Aug 3, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 3

• 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 (3)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave

The brush is starting to splay a little easier and feels a touch softer. It was also shedding more during this shave. Hopefully, it's getting some of the courser hairs out.

I guess since the brush is changing daily, gauging the correct load times and brush wetness is still kind of a moving target. This mornings lather was on the thin side, and I had to visit the tub again for the second pass.

The MMOC will bite you if you're not paying attention. Overall, today's shave went well. I think a little less irritation, but the shave was also not as close. So, when I was quickly trying to perform some clean-up of certain areas, I ended up nicking myself because I wasn't taking in to account the entire cutting edge in relation to the curves on my neck. It was a quick, careless mistake that I'll be more careful with in the future.

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Rating: 3/5

Aug. 2, 2022 - Austere August 3rd

• Prep: Cool shower
• Brush: Semogue 610 Boar
• Razor: OCMM Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (3)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap

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

#GEMSofWisdom- 1) After three days of using it, I continue to maintain that Firefighter is an overrated scent. What the hell am I missing here? 2) Face lathering with a new boar brush sucks. I miss my bowl. But, as you can see from the SOTD pic, the brush is starting to open up. #RawHoggin 3) Today I got minimal feedback from the aftershave splash so the blade is settling into the OCMM quite nicely.

#Sidetracked u/Teufelskraft I have loved Mike Patton since he first joined Faith No More. The guy is a musical genius. While I haven't been a fan of all of his post-FNM projects (looking at you Masada), I do make sure to listen to his output at least once. One of Patton's underrated projects was the Mondo Cane album where he covered Italian pop songs from the 50s and 60s. This album is genius. But what was even cooler was that Patton then decided to perform the album throughout Europe with various national orchestras. His show with the Metropole Orchestra in the Netherlands (?) is outstanding and well worth your time. Just let it roll and enjoy the ride. I know I have many, many times. This is the setting these songs were meant to be performed in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRjKlZiGHQI&t=1256s

Have a great day all!

August 2, 2022

• Brush: Zenith 506U XSE
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM SS PTFE (36)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger
• Post Shave: Olay Complete
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - unscented skin salve

This razor is so much nicer than my Gen 1 MMOC. So easy to use and very kind to my skin. The Mutton Tallow soap is nothing short of awesome. I don’t mind that this soap is unscented. It’s so gentle.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Austere August Day 3

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

Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2

Blade: PTFE (3)

Lather: NO Monoi de Tahiti

Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash

Another good shave. The blade has smoothed out and the razor is now on complete autopilot, but the brush still has that "new unbleached boar stank. It isn't as constant as day 1, but any time the brush splays it hits me like a damn truck full of manure. It taints everything... muh face, the bathroom, hell, I'm even getting phantom whiffs of it at work hours after my shave. I was really hoping that the amount of bloom this brush is developing it would be fading faster.

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

Aug. 3, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: AP Shave Co 24MM SYNBAD
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE (3)

• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Bare Siero - Soap

• Post Shave: Thayers - Unscented - Toner

2 pass shave with a 20 second load. Quick work trip to Phoenix.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

Aug. 3, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse

• Prep: Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (3)

• 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

Quick update before I begin. My grandmother was successfully surgerized yesterday and will be discharged from the hospital either tomorrow or Friday. Hopefully Friday because she wants me to be the person to take her to the nursing home for rehab, so fingers crossed there. As for work, doc and I are both just exhausted and, after talking to him yesterday, I decided to ask administration for a raise next week or so since my work load isn’t ever gonna decrease. We’ll see how that goes.

The shave today was the best so far. The more broken in the brush has gotten, the easier it is to load enough soap and the easier it is to lather. Today was the first day I didn’t need to reload, so that was nice. The shave went swimmingly and I think I’ll need to choose a different razor next year. This just isn’t a challenge any more. It’s a great razor but this is boringly easy. Post shave was nice with the bite of the aftershave, soothing properties of the balm, and the beard oil and balm tame my mane enough to maintain some semblance of respectability. I decided in the shower that I’ll be using audience participation of a sort to decide my sprays from now on. Right before I apply EdP, I’ll check my previous day’s shave and spray the amount of upvotes I received. Seems fair, no? So without further ado, here’s 19 sprays.

SubstantialStag

GEMsOfWisdom

RawHoggin

Aug. 3, 2022 - Austere August shave three

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Omega Pro 48 Boar brush 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (3)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave

Brush still stinks but a little less each day. I can tell this will be a glorious knot once it’s well broken in. I think this knot might be easier to use than any of my higher end badger knots. Could this be? Still feels like pulling hay across my face though for the moment. I left lather in the brush to try to purge the stink a little. We will see how that goes. Hygge is still a delicious scent to me.

Today the MMOC was a cruel bitch. My face hurts. Very close shave and the second pass felt a little like skin grafts. No cuts or nicks but boy did my face burn with a hefty dose of aftershave to remove the H1N1 pig virus load from my pores, of course.

Happy Day three, and Wednesday to you!

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

August 3rd, 2022: Keep on Keepin' On

• Prep: warm shower with Stag bath bar

• Brush: Vintage Rubberset 400-3 with 24mm unbleached Zenith knot

• Razor: MMOC

• Blade: GEM PTFE (3)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post-Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

• Post-Shave: Chiseled Face - Natural - Balm

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - EdP

AA Shave Log Day 3:

• this blade is not as smooth as I thought, I rekt a pimple on my neck today

• brush feels amazing

• stag still smells good

Stag sprays of the day! (still working on camera angles 🤦‍♂️)

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin (new side challenge, tag /u/semaj3000 everyday because he likes the attention)

#UNCHALLENGE

August 3, 2022: Trifecta on the Third!

• Prep: warm splash of water
• Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia Tuxedo 24 mm
• Razor: GEM OCMM (gen 2)
• Blade: GEM Stainless (4)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

Stag, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of Stag in the morning.

Stag is a tropical scent meant to calm and relax you. Please enjoy this morning's Rose of Sharon bloom and have a wonderful day!

Single spritz for now

. #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

Aug. 3, 2022 - Raw Hoggin' the Stag - Day 3

• Brush: RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar
• Razor: GEM OCMM (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (3)
• 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
• Pomade: Nostalgic Grooming oil base - Midnight Stag

#RawHoggin

The Texas Pig Stink Massacre is not going well. I realize it's only day 3, but the vile hog stench is still very present. Even the power of the mighty Stag isn't putting a dent in it. As for the brush itself, I haven't noticed it feeling any different as of yet. I have a hunch that even though this is made by Zenith, they cheap out on the ones made for RazoRock because this guy does not seem as dense as a Zenith I had before with basically the same knot.

#GEMsofWisdom

Still cruising along with the OCMM. I think I'm getting better with it already because the first two days left me with some minor irritation that lingered for a couple hours after the shave and today....nada. Face feels great. I'm holding out hope that the blade won't deteriorate too quickly and the shaves stay comfortable for the long run. I have taken a GEM blade to around 50 shaves before, but that was with the much milder and more forgiving Bullet Tip.

Brush album

Stag spray

Aug. 3, 2022

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

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

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

Turning the corner today this was an acceptable shave. The comfort level is still lower than I hope to achieve. The brush is at least not hurting me now so that helps. The brush looks pretty much the same to me at this point. My blade still feels fairly sharp and predictable now that my pressure is more accurate life is a bit less bloody. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

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

Aug. 3, 2022 - Day three

• Prep: Warm shower w/ B&M Diamond Bath Bar
• Brush: Copper Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (3)

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

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

#RawHoggin

Taking some advice to load "like I hate it" I had enough lather to last for three passes. I think I can still do a better job of getting enough water into the first one to create a bit more volume without being sticky. I did a shower shave and short changed the soak to only about 3 minutes, but it didn't seem to make a huge difference at this point. I am very happy thus far with how the brush feels, and I am looking forward to further breaking it in

#GEMsOfWisdom

I pushed things a little further today, still operating on less than a full days stubble. I did a WTG then an ATG pass on my cheeks and jaw line. Probably a little too aggressive on my lower neck and in the concave portion of my chin and I saw a few red spots, but now feeling around I am very happy at the closeness. I have been trying to keep the head of the razor in more contact with the skin, but this is of course harder in my various problem areas.

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

Aug. 3, 2022 - AA Day 3

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1305
• Razor: GEM Open Comb Micromatic
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (3)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

SubstantialStag

GEMSofWisdom

Woke up late and heading to Cedar Point, so another hurried shave today. But a better shave than yesterday. Short, quick strokes did it for me today, as did keeping the angle from yesterday. With a lighter touch on the neck I had way less irritation afterwards and little to no burn with the aftershave.

Sprayin’ it on!

Aug. 2, 2022 - Austere August Day 3

• Prep: Hot Shower, Stirling Soap Facial Soap
• Brush: Zenith 508A SE 28mm
• Razor: GEM Micromatic OC Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (3)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver

Well Day 3 is done. Boar is working well, Zenith brushes are great and decently quick to break in. I am thinking by Day 10 we will already have a great brush that will just keep on getting better. Originally I had stated that I didn't notice much difference between Gen 1 & 2 MMOC, I would like to redact that statement as there is a noticeable difference between the two. Gen 1 is much more "bitey" and a bit harsher than the Gen 2. They are both great razors, but honestly I probably prefer the Gen 2. Let's see if the Gen 1 can change my mind this month, but that is where I am standing right now. Restore is honeyed rose and it smells good. I am hoping I can make a big dent in this tub and hopefully use it up this month, so I am currently loading it like I hate it even though I really like the scent. One thing that is quite funny; I purchased a pump top for my Restore and Stones balms, which require a different pump. Those pumps shoot that stuff out with some force! I still haven't gotten the touch down and every morning I keep falling victim to an explosion of Restore balm splatting ricochet all over me and the mirror. Great stuff that absorbs quickly and is light though. I feel like Grey Vetiver is a scent that I could never get tired of, so I am glad I picked it for AA.

Mandatory Tagging:

#GEMsOfWisdom #Rawhoggin #MammothMafia

August 3, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (3)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap
• Post Shave: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum  

2 passes. Face lather. Good shave.

• Challenges: #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag
• Brush Top (before use)
• Fragrance Video
• Blade Edge (before use)
• Blade Orientation (black dots - odd days, red dots - even days)

I like the scent of Stag. Apparently, there are people who don't! As unbelievable as this is, I wonder if the same people who don't like Stag, don't like Tabac. Not enjoying the scent of Tabac is, of course, heresy, but maybe there's a gene, or something, missing in those who are unable to appreciate these fine aromas.

Only the third use of the blade, and the edge photo does not show any appreciable wear. I've figured out a way to get more magnification out of my microscope. This modification makes it incredibly hard to get sharp focus, but I'm going to work with it.

The brush continues to do its thing. Yeah, it smells a little, but honestly, I was expecting so much worse. I had the same performance as yesterday; great lather for the first pass and, a thinner, quite usable lather for the second pass. I assume this will change as the brush breaks in, but I also don't mind going back to the puck if needed.

Aug. 3, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM (3)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap

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

• Fragrance: Acca Kappa - Black Pepper & Sandalwood

• Passes: WTG, XTG

• Coffee: Peru, Inkawasi, La Convencion - v: Bourbon, Typica, Caturra - p: Washed
• Music: Charles Mingus - Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus
• August 2022 SOTD Photo Album

Today's lather was much improved. It was richer, about at the hydration level I prefer, and protective, though my face still felt abraded by the time I got the lather to that point. This Scrubby doesn't mess around.

1. I started with a soaking brush and only let any extra water drip off. I didn't squeeze out the brush or flick water off.
2. This made a mess, which is to be expected. I loaded for about 40 seconds. The mess on top of the puck started off really sudsy, and overflowed down into the sink, but eventually settled a bit into a promising proto-lather.
3. I tried to be as gentle as I could with the face lather, but these tips still don't have much give.
4. No weepers today and the shave felt much smoother than the last two days. However, the MMOC handle felt extra slippery; one of the downsides of face lathering nobody talks about (despite lots of hand rinsing and toweling off).

I was surprised to see I consumed much less soap today (1 gram). I had better results than my first two shaves, and it felt easier to hydrate the lather, which suggests I had been overloading. Noted.

#GEMsOfWisdom / #RawHoggin

⁂

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

I feel like my first two selections suggested I only listen to music from a specific decade, and both relied heavily on their vocal performances, so today's selection is both instrumental and considerably older. However, this one's yet another low-key number. I'll get to more lively stuff later this month.

"Harlem Nocturne" is one of those standards that everybody and their cousin has recorded, but my favorite is Illinois Jacquet's 1956 version from Swing's the Thing. There aren't any blues solos here, or bossa nova rhythms, or private eye noir by way of Twin Peaks atmosphere. Jacquet plays the song straight, a crooning serenade softly echoing down dark city streets. His tone on this recording is lovely; relaxed, rich, and breathy, all while gracefully fluttering between passionate, forceful lines and quiet moments of reverie. This is late night jazz at its moody best.

YouTube: Illinois Jacquet - "Harlem Nocturne"

**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

A Mammoth Micromatic Raw Hoggin’ August

Day 1 Prep Video

Setup Pic

RawHoggin Unboxing Pics

Brush progress

​

• Brush: Zenith B26 #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (3)
• Lather: House if Mammoth - Hygge in Tusk
• Post Shave: Hygge Splash & Balm
• Fragrance: Hygge EDP #MammothMafia

I found today to be significantly easier to create lather with the new brush. Feels a lot less pokey and more springy! Also I'm starting to be able to smell lather, even though pig stank is still dominant.

My MMOC feels so smooth and delivers a very efficient shave. However, upon application of the splash I always feel more feedback than I usually do with Des (at least that's my perception).

MammothMafia

Aug. 3, 2022

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

• 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

Day 3 of AA.

Brush status: Yesterday's shave highlighted signs of break-in already - that break-in continues. The control brush is orange - the black (test) brush has already started to fan out, but is still much closer to the control brush than my fully broken in boar brush on the right. Looking up close, you can see some splitting happening on the test brush (right). The control brush continues to smell like barnyard; on the test brush the swine smell remains, but is less intense and somewhat masked by lime. I call this combined aroma "Swime®". The Stirling brush no longer smells like pig at all, it smells of an Exxon station just on the other side of the Indiana border. shudders

Thanks Stag.

The brush is splaying better and is developing some softness. Still very scratchy, but clearly better than yesterday, which in turn was much better than the first day. I do have a couple places on my face where I have some small abrasions that appear to be caused by the brush. Not dissimilar to the breakout I had when I used a pot scrubber as a lather brush, though not as intense of a breakout. This brush is definitely a shedder - much like the rest of my life seems to be covered in Labrador hair, my soap is coated in piggy hair.

Soap status: At the start of today's shave my tin weighed 47g. After the shave it was down to 44g, for a three-day use of 10g. At this rate, I would go through a tub of SSL in 34 days. Soap use stayed even from day 2 to day 3.

Razor status: I don't have a ton of experience with GEMs, but with one exception, I've had consistently good or better shaves. The one exception was with a MMOC Gen 1, which was a lot more aggressive. At this point I don't know that I would grab this over the Pushbutton I have that I really enjoy, but it does give a good shave. I suspect that people with much more coarse facial hair would find this razor more helpful than me with my peach fuzz. The very last swipe today did result in a nick, but it was totally my fault, I got sloppy. I also had a tiny weeper, but honestly that might have been broken open by the brush, not sure.

Cumulative Stats:

• Shaves: 3/31
• Weepers: 2
• Nicks: 1
• Soap grams used: 10

August 3rd

• Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm
• Razor: GEM - MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (3)
• Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp

Let's get the tags in first

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Edp video

How is it that I could spray any other frag I own and in an hour it's gone yet I spray of Stag and its with me all day?

Aug 03, 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 (3)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder EdP

Every day tags: #MammothMafia #GEMsofWisdom

#Sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

Something - The Beatles Todays song was picked by going into my phones library and hitting shuffle. To understand the significance of this I need to provide some background.

When I was a teenager I had a mentor who I call my “Second Dad.” He was one of those guys who was super invested in your life and made you into a better version of yourself. There were many weeks where I spent more time with him than my own family. I 100% believe that he is the reason that I am in the position that I am today because of him.

Background covered: Andy was one of those guys with a photographic memory and could literally remember anything. He also loved all music and had the road-trip setup that was the envy of everyone. Andy had one of those iPod Classics with 180GB of storage absolutely full of songs. I don’t exactly remember how many songs it was but it was more than 25,000 at one point! Andy could tell you every song on there, the album it was from and when it was released. This made road-trips an adventure every time!

Todays shave was the best it’s been so far in this short period with the MMOC. Not sure if the initial hardness of the blade has subsided or if I’m getting better with finding the right angle with it.

Aug. 3, 2022 - Thrice as nice!

• Prep: Water water wash
• Brush: Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: Persona GEM PTFE Coated (3)

• 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

It’s neat to see how the boar knot is starting to change already. You can see it starting to loosen up a little. It still stinks when wet, but my girlfriend said: “it just smells like an old man.” 😂 I hope I do not smell like that when I am an old man! There is still more backbone than I like. It only lost hairs on the second shave so far. The handle is already starting to patina, I think this is going to be a cool brush.

I purposely over hydrated the tusk base soap to see how it shaves. I was pleasantly surprised that while it was running off my face and neck it still provided enough protection and lubrication to have a close comfortable 2 pass shave.

The scent from the splash and balm lasts for an hour maybe 2, but the fragrance lasts much longer. I think 1-2 sprays of the EdP is enough; however, I am going to go with the Stag Rules and use 1 spray for number of weeks we are into Austere August.

edit: formatting 🙄

#RawHoggin #MammothMafia #GEMsOfWisdom

Aug 3, 2021 – Austere August. Day 3.

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (3)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
• Post, Post Shave: Zingari Man – Rescue Potion
• Music: O.A.R. – Road Outside Columbus

Day 3 went far, far better than day 2, which was far better than day 1. If I continue progressing at this rate, I’ll be MMOC shaving with my eyes closed in no time! No nicks or cuts and little irritation today. I still used the Rescue Potion as a preventative measure, but I didn’t need it nearly as much today as I did yesterday or the day before.

While the brush still has a way to go, the lather I built today was so, so, so much better than the first time I used this brush two days ago. The Eau de Farm Animal scent is still present, which makes the unscented challenge that much more difficult. When this dissipates, I'm guessing the end result of the shaves with turn from "unpleasant" to "meh".

Being unscented is what it is. I’m not changing courses, and neither is the soap. The only thing changing is the eventual disappearance of the stink of this new boar brush, which can’t come soon enough. I do feel fortunate that Stirling’s mutton base is so good, because I think that really helps my cause (and face) this month.

For today’s music selected, I’m completing my personal “Big 3” of college jam bands. I played Guster on Day 1, and Dispatch yesterday, and today the trilogy is complete with O.A.R. – Road Outside Columbus. To me, this is a song to play at an outdoor summer BBQ or tailgate or pool party. From the opening strum of the guitar this song is on the road to putting me in a good mood. While the song is (perhaps obviously) about Columbus, Ohio and it becoming the lead singer’s second home after going to college there, I tend to see (hear?) myself in the lyrics as well. Going away to school, and absolutely loving the people, the culture, and the surroundings of where you find yourself, and making lifelong friends there. Man, that’s what college is all about and I get nostalgic listening to this song, just thinking back about the journey of life that so many of us go on.

Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom #sidetracked

20220803 - Piece of piss August Day 3

Brush: Omega 011842

Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb

Blade: GEM PTFE

Lather: Stirling Soap Company - Sheep

Post: Stirling Soap Company - Coniferous toner

Post: DR Harris - Windsor aftershave milk

GEMSOFWISDOM

I've decided to adopt the teachings of the Stoic school of philosophy during AA to help my mindset and yours.

"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Aug. 3, 2022 - AA - Day 3

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - Short & Scrubby
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Blade (3)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Ferox - Soap
• After: Fine Accoutrements - L'Orange Noir - Aftershave
• Post: Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave

Day 3 is just going well. The brush is still eating lather but has more splay. 2 pass and slight burn and followed with the balm to clam things.

Tags: #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury Pt. 3

• Prep: Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap
• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (3)
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation)
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE (72)
• 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

This is the last travel shave of this Austere August and it was a bit hurried and rushed, because I still have to pack and deal with some issues of u/RoboDjudge.

#RawHoggin

The brush still smells, but so much less than the Texas Pig Stink Massace brush did that it's almost disappointing 😅 I really enjoy the firm backbone and narrow (as opposed to bloomed or splayed) knot.

#GEMsOfWisdom

The MMOC is entirely tamed with this blade, and I find that I've stopped thinking of it as an aside razor.

Today I wore SSL all day, and it's the perfect summer sent in this dry heat we have right now.

Aug. 3, 2022 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' MMOC Ultra Nightmare Mode

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - B37 - Gray Chubby #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen2 #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (3)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave

Day 3 was about on par with yesterday's shave. A pretty comfortable yet cautious shave. My third use ever with the MMOC was passible with an added third pass ATG on my neck area.

The Brush: The B37 continues to split however there wasn't much of a difference to the softness from yesterday. I am becoming more proficient with building lather with it and it makes using the brush that much more enjoyable. After a 4 minute soak, I went with a sopping-wet brush to the puck this time and it definitely helped move things along.

Painting the lather on is comfortable but still has a lot of firmness when going to splay and is still a tad scratchy as to be expected.

The brush had more than enough lather for my 3+ passes and is releasing the lather beautifully. In my opinion, it is not at all a lather hog.

The boar stench is still very much present and is getting left behind after I finish lathering. Not harsh, but definitely there. I also think MITA doesn't have the strongest dry-down scent to mask the smell. #RawHoggin

Brush Picture Pre-shave: Side Top

Brush Picture Post-shave: Side Top

The Razor My first pass today was comfortable as I'm producing a more hydrated lather with each shave. I'm also finding that bringing the razor at a very slight angle is helping. I'm still overly cautious with the chin area and missing some growth there.

My second pass was routine minus my chin area again. I ended up getting a tiny nick which didn't return after a rinse.

After an inspection, I decided to do a third pass on my neck area and it was totally worth it. I was extra careful, used no pressure and was rewarded with a super close shave on my neck. I am really enjoying learning this razor. #GEMsOfWisdom

The Soap and Aftershave I'm super happy with my choice of using Stirling for this month. I keep ratcheting up the water with the soap and it can definitely take some more.

Day 3 Puck Picture

2022-08-03 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC

Prep: Warm Shower
Brush: Semogue Torga - C5
Razor: GEM MMOC version 2
Blade: GEM Stainless (3)
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/m0EsOsm

A beauty of a shave. The brush is feeling good and the GEM blade is mellowing out a bit. My SO approves of the scents ;)

A DFS in 2 passes. I hope everyone had a great day.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 3, 2022 - AA Day 3 - MMOC Bloodbath

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B34
• Razor: MMOC (Gen 2)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (3)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

Ok look, this MMOC thing is for the birds. If it weren't some stupid inner voice telling me I can't quit because I committed and I ain't no quitter I would quit, right here, right now. Someone, please understand that reference.

Anyway - shaving with the MMOC is horrible. I think the worst part is I have no idea why it's horrible. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong because I don't really know how to use the MMOC. I'm not sure if it's because it's more aggressive than I'm used to, if it's the open comb, if it's totally my technique, or any number of other issues. I'm a proficient shaver with both my Blackbird and Henson. I've used a few other razors and have been fine. The Karve CB, while I didn't like it and never really figured it out, was never this bad. Seriously, I can do my WTG pass and be fine, but beyond that, good luck, because there will be blood. Lots of it. After this afternoon shave, I had a minimum of 6 nicks/cuts/blood spots and running the alum across my neck and shin may as well have been filleting my own face off - it hurt so dang bad. So - if anybody has a tutorial out there, hit me up. If not, then, I guess watch me suffer, because suffering I am.

The brush was again better yesterday than today. I can tell there's some opening up going on in the bristles and it's getting better each day. Admittedly, I didn't pick a knot that anyone said would be super challenging or take a long time to break in; I went with the B34 that gets high praise all around. Partly I chose it because of the butterscotch handle - my 4 year old son is obsessed with the color yellow, and butterscotch is basically yellow, plus the Sonder artwork is yellow, so he's thrilled with my shave gear all month. The challenge with breaking in the brush at this point is that, because of tub loading, it's so hard to know how much soap is in and how much water I need and I it's a dance trying to make sure my lather isn't too dry to start and that it isn't too watered down at the end, but I guess that's the beauty of this month is getting to know the soap even better.

Sonder performed beautifully, as expected, and the cooling of the aftershave as I sit and type this is so very soothing after the acid bath that was the alum. Having only used Sonder the one time prior to buying the set for AA I was a little bit nervous that I'd end up not liking it, but that's not the case at all; it's an excellent masculine scent that I'm happy to wear all month. Thick and rich creamy lathers are the norm with tusk and at least my first 2 passes were no exception today - though the 3rd was a bit thinner than the first 2, but still very good.

I took the advice of u/RiverRatAg14 and am taking my blade out to air dry after every shave. I don't know if it'll matter, but, I'm already straight up not having a good time with the MMOC so maybe this will help. Whatever.

Sonder thought of the day - as I sit here typing this I have 3 kids wanting my attention. One wants to sit on me, another play go fish, and the other, well, she's 6 and happy to watch TV for now, but, rotting brains and all that. So - as I consider the vivid lives my kids are living, I would prefer they remember me as a present dad who played with them a lot (I do), rather than a dad who was always buried in his online shaving competition write ups. So with that, I'l wrap it up and challenge you to go spend some quality time with someone you love. Even if it's just a few minutes. Be present at home or at the coffee shop or at work. Put your phone down and enjoy the moment and really pay attention to the people around you. They'll appreciate it and your relationships will be better for it.

#mammothmafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 3, 2022 - Austere August Day 3

• 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 (3)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

🐗Raw Hoggin' Progress🤮:
•Unused
•Shave 1
•Shave 2
•Shave 3

Thoughts for the day:
This is tainting the glory and splendor that is Sonder... Every... Fucking... Pass... When will this end?! Seriously, how long does this unbleached hair smell like the inside of a rotting asshole? Someone please elucidate and edify me. I need to know if there is an end in sight... 😩😩😩

On the performance side, we're Gucci. The knot feels pretty great all things considered. Two passes with the MMOC and I'm glassy and classy... but I can still smell that brush...

Mandatory Taggage:

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 3, 2022

• Brush: Grey Chubby - Zenith B37
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (3)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave

The daily photos for this are really looking like I just took a bunch of pictures all at once and am just posting different ones each day. That's just the nature of gradual changes, of course.

Oh, hey, have I mentioned how much face-lathering sucks? It's terrible and there's no reason anyone should choose to spend 30x the time to get a lather that's barely usable. I knew I had to put my magical bowl away for the month—not because it would present any kind of temptation, but because I would otherwise be likely to grab it simply out of habit. Off to the side in the photos so far is a mug that I decided to use not for lathering (there's not remotely enough width, so I couldn't if I wanted to), but for pre-shave brush-wetting.

Speaking of wet, new boar brushes, I feel like the stench is fading. It's still noticeable, but after just a few days seems to be at a place where I can ignore it.

Hopefully anosmia's not to blame, though. I do have a bit of a cough, but at-home tests tell me it's not the roni. I actually thought it was brought on by having slammed on my back like 50 times in a row in a krav maga class the day before it started. Whatever it is, I am nonetheless foregoing krav for the time being. Shame, because I only started up again a couple weeks ago.

#GEMSofWisdom
#RawHoggin
#unscented
#MammothMafia

August 3rd, 2022

Prep: Warm water

Razor: Gem MMOC

Blade: Gem Blue Star (3)

Brush: Omega Model 13564 23mm boar

Soap: LA Shaving Soap Co. Black Void

Post: Noble Otter Bare

Comfort: 7.5/10

Smoothness: 8/10

10 second load.

2 pass shave XTG/ATG.

Shorter load and more water. A bit messy, but lather was nicer. Brush feels a little less pokey, but still rough.

#GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

RawHoggin

Aug. 3, 2022

• Prep: Splash of cold water
• Brush: Zenith B16 24mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Stainless PTFE (3)

• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Fougère Angelique - Soap

• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Fougère Angelique - Aftershave

I think my new boar brush is breaking in a bit. It actually loaded enough soap for two and a half passes today, so I didn't have to load it again mid-shave. I forgot to take a picture of the brush while it was still dry, so today's picture was after I shaved and rinsed it out. It is quite hot outside and I have been running the air conditioning quite a bit, so I'm finding that the brush isn't even damp by the time I use it the next day. Everything is going well with the MMOC. I do feel like my skin is just a little bit chapped or raw after shaving, because frankly I am sick and just don't have much energy or patience to put into finesse. I'm hoping I will feel better soon and start enjoying this process again. For now it just feels like a chore I have to take care of before I get back to bed. I have been taking off work while I'm sick but fortunately they are really cool about it, and just told me to come back when I'm ready. #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

August 3rd, 2022 - How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the MMOC

• Prep: Warm water and extra patience

• Brush: Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!”

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

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (tre)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Splash

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

#MammothMafia

#RawHoggin Post Shave Side and Above

#GEMsOfWisdom

Day three and the relief has started. The blade is biting less, and I went with as close to no pressure I could. I did make a teensy mistake and started a pass a little bit outside the lather. That fraction of an inch too high gave me my only weeper today. Still a little irritation, but getting less stingy today. I’ll take the lesson and consider it good progress. I think I know why some people push to 50+ shaves on a GEM. It will take a long time before the irritation of a dulling blade equals that of a brand new blade.

The brush is still quite the scrubber. I may be pushing it, as I try to get it to splay at least for part of each pass. The chunky handle doesn’t fit well in any brush holder I have. I came up to shave tonight, and the brush had fallen out into the sink. I still want it to dry upside down, so trying to place it better. I can see a few hairs beginning to split. Thousands left to go and I’ll have a soft brush.

I am still liking the Alive. Still getting the clearest scent of the musk and greenery elements, but if I get a good whiff, can make out some of the floral/fruit notes. As it mellows post shave I get periodic points where I catch a fresh smell of it. I like that I don’t feel like I am filling the house with my smell.

Decided to let Youtube pick some music for my shave. Started with Hole “Doll Parts” and “Violet”, then got Fleetwood Mac “Tusk”, and perhaps true synergy with the shave, as I was applying the aftershaves, The Breeders “Last Splash” played.

Aug 3, 2022 Trickhole Stag + MMOC + RawHog

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Dogwood Unbleached Boar
• Razor: MMOC MM24
• Blade: GEM (4)
• Lather: Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag
• Post Shave:Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag Balm
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag

Stagging it up

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

Cheers

Aug. 3, 2022 - AA Day 3

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (72)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

Another great 3 pass shave with no nicks or irritation. The brush is already softening up. Loading seems to be a bit quicker, but due to my inexperience with face lathering I am still struggling a bit to get my lather where I want it. Luckily the razor and blade is still killing it so I have a little room for error with my lather.

Hope everyone has had a great Wednesday!

Stag Spray 3 #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom #SubstantialStag

August 3 2022

• Brush: Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (6)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo

Nice evening shave after a day of baking in the Florida sun at Epcot. One more day then I get to escape the heat here for the heat back home. MMOC Gen 1 still seems a bit more aggressive but it’s not substantially different.

#MammothMafia

#GEMSofWisdom

Aug. 3, 2022 - RawHoggin MMOC

• Brush: Zenith B37
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (3)

• Lather: Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy

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

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

The brush performed great yet again. As good as it is performing now, I’m excited to see how good it’s gonna be once broken in. Oddly though, I think the stink was a little worse today. Maybe it was just in my head. I imagine I won’t be smelling the stink for a couple more shaves max.

This blade is still feeling rough as a corn cob. Hopefully it’ll get broken in and I don’t have a dud of a blade. I don’t remember it being this rough.

Day 3 of Austere August! STAAAAAAAAG!!!!

• Prep: Water on Face
• Brush: Zenith 2004/B SE
• Razor: Filarmonica Sub Cero 14
• Lather: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag
• Post Shave: Osma block
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag Splash
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag Balm
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag EdP

photo

Very long day without any chance to read and write,sooo yeah. Decent shave, can't complain, sorry for minimalism. Will try to explain both shaves in the next post.

• #RawHoggin
• GEMsOfWisdom
• #SubstantialStag
• #sidetracked

Aug. 3, 2022

• Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (3)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

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

How much midnight would a Midnight Stag stag if a Midnight Stag could stag midnight?

Boar Break In Album

Stag spray

#RawHoggin

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug. 3, 2022 - AA 3

• Prep: Cold Water Splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (9)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Seville - Eau de Toilette

Day 3. Progress pic album. SOTD in title.

Still feels mostly the same to me, scritchy and scratchy. That said, paint strokes aren’t too bad really. Just the lather building mostly when doing swirling motion. Still, nothing horrendous. Still kinda suck at the chin area and under nose. Also, def still some razor burn post 2nd pass. I wish I had started a new blade this month, instead to starting on a half dozen or so. I’m sure it’s mostly my technique but I need all the help I can get. #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia