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

August 1, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B07-EURO / E aka B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (1)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Two-pass shave per the requirements of the challenges. (Also, my normal shave is a two-pass shave— WTG, XTG.)

I’ve owned two Semogues very briefly in the past, but have never stuck to a boar brush past the break-in period. I’ve been wanting to for a while, so hopefully this one will work out. The first shave was good— it ate a lot of the lather, but it was softer out of the box than any boar I’ve used— even more than the Semogues I’ve tried to break in.

I shave in the shower. I soaked the brush for a few minutes while showering, loaded wet so I didn’t have to face lather as long (although that wasn’t necessary), shaved, rinsed, and shook a few times to dry.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

/u/EldrormR

/u/Semaj3000

August 2, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B07-EURO / E aka B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (2)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

This razor belonged to my great-grandfather, William Watson. My dad gave it to me a few years back since he knew I used old razors (I typically shave with old Gillettes). I’ve used it before, but don’t routinely keep SE blades, so I haven’t used it in a few years. It is a very easy, not terribly aggressive razor, though. I typically keep the same hardware in rotation from day to day, so shaving with this for 31 days will be pretty par-for-the-course. We’ll see about the blade… The CVS one lasting 17 days has me hopeful.

The brush seemed to eat more lather today. I think I over-watered it. The second pass was more of a slick film than a real lather. Fortunately, the shower is a very forgiving place to shave in terms of moisture.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 3, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (3)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

This is a good soap, but not one of my favorites, so I’ll see how far I get in a tub kill during AA. It has a very inoffensive scent that’s good for spring and summer which is why I picked it for a month. The brush ate less of it today, but I still had to go back to the puck before the second pass.

I’ll update my brush album soon but I haven’t had a chance to yet.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 4, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (4)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

I prepped for Austere August by using a CVS “Blade” single edge blade– purportedly a GEM carbon steel. I used it for 17 shaves with no problems, so hopefully this blade will do as well. I’ve been flipping the blade every other shave to “face strop” it, which seems to be enough, but I may lay off and see if it’s still okay. I’m too much of a wimp to palm strop the blade.

On a hunch, I didn’t add as much water today, and I had a better shave. I had enough lather from the initial load to get through two passes (although not much left in the second pass). The brush is very soft at this point, but is still not producing as much lather as I’d like.

My theory I tested was this: I am used to synthetics (I have no badgers and previously had no boars that I kept). I can add as much water as I want to a synthetic and it will go right into the lather. With this boar, I have been soaking it prior to shaving and my suspicion is that the lather was absorbing water from the boar bristles between my two passes. So a very well-hyrdated first pass led to a very runny, watery second pass.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 5, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (5)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Today’s my wife’s birthday. I’d usually use her favorite smells (B&M Reserve Cool, Aqua Velva 5-in-1 balm) but, here we are in August. Maybe I’ll use those next year…

Another really good shave, lather-wise. I’ll update brush pics when I have a chance.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 6, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (6)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Another good shave today. I’m able to get more water into the lather now without it all disappearing. The brush is still not as easy to use as my synthetics, but I’m optimistic, given I’ve only used it 6 times. It’s very soft, and I think it still has many more tips to split, too.

The razor/blade are doing great.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 7, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (7)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

This shave was a bit weak, lather-wise, on the second pass. I think I just need to load more soap. It’ll break in at some point and I hopefully won’t have to load as much. I’m just thankful that it is soft and not stinky in the meantime.

GEM’s doing great.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 8, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (8)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

I guess I’ll post in the newbie questions, since I’m a boar newbie: I can’t for the life of me get much lather for the second pass unless I squeeze out the brush after the first. Is this normal for boar? Is it just because I only have 8 uses on it? I can load load load, and the first pass is great, but the brush just doesn’t retain much soap going into a second pass. My 22mm synthetic does better.

Back to work today. I teach community college, and my summer break is at an end. Students come back on 8/15.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

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

August 10, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (10)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Great shave today— I think I’ve finally gotten the hang of this brush. Now some of the hairs are snapping, though. Maybe I’m going too hard on them? Three hairs broke about half way. The brush has hardly lost any hair until now, so I won’t worry unless it seems to be a trend.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 11, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (11)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Good shave. Tried to load less vigorously to avoid broken bristles. But now, I have what maybe looks like mold? Or something from the hair splitting?

Album here

These are two different bristles. Is this just a natural byproduct of the tips splitting? It’s on another (clipped) tip that looks like it might split soon, too. It appears to be at the base of where the hair will split

/u/EldrormR and /u/USS-SpongeBob any insight? The brush is drying completely every day, and the tips are getting mashed around in soap daily, too, so hopefully it’s not mold?

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 12, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (12)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Another great shave. I’ve figured this brush out. Load a little more, add less water (or no water, as tonight) and that’s it.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 13, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (13)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Another great shave. I added a bit more water and the brush didn’t suck up the lather, so that’s nice. I’ve definitely gotten the hang of it, and the brush is definitely broken in (even if it’s not fully broken in).

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 14, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (14)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

This pic taken at a friend’s house. I took my kids (6 and 4) for their first sleepover away from home with his two boys (5 and 5). They had a blast. There’s nothing like a good sleepover when you’re a kid.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 21, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (21)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

I flipped the blade and watched my technique, and this was much better than yesterday’s.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 15, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (15)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Great shave. I can’t tell a daily difference in the brush any more (and haven’t for a few days).

Hopefully someone will pick Bon Jovi for the sidetracked challenge today.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 16, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (16)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Brush was great, as usual. I flipped the blade to face strop, and it was a little rough. I will probably leave it as-is for the rest of the shave and only flip it again if I think it really needs to be flipped.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 17, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (17)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

This was a good shave. The blade was less harsh than yesterday, when I flipped it.

The brush is basically effortless at this point. I’ve been loading wetter, and have to add very little water while face lathering. It’s a comfortable brush, and probably faster than my synthetics at building a lather now.

I’m interested to compare to my synthetics once this month is over. I was thinking I’d still prefer the synthetics, but I’m not sure now.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 18, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (18)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Got a little ‘eavy ‘anded with the razor this time. No blood, but my face was a bit sensitive after. Otherwise, things are going well. The blade is still fine, the razor is second nature, and the brush is doing great. I'll update brush pics this afternoon.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 19, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (19)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Until this shave, I’d have said that I prefer my synthetics, still. This was a good shave, though. Tons of very well-hydrated lather after a regular (not heavy) load and not too long lathering on the face to get it perfect. I’ll have to do some detailed comparisons after this month, but I’ll say this brush is busting some preconceptions I had.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 20, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (20)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

The brush is still doing great. The blade has lost a bit of edge, though, so I find my technique is heavier and my face is more sensitive after. I’ll flip the blade before tomorrow and try to have a lighter touch. Brush pic incoming soon.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 22, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (22)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Another great shave. I added a pic of the top of the brush today, too.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 23, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (23)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Another good shave! I’m looking forward to the month being done, but I’m happy with the equipment I chose for the month. I’ll probably use the GEM next year, too. The blade has held up reasonably well, and I haven’t had any perception of the “ultra nightmare” of “ultra-nightmare mode”.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 24, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (24)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Another good shave. After three weeks of using this setup, I didn’t expect the boredom to hit so quickly. I’m ready for the month to be done, though. Especially to try my new stuff and do a synth comparison with this boar brush.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 25, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (25)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Another good shave. This brush works best when left wetter before the load and then with a slightly longer load than I habitually do. It really is perfect if loaded correctly though.

The handle appears to have tiny cracks all along the black cap that holds the knot. Any other Zenith plastic-users have this? I’ll just replace the handle if it breaks, I suppose– I’ve never set a knot in a handle and this could be my excuse.

That said, anyone know of good inexpensive wood handles? I’ll get resin if needed, but I like the look of wood.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 26, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (26)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

I’m ready for it to be done! It was a good shave, though. See you all tomorrow– brush pics coming this afternoon.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 27, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (27)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Didn’t soak the brush this time— just got it wet and let it sit for a few minutes. Great shave, lots of lather, blade’s still good— nothing else to say.

Brush pic up in a little bit.

Why say lot word when few word do trick.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 28, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (28)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

Well the soap lasted the whole month. The middle is becoming translucent, so I know there’s not too much left. I’ll probably shove it for a while instead of trying to finish it off.

As usual, I’ll get a brush pic posted when I can.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 29, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (29)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

I did one final blade flip after the first pass, and this blade is still going strong. I’m switching back to DEs after this month, but I may try to see how long I can keep each of those blades going– maybe I can use a blade a month. That would mean that, without a shadow of a doubt, wetshaving does, in fact, save money^on^blades.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 30, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (30)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

One more day everyone! Hope you have a good last AA shave.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

August 31, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (31)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm’

The last shave of the month was a good one. I’ve toyed with the idea of keeping the blade around for next year, but I don’t think I will.

The Micromatic was a great razor to do this month with. Mine wasn’t to harsh to use daily, and the blade has held up super well, with only a few shaves that were less than perfectly comfortable (and those earlier in the month).

The brush has been very nice, as well. It started off okay, and got to be great by (at the latest) shave 15. I’ll be using synthetics for a while just for a change, but I’ve been very happy with it, for sure.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom