating pork crackling snacks on a farm surrounded by pigs
• Longevity: eternal
• Sillage: strong

(Doggies stare at me, and come to sniff my face)

Knot rating

• Shedding: 9 bristles
• Scent: 31^(*)
• Pricky: 31 ^(*)

^(*Higher) rating that hopefully would decrease

GEMsOfWisdom

This is the second time I use the MMOC and I love it, the first one was on the past lather games. It seems smooth but mows the beard unceremoniously. I have felt the blade a bit harsh compared to the one I used the first time (PAL Hollow ground). I'm intrigued to see how it progresses.

Blade rating

• Nicks: 4
• Cuts: 0
• Roughness(0..11): 7

Sidetracked

u/Teufelskraft There's only one thing I can think of PIGS, Jane's Addiction one of my favourite bands playing Pigs in Zen. The first time I heard their first album in '87, they blew me away.

#unscented

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

#sidetracked

u/EldrormR

u/Semaj3000 u/djundjila

Aug. 2, 2022 - Austere August #2 AtFATPSM:RYFiiSSCttSAGoW:FSiASSC

• Prep: Warm water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM Stainless Steel (2)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
• Fragrance: Unintended Pig Stink

RawHoggin

Stinks! The pig ate all possible scents from the soap. I managed to make a nice lather more hydrated than yesterday, (not in purpose). The feel on the face has been a mix of smooth airs with some prickliness, I think that some hard black bristles contribute to this.

There are some photos with the evolution, during the face lather the bristles splay generously but when at rest it returns to its original form, it has a good backbone firm enough to splay without deforming too much.

GEMsOfWisdom

Today I tried to improve my technic. With the grain shave has been really smooth, but I have had a hard time shaving the stubble under the nose. The second pass (across the grain) has been harsh mainly on the neck, causing me several nicks.

.#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

Today I listened to Charles Bradley soulfully performing Black Sabbath's song Changes.

.#unscented

.#RawHoggin

.#GEMsOfWisdom

^(edit:) fixing links to images

**Aug. 3, 2022 - Austere August #3 PigScented Shaver inc.

• Prep: Warm water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM Stainless Steel (3)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
• Post Shave: Fridge water
• Fragrance: Hog'a'Rolla

RawHoggin

The lather today has been better than yesterday not too watery, not too dry, just perfect. The pig is a lather monster and a greedy loader, for that I'm worried the soap won't last the whole month, and I've loaded less soap. But it has been enough for two passes and the comfort lather.

Noteworthy that the brush didn't shed any bristle.

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

Nice shave today, I've ignored (tried) the scent part of the shave and I've focused on improving my technic with the Micromatic especially across the grain on the neck, with only three nicks.

.#sidetracked

Tagging u/Teufelskraft so you don't miss my AA OST... Could be the odour or the damn hot summer, the worst I can remember, I feel melancholic. There are a few songs that make me shiver and this is one of them, The Silence from the Manchester Orchestra. I'm not too fond of the group nor their music but this song is wonderful. Enjoy.

.#unscented

.#RawHoggin

.#GEMsOfWisdom

**Aug. 4, 2022 - Austere August #4 PigScented

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM Stainless Steel (4)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
• Fragrance: Eau du Pig

RawHoggin

The hog resists being tamed, not too much change in four days. I'm getting anxious. Today it made a nice lather. In an hour, I have to go to get a haircut. I had a shower with my August unscented shower soap and it rid of the pig scent(Why I didn't do this before is a mystery).

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

Fast shave worst than yesterday, resulting in various nicks on the neck.

.#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

Slift - Lion, Tigers and Bears

.#unscented

.#RawHoggin

.#GEMsOfWisdom

**Aug. 5, 2022 - Austere August #5 Fading Nightmare

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM Stainless Steel PTFE(5)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
• Post Shave: Fridge water
• Fragrance: Eau de Toilette Piggy

RawHoggin

Scent way, I think the worst is over. I can smell the pig during the shave but with the water+aftershave there's no noticeable stink. As you can see in the SOTD shot it has made a ton of lather with no effort. I can't remember lathering a soap so fast tomorrow I will use the chronometer, also DG is a great soap that helps.

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

I'm loving the MMOC so much. The blade continues to perform almost like the first day, it never gets clogged. The only issue that I have it's shaving just below the nose, I've 26 days more to sort it.

.#sidetracked

Today a torrent of energy to face the weekend with strength, a power-duo Niña Coyote eta Chico Tornado - Monster attitude! Bonus track performing Cream - White Room

Enjoy the weekend!

#unscented

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 6, 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 Stainless Steel (6)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)

RawHoggin

There isn't too much to add from yesterday, scent fading, monster lather, visually the knot hasn't changed much.

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

Thank you u/gcgallant following your advice I get rid of those pesky hairs under the nose. Being mainly a straight razor shaver I should have figured it out, with the straight is easy because the contact with the blade is direct without the cap of the MMOC.

.#sidetracked

u/Teufelskraft today something from my country, Enrique Morente & Lagarija Nick adapting Leonard Cohen's First We Take Manhattan from the album Omega(1996) flamenco rock fusion.

.#unscented

.#RawHoggin

.#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 7, 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 (6)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)

I'm having fun despite my complaints about pig stink, unscented monotony, and blade's expectations.

RawHoggin

The HOG has revealed himself as a lather monster, consuming soap and making tons of lather easily, faster than I expected. While fading the stench and losing fewer bristles that have begun to split.

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

The MMOC is a great machine, I've found it comfortable and efficient for shaving, equilibrated and manageable to use. I've shaved with a +/-30º angle and a lesser one when XTG on the neck, very close to the one that I use with straight razors, and I've encountered that it works seamlessly. With the help of u/gcgallant, I found a way to confront some pesky hairs under the nose.

The blade continues to perform like the first day with added smoothness. I've never used any DE blades passing the 7-8 shaves, and I had to dispose them after that because they were dull and started to tug. I'm curious to know how many good shaves can give.

.#sidetracked

u/Teufelskraft I hope you were able to have a quiet weekend and were able to enjoy listening to some music. Today the performers are All Them Witches playing Diamond, I love the atmospheric epicness of their music and the poetry of this song,

Hey, I'm a diamond I am spinning clay I am the wheel That turns the day

Bonus track... Blacksnake Blues

.#unscented

.#RawHoggin

.#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 8, 2022 - Austere August

• Prep: Warm water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(8)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)

Busy Monday, I had to rush with the shave, nothing remarkable except that I tried to flip the blade (I had used it in the same position the past week) but I couldn't do it, seem that it's bend or I don't know but I can't flip it. I will try tomorrow.

PigEvolution 1 2

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

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. 10, 2022 - Austere August - Stacking Shave Inc.

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(10)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
• Post Shave: More cold water from the fridge

RawHoggin

When you don't notice how your own kids grow, I don't see too much change in the brush shape. I've taken some videos and photos of the bristles with the microscope.

I've observed three different bristles, from thickest to least. The black ones, that I made responsible for the prickliness (we talked about that u/EldrormR9), are the more interesting splitting in 4, with sub-splits, seems those are the less processed bristles. The brown ones, less thick than black, are splitting in three. And the finest, of a lighter brown colour, split in two.

Lather monster

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

I had no issues with the MMOC and the blade today. Fine shave!

#sidetracked Today P.J. Harvey with Thom Yorke from Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea, performing This Mess We're In

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 11, 2022 - Austere August - Because stacking is fun

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(11)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
• Post Shave: Zingari Man Hydration Potion

RawHoggin

Either I've gotten used to pork stink or it's losing its delicate aroma. Nice face lather, not too pricky, enough smooth, it has developed tons of foam.

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

Nice shave without issues, two passes WTG & XTG, a couple of nicks and a smooth feel on the skin without irritation. The blade is in his soft spot, being smooth and keen.

#sidetracked

String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D 810 (Der Tod und das Mädchen, Death and the Maiden) , composed by Schubert in his lasts days, sick, ruined and almost alone. Depressing tune, a confrontation with death. Sublime, beautiful and frightening ends in the fourth movement with a tarantella, a traditional dance to escape death and insanity.

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 12, 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(12)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)

RawHoggin

Hog is smelling 'nice' to roasted pork hair, is gently killing the soap, exfoliating skin with prickly bristles, refusing to be tamed. Hot day today in Hell August with +36ºC. Stay cool if you can!

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

This morning I discovered that yesterday's shave wasn't meet my standards on the corners of the mouth and some other spots. Today I've taken my time and the shave has been closer. The blade has been careful with the skin leaving it smooth, without any nick.

#sidetracked

Friday hope all of you have time for families, friends, and loved ones or to enjoy some music! u/Teufelskraft Today some nice music for Derby Motoreta's Burrito Kachimba (funny name for a band) Andalucian Psicodelic rock mainly with some progressive and stoner elements that they call kinkidelia (kinki/quinqui is something like a petty thief), here playing Gitana

Bonus track... Derby Motoreta's Burrito Kachimba \~ Nana Del Caballo Grande

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 13, 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(13)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)

I don't have time today so I'm gonna made it sort.

RawHoggin

Today, the SOTD shot tells you all about it.

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

Fast and awesome shave!

#sidetracked

To make things short today the shortest song for Unwound in their album Fake Train, Lucky Acid

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 14, 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(14)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)

I want to highlight today Southern Witchcrafts's Aftershave, that thing rocks!

RawHoggin

I'd said that the stink will be gone by the end of the week, mostly but not all has gone let, it another week to go full unscented.

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

MMOC will be my reference razor when I don't use straight razors. It's a superb performer and the PTFE blade seems tireless.

#sidetracked

Hilarious video from Red Fang performing Prehistoric Dog can't stop headbanging, bonus track Wire

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 15, 2022 - Austere August - How not to make a lathering video! UNCUT LATHERING

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(15)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)

Today has been a weird shave. It's the first time I recorded myself and I've been more aware of the camera than the shave, going from the mirror to the tiny camera screen trying to have a clear vision of what I was doing.

The camera focus has been crazy constantly dancing as it can be heard in the video.

Besides, there is a shaving video that I think I'm going to reserve because it's even more awful.

RawHoggin

Nice lather, I overlooked the pigscent you can imagine why, and lately, Southern Witchcrafts Aftershave hides all hog stink and gives me the unscented luxury perfume.

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

Good shave despite doing it almost blindly, with a couple of nicks.

#sidetracked

u/Teufelskraft Some stoner today ASG - Blood Drive

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 16, 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(16)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Doggies reclaim my attention so I will do it short, with no write-up.

PigEvolution 1 2

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 17, 2022 - Austere August - Killing Soap

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(17)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

I have one purpose, finishing the soap and the aftershave on day 31, ending this unscented nightmare. According to my spreadsheet today there's 71.6 gr of soap, I've to use 5.14gr/day of soap to achieve my goal.

RawHoggin

Today, I've used 2.21gr of soap only but I had lather for two passes and for the comfort lather. That's far away from my mission I should start shaving my parts too. Tomorrow, I will load more soap with the hog.

The Hog is almost unscented but it's not really broken in, it'll need more work to be fully tamed.

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

Monday, I hand stropped the blade and made some videos of the edge before and after (they are bad I'll try again and post them), but I didn't see any difference, and the blade continues performing well.

But today, I've experienced some blade resistance to cut white hairs. I think is losing efficiency. I'll adjust the razor angle to see if it helps, with those stubborn hairs.

#sidetracked

u/Teufelskraft From the Bagdad Cafe movie OST - I'm Calling You performed by Jevetta Steele, such a beautiful tune from such a candid and tender film. I used to 'sing' that song to my elder kid when he was a baby to calm him down, It brings me back good memories.

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 18, 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(18)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Short post today too sorry, it's the end of the day with a bit cold on me and a snuffy nose (not an issue with unscented AA), pain on the back that is coming to my neck I'm exhausted. Nevertheless, I had a nice close shave this morning with tons of lather.

PigEvolution 1 2

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 19, 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(19)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

#unscented

#RawHoggin

I've mindless loaded soap onto the brush since it couldn't hold more, that will be a constant until the 31, to end that unscented punishment.

There are some thicker black bristles that need to be broken yet to gain smoothness and remove some prickliness when splaying furiously with the brush on the face for lathering.

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

I prefer doing single-pass cutting with the razor but due to the loss of the effectiveness of the blade in the last few days, I'm using some buffing shaving technic to compensate for the lack of original sharpness.

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

Today listening to the Japanese band Boris I stumbled upon this video with a more commercial sound than they use to, but I liked it. Boris ~ Reincarnation Rose, bonus track Boris with a more ambient noise sound also more unique and interesting Flood

Aug. 20, 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(20)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Tonight I was going to have dinner with friends but after a quick test, the cold from a few days ago has revealed itself as a covid infection so I'll stay at home.

#unscented #RawHoggin

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

Good shave without too many incidents, a couple of nicks because of some pimples that the blade has beheaded.

Aug. 21, 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(21)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Ten days left!

#unscented #RawHoggin

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 22, 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(21)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Countdown ... 9

I think the brush is unscented, the soap has a more gamey scent than him. The top of the bristles are broken and soft, minus some thicker black ones responsible for prickliness when splaying the brush to face lathering.

Today, I've overloaded the brush, yesterday I only used 2.63gr far away from my objective to finish the soap.

PigEvolution 1 2

The second day that I hand-strop the blade, I really don't know if it will make any difference. The blade is in fairly well shape with only some minor notches ( video ), although the blade has lost some cutting power, it's smooth enough to give fine shaves. It will be enough for me if it is kept like this until the end of the month.

#unscented #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

#sidetracked

u/Teufelskraft, I hate this song but it's time for the final countdown

Aug. 23, 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(23)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Countdown ... 8

In the pursuit of ending the soap today, I've shaved my face and then why not I lathered again my chest and shaved armpits, chest and ... well I stopped there. I'm not a body-shaver but every man sometimes has to do sacrifices to attain his goals, it's only hair and it'll grow again.

#unscented #RawHoggin

The hog is clean and smells nice, his bristles are pretty broken in, being smooth and gentle but given enough scruff. I only have to complain about some thicker wild black hairs that resist being tamed, I think that they won't be fully broken in the 8 days left. Someone told me that unbleached boar brushes need +60 days to their full magnificence.

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

I've bent and pulled up my nose with my free hand to shave under it, and it worked flawlessly, thanks to u/djundjila.

I've to tell that the Micromatic is a safer option than DE razors for body shaving because of the blade guards at the sides.

#sidetracked

u/Teufelskraft, I've been listening to a new band from Berlin (I'm biased all Berliner things are awesome), a girly power trio 24/7 Diva Heaven. Nothing too original but they sound fresh and young, a little overproduced like most newer bands, with a sound reminiscent of '90s grunge and stoner bands.

24/7 Diva Heaven - Bitter Lollipop

Aug. 24, 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(24)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Countdown ... 7

Yesterday I used +10gr of soap, it was a good start to finish the month's goals.

#unscented #RawHoggin

The HOG has revealed himself as a lather monster annihilator of soaps. Tons of lather, far away from yesterday's record, for a smooth two passes shave.

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

#sidetracked

u/Teufelskraft, Cool song from Colombian band Monsieur Periné - La Muerte

Aug. 25, 2022 \~ Austere August \~ BIG DATA DAY

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(25)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Countdown ... 6

Nice shave without any novelty regarding the last days. I have been improving shaving times (approx. from 30' to -20' including prep, and face lathering), without sacrificing efficiency or the final result.

Throwing some collected numbers:

Weight table

First days I was astonished by the growing hog

Day	Brush	Soap	S.Used	S.Left	After	Blade
1	81.68	150.34	4.07	112.34	236.81	1.62
2	82.19	146.27	1.36	108.27	235.29	1.62
3	83.61	144.91	1.59	106.91	233.88	1.62
4	83.73	143.32	3.32	105.32	231.17	1.62
5	83.07	140	2.84	102	228.88	1.62
6	84	137.16	2.41	99.16	226.6	1.62
7	83.29	134.75	2.11	96.75	222.42	1.62
8	83.81	132.64	2.54	94.64	220.52	1.62
9	84.29	130.1	1.93	92.1	217.8	1.62
10	85.05	128.17	4.17	90.17	215.9	1.62
11	84	124	2.16	86	212	1.62
12	83.08	121.84	2.37	83.84	210.22	1.62
13	82.89	119.47	2.47	81.47	204.4	1.62
14	82.97	117	2.18	79	195.65	1.62
15	84.66	114.82	2.65	76.82	190.62	1.62
16	84.47	112.17	2.21	74.17	187.26	1.62
17	83.98	109.96	2.3	71.96	183.81	1.62
18	84.38	107.66	3.3	69.66	181.39	1.62
19	83.82	104.36	3.07	66.36	177.34	1.62
20	85.59	101.29	3.24	63.29	175.59	1.62
21	85.66	98.05	2.63	60.05	172.83	1.62
22	84.6	95.42	3.15	57.42	167.62	1.62
23	85.19	92.27	10.57	54.27	163.56	1.62
24	84.92	81.7	5.32	43.7	160.39	1.62
25	84.85	76.38	-	-	157.53	1.62

#unscented #RawHoggin

Brush appreciation table

Shed: you know amount of lost bristles. Scent: 31 High stink rating. Pricky: 31 High roughness rating.

Day	Shed	Scent(31)	Pricky(31)
1	9	31	31
2	2	30.9	30
3	0	29	29
4	2	25	29
5	0	20	25
6	1	19	24
7	1	17	23
8	0	15	23
9	3	10	20
10	0	9	19
11	0	9	20
12	0	9	20
13	1	9	19
14	0	9	19
15	1	8	19
16	0	7	18
17	0	6	18
18	0	4	18
19	0	4	17
20	0	3	16
21	0	2	16
22	0	2	14
23	0	1	12
24	0	1	12
25	1	1	11

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

Blade appreciation table

Roughness: subjective value from 0 to 11. Cutting: powa max 31. Strop: 0 nothing done, 1 Hand strop.

day	nicks	Roughness (0..11)	Cutting	strop
1	4	7	31	0
2	9	6	30.9	0
3	3	5	30.5	0
4	8	6	30.5	0
5	0.5	5	30	0
6	2	5	30	0
7	0	5	28	0
8	1	5	27	0
9	0	5	26	0
10	0	5	24	0
11	0	4	23	0
12	0	4	22	0
13	1	4	22	0
14	2	4	21	0
15	0	4	19	1
16	2	4	17	0
17	0	4	16	0
18	9	5	14	0
19	0	5	14	0
20	0	5	14	0
21	2	5	14	0
22	0	4	14	1
23	0	4	14	0
24	0	4	14	0
25	1	4	14	1

#sidetracked

u/Teufelskraft, Nothing to say about the great Neil, superb tune with some members of Pearl Jam from the 1995 album Mirror Ball I'm the Ocean

Aug. 26, 2022 ~ Austere August ~ Lather-Face

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(26)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Countdown ... 5

Only 3.81gr of soap was used yesterday so I had to load soap mindless and cover my face with creamed lather. Now, I can see the soap's ring of death.

Now it's a real #unscented shave, without pig stink.

#RawHoggin

I've made some pretty photos of bristles and hope I have more time to write up about hair breaking tomorrow. All brown strands are broken, there're some thicker black ones broken and some that have begun to break in, which makes me think that it will need more than 31 shaves to break fully.

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

I'm amazed at how wonderful performs the micromatic with a GEMPTFE blade with 26 shaves, it has lost some cut keenness but it continues to be smooth and gives close shaves.

Aug. 27, 2022 ~ Austere August ~ Lather-Face

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(27)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Countdown ... 4

Yesterday, the mindless loading strategy has worked I wasted 6.37gr, today I didn't go so far and I have been more conservative loading the brush, the soap's death ring it's more evident.

I have made more bristles photos, but the write-up will come tomorrow doggies demand my attention.

#unscented

#RawHoggin

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 28, 2022 \~ Austere August \~ Dog Approved

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(28)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Countdown ... 3

Today walking the dogs we stumbled upon a wild boar feeding cat's food near a dumpster. I was thinking about his pretty bristles.

#unscented

#RawHoggin

This knot has unrivalled lathering properties, a good backbone that gives enough split that I need to face-lathering with some more uses will be at smooth as any badger brush.

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

I have to insist on some spots buffing with the MMOC to achieve a closer shave, despite this a good shave close enough and without irritation.

Aug. 29, 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(29)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Countdown ... 2

#unscented #clean #bored #apatic #selfinflictedanosmia

#RawHoggin How good this brush could be, is something that will be discovered in the coming months. It has been improving day by day, and the best is yet to come. I will continue using it interspersing it with the rest of the brushes and documenting the improvements.

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

I rushed through the shave and paid the price with a cut on the nose flap, happily on a spot where there isn't hair and I don't need to shave so it won't interfere in future shaves. I failed to make a piercing.

In my rush, I don't use my glasses to write this so you can expect some threats on the thread, just like yesterday, please treat me with love.

I have forgotten my #sidetracked section u/Teufelskraft, two bands that I have been following lately, that bring freshness, Sleaford Mods and Amy and The Sniffers, two different continents, two visions not too far away on the concept but musically disparate.

Sleaford Mods with Amy Taylor - Nudge it

Bonus tracks...

Amyl and the Sniffers - Hertz Sleaford Mods - Moptop

On a side note, I'm enjoying so much Sleaford's British accent.

Aug. 30, 2022 ~ Austere August

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(30)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Countdown ... 1

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

#RawHoggin

Let's a closer look at the bristles,

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

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

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

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

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

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

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

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

Aug. 31, 2022 \~ Austere August \~ The End

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM SS PTFE(31)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol-Free)

Countdown ... 0

#unscented I beat you!

Interesting numbers on Soap & Aftershave uses:

...	Soap Used	AS Used
Max	11.65	8.75
Min	1.36	0.01
Median	2.87	2.81

Three days mindless wasting day 23 body shaving 10.57gr, day 30 attention seeking clown around (I learnt the lesson) and today shave I have used the rest of the soap showering (clever option). On day 13 I used 8.75gr of Aftershave that day I rushed through the save and probably applied several times the aftershave, on day 27 I forget to use aftershave who knows why, it could be because the dogs wanted to go for a walk.

Chart of Soap and aftershave uses, on the trendline soap has an ascendant tendency while aftershave has a horizontal line, it had a constant use. The remaining aftershave (and I will buy a replacement) will be used with soaps for which I don't have a non-alcoholic after.

#RawHoggin

The brush becomes totally unscented in the third week and reaches an acceptable smoothness throughout the second week. But there're still some bristles that need more time to finish breaking because when splaying the brush for face lathering they continue to prick a little.

31 days video of the hog front view and top view

PigEvolution 1 2

#GEMsOfWisdom

The MMOC has been revealed as an outstanding machine easy to use and effective, the PTFE blade is awesome I never thought using a blade past seven shaves, 31 is mindblowing. It began to be somewhat dull around the third week, but it continued to give irritation-free and smooth shaves with the help of some buffing.

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft finishing with one of my favourite singers Mark Lanegan - Don't forget me bonus track Mark Lanegan - I Am The Wolf and Mark Lanegan & Maggie Björklund performing Alice in Chains' Nutshell