1. Saturday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 01, 2023SOTD
2. Sunday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 02, 2023
3. Monday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 03, 2023
4. Tuesday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 04, 2023
5. Wednesday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 05, 2023
6. Thursday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 06, 2023
7. Friday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 07, 2023
8. Saturday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 08, 2023
9. Sunday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 09, 2023
10. Monday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 10, 2023
11. Tuesday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 11, 2023
12. Wednesday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 12, 2023
13. Thursday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 13, 2023
14. Friday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 14, 2023
15. Saturday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 15, 2023
16. Sunday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 16, 2023
17. Monday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 17, 2023
18. Tuesday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 18, 2023
19. Wednesday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 19, 2023
20. Thursday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 20, 2023
21. Friday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 21, 2023
22. Saturday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 22, 2023
23. Sunday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 23, 2023
24. Monday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 24, 2023
25. Tuesday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 25, 2023
26. Wednesday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 26, 2023
27. Thursday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 27, 2023
28. Friday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 28, 2023
29. Saturday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 29, 2023
30. Sunday Lather Games SOTD Thread - Jul 30, 2023

• Lather: Golddachs Classic
• Brush: Proraso - Professional (Boar) #OLDWORLD
• Razor: Ever Ready Lather Catcher
• Blade: Gem PTFE (1)
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Unscented (Glacial) - Splash
• Osma: Osma - Osma
• Scuttle: Georgetown Pottery - G20

I lucked out for today’s shave. I literally didn’t look at the calendar until this morning, which is embarrassing for someone who is judging this contest. Saw it was stuff you hadn’t used yet, which is a problem, because I didn’t think I had anything I hadn’t used.

Turns out that /u/djundjila sent me this soap like six months ago and I lost it in a black hole. It resurfaced just as I needed it which worked out perfectly so thanks for hooking me up for today DJ.

I plopped the entire puck of triple milled soap into my SGUTTLE and just started switching the perfectly floppy ProPro all around it. It started developing into a real nice lather. As it did so, I kept on being nagged by the fact that I had bad associations with this scent but couldn’t figure out what it is. Soon it dawned on me that it smells exactly like what Arko would smell like if Arko smelled good. I was surprised Arko could smell good, but there you go.

I wanted to be all simpatico with the entire theme of the day, but I’ve actually tried razors in every single one of those categories. I decided to roll with my Rolls since I never really use it.

So all lathered up I got ready to enjoy my Arko++ shave and the Rolls proceeds to make me feel like I’m dragging a dull cheese grater across my face. I quickly give up on it in less than one pass and go fumbling for another razor I rarely use. I found this gorgeous Lather Catcher sitting at the bottom of a drawer. It always seemed to be more of a show piece than anything else, but I figured, what the hell.

I was surprised with how good this razor is. It is massively aggressive, but not in a bad way. Quickly mowed down my several days of stubble. No real irritation. I might actually try this thing again this month.

EDIT: #PhotoContest

https://i.imgur.com/tV03oTx.jpg

The Lather Catcher is the most beautiful razor I own, and it was hard choosing between highlighting its beautiful script on the back or the artistic “stained glass” effect on the front. So I decided to use mirrors to try to show all the beauty of this razor.

Great composition and lighting. Not on a theme, but well done.

July 2, 2023 – Lather Games day 2 – AKA Meat is murder

• Brush: AP Shave Co Synthetic
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Clog Pruf
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (12)
• Lather: Dr. Jon’s – Propaganda
• Post Shave: Dr. Jon’s – Propaganda

My choice for todays shave is Dr. Jon’s Propaganda. It’s a shame that the Dr. Is no longer, I enjoy their products. Propaganda leaves me smelling like a corinthian leather apholstery factory, and I love it!

u/VisceralWatch GEMnabled me way back when by lending me and then Ultimately selling me my (now) favorite SE razor, the ClögPrüf. Umlauts notwithstanding, this is by far my favorite GEM razor (I have many). It definitely #ButtersThatToast each time I use it, and today was no exception. A smooth clean shave. The razor seems to get shinier after each use – probably because I sweat brasso, but that’s a story for another time.

Shave on, comrades!

#PhotoContest

https://open.spotify.com/album/5DM1qCdgGt2zbknnsVn1Ca?si=fWgcj-CSQWOqfldMFjXQMA

Good use of theme, and an interesting composition.

2023-07-02 This is a ~~Cow~~ Bull-Man

• Brush: Omega 343178 Synthetic #FAUXFUR #OLDWORLD
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb (MMOC) (1st Generation)
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Labyrinth
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Labyrinth
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Labyrinth

Challenge Accepted: I've called the MMOC a gentle giant before, a label I straight-up stole from u/EldrormR because it's accurate. I used this for last year's August MMOC challenge, during which time it served me well, and I am become fan.
I'm definitely out of practice, though; I think I can count on one hand, with a few fingers left over, the number of times I've used it since. At the very least my approach to today's shave was a bit cavalier. I realized this during, but did not correct it either enough or soon enough to save my skin. Then again, the mystery blade that's been sitting in the razor—out in the open for some indeterminate amount of time—probably didn't help.
Don't do that, kids; don't use a questionably-old blade.

Relevant Post Shave and Fragrance: Trickhole, plus relevant brush and bowl! I painted that bowl with a minotaur motif over 20 years ago, and never has it been more apt!

Free disclaimer: This Labyrinth set was bestowed upon me by u/phteven_j last year as a Lather Games reward. The news that he would not be involved in the Games or podcast this year was a surprise and disappointment to many, but I get it. The Games are exhausting enough as a participant, I can't imagine what orchestrating and running it would take.

Brush: I haven't been able to confirm whether that model number, 343178, is right, but that is what it purported to be when I bought it, and I haven't found any evidence to the contrary (and not for a lack of searching), so that's what I'm calling it. Also, I think I'm obligated to point out that I purchased it for the low price of $0.00. It wasn't gifted to me, it wasn't a PIF, it wasn't even a promo or freebie; rather, I purchased it from an online store for that listed price. Zero was the price that the brush cost, and the price of the payment was zero.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
But also, it is a synthetic brush, making it fit right at home for today's theme!

#photocontest

Photo: Story/thematic

Okay, I gotta talk about the Minotaur for just a second. We all know the story represented in the photo: Theseus (pictured), with his boat of questionably-continuous indentity (not pictured), heroically slew the fearsome, half-man-half-bull~~-half-pig~~ Minotaur (pictured) in his labyrinth (pictured separately, with the bowl). But I recently came across this summary of the myth, and it is... something else! Here's my further-condensed version:

Poseidon gave a fancy bull to Minos of Crete to help Minos become king, under the condition that Minos would later sacrifice the bull back to him. Minos reneged on sacrificing the bull, so Poseidon had Aphrodite make Minos' wife, Pasiphaë, fall in love with the bull.

Right, so Pasiphaë is in love with a bull. That's weird, right?. What's weirder is that Pasiphaë then had Daedalus (you know Daedalus, father of Icarus, flying too close to the sun and all that) fabricate a hollow cow suit that she could wear in order to....

And then she gave birth to the Minotaur!

What the fuck, right? Then again, this is the same general body of mythology that brought us Leda and the Swan, i.e. a popular subject of porny Renaissance art in which Zeus and Leda conceive Castor and Pollux while Zeus is in the form of a swan. Yup.

#FOF

Lather/Post Shave/Fragrance: Where was I? Oh, Labyrinth.
Anyway, it was the description of "wet stone" that first piqued my interest in Labyrinth. I'm kind of fascinated by those "non-scent" descriptions, i.e. that refer to things that don't really have any true scent or don't generally have a smell associated with them. Granted, how well this falls into that category is dubious, because wet stone may very well have a smell, depending on such things as may be on the surface of the rock, or perhaps anything in the water. It follows, too, that any generic wet stone in one's geographic area—say, Tucker, GA—may be distinctly different than what I'm familiar with here in hrmnhmrmgbrn...

I can't say whether it smells like any damp rocks of Georgia, but I can see it. What it actually reminds me of, though, is Stirling's Ben Franklin. Granted, I may be pretty far off because it's been a few years since my nose has been exposed to that.

I feel like I might be grasping at straws to draw some kind of similarity from the ingredients, but you've got the myrrh of Labyrinth and the benzoin of Ben Franklin, both tree-based resins. There's a strong temptation to relate myrrh to Ben Franklin's frankincese, but I can't tell you if those have any olfactory similarities.
I never claimed to have a refined olfactory palate.

If it were a color, I'd say it would be a desaturated, medium-light brown. Wait, that sounds like a bad thing; I don't mean it to be!
I struggle with thinking of the kind of ~~occastion~~ occasion for which this scent would be well-suited. It is not a date scent. It does not strike me as something to be worn to any kind of formal event, or even to work at an office job.
...
It does actually seem like it would be appropriate for an archaeologist. Does that make sense? I don't know any archaeologists.
Or maybe in a dark library, or something like an alchemist's lab, perhaps some tome of cryptozoological anatomy...
Actually, in my mind, that sort of image may fit right in with Southern Witchcrafts' brand.

great thematic shot and use of a model

July 2, 2023 – Vegan Day

• Brush: Dogwood Badger
• Razor: Mongoose – Mongoose SE
• Blade: Schick Proline (5)
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts – Arcane Abyss
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts – Arcane Abyss
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts – Arcane Abyss

So Vegan day just so happened to land on the day I was doing the most English thing possible. Watching the cricket, cooking roast beef on the BBQ in the rain so I thought I would capture it in my picture as that must tick a box or two on the Photo Contest.

The software today however was vegan and I would imagine most of the posts today will feature Southern Witchcrafts as for me they are a top tier base and being vegan is just a bonus for many.

This Trickhole (although the brush being a Dogwood Arcane Abyss would make it a matching 4 piece so not sure what that makes it) was from my first PIF (Hosted by the Grand Master Of Stag Himself u/phteven_j ) win shortly after me first LG a couple of years ago. I’m a big aquatic fan and this one is brilliant, and being SW it couldn’t just be your normal run of the mill scent. For me this scent is a warm jumper (sweater for you non uk folk) that you put on after a day at the beach while you are sat around an open fire on the shoreline, it’s has a real warmth to the scent that I really enjoy.

Today’s challenge was a winner, most of us head shavers love a SE and I went with the Mongoose today. It’s big, bulky, not overly pretty (yup we are still talking about the razor) but boy it gives a great shave.

Have a great rest of your weekend guys.

photocontest

Well composed, and on theme for both the tag Vegetables and relevant for the daily theme.

July 3, 2023

• Brush: Elite Razor Honduran Rosewood Burl 24mm HMW Fan

• Razor: C.V. Heljestrand MK 31 11/16 Söderfors Extra Specialstål Full Hollow (Straight Shave 266) #ALLNATURAL

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Almond Crème - Soap

• Post Shave: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Almond Crème - Aftershave

2 passes. Bowl lather. Excellent shave.

Not a lot to say today. This was a very nice theme. It reminded me to use Almond Crème which I've had for a long time, and like a lot, but forget to use.

Today we show appreciation by inflicting death by a thousand tags to u/RedMosquitoMM. Like this year, my participation in LG last year was more about reading all the SOTDs than optimizing points. RedMosquitoMM's daily entries last year were amazing in their consistency and high quality. Kudos! (And I expect the same this year :) )

The MK 31 Söderfors is a very special razor. Admittedly, I chose it because of its cream-colored scales to add "crème" to the photo. I have another, more typical, MK 31 which is excellent, but this one is truly special. It has ivory scales that are thinner and more delicate than the typical celluloid scales and the blade feels lighter as well. I think this one has a deeper hollow grind because it sings a bit more, yet it has that Swedish steel feel. I'm hoarding this one. It is so good that I'm on the lookout for another one that I can keep as a backup.

Theme: Almonday #photocontest

Particularly well composed, and different than all the other shots with almonds today.

July 3, 2023

• Brush: Muninn Woodworks purple burl AP Shave Co. 24mm MiG
• Razor: Karve CB SB-D
• Blade: Gillette Nacet
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Almond Leather
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts – Samhain

Today I get to break out almond leather, simple yet pleasant. I see almonds are taking a lot of flak this year but as I have learned with lavender, there is always a way to make even undesirable scents desirable. In my best /u/RedMosquitoMM imitation, I paired with SW Samhain AS. You have the edible almonds and incense-y frankincense with layered edible nutty pumpkin and more incense. Not bad going from dryer to sweeter. Food - #PHOTOCONTEST

As for the real scent sommelier /u/RedMosquitoMM appreciation, I hope that I can do it with his style. This appreciation has to do more with presence than obvious olfactory acumen that helped propel him to be the 2022 LG winner. I enjoy the diverse knowledge in several areas but think that the interactions within the community supersede skillset and virtuosities with scent, coffee, photography, and music among others. I remember this starter guide to scents with the statement, “I encourage y’all to share your own lists below.” Undoubtedly this is one example of creating discussion amongst the community and is what makes the community whole. I have learned a lot from /u/RedMosquitoMM posts and his questions/answers in the daily question threads as well. I am thankful for someone who is able to teach, learn, and interact with us all. So thank you /u/RedMosquitoMM.

/u/RedMosquitoMM ++

nice composition, good use of props. semaj3000 would approve

July 3, 2023

Brush: Omega s-brush

Razor: Gillette Slim

Blade: Astra SP (Green)

Lather: Cella

All almonds were harmed in the making of this photo.

Tags: #ROTY #photocontest vegetables

Congratulations I've selected your photo to be entered into our best picture competition.

Reason: simplicity of the shot made for a great composition.

July 3, 2023 – LG 3: Almonday

• Brush: Maggard Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Travel Tech #JETSETTER
• Blade: Personna Super Stainless (2)
• Lather: Moon Soaps – Amaretto Speciale
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – O, DELIGHT!
• Fragrance: Maher Olfactive – Treachery

Never used moon before, this was a smoosh curtesy of u/priusaurus. Amaretto smells, well like amaretto, but maybe not as boozy as the liqueur smells (ever tried beer and disaronno, tastes just like Dr Pepper). O Delight is another nutty, rich, slightly stone fruity follow up. Treachery is well, treacherous, and has sweet almonds as a scent note. That said, while the prior 2 are rather light and sweet, treachery is strong, boozy, with loads of tobacco. A bit gourmand on the dry down, almost like one of those almond croissants that have that heavy vanilla influence. This scent is not for everyone, and even initial application is a bit much for me, but it develops into something quite complex and inviting. A great wear today while outside and people have been drinking whiskey and around the campfire for several days. #FOF #photocontest (water). Kayak made by my buddy and is an absolute stunner.

As for u/redmosquito88. What a champ, blue ribbon for LG last year, red ribbon in FOF, solid memes and shaving insights through those games. Meanwhile the internet can’t even decide and/or agree what color ribbon my noble finish deserved.

soap brands 3/30, post shave 3/30, frag 3/30, post/frag linked 3/30, software sponsors 1/15, hardware sponsors 0/2, razor hashtags 2/15, brush hashtags 0/15, photo contest 3/30, daily challenges 2/25, special challenges 1/5

Riding lines between themes but really neat shot.

LGSOTD 04-July

• Brush: AP Shave Co. - Handcraft Lemon Drop 26mm TGN Boar #TEXASPIGSTINKMASSACRE #TOLL
• Razor: Ever Ready - 1912 #TWINS
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE
• Lather: Gentleman’s Nod - Juniper
• Post Shave: Gentleman’s Nod – Juniper AS
• Fragrance: Gentleman’s Nod – Juniper EDP

Introduction

The issue attempting to be resolved by the following experiment is the reduction of terminal hair growth, ensuring the use of a sufficiently keen blade loaded into a carefully engineered receptacle utilising a brush comprised of the hair of sus scrofa to create a lather of sufficient density and lubrication from a soap inspired by the vernal equinox to ensure removal of said growth with the absence of dermal irritation.

Equipment and Method

• Brush: 64.11mm Loft, TGN sus scrofa
• Water Hardness: ≤50ppm mineral content
• Water Volume: Absolute volume not recorded, added dropwise^(1)
• Load: 20 seconds
• Rotations: \~15 clockwise, 15 anticlockwise
• Brush Pressure: Minimal
• Lather Building: 60 seconds
• Blade and Receptacle: 3-faceted PTFE coated stainless steel blade held in a spring loaded ever-ready 1912
• Passes: 2
• Direction(s): WTG/ATG

• Pressure: Minimal

• ok I didn’t actually add dropwise as I don’t have a pipette at home

Following the methods above a lather of sufficient density and slickness was created to ensure drag-free movement of the blade and receptacle. Whilst not all presence of terminal hair was removed, a sufficient quantity was removed to obtain a smooth and irritation free outcome.

Discussion

Whilst there are always margins for error within any experiment, with influence both external^(2) and internal^(3), pre-analytical error^(4) and manufacturing tolerances that cannot be accounted for, the outcome was positive and with said methods recorded we are 95% confident that the outcome could be replicated over multiple iterations, however new user influences must be taken into account.

1. Screaming kid

2. Damn Tired

3. Bugger I miss loaded the blade

…load of waffle but kept me amused, I don’t often pay attention to what I am doing but that genuinely made me keep my mind in it, perhaps not quite as relaxing as the norm but certainly interesting. The AP Shave Co. handle picked up from a handcraft drop (a couple of years ago I think) is perfect for a tall boar, fits perfectly in my dinner plate sized hands. Threw in one of my work reference books, which I only just realised is also on theme for the photo scavenger hunt - happy coincidence.

Cracking shave, smelling good and looking forward to the day ahead.

Hope everyone has a grand day.

Cheers

Marc

#ROTY

#PhotoContest

Congratulations your submission has been selected for the Best Photo Competition.

Reason - "love the minimalism of this set up".

2023-07-04 — It's July

• Brush: West Coast Shaving - Lantern Brush, Silvertip, Ivory
• Razor: QShave Adjustable #DIAL
• Lather: Extro Cosmesi - Liquirizia e Magnolia
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Obsidian (Glacial)
• Fragrance: Lulu & Bee - Magnolia & Orchid

Challenge Accepted: Science again! I said science again!
(I feel like I should disclaim that I am 100% pro-science. If at any point it sounds like I'm denigrating science, I am not. I also realize I'm very unlikely to be the only one to talk about this.)

Science is one of those things that people everywhere have very strong opinions about, though many—regardless of their stance—may not really be aware of what it is. So what is science?
"Why, surely it's the field of study that deals with hard facts and such, like physics and chemistry, yeah? That's why come our challenge today is all about precise measurements and such!"
Those are sciences, sure, but that's not what science is.

Science is a philosophy, a framework by which one can seek to better understand the nature of... nature. At its core is the Scientific Method, by which one forms hypotheses from observations, tests these hypotheses' predictions, thereby generating more observations, rinse and repeat. Ad infinitum (this part is pretty important).

Put another way, science says that, in order to best understand nature, we must first try to explain what we see, and then try to show that that explanation is wrong. In order for this to be possible, the explanation (theory) must be falsifiable. All scientific theories, by definition, can conceivably be shown to be false.

Enter pseudoscience, which is anything that purports to be science, but does not adhere to the scientific method. A common (but not exclusive) way that pseudosciences deviate from science is with regard to falsifiability.
It is common for pseudosciences to claim to be able to explain anything under their purview, but done in a "just-so" way. These explanations come after the fact; i.e. phenomena are shown to be explainable under the theory as those phenomena arise.
No predictions are made or tested. Why would they be? If the theory can explain everything, then there's nothing that can prove it wrong. If it can't be proven wrong, then it's not science.

Can you believe I actually pared that little rant down by at least 50%?
Oh shit, I'm actually supposed to do something sciency...

Relevant Post Shave and Fragrance: The lather's featured notes unite the distinct prominent scents of the otherwise disparate post-shave and fragrance.

Brush: I'm supposed to disclaim here that I paid $0.00 for this brush. Same story as yesterday: I was buying other stuff, saw that this brush was $0.00, and so I added it to my cart and paid $0.00. If they were trying to clear inventory, that's an effective way to do it.

Razor: This knockoff Futur not only checks off a hardware box, but I'm not convinced that the adjustments really do anything, so this also seems like a decent enough place to pretend to to some science. Hypothesis: if the adjustment settings do anything more than fuck-all, then I will be compelled to avoid a certain range of settings in favor of another. Not super precise, but I'm comfortable enough with the sciency-ness of it.

I'm relying on my subjective assessment of the shave, so I chose to start by going back and forth between extremes before moving to an intermediate setting, checking on those subjective assessments along the way.

Starting off with the lowest setting, it was immediately clear that that was awful. Hypothesis confirmed! The highest setting made for a bit too much blade, so I moved it around a bit from time to time and settled in around 3.5. Side note: I do not care for how much wider wider the head of the razor is beyond the length of the blade; it makes precision under the nostrils difficult.

Lather: I also went ahead and measured my soap usage, because why not. I've seen you guys with your little scales, so I followed suit: by comparing the weight of the jar before and after loading, I was able to determine that I used exactly 0.0 lbs of soap. Huh, I guess the jar's almost empty!

I love anise and licorice; in fact, Stirling's Obsidian was one of my first shave soaps. Fast forward to last year, when I saw this post by u/Marquis90, I knew I had to try Liquirizia e Magnolia.

#FOF

With both licorice and magnolia sharing the spotlight, this soap would be right at home on either Floral Day or Spice Day! I opted for the former, because I thought it best to err on the side of caution, just in case someone decided that licorice wasn't the right kind of spice (not that I'd expect that, especially if they'd tried the Amarelli licorice used in this soap; that is spicy and, speaking from experience, not unlike just chewing on licorice root).

The magnolia accord in this scent seems to envelop the licorice, serving to mellow out its spiciness. They interplay in a way that gives me the impression of an uneasy balance, like a cease-fire in which either one could easily overcome the other if it so chose. Either the magnolia smothers and suffocates the licorice, or the licorice breaks through and overwhelms the magnolia. But the balance rests in this uncertain push-and-pull.

Post Shave: Enter Obsidian, on the spicy side of the battle. Licorice and anise are not quite the same, and they seem interchangeable in my mind, but their subtle differences start to seem more apparent when side-by-side.
I find that Stirling's Obsidian tends to be a bit on the sweeter side (as determined by their supplier's harvest, as I understand), especially when faced with the bold spice of the Amarelli licorice. But they are on the same side of this war. (It's a war now)

Fragrance: Enter, uh... Grandma.

I don't know what I expected with this perfume (and it is a women's perfume), but all I get from it is "Grandma." It is the essence of a crocheted doily draped over a coffee table that is adjacent to a mauve recliner with... yup, some kind of crocheted doily thing on each arm. And the back. That's also where the bland colors of the brush fit in.

Now that I've put both of these on my skin, these two representative armies—the aftershave fighting for the glory of the spice vs the...knitting—continue to fight on my very person. I am really glad I don't have to be near people today; the anise is not winning.

#photocontest

Photo: Fruit
I was about to call this vegetable, considering that, botanically speaking, a vegetable is any edible part of a plant. And then I realized and confirmed that the star anise pods are the fruit of that plant. Science!

I'm compelled to science things up a bit more. The razor thing was in the interest of following the letter of the challenge, but this was my first idea. Forgive me for not formalizing a hypothesis here, but I am going to try to replicate the Ouzo Effect! If you're unfamiliar, anise-flavored liquors like ouzo, pastis, sambuca, and absinthe, when water is added, change from transparent to cloudy; this has to do with something from the anise being soluble in alcohol, but insoluble in water, so it separates from the alcohol when water is added.

First, I'm guessing I'm probably going to need some kind of anise extract, so under the assumption that I make that in the same way as vanilla extract, I'm going to need some of the purest vodka. I don't drink, so I'm just going to use non-alcoholic vodka. And to save time, I'm going to heat that up to boiling before adding the anise and letting it... extract for 5-10 minutes or so.

Behold our anise extract! As expected, it is transparent and non-cloudy. Now, when we add the water...
Horse shit! There you have it, people: I have disproven the Ouzo Effect! Yeah science!

Is it going to win? no? Does it annoy semaj3000 that I'm the most generous photo judge? yes.

nice picture.

July 4, 2023

• Brush: Thäter Faux Ivory 29mm 2-band Silvertip
• Razor: Tatara Muramasa (setting: 3) #DIAL
• Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless (1)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - After the Rain - Soap
• Post Shave: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
• Post Shave: Unilever - Brut - Aftershave

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

The Declaration Grooming description of this scent is "Like a walk through a forest after a spring shower". So, I've got that going for me -- which is nice.

After the Rain was among the first soaps I purchased when I became interested in the hobby side of wetshaving. There's a tiny bit of sentiment attached to each use. A very nice shave today.

I'd say that Brut goes well with today's soap scent but, if you're of a certain age, Brut goes well with everything :)

I'm skipping today's challenge. It's too much like real work for me, and I'm (sort of) retired.

Theme: Water #photocontest [Yes, I finally realized there are photo themes]

nice use of water

Jul. 5, 2023 - The worst shave of LG

• Prep: CeraVe - Hydrating Facial Cleanser

• Brush: Maggard Green Handle 2 Band Badger #WEDONTNEEDNOSTINKINGBADGERS

• Razor: Weck Hair Shaper (Translucent Blue Scales) #RAINBOW #YTHO

• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper Blades

• Lather: Gillette - Pure Cream

• Post Shave: Nivea Men - Soothing Post Shave Balm

• Fragrance: Tommy Bahama - Maritime Deep Blue

Again comes the day that everyone dreads. It’s not that this necessarily has to be a bad shave because there is certainly decent products out there but thats not what we do here. Gillette Pure is a perfectly ok shave but for whatever reason I decided to use an open blade today. I only have 15 open blade shaves under my belt and still very much learning here. I have learned to not really push these open blade too far and escaped without bloodshed but it was not a comfortable or close shave at all!

For todays theme, I bought the Blade, Lather & Post Shave locally. The frag is available locally but was PIFd this sample so didn’t purchase it.

For todays #photocontest I set up like r/Wicked_Edge, showing off the bathroom. Bonus points for using subpar lather today.

Daily Challenges: For todays challenge I took a trip to my local fragrance counter to try out some things. I found the frag I used today and got some sample strips. I am not the greatest at these things but I feel like a scent of Cedarwood, Bergamot, Rosemary and Galbanum would be absolutely perfect! The woody undertone balanced with the clean rosemary and bergamot with the nice green undertone of galbanum sounds incredible!

Wait a second what is this hiding at the back of my soap shelf? Damn that smells good! HOLY SHIT WHAT DO I HAVE HERE? It’s like the soap of my dreams! This has to be made by some crazy magician because this is what dreams are made of!

great use of props

LGSOTD 06-July

• Brush: Simpson - Chubby 1 #ANCIENT 
• Razor:  Blackland - Blackbird #CNC
• Blade: Wizamet - Super Iridium
• Lather: Wholly Kaw – Vor V
• Post Shave: Wholly Kaw – Vor V Toner
• Post Shave: Wholly Kaw – Vor V Balm
• Fragrance: Wholly Kaw – Vor V EDP

If the judges were trying to make us really appreciate a proper soap and the artisans behind them, after yesterday's canned goop, I think you can give yourselves a pat on the back for a job well done. Opening this up and getting a lather going was a relief! 

Took me a while to piece this Vor V set together, we don't often get the EDPs this side of the pond. Think I picked up the soap, balm and splash in December 2021 from Maggards then eventually managed to get the EDP from Slickboys. I use it sparingly as I know it probably won't appear on these shores again, but I love it. 

This brush was purchased in roughly 2011/2012, still going strong and a solid performer but prefer slightly larger brushes. 

For the challenge today, I have to be absolutely honest, I chickened out. I did have my Friodur 17 lined up but I really didn't want to see my beloved straight dinged up to high heaven. Enter the Blackbird, this was one of, if not the first, modern razor I picked up, often my travel razor just for the efficiency and how solid it is. Tried to stack the entire setup but for the life of me couldn't get the brush to balance but I've given it a shot, though apologies for the angle of the pic, my little one had pulled all her toys out in her bedroom and I didn't think you'd fancy seeing that mess!

Have a grand day all. 

Cheers

Marc

ROTY

PhotoContest

Congratulations you've been selected for the best photo contest ☺️

Reason - love the aesthetic on this one.

July 6, 2023

• Brush: Zenith B16 24mm Boar #OLDWORLD #HOLLOW
• Razor: Gillette – Fatboy #DIAL
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. – 40 Soap
• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. – 40 Splash
• Fragrance: Chicago Grooming Co. – 40 EDT
• Music: Prince Swanny - Stacking

I have mixed feelings about today. On the one hand, Chicago Grooming Co.’s 40 is one of my favorite scents. It’s inspired by Tom Ford’s Fucking Fabulous, which I have never smelled, but I can confirm that 40 is absofuckinglutely fabulous. But on the other hand, I want to #ridewithitchy for every day of the Lather Games because matching your soap to your aftershave to your fragrance is indeed bad, sad, and boring. But the Lather Games Djudges bestowed this upon us today, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Today is the only day I’m going to match scents, so I’m sorry to the #FOF judges for being uncreative and lame today. My hands are tied. The good news is the scent is awesome. It’s a perfect balance of leather & tonka with a subtle sweetness coming from vanilla and almond and a slight floral of lavender and sage. It is so, so good. If there’s one scent that I don’t mind dickholing to, it’s this one. This scent is my go to when I need to smell good in a formal setting – weddings, funerals, trips to the dollar store, or important meetings… Things like that. I have to leave the house today for work today, and I’m happy the stars aligned with my schedule and I’m smelling ~~remarkable~~ Fucking Fabulous on a non-work from home day.

For my #photocontest, I’m doing light sources because this product deserves to be in the spotlight and I thought adding my desklamp to the stacking would make for a cool pic.

And of course, everyone’s favorite challenge (that we missed last year): Stacking! I was originally going to use a 3-piece razor today, buuuuuttt I figured the butterfly doors from the Fatboy would act as a better stand to balance stuff on, plus the weight and girth of the Fatboy would make for a decent base. Also used this Zenith brush because it is the lightest one I own (thanks to being #hollow) plus it matched the color scheme I was going for. After many falls, I have to say thanks to Chicago Grooming Co for using a well-made splash bottle. The thing literally hit my hardwood floor about 10 times. The first time, my heart skipped a beat. Mostly because I hadn’t shaved yet and I needed to use it today, but also the thought of breaking a bottle of splash on my office floor would make me incredibly sad... But my perseverance prevailed and I was able to balance everything for just long enough to take a couple pics before everything came crashing down. Hopefully this challenge doesn’t serve as a metaphor for my 2023 Lather Games performance – Strong presentation, and trying so hard to hold everything together just long enough to matter, then everything comes crashing down behind the scenes. Could actually be said for my life, as well. Big yikes! ANYWAY, let’s move on…

For my interview today, I chatted with Vida Perez from u/chicagogroomingco. She’s one of the absolute best in the business. You ever get the sense of “I really don’t know this person, but I could absolutely be friends with them”? That’s what I got going back and forth with Vida. She’s so nice, down to earth, and completely got what I was going for with my questions. Thank you so much for playing along, Vida, and making amazing stuff!

10 Questions with… Chicago Grooming Co.

1. It took me far too long to connect the duck dots in the naming of Canard and Darkwing. So, I ask you, as a cartoon duck aficionado: How do you think Scrooge McDuck is able to swim through all those coins?

Loooolll (thanks for that laugh) Scrooge McDuck has been around a long time and practice makes just about anything possible. Plus, I hear ducks are slippery little buggers.

2. On a roadtrip, who should be in charge of the music playlist? The driver or the passenger?

Always the passenger BUT you gotta have some trust in your co-pilot otherwise that playlist might have you rethinking your whole trip.

3. You clearly put a ton of effort into making products that will make your customers’ skin feel good. Other than skin care, what do you do to make yourself feel good?

Hair care! I went from COMPLETELY bald to rocking a lovely poufy head full of hair. Gotta take care of the locks.

4. Of the different scented products you’ve made, what’s your favorite scent that you’ve released?

Hmm, man this is always a tough one...Pucker… Probably because it's so darn fresh and clean

5. It’s not a secret that you are the one making the products for House of Mammoth, how much of you time is spent making and developing your own stuff vs making products for Ben (or others?)?

Lately most of my time is spent in production for House of Mammoth but I have plenty of time for CGCo and other creative pursuits. Around a drop, things can get hectic but after that everything calms down again. It's all manageable.

6. How often does someone think they’re hilarious and hit you with a “Livin’ the Vida Loca” reference? Did this question count as one?

Oh goodness when that song came out EVERYONE thought they were so clever. I got REALLY good at giving a meanie faced hard stare. Nah, you're fine. It was a long time lol

7. What’s the best Deep Dish Pizza in Chicago?

Giordanos, argue with your momma (please don't argue with your mother). I'm sorry Mrs. [Priusaurus’ Last Name], I didn't mean it like that!

8. Women have much larger area to shave, and (generally speaking) women tend to put a greater emphasize on skin care and self-care, yet the wetshaving “hobby” a male dominated. Keeping that in mind, my question is: Why do Chicagoans still call the Willis Tower the Sears Tower?

*Cackle*

Because you just don't go around changing things simply because someone bought something. I mean, seriously!

9. What's next on the horizon for Chicago Grooming Co?

EDP samples, collabs... A little of this, a little of that ... Good times to be had all around

10. How does Chicago Grooming Co. differentiate itself from other shaving soap companies out there?

My goal has always been to make very high quality products accessible to as many people as possible. Whether it's shaving soap, hair care or personal care products, I believe everyone should have an opportunity to try some of the good stuff and I'll continue to do exactly that as long as I can.

good stack

July 6, 2023

• Brush: Wald Nimbus Chryselephantine 29mm A1 Fan

• Razor: Koraat 7/8" Near Wedge Spanish Point (Straight Shave 267) #STR8SNOB

• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Black Watch - Soap

• Post Shave: Thayers - Lemon - Toner
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Black Watch - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Black Watch - Eau de Toilette  

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Last year I was able to plan my entire LG calendar a couple of days ahead of time. This year I don't seem able to do better than look a couple of days ahead. However, on my first scan of the calendar I knew that today I would use (exactly as u/whosgotthepudding predicted) the Black Watch trifecta.

What an absolute joy Black Watch is. For me the scent has the perfect balance between sophistication and the seafaring ruggedness portrayed in the old Old Spice ads. The Highland base is exceptional, and while today's level of closeness is only a little better than yesterday's (Cremo, Nacet blade, Parker Travel razor), the overall shave quality is cuts above [ points deduction for bad pun ].

It did not occur to me last night (when I planned today's photo) that stacking this setup could go under the "Urban/Architecture" photo contest theme. Instead, I decided to try the r/wicked_edge theme. But, to show that I have some trifecta stacking chops, here is an image of this trifecta horizontally stacked in an improbable way, and this is an image of the Midnight Stag trifecta stacked in a physics-defying way.

Theme: r/wicked_edge -- #photocontest

Edit: Added hashtag for razor

good composition

July 8, 2023 – LG 8: Small Business Caturday

• Brush: Maggard 24mm 2-Band Badger
• Razor: Maggard Slant on MR11 Handle
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (4)
• Lather: Maggard Razors – Lilac
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Fougère Angelique
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Fougère Angelique

What’s better than Saturday, Caturday of course. #PHOTOCONTEST (pets, featuring Mr Cat, aka lathercat).

Maggards soap, made by Through the Fire Fine Craft, is pretty run of the mill if you ask me. Not one of the all stars of this sub, but it still makes the team. Lilac is a pretty straightforward floral scent. Clean, crisp, and safe, but not much of a head turner. I initially had slated lilac vegetal in today, but opted to take a picture of my cat instead of smell like his liquid excretions. Seriously though, that stuff has a decaying floral, ammonia, medicinal quality to it that is a head turner, but for all the wrong reasons. Figured instead I’d opt for the phenomenal maggard exclusive fougere Angelique. A wonderful fougere that paints outside the lines, and is wonderfully citrus forward with loads of lime and neroli to my nose. Killer longevity for a citrus forward scent, but dries down with some floral elements from the geranium and lavender, eventually smoldering out to its woody and mossy base. Quite different than the other fougeres in my den, and really holds onto the citrus side of the scent throughout. #FOF

In case it wasn’t as clear as other day, although some floral elements link the shave, everything hardware and software today was from maggard, and had a nice purple/blue theme as well.

As for the challenge, getting meta today in the DQT and wondering about airbudding the airbud quest.

soap brands 8/30, post shave 8/30, frag 8/30, post/frag linked 8/30, software sponsors 3/15, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 4/15, brush hashtags 5/15, photo contest 8/30, daily challenges 7/25, special challenges 1/5

cat.

July 9, 2023 – LG23 Day 8: DEATH ☠️ before DECAF

• Brush: Wild West Brushworks Hallows Maggard SHD 26mm #SHD
• Razor: Gillette Fat Handle Gold Tech Post-war
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (1)
• Lather: Hendrix Classics & Co – Roasted
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Leviathan
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Leviathan

Daily Challenge
The only kitchen I have is my own.

Coffee and I have a long-standing love-hate relationship. I was a tea drinker until I got to college and started hitting the hard stuff. At first with lots of powdered Coffee-Mate and sugar. The Java got me through countless all-nighters, some of which were the studying kind. Then it became the Saturday morning connection when visiting the in-laws. There was always a pot at the ready. It wasn’t until later that I would be taken to the dark side and back. I was working at a start-up venture of Highlights for Children and it was a back alley garage operation. Six people trying to build a nation-wide operation on a shoe-string budget. The nice thing was the coffee station. At my lowest point, I was sucking down three pots a day, and we worked 10-hour days. It was inevitable that I ended up thinking I was having a heart attack one Saturday evening. A friend of mine had just finished his med school cardiac rotation and he took me to the hospital. Thankfully it wasn’t a heart attack, but I spent a week wired to a Holter monitor and a directive to lay off the coffee. I got myself back under control, but now my problem is just gastric. Too much acidity and I’m a wreck. But grab the bull by the horns, if we must. Cheers!

Tying it all together
I had put the Leviathan out of rotation for awhile and today reminded me why I love it. And it is a fitting finish for the creamy, caramel sweetness of Roasted. It makes me look forward to cooler months.

PHOTOCONTEST Drinks

wow. really great composition

2023-07-09 "Kitchen," you say?

• Brush: Omega 11047 Mixed (43mm x 20mm) #MISTURA #SMOLL #RUNT
• Razor: Gillette Travel Tech (J3: 1964) #JETSETTER
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Irish Coffee
• Post Shave: Epsilon - Scottish Spirit
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - 1904
• Blade: - Lord Platinum (1)

Well if it isn't my annual reminder to clean my kitchen! I'm kidding. I didn't clean my kitchen last year, either.

#photocontest

Photo: Drinks
Super original, I know. Yes, it's the same little bottle of whiskey I used last year. Yes, they're the same coffee beans. What can I say?

What is new, as of this morning, is the moka pot in the back, which the Games inspired me to finally spring for. I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but I am a fan of tea, and I've been known to enjoy the occasional straight espresso. That said, I don't handle caffeine all too well, so it wasn't great when I got this thing this morning and promptly made 2... batches? brews? witch's brew? I don't know, but I had already had too much caffeine this morning, so I was really fucking amped before I started drinking the third.

Challenge Accepted: I knew I wouldn't be alone in choosing a different kitchen than my own, considering it was hinted in the challenge description. I was hesitant to follow through with this, but super-wired with faux-expresso, my brain barely able to process reality, and my kitchen now more of a mess, I sought another kitchen.

I shaved in a kitchen, alright: Pei Wei Asian Kitchen.

As I waited in line to order, I scoped out the restaurant for a secluded place to accomplish my task. There was none. It's an open, casual-fast restaurant; there are no secluded booths, only one open space. Everyone in the restaurant was part of an audience.

After I selected a table, I realized I would need another bowl for water, so I asked the person working, who graciously brought me one. I began preparing, and it wasn't long before the food arrived.

After having a few bites, I commenced lathering. That was inconspicuous enough, but once I began applying the later to my face. there was no hiding.

Two things became clear: 1) People are generally focused on what they have going on and 2) as long as you're not bothering anyone, they don't care what you're up to. The people who did notice didn't gawk or stare. They just observed that there was some guy nonchalantly shaving in the middle of a restaurant, and carried on with their own food and conversation.

And so I was able to proceed with shaving (using my phone's camera as a mirror) with little concern for the other people there, much as they had little concern with me. I admit I was nonetheless a little rushed, so I hadn't gotten the lather as thick as I would have in my own kitchen, but I got it better for the second pass.

Once I was finished, I rinsed each bowl in the restroom, and reflected on the fact that a greater coward would have done the entire shave in there. Similarly, a greater coward would promptly leave, but I decided it was time to finish the food

Relevant Post Shave and Fragrance: Tied together as the main features of the lather: coffee and whiskey.

#FOF

Lather: Because this will undoubtedly be one of the most popular lathers today, there isn't going to be much that I can add. I will say that it's probably the most pleasant coffee soap I've tried. In contrast, Stirling's Iced Coffee (a bar of which I currently have in the shower) is strong on hazelnut. Storybook's Coffee Spoons smells like coffee-flavored ice cream. Catie's Bubbles, on the other hand, is mellow and smooth coffee, with no bitterness. I do not pick up mush "Irish" in it, but I admittedly don't know what I would be sniffing for in that regard. During today's shave, I admit I didn't pay much attention to the scent.

Post Shave: First off, I very much enjoy the wordplay in the name, Scottish Spirit. Secondly, this aftershave pairs astonishingly well with General Tso's Chicken! I had started eating again when I donned it, and the whiskeyness laid beautifully over the hot spices of the meal. I feel comfortable calling the aftershave woody and smoky, words that I think are not uncommon when describing whiskeys. By itself (i.e. not alongside the chicken), the clove note comes through pretty strong to my nose, which I don't mind at all; I'm a fan, even. Cinnamon also seems quite prominent, but I've never been much a fan of cinnamon anything, so I could do without that part, but it's not terrible.

Fragrance: Following up with 1904 brought back the coffee, which frankly interrupted the graceful chicken/whiskey dance, but that's not the fragrance's fault. 1904 is what I might expect as the general ambient scent of air in a coffee shop, just the background smell that reminds you that it is a place where coffee is made.

Speaking of the fragrance in isolation, I think that the coffee note is close enough to the neighborhood of sandalwood that it occupies the same nose-space, so I don't think I can pick it out.
I still don't know what cardamom is, but if I learned anything from yesterday's cardamom+ylangx2 fragrance, I expect it's a light one that works with the jasmine and lime notes to brighten the scent from the coffee and sandalwood (that is straight guesswork there). I think I can actually detect the jasmine here—definitely more so than the lime—which pleases me; as I keep saying for some reason, jasmine is something I cautiously wish was more prominent in more scents.

Neat perspective and composition here.

☠Death before Decaf☠

• Brush: Zenith r/Wetshaving exclusive MOAR BOAR #Chonk #OldWorld
• Razor: Gillette Goodwill #RegUS
• Blade: Feather (DE) (2)
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – Irish Coffee
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Leviathan
• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors – Sundrunk

Kitchen shave day! Yayy! I didn't have time to come up with another episode of Indiana Djundj again, but less pressure to shit post is a perk of being a djudge, so I don't feel to bad about it. I'm looking forward to browsing the SOTD thread and look at kitchen shaves before going to bed tonight.

So, this shave concludes the Brush hashtags with my last missing hashtag #Chonk easily filled by the MOAR BOAR. You can see in the picture that my MOAR BOAR brush has some gold lines where it shouldn't, it's because I broke it and tried to fix it Kintsugi style 😭. At least it's still functional. I'm still missing the #AllNatural razor hashtag, but not for long.

We are a half-Croatian household, so we have a nice Džezva for making Balkan-style coffee, and it has the perfect size for lathering with the MOAR BOAR brush, very much unlike Catie's Bubbles tiny diameter tubs. Lore has it that this is explained by the fact that Chris is a bowl latherer.

I really like Catie's Bubbles' soap base, and Irish Coffee is a delightful gourmand that always makes me happy, and I had a great kitchen shave with the heavy Goodwill and the chonky moar boar.

My relevant post and frag theme for today clashes hard: I guess every culture has their version of Irish Coffee and ours is Kafi Lutz. There are two kinds of occasions for it, the happy drunk one (e.g., après-ski in the bar at the bottom of the slopes, getting you happy and (Sun)drunk), and the sad drunk one (pouring your morning booze in your coffee in a vain attempt at hiding your alcoholism as in Leviathan picking up the coffee note and turning it into dark despair).

Regarding the #RegUS hashtag, here's some supporting evidence.

For the #photocontest, I am submitting this picture of me mid-shave. I am the #law after all.

A redditor may be photographed more than once if they meet more than one theme, however if you are photographing yourself this should be a full body shot not a lame ass selfie

FAILED (although nice shirt DJ)

LGSOTD 10-July

• Brush: Chisel and Hound - 'Eyespot' V18 #SHD #COMPOSITE
• Razor: Gillette - Slim J2 #DIAL 
• Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium   
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Electric Mayhem   
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Electric Mayhem AS   
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Electric Mayhem EDT

I am in no way musical, don't get me wrong I tried in my youth and I could just about get away with classical guitar, not particularly competent. Then, misguided, decided in my uni days to try out electric, that lasted all of two weeks. But my hoarding ways pay off, a couple of decades later the thing has finally seen the light of day and today it has been more useful than it has ever been before to hit the scavenger hunt for music…now it's back into the depths again probably never to see the light of day again. 

I like Electric Mayhem for a warm day, and we're halfway there despite being overcast, it's still bloomin warm. It's strange but I really do think Neon when I use this, I've never considered electricswing my thing but this is lovely. Does this also hit the Shawn Mayer vendor points? Not sure with respect to the rules but fingers crossed. 

Daily Challenge was to draw a pic of the soap, chose pencil and pen, can't for the life of me draw faces so we've got a creepy featureless creature, there was no way I was drawing the little people on the LP and I made the clefs too big but gave it a go. My daughter pinched it afterwards to colour in but she takes weeks so sadly no colour, she's only young. 

Hope everyone has a grand one. 

Cheers

Marc

ROTY

PhotoContest

Well composed, brush is complementary to the guitar.

I opened the pic up and said out loud, "ooh, I like that a lot."

So... Well done.

July 11, 2023 - Green Sunny Days

• Brush: Zenith r/wetshaving exclusive MOAR BOAR
• Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Green Permasharp Stainless (1)
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley (SB-D)
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Co - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime
• Post Shave: TN Dickinson - Witch Hazel

Wow, what a refreshing shave!. Yo, u/j33pguy13, I think you’re great, imma let you finish, but Sea Spice Lime is one the best summer scents of all time!!

Hope everyone is having an awesome summer this year! Me and my family had a great 3 weeks at my wife’s parents place in Japan. I dream of living there permanently one day. It’s not completely off the cards.

Edited for spelling and hashtag #photocontest

Music
“Memory Box” - Peter Cat Recording Co Spotify / YouTube

Nice natural lighting

LGSOTD 11-July

• Brush: Cadman - Tuxedo 30mm #CHONK     
• Razor: Frederick Reynolds - Swayback 13/16 Horn Scales #ALLNATURAL   
• Lather: Noble Otter - Jack
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Jack   

The Cadman brush is a great one, solid handle and whips up a great lather, and it's surprisingly not that hungry a brush despite its size. Picked up this Swayback from Griffiths Shaving a couple of months ago, solid and hefty razor.  My only barbers notch and I think it won’t be my last, I keep eyeing up a second Koraat (that damn configurator!) but we’ll see how we go. 

I've been looking forward to Jack, I have a good number of NO sets and love the vast majority, Plunder, Firefighter and Manoi being at the top.  I actually waited until today to use Jack for the first time, and it should hit the mark for Citrus Accords.  I was a little worried when I saw orange in the description, for whatever reason whenever orange is in something then that tends to be all I can pick up, and I am getting what seems like a strong hit to it, I have no idea why I pick that up so strongly. I don't think this is necessarily the soap, I think it's my nose, I had the same issue with Signature Soaps Novus Spice in which Brian said that he'd only added a small amount. Obviously standard NO performance, though of the card sets so far, Joker is in the lead. 

Edit: what I did forget to mention is that the wife passed positive comments, so might not be to my taste but is to the Mrs

Trying for the today's colour coordinated challenge and made it a green summer theme, fingers crossed this is the sort thing, I'm not exactly artistically inclined but have to give it a bash.  On the plus side I popped in the Noble Otter card set to capture the ‘Gaming’ item.  Best set of cards I own, I may have purchased a handful of sets for when I inevitably wear these out, my daughter loves the artwork.

Cracking shave and seemingly smelling good, hope everyone has a grand day.

Cheers

Marc

ROTY

PhotoContest

Meets criteria for gaming.

July 11, 2023 – Hot(pink) Summer

• Brush: AP Shave Co Synthetic
• Razor: Valet Autostrop
• Blade: Feather – FHS-10 (3)
• Lather: Noble Otter – Neon Sun
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Neon Sun Balm
• Fragrance: Bruno Banani – Pure Woman

Pink is just my color. Whenever I can, I set my color choice to pink. Be it in my disco shower, LED light on my gaming PC or keyboard, my card sleeves. Oftentimes, I can still provoke a reaction by choosing pink colors. I am on a mission. Since the movie Alfie I got the courage to embrace pink in my live.

I am also in love with synthwave and the whole aesthetics around it. The music, the style, neon lights, Anemoia. Anemoia? “a nostalgic sense of longing for a past you yourself have never lived”. As a kid of the 90s, I grew up with some 80s music and movies. They formed me and I have very early memories about traveling to east europe with Pet Shop Boys or Michael Jackson playing on the radio.
The synthwave genre captures that decade and breathes fresh air into it. Neon Sun, hits these aesthetics very well. I knew I had to get it, when I saw the label.
To me, Neon Sun is the dirty brother of sea spiced lime. Fresh lime and bergamot beam me into the 80s summer. I see pictures of GTA – Vice city in my head, where I drive around with a motorcycle, dressed in a hawai shirt. Then patchoulli and musk step from the back to the front. Gone is the Hawai shirt. We need a leather jacket, we need pomade, we need huge sunglasses. I am cool like John Travolta in Grease.
The aftershave is more forward in the citric notes and it feels awesome. My face is nourished for hours. Unfortunately, I had some trouble with the Valet. It has a very wide angle where it is able to cut hair, but that does not mean it is the most efficient angle. I guess, you could also shave (scrape off is the better word) in a 90° angle. There were some spots of hair left and they drive me nuts during the day.
Color matching a brush to the Noble Otter label is not that difficult. With my Maggards brush and this wonderfull one I got from u/Teufelskraft, I can scratch that off.
The biggest problem was to find a full sized fragrance, that matches pink. Good luck finding a pink male fragrance. We found Joop Homme, which smells like fancy mouthwash. 40 bucks for a stupid fragrance just to take a pic.
A boy got to do, what a boy got to do. I took my girlfriends perfume. Dynamic and feminine is written on the packaging. Or in my words: girly cotton candy. Marketing gets even worse: forbidden mysterious awakens the sensuality in a lady. For the girl who likes to seduce, like an angle playing with the fire. The striking pink bottle resembles the silhouette of a woman and ignites full passion.
The scent does not develop much. A bit freshness fades away to a little bit of warmth, but everything is sweet. I can just describe it as girly.

But here we are. A pink themed SOTD. I love that the Valet inlays color matches my SOTD too.
#FOF
#photocontest

love the colours

July 11, 2023 – LG 11: Sunny Days

• Brush: Rx Shave Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Super Adjustable #DIAL
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (6)
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime

This is a citrus forward aquatic, so I’m basically getting 2 birds stoned at once when it comes to being on theme today.

Lime can be so simple (mikes, Stirling, eleven), but this really is an elevated lime scent that was embraced by r/wetshaving, going so far as to be 2021 scent of the year. It’s so lime forward but without being overly sweet, perhaps that’s the bergamot. It has a saltiness to it, with a hint of spice almost like the faintest of bay. Underneath, although I get it less in the soap and splash, is a touch of earthiness and moss the anchors the scent and keeps it multidimensional. #FOF

For todays #PHOTOCONTEST (fruit) I went heavy on the limes, with a spritz of water to emulate the sea spray scent note. I think the cutting limes and figuring out how I wanted the photo for todays special challenge took about 2x+ as long as the actual shave. The brush was a gift in one of the many SS exchanges turned by our very own u/rdthedo. Razor is a birth year/quarter too FWIW. Here are some of my cooler photos over the years while we’re at it.

soap brands 11/30, post shave 11/30, frag 11/30, post/frag linked 11/30, software sponsors 6/15, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 5/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 11/30, daily challenges 9/25, special challenges 2/5

Congratulations 🎉 you're been selected for the best photo contest 😊

Reasons "great use of fruit"

LGSOTD 12-July

• Brush: Simpsons - Chubby 2 SiLVERTiP
• Razor: Gillette - Old Type #REGUS   
• Blade: Gillette - Wizamet  
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles - Revolution   
• Post Shave: Catie’s Bubbles - Revolution
• Fragrance: Catie’s Bubbles - Revolution

A last minute substitution, I had fully intended to use Signature Soaps today which contains Potassium Cocoate but after a BST purchase from a fellow LG contestant, which I didn’t realise before buying, I had to throw this in the mix as soon as I realised that it contained coconut oil.  

To be fair this was probably a bad idea, mainly because of the extra ‘opposite day’ challenge.  When I started out I used to bowl lather and thought nothing would change, got myself a little collection going with the obligatory muhle porcelain effort, dog bowls, scuttles and eventually a captains choice bowl. At that point I was out of town for a while and forgot the bowl and just went to the face…why hadn't I done that sooner!? I've not looked back since and so I am well and truly out of practice and the bowl sits under the sink unloved.  On top of that it’s a soap base that I have never used before, already this is not the best idea in the world.  So it really was a bit of a challenge but it didn’t come out too bad but I know both it and I can do better, it’s just my cack handedness. 

My sub-par lather aside, it doesn't take away from the scent on this. I had in my mind that it was going to be something like A&E Novelist, it is not. This has its own character and it's brilliant. It's stronger than Novelist and darker, but in a good way. The description helps to guide the mind of course but I imagine an old library, not the dodgy public ones, more curated antiques. I'll see what the longevity is like on the EDP but it's looking hopeful. Shame we can't seem to get more bubbles this side of the pond. 

Throwing in my Gillette Old Type for the REGUS tags, I picked this up as part of a Khaki Travel and though it does tend to be used for that purpose it really isn't.  It’s a lovely little razor, I would say that I prefer my ‘NEW’ but this does the job very well. 

Hope everyone has a cracking day. 

Cheers

Marc

ROTY

PhotoContest

nice pic

July 12, 2023 – Lather games day 12 – AKA Fluffy reverse lather

• Brush: Razorock Synthetic BC Silvertip
• Razor: Tatara Masamune Nodachi plate
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (4)
• Lather: Proraso – Green Tea & Oat
• Post Shave: Proraso – Menthol and Eucalyptus
• Fragrance: Zoologist Perfumes – Panda

Proraso is fluffy. And white. It comes in a weird container so that I would normally bowl lather. This is the first time I tried lathering from the (weird) tub. Worked fine but made a huge mess. Proraso is also slick. Must be that coconut oil.

My photo today tried to capture the white, clean feel of it all. I must say that Zoologist Panda pairs beautifully with Proraso green splash. I only break it out from time to time, but the Tatara Masamune razor is fantastic. Mine actually has a Nodachi plate, which makes it even better. Today is gonna be a good day.

#PhotoContest

Such a well-composed photo.

If I didn't know otherwise, I'd expect that this was a professionally made commercial photo. Well done.

2023-07-12 Coconut, my dear Watson

• Brush: Zenith Chubby B27
• Razor: Gillette Old Type
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Sherlock
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Sherlock
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Unconditional Surrender
• Blade: - Feather (2)

Although I'm sure Chiseled Face is going to be popular today, I'll still point out that it's number 3 on the label.

Relevant Post-shave and Fragrance: Sticking with the same scent for the post-shave. As for the fragrance, it relates in two ways: 1) the tobacco note (and leather somewhat, as represented by the amber accord, according to u/hawns) and 2) also being inspired by a great man, i.e. Ulysses S. Grant (granted, one is fictional and the other is not).
"Why not Baker Street," you ask? Because I didn't think of it is why!

Challenge Accepted: Fuck.
It's no secret how I feel about face-lathering. If you do favor face-lathering, I implore you to seek vigorous therapy to explore why you hate yourself so much that you regard your own time with such little value! For today, I figured I might as well bring out my old face-lathering ~~friend~~ ~~companion~~ boar from last August, a single month in which I wasted ~~hours~~ ~~days~~ weeks spent face-lathering. And now I'm still stuck with this "face-lathering sucks" bit!

But it is awful. So awful. Behold the meager lather after only a mere 3 hours rubbing my face as my beautiful bowl sat dry. Nah, I didn't spend that long, but I did think—just for a moment during the first pass—that maybe it wasn't bad, maybe there's something to be said for fluffy coconut. Nope, terrible.

#FOF
This was one of my first soaps. When I was first getting started, I was intent on finding a perfect tobacco scent. I thought this one to be better than others I sampled at the time, despite some reviews claiming it to be akin to an ashtray. I didn't agree with that assessment, but when compared to the likes of Tobacconist from House of Mammoth (as close to a perfect tobacco scent as may be possible), it's certainly closer to ashtray than humidor.

As for the fragrance, I think it may have been my nose's first Maher scent, from the soap, and I was and am quite enamored. The tobacco isn't front and center, nor is it meant to be, so there's not a lot of room for direct comparison, and I don't think it's the most appropriate pairing. After about an hour, I'm still getting Sherlock rising to the top, but I'd prefer its unconditional surrender to Unconditional Surrender.

#photocontest

Photo: Literature
Pretty straightforward, this one was already decided before the contest was even announced, so that's convenient!

great use of magnifying glass

July 12, 2023

• Brush: Stirling Soap Company – 24mm Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Travel Tech #JETSETTER
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword
• Lather: Abbate y La Mantia - Don Jose Soap
• Post Shave: Hoffman’s Shave and Soap Co. – Road Trip Splash
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts – Samhain EdP
• Music: The Clash - I Fought the Law

Alright boys and girls. I’m going to Tarantino this SOTD post a little bit: I’m going to start at the end, then go the beginning and tell you what happened leading up to the end. Sound good? Good.

I got asked to leave the restaurant I was shaving at.

Now that I have your attention, today started out as a pretty normal day. I was kinda bummed because for the first day in these Lather Games, I didn’t have an interview to bring to the people of r/wetshaving. The why doesn’t matter. I hoped I would, but an artisan backed out of an interview, so I shifted my calendar around a bit and that left today with no interview. And while I’m trying to bring the heat to every single post I make, I realize the interviews are kinda my secret sauce for this year. And since I didn’t have one today, I wanted to go CocoNutty on Coconut Oil Day. And being inspired by the likes of others in the sub shaving in public, I thought that sounds like a fun challenge. I’ve never wetshaved outside of the comfort and safety of my own home, so I wanted to live on the edge a bit. But where could I shave? It’s not kitchen day. It’s Coconut Oil Day. So, I go on Google Maps, zoom out and type “coconut”, and there’s a restaurant called Coconut Thai Café that is not too far from me. Bingo. I could feel my heart beating faster just thinking about it. I’ll go there and shave.

I gather up my travel shaving gear, get in my car and drive to downtown Wellesley, Massachusetts, timing my visit for right when they open, because I want to ensure I get a table and it’s hopefully not too busy. Lucky me, when I arrive, there’s a few tables with people already seated inside, but outside is completely empty. This bodes well because I make an absolute mess when I shave at home and I’d feel bad making a mess inside the restaurant. I go in, ask the waitress for an outdoor seat and check out the menu. Since it’s Coconut Oil Day, I ordered the Coconut Soup appetizer, then the Coconut Pineapple Yellow Curry with Chicken, which was delicious. The lovely waitress brought my check over, I paid and then it was go-time. I pulled out my travel shaving kit with everything I’d need, and even learned from u/OnionMiasma’s mistake and brought my own warm water in a Contigo travel mug (not pictured). I usually face lather, but it didn’t take long to complete the challenge and build my lather in a bowl today. Then I quickly start to spread the lather over my face. I’m immediately hit with the scent of coconut and banana, which continues to be incredibly on Coconut theme for the day where the soap just needs to be made with coconut oil. This is without a doubt the worst lathering job I’ve done since I first started wetshaving. My excuses are as follows: (1) I’ve never used this soap before (2) my heart is RACING and I’m trying to move as fast as possible (3) since I was outside and wearing sunglasses, the selfie mode of my phone was really hard to see and (4) I had NO IDEA this soap was mentholated until the brush hit my skin. I was already in a stressful situation and then my face started to unexpectedly burn – absolute disaster - but I’m determined to power through. A got a somewhat serviceable lather and start to go to town with this tiny travel razor (another mistake, when shaving quickly and nervously, I wish my razor fit in my hand a little better, but a hashtag is a hashtag). And right as I finish my first pass, I capture my face just as my waitress comes out to ask what I’m doing. My heart beats faster and it drops way down into my stomach, past the Coconut Pineapple Curry and Coconut Soup. Remember that feeling as a kid, when you were caught doing something that you knew you shouldn’t be doing, but did it anyway? That’s what I felt. I could feel my face turn beat red - which was possibly from the surprise menthol in the soap, but likely because of my immediate and severe embarrassment.

Quick aside: As a straight, white, male, who is approaching the age of 40, I realize I’ve lived with certain privileges throughout my life. Generally speaking, no one is ever suspicious of me. Add in the fact that I’m dressed somewhat nice and clean cut, I never expected anyone to actually ever come say anything to me. I was wrong. If my worst nightmare was getting the police called on me or something, this was a second.

I tell her I finished my lunch, and I realized I hadn’t shaved yet today and I’m heading to a meeting. And she politely asked that I please choose a different place to groom myself, other than her patio, next to the front door, where people walk in and out of her restaurant. Fair. But she doesn’t realize the stakes of the Lather Games. I quickly determine it best to not take the time to explain that the people of Pei Wei let u/ginopino shave there without incident. It’s clear to me that Coconut Thai Café is no Pei Wei. And then she said “I think it’d be a good idea for you to leave now.” And I agree. I apologize and clean up after myself, wiping down the table better than I ever clean my bathroom at home. And as I’m packing up my things, I make sure I give the Road Trip splash a good shake and apply it to my face before walking back to my car. I opted not to push it with the EdP right there. After I packed up my things, the waitress did tell me that I was welcome to come back anytime, just not if I shave there. And once again, I thought that was fair. I tell her the food was delicious and we part ways.

As I walk away to my car, I can’t help but smell the sense of accomplishment of my first public shave and first time being asked to leave an establishment while it was light out. I can also smell the scent of Road Trip, which went great with the soap, as well as my lunch. Road Trip has a lot of notes, but I mostly pick up Rum, Banana, Pineapple, Coconut Milk, Vanilla & Nutmeg. It’s really well done and perfect for the Coconut & Banana soap, as well as the Coconut Pineapple Curry I ate for lunch. And when I got to my car, I sprayed myself with a couple spritzes of Samhain, which is sweet, rich, and delicious like Road Trip, sharing Vanilla & Nutmeg notes. The self-proclaimed Gourmand King strikes again for a great #FOF win.

A few lessons learned: (1) going to a full service restaurant probably wasn’t the best idea (2) while going before the lunch rush made things less awkward because less people were there, it also meant less people were there so the staff had nothing else to do, (3) the “staff” was likely the owner or the family member of the owner, who cares far more than just a regular hourly employee would (4) shaving outside had pros and cons, but selfie mode was kind of a challenge to get used to (5) the Travel Tech, while convenient for traveling, is a pain in the ass to handle, (6) great success because I finished the shave, but ultimately, it would have been nice to NOT get asked to leave.

Before I head home, I decide to close out Coconut Oil Day, by getting a Coconut Milk Latte from Dunks. I’m usually a black coffee sort of guy, but I wanted to treat myself today. I earned this. I got it Salted Caramel flavored, because I was thinking there were caramel notes in Samhain, but in looking at the scent notes now, I realize I’m smelling caramel where there isn’t any. Whoops! The latte is still delicious anyways.

Of course, #photocontest them is society, because this restaurant is on a very busy street and I’m sure many people drove by my shave today and I learned that not everyone in society appreciates shaving in public.

While the single shot did not contain the user, the subsequent shots did. You're an animal.

Jul 12, 2023 - IT'S SO FLUFFY I'M GONNA DIE

• Brush: AKA Brushworx Orange Resin 26mm Tuxedo Knot
• Razor: Gillette English Flat Bottom Tech #REGUS
• Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless [13]
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Santa Paula - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Druantia - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
• Fragrance: Noble Otter - Monarch - Eau de Parfum

The Chiseled Face website warns that Santa Paula is orange trees, not oranges. It's also an amazing scent. I've had this sample for a while, and was never compelled to use it. However, it fit the running orange scents in the fragrances today. From woody, bitter orange to earthy, orange to powdery, orange, the shave software today worked together better than expected.

Chiseled Face's Tallow soaps contain coconut oil, and produced some FLUFFY goodness.

The Feather blade in the FBT was ready to be binned. I should have swapped it after the first pass, but I stuck it out for the shave.

Reverse Lather Challenge: depending on the type of soap determines how I usually lather. If it's a hard or firm soap, then I will typically tub load and face lather. Croaps and soft soaps, I will typically portion out, start a lather in the bowl, and finish hydrating the lather by face lathering.

Samples usually dictate bowl lathering. To unnecessarily complicate the process this morning, I opted for starting by hand lathering, but also skipped loading the bowl altogether. This had the undesirable effect that soap doesn't stick to the palm of the hand well and large soap pieces flaked off into the lather. I managed to work the pieces back into the lather, and added more hydration while face lathering. It's not an Uno reverse, but rather a wild card.

#witchcraftswednesday
#photocontest oranges

Rating: 3.5/5

Edit: phrasing

I like oranges.

July 13, 2023 – Lather games day 13 – AKA These goddamned hippies!

• Brush: Razorock Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette – 1971 R2 TTO
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (5)
• Lather: Siliski Soaps – Incense
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Ravish
• Fragrance: Zoologist Perfumes – Rhinoceros

Today started well. At my girlfriend’s place with a dead battery on my motorcycle. Had to Uber back home annoyed as hell. Now rainstrorming so will just leave it for today. Then an incense bomb shave to calm me down, which it actually did. Therapeutic shaving, right there folks.

My photo today kind of smells like Rhinoceros. Deep woody resin incense. It will be a pretty fragrant day in the home office. In sweatpants and a t-shirt. But oh so worth it.

Recently went with my son to a Dream Theatre concert that he was given tickets to. This was one of the opening bands. They were fantastic. Have been exploring them a lot lately. Math rock? Ultra complex and weird time signatures is what has me hooked. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSNtwIB0FGA

#PhotoContest

felt bad giving it nothing so put it here instead. thats because my name is u/semaj3000 and I'm the nice judge

July 13, 2023

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts X John Butcher 24mm Tuxedo Knot
• Razor: Rockwell 6s
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword
• Lather: Elysian – Patchouli Peach
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Smash Splash
• Fragrance: Dolce & Gabbana - K
• Music: The Presidents of the United States of America - Peaches

Happy Hippy Dippy Baloney Day! After an eventful day yesterday, I decided to shave in the comforts of my own bathroom again today. Being asked to leave the place your shaving is no fun, and I’m in no hurry to repeat that experience again anytime soon. Here, no one will ask me to leave – other than my wife or my kids, but let’s not get into that right now.

Instead, let’s get into some Patchouli! I’m generally not a big fan of straight up patchouli. It’s a bit too earthy/musky for my liking. However, when it’s combined with other scents, it can really bring a nice characteristic to a party of other scents.

Today, I’m rocking with Patchouli Peach from Elysian Soap Shop today. I first found out about Elysian about 8-9 months ago, I’ve since become a fan of what she makes. In my interview today, I chatted with Shannon from Elysian, and while she has a lot of gourmand scents (which I am all about) the one I used today, Patchouli Peach is not gourmand at all. This one is nice, bright, spicy, and fairly complex. The patchouli does a great job of toning down the sweetness of peach notes and then there’s a little bit of Pink Peppercorn & Ginger to spice things up a little bit. Very, very nice for the Summer, when the living’s easy.

I decided to ride the Peach wave and use Smash, by HoM and B&M. The splash elevates the Peach Game from the soap and is absolutely wonderful. It brought a wonderful, sweet finish to patchouli-perfuminess of Patchouli Peach. To put a nice bow on the scents for the day, I ended up using K by Dolce & Gabbana, which has some citrus notes to complement the #FOF of today’s Peach-A-Palooza I experienced during the shave and also sits on a base of patchouli to bring today’s theme home.

DISCLAIMER: Did I pay for this soap? Nope. Shannon sent it to me gratis. I’ve bought multiple sets from her and was originally planning on highlighting her Maple Coffee scent (which I did purchase from her) on “Death Before Decaf” Day. So, we did the interview, and all was well. When I thanked her, I told her I planned on posting her interview on July 9th when I used Maple Coffee. And she asked if I could use a different soap because that was a seasonal release and she would send me a scent that she currently has for sale if I’d use that instead. I thought about it, and looked at the calendar, and thought about it again. And I told her that (1) I’m not a shavefluencer (2) no one listens to my opinion, so don’t expect any uptick in sales whatsoever, and (3) I’d have to disclose I didn’t pay for it. She was fine with all that, so here we are. I absolutely, 100% love what she makes and her sending me a free soap doesn’t change that.

PS – By accepting a free soap, does that make me an influencer now? Make sure to SMASH that like and subscribe button!

For the #photocontest it’s fruit. Kind of an easy choice with Patchouli Peach & Smash.

And today’s challenge is one I do every day. Every SOTD I do in the Lather Games, has a relevant musical selection. Today, I included Peaches by The Presidents of the United States of America because I started with Patchouli Peach and ended up taking it from there.

And now for my interview today, I chatted with Shannon Logan, from Elysian Soap Shop. I first came across her because she had a bunch of scents that called to me (like Maple Coffee or Salted Caramel) and I blind bought a set or two. I loved the scents and the performance. It’s been cool to see her company already grow and watch her grow as an artisan, offering more complex scents now, and she’s also using high-walled plastic tubs now vs the tins she started with. Huge win for those that like to load from the tub, like me. She was excited to participate in this series and provides a lot of good insight for origin story, as well as telling us what kind of Peanut Butter she prefers. I’m happy to present to you:

10 Questions with… Elysian Soap Shop

1. How did you get started making shaving soaps and fragrances?

During the pandemic I saw the fragility of our supply chains and just-in-time delivery and started wondering what kind of business could operate only on local supply chains alone in case of a major disruption. I felt that soap was the most resilient because you can make it simple using only two ingredients like olive oil or tallow, or as complicated and fancy as you like with butters and oils imported from around the world. Also, people always need soap, so learning soapmaking seemed like a really useful skill to acquire.

I released my first bath soaps in January of 2022 and I sent one to a friend of mine. She told me she had the best shave of her life. So, I thought, why not create a men's shaving soap as well? The wet shaving community found my shaving soap and since then I've pretty much been on a wild ride.

2. The dictionary tells me “Elysian” means relating to or characteristic of heaven or paradise. A little confident in your soaps? 😉

When I was thinking of names, I wanted to evoke the feeling people should get when they use my soaps--a pleasurable and uplifting experience. From the overwhelming positive feedback I've gotten, my confidence has definitely grown a lot since the beginning.

3. I’m such a lover of gourmand scents, so your soaps are right up my alley and I’ve really enjoyed the soaps of yours that I’ve purchased. How do you decide which scents you are going to make?

Like Willy Wonka: pure imagination.

4. Speaking of gourmand, what are your thoughts on making a pepperoni-pizza scented shave soap?

I'm Italian-American and this is blasphemy.

5. You’ve been in business about a year and a half. What has surprised you the most since starting Elysian?

I had no idea there was this global revivalist movement around wetshaving. I was pleasantly shocked to discover this huge subculture of men and women who enjoy traditional grooming rituals so much. As far as hobbies go, this is such a wholesome and positive one--how can you not love it?

6. How has the reception of the wet shaving community been since you’ve started your company?

Better than I could have ever dreamed.

7. What’s your best-selling soap? And does that surprise you?

Cherie Tobacco, and no that doesn't really surprise me. It's a smell many of us associate with pipes and tobacconists and being around our fathers and grandfathers.

8. Pick one: Crunchy Peanut Butter or Smooth?

Crunchy.

9. When you’re not making soaps, what do you like to do for fun?

Hike with my dog, take naps, and bake.

10. How does Elysian Soap Shop differentiate itself from other shaving soap companies out there?

My goal is to bring dignity back into self care rituals, elevate the shaving experience, and honor timetested traditions. What makes Elysian different? My labels aren't flashy or edgy, I wanted a timeless collectible look because I plan on Elysian being around a long time. This is also why you won't see me jumping on trends or making dupes of existing fragrances, I want to create new experiences that will hopefully become classics. I pay more attention to customer service and spend less time on advertising. I want l customers to feel like a prince (or princess) when they order something from me.

Congratulations 🎉 you've been selected for the best photo contest 😊

Reason "great use of fruit and aesthetic".

July 13, 2023

• Brush: Wild West Brushworks Deep Pearl 26mm Sweet Spot Badger
• Razor: Koraat 6/8" Full Hollow (Straight Shave 270) #RAINBOW
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Yuzu/Rose/Patchouli - Soap
• Post Shave: WestMan Shaving - Alma - Aftershave Balm
• Post Shave: Thayers - Rose - Toner

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

This is as close as I can get to a Patchouli-forward scent. Doesn't really matter, though. Y/R/P is just phenomenal. What a great shave today. Using my most photogenic razor, a terrific soap, and a brush with just the right ratio of softness to backbone. There's just no need to say more.

Song: Dave Brubeck - Take Five

I don't listen to music while shaving so my song selection only relates to shaving tangentially. Just before my journey into wetshaving, I would "take five" minutes to shave. Shaving was a mindless exercise that I did not enjoy. The exact opposite is true now. I take about 20 minutes for a straight shave, including cleanup, and I enjoy the experience daily.

I have another association with this song, though. In the mid '60s Dave Brubeck and his quartet came to my upper school in Washington D.C. Dave Brubeck gave a presentation on odd time signatures and then they played a short set.

I was one of two stagehands who worked every event put on stage at the school so there were two of us who did lighting and sound for this event. As a result, I met Dave Brubeck. Now, this was more of a 'Hi, how're ya doin'" meeting, but I remember the event very well.

I barely had my hands around 3-chord rock/pop songs in those days so, to me, most jazz sounded like the "free jazz" of Ornette Coleman. But Take Five had swing and on that day I got it. It totally changed my appreciation for jazz.

Theme: Light sources -- #photocontest

Its tripping me out, man...

2023-07-14 My nose is froze and my ears are froze...

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps - Custom
• Razor: Phantom Blue Open Comb Slant #RAINBOW
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps - Rope Swing
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Unscented Menthol Witch Hazel
• Fragrance: Davidoff - Cool Water
• Blade: Feather (3)

Rope Swing features the synthetic cooling ingredient WS-23

Relevant Post-shave and Fragrance: Keeping it frosty with Stirling's menthol witch hazel, because more menthol is always better—as long as you don't care about having feeling in your skin. Cool Water as today's fragrance keeps with the "cool" theme and matches the aquatic notes of the lather.

Obviously, I had to break out the beautiful SBS brush. u/rocketk455, everybody!
(also pointing out the hardware point; not sure if I should see it counted as such after the last use)

Challenge Accepted: I thought this razor might handle today's challenge well, and its color fits well in the photo. I've only used this razor a couple of times. I find it to be much better than the only other slant I've tried, and it doesn't have the alignment problems that I hear are so common. Let's, uh, let's not talk about where this razor comes from. K? Cool.

I wasn't worried about my neck with this challenge, but it'll be a cold day in hell that I go ATG over my philtrum, which I never do even under normal circumstances (on the other hand, I can grow a mean moustache). So I didn't ATG there or the corresponding area below the lower lip for the same reason.

All else was only ATG for each pass (3?). I don't often think about what the first WTG pass does, but it is evident that clearing that bulk of hair is quite helpful. Add on top of that that I'm not very familiar with how the slant handles, so a pass of alum was called for. Alum even looks like ice, doesn't it?

#FOF
If I'm being honest, the SBS branding theme doesn't land for me. Thankfully, though, last year's Games compelled me to try them, and I am incredibly glad for it! I grabbed Valedictorian and Rope Swing, and they both blew me out of the water. With Rope Swing, I get aquatic off the puck, and woodsy floral notes that are emphasized in the product description open up in the lather.

After the unscented menthol interlude, courtesy of Stirling, I delight in following this up with Cool Water. I love aquatics, largely due, I'm sure, to the fact that I took a liking to one as a young lad. Cool Water is a quintessential aquatic in my mind, and it triggers all kinds of pleasant brain-chemicals.

#photocontest
Photo: Sports
I'm no fisher—wait, is that something people say? "Fisher"? Fisherman is more specifically vocational, no?
Suffice it to say, I don't fish, but my understanding is that it's a sport (no less so than bar sports) and swaths of anglers will argue vehemently as such.

If you're at a "pristine mountain lake" with a rope swing (a category of which I figure a tire swing is a subset), it may well be likely that there's going to be fishing happening, as well. But probably don't jump where the lines/hooks are.

Really well composed photo that did a good job coalescing around a theme.

LGSOTD 15-July

• Brush: Simpson - M7 Manchurian #OLDWORLD  
• Razor: E2UK DE #RAINBOW 
• Blade: London Bridge 
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre AS

I was on the fence today with the software selection, I had tried to look around and see what was classified as a chypre other than Le Grand.  I did a run around on Fragrantica checking what I had in hand. It pulled out GFT Eucris but wasn't sure if it would cut it, this is way above my head, I'm still learning. . So instead I went with the safe bet of Le Grand Chypre.  Standard B&M performance which is cracking. If eucris is one then I'm gutted, love that stuff. 

This razor is a no-name effort, I actually stole it from the Mrs for the tags. She tried this when I convinced her to switch but she didn't get on with it and frankly neither do I.  It’s bloody awful, louder than a buzz saw but about as effective as a soggy sponge. On top of that the finish (unsurprisingly) is also awful, I wouldn't even PIF this on my worst enemy. 

Daily Challenge, Urrgh, take a video or tell you about my favourite wet shaving YouTube person and why they’re better than VisceralWatch. This was not a challenge I looked forward to regardless of the route I took.  Hardly any pictures of me exist, never mind videos, so youtube it was (maybe next year) though this in itself has its own barriers!  The biggest one, I don’t routinely watch wetshaving YouTube people (stars?), bugger.  The only reason I've been to YouTube was for honing advice, for this the main man Lynn Abrams being my pick. The videos just made sense, simple but also giving specifics allowing me to follow closely right from setting a bevel, actual honing through to refreshing.  

Now, why is he better than VisceralWatch, off the bat not a clue, the main problem being I have no idea who VisceralWatch is, HD Shaves? Think so from my reddit search. So to give a fair shout I had to go and watch….some time later...well that was an eye opener. He’s certainly reviewed a vast quantity of hardware and software, and of those I saw they were comprehensive. But why is Lynn Abrams better… sorry mate, that was the content I was after. Perhaps I've been living under a rock, I really am new to this particular corner of the internet.

Ah well, decent software but subpar finish, I’m looking forward to a better one tomorrow!

Hope everyone has a grand day.

Cheers

Marc

ROTY

#PhotoContest

Congratulations 🎉 you've been selected for the best photo contest 😊

Reason - "great clean aesthetic".

• Brush: Naked Armor Mahogany Wood Shaving Brush

• Razor: Gillette Travel Tech

• Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum

• Lather: Grooming Department - Chypre D'ananas

• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Passiflora

• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors - Sun Soaked

My theme for today's shave: Fruity Tooty

Pineapple chypre and other fruity smells. Still on the stag trip so I'm a bit wrecked but I will not miss my LG streak. #photocontest #FOF #ROTY

monkey smoking is BAD

July 16, 2023

• Brush: Brad Sears Scotsman XL 28mm Super Badger
• Razor: Filarmonica 14 Doble Temple Gen 1 (Straight Shave 271)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Seville - Soap
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Seville - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Thayers - Lavender - Toner

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Seville + Brad Sears + Fili 14. How could that not equal an excellent shave?

I'm going memeless today.

The photo theme for the day is Technology. Pictured surrounding today's setup are some of my whetstones (Japanese waterstones and a coticule) and a leather strop. These items highlight two technologies that relate to the traditional barbershop shave experience; abrasion and burnishing. Humankind has been shaping items by rubbing them against rocks for a very long time. The obvious association for the barbershop is straight razor honing; shaping the edge by abrading it. I'd guess busy barbers did this about once a day. The strop does not remove significant amounts metal the way a whetstone does. Instead, its purpose is edge realignment by moving it back into shape. My impression is that a barber uses a strop before, and during, each customer's straight shave.

#photocontest

nice composition

July 16, 2023 – Shave and a Hair Cut, Two Bits

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Coprolite B15 #COMPOSITE #CHONK
• Razor: Gillette NEW SC #REGUS
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (10)
• Lather: Ariana & Evans – Dos Dalagas Barbera
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming – Epiphenomenon
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Seville

Me, and I’m sure others, a couple months ago when the calendar released. Which makes sense, we all want to be prepped, planned, and have our own routines, but I think some take it more seriously than others.. Even the djudges tell us on the podcast to up our game, while complaining posts are too long.. Look, it’s getting hard to be creative everyday and do new things.

Meme day, however, does bring out the creativity in folks /s, despite some low hanging fruit and rehashed ideas. Or the obligatory FUCK PAA.

After several years, there’s no way to hide the chaos that is lather games from significant others. I’ve shared a lot of pictures with my GF, but I think made a grave mistake.

I’ll keep the #FOF short. Dos Dalagas is a middle of road barbershop, not super citrusy but it’s there, not too powdery, but it’s there too. Epi is talc and powder heavy to me, probably what these folks smelled like. Seville packs a citrus, and it’s Gods barbershop for a reason. I’m also partial to the heavy lavender and rosemary component, 2 plants I have loads of in the garden.

For my #PHOTOCONTEST (extinct animals), I have literal 2million+ year old bacteria in my brush. Maybe if you get super sciencey, you’ll note a fossil is dead, or possibly just a ~~rock~~ mineral, but they contain traces of organic material- aka extinct poop animals.

Little poop brush history and generic shave vid here.

soap brands 16/30, post shave 16/30, frag 16/30, post/frag linked 16/30, software sponsors 8/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 9/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 16/30, daily challenges 14/25, special challenges 2/5

great use of lego

LGSOTD 17-July

• Brush: Highlander - Matte Chubby #PREMIUMPLASTIC #OLDWORLD
• Razor: Charcoal Goods - Gen 1 Level 3
• Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium 
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus   
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Cerberus   
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Cerberus  

Might be pushing my luck here, but surely 3 is better than 2.  Alternatively if the soap base was by DG, the Splash by NO and the Fragrance by HOM so was the fragrance by HOM used in the Soap and the Splash, meaning 2 collaborators on the Soap and 2 on the splash? Bugger it, it’s all I’ve been able to find in the den that meets any form of collaboration, or at least all I was able to recognise where they are also on the label!  This one is decent but much prefer the fougere release. I can use that one daily whereas this one is probably a bit much with me being at home in a room by myself typing away on a keyboard and talking on Teams, ah well. 

Threw in the Osma at the back end to meet the daily challenge. To be fair, completely forgot I even had that in the box of mystery. I very rarely use alum in any form, I just didn't feel any benefit using it routinely other than punishing me if I've been a tad over zealous. But if any razor is going to need it, then the CG Level 3 is one of them. The Gen 1 is fairly blade forward and it lets you know, very efficient though, but overall a grand shave. Tomorrow's challenge outcome should be seriously underwhelming after today's efficiency. 

Hope everyone has a good kick off to the week. 

Cheers

Marc

ROTY

PhotoContest

nice shot.

July 18, 2023 – Lather games day 18 – AKA death becomes her

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Tooth Fairy B14
• Razor: Gillette Tech
• Blade: Voskhod (2)
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts – Autumn Ash
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts – Desairology
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts – Gravefruit II

Strange day today. Rainy and gloomy and I have to go say goodbye to a loved one who is dying. TMI perhaps, but really kind of fits today’s theme for me. Anyways, SW soaps are great. Autumn ash actually paired nicely with Desairology. Adding a spray of GraveFruit II makes it perfect for today’s mood and a full Southern Witchcrafts shave. Too dark?

Similar to not showing you a picture of my poo, I will not show off a picture of my beard trimmings. Why would I do such a thing? SMH Please enjoy my SOTD pic instead.

#PhotoContest

nice model use

2023-07-18 Halfway Happy

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps - Custom
• Razor: Rockwell - 6S
• Lather: London Razors - Coffee & Contemplation
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria - Cognac & Cuban Cigars
• Fragrance: For Strange Women - Decadence & Debauchery
• Blade: Astra - Platinum (2)

Relevant Post-shave and Fragrance: Ampersands & Alliteration!

Spooky Season: In case it's not immediately evident how Coffee & Contemplation (C&C) fits the theme, the below is from the original description; it was explicitly marketed for Fall:

Being a little on the heavy side, we think this scent is going to be perfect for the upcoming cooler, Fall months.

#FOF On paper, it makes sense: Russian leather (which is also relevant to the show), cedar, and amber come together with the coffee headliner for a darker scent, with a sweet side introduced by cocoa, vanilla, and coconut...

C&C smells like Tootsie Rolls.

It took me a little while to figure it out; I had decided that it smells like a kid's bag of candy, and thus appropriate that it's indirectly Halloween-themed. More specifically, though: Tootsie Rolls.

Cognac & Cuban Cigars comes in strong with the former part of its name, or at the very least that's brought to the forefront when layered on top of Tootsie Rolls.

Will the fragrance provide any respite? Yes. Despite the brand, Decadence & Debauchery is marketed as a unisex scent. I was pleasantly surprised by it, but tobacco in a scent's list always gets my attention. Immortelle and violet provide a floral prominence, which is deeply darkened by tobacco, myrrh, and amber. It doesn't quite tip it toward masculine as much as I'd prefer, though. I do detect the blood orange and bergamot, and I don't find it off-putting—rare for me, because I loathe orangey notes.

Challenge Accepted: This challenge is disgusting.
This is something people do for Atlas Shaves? That's the thing where you go for increasingly long periods without shaving, yeah? Yeah, no thank you. I had a daily-shave streak for a really long time. Then, a week in the hospital reminded me that one of the biggest reasons that I got started with DEs—trichotillomania—is still very much a thing with me. I don't know if we have any other trichsters in here. If you're unfamiliar, though, see that big ol' bare area on my jaw and cheek? I pulled that all out of my face without even realizing I was doing it. But I digress.

#photocontest
Photo: The Law
Yes, it is a picture of a lawman (Hopper, if you're familiar with the show). But I thought to myself, "What real, physical thing represents the law, so that I can do better than just an image for the photo theme?"
Handcuffs! 100% bona fide handcuffs... of a sort. And it happens to tie in perfectly with Decadence & Debauchery.

Before you get too carried away with your imagination thinking about that, let me draw your attention to the miniature recreation of Steve's bat from the show. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out, after giving it a non-boring color and pattern, risking an unfortunate encounter between my kitchen counter and a drill, and the finished product, cat for scale.

Congratulations 🎉 you've been selected for the best photo contest 😊

Reason: pretty cool aesthetic

July 18, 2023 – LG 18: Spooky Season

• Brush: Mojo Maggard 26mm Synthetic
• Razor: Karve CB SB B #CNC
• Blade: Rapira Platinum Lux (4)
• Lather: Storybook Soapworks – Carnivale
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Lyssa
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts – Samhain

Today, I went on a super lengthy hike, all the way to my side yard. I grabbed one of the shovels, a spade to be precise, dug a ditch, so I could do my SOTD for #PHOTOCONTEST. What's spookier than being buried alive... Then, I left the mojo buried under ground, where it belongs (kidding… I still needed to shave and I use it to dust my mountain of LEGO, it normally does not get shave privileges).

All software is fall themed today. Storybook/APR Carnivale is a perfect fall scent. To use their words, “Carnivale. Elegant Fall Molecules.”. Also described as “Carnivale is the story of festivals and celebrations that occur during the cool months of autumn.” I mostly get stone fruit, touch of spice, woods. It opens with dried apricot and plum and a hint of citrus, quickly enveloped by muscatel grapes – though not juicy per se. It’s supported by soft woods and mellow spices, non of which I’d pick out individually. There’s a slight dankness to it, the faintest whiff of jazz cabbage, and I’d know I’m something of a chronnoisseur myself.. Lyssa was dubbed zombie repellent, and is another clear fall scent (Oct 2019 release). It’s quite spicy, with sage and nutmeg leading the charge. There is a floral sweetness though, composed of rose, violets, and geranium. All resting upon a mossy, oud wood, and patchouli base. Lastly, Samhain (holiday on Nov 1st), the quintessential SW fall scent. Instead of making pumpkin spice a basic bitch, it’s wrapped warmly in a boozy bourbon. Sweet vanilla and tobacco, with just a touch of musk underneath it all on the dry down. #FOF

Here’s my Atlas Challenge, who I can say I proudly accomplished 2 or 3 years ago. Here’s a short normal vid of the shave. Getting them quicker, but remember playback speed is your friend.

soap brands 18/30, post shave 18/30, frag 18/30, post/frag linked 18/30, software sponsors 9/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 9/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 18/30, daily challenges 16/25, special challenges 2/5

nice composition

LGSOTD 19-July

• Brush: Salomon Walking Sock
• Razor: Shield - Predator #CNC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE
• Lather: Proraso - Wood & Spice Cream
• Post Shave: Proraso - Wood & Spice Balm
• Fragrance: Proraso - Wood & Spice Cologne

This was one of my first software purchases and though it sees little use, though I thoroughly enjoy the scent. For the price the performance is decent enough as well.

For the Daily Challenge, I had to give the Mrs a heads up on this one. If she wanders in without a clue she's going to have me committed. So I told her yesterday after she got over the residual hair snap. First response being to shake her head and laugh, the second response was to ask you lot who's going to wash the sock afterwards? Strange response but there you have it, remarkable that my wife is so understanding of these shenanigans, I'll count myself lucky.

So the first hurdle (beyond the better half), sock selection. Do I go for the standard black thin efforts, nah not likely to hold much lather. What about 5 finger socks, certainly be dextrous enough. Nope, what I'm after is volume. So instead I opt for Salomon walking socks, yeah they've seen a fair bit of use in the mountains but they've still got some life in them and surely a thicker sock would do the trick.

Brief soak and what I thought was enough of a squeeze of proraso, work together to form a (hopefully) decent lather. Now, do I transfer to a brush, nope because I forgot to soak the one I took the pic of yesterday and now I'm running out of time. Oh well, let's see how it goes using the sock, so on like a glove, couldn't take snaps at this point I was covered in the stuff. I'm already seeing one fatal flaw, this thing has fluff all over it and it's catching on my face and there's an odd hue to it, ah well carry on.

Sock off and hand cleaned up to take a pic, not horrendous but not brilliant, could have been better. Sock on for the second pass, nah it's already running out of steam, squeeze the sock and I get bugger all out of it but I do notice an odd colour in the sink. This thing is leaking dye, which at least explains the odd hue. One saving grace the bloody stuff washed down the sink without leaving stains. Add more soap and repeat.

So the overall conclusion being, if you have to use a sock, do not use a walking sock, it eats soap (should have known), it leaves fluff on your face and leaks colour.

Still smooth and smelling good though, so aim achieved.

Hope everyone has a grand one.

Cheers

Marc

Congratulations 🎉 you've been selected for the best photo contest 😊

Reason: 💛

2023-07-18 Creamy Goodness

• Brush: Yaqi Metal Timberwolf
• Razor: Gillette Tech
• Lather: Taylor of Old Bond Street - Tobacco Leaf (Cream)
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist
• Blade: Astra - Platinum (3)

Relevant Post-shave and Fragrance: Tobacco

Challenge Accepted: Well, this sounds like an awful series of thoughts led to this idea.

You may use a brush to apply the lather to your face, as long as the lather was made with a sock.

I can use a brush as long as I make the lather with a sock. Cool.
Look at that ugly-ass sock! I'm never gonna wear that. I mean, definitely not after I make my lather with it! Now how much sock do I need? Apparently, one blade can't handle very much sock. That's probably enough sock. Sock. Lather.

It did not work well. Creams are enough of a pain on their own, but add several pinches of sock? I was trying to keep sock from going into the drain the whole time, and I expect I'll be finding sock in my brush long for a long time. On the other hand, I didn't have any sock getting in the way of the razor, which I expected.

#FOF TOBS Tobacco Leaf is a vague tobacco smell. There's a lot of different tobacco smells, ranging from ashy to flowery (no one has smelled a tobacco flower) to pipey to cigary. I guess this is accurately leafy, but it's unremarkable.

When I sought out to find a tobacco scent, I sought one that recreates what it's like to walk into a humidor, its walls lined with cigars. Tobbaconist gets as close as anything, for which reason I can't seem to be able to shut up about it.

I want to preface this by saying Tobacconist is beautiful. I definitely can't stay mad at it.

With all my praise, I'm going to be critical of one teensy, minor thing. It's been recurrent over the past few weeks and perhaps my concentrated nose-efforts during that time have made me more sensitive to it: the fruit. Kill the fruit. No one even likes to eat fruit, much less smell it. When was the last time you voluntarily selected and consumed a piece of fruit, and enjoyed it? It was never, wasn't it?
I'm kidding; I know there are weirdos in this world.

#photocontest
Photo: Insects/Invertebrates
Gross.

Momento Mori

July 19, 2023 – I Creamed a sock

• Razor: Gillette Tech
• Blade: Parker (2)
• Lather: Barbasol – Classic Shaving Cream, Brushless Cream
• Post Shave: Zingari – The Watchman
• Fragrance: Jo Malone – Wood Sage and Sea Salt

Since today is cream day and I’m traveling, I used the barbosol brushless I originally bought for this vacation before lather games moved to July. Which posed and interesting problem for lather in a sock day, as you don’t really lather this. Also my kids were sleeping, so I couldn’t get to my clean socks. Nevertheless I loaded some cream on yesterday’s dirty sock and went to town on my face. It… Didn’t work at all. The cream simply absorbed into the sock. Now I have a soapy (well creamy) sock and no slickness on my face. I realized I need to just get the job done up so I finished with my bare hands. While shaving I realized I may have misunderstood the directions for the barbosol, it was way too thick and clogged the razor. I had to unscrew it a ton to clean it. Pass two I I realized it was supposed to be so thin it was transparent. And that’s when I sliced my mole open. Oh well. Listen judges I rubbed a dirty sock on my face. I think that at least gets some credit for trying.

So #fof. I dunno why but barbosol makes me think of boats? It’s a generic barbershop scent but.. I get boats. So I completed it with The Watchman and this wood sage and Sea salt tester. It worked surprisingly.

Today’s #photocontest is for cell phones. This is our spare phone that runs our telescope. (One of those celestron models that uses a phone to locate itself.)

Still tagging #ROTY too.

I can't tell if this is the most boomer picture I've seen this month or if it was just that well thought out...

July 19, 2023

• Brush: My fucking sock?!??
• Razor: Rockwell 6s
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword
• Lather: Taconic Shave – Tequila Lime Shave Cream
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria – Lime Splash
• Fragrance: Noble Otter - Lone Star EDP
• Music: The Champs - Tequila

Man, I need a shot of Tequila after that shave. Using a sock to lather is a bad idea. Like an awful idea. This is coming from the guy that shaved in a bathtub full of ice. Now, it’s entirely possible (and maybe even likely) that my sock-lathering technique is bad. However, lathering with my sock isn’t something I want to perfect.

Today, I went to the beach for this shave for two reasons (1) I like to feel the sand between my toes in the summer and (2) because u/MrTangerinesky thought he could intimidate me by shaving next to a little river. A little babbling brook in the background is supposed to impress me? Bitch, please. You bring a river and I’ll bring the ocean! As my arch nemesis, u/MrTangerinesky, would say: VIDEO OR IT DIDN’T HAPPEN!

Despite the piss-poor sock lather, the shave was slick. However, it took way too long to build any sort of lather with a sock and sand was all up in my lather, so I only did 1 pass today.

I really enjoy this cream from Taconic – it smells like a margarita and performs great under normal conditions. I chose Lime aftershave because, well, lime is one of the two scents in the soap. Then for my frag, I picked Long Star, since it opens with a nice lemon scent, and lemons & limes are like best friends. The Lone Star then gets really nice with complex blend of floral and woody notes on an earthy base of oakmoss, leather, and hay. It’s nice to have a shave that starts with a relatively simple scent (margarita) then then the frag builds that into a complex #FOF summer experience.

As with a lot of my shaves this month, I have a few lessons learned:

1. Soaking my sock was a good idea, but I should have done a better job at keeping sand off the sock.
2. Sand is a good exfoliator, buuuuuuttttt…. Shaving with a mix of sand and sub-par lather is not ideal.
3. You need a LOT more cream for a sock shave than you expect. I started with this and had to go back to the tub two more times. These socks EAT lather.
4. Socks don’t make good brush replacements.
5. If you are going to use your socks to build a lather, bring an extra pair, so you don’t have to go sock-less for the rest of the day.

For the #photocontest: Sports with the baseball, since I asked Taconic who their favorite baseball team is.

For my interview today, I chatted with Nancy from Taconic Shave. Nancy, and her husband Howie have been slinging wetshaving products for 20 years - long before it was cool. Nancy was such a nice, nice person for this series that I feel absolutely awful publicly desecrating her product by using it with my dirty sock…. BUT… If I can get a serviceable lather using one of my socks, imagine the dreamy lather you’ll get using a brush!

10 Questions with… Taconic Shave

1) How did you get started making shaving creams, soaps, aftershaves, etc?

When we started our wet shaving business about 20 years ago, there weren’t very many good shave soaps available. The retail stores that were selling our Parker Safety Razor products were asking for an American made line of shave soaps and creams. The best ideas come from our customers and we were able to offer the right products at the right time. The wet shaving community was expanding rapidly at that time.

2) What was the first product you ever sold?

Our first Taconic product was a mandarin orange shave soap in a cold poured formulation which is much different than we’re offering today. Our products today have been formulated differently over time.

3) I’ve only tried your shave cream, and I will say it performs wonderfully. How do you compare your cream to your shave soaps?

Our shave soaps have very different formulas than the creams. You’ll have to try one! The shave soaps require a mug and a little more work to create a lather, but they deliver unbelievable glide and cushion thanks to some key ingredients like hemp seed oil and bentonite clay. They are also formulated with all naturally derived ingredients like the rest of our line. We are committed to making our products chemical free.

4) You're from New York. Dare I ask: Yankees or Mets?

Yes we’re from New York, and we’re Mets fans (with a high pain tolerance) :)

5) My sister-in-law has a tshirt that says “I love cooking with wine... Sometimes I even add it to food!” Is the recipe for tequila lime soap similar?

In some ways yes - it was always a fun drink and lime is one of our favorite natural scents.

6) Do you have a go-to drink you order at a bar?

Howie loves a good local craft beer. His favorite is Bear Naked Ale from the Adirondack brewery in NY. I always love a good glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

7) You offer 5 different scents of shave creams and 6 options for shave soaps. How did you decide which scents you want to offer in which form?

We asked our customers and our retailers which scents they would prefer. We have a close rapport with our customers and gathered preference feedback. For example, one of our later scents Excalibur started as a solid cologne and our retailers loved it so much they wanted us to grow the use of this scent with our other shaving and beard care products.

8) Of the scents you offer, which one is your favorite?

Mine is Lavender Lime (I just love the citrus balanced with a bit of earthy lavender) and Howie’s is Eucalyptus Mint for its cooling effect.

9) I noticed one of the ingredients of your Creams is honey. I've never made my own soaps or creams, but I have to imagine that's a somewhat unique ingredient. What does the addition of honey do for someone's lather/skin?

Honey is an excellent moisturizer for the skin and has really great antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also be helpful with razor bumps and adds additional glide.

10) How do you differentiate Taconic Shave from all the other shaving companies currently out there?

We have consistently stuck by our values to offer a broad line of wet shaving and grooming products, using the healthiest choice of ingredients that we would want to use ourselves (avoiding many common allergens such as nuts). We always choose to go with small batches, using only all natural and many organic ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible.

FUCKING SOCK otherwise its a great outdoors shot

July 19, 2023 – LG 19: CREAM

• Brush: Umbro Red Soccer Sock
• Razor: Gillette Ball End Tech
• Blade: Rapira Platinum Lux (5)
• Lather: St. James of London – Cedarwood & Clarysage
• Post Shave: St. James of London – Cedarwood & Clarysage
• Fragrance: Taylor of Old Bond Street – Jermyn Street

Spelling out the connection, London Products. With an English tech to boot.

For #FOF cedar wood and clary sage was just that, it’s in the name. Touch of floral rose too, but mostly a spicy, earthy sage complemented by wood. The AS gel was almost scentless compared to the cream, and had some more artificial hoopla going on. Jermyn street is one of those colognes that blends a bunch together making it so not much stands out. Heavy lemon and lime citrus, some herbaceous lavender rooted on top of a touch of musty musky patchouli.

Our #PHOTOCONTEST was sport. We all know the Brits put “u’s” in random places in words, but I always found it more interested how they add or drop and “s.” For examples, the photo category today was “sport” instead of sports. Or instead of math they say maths (pronounced maffs). Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to brew some Yorkshire gold, but seriously, if there’s one thing I got from me mum it’s a love for a proper cuppa.

challenge and video here. Sometimes we have to be creative for shenanigans, sometimes it’s forced upon us. I think the only way this could be worse is if you have a teenage son and you went to find a sock from their room…

soap brands 19/30, post shave 19/30, frag 18/30, post/frag linked 19/30, software sponsors 9/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 9/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 19/30, daily challenges 17/25, special challenges 2/5

So nearly entered into the best photo contest but there's some weird tape worm on your socks.

July 20, 2023

• Brush: Wald Stratos Haunter 29mm A1

• Razor: C.V. Heljestrand MK 31 11/16 Söderfors Extra Specialstål Full Hollow (Straight Shave 273)

• Lather: Pasteur|Master Soap Creations - Bloom - Soap

• Post Shave: Pasteur|Master Soap Creations - Bloom - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Thayers - Rose - Toner
• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Black Orchid - Eau de Parfum  

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

I normally push hydration in my lather, and I've done this habitually. If I make a lathering mistake, it is always adding too much water. I was originally going to just pass on today's challenge; thinking I'd prefer a great shave to a pasty, sub-par mess. Instead, and at the last moment, I decided to experience a shave with a very pasty lather.

I loaded heavily from the tub with brush that was soaked and had its water squeezed out; barely damp. I had more than enough paste for three passes but due to time constraints this morning I could only do two. I was surprised that I had an excellent shave. There was too much cushion, and I had issues getting lather off of the razor, but where there was lather there was slickness; at least with this soap.

Bloom is a dupe of Tom Ford Black Orchid. I have a lot of the Stirling "Man" series, but decided to go with something a little different for today.

The photo theme is "Flowers". I know. No real flowers in the photo, but the art on the front of the soap and the splash contains colorized roses, and the soap is a dupe of a fragrance with orchid in the name, and I think the photo sort of says black orchid.

#photocontest

lovely colour and reflections

LGSOTD 21-July

• Brush: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus Fougere B15
• Razor: Henkels - Friodur 72-V
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus Fougere   
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Cerberus Fougere AS
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Cerberus Fougere - EDP

I almost didn’t pick up this cerberus offering, I liked the previous one but it was certainly divisive.  If I hadn’t though I would have regretted it, it smells really fresh and the edp hangs around nicely.  This one isn’t as in your face as much as the other, and most people that have have caught a whiff have always had positive comments   Though it is hard to separate my 2 favourites, the other being Fougere Nemeta, my Mrs actually prefers that one and she’s commented on it on more than one occasion.

The friodur is a cracking razor, I’ve found I prefer hollows but this wedge/near wedge is excellent in the smaller size.  Doesn’t have the flexibility but the manoeuvrability is spot on.  I’ve got this, the 17 and 472, I am determined at some point to get a 14 but we’ll see how that plays out.

Challenge of the Day

Themed Effort

Fantastic Fougere

Scent to Please All and Sundry

Teamwork for the Win

Alternate

Shaving nutcases

Seeking internet glory

We are all insane

I’m sorry for inflicting that on you guys (almost as sorry as I was for the hair in the sink), my alternate final line was 'This Haiku is Shit', a poet I am not.

Hope everyone has a grand day. 

Cheers

Marc

ROTY

PhotoContest

Congratulations 🎉 you've been selected for the best photo contest 😊

Reason: good use of contrasting colour elements

July 22, 2023 – Lather games day 22 – AKA with a berry on top

• Brush: Dogwood Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Tech
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (1)
• Lather: Apex Alchemy Soaps – Love and Other Drugs
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts – Fougere Nemeta

Both shave products have strawberry top notes, so that’s nice. I’ve had this Apex Alchemy sample for a while – still another shave in there I think. It’s pink soap. That’s fun too. Back at the shack with my gal in the middle of nowhere with spotty reception so I hope this uploads. Can’t shave my legs as they’re a relief map due to mosquitos up here. Excuses, excuses…

#PhotoContest

Do I detect some effort? Maybe, but who cares, right?

2023-07-23 What's that smell?

• Brush: Yaqi Metal Timberwolf
• Razor: Gillette Travel Tech (J3: 1964) #JETSETTER
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Oro Valley
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Oro Valley
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. - Oro Valley

Relevant Post-Shave and Fragrance: Trickhole.

What is that enchanting aroma?:
Wait, you guys are getting compliments?
I'm just going to make the excuse that I don't generally have a habit of getting close enough to people—wait, uh, close enough in physical proximity for them to get a whiff. Yeah, that's it. Not the other thing.
That said, I have presented my ridiculous soap-filled cabinet to a small few people who, after smelling a number of scents therein, request a re-sniff of Oro Valley, agreeing that it is indeed phenomenal.

#FOF
Oro Valley is a dupe of Tom Ford's Ombre Leather. Honestly, the main reason I bought this is because of the name (it's not the first time I bought a soap for this reason, and it was far from the last), plus the promise of jasmine seemed, well, promising. I assume that u/stirlingsoap chose the name because they wanted something to evoke the US southwest and isn't so close to Tuscan to cause confusion, plus Valley has an idyllic connotation to it. I couldn't help but want to find out what kind of scent Stirling would name after such a place. Once it hit my nostrils, I immediately got the whole set.
That was the direction of causality: I was curious because of the name, and after that I fell in love with the scent. Don't want anyone thinking I chose this for today just because of the place for which it's named (that part's just convenient).

I assume that the noses under which I've shoved this scent appreciate it for the same reasons that I do. My overall impression is that the leather is masculine and earthy without being too dark or rugged. Cardamom is quite prominent; it is close to being too much, but it mellows out after not too long. It seems to fill a transitional space between the leather and jasmine—so much so that I hesitate to say I can pick the jasmine out, but I believe it's there.

Side note: if you're following along (why would you?), you may recall that I had a couple other run-ins with cardamom earlier this month, at which point I was like, "I don't even know what this is!" I since just went and grabbed a jar of the cardamom spice and bam I know what it smells like. It seems obvious, but if you—like me—feel uncertain with a lot of scents, just find the thing in isolation and (if you can) compare it to scents that purport to contain that scent note. It came in super handy yesterday, when I was hesitant about the berry-ness of Spitfire, and then it was super-obvious that that scent is packed with juniper after I stuck a bunch of juniper berries up my nostrils.

Challenge Accepted

#photocontest
Photo: Scenery

I took a little trip to the soap's namesake.

There's still going to be an "outside" challenge eventually, isn't there? I was really hoping it was going to be today. We've finally started getting some rain, lowering our high to 107/42 today (during the past week, we hit 113/45 for a couple days). Obviously, I brought some drinking water—ahem, some drinking water. It turned out not being too bad, though; I left before the sun, and there was also generous cloud-cover.
(Edit: As I update this in the afternoon, now back at home, it's 110 with a "feels like" of 111 (like that matters). It's fucking death out there. Technically cooler than last week, though.)

I had no idea where I was going to go, but I noticed a sign for a state park. I thought that sounded promising, but I noped out of there after seeing signs about park fees and then a scary-looking ranger began to emerge from the ranger station. Nah, I'm sure he was a friendly chap, but I still left. I decided instead to go to the empty parking lot of a government subcontractor I briefly worked for a few years ago. I'm totally revealing too much information about myself now, but oh well.

It's too bad the depth of field in my phone's camera is limited, but watcha gonna do? I shaved there in the parking lot, eyeing a lone white van that also happened to be there for some reason, and that big bag of water came in quite handy.

Congratulations 🎉 you've been selected for the best photo contest 😊

Reason: an actual landscape

July 23, 2023

• Brush: Thäter Faux Ivory 29mm 2-band Silvertip
• Razor: C.V. Heljestrand MK 31 11/16 Söderfors Extra Specialstål Full Hollow (Straight Shave 276)
• Lather: Shulton - Old Spice - Soap
• Post Shave: Shulton - Old Spice - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Today's shave was immersive. I was just carried away with the process and the experience of shaving with this setup. I just cannot believe how good this Söderfors MK 31 is. It is levels above my normal MK 31 which, in itself, is a great razor. This one is a grail razor. [ I say this every time I use this razor. It is that astonishing. ]

Then there is a soap that is probably more than 40 years old. I have the box it came in and there's no date code. I believe date codes were mandated in the late '70s. Yes, this soap is not on par with the Wholly Kaws and the Zingaris in terms of skin nutrients, but when lathered heavily and pushed with hydration it performs extraordinarily well. More than slick enough for straight razor shaving.

The aftershave is 40 years old. The box has a date code of 1983. Still kicking. I was a regular Old Spice user in those days. Smells right to me now.

Then there's today's theme. I am spoiled for choice for scents that get very positive reactions. I could have gone with Black Watch, or Signature Rosé, or any of the Saponificio Varesino products I have. Then there's all of the Stirling dupes. I get great response from Bleu Man (aka Deep Blue Sea). But really (and I think u/Cowzilla3 would agree), there's only one correct selection to meet today's theme. Old Spice.

What do people like about it? I honestly think that a part of it was marketing from the old days. It is distinctive, though. Today, whenever I use it. I get comments (admittedly from those challenged for youth) about how nice and nostalgic the scent is. [ Real Old Spice has a strong scent. It's hard to miss even for those whose senses might be on the wain. ]

Photo contest theme: History. Look at this setup! I truly hope I don't have to justify the association with vintage Old Spice and shaving history (in the US).

#photocontest

Congratulations 🎉 you've been selected for the best photo contest 😊

Reason: simplicity itself!

Jul 23, 2023 - "What IS that enchanting aroma?"

• Prep: Klar - Activated Charcoal - Face Soap
• Brush: Trotter Handcrafts Space Portal 25mm Mühle STF
• Razor: Wolfman Razors WR4 (Aluminum)
• Blade: Feather Artist Club Professional [2]
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Boonana - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Boonana - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Boonana - Eau de Parfum

Banana two days in a row. Nice! Southern Witchcrafts' Boonana is the scent that has been the most complimented this year. It's always interesting the reactions I get when I answer their question about the name of the scent. They don't quite understand the spooky connection, and sometimes don't really notice the banana note until it's pointed out. Either way, this scent is amazing, and plenty of other people agree.

I decided today would be a good day to try out this new aluminum WR4 head that I used on the Razorock SS handle. I'm not sure if the balance was exactly right, but it's a remarkable shaver. I took it slow and used short strokes.

Lather Audit Challenge

Rating: 4.5/5

Edit: #photocontest banana

Nice shot. Good contrast.

July 23, 2023 – Lather Games day 23 – AKA Just sea spiced lime

• Brush: Dogwood Synthetic – AP Shave co. G5A
• Razor: Wolfman WR2 – DC 1.25 WRH7
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (8)
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime

Sea spiced lime has always done it for me. Fantastic summer scent says everyone. I’m heading out to dinner then a show. It’s Nuits d’Afrique festival here right now with amazing outdoor stages and lots of great music. And I’ll smell fantastic too.

Great shave to prep me for that 100 degree weather out there. My lather is good. You do not have to see it. Hope you had a lovely weekend.

#Photocontest

How is this brush floating there? Magnets? Wire? Black magic?

2023-07-23 What is Winter?

• Brush: Maggard Razors - Black Resin Handle Tuxedo
• Razor: Henson AL13 Medium #CNC
• Lather: Noble Otter - Northern Elixir
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Frozen Tundra
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Santa Noir

Christmas in July:
To quote the product description from Noble Otter: "Man, fuck summer! Summer is scorching death that will kill your children! Elixir is all about winter! Bring back the cool winter air!

Relevant Post-Shave and Fragrance: (All are on-theme)
Similarly, the Frozen Tundra description says a bunch of words about football that I don't understand, leading up to "the scent and feel of earth in winter."
Finally, in u/mammothben's incomparable eloquence, "Santa Noir loves Christmas like an exquisite and expensive prostitute from the wilds of Canada." After that, though, I got confused by the sequence of words "soft woody" and lost concentration.

I don't know, I'm tired.

#photocontest
Photo: Water. Cold, hard water.
In honor of the two weeks out of the year during which we momentarily pretend that the sun it's not trying to destroy all life on the planet (Wait, you guys get more than two weeks? So, like, 20 days?!)
To achieve this, I put some water in a comal and stuck that in my freezer. That's a comal, by the way. I didn't really think through how I was going to get the ice out, but a few seconds with the back of the pan under running cold water popped it right out.

Speaking of thermal stuff, here's a neat thing about aluminum: it's a ridiculous heat conductor. That's why you can put stuff in the oven on aluminum foil, and just grab the foil with your bare hands. That's also why the razor just melted itself cozily right into the ice.

And then why not plop that slab of ice right into the bathroom sink, incidentally working in last year's Menthol Day challenge. I know, it doesn't quite say "this guy needs therapy; look at that desperate call for help" like filling a tub of ice (I kid), but... I don't have a bathtub!

#FOF
My overall impression of Northern Elixir is that the peppermint is pretty overpowering, but I'm also not a big fan of peppermint, so take from that what you will. I admit, though, that it ties in quite nicely with the lavender and eucalyptus, the latter of which blends in with subtlety against a backdrop of similarly hard-to-detect cedar.

Frozen Tundra is exactly what it says on the tin. I suspect another mint (is it in the same line as the snowman-punch scents?), and then whatever the earthiness is brings it, uh, down to earth in such a way that the suspected mint isn't too prominent. And if I'm wrong about mint, then, uh, nevermind.

Santa Noir isn't really comparable to the others, but it independently fits with the theme (obvs). It's a glorious scent that I kick myself for barely missing getting a full bottle of. I normally think of it as being generally season-agnostic while being especially suitable for the corresponding holiday, but I'm feeling expecially Christmassy with it blending with the other scents.

Challenge Accepted: Ah, yes, the ol' reliable Lefty Day. I expect a number of shaves performed with wives', children's, and dolls' left hands. I would have tried to enlist my cat, but I don't know which is her dominant side and she refuses to answer my questions.

But back to the topic of reading comprehension: Wouldn't you know it, just yesterday u/sdrdddy wrote an explanation all about what makes the Henson perfect for Lefty Day, locking in that blade angle even for the most maladroit of shavers!
In fact, I had already chosen the Henson for Left Day for exactly that reason. Am I getting better at the left-handed shave? Maybe, but it's still utterly impossible to lather with the left hand. Humanly impossible. Anyway, here's another intentionally-out-of-focus timelapse in a mirror, in which the lather is done with my dominant hand and the shave with the other.

The Henson actually gets me a remarkably smooth shave most of the time, today included. If I do u/AirBudRuler's Easy August thing, this will be the razor.

great shot

July 25, 2023 – LG23 Day 25: Sapo’s Christmas in Djuly Revenge

• Brush: AKA Brushworx “Mr. Green J33p” Oumo ACE 26mm
• Razor: Gillette Contract Tech
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (4)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Santa Noir
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Santa Noir
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth – Santa Noir

My friend Sapo was a bit unnerved that he was not mentioned in the Week 3 Lather Games Podcast. He makes his return to ̶e̶n̶a̶c̶t̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶r̶e̶v̶e̶n̶g̶e̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶D̶j̶u̶d̶g̶e̶s̶ help me with the Daily Challenge

Merry Christmas in Djuly! Christmas is always bittersweet for me. It harkens back to 1977. In December that year I lost my grandfather. My shaving buddy, if you will. Whenever we visited I got to watch him shave with his Remington Electric and I was always the recipient of a splash of English Leather. That included when he visited us, as he brought it in his travel kit. Fast forward to 2007 and it was in December that I lost my grandmother. Thankfully I still have memories, fleeting as they may be.

Today’s shave is a fantastic trio from u/mammothben and came out at Christmas time last year. A well done tribute to pine, if you ask me, and a great shave despite the vengeful outcome from Sapo.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s annual visit to Djonut’s Djelicatessen!

Edit: #PHOTOCONTEST LIGHT

How festive...

July 25, 2023

• Brush: Oumo Warhammer Iceberg 27mm Meri-2

• Razor: Gillette Aristocrat US (1948-1951)

• Lather: Murphy and McNeil - The Great Bear - Soap

• Post Shave: Murphy and McNeil - The Great Bear - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Thayers - Lemon - Toner

2 passes. Face lather. Good shave.

The Great Bear is intended to be a winter soap that marks the winter solstice. It is a collaboration between Murphy & McNeil and Black Mountain Shaving. Here's [ a little ] of what Black Mountain Shaving says about the scent:

For thousands of years, Winter has been a time for celebration and fellowship. [blah, blah] One such celebration occurs on the Winter Solstice known as The Long Night of Storytelling. People gather under the stars sharing ancient tales and wisdom, including the legend of The Great Bear (Nyah-gwaheh). [blah, blah]

I like this scent a lot but did not get much time with it today. I had to rush to get my shave done because my schedule was packed. I took less than 10 minutes from placing brush to soap until my final swipe with my cleanup towel. Each pass was started by creating what u/sgrdddy calls a slurry lather -- a very wet, very slick face lather created with a minimum of loading from the tub. My actual shave result is excellent but the overall shaving experience was marred by my need to rush. Closeness was BBS on the easy spots and near-BBS on the difficult ones. I mean, why do I even bother with straight razors?

As to the challenge. I have used both hands to shave for 10+ years. It started during my first serious bout with straight shaving. I have no issues using my non-dominant (left) hand because it feels totally natural. In fact, with a safety razor (DE and SE), my left hand does more shaving than my right because my right hand is more convenient to use for skin stretching those difficult areas on my face.

A real challenge for me would be to do a straight razor shave with one hand. I don't have any facial growth. It would be a challenge to use one hand for a straight shave and not lose a lip or an ear. Using either my right or left would be equally awkward, but for this challenge, the obvious choice would be my left hand. As you can tell from my setup, I wimped out and used a DE today.

The theme for my photo contest entry today is Space. The Great Bear is also called Ursa Major. That's right. The star constellation. Stars are in ... space. So, I do have space-adjacent items; a 3D-printed model of a spacecraft, and an engineering model (not space-qualified) of a spacecraft attitude determination and control system (also called a guidance, navigation and control system). I could not figure out how to make these work as a part of a SOTD photo composition, and I like to try to make photos that are shave-related and on theme for both Lather Games and the photo contest.

#photocontest

great shot

LGSOTD 26-July

• Brush: Blackland - Signature
• Razor: Blackland - Dart #CNC  
• Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium    
• Lather: Southern Witchcraft - Fougere Nemeta  
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcraft - Fougere Nemeta AS 
• Fragrance: ScentUK - Inspired By Sauvage

So today, is it the fastest finger first? Well if I’m first across the line for this set then grand, if not oh well.  As mentioned in previous posts this is a cracking scent and I almost used it for fougere day but went another way, so decided to try and slip it in here.  I think it’s the wrong term but there’s something almost spicy about it which really appeals, another one where I’ll try to get the matching scent at some point.

On to the challenge, this was actually embarrassing, and I had to try and do it on the sly in segments so the Mrs didn’t really see how much stuff there actually is, and I managed to find some stuff I had completely forgotten about.  First up are the Brushes dominated by C&H, followed closely by Simpson and a scattering of other brands, I love them all equally-ish, much prefer the badgers, followed by Boar and only the top synths remain.  One not pictured is the SOC Taj purchased for Austere August and the piggy break in, that's currently packed in the luggage ready for the trip to Turkey on the 30th.  Now the hardware, high proportion of blackland gear with a smattering of other brands.  As I was packing them away I kept finding others that I’d missed so tagged them on at the end.  Now the bit where I get embarrassed, the software, I had to break this into a handful of photos as they are scattered in various locations, I actually got a sweat on at one point lugging all of these around before packing them away again.  I keep thinking I’ll have a clear out one day and I go through the list, but I just can’t bring myself to get shot. 

I’m sure a number of other folk have significantly larger and more varied collections, but this one is mine.

Hope everyone has a grand day.

Cheers

Marc

#ROTY  #PhotoContest

Edit: added another picture of software I'd forgotten to pop on Imgur, and wow haven't seen this many posting first thing in the morning so far, some of you must be knackered.

nice shot

July 26, 2023 – Lather games day 26 – AKA My den is messy

• Brush: Razorock Synthetic
• Razor: GEM – Pushbutton
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (14)
• Lather: RazoRock – Tuscan Oud
• Post Shave: RazoRock – Tuscan Oud

Tuscan Oud. Love the scent. Who else would use such crap? Nice shave this morning. Here’s the den all messy and disorganized. Do I have too many things? Yes. Yes I do.

#PhotoContest

Amazing model of Prince Andrew! Well done!

• Brush: ZENRC Golden Bamboo Matcha Whisk #HOLLOW

• Razor: Razorline Razor Master Kamisori Shavette Straight Razor for Barbers #KAMISORI

• Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum

• Lather: Ujido - Matcha Green Tea Powder

• Post Shave: B_Lab - Matcha Hydrating Facial Toner

• Fragrance: Le Labo - Thé Matcha

Today's Theme: Wildcard Wednesday - I think I went a little too hard on this theme. First, I decided to make my own whipped-cream based Matcha tea lather. So land o lakes heavy whipping cream and a whisk it is!.

I knew it was going to be a process to get my homemade whipped cream together, so that I worked on last night. It took me several tries of refrigerating, whisking, refrigerating, whisking, and more refrigerating and whisking before it left frothy cream consistency and started to resemble something close to whipped cream. When my fiancee got home she questioned my logic for the first time all month. The thing that finally didn't make sense to her? "Why aren't you using a hand mixer?" Well I don't have one, and didn't realize I should have one. So that's why I used a normal whisk.

Eventually it turned into proper stiff-ish peaks whipped cream, so I popped it into the freezer to save for this morning's shave. Well, apparently homemade whipped cream freezes way more than cool whip does. So while that thawed, I got to work on my matcha base. The matcha whisk I got worked great for the matcha powder and some water.

Once enough of the whipped cream had thawed, it was time to fold it into the matcha. It folded in easily enough and got to a nicely hydrated matcha whipped cream mixture that I was hopeful would shave decently.

Well I found that a matcha whisk makes a poor brush for applying the matcha cream to my face, so I resorted to applying it with my hand which gave me big evangelion vibes. Eventually I got my face covered with the matcha cream and it was time to have one of the worst shaves of my life.

So fun fact, I've never used a kamisori shavette before. Or an Asco half DE blade. But they showed up together from ebay, so here we are. Sliced my right cheek a little, but the styptic pencil took care of that. Otherwise an awful, rough shave.

Today's Challenge: Den tour day! - I have cleverly arranged my main soap drawer to hide the majority of my shame. Then under the sink I have space set aside for only the highest quality stuff like APR, Fine (new base), and Van Yulay. Overflow space above my soap drawer for a couple extras that don't fit anywhere. I keep the current and upcoming razors just by my sink. And lastly, samples, frags, some overflow software, brushes/razors that I don't plan to use, and blades all go in the medicine cabinet.

My theme for today's shave: Matcha

I'm a big tea guy in general, it's one of my other rabbit holes of a hobby that I enjoy. I happened to have a bag of matcha from 2018, and when /u/j33pguy13 sent me a link to a matcha whisk as a joke, I knew I had to take the joke way too far and have a literal matcha shave, with matcha aftershave and matcha fragrance. Well, I did it. Your artisan soap bases have nothing on my 35% superfatted matcha whipped cream emulsion. Suck it /u/bostonphototourist.

Real talk though, this was a miserable shave. All the grease and none of the slickness. 2/10 would not shave, elbows too pointy. #photocontest #FOF #ROTY

I don't even know what to do with this shit anymore. You don't get to make up your own themes, but I'll say tea is a drink and we'll see where all these monkeys got you in the end. Good luck. God speed.

LGSOTD 27-July

• Brush: Chisel and Hound - 'Finned' V14 #SHD  
• Razor: Charcoal Goods - Everyday
• Blade: Wizamet - Super Iridium
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps – Homecoming   
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps – Homecoming AS

This is my first set of Summer Break Soaps, having never tried them before this was certainly an interesting day to try and do it. First up, the smell is bloody amazing. I've only got a couple of lavender soaps but this is beyond anything else I have. If there are darker scents available I can see myself getting more if they are just as good. 

My intent here was to show you a bit of my adopted homeland in North Wales, alas the climate here most days isn't exactly conducive to a comfortable outdoor shave, and today was no bloody exception. Now, had the challenge been yesterday it would have been fantastic, clear blue skies and warm. Unfortunately this was what my journey was like to my chosen shave spot!. I had wanted to go to Dolbadarn Castle but settled for lake side.

After arriving at my destination I took off into the woods bordering Lake Padarn, managed to find a relatively secluded spot so I think this will do along with a brief 360, half just to check I was alone.  

Went to work with the lather, slapped it on and snapped a pic. Though I forgot the mirror at least I had taken a pic and realised the lather was crap, I'm not in a bad mood, that's just my face and it's chucking it down. So added a bit more water and went to work. What I've now come to realise is that it's incredibly difficult to shave with a wet phone in selfie mode, couldn't get the damn thing to take a photo until the end and couldn't get the vid rolling. 

Though entertaining it wasn't the most enjoyable of outings on this particular day, I think it would have been fantastic on a sunny day.  At least I had a smooth finish and I smelt amazing. I'll be back here with my team for kayakng and paddle boarding tomorrow anyway. 

/u/Enndeegee look I think I actually used the PhotoContest tags correctly for once, about time. Admittedly not particularly difficult considering the necessity of the outdoor challenge but I'll take it. 

Hope everyone has an enjoyable outdoor adventure today! 

Cheers

Marc

#ROTY  #PhotoContest

Congratulations 🎉 you've been selected for the best photo contest 😊

Reason: good use of water

July 27, 2023 – Lavender 3 ways.

• Brush: Chisel & Hound Badger
• Razor: Valet Autostrop #selfsharpening
• Blade: Feather (SE) (1)
• Lather: Spieck – Lavender
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. – Bergamot Lavender
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Lavender Interrupted

You know given Will’s marketing maybe that title was a poor choice. Or a epic one? You be the judge.

Final loaner razor from u/Chronnoisseur420 to get some points. From here on out it’s u/j33pguy13’s CFL pass around (except Friday and Sunday when I need my English tech.) So I gues it’s tech on out except Saturday when I use the CFL…. Then, somehow we’re at AA… Wild how fast this went. Gonna blow off the first week of AA to test the CFL a bit more before I send it back. I’m both relieved and sad we’re reaching the end of our LG time.

Back to the valet. This thing is wild and over engineered, and it took me 10 minutes to figure out how to load it. (the blade goes on the top which flips over?) I guess if you strop disposable blades maybe it’s useful? Dunno. I borrowed it so I could hit 8/10 hardware points. This is where I stop on that because I’m out of time. (note to anyone counting, I’m counting ahead. This makes 6/10. the CFL hits CNC and Rainbow, for 8).

For the challenge. Did I ever mention I live on a corner lot? With a backyard that faces the street? This is basically shaving in public, with a nosy neighbor in that house above me who contently looks out her window at anything going on. Only difference is I can’t get thrown out of my house. Or rather, I don’t think my wife will throw me out. She’s already left for work. 20% chance my neighbor calls the cops on me. I waited to shave until after kid drop off to give me time to do this uninterrupted. Downside is it’s already 85 out. But hey shave sister ain’t that mister mister? Ah yes, that can keep me cool and moisten my stubble while I shave since this is well after showering. Got my gear ready outside, including a baby Yoda travel mirror I borrowed from my wife.

Start shaving, if I dump soapy water all over the brand-new patio, I will be thrown out by the wife. So, I have a cup to rinse my razor in. But as I lather, I stick my face in the mister to get more water. Then alternate the brush in. It works…not bad. Get a decently wet lather. OK this razor is…odd, and I can’t really stretch my skin. Boy that’s a lot of blade feel, but I can muddle through pass one. Suddenly! Sounds…oh shit, the nosy neighbor has opened her garage. Crap, she’s coming out….more sounds.. WHEW, her and her husband are having a spat trying to get in the car (nothing serious, he’s been hurt and not letting her help him get in.) They are distracted and not noticing me.* I can get done if I hurry. But once they pull out of the garage I’m busted. Best case I have to talk to them. Worst case I have to explain myself. Stick my face in the mister mister…oh crap, it’s not strong enough to get the lather off! Crap my hands are too slippery to turn off the hose and unhook Mister Mister. Quick, wet hands, rub face clean, pass 2. This pass hurts, I can’t see what I’m doing in the mirror, I’m XTG, WTG, and ATG all at once. Try to rise the razor in Mister Mister…it doesn’t work. Glad I brought the cup, but cup water is getting soapy. Make it happen, finish shave. Stick head in mister mister. Still not rinsing. HOW ARE MY SHORTS WETTER THAN MY FACE. Fine, whatever, hurriedly walk in with soapy, but socially acceptable shaved face. I did shave outside. Challenge complete, no neigbor questions. Once inside rinse off, change shirts (eff it it’s hot, soaked shorts are actually not bad.) Notice I’m bleeding in several spots. Whelp styptic time. Apply balm. Apply Frag. Roll into home office late.

Today’s #fof is pretty straight forward, Lavender everywhere. Which is good, I love Lavender. First post shave I bought: Bergamot Lavender. But I’ll go a bit deeper here with the theme and expound on types. The spieck Lavender strikes me as a more woody Lavender. This transitions nicely to the bergamot Lavender, which mixes with the citrus in the bergamot in the most fantastic way. The we move to the polar opposite of the spectrum: Lavender Interrupted. Lavender interrupted is sweet to the point I get vanilla first, and a punch of it. But it dries down to a sweeter Lavender. I want to stop and thank u/unitesstatesghost here for this sample. I was skeptical of Lavender Interrupted. I don’t like lavinille, which is nominally where Will starts here, it smells musty to me. So I didn’t jump on it. But she threw this in a PIF box to me and I’m glad because it’s nothing like lavinille. It defintely dries down more woody, but that just makes this FOF a full circle! Go me!

On to #photocontest, since we’re shaving outside, here’s an entry in holes. Specifically the hole left over from my old deck after removing the piers. It’s appropriate since I’m shaving on the patio that replaced it. I filled it in after this photo finally (one more to do done!)

Last 3 shaves remaining #ROTY folks. Who’s gonna finish strong?

*So occasionally they do notice when I do weird things and it ends not great. Which is why I’m glad I dodged it this time. About 8 years ago, I grew 4 hop vines off my back patio. She asked if I was growing pot. “Yes, I grow pot right out in the open!” When I explained it was hops, she inquired as to whether I was bootlegging because she didn’t know homebrewing was legal. When I brough home my first deer’s head to get the antlers off and did that in the back yard…yeah you can imagine how well that went over. Fun fact for u/AirBudruler I didn’t know it at the time, but I was saved from trouble by the Air Bud Rule. “Ain’t no rule that says you can’t perform cranial surgery on a deer head in your own backyard.” (As long as you legally hunted it and properly dispose of the remains, and I did both.)

Not big enough to shit in a ditch alas

2023-07-27 Don't Get Assaulted Day

• Brush: Omega 343178 Synthetic #FAUXFUR #OLDWORLD
• Razor: Treet Starline
• Lather: Shannon's Soaps - Lavender Lemongrass
• Post Shave: St. James of London - Lavender & Geranium
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Admiral

Free disclaimer:
I have no desire to get into whether certain soap-makers deserve the hate they get around here. Parasitic business practices are pretty deserving. Being an anti-vax psychopath is also pretty damn deserving, so I have not and am unlikely to ever purchase anything from Shannon's Soaps. I think this sample came from The Gentle Shave when I got my brush for Raw Hoggin' last year, after which I smushed it in this tin where it has since waited.
Also, the Treet razor was a freebie thrown in with a WSC order.

Lavendursday: The soap is indeed lavender-forward, alongside lemongrass.

Relevant Post-Shave and Fragrance: The Lavender & Geranium obviously matches the Lavender scent.
Meanwhile, Admiral both features and is prominent (to my nose, at least up front) in lemongrass, the other main element of the soap.

#FOF It's lavender. It's lemongrass. 'Nuff said.

At the time of receiving this sample, I was pretty pleased; I had just used the lemongrass-prominent Port-au-Prince on Desert Island Day, and I was ever a fan of lavender. I'm kind of over lavender. Have I ditched it for jasmine, much like Yukon Cornelius' change of heart vis-a-vis precious metals? Lavender is fine, but it's been done! To be fair, this paricular soap mixes things up with lemongrass, which strikes me as a counter-intuitive combination, but it's not terrible.

Moving on to St. James Lavender & Geranium aftershave, the most remarkable thing about it is that it's a gel. It's a bit unusual, but my unverified assumption is that it, like balm, makes an effort to be more hydrating than alcohol-based splashes. Meanwhile, it unsurprisingly introduces another floral note to the mix. I'm not really familiar with geranium, but it pushes harder into floral than I think I care for. I think it's the geranium that ended up lingering around all day, too, reminding me that I do not care for it.

Challenge Accepted: So stepping into the pure liquid agony that is the outdoors isn't enough anymore, is it? Hard to say; you guys forgot to define "nearby"! I went ahead and assumed that my weird little "yard" doesn't qualify for the challenge; I don't mean to argue that point, but as a thought experiment: If I move to the other side of the outside wall, does the wall of the building still count as "nearby", thus meaning that I'm not "outside"?
To avoid the question, I packed up a big ol' bag of water and headed to a nearby park. I mean, it's several hundred feet away, but it's still "nearby", so you figure it out.
Yes, "park." Rocks and dirt.

Obviously, I went before sunrise—because the fucking sun—which was, strictly speaking, when the park was open. There 's a sign that says it's closed from dusk 'til dawn, and dawn had begun, hence open.

I shaved in Pei Wei, and I shaved in a parking lot in Oro Valley. Neither of those were as unnerving as this situation I found myself in this morning. At this hour, your general passerby isn't going to be a person you want to get near. That is, there's a decent chance that it'll be a vagrant whose brain is in a, uh, altered state. Now, I don't carry very often—partly because I don't feel the need that so many stereotypical Americans do, and partly because I like form-fitting clothing, so I don't tend to have anywhere to put one—but I armed myself this morning.

There was one old man who passed me by who seemed nice enough, but I have no idea what that woman who snuck into the above photo was up to. In any case, I got a couple of passes in.

#photocontest
Photo: Flowers
Those are lavender buds.

Sus soap, but great composition and lighting.

July 27, 2023 – LG 27: Laventhrusday

• Brush: Maggard 24mm 2 Band Badger
• Razor: Karve CB
• Blade: Personna Super Stainless (3)
• Lather: Mickey Lee Soapworks – Jefferson Square
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming/Chatillon Lux – Champs de Lavande
• Post Shave: Dr. Jon’s – Flowers in the Dark
• Post Shave: Imaginary Authors – Telegrama
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Reserve Lavender
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming – Semicolon
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps – Prom King
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Lavanille
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Tuesday
• Post Shave: Mickey Lee Soapworks – Jefferson Square
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Reserve Lavender

Lavender is legit, I love it. We all know u/velocipedic did a cool lavender shootout on r/wetshaving, but who the fuck has time to read all that. In todays video I managed his multi-years work in u/wallygator88 fashion in about 5 minutes. I went Between Two ~~Ferns~~ Lavender style, making for a great lavender surrounded set up shave.

Quick #FOF. MLS Jefferson square is a quite bright and green lavender to my nose. It’s strong and sharp, and quite true to putting one’s nose in an actual plant. Champs is a bit spicy and herbaceous, bordering on that medicinal quality, likely the eucalyptus. It has an earthiness quality, and brings in some rosemary as well. To me, reserve lavender is one of the OGs that got me to go down the artisan rabbit hole. It’s classy and sophisticated, a bit “cologne like,” but has layers that leave one always going for another whiff. I’ve never smelled the Caldey Island Lavender it’s based on, but it Reserve Lavender will always have a place in my den.

For my #PHOTOCONTEST, went with flowers, duh.

Edit to add: posted pretty late yesterday and today, but can enter a PIF here if interested in getting some remote learning and helping out a good cause, I’ll tally it all up tomorrow and figure it out this weekend.

Edit 2: Oh, and I’m wearing reserve lavender hair pomade today too. Also, while at work MsChronn sent me this, as I leave a tech in the shower she uses for legs and tell her to use whatever soap she wants. Lavender family today, but I was the mastermind behind my brilliant photo.

soap brands 27/30, post shave 27/30, frag 27/30, post/frag linked 27/30, software sponsors 13/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 11/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 27/30, daily challenges 24/25, special challenges 3/5

Fantastic shot all around.

July 28th 2023 - Lather Games Day 28

• Brush: Omega 11137
• Razor: GEM Featherweight
• Blade: GEM PTFE (15)
• Lather: Stirling - Weekend in Malibu
• Post Shave: Stirling - Weekend in Malibu
• Fragrance: Stirling - Lightish Red

Weekend in Malibu - $14.25 soap, $13.65 splash

GEM Featherweight: $5.00 at auction

Omega 11137 - $9.99

Stirling EdT - $18.95

GEM Blade - $0.45

Total $62.29 for my cheapest gear. Sticking with this stuff and not being seduced by the siren song of sundry soaps and splashes and surely you would see the sought-after promised land of Shaving Savings.

To investigate why Stirling remains the best value, I decided to take a page from u/Priusaurus' great interviews and query the soapmakers directly, and maybe see if anyone there would join me in a shave. I packed up my gear, typed Stirling Headquarters into Google Maps and headed out. Upon arrival at Lord Stirling's quarters I was not scared off by the sign that said "Not Open to Public" because I am no ordinary member of the public, I am a Lather Games participant and that status gets you special treatment, not unlike how only Olympic athletes are allowed in the Olympic Village. Unfortunately, nobody was home but since I still needed to shave I figured I would make the best of it and shave there anyway.

Of course, this meant shaving outside in the heat for a second day in a row since my failed attempt to do this yesterday by trying to convince Rod and others that Varen is a lavender soap (it's the second listed scent note!) met with well-deserved mockery and scrub status being bestowed upon me.

I set up my gear on the commemorative plaque outside for some #photocontest history action, and then started to face lather. I stopped to pop a lather selfie, having styled my hair in homage to u/chronnoisseur42O's great 'do, and got to work. I completed my first pass which was somewhat difficult without a mirror, especially my cheeks, went back to my brush and lathered up for a second pass. While all this was going on there was a light flow of traffic on the road behind me; hopefully between the curvy road and peaceful scenery they were too busy to notice the guy shaving in the grass. I got through my two passes as mosquitos chewed my legs, toweled off and put on some Weekend in Malibu splash. I then hit myself with a few sprays of Lightish Red, which for me is a very nostalgic scent because it is a dupe of Abercrombie and Fitch Fierce, which was my perfume of choice back in high school. Both Weekend in Malibu and Lightish Red have a fresh, aquatic citrusy feel, with lily of the valley and sandalwood in the background so not only was this shave frugal but it was a great combination of scents.

After my shave I figured I would do a little sightseeing, so I drove through a nearby covered bridge on my way to the Memorial Arch, where Stirling's name was engraved for what I can only assume is their contribution to frugal shaves.

Now if you'll indulge me while I dust off my history degree, I shaved in front of the house where Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, was headquartered during the cold and hungry winter of 1777 at Valley Forge.

William Alexander, Lord Stirling, was born in New York in 1727 to émigré Scottish parents and joined the New Jersey militia as a commissioned colonel during the Revolutionary War. He rose to prominence during the Battle of Long Island, when he led a rear-guard action that allowed the American army to avoid catastrophe and retreat safely, and was captured by the British. He was released in a prisoner swap and promoted to Major General after taking part in Washington's crossing of the Delaware River. This house is where he was headquartered (along with future president James Monroe) during the Continental Army's disastrous winter encampment of 1777-1778. Unfortunately Lord Stirling's drinking and diet led to his death from gout in 1783, just months before the Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolutionary War. Thanks for reading!

DQ'ed for anti British sentiment!

July 29, 2023 – LG 29: Sandalwood Saturday

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Coprolite B15
• Razor: Gillette Old Type
• Blade: Personna Super Stainless (4)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming – Cerberus
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming – Cerberus
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth – Sandalorian

Today, we took sandalwood Saturday quite literally.

You’ve spent days on the desert planet of tatooine, your leather plate armor beneath the beskar growing heavier each day as it takes in your musk and sweat. Despite not belonging to their tribe, your newly formed gaffi stick has left sacred wortwood dust and shavings in every crevice possible; the tusken chieftain looks on with approval. You exhale, sweat dripping from your brow beneath your helmet. Your next breath makes you realize the warm woody and leather aroma permeates from you under the 2 suns, a hint of resinous ceremonial incense lingers in the background. Alas, your time has come to make way back to the capital of Corsucant, you put your starfighter into hyperdrive to catch some much needed rest. Upon arrival, the heavily perfumed floral senators pass by and it mingles with the remanence of your musky, woody, dominated regalia. In need of sustenance, you give a few Galatic credits to the nearby vendor, who graces you with the rich aroma of jogan fruit. Then you notice the few meiloorun fruits in the corner, reminding you of your time on tatooine, you ask for a few. Finally secluded to you quarters, you remove your helm, the exotic fruit now truly mingling with your tired, woody, musky self, and just a hint of the florals still caught in your nose so prominently worn amongst ethically questionable senators of the galaxy. #FOF

For my #PHOTOCONTEST, I went with wild animals. I’ll be honest birds and squirrels were all over the feeder in the morning. By the time I set up for the photo, scarcely there. My peanuts could not lure the squirrels back, so we went for a lone bird. I know our photo judges must have keen eyes, but I included a r/uselessredcircle just in case. No joke, I also videoed for like 1+ hour hoping to take a cool screen shot to no avail.

As for the challenge. I have to think u/Priusaurus, u/onionmiasma, u/MrTangerineSky, and u/crisp_mango all made strong showings for the podium.

For u/priusaurus, the interviews, witch, ice and restaurant shaves were all great. Brought his A game everyday.

For u/onionmiasma another A game everyday. I know the oil and gasoline shave got a lot of traction, but the Chicago bean mirror shave had me in stitches. Great interaction with many players too.

For u/MrTangerineSky, he pushed the limits and was continuously hilarious. Wonderful outside setting shaves. Also, he speaks highly of me so he’s clearly pretty smart.

For u/crisp_mango. That dude was one of if not the first poster almost everyday putting out shaving tunes non stop. That takes skill.

As for FoF, reigning LG champ u/RedMosquitoMM (and 2022 FOF runner up) was eloquent all July. Said he had to take it easy this year and still walked circles around majority of players.

For #PHOTOCONTEST, I think u/gcgallant consistently had really cool photos, often in some differing style. I think my favorite was u/impressive_donut114’s Death Before Decaf Photo. Beautiful shot.

As for ROTY, I think u/tsrblke was a consistent poster and putting in bery solid effort, way better than my rookie year for sure. I think u/djanovshaving was superb too. The way he just continually integrates the memes, pics, and gyfs makes for fun reading.

At the risk of sounding like Bobby Newport, can we show self love too? I had a great time this year, particularly pushing myself more with photos. I like to think I went ESPN 30 for 30 on that shit. However, in hindsight I could have used aforementioned names against them. I wish I had done more to include LGers in photos. I mean, Onion for vegetable, Mango or Tangerine for fruit, Donut for food, Mosquito for insect, Priusaurus (that’s and extinct animal, right?!?). NTM u/j33p_guy13 for vehicles or u/airbudruler for airbudrule. You get the idea.

soap brands 29/30, post shave 29/30, frag 29/30, post/frag linked 29/30, software sponsors 13/13, hardware sponsors 2/2, razor hashtags 11/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 29/30, daily challenges 5/25, special challenges 4/5

r/uselessredcircle

July 30, 2023 #photocontest

• Brush: Semogue SOC Taj Resin Boar (República Portuguesa)
• Razor: Karve Overlander SS (Canada)
• Blade: Bolzano Superinox (Deutschland)
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps - Teacher’s Pet (USA)
• Post Shave: LÚCIDO Aftershave Lotion (日本 Nihon)
• Non-Osma Alum: IHA Kantasi Styptic Pen (Türkiye)

Easy one for me, I live in Australia and all my soaps are US made. I wish I lived in the US… In-N-Out Burgers… free shipping and alcohol splashes…

Teacher’s Pet... everyone’s favourite apple scented soap? I swear I was very serious and a good student in school. Now, not so much… (NSFW)

Music:
“adios” - JAWNY Spotify / YouTube

My 2023 Lather Games playlist

Nice.

LG23-30: Bon Voyage, Lather Games!

• Brush: Мужской Материк 26mm Zenith Boar
• Razor: Blutt Rasur BR-1 0.99
• Blade: Kai Blue (2)
• Lather: Los Jabones De Joserra - Orris Root - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Oaken Lab - Serious Moonlight - After Shave
• Fragrance: Jo Malone London - Peony & Blush Suede - Cologne
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Peru. San Ignancio, Cajamarca. - v: Caturra, Pache, Typica - p: Washed
• Music: Super Furry Animals - Rings Around the World
• LG Tags: #FOF, #photocontest for that "story/thematic" theme

We did it everyone! Lots of planning, smush mailing, and prep, thirty shaves, thirty posts, plus lots of chatter on the SOTD threads and community apps. If you're one of our essential event planners or judges, you did all the work in the background to make this thing happen, often while playing along. As always, a huge thank you. The Lather Games are always a highlight of the year and 2023 was no exception.

My final shave of the month is a globe-trotter; each product from a different country, crossing several continents, and none of them are from the United States, where I live. Regarding my photo, this archival map is extremely out of date—apologies for anything problematic. Listed in SOTD formatting order, starting with the hardware:

• Brush: This red wood Мужской Материк handle hails from Russia. It's among the most comfortable handles I own and I love the saturated color. I paired it with a Zenith boar knot from Italy—shoutout to u/djundjila for the hookup. I've tried a few loose boar knots and none of them top the Zenith's density.
• Razor: This Blutt BR-1 is made in Switzerland. It's impeccably crafted out of 316L and looks terrific even without the polished finish. Another shout-out goes to u/djundjila!
• Blade: I unwrapped this blade from Japan for the second time. It was a better pairing with the BR-1 than the Astra SP I've been using.

My soap, aftershave, and fragrance are all from different countries, and are also all leathery florals. Again, in SOTD order:

• Lather: Los Jabones De Joserra (LJDJ) soaps are made in Spain. I like the performance, but the pricing seems high for CONUS shavers. This sandalwood and iris scent would have worked for yesterday's theme as well and it's the least leathery of today's three.
• Post Shave: Oaken Lab's aftershaves are "handcrafted in Indonesia". Ironically for us Stateside shavers, Serious Moonlight is the scent of a night drive through the Los Angeles hills.
• Fragrance: I'm new to this Jo Malone cologne, but I don't have a French florals and leather perfume, and my wife has this sample made in England with peonies and suede leather right there in the name. I thought Canadian house Zoologist was going to come through for me, but I haven't picked up a sample of Northern Cardinal (bergamot, rose, and leather) yet. Same goes for Etat Libre d’Orange Putain des Palaces.

And the rest:

• Coffee: These Peruvian beans put a pin down in South America.
• Music: Super Furry Animals hail from Cardiff, Wales and Rings Around the World captures today's theme perfectly.

All three of today's scents are floral with varying degrees of leather.

The LJDJ Orris Root scent has the least leather of the three, focusing on sandalwood and spiced iris, sometimes highlighting the suede-quality of its namesake flower. The sandalwood is a lovely foil to the fleshy-green floral accord; woody cedar helps the iris read as flower in bloom, versus freshly-applied lipstick. Lathering makes the scent warm and open, spiced sandalwood moving up in the mix.

Serious Moonlight is the most interesting of the three, the smell of lovingly maintained leather combined with sulfurous asphalt to suggest a (bright red, according to the label) car cruising down the highway. Oud, leather, and tar would be gnarly on their own, but the warm breeze rushing by is hazy with lush jasmine; Oaken Lab lists a black tea, coconut, and vanilla accord, which surely brings the scent its overall smoothness, though I can't pick out those notes individually. Most surprising is a pomelo note, first listed but more subtle in the mix. That fruity note brightens the entire blend, shaping the rubbery oud, and lifting the scent from tire-level to head out the window. It's a shame the fragrance isn't available outside of Indonesia.

I finished my shave with a spritz of Jo Malone's flirty Peony & Blush Suede. This perfume is unabashedly pretty, focusing on a heart of peony blossom that's soft, honeyed, and delicate. Jo Malone claims there's a crisp red apple note in the opening, which I don't pick out, though I'd guess it's what brings this perfume some added sweetness. The "supple" leather base wraps the floral accord in powdery texture; as that gossamer opening dries down, the suede is more obvious, though not particularly engaging. I like a floral with more hard edges and a leather with more presence. More concerning is how this combined with Serious Moonlight; Mrs. Mosquito says I smell like the front entrance to a Macy's department store, in the display-stuffed liminal space between cosmetics and shoes. Not a compliment.

And with that, we've arrived at the end of Lather Games 2023! I hope our newcomers had a blast, our judges had plenty of good material to critique, and our spectators enjoyed the show. I'm going to take a nap.

Congratulations 🎉 you've been selected for the best photo contest 😊

Reason: love a map