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. 11, 2022 - Austere August 11- Raw Gems of Hoggin Wisdom

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Semogue 610 Boar
• Razor: OCMM Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap

• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Zingari Man Cooling Recovery Splash

#GEMsofWisdom WTG/XTG/Cleanup. Day 11 on this blade and I am buttery smooth and there was zero feedback from the splash (and we know Stirling splashes aren't exactly light on the alcohol).

#RawHoggin The 6-year-old on steroids of a brush I'm breaking in is trying to become the Incredible Hulk. It now takes a 15 second load to get all that I need for my shave. This is the second Semogue I've added to my den in the last year and I think Semogue is my jam. See SOTD pic for brush progress.

#Sidetracked u/Teufelskraft hates metal with -core in it. He's made that pretty clear. No hardcore, no metalcore, no mathcore, no emocore, no corecore or whatever. So today's offering is -core-free. Duel from Austin, Texas is carrying the trad rock flag in fine fashion. This is music made by men flaunting their hairy chests in their leather vests. This is music made by men who would scoff at those of us shaving every day and piss on men who are shaving more than their faces and heads. This is music meant to be listened to while swilling cheap beer like Busch Light from 30 racks. This is music that sounds good with the windows down in the car and the speakers at top volume (with a road soda between your legs). You like riffs? Duel's got 'em. Like hooky songs? Duel's got them too. Duel's 2021 album, In Carne Persona, had all of them in spades and this is one of my favorite tracks from that album- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3G6QVXGQNg

Have a great day all!

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

Aug 11, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 11

• Prep: Warm Water Wash
• Prep: Klar - Activated Charcoal - Face Soap
• Brush: Zenith Cobalt Blue 28mm Boar Knot (505BC SE)
• Razor: GEM Open Comb Micromatic (2nd Gen.)
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (11)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Ombré Leather - Eau de Parfum

Still hanging in there with this blade. Hopefully it still has enough life in it to make it to the end of the month because these past few shaves have been neither close nor comfortable.

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Rating: 2.5/5

August 11, 2022

• Brush: Zenith 506U XSE
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM SS PTFE (45)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger
• Post Shave: Olay Complete
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - unscented skin salve

Another nice shave. I am one third through the month and awhile I am enjoying my stuff, I am starting to get the itch for a different soap and razor. The brush is something I could keep using indefinitely.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury Pt. 11

• Prep: Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap
• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (11)
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation)
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE (80)
• Soaking Mug: Seaforth! - Scotch Heather - shaving mug
• Bath Soap: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - bath soap
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Ice Lime - Soap
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette

So, today is a bit weird. My next job starts on Sep 1, and I just finished the last things I had to do for my old job. I'm officially a free man without a emailbox accumulating new shit waiting for me when I come back from vacation. It's a clean slate, and it feels weird because I haven't had that since graduation one and a half decades ago.

Shout-out to u/gfdoto who's continuing our toy themed SOTD picture back-and-forth!

I sometimes forget about the pig smell of my #RawHoggin brush, that's how much it has diminished. I think it's just pure enjoyment from here on out.

#GEMsOfWisdom: This blade is now officially an octogenarian, but doesn't tug a day over 60 😂

Aug. 11, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse

• Prep: Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

Starting to feel a bit of tugging when I neglect to pay attention to the angle of the razor head, but nothing too bad as of yet. The brush is continuing to open up nicely as the shaves continue. I’m not actively doing anything extra before or after I shave, but I’m also not being gentle with it during the shave. It’s been a neat process to take part in and not skip around on. Got hit with a respectable 15 sprays today and I’m ready to get this day over with.

SubstantialStag

GEMsOfWisdom

RawHoggin

Aug. 11, 2022 - eleven

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Omega Pro 48 Boar brush 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave

Eleven shaves. So far so good. Nothing to complain about yet...

I must admit that it is getting a little boring. Soon the fun will begin. I have been eating as much as possible to get my belly conditioned for stropping because palm stropping is for wimps.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#MammothMafia

Aug. 11, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: AP Shave Co 24MM SYNBAD
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE (11)

• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Bare Siero - Soap

• Post Shave: Thayers - Unscented - Toner

2 pass shave with a 30 second load.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

A Mammoth Micromatic Raw Hoggin’ August

Brush Progress

• Brush: Zenith B26 #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (11)
• Lather: House if Mammoth - Hygge in Tusk
• Post Shave: Hygge Splash & Balm
• Fragrance: Hygge EDP #MammothMafia

Brush in a great spot, doing it’s job and softened to the point of happiness.

Today I focused on getting through the shave with good technique and knocking down hair whoever it was left over (carefully). The blade may have turned a bit of a corner, and with focus I was able to mow everything down for a 98% BBS except trouble areas on the neck. It’s possible this outcome is as good as my first few shaves. And I think the level of burn on splash application is the same as it has been. So all around I’m happy with it!

Day 1 Prep Video

RawHoggin Unboxing Pics

MammothMafia

August 11, 2022: Once Upon a Stag

• Prep: warm splash of water
• Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia Tuxedo 24 mm
• Razor: GEM OCMM (gen 2)
• Blade: GEM Stainless (12)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

Took some rest, drank a bunch of OJ, and sat in bed like a potato, but now I'm feeling better.

I hope you all have fantastic days!

Day 11, 2 spritzes

. #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 11, 2022 - Austere August Day 11

• Prep: House of Mammoth Almond Leather Bath Soap
• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Mire 26mm Zenith Unbleached Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

🐗Raw Hoggin' Progress🤮:
•Unused
•Shave 1 through 7
•Shave 8
•Shave 9
•Shave 10
•Shave 11

Thoughts for the day:
After seeing Fearless Leader (u/Semaj3000) complain about the state of his PTFE, I felt deeply concerned. Not only because it's increasingly likely he will "semaj" himself, but I also felt bad thinking of how wirey and manly his beard must be with that overly sensitive skin...

Me? I haven't even flipped this blade. Still glass smooth, and finally not smelling like pig ass. The knot is softer than I would have ever expected and I think the steady diet of Tusk is helping that. This is officially my favorite boar now. That said, I don't want another unbleached knot any time soon... Imma need some time to mentally recover from this one.

Will the 31mm green soap slayer unseat this brush? Only time will tell...

Mandatory Taggage:

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Austere August Day 11

Brush: Rubberset 400-3 w/ Unbleached Zenith 24mm knot set to a 56mm loft 11th use

Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2

Blade: PTFE (11)

Lather: NO Monoi de Tahiti

Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash

More of the same loveliness. The software scent continues to be pleasant and the boar stink continues to dwindle to almost unnoticeable levels. The blade is hanging in there and hasn't started gettting tuggy yet. 18 shave seems to be where I notice a change in blade sharpness. We'll see how far this one goes.

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

August 11 2022

• Brush: Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (14)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo splash
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo balm
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Hygge

Three more passes in the books, autopilot fully engaged. I probably could have stopped buying soap after getting this Mood Indigo set, I really don’t think I could get tired of it, but we all know I didn’t do that.

#MammothMafia

#GEMSofWisdom

Aug. 11, 2022

• Prep: Exercise and shower
• Brush: Semogue 1438
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM blue star (11)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Soap

• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Aftershave

Good shave today. Flipped my blade back to the normal side and it worked the way it had been. The brush is comfortable now I do not believe that it is fully broken in or even close but it does what it needs to. Looks like rain is coming in which is fine I finished picking up bales yesterday now we are patiently waiting for harvest. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

https://i.imgur.com/N43jUMW.jpg

Aug. 11, 2022

• Brush: Grey Chubby - Zenith B37
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (11)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave

For all the shit I talk about face-lathering, you can't say I'm not giving it a fair shot. Every day, I think, "Is this it? Is this the day I come around and say that face-lathering isn't the atrocious bullshit it proves itself to be, time and time again?" and every day I think, "This is the worst fucking way to shave! Awful!"

The face-lathering-hate is mostly a joke (except it does really suck, like wow, it's terrible), but I'm guilty of thinking that way much more seriously of certain other things. For example, Microsoft Excel is the worst fucking software to deal with data (seriously, it is the wrong software for at least 98% of what it's used for, and VBA is crap, but on the other hand M in Power Query is surprisingly handy). I also tend to have a glint of the same feeling whenever I'm typing text with anything that's not vim or at least vim-like. I'm typing this out in reddit's text-entry box, and sure, I could do it with vim and then copy it over, but.... Actually, there's no real reason I'm not doing exactly that...

#GEMsOfWisdom
#RawHoggin
#unscented
#MammothMafia

Aug. 11, 2022 - The Hog is raw no longer - Austere August Day 11

• Brush: RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar
• Razor: GEM OCMM (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Zingari - Rescue Potion - Serum
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

Boredom is setting in, but imma keep on chugging along. Knighthood or death!

#RawHoggin

I think the stink is finally gone. The only stink left is that of the glorious Stag. I normally just paint the lather on for my second or third passes, but today I opted to do some scrubbing motions to really test the softness of the knot. I am pleasantly surprised with the progress. This is probably the softest boar knot I've ever experienced. Good stuff.

#GEMsofWisdom

So I went with the palm strop technique before my shave and can't say it made a damn bit of difference compared to yesterday. I'm just gonna let it ride from here on out. I'm finding that like many other things, if I think about how I'm doing something while I'm doing it leads to errors or results that aren't as good. I'm much better if I just let it flow and shave by feel. When I think about how I'm holding the razor or tinkering with angles and such I usually end up with some missed stubble or lingering irritation.

Brush album

Stag sprays

Aug 11, 2021 – Austere August. Day 11.

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
• Music: Hanson - Ain't No Sunshine

Great shave today. Seriously 10 out of 10… Well maybe 6.8 out of 10 since the unscented path is still part of my life, but other than that, everything was great. Shaving without a scent kills me a little bit every day, but this is the path I chose to go down.

The good news is, I got a nice, smooth shave out of the MMOC and dare I say this new boar brush has officially broken in? I didn’t smell any farm animal stank today and I created a nice lather with enough on the brush for both (WTG & ATG) passes. I’m really, really happy with how this brush has grown on me from day 1 and weirdly excited to see how it progresses.

Today’s #sidetracked music selection, I have the Band, Hanson, covering Bill Withers' “Ain’t No Sunshine”. Yes, that Hanson. Unfortunately for the Hanson boys, the world will forever remember them as the kids that sang “MMMBop”, which has undeniably become an absolute joke of a song. Not without good reason. MMMBop is an annoying, catchy pop song, then add in the ridiculous video of 3 boys with long, blonde hair playing rollerblading around and playing their instruments. Cringe-city. Especially watching it now, as an adult. However, today, I’m here to say that we, as a society, did Hanson wrong. MMMBop came out in 1997, among a slew of boy bands that were insanely popular that year, Hanson was the goofiest. NSYNC and The Backstreet Boys were the sexy ones that could dance, 98 Degrees were the sexy ones that could sing, and Hanson were the goofy little kids that gave off a weird 1990s Partridge Family vibe. But these dudes were actually good musicians. They wrote their own music, played their own instruments, and sang their own songs – and were damn good at it! But they were victims of their own success. MMMBop made them loved, and quickly hated. The song was overplayed and annoying and we got sick of them and made them the punchlines to many jokes.

But, today, I urge you to give this song a listen. They are good. And while MMMBop may not have been for everyone (or ANYONE), they have put out some decent music that never stood a chance because they were always gonna be the little boys with long hair that sang MMMBop.

Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug 11, 2022 Trickhole Stag + MMOC + RawHog - Old House Cleaning Edition

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Dogwood Unbleached Boar
• Razor: MMOC MM24
• Blade: GEM (12)
• Lather: Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag
• Post Shave:Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag Balm
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag

Stagging it up 2x

#GEMsOfWisdom

Cheers

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

August 11, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (11)
• 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) - Brush History
• Fragrance Video
• Blade Edge (before use) - Edge Histiory
• Blade Orientation (black dots - odd days, red dots - even days)

After years of shaving mindlessly, I knew it would be pretty easy just to go on autopilot for 31 days. However, I've enjoyed this experience far more than I expected; at least for the first third of the month. For me, Midnight Stag has not become old, and the soap base is very easy for me to control. (My Stag trifecta is brand new.)

The brush has been the biggest surprise. It was comfortable enough on day one that I could splay it and build a lather and it could paint lather without feeling like a paint brush made of needles. Today, it is just good. It has its own personality, and I like that a lot.

I've mentioned before that the MMOC has never been a problem for me. I like mine (I have two) much better than my Flying Wing.

Today's blade edge photo shows more of the variation I've noticed at the edge. It is definitely becoming less of a straight line, and more toothy. This is what I expect since I'm flipping the blade each day; giving each side the same wear characteristics, presumably. I was aware of a very slight amount of tugging today. But very slight and only on parts of the pattern that have an ATG component.

Aug. 11, 2022 - AA - Day 11

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - Short & Scrubby
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Blade (11)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Ferox - Soap
• After Shave: Fine Accoutrements - L'Orange Noir - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave

2 pass face shave and surprised the blade is still doing well. Brush is breaking nicely but keeps eating lather. I guess that is how boar brush are. Slight burns when applying aftershave but cooled down with the balm.

Tags: #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

August 11th, 2022 - Mammoth Hoggin Raw GEMs of Wisdom

• Prep: Warm water

• Brush: Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!”

• Razor: GEM (is truly outrageous) MMOC Gen 2

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (undieci)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Splash

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

#MammothMafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Before and After

The hog is getting easier to splay and is loading up lather quicker today. Took about 15 seconds of swirling the brush to pick up the lather I smeared in the bowl. First pass lather was about the best I’ve made this month. Second pass wasn’t as billowy, but was very slick.

The GEM is staying in the zone with about the same amount of feedback and no irritation. It has been about a week since I got a nick or weeper. I might have gone a bit too light on the pass, not as close of a shave today.

Not doing the sidetracked challenge, but in honor of the Tusk base, today I played Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk”. Not going to watch the Kevin Smith film “Tusk”. Don’t want to watch a crazy man try to surgical change someone into a walrus.

Edited to put in the link to the SOTD picture.

Aug. 11, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM (11)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap

• Post Shave: Porter's Lotion, WSP - Neroli - Cooling Aftershave Balm

• Fragrance: Cognoscenti - No. 19 Warm Carrot

• Passes: WTG, XTG

• Coffee: Peru, Inkawasi, La Convencion - v: Bourbon, Typica, Caturra - p: Washed
• Music: UGK - Ridin' Dirty
• August 2022 SOTD Photo Album

#GEMsOfWisdom / #RawHoggin

Date	Soap Before (g)	Soap After (g)	Usage (g)	Loading
8/1	235.5	232.5	3
8/2	232.5	228.0	4.5
8/3	228.0	227.0	1
8/4	227.0	223.3	3.7
8/5	223.3	220.3	3	40 seconds
8/6	220.3	218.8	1.5	30 seconds
8/7	218.8	217.9	0.9	40 swirls
8/8	217.9	216.5	1.4	40 swirls
8/9	216.5	215.9	0.6	40 swirls
8/10	215.9	215.6	0.3	50 swirls
8/11	215.6	213.9	1.7	60 swirls

I upped the load to 60 swirls of soap, with a damp brush (instead of fully squeezed out). The results continue to be confusingly variable, which tells me u/gfdoto has a point, and I'll need to weigh the puck at the same time of day to account for water loss. Starting tomorrow, I'll start weighing the puck right before I shave. Or should I weigh it right after I shave? Sigh.

On the #RawHoggin front, this Zenith knot is starting to give a little and feather at the edges. I'm starting to comfortably "splay" the brush on my cheeks and neck, though it doesn't really compress in that way, but it's also no longer straight-up uncomfortable to do so. We're approaching comfortable scrub. Also, it looks better and better by the day.

Wait...it's only August 11th?

⁂

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

I don't listen to much rap. I didn't grow up with it playing around the house and failed to keep up with many of the developments in the genre over the last twenty years. I need to make a more concerted effort to explore and appreciate it. Nevertheless, I have some favorites, including UGK's "One Day."

While 2007's Underground Kingz really hit me at the right time, 1996's Ridin’ Dirty was Pimp C and Bun B's earlier triumph—an often soulful, funky, distinctly Southern meditation on resiliency. “As far as Pimp and I are concerned, it’s the first real UGK album.” And nowhere is that musical growth and theme as obvious as in the opening track. "One Day" is a reaction to two days in jail and the tragic death of a hypeman's son (and three other children) in a house fire, lamenting life's struggles, fragility, and chaos. "One day you're here, baby / and then you're gone." Pimp and Bun both flow languidly over a rich, head-nodding melody, the refrain balancing exasperated desperation and weary acceptance.

Ridin' Dirty is terrific all the way through, but it's hard to top that first track.

YouTube: UGK - "One Day"

August 11th

• Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm
• Razor: GEM - MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (11)
• Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Edp video

32c here in Devon and boy does Stag play to the heat, touch wood it wears off before the wife gets home. The whole of August has been mad so far so hardly put much effort into AA, hopefully I can play catch up a little next week.

Aug. 11, 2022 - AA Day 11

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B34
• Razor: MMOC (Gen 2)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

Shave today was as solid as could be. I was up early again because my daughter has just decided that sleep is for the birds and she wants to be awake. All the freaking time. Sometimes I see these memes and videos about "just a reminder that you're living the life younger you dreamed of, so make it count" and I get that, I really do like my life and I'm grateful for it, but, parents, let's be honest - we could do without the sleeplessness and just enjoy the rest. But I digress.

The Zenith continues to work beautifully and it seems like it's splitting more day by day. Soft lather, whipped up real well today. One big think I've learned in using this brush is that adding water to the soap isn't as finicky as I'd thought. Since I'm tub loading, I tend to have too much soap in it and the first bit is almost always too thick. Early in the month I was trying to gently add a few drops of water but no more - now I just dunk the first 1/2 inch of the tips or so in the sink and work it right in - works like a dream. If I need more, I might paint it on or just dunk 'em again and keep going. That's how we ended up with a great lather today, anyway.

MMOC was smooth and efficient for today's 2 pass (With and Against). I was a bit short on time so I didn't get to do the full 3, but it was still a darn fine shave. I realized this morning that I've really come to like this razor and I'm going to need to grab some more blades for it to work it into my regular rotation. This is the beauty of AA - equipment that you thought might suck becomes stuff you learn how to use and enjoy.

Sonder was, as always, excellent. As I got out of the shower today my shelf did catch my eye and there's some gear on there I'm looking forward to using in September. I'm loving Sonder and the cooling effect, but on these hot humid days I just want to bust out some SBS Cannonball! for a full cool down. In due time.

Sonder thought of the day: Even though you can recognize the reality of Sonder - that everyone you interact with is living a life that's as vivid and complex as your own - there are still going to be people and situations that catch you totally off guard. I'm dealing with a real complex situation at work that affects so many people and is just, really not great. My boss' former best friend turned out to be someone that nobody thought he was. Knowing people is such a hard thing to really do. I'm sure there are parts of each of our lives that nobody knows about. Hopefully they're not like that (and if they are, well, stop and turn yourself in), but situations like this make you wonder how deeply you can really know people. It's startling when you realize that a person you thought you knew and thought you wanted to be like was living a total double life and may actually be some sort of socio- or psycho-path - devoid of any kind of social or mental regulations, mimicking what it's like to feel emotion while using his position of power to prey on others.

Anyway - What's my takeaway here - I guess it's just be careful. As we have worked with a training organization to make sure we do everything we can to prevent something like this from happening where I work the main trainer has said that we have to be "appropriately vigilant" to prevent keep kids safe. So - do what you can to keep your kids and others' kids safe. Be vigilant. And when or if you see something that's alarming - say something. There's not always an opportunity to see something, but sometimes there is. And when you do, do something about it. It takes a community to keep a community safe.

Hope you have a good one.

#mammothmafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Edit: removed the sensitive parts of the post and replaced it with "dealing with a complex situation." I feel better about that.

Aug. 11, 2022 - Elevensies

• Prep: Warm shower w/ B&M Diamond Bath Bar
• Brush: Copper Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Soap

• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave

#RawHoggin

Decent lather today, a bit sick so out of things this morning meant I only soaked for 1-2 minutes, but brush still treated my face just fine.

#GEMsOfWisdom

In a bit of a hurry I tried a technique that I saw someone had accidentally pioneered utilizing a two pass WTG to ATG, it was fine but I am already feeling my stubble in the afternoon and my problem areas near my chin all day.

20220811 - Austere August Day 11

Brush: Omega 011842

Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb

Blade: GEM PTFE

Lather: Stirling - Sheep

Post: Stirling - Coniferous toner

Post: DR Harris - Windsor aftershave milk

#GEMSOFWISDOM

Surprisingly my face has finally smoothed out this blade, shaving feels more comfortable but seriously lacking in effectiveness.

Aug 11, 2022 - Getting Sidetracked while searching for the Wisdom of a Mammoth

• Prep: Hot shower and CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

• Brush: Maggard Green Handle 2 Band Badger 24mm

• Razor: GEM - MMOC

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (11)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder EdP

Every day tags: #MammothMafia #GEMsofWisdom

2022-08-11 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC

Prep: Warm Shower
Brush: Semogue Torga - C5
Razor: GEM MMOC version 2
Blade: GEM Stainless (11)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap
Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave
Fragrance: Issey Miyake -L'eau d'Issey pour Homme

https://imgur.com/a/WsVsFuD

The brush is awesome, maybe the best l have. The razor is still excellent and the Sonder is one of my favorites. A DFS in 2 passes.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 11, 2022 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' MMOC Ultra Nightmare Mode

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - B37 - Gray Chubby #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen2 #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (11)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave

Day 11 was the first true quick shave I’ve had with this setup. I had 30 minutes to shower, shave and get ready and knew I’d be pushing it with the brush and razor. While it wasn’t the most enjoyable shave, I managed to get right through it quickly without any cuts or nicks and ended up with a comfortable shave.

The Brush: My first high speed lather with this brush went really well. I was able to really appreciate how much this brush has broken in by doing a quick tub load and then working up a quick, fairly hydrated lather good enough for 3 passes (I only did 2). Today I also noticed that the hog stank is still present but definitely seems milder. #RawHoggin

Brush Picture Pre-shave: Side Top

Brush Picture Post-shave: Side Top

The Razor Another great shave from the GEM. I was able to quickly get through this shave with minimal effort and without blood loss. I feel confident and comfortable with this razor and am eyeing up some 3 pass shaves in the near future. Part of me wonders if it’s because the blade has slightly dulled or if I am really gaining some proficiency with this thing. Only time will tell. #GEMsOfWisdom

Days since last blood: 6

The Soap and Aftershave The soap continues to perform like a champ and I’m really appreciating the cooling with the hot and humid weather here in Turkey. I’m also still happy with the scent and am not growing tired of it yet.

Day 11 Puck Picture

Aug. 11, 2022 - Austere August Day 11

• Prep: Hot Shower, Stirling Soap Facial Soap
• Brush: Zenith 508A SE 28mm
• Razor: GEM Micromatic OC Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver

Decent shave this morning. Had to cut it to down to two passes as I was a bit rushed this morning. 20 days left…..

Mandatory Tagging:

#GEMsOfWisdom

#Rawhoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 11, 2022 - AA Day 11

• Prep: Hot water splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305
• Razor: GEM Open Comb Micromatic
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (1)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

SubstantialStag

GEMSofWisdom

Looking back on Day 11 from last year, I was in the middle of a struggle with my brush and getting any kind of a decent lather for more than one pass. Day 11 might have been a breakthrough day, if there was one to be had. Last year, I tried a lot of things and didn’t seem to get anywhere. This year is totally different.

Today is the last day of my summer. If I can make myself, I’ll look back at some more shaves for comparison in the coming days.

Sprayin’

Edit: Hashtags

August 11th, 2022

Prep: Warm water

Razor: Gem MMOC

Blade: Gem Blue Star (11)

Brush: Omega Model 13564 23mm boar

Soap: LA Shaving Soap Co. Black Void

Post: Noble Otter Bare

Comfort: 8/10

Smoothness: 9/10

5 second load.

2 pass shave XTG/ATG.

Really noticing my soap is being eaten up. Shorter shave but still good. Nearly forgot to post as I rushed out after shaving to the lake to try paddle boarding.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

RawHoggin

Aug. 11, 2022 - RawHoggin & Taming the MMOC

• Brush: Zenith B37
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: Gem PTFE (11)

• Lather: Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy

• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Stirling Blu - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

Excellent shave today. Probably the best of the month. No smooth as a baby’s bottom with no fuss from the razor. And the brush is still doing great of course. Might have ate a little less soap today, but got a great lather.

Aug. 11, 2022 - AA Day 11

• Prep: Warm shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (80)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

Nothing new to report today. Another BBS 3 pass shave with no nicks or irritation.

Hope everyone had a great Thursday!

Stag Spray 11 #GEMSofWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Aug. 11, 2022 - Day El

• Prep: Warm water wash
• Brush: Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush (now with patina concentration device)
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: Persona GEM PTFE Coated (11)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Aftershave

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Eau de Parfum

In preparation of House of Mammoth’s Voices I am drinking a Mango Sticky Rice sour beer from Crooked Run Fermentation.

Today I learned a little something about the MMOC. I took the advice about changing the angle to an extreme. I used a bigger angle away from the skin for the first pass on one side and the normal angle on the other. Then for the second pass on both sides the normal angle. The side with the initial steep angle felt much better. I will try it again tomorrow.

The brush actually does still stink, the Fú Dào just hides it. The water the brush soaks in stinks. I decided I want a cool patina for the handle. So I have a zip tie around the brush and I am going to get an O-ring to go around the center of the brush. I am hoping it will make for some good blue oxidation rings. We shall see.

Brush break-in album #rawhoggin #mammothmafia #GEMSofWisdom

Aug. 11, 2022 - AA Day 11

• Brush: ShaveForge 28mm Boar, 3d Printed Handle #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM Stainless (11)

• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Soap

• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette

A really good late night shave tonight.

I did some den cleaning earlier. All my other soaps are staring jealously at the star of the month in my SOTD pic.

2g of soap used on a 2.5 pass shave.

Brush feeling great. Still holding but broken.

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. 11, 2022

• Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (11)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

Today's shave seemed smoother than the past few. The jury is still out on the MMOC for me. Yeah, it works, but I don't think I'd reach for it frequently.

Boar Break In Album

Stag Spray

#RawHoggin

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#UNCHALLENGE