u/mitosismonkey's SOTDs for challenge 'GEMsOfWisdom 2022'

Aug 01, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (1)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

First time participating in AA and I’m looking forward to it! I wanted to try it last year, but I was in peak software collecting mode and couldn’t bear to commit to one scent. Now I’m older and wiser and also in the middle of a giant move, so only having one set unpacked works great! I also love the idea of getting to know the products I use a little better throughout the month.

The Software: I chose this soap because I want it gone. Smells nice, bad vibes in the den, have way too many soaps that I love more. Viticulture is a great scent that goes well with P&C. Macduffs makes a great splash, but this is one I am okay putting a dent in (or even killing).

The Hardware: I have a few GEMs that I have picked up at antique stores, but never managed to find a MMOC. u/OnionMiasma was kind enough to host a PIF that allowed me to obtain this beautiful 1st gen MMOC (along with a brand new Personna GEM stainless blade), and I have been eager to use it ever since.

The Shave: Okay. I was nervous. Out of the GEMs I have tried before, a couple of them were too aggressive for me, and to find out that the MMOC is reportedly even more so made me question my sanity in trying this challenge.

After lathering for longer than unusual in hopes that I would somehow level up the slickness for the best hope of not stopping by the ER this morning, I began to gingerly butter the toast.

Honestly? It was great. I’m not sure if I was expecting tye MMOC to come alive and start eating me, but I realized quickly that having 911 on speed dial likely wasn’t necessary. Definitely the most blade feel I have ever felt, but very smooth and more forgiving than I was expecting. Definitely deserves respect and will take a while to dial it in well, however. Plus, I have to prepare for the blade to dull and make things extra interesting. It’s only day one, I’m not sure I’m safe yet.

Really excited to be a part of this challenge!

u/EldrormR u/Semaj3000

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 02, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (2)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Quick 2 pass shave today as I’m heading out for errands. MMOC was a little finicky today and will still take some getting used to. Otherwise a good shave and I’m feeling fresh for the day. Forgot to take a pic as well but I’ll try to add one later.

EDIT: pic since I knew I wouldn’t actually do it later

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug 03, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (3)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Birthday shave! 28 years old today, officially in my late twenties…gross. Had a nice shave with the MMOC, I think it is getting smoother. I do love the audio feedback from this razor, makes me want toast. Smelling good and heading out for a fun day of food and more antique stores. Cheers!

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 04, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (4)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Quick 2 pass shave today but a good one. MMOC even better today, getting smoother. It’s a hot one in VA today so spending most of the day inside.

EDIT. Crap, forgot the tag.

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 05, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (5)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Well it got too damn hot so I shaved my cheeks, now just have a stylish goatee. Upsides are it’s cooler (temperature-wise at least) and more area to shave (not just my neck). The MMOC demolished the beard with ease, a vintage weed whacker of sorts. It was a great shave and I’m looking forward to having even more surface area to dial the MMOC in.

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 06, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (6)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Great shave today, really loving the extra shaving I get to do now since downsizing my facial hair. This MMOC is really growing on me and I feel like I’m starting to understand it.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug 07, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (7)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Shaved this morning, forgot to post. Had a nice shave on a lazy Sunday. Really starting to love this razor.

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 08, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (8)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Great shave again today, solid 2 passes as usual. I feel like I’m starting to get into the rhythm of this shave and it’s nice.

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 09, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (9)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

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

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 10, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (10)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Excellent shave! I can officially say I love the MMOC now. It will be very strange to go back to DE’s and other SE’s after this month. Heading up to hopefully get the keys to our new house and meet the landlord in person today, very excited!

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug 11, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (11)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

I’m officially in love with this razor. It is hitting the perfect balance of smooth and efficient. I’m sure as the blade dulls, I will feel less enamored with it, but for now I’m thrilled. Getting slightly tired of the same aftershave every day (not the soap, interestingly), but still enjoying it overall.

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 12, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (12)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Great shave today, still loving this setup.

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 13, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (13)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Amazing morning shave today! Not much to say other than still enjoying this shave setup a lot. Heading out to the farmers market this morning smelling great.

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 14, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (14)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

It’s move-in day! Renting the uhaul in about an hour to start the process of moving our stuff from a storage unit to the house. Gonna be a busy day but I’m excited! Has a great shave and am feeling and smelling great for the big day.

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 15, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (15)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Great 2 pass shave today per usual these days. Running around like a headless chicken so not much to say. Excited to design my new shave den in the new house.

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 16, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (16)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Busy day. Bought a couch. Finished moving in. Forgot to post when I shaved earlier. Too much wine. Posting now. Nice shave.

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 17, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (17)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Finished moving into the house today, feels great. Got a free cabinet that will be perfect for shaving gear and such. Looking forward to unpacking my den and setting everything up.

Had a great shave again today, pretty similar to the last few shaves. I think I feel the blade dulling a little but still mows down the daily growth with ease.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug 18, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (18)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Okay so now that I can start to see the bottom of the tub, I’m eager to be done with it. The passes continue to be great with the MMOC, though it’s dragging a touch more now. I think I’ll make it to the end just fine.

#GEMsOfWisdom

SOTD Aug 19, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (19)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

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

Long but great day. Nice evening shave to end the day.

#GEMsOfWisdom