Aug. 4, 2022 - Headless Mammoth Hoggin' Day 4

• Brush: Proraso Professional Boar | Break-in photos
• Razor: Feather Artist Club SR (Kamisori)
• Blade: Schick Proline (4)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive - Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Alive - Eau de Parfum

The brush is coming along better than I expected, and I have a good grasp on how to load and lather the Tusk base with this brush now. The last time I had to add a ton of water on the face to get it to the drippy runny state that I prefer so today I decided to load after the lightest shake of the brush, and I probably could have gone without shaking the brush at all once it finished dripping water. Just look at this lather. I believe the brush is just on the cusp of being enjoyable to use. Today I didn't feel the pokiness as much and getting enough soap loaded onto the brush probably helps to provide a more luxurious face feel as well. Today I had enough for 3 passes plus touch ups which is my typical full shave and there was still a bit of lather that I could squeeze out of the center of the knot so I'm already very happy with the performance in its current state. The tips are also splitting and hooking quite nicely.

Boar thrill is alive and I ordered a cheap $13 Zenith a few weeks ago from ebay which arrived today. I'll probably play with a few hand lathers to get a feel for the differences, but just from the initial visual inspection the Zenith looks denser and the bleached hairs look like they'll be nice to use.

The Feather SR + Schick Proline is still nice and smooth with no noticeable performance degradation. Today I tried a few new angles of attack which I'll incorporate more in future shaves. Fantastic shave overall.

#RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Edit: Fixed image links + tags

Aug. 4, 2022 - Stag Day 4

• Brush: Zenith B26 Retro
• Razor: Merkur 34C
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (4)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

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

Going strong.

Praises be the Stag.

#SubstantialStag #RawHoggin

Stag Day 4

Austere August D4: all stagged up plus headshave gear

• Prep: Alterra cleaning foam, cold water
• Brush: Tadé NOS vintage boar 22 mm
• Razor: KAI Captain Standard CAP-J7 kamisori shavette
• Blade: KAI Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - shaving soap
• Post-Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• additional care: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - ASB
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Valley of Ashes - EDP

AA tags: #SubstantialStag #RawHoggin

Day 4. Still going strong on the Stag. On today's SOTD photo, you'll also see my head shaving gear for AA: Kent Infinity Silvertex brush and MMOC. I think it'd be against the rules of Raw Hoggin' to use the same brush on my head because then it would break in faster, and I won't mind the tiny Kent smelling of Stag - to keep with the true Austerity theme, I'll only use Stag this month.

Supposedly it's the hottest day of the week today, topping out somewhere between 37° to 40°C in my region of Germany. One of my favourite colleagues has called in sick due to mental stress. I myself will see if I can force my change of departments (or wards, in this case) so it'll still happen this month. Work is a shit show atm, tons of internal conflicts and stress. Nevertheless, I soldier on - the glorious Stag giving me the strength and fortitude I need!

While the headshave was only a quick one pass WTG affair, I took two passes plus clean-up on my face with the Captain. I found that for shaving my neck, holding it at the end of the handle like a pencil for shadowing works great. This way, I don't exert too much pressure. CFG base treats me really well so far, could be one of my favourites - fast to lather, slick, good enough skincare.

For today, my song choice is Kerosene by Big Black. I read their genre could be classified as "Noise Rock" and that's kinda awesome sounding. Also a perfect fit for times when you're on your own and simply want to tear down the whole place because you're so fed up with everyone and everything. Sigh. I hope better times are coming soon for me. I still like to read all your sidetracked challenge posts, even if I can't listen to all songs in full length or comment on them. But you folks are doing great, I really enjoy this!

Edit: forgot to post a pic of the Tadé boar after today's use!

Aug. 4, 2022 - Austere August 4th

• Prep: Cool shower
• Brush: Semogue 610 Boar
• Razor: MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap

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

• Post Shave: Zingari Man Cooling Recovery Splash

#GEMSofWisdom This blade is smoothing out nicely and another BBS shave of goodness.

#RawHoggin I'll say it again today- Face lathering sucks. And this is coming from a guy who face lathered for years while shaving in the shower. I only started bowl lathering a year ago and it was then that I realized that all my years of face lathering didn't teach me to build an awesome lather. Plus, I find whipping up a lather in a bowl at the crack of ass to be quite the meditative experience. Face lathering...not so meditative. Meanwhile, the brush continues to break in better- https://imgur.com/a/JazxB2l

#Sidetracked So many options today, but I decided to go with one of my favorite songs- "The Rat" from the Walkmen. The Walkmen weren't exactly known for songs that really 'rocked', and this is definitely one of their punchier numbers, but this band knew how to write songs that could evoke an emotional response. I remember hearing this song when the album, Bows and Arrows, came out and being instantly floored by it. There was something about the song that caused an intense reaction that made me well up a bit. I'm not a 'welling up' kinda guy, but damn if this song didn't want to make me reach for a tissue. And this isn't a mellow dirge for sure. To this day, this song still evokes a response from me when I hear it. The lead singer, Hamilton Leithauser, has issued some fantastic solo records over the last several years and I've had the opportunity to see him live. But as good as his solo albums are and as good as many of the Walkmen records were, no song in those catalogs will ever surpass "The Rat"- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWR1h-5EzUo Enjoy this one u/Teufelskraft (should we be tagging you in every post??) and the rest of the gang.

Have a great day all!

Aug. 4, 2022 - Raw Hoggin Day 4

• Prep: Warm water to the face
• Brush: Omega 10098
• Razor: Maggard Razors - V3 Head
• Blade: Voskhod (4)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Island Man - Soap

• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Reserve Waves - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Natural - Balm

SOTD Pic

I’m noticing more brush hairs are splitting. I’m looking forward to a less pointy face lathering process as this goes on. #RawHoggin

Hope y’all have a good day!

Aug 4, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 4

• 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 (4)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave

Great shave this morning!

#RawHoggin
Four days in, the brush feels like something I would use on a regular basis. I'm hoping it will still get softer with more use, but it worked up a really fine lather this morning without feeling too scritchy. I'm still working on loading the correct amount of soap without needing to go back to the tub, but incremental progress is still progress.

#GEMsOfWisdom
The shave with the MMOC just clicked: the angle felt right, the pressure was mostly correct, and the strokes used during each pass are getting more efficient. I would say it was a near BBS shave with some minor irritation around the neck that I've come to expect. However, at least the irritation was not visibly red even though it could still be felt. I'll continue working on the correct pressure in the trouble areas, and try to keep this level of efficiency consistent.

#MammothMafia
Almond Leather is still making these shaves incredibly enjoyable. We'll see if that holds true towards the end of the month.

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft
The Mountain Goats released the song This Year in 2005, and it has since become a sort of personal anthem for when life starts to get rough. The Mountain Goats have many great songs across an impressive discography, and they put on great live shows with such incredible energy.

An added bonus, the song Love, Love, Love from the same album, The Sunset Tree, is wonderfully haunting.

Rating: 3.5/5

Austere August Day 4

Brush: Rubberset 400-3 w/ Unbleached Zenith 24mm knot set to a 56mm loft 4th use

Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2

Blade: PTFE (4)

Lather: NO Monoi de Tahiti

Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash

I am liking this soap a little more each day. Maybe it's because the raw unbleached pig ass stench is slowly fading (very slightly) every day. The NO splash is top shelf stuff and is helping my face handle daily MMOC use and a new unbleached boar knot really well.

So far the gen 2 MMOC is running just as smooth as I remember gen 1 being. We'll see if my opinion of gen 1 being better changes by the end of the month.

On a side note, I am blown away by the number of people who have decided to take part in the Raw Hoggin' Challenge. There were 61 people who started with us on day one!

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

• Prep: warm shower
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: Novelty Cutlery Co straight razor
• Lather House of Mammoth - Z
• Post Shave: Equate witch hazel
• Post Shave: Zingari Man - unscented aftershave balm

Headless Horsemen

#RawHoggin #unscented #MammothMafia

Austere August 2022 day 4 https://imgur.com/a/pnynryp

August 4, 2022

• Brush: Semogue 820
• Razor: Merkur 34C
• Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum (Shave 4)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann Eigengrau
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann Unscented Balm with a drop of Eigengrau splash

It seems like a no duh moment but trying to preserve this blade to hit 30 shaves is making my shaves much more efficient, I was buffing alot unnecessarily on early passes before.

Easily the best lather yet with my new boar. Im splaying more in the tub to load the centre of the knot and that seems to help. I love this brush, I should've gone hog ages ago.

RawHoggin

Aug. 4, 2022 - HogGEMStag Day 4

• Brush: RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar
• Razor: GEM OCMM (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)
• 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

Gonna be short and sweet today. I have to finish packing and getting our camper ready for a weekend camping trip.

#RawHoggin

The brush might be feeling like it's getting softer? It's hard to tell at the beginning. At least today I didn't notice the foul pig ass odor as much. Things are looking up!

#GEMsofWisdom

Shaving with the OCMM is basically easy mode now. It will all boil down to a battle of attrition against the blade itself. I'm holding out hope that this blade was not made on a Friday at 4:30pm and that the fine bladesmiths over at Personna put the utmost care and attention into honing its edge.

On the Stag front I had kind of an weird interaction with my neighbor this morning. Right as I finished splashing my splash and spraying my EdP, the doorbell rings. He was bringing me an Amazon package that was mistakenly delivered to his house. I was trying to keep my distance to avoid the awkward "What is that smell?" LOL. I should just own it and be a proud Stagolyte I suppose. Such is the quest into Knighthood.

Brush album

Stag spray

Aug. 4, 2022 - AA Day4

• Prep: Shower/Wash with Warm Water
• Brush: Zenith Gray Chubby (B37)
• Razor: Wolfman Razors WR2-SB Razor Head (0. 95mm Blade Gap), WRH7 Handle (90mm Solid)
• Blade: Nacet (4)

• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Waterlyptus - Soap

• Post Shave: Proraso - Menthol and Eucalyptus - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Osma Alum Block

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

Morning all again. Mr chubby boar brush decided to eat a lot of my soap today, in a regression, but thats fine. Its still breaking in. Getting used to loading a lot, which is why I am using a Catie's Bubbles soap, which tend to last a lot longer than the softer soaps.

Skunk pic for your interests, he's having a blast: https://imgur.com/cztsE1w

UNCHALLENGE

RawHoggin

Aug. 4, 2022 - Glow in the dark Austere August Raw Hoggin’ Challenge

• Brush: Omega 20102
• Razor: Karve Bronze SB - B
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (4)

• Lather: Zingari - The Watchman - Soap

• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Oceana - Balm

• Fragrance: Chanel - Bleu de Chanel - EDP

Day 4, Short break from Lumos. But the lighthouse tub art is sort of on theme, so I’m rolling with it.

Tags: #RawHoggin

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 4, 2022

Brush: Omega 10049

Razor: Rockwell 6S Plate 5

Blade: Astra SP

Lather: Barrister & Mann Passiflora

Post Shave: Barrister & Mann Passiflora Splash

Post Shave: Barrister & Mann Passiflora Balm

After 4 days the brush is feeling better on my face. Still somewhat stiff but will continue to get better. There is still a bit of smell to it but getting to where I need to search it out.

#RawHoggin

Aug. 4, 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 (4)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave

Day 4 was an excellent shave. Unlike yesterday, the brush felt noticeably softer and I'm getting more efficient and building lather with it. Muscle memory is also helping make the GEM more enjoyable and a bit easier to use and I think the top half of my face is becoming almost routine for the WTG and XTG passes. Today, I mustered up the courage to do a 3 passer which added some new challenges. The chin area is still a challenge as well as two spots around my neck. Overall, excellent, 3 pass shave.

The Brush: The brush seems to definitely be getting softer and painting the lather is very soft. Splaying and scrubbing still provides scratch and I'm wondering how much this is actually going to change with usage. I am really enjoying the brush and am happy that I decided to participate in this challenge.

Same as yesterday, I've got the loading dialed in and had enough for 3 good passes. Going into the puck without shaking out any of the water from my 4 minute soak seems to be the way to go and helping the lather get a good hydration head-start.

The hog stench is also still very present and doesn't seem to be waning yet. I'm guessing the absence of a cologne dry-down of MITA isn't helping mask the smell. #RawHoggin

Brush Picture Pre-shave: Side Top

Brush Picture Post-shave: Side Top

The Razor For shave number 4 with the GEM, I'm finding that muscle memory is helping maintain the angle through the shave. No matter what angle I seem to use around my chin, I get a lot of blade feel which might be making me extra cautious and not getting the best shave around that area.

The top half of my head is becoming routine and my cheek and side burn area is getting a nice, close, smooth shave every time. Pass 1 and 2 went pretty well but left my neck feeling pretty "patchy". I decided to do a light third pass and while not perfect, ended up ok, I did end up getting a small nick on my chin, but nothing major. #GEMsOfWisdom

Days since last blood: 0

The Soap and Aftershave Nothing new to report about Stirling other than absolutely loving the base more than ever.

Day 2 Puck Picture

Aug. 4, 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

Good shave today as I was very gentle no change in brush feel or blade feel. Honestly it was a positive experience all around things worked out well. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

https://i.imgur.com/mdksY3e.jpg

Aug. 4, 2022

• Brush: Grey Chubby - Zenith B37
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (4)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave

The MMOC continues to MMOC, the boar continues to reek, the Mammoth soap and aftershave continue to smell of nothing but their core ingredients, and face-lathering continues to be the worst bullshit ever introduced to shaving.

The grey mug I mentioned yesterday that I have on the side there (not for lathering, not only because it doesn't provide the space for it but also because the boar contest disallows it) used to have something printed on the side for Lac Qui Parle, MN, a place that I have never gone to, even though I also have a T-shirt for the place. Talking Lake, Lake that Speaks, I guess it's a place that's big on duck/geese hunting? I have no idea, and I have no idea about or interest in hunting. But at some point the printing on the mug just completely wiped off, leaving me with a plain grey mug, which I honestly prefer. Shame it's not a darker shade to better match the brush handle, though.

I woke up this morning with a song inexplicably stuck in my head, which happens with remarkable frequency. One such song that has been the culprit on a number of occasions has been the George of the Jungle theme, I shit you not.

This morning it was actually The New Pornographers - Miss Teen Wordpower, which, having typed that, I realize could be a worrying combination of words if you're not familiar with the group. But in light of that, I figured this is as good a time as any to jump into the #sidetracked contest from /u/Teufelskraft

But that is not the song I wish to share for the purpose of the contest. This song does bring me back to my undergrad days, and it reminds me of someone who was with a study abroad group I was in (a trip I recently talked a bit about) because she mentioned that movie Little Miss Sunshine a number of times and that title is similar to the title of the song. Also, she was big into words, which is always cool.

I'm also a big fan of something in Miss Teen Wordpower song that I'm not sure how to describe: A kind of tonal downshift a the end of the lines "Nobody knows the wreck of the soul like you do" and "Miss Teen Wordpower" I don't know. It's fun to sing to, too, but maybe I drop an extra octave or something to exaggerate it.

But no, that's not the song I wanted to share for this, which is another from The New Pornographers that shares that same kind of downshift thing, and I happen to like this song a fair bit better: Sing Me Spanish Techno. I am indeed guilty, on occasion, of listening too long to that one song.

#GEMSofWisdom
#RawHoggin
#unscented
#MammothMafia

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

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

RawHoggin

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

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

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

.#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

Slift - Lion, Tigers and Bears

.#unscented

.#RawHoggin

.#GEMsOfWisdom

A Mammoth Micromatic Raw Hoggin’ August

Brush Progress

• Brush: Zenith B26 #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (4)
• Lather: House if Mammoth - Hygge in Tusk
• Post Shave: Hygge Splash & Balm
• Fragrance: Hygge EDP #MammothMafia

If ever there was an ultra nightmare…

The single blade is the scariest part of the month.

I sauntered into the bathroom yesterday afternoon. We just had cleaners come through…took a deep breath and between noticing the distinct cintronella stench of cleaning liquid, and appreciating that our tiles are actually white I noticed something a little out of place.

I’ve been opening, removing the blade and keeping razor and blade separate after my shaves to keep things squeaky clean all month. Looks like the cleaner has displaced my things and now the blade is resting awkwardly on top of the razor. Has the blade edge been compromised? Well I dunno, the only way to know is to shave.

Well, in most other scenarios this blade would be binned, but not this month. Not on day….4!? Pathetic.

So I carefully stropped the blade on my arm, lathered up, and got to work. Best lather yet, face feel getting there, smell not overwhelming now, Hygge has taken over 60% of the smell.

WTG was very smooth and confirmed cutting hair (phew). ATG was a bit tuggier than I would have expected.

All in all solid result for Day 4. Damn, long way to go…

Day 1 Prep Video

RawHoggin Unboxing Pics

MammothMafia

Aug. 4, 2022 - 04.08.22 - Austere August #RawHoggin

• Prep: GFT Sandalwood Skin food
• Brush: Omega 10048
• Razor: Henson Ti22++
• Blade: Gillette SuperStainless (3)

• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Daemon

• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Daemon Splash

Todays shave was remarkably better than yesterdays. I'm still struggling to get a "good" lather with this brush but it's beggining to get to better. I'm quite exhausted from work recently but shaving is quite a nice way to relax really. Not too much else to say today but have a great shave everyone!

RawHoggin

Aug. 3, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Semogue 1460 Boar Brush 21mm
• Razor: Razorock GameChanger .84
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (4)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Balm

Tags:

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

4 August 2022 - Austere August

• Prep: splash of warm water
• Brush: Zenith B33
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Ti
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (4)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Balm

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 3, 2022 - Austere August Day 4

• Prep: Hot Shower, Stirling Soap Facial Soap
• Brush: Zenith 508A SE 28mm
• Razor: GEM Micromatic OC Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver

The good thing about Austere August is that I don't have to think about what gear and software I am using. The bad thing about Austere August is that I don't get to pick what gear and software I am using. It is monotonous and boring. But on the bright side of things; Tusk is fantastic, MMOC is top tier and breaking in a boar is satisfying. Hold the line gents, hold the line.

Mandatory Tagging:

#GEMsOfWisdom

#Rawhoggin

#MammothMafia

August 4, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (4)
• 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)
• Fragrance Video
• Blade Edge (before use)
• Blade Orientation (black dots - odd days, red dots - even days)

The edge photo is much better today. I figured out a way to use the microscope to allow for much better magnification. I'm tagging u/sgrdddy because he and I talked about this scope, and I want to point to the better results that I'm now able to get. This photo shows structural detail of the grind marks on what I would call the primary bevel (the bevel used to actually form the edge). I looked at both sides of the blade with the microscope using the this new configuration, and this photo is typical of what I found. As you might expect, after only four, 2-pass shaves, there's no noticeable wear, and I can report that, while shaving, the blade feels the same to me as on its first use.

I continue to enjoy Midnight Stag. The scent on my skin does not have a strong motor oil accord, or gasoline accord, I get more of the leather, oakmoss and other components. Either that, or I'm just so accustomed to motor oil and gasoline that I don't notice.

I'd say there's no change in the brush. It's working for me. I can build a very rich first pass, and a thin straight-razor-friendly lather from the brush on the second pass. The feel isn't unpleasant when splayed or with painting strokes, but let's just say that it can't compete with my Wald badger brush, and I'll be astounded if it ever does.

You know, I have two MMOC's; both Gen 2. I bought the second one because I liked the first one so much I thought it must be an anomaly. Nope. MMOC's just suit my shaving technique well. I'm getting very comfortable, close shaves from both razors. I'm only using the gold one for AA since it looks cooler in the SOTD photos.

Aug. 4, 2022 - Austere August Day 4

• 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 (4)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

🐗Raw Hoggin' Progress🤮:
•Unused
•Shave 1
•Shave 2
•Shave 3
•Shave 4

Thoughts for the day:
So I realized this morning, I could never in good conscience sell this brush now, at least not with this knot. The idea of someone getting to enjoy the knot without having to endure this onslaught of booty juice is fucking unfathomable. Earn yo' stripes, I guess... Just wish it smelled better than a festival port-o-john. 😩😩😩

In other news, there is no other news. Shave was fine. No complaints.

Mandatory Taggage:

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 4, 2022 - AA - Day 4

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - Short & Scrubby
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Blade (4)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Ferox - Soap
• After: Fine Accoutrements - L'Orange Noir - Aftershave
• Post: Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave

2 pass face shave is still good. The brush didn't shed any hair today but it has slight more splay. Hope the brush stops eating the lather soon. Not sure if the aftershave has menthol but sometimes i feel it. Finished with balm. No complaints today.

Pic of brush post 4 shaves. https://imgur.com/doJLAfa

Tags: #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

Aug. 4, 2022 - "Face Lathering, I Don't Get the Appeal" and Other Thoughts

• Brush: Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM (4)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap
• Post Shave: Porter's Lotion, WSP - Neroli - Balm
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Just Right for a Tuesday - Eau de Parfum
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Ethiopia, Sidama, Oromia - v: Ethiopia Heirloom - p: Natural
• Music: The Long Winters - When I Pretend to Fall
• August 2022 SOTD Photo Album: https://imgur.com/a/7shDpdl

#GEMsOfWisdom / #RawHoggin

I don't like face lathering. There, I said it. Feels good to get that off my chest.

Everybody argues the merits of face lathering and I definitely see the appeal, especially when traveling. There's a strong argument for less gear on the countertop, adequate time hydrating the stubble, and plenty of pre-shave exfoliation. All that being said, I just don't enjoy it as much. I get demonstrably better results starting my lather in a bowl, I don't sling lather all over my bathroom, and I have a place to catch extra lather and falling lather as I work it into my stubble. Combine all that with a super-scrubby boar knot that's just starting to split and feather, and I'm already missing my usual Precision Loading™ routine.

Also, what is going on with my soap consumption?

As usual, I weighed my soap an hour or so after this morning's shave, but I'm confused by the result. How did I only use one gram yesterday but eat up more than three grams today? I loaded for about a minute today, versus forty seconds, but with the same soaking wet brush as yesterday.

Here's what I'm thinking.

I generally use a different soap every day, and scoop (versus tub loading), so I'm used to working from a dry soap puck. That's different than Austere August; now I'm using the same tub of soap everyday and I'm introducing water directly into the tub. The top of this Lime tub is starting to hold some moisture, making it much easier to load soap, at the same time the boar knot is breaking in (making it easier yet to pick up soap). By that logic, I will need to spend less and less time loading throughout the month, with a steeper decrease at the start (when most of the bristles split). We'll see if this holds true.

⁂

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

I promised I'd get to some fun stuff. Today, I present for your enjoyment two upbeat tunes, both released in the aughts and linked by variations on some of my favorite slang.

Let's start with a delightful 2006 single from revival girl group The Pipettes. I think this is from the remixed 2007 release of We Are the Pipettes, which has a bit of filler, but generally mined the early 1960s girl group sound with just the right balance of riot-grrrl-meets-Spice-Girls wink and reverence. The A-sides are where it really shines, the best of those being "Pull Shapes." That title is British slang for dancing, and that's exactly what this track will make you do. It's pure, uncut joy, manufactured in a lab, slapped onto vinyl, and delivered straight to you ears.

YouTube: The Pipettes - "Pull Shapes"

Next, we have a song that throws "Shapes" instead of pulling them.

This is one of my favorite tracks from The Long Winters' 2003 release When I Pretend to Fall. I recall songwriter and vocalist John Roderick explaining that he got the expression "throwing shapes" from old hair metal promo photos, where a flamboyant front-man would pose with their guitar, body contorted into weird angles, axe jutting out all showy and phallic. They were arranging themselves into shapes and throwing them at the camera. Anyway, a search engine will tell you "throwing shapes" is, again, British slang for dancing. Let's say both are true and chalk it up to vernacular differences across the pond. I'll also call your attention to this song's twangy guitar melody. I'm no musicologist, and my command of theory is nonexistent, but I'm pretty sure that riff skitters along at a different time signature than the rest of the propulsive composition—at least after the first few bars. That little flourish reads as tangled more than it does showy, elevating a good song to a great one, making "Shapes" one of my favorite in the short-but-terrific Long Winters catalogue.

(If I had to choose—today, right this moment, knowing I'd forget about a gem—I'd say "The Commander Thinks Aloud" is Roderick's crowning achievement, while "Carparts" and "Mimi" are my favorites. "New Girl" and "Pushover" would be in there as well. When I Pretend to Fall is good start to finish, if you prefer to listen to a full album.)

Bandcamp: The Long Winters - "Shapes"

August 4th

• Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm
• Razor: GEM - MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (4)
• Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Edp video

Morning shave today so not too much growth so the MMOC still just plowing away.

Noticed a little funk smell coming from the brush I thought today but it's hard to tell under all that stag.

Its getting nice and hot over in the UK again so the scent is really projecting and lingers in the beard forever.

Aug. 4, 2022 - AA #RawHoggin Day 4

• Brush: Semogue2000
• Razor: GC84
• Blade: Gillette nacet (4)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Lonestar - Soap

• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Lonestar - Aftershave

Finished season 5 of young Sheldon. Inspiration for using Lonestar. I’ve been switching up soaps but only loaded 2/4 passes today. I also feel less irritated today. Although this could just be a testament to how awesome noble otter is.

August 4, 2022 - AA Day 4

• Brush: Zenith B34 (break-in photo album)

• Razor: Dubl Duck 5/8 Satinedge

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

Trying to get a straight razor shave in while you're in a hurry is not the most pleasant thing in the world. I was super rushed trying to get out of the house and just felt like I was going through the motions rather than focusing on what I was doing. Not a terrible shave, but certainly not all that enjoyable. I'm really thinking I need to go back to shaving late at night again because it's much easier when you're not being rushed and don't have anywhere to be. Here's hoping that tomorrow will offer a better shave!

Challenge Hashtags: #unscented #RawHoggin

Aug. 4, 2022 - Day Four

• Prep: Warm shower w/ B&M Diamond Bath Bar
• Brush: Copper Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)

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

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

Good shave today overall.

#RawHoggin

Loaded not quite as much as I did yesterday and it came up a little short. I got to three passes but the last one was awful thin and the first wasn't hydrated enough. The brush has been causing zero irritation to date, and very little stinkyness either. I am happy overall, I think just need to dial in the load and initial lather a bit more, but understand that it still might be a moving target with how new this brush is.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Today was my first true three pass shave, pretty normal results so far. Not a lot of irritation, one small nick in the fold between my bottom lip and chin. I guess one "gem" that I picked up on was not until I really looked at the razor today I didn't notice that the corners of the blade are protected by little guards that cover that portion of the blade. So that explains a bit why I was having little luck using my normal pattern of buffing with that part of a DE razor around my nose and corners of my mouth. Once I see that, and adjusting a little bit more inward on the blade I was able to touch up those areas a bit better.

Aug. 3, 2022 - Oveja Eléctrica 4

• Prep: Thorough facewash to get rid of coconut oil
• Brush: Zenith 28mm boar
• Razor: Kai Kasho Western Style Shavette
• Blade: Kai Kaptain Pink Mild (23)

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Electric Sheep - Soap

• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Electric Sheep - Aftershave

• Mosquito Bites: None

Today was not the best shave. I cut myself in the upper lip on the first pass, and the blade starts to tug on the ATG pass. I need to adapt my technique - the blade is still sharp enough to hurt me, so it should shave.

The brush continues to become softer, and still eats lots of soap (I have nothing to measure, but I would guess it's twice as much as normal).

My face felt tense today, and I also got plenty of feedback from the aftershave. Maybe this has to do with the fact that I had covered my face, neck and arms in coconut oil this afternoon. I prepared myself and my son for a walk in the woods, when someone insisted that we should anoint with coconut oil, this being a recognized way of repelling ticks. There was no way of refusing without having someone lose face, so we covered ourselves in oil. I'm not sure how this is supposed to work: is the tick blinded by our shiny skin? Will they glide on the oil, unable to hold onto us? Or is this just a way of dressing up as exotic food, under the assumption that ticks don't eat that? Anyways, no tick hit us. Maybe that was because of the oil, maybe not: after all, no tick jumped on our non-oiled bodies yesterday.

No mosquito bites have occurred during the night. Good job, Electric Sheep!

Have a good night everyone, and see you tomorrow!

Edit: Forgot to tag. Here we go:

#RawHoggin #stillalive #truepath

Edit 2:

When I look at your submissions for #sidetracked, I see that most of you like guitar music. So let's give the synthesizer some love, with one of the best songs by Erasure: Always. This song is one of my guilty pleasures, and according to my wife, it proves once and for all that I have no taste. Of course, she is wrong. And don't get sidetracked by the strange hat of the singer: just press play.

Aug. 4, 2022 - AA Day 4

• Brush: ShaveForge 28mm Boar, 3d Printed Handle #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM Stainless (4)

• 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 4 of AA.

Brush status: Brush continues softening. I'm still not looking forward to it each day, but it is less of a torture device at this point.. The control brush is clearly on the right- the black (test) brush is definitely much more open than the control. The control brush continues to smell like barnyard with no real change; on the test brush the Swime(R) remains, but is fading more to lime.

Soap status: At the start of today's shave my tin weighed 44g. After the shave it was down to 41g, for a three-day use of 13g, and three straight days of a 3g shave. Also, this stuff smells great. My wife's reaction when I walked into her office area, "man, you smell good." She's not sick of it yet, despite my concern in this area.

Razor status: This was my best shave of August so far. No weepers or nicks, clean BBS shave on 3 passes. Only a little irritation above my lip. I think I need to skip the ATG pass over my lip - I just can't seem to do that without really making my skin angry. Also I'm noting some razor burn in my Adam's apple area, which is unusual for me. I may only give my neck two passes this weekend to let it heal up a bit.

Cumulative Stats: * Shaves: 4/31 * Passes: 14 * Weepers: 2 * Nicks: 1 * Soap grams used: 13

Aug 4, 2021 – Austere August. Day 4.

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
• Post, Post Shave: Zingari Man – Rescue Potion
• Music: Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness – Fire Escape

Day 4 and I'm getting into a good groove with the MMOC and building a lather with this new boar brush. No nicks or cuts again for the 2nd day in a row. I'm sure it's a combination of creating a better lather and also making sure I'm using the correct angle and pressure for the MMOC. I continued to use Rescue Potion today and will for the next couple of days as my face adjusts to this new equipment (and the new equipment gets broken in).

The brush still smells like a farm animal, but I think it may be getting better. Or I'm getting used to it. Honestly not sure which. Overloading the brush with soap and building a face lather has become a nice change of pace for me. I'm typically a scuttle guy, and I do love the warm lather from the scuttle, but creating the lather on my face is becoming fun for me. Never would I expect to describe anything shaving as "fun", but "fun" is all relative, I suppose.

My #sidetracked music selection for today is Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. I've been a fan of his music for over twenty years now. Andrew was the front man for the pop-punk, piano rock band Something Corporate, and then moved on to create a softer, more emotional driven sound with the band Jack's Mannequin, and now he's been doing his own thing for the last 7 or 8 years. While his biggest hit has been a song he wrote about his daughter, "Cecilia and the Satellite", my selection today is "Fire Escape". Music can have such an impact on our mental state and well-being. A sad song can amplify a sad mood, an upbeat song can get us going, and few things can unlock memories like music can. And this song makes me happy. The “woah-woah-woah-woaaahs” and the optimistic sounds this music brings in will ALWAYS put me in a good place. I'm a big fan of Andrew's music, don't be surprised if I include some other songs in my future SOTDs.

Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

2022-08-04 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC

Prep: Warm Shower
Brush: Semogue Torga - C5
Razor: GEM MMOC version 2
Blade: GEM Stainless (4)
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/aQWGOy0

Another nice shave. 4 shaves on the Torga - C5 and it feels very good. The other hardware and software is performing as expected. l have no problem working with this stuff for the rest of the month.

Have a good evening everone.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 4, 2022 * Brush: Omega 10005 * Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley * Blade: Astra Super Platinum (4) * Lather: Noble Otter Orbit * Post Shave: Noble Otter Orbit Aftershave * Post Shave: Geologie Daily Moisturizer

omega boar day 4

#rawhoggin

This was a real quick one as I had a dinner to get to. I did one pass against the grain and probably went a little too fast but it went okay. One small weeper and a touch of irritation around my chin but overall still pretty good.

My orbit finally smells normal again and the splash felt really nice and cool on my sunburn. The brush itself is still a bit stiff but I’m getting better at lathering with it each day!

Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury Pt. 4

• Prep: Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap
• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (4)
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation)
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE (73)
• 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

I've reached a #RawHoggin milestone today, and my beautiful, but still stinky brush hasn't shed a single bristle (that I noticed). After shedding dozens of bristles during the first couple shaves and still a decent amount yesterday, this sudden drop-off was remarkable to me.

As far as #GEMsOfWisdom go, I had my unusually early first pang of regrets today regarding my choice of Austere Hogust setup when I learned that u/Merikus is rolling with the Rolls Imperial Model N° 2 this time around. For a moment there, I wished I had chosen something more exciting than the MMOC. Then I started to shave, and it was like coming home (Actually, I did come home from vacation today, so maybe that contributed?). This gem of a GEM is so comfortable, and in combination with Sea Ice Lime, it's impossible not to have a good shave. The Rubberset with the tight ferrule that keeps the knot from blooming continues to be a pleasure to use. I realise again that I really like using firm knots in painting strokes. This has me hyped for the sub-exclusive custom monster boar group buy that is rumoured to be in the works.

August 4th, 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 (4)

• 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

Live shave on discord with /u/semaj3000, /u/eldrormr, and /u/joboozerum. Had a great time chatting with the lads and stinking up my bathroom with Stag goodness. Boar knot is still breaking in nicely, stag is still smelly, and this PTFE blade was still fucking harsh. Hopefully tomorrow is the turning point 🙏🤞

Stag sprays of the day! (sound horrible in this one)

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

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

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug. 4, 2022

• Prep: Splash of cold water
• Brush: Zenith B16 24mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Stainless PTFE (4)

• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Fougère Angelique - Soap

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

I'm finally starting to get better from being sick, and my sense of smell is returning too. It never went away completely but was definitely muted for a while. It's great to be able to smell how complex and good Fougere Angelique is. My technique must be improving (or my blade is getting smoother), because I'm noticing a lot less alum burn after my shave. I am kind of wishing that I had gone with a 26mm knot, although this one is quite nice. I'm really looking forward to seeing what it's like after a full month of break-in. #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

Aug. 4, 2022 - AA Day 04

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (73)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

Perfect three pass shave this morning. I had one tip break and fall off this morning. Reminded me that I actually haven't noticed any shedding from this brush since day one. Any smell is completely gone and the tips are breaking in nicely. I was on the fence about this brush or a new Zenith. I couldn't be happier with my decision though and have been nothing but impressed with this brush so far. I still haven't gotten the hang of face lathering with this beast though so the journey continues.

The MMOC and PTFE blade continue to impress. BBS with zero complaints each day so far.

Hope Thursday has treated everyone well!

Stag Spray 04 #GEMsofWisdom #SubstantialStag #RawHoggin

August 4th, 2022

Prep: Warm water

Razor: Gem MMOC

Blade: Gem Blue Star (4)

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.

Consistent with yesterday, not much change but was in a bit of a rush. Nothing to complain about so far, though still early.

#GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

RawHoggin

Edit: corrected date

Aug 4, 2022 Trickhole Stag + MMOC + RawHog

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Dogwood Unbleached Boar
• Razor: MMOC MM24
• Blade: GEM (5)
• 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

August 4th, 2022 - Taming the Beast

• Prep: Warm water and extra patience

• Brush: Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!”

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

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (quattro)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Splash

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

#MammothMafia

#RawHoggin Are those split ends I see? Pre shave and Post Shave Soggy Hog

#GEMsOfWisdom

While the hog is not tamed yet, the GEM has started to settle down. I went with as light a grip as I could and still hold onto the blade. Followed the GEM instructions to hold the cap to the face, and had a smoother shave tonight. No blood for the MMOC tonight! Post shave the splash was just tingly and not stingy. 2 passes and a slight touch up on the sideburn area gave my smoothest shave this month. Not bbs, but it is a decent shave.

I used a slightly less amount of soap loading tonight, and didn’t shake out as much water. Finally got a nicely hydrated lather. Great slickness and had a bit left over after my passes. Might scoop a little less tomorrow. I am still forcing the brush to splay on my face. Just painting the brush on the face wasn’t making much lather. I was just dripping wet soap down my front. I am not a fan of face lathering. I bet the brush already could whip up a heck of a lather in the bowl without too much work. Hopefully mushing up my face with the brush will accelerate the break in period. So far what I like most is the handle I chose. I love how warm the handle gets after a 5 minute soak in the cup of hot water.

With the blade finally starting to smooth out, it is looking like there is a good chance the blade will cruise along to 31 shaves. Still will keep flipping it. Odd days get the GEM side of the blade up.

Aug. 4, 2022 - Raw Hoggin' Austere August

• Prep: Shower with Cheshire Bar Soap
• Brush: Zenith B33
• Razor: Baili BR171
• Blade: Personna Med Prep (4)

• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Cheshire - Soap

• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Cheshire - Aftershave

Day 4... basically the same as yesterday.

#RawHoggin

Aug. 4, 2022 - RawHoggin & Taming the MMOC

• Brush: Zenith B37
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: PTFE (4)

• Lather: Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy

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

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

This brush is still doing great. It uses up a ton of soap and feels great, but I can tell there are still 4-5 stubborn bristles that don’t want to break in. I’m still scooping an absurd amount of soap, and nearly finishing the whole bowl in one go. Even after it’s broken in, I expect it to still eat the lather considering it’s a chubby 28mm. Which I’m fine with.

The MMOC felt smoother today. I flipped the blade, but I think the two are unrelated.

Aug 4 2022

• Prep: Mineral oil massage

• Brush: Wenghè Pure Bristle 🐗

• Razor: Brassbird head CG brass bishop

• Blade: Voskhod

• Soap: Mammoth Z

• Balm: Mammoth Z

Augie Hoggie the Fourth

Practice was canceled due to rain. I shaved after work again, so as not to abuse my face. Another great shave, and another attack on my sense of smell.

Imagine a ramekin of bacon bits soaking in a pint of water. Let it sit on a window sill for an hour whenever your summer occurs. The put that in a spray bottle, and spritz yourself. Sounds stupid, doesn’t it? What kind of person would think up a challenge like this? Who would suggest this during SUMMER BREAK?

SOAP’S doing well for me, and so is the Brassbird. I have two Karves that are gonna go away due to this. I just gotta source a heavier handle.

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

#Unscented

#ZFighter

Fourth day of Pig

Aug. 4, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse

• Prep: Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)

• 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

What a fucking day. I shaved this mornin but am just now posting. I’ll spray some random number tomorrow. 16 or some shit. I dunno. Grandmother is safely in the nursing home for rehab and work was the worst it’s been in a couple of years. I know I was just off for Covid but I need a vacation. So close to just hanging it up and learning how to drive a truck or somethin. They make WAY more than I do anyway.

Another nice shave today. The brush continually gets better and I’m getting faster each day at dialing in the soap correctly. Quick plush and a tub of balm followed by a bit of beard care sealed the deal. Yesterday wasn’t a big upvote day for me, so only 11 sprays today.

Edit: it was brought to my attention that I failed to showcase my brush and I’d like to remedy that here.

SubstantialStag

GEMsOfWisdom

RawHoggin

Aug. 4, 2022

• Prep: Water
• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Karve CB SB-D
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (4)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Barrbarr - Soap

• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Barrbarr - Aftershave

Pre shave my soap weighed 187.87g, down from 194.86g on Monday, meaning I use about 2.33g of soap a shave. Neat. Brush is good. Always have to resist the urge to dry it on a towel.

#RawHoggin

August 4, 2022- Day 4

Prep: Hot Shower Brush: Burma Shave Boar Brush Razor: Kai Kasho Kamisori Shavette Blade: Feather ProGuard 4th use Lather: Stirling Sheep Post Shave: Stirling Barbershop splash and Nivea Sensitive balm Fragrance: Halloween Man

Three pass shave today. Shave was pretty smooth. Cheeks got a BBS bit neck still has some small amount of stubble. Still trying to learn angles to get the swirls that are on my neck to at least get a DFS like I do with my DE razors. It may just be the guarded blade that won't allow me to do it but I will probably try with a Schick Proline blade when done with this month.

Tags: #AAAA, #RawHoggin, and #Headless Horsemen, and u/Marquis90

August 4, 2022 - AA Day 4

• Brush: WW Aged Butterscotch Beehive 26mm Maggard's Boar
• Razor: Wolfman Ti WR2 .75
• Blade: Feather (4)
• Lather: CGC - Animal Crackers
• Post Shave: CGC - Animal Crackers

Day 4 of boar break-in!

Today was kinda a meh shave. I think I rushed things a bit. Fun scent though, but I think I'm still using too much soap.

Still #RawHoggin

Aug. 4, 2022

• Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (4)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

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

So glad tomorrow is Friday. What a work week. Good shave today. GEM blade is starting to feel more comfortable as the new harshness wears off. Boar brush been good to go since the start. No real changes in feel. Still loading the crap out of the soap, thinking I'll have plenty, and needing to reload or having very little left for last pass. Will keep working on it.

Boar Break In Album

Stag spray

#RawHoggin

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug. 4, 2022 - AA 4

• Prep: Cold water splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (10)

• Lather: House of Mammoth- Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

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

Sneaking in another late night shave. Didn’t really have time to soak the brush today, and to nobody’s surprise it’s still a little scratchy.

Progress pic. SOTD in title.

Spoiler alert, I still sort of suck with the MMOC. Hit 10 shaves on this blade though. I did try a little ATG on my cheeks on my 2nd pass. The head geometry on the razor does lend itself a bit well in a way to ATG passes. Between the shape and weight, it weirdly lines itself pretty close to what I think should be the correct angle (again, still sort of experimenting and figuring it out overall). #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Stag Headlessly Hoggin' August Day 4

• Prep: Hot shower with Midnight Stag Soap.

• Brush: Zenith B33

• Razor: Cloud Shavette

• Blade: Cloud whatever that blade it is (9)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

Day four. Killed my first stag tub. Late again. Going off to sleep

As per ~~u/wallygator88's~~ u/SirKravsALot's rules:

Shame on nonstaggers

Hail Stag, the scent upon which DG's Tribute was based

• Stagposting

• SubstantialStag

• RawHoggin

Edit: can't seem to strikethrough user names.. Anyway, it was u/SirKravsALot's rules

Day 4 of Austere August! Love me THE STAG!

• 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

​

Not a bad photo

So today was my birthday and it was super hectic, I had to leave from one end of the country to the other end(small country) have an oil change and other stuff, then celebrate with my parents and after that I could shave.

To summarize, boar is getting even softer and the ends are splitting. Stag is amazing and I love the smell. I'm still having trouble with the lather but am getting better I know now WHO the culprit is(water). Yesterday while taking pictures I managed to sing the cutting edge of the straight but it was very soft so the dent is on an microscopic level. After yesterday and today I can confirm that it is still performing well and that I will be able to finish this month. The biggest problem is finding time to make a post here, because my summers are hectic, I have 2 months of paid leave and I'm all over the place/country sooo it's hard😂

• #RawHoggin
• GEMsOfWisdom
• #SubstantialStag
• #sidetracked very different. from previously shared music 😅

Apparently I posted my SOTD in the wrong post.

Aug. 4, 2022 - Go Fourth and shave!

• Prep: Outdoor shower
• Brush: Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: Persona GEM PTFE Coated (4)

• 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

Sometimes life turns you upside down and you have to turn it back upright. I’ll finish this post later.

After work I showered in the outdoor shower and followed it up with an indoor shave. I was scheduled for the early shift , just 3 days before my final day at work. I am starting a “new job” the 15th and I have to move across the country for a couple months.

Anyways I did not get to shave this morning so I shaved after work. The outdoor shower was great to cool down, but even fully on cold it was warm.

The brush lost 2 hairs today. House of Mammoth has always worked great for me! Everything in the picture was upside down and I just rotated it.

u/EldrormR and u/Semaj3000 I beg of ye, forgiveth thine own short comings and alloweth thy mercy to prevent thine DQ.

Thank you u/JoboozeRum!

#rawhoggin #mammothmafia #GEMSofWisdom

Like u/imblasted, I was told that I posted my SOTD in the wrong thread on this date. Below is the original contents of that post for the bots. u/EldrormR and u/Semaj3000 have been messaged and now pinged. Thanks u/JoboozeRum for the heads up and your diligence in Mammoth challenge tracking. You're a lifesaver.

Edit: tagging for pings.

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Aug. 4, 2022 - AA Day 4 - The best is yet to come?

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B34
• Razor: MMOC (Gen 2)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Witch Hazel, Osma Alum

So tonight I heeded some advice given after my terrible experience the last 3 days and, well, the shave was a bit better. I only had 1 nick (well, 2, but in the same spot) and to be fair, it was a slice on a pimple, so, had that stupid bump not been there it would have been a nick free shave. I had been trying to hold the razor pretty flat to my skin, but after someone else mentioned the importance of holding it really flat, I overexaggerated just how flat it was and it went a lot better. I also took some more advice and didn't go for a BBS and still ended up with a pretty darn good shave - with the grain and across the grain, and then I buffed just a bit on my chin area so I won't get any complaints from my wife. My neck - where I typically have the worst time - is the most rough still, but, it looks clean shaven and nobody is going to feel that part of my neck anyway. So - thanks for all the tips and tricks and advice!

The Zenith continues to open up and again whipped up an excellent lather. I am very excited to see this brush at the end of the month, I have a feeling it's going to end up as one of my favorites. If it's already this good, I can only imagine how great it will be when it's fully opened and splays even better. Very excited. I'm glad I went with this handle, too - it's super comfortable to use. I'm finding more and more that I prefer larger handles to smaller.

Sonder, again, was excellent. I got more green tonight than I have the last few days and, again, as I sit here the cooling of the synthetic cooling agent is doing wonders for post shave feel. While the shave was green, I get a nice touch of sandalwood in the post shave. It's such a simple and elegant scent. Big fan.

And now for the sonder thought of the day. Today at work (church) it was the funeral of a long time member and well known woman in our church family. Our senior pastor shared an encouraging message and some family members shared stories and then I was privileged to conclude the service with a prayer and benediction. But - her widower caught wind during planning that I had a really funny story of how I met her (Barb) and I got to share that, too, which was really fun. I know funerals aren't typically "fun," and this one had moments of grieving, too, but by and large it was a beautiful celebration of the life she lived and the faith she clung to so tightly. I left encouraged and grateful for such a solid service. And then, as I went about the rest of my day, I thought a bit about her husband, who is still alive. That service was every bit as beautiful for him - I watched him laugh and cry throughout. But tonight, he's home. His wife of 30-40 years has been gone for a week and her funeral has been held. And while I come home to my family, he's adjusting to a new normal, without her. In spite of all the "preparation" time he had due to her battle with cancer, she's still gone. Death of those close to you is always sobering and puts life into such perspective. My wife, or myself, or my kids, could get some terrible disease diagnosed in the next few weeks and everything could change. It happened to this family. And yet, I too often hold onto petty arguments rather than overlooking mistakes and celebrating the wife and life I've been blessed with. So, as I consider Barb's widower, tonight I will choose to drop any irritation I have with my wife over silly things and choose closeness and unity rather than division and separation. Life is too short. And then, tomorrow, on my day off, I'll do everything I can to enjoy it with my family. I'll put my phone down - leave it in the other room, even - and be present. Soaking in the little mundane moments that we've got together and trying to better count even the difficulties of having a family as the privilege that they are. I know that if something happened to any of my family I would be devastated and would do anything to have them vying for my attention again. So, instead of pushing it off, I'll work on enjoying it for the limited time I know I'll have it. Barb and her husband had a long, fulfilling marriage full of ups and downs and I'm willing to bet that as her husband lies alone in that bed tonight, he'd give just about anything to have a few more minutes with her. So - ladies and gents - love the people close to you well. Let the small stuff go and love deeply. I've yet to hear from a spouse who was left behind that they regret loving and not getting enough back, but I have heard about regrets around "the stupid fights and arguments."

Anyway. Heavier sonder post, today. But, it's what's been on my mind and what I thought about while I shaved tonight. Maybe tomorrow will be lighter - who knows.

Have a good night.

#mammothmafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom