June 8 - Small Business Saturday

• Brush: Maggard 24mm Marble Handle Synthetic

• Razor: Razorock Mamba

• Blade: Asco Platinum Orange

• Lather: Maggard Razors - Limes and Bergamot Soap

• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger Splash

• Post Shave: Razorock - For Chicago Splash

• Fragrance: Maggard Razors - London Barbershop EdP

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I've had this soap sample for at least 4 years, and at this point I keep it just for this day. Though the scent is a tad faded, it's plenty slick with enough hydration. An easy shave today, especially with the more mild, incredibly forgiving Mamba.

For Chicago is a musky, kinda spicy, cologney splash that lays a great foundation the strong powdery and sweet London Barbershop. They work well, especially for a small business Saturday.

#FOF

June 8, 2024 - Small Business Saturday

• Brush: Maggard Razors Blue 24mm Brown Synthetic
• Razor: Maggard Razors V3M
• Blade: Gillette Nacet
• Lather: Maggard Razors - Limes & Bergamot
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Co - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime Toner
• Fragrance: For the Scent of It - Grand Soleil

FOF

Today’s Theme - Small Business Saturday:

Today my soap, brush, and razor are all Maggard Razors brand. Hits the theme right in the bullseye. Just like Maggard Razors hits me square in the wallet.

Mad Braggard Day:

I decided to review my account on Maggard Razors today. I have placed 15 orders since April of 2022. I didn’t think it was that many until this challenge made me peer into the abyss of my wallet’s despair. I better hide the page before my wife sees how much I’ve spent there in the last two years, and she decides she needs a trip to the jewelry store.

My largest single purchase was my most recent one of a Ralf Aust 6/8 Square Point with Horn Scales. Now that was the largest in dollars, but my second purchase was the most items at 17 which includes what I shaved with today. I’d say the straight razor was my biggest item in cost, but is it my “biggest, most stupid Maggard order?” Well obviously it is not in quantity.

10 years ago I would have thought it was stupid for a few reasons. Why are you spending $249 to slice open your neck? A Gillette Fusion Razor with 5 cartridges is just $20. 10 years ago was before I learned that Dorco made the Dollar Shave Co’s razors and cartridges. I could buy myself for about $1 per cartridge on Amazon Prime without getting into subscriptions and save $4 per cartridge. That’s a huge savings at 1/5 the Gillette cost. Then I learned how a DE blade can be bought for $.10 or less per blade. That’s like a zillion times less than Big Cartridge. I’ll save so much money I can retire early. Like many investments I’ve made, this turned out to be wishful thinking. Well the straight razor isn’t that stupid a purchase if you are getting into straight razors. Sure I can buy vintage razors made back when quality blades from Sheffield, Solingen, and the US were common. But unless spending big bucks, they will need some work.

I’d been toying with the idea of learning to shave with a straight razor since before I got into this hobby. Fear of butchering my face and neck kept me away, but last year’s Weckonista challenge got me to take my first steps. I only lost a couple ~~pints~~ drops of blood. The idea of finally getting a real straight was not seeming to be so far fetched. This year I decided to leap in if I was still getting a bonus and raise. Well, luckily I did get that last month. I promptly bought a bunch of “shave ready” restored vintage razors and a strop. Well the shave ready ones were sharp enough to cut some hair on my arm when I tested the edge, but it didn’t feel better than a Weck I’d used for a month on 1 blade. I probably could have asked some of the straight shavers here if they’d hone some, but I was swimming in cash (not literally, but bonus money for me is 50/50 for saving and playing). From my couple of years on this subreddit, I knew that Brad started his shaving empire honing razors. I needed to know what a honing master would do with a razor he sold. When I think of it that way, most sensible thing I’ve done in this hobby.

Last year I was lucky to place in the top 10 of the 2023 Lather Games, but in July. I won a generous gift card from the kind folks at Maggard Razors. I placed, what if it were from my personal funds, an order for the most expensive single soap I’d ever bought - Saponificio Varesino - Opuntia. Already pricy at €35-40 across the pond, it sells for $51 at any store that carries it in the US. Sure it is a triple milled hard soap that will last a long time, but is it 3 tubs of Stirling good? Better than 2 tubs of House of Mammoth? I’d say it’s not better than them. It is good, but I think reading other people’s SOTDs and why would so many people use it when it costs so much if it wasn’t better than free beer and blowjob night at the brothel? I’m guessing everyone buys it on sale or with a gift card like I did. I’ll put that tub as my most stupid order. Not that it isn’t a good product with a nice smell, but it could never live up to my expectations. Would I buy other SV products, probably, but on sale or with a discount code and/or gift cards.

Frangrant Feet:

I have a handful of Maggard Soap samples. I didn’t plan one, but originally I was between Lilac (my favorite spring flower) and London Barbershop. I got all of them together and spent some time deciding which ones smelled like what I want today. I love the scent of lilacs, but didn’t want that for a couple hours today. I would have paired it with DG - Mayfliwe splash, and maybe NO - Two Kings. Perhaps BaM Lavender Interrupted would have been good too. I kept going back to Limes & Bergamot. It is a great citrus bomb. Next what to use with it. Sea Spice Lime builds up that citrus some more with a bit of the spice implied in the name, but no mistake this is a LIME scent. Now the hardest part is what to cap it off? I thought perhaps Dr. Jon’s Hydra (I should have bought the splash and soap when I still could). No, I’ll save it for RIP day. Then I saw this sample of Grand Soleil I got not too long ago in a PIF. It opens up with bergamot and lemon, has some floral element, berries, vetiver, musk, and incense. 15 scents listed in total. It is playing nicely. The lemon and bergamot tie together with the lime and bergamot; while I think the incense and musk enhance the spice from the splash. Very pleased with this combination today.

The Shave:

Quick note if you are reading this far. Today’s secret word is smooth. After yesterday’s disaster of ATG only, I did a 4 pass shave and am as smooth (Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! RIP Peewee) as a baby’s butt.

2024-06-08 - Maple Mayhem

• Lather: Maggard Razors - Tobacco and Leather
• Post Shave: St. James of London - Tonka & Tobacco Flower
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Unconditional Surrender
• Razor: Maggard Razors - MR18+V3 #ZAMAC
• Brush: Maggard Razors - Black Resin Handle Tuxedo

Unifying Theme: Samples! Also, tobacco!

Mad Braggard Day:
Credit where it's due: that is some excellent wordplay.

I don't think I've had much in the way of big, stupid Maggard orders. I have, on the other hand, stupidly made multiple orders, doubling/tripling/etc. shipping while making changes to my planned calendar for previous Lather Games. Yes, Maggard will combine them when possible, but that assumes you don't wait until it ships before placing the next order. I've found that that becomes less necessary when you a) have done the Lather Games thrice before and b) are not bothering to max out your Lather Games score anymore.

What I really don't want to know, though, is how much I've spent at Stirling. It's been... a lot. I've been known to place orders after every marketing email. I've gotten better, but I still make semi-regular orders because I use their bath soap and shampoo daily. It'll take me a really long time to get through all the bath soap that I have, but I'll be dead before I get through the shave soap. Without counting, Stirling easily comprises a third of my shave soap. Uh.... I guess you're welcome, Rod.

I've found that I have a habit of—after finding a thing that I like—buying ludicrous and unnecessary numbers of the thing. Shemaghs like one in an earlier photo have been a recent example (those do have a real practical purpose, though, not unlike shave stuff). Also, stuff for pew-pew hole goes in far paper fun, but I hesitate to go into that because worms are going to be all over your kitchen after opening that can.

But I digress.

#FOF
Tobacco and Leather, like other soaps with the Maggard label, is a pre-mix scent poured into Through the Fine Fire Craft soap. That's just to say that it's Maggard only by name.
It was one of the first tobacco scents I tried, and I wasn't particularly floored by it because it smells... sweet. I think that the sweetness comes from the leather part of the scent. All in all, there's an artificiality to the scent.

Tonka & Tobacco Flower is obviously meant to be floral. I haven't smelled this before this morning, and I'm very pleasantly surprised. I also now realize that I don't think I know what tonka smells like.

Unconditional Surrender has a more recognizable tobacco and subtle leather intermingled with light wood for a rich, satisfying finish.
u/hawns Is this one no longer in the lineup?

#photocontest Wood
There was a strong chance that I was going to forego a theme today (that day will definitely come), but then I realized that leaves are essentially the tips of wood.
What I personally enjoy about this is that I could use the Wood category as a throwaway by just setting up the photo on a wood table. Instead, I actually made a conscious effort to completely obscure the surface of said wood table with those wood-tips.

June 8, 2024 – Maggard’s Day

• Brush: Semogue TSN LE Mixed knot #MISTURA #OldWorld
• Razor: Parker 96R #ZAMAC
• Blade: 7 O’Clock – Sharpedge (Yellow) (2)
• Lather: Maggard Razors – Lilac
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Diamond
• Fragrance: Motif Olfactif – Moments

Maggards day, or should we call it chief enabler day. Sure, we all have our favorite artisan who sucks up a ton of our money (stares at u/mammothben). But when we need hardware supplies or a lot of different things at the same time, we turn to Brad. And Brad delivers. More than once, I’ve had stuff arrive 2 days after I place the order. Sometimes I don’t order until 3pm, BAM still in the mail by 5. He runs a machine. And in doing so keeps thrill alive for many of us. Plus, customer service cannot be matched. I forgot to add an empty tub to my order once, I emailed, he replied “I gotchu!” (paraphrased) and threw a tub in before it shipped. Once I ordered Rawr, he was out, the system miscounted, he refunded me, then settled on a free shipping code I could use to get Rawr when it was back in stock (or whatever else I wanted.) I ended up using that code to send out my secret Santa last year. (Rawr came in a different order that was, of course, above the shipping threshold.)

Plus, samples from places that normally don’t do samples! Explore without excessive expense. My LG last year ran almost entirely on Maggards samples. Maybe next year I’ll run just on Maggards samples I have laying around. 3 Cheers for Maggards! And tell you what, since Maggards is FIRE, for #photocontest lets do FIRE. (Man, I hope this doesn’t melt my soap).

For the challenge, as noted I mostly order samples and hardware from Maggards, so my largest order from them isn’t huge. It was actually last year’s LG order at a whopping $70.83 cents. The box is still next to my nightstand as I used it to keep the LG stuff organized and intended to use it again this year but my calendar was completely different so I have a new Maggards box for it! My Stirling orders now are regularly over $100, but that’s mostly coffee, some bath soap and lotion, so I’m not sure it counts. My largest shaving specific order ever comes from u/mammothben (of course) at $135.34. It had Shire 2 and Rumble dickhole sets (plus 2ml edp of each because I couldn’t justify a $300 order) and a Mammoth x Lancaster Shaving works towel. I probably spent some money on a raffle leading up to that as well. Which I never win, I need to stop doing that and just buy the soap. But it’s for good causes.

A note on the Parker. It was my first razor, which in retrospect was probably a mistake. It’s an odd construction of brass handle and Zamac head, so it’s bottom weighted. There’s tons of blade feel and it’s kinda rough. Glad I have vintage Gilletes now.

On to #fof: At first glance there’s just total disconnect here, but that’s because it’s personal to me. See, my grandparents lived off a road, aptly named “Lilac.” Their yard smelled of it all year. Their family had been generational farmers for years, but that went away with my grandfather who operated heavy machinery in a quarry. So, he donated some of the farmland to the Chruch for a baseball field. Every year at family reunion when I was young, we’d go to the field and play a game of softball. Which brings us to Moments. From the description: “Time whizzing while each second is cherished. No one knew it would be awhile before our family could be together again.” This description hits hard, because like all families when our patriarch and matriarch died a few years ago, those big gatherings ended. It’s not the same. It’s not bad (my immediate family is growing and we make new traditions) but it is different. Cheris the time you have

June 8, 2024 – 2024.06.08: Lather Games Day 8 – Small Business Saturday… But in June

• Brush: Maggard Razors - 22mm Black & White Synthetic
• Razor: Maggard Razors - V3 #ZAMAC
• Blade: Bic Chrome (1)
• Lather: Maggard Razors – London Barbershop
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Everett
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Eclipse

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Daily Theme: Small Business Saturday… but in June

Theme justification: Maggard Razors London Barbershop is under the “Maggard Razors” label.

Relevant Post Shave & Frag: All the brands from today’s shave (including the brush, razor, & blade) can be found out the wetshaving hobby’s premier retailer – Maggard Razors. I also picked up the frag and AS from the Maggard Meetup.

• Maggard Razors Soap
• House of Mammoth
• Barrister and Mann
• Maggard Razors razor
• Maggard Razors brush
• Bic Chrome Platinum

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Scavenger Hunt Justification:

Razor facts: The [Maggard Razors V3] head is listed as being made out of “Plated Zinc Alloy.” In other words, Zamac

Brush facts: N/A

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Daily/Special Challenge: Mad Braggard Day

I actually haven’t spent too much online at Maggard. See here. Those top two charges are for the Meetup ($35 for the ticket, $75 for products and shipping while there). The $63 has a Henson+++, and the one below that has a Henson+ which account for most of the order. The first order was the very first wetshaving order I ever placed. It was my introduction into this hobby. It looks larger than it really is due to the blade sampler. As /u/tsrblke described it, I tend to snack instead of gorge when it comes to orders (at least from Maggard).

My largest order (quantity wise), actually came from Stirling. 21 items, including 14 sample pucks. I don’t think I’ve finished a single one of these pucks, but it has helped me figure out what I like and what I don’t. I say money well spent. Plus, they’re great for travel, especially in those tins from Dollar Tree.

Honestly, the largest expense I’ve had due to this hobby is one I’d do again in a heartbeat: The Maggard Meetup.

Item	Cost
Hotel	$138
Flight	$193
Spending	$217
Total	$548

I also gave /u/OnionMiasma some money for driving/gas. Those totals don’t include my pickup orders of Everett or my AKA Stanley Cup Handle that I would’ve been buying regardless.

Absolutely worth it. If you have the opportunity to go in the future, please do. It’s a great time.

(side note: seems like the retailer I’ve spent the most money with is House of Mammoth)

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Fragrance description

I'm trying something different today. My mother was with me this morning, so I picked her brain on the fragrances. Her responses will be in markdown quote blocks below. Spoiler alert: >!I know where my sus nose comes from!<

Barrister and Mann Eclipse

What do you think of this?

I don't know

Come on. I have internet friends to impress.

What is that one scent? That mild musk scent? It also has some sort of woodsy citrus. Patches? Patchi? ...

Patchouli?

Yeah, that one.

Does it evoke/make you think of anything?

nods head no

House of Mammoth Everett (I used the splash, but had her smell the EdP)

What about this one?

I smell spice. Don't ask my which one, because that's what I'm smelling.

Give it a spray, see if it opens up for you

Eeck!

(Editor's note: I'm not entirely sure how to spell the sound that came out of her mouth. The "c" was a lot more gutteral than you'd expect)

some vinilla, maybe?

I read off scent the scent notes

I don't get any of that! I can't smell the citrus at all.

Thank you very much, Mom. I appreciate your help. Love you.

Side note: When was the last time you told your Mother you loved her? As long as you do feel that way, you should give her a call and let her know. It'll make her happy. :)

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Now onto the shave!

Through the Fire Fine Crafts makes Maggard Razors’ house brand soaps. They do a fine job. The soap is serviceable, and I honestly have no complaints. It’s not my favorite scent nor my favorite base, but if I had to use it for the rest of my life it would work. On the scent front, I’d probably call this my least favorite that I have in my collection. I’m not a barbershop fan at all. My dad used get his haircuts at a salon (I know it’s not a barbershop), but I had to wait in the car due to the smell being so overpowering. That is all the scent reminds me of, and I do not like it.

The V3 razor is also fine. Nothing special, but not bad. Produced a decent shave.

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Sponsor Spotlight

Maggard Razors is an amazing store. The community is very lucky to have such fantastic retailer, with owners who truly care about their business and customers. They’re always happy to answer random questions, they have some of the quickest shipping I’ve ever seen (meaning from ordered to OTD), and they’re just extreme nice people.

If you ever get the chance to go to one of the meetups and Brad &/or Casie, I encourage you to do so.

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Totals:

• Razor Hashtags: 7/10
• Brush Hashtags: 7/10
• Hardware Sponsor Points: 2/2
• Software Sponsor Points: 5/16
• Number of Lather Brands: 8/30
• Number of Lather Scents: 8/30
• Number of Post Shaves: 8/30
• Number of Frags: 8/30

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Contest Hashtags:

#FOF

#ROTY

LG 8 - Small Business Saturday... but in June

• Brush: CRV Resin Ebony wood - Badger 26mm #COMPOSITE
• Razor: Straight Razors Palmera 14 vs Imperial 14 #TWINS
• Lather: Maggard Razors - Tobacco & Leather
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Fougère Angelique Edp

Today two twins, what they share? It's primitive form, Solingen blanks.

.#FOF Fougère Angelique Edp

June 8, 2024 – LG Day 8 – All Hail Daddy Brad

• Brush: Maggard Timberwolf Synthetic 24mm
• Razor: Gillette Gold Ball-End Tech
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (1)
• Lather: Maggard Razors – Mango Sage Tea
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps – Bell Ringer
• Fragrance: Zingari Man – The Brewer

This shave hurt way more than it should have. Things that may have set me up for failure include, but are not limited to: hours between showering and shaving, having just done yardwork and probably actively sweating, the mid lather that this soap makes, and yesterday’s ATG shave. I used my Tech because it’s the mildest razor I own by far, and though it felt gentle while shaving, I started getting a burning feeling even before I put on the SBS splash. Then the burning got much worse, which isn’t something I typically experience with even the highest alcohol-content splashes. I love Maggard Razors. I just wish TTFFC made a higher quality soap for them (even though the lather wasn’t the only contributor to my pain today). The scent is nice, though. Tropical with herbal undertones, creating a balanced fragrance rather than the juice bombs out there that seem to mimic the NEIPAs I unabashedly enjoy. But I really wanted to double down on the mango. Transport myself to a magical tropical island, sitting in a pool of Newman’s Own Mango Tango “juice,” my favorite beverage as a kid. That’s where Bell Ringer comes in – sweet and juicy, unapologetic and indulgent. Remember those NEIPAs I mentioned? That’s where The Brewer comes in. I’ve already been called out as sus for feeling like my impulsively-purchased tub is redundant when I have a tub of Bell Ringer around, but the frag really captures the essence of a hazy, juicy IPA, the beverage I’d have in hand today if I were on that aforementioned tropical island. Cheers. #FOF

I’ve compiled the details of all my shaving purchases (not including second-hand/zaar, fragrances, the Maggard meet this year, or prizes/gifts) in one fairly-easy-to-read spreadsheet. It seems that the largest purchase, both monetarily and in number of products, was on 5/7/2022 in preparation for that year’s Lather Games, when I was just starting to get into the hobby. $93.19 for ten samples and three tubs of soap. Nothing too crazy or impressive. What I struggle to fully comprehend, however, is why I had three separate purchases that May. I can understand the late-May purchase, probably taking advantage of a sale, as well as likely having some FOMO or realizing I missed something I needed for the games. But the sample purchase just two days before this one? What was going on there, past me?? Total of 15 purchases in a little over two years of the hobby, 8 of which were from Maggard Razors. Plus, let’s not forget the Big Soap Sale TM of May 2021, where I was overwhelmed with an inheritance of products that I sold when my nose was very sus and my knowledge of the hobby was approximately zero. RIP to the APR soaps, C&H brushes (under the TDR name), as well as several products that I’ve since realized I love and should never have sold. Here’s an old version of the original sale spreadsheet for anyone who wants to bask in my idiocy.

June 8, 2024 - Small Business Saturday - Maggard's Day

A FIRE IN THE SKY?

photocontest - Fire

• Brush: Alpha Brush & Shaving Co. - T-400 Blue Shaving Brush with 24mm Synthetic Knot #RESURRECTIONBRUSH
• Razor: Henson - AL-13 Medium Blue
• Blade: Gillette - Silver Blue [3]
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Fougère Angelique
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Fougère Angelique AS splash
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Fougère Angelique EdP

YET ANOTHER MUSICAL HOMAGE

PROOF READING

Okay, let's double check if I in my homage I mentioned all the notes:
Citrusness = Lime, Lemon, Neroli - check
Lavender, Geranium, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean - check
Cedar, Balsam Fir = woods - check
Oakmoss - check

Wait a minute... WAIT A MINUTE!
"Smoldering Flame"? Where does this come from? Let's check what the official website says... Uhm, a "gleamingly citrusy, approachable fougère touched by the cleansing flames of the heavens".

What?!

Aren't flames supposed to be in Hell, and wasn't being flame-less kind of one of the key selling points about going to Heaven?

We knew that u/BostonPhotoTourist had a penchant for violent suffering (proof), but he is also a very knowledgeable and well-read guy... Am I missing out here?
A google search on heavenly flames took me down a rabbit hole at whose bottom was... An Epic Symphonic Power Metal album by an obscure musician? WTF? After an extensive and expensive rehab cycle to detox my brain from derivative hard rock music, with painful relapses and unwanted flashbacks of a 1986 hit, I finally regained some glimpses of sanity.

Still looking for illumination, I turned to books, and finally I did find an illustration from a 15th Century Islamic manuscript from Central Asia: I shouldn't have doubted Will the Wise, he was right, there is a tradition of flames being a feature of the Seventh Heaven, and I was just too rooted in my received knowledge to know about it. I repent! Please don't exclude me from the Angelic spheres!

THE NEED FOR FAITH

No, not the religious one. The one in people who are fair and correct. One of the great things about both Brad Maggard and Will Carius is that I know I can blindly trust them with my business. Plus, they always answered any questions I could have, replying quickly, throughly and with courtesy. Maybe good deeds don't bring us to a celestial heaven, but I am content of this earthy world where karma made it so that B+M is by far the most represented artisan in my den (especially if you count the samples, mainly purchased from Maggard's!), and that Maggard's is the first US store where I have already placed more than ten orders over my first year of wetshaving shopping from the Americas.

MY MAD BRAGGARD DAY WAS MY CHEAPEST ONE

In November 2023, in a fit of FOMO I decided I needed I could no longer wait to try the newly released samples of the B+M (coincidence?) Winter seasonals: four mini-tubs, $3.80 each, for a total of $15,20. Even after I added three more samples, in the end I still managed to spend more for shipping and import costs than for the actual products.
It would've been wiser add more products to my cart, and to wait to make a bigger order, but the bug of impatience had bit me. I can't thank enough Maggard's team for fulfilling such a tiny order with the same care and professionalism that they devoted to more substantial ones.

FEATS OF FRAGRANCE

You may call it dickholing, but a heavenly fragrance requires to be experienced as a trinity.
Also, I don't think I ever tried these three products in the same shave.
To me, the lather mostly evokes a mossy, creamy rich citrus accord, bright but also soft, almost sweet. It has a somewhat "spherical" quality to it, like a heavenly hallucination of a ball of an intoxicating citrusy-mossy ice cream.
Nothing is spherical in the AS splash, which on the contrary provides a more vertical experience: the various notes are now in a succession of accords, like steps on the Stairway to Heaven (not the song, but the visionary MOTD!). During the drydown, you start to experience a slight metallic, gunpowdery note. Could it be...?
Well, the EdP brings this note of scorching metal more forward.
Is it the fire of an Archangel sword?
Only Will can tell us his flaming intentions, but in the meantime... Wait! Is it peppery? Or maybe, more accurately, pyrazinic, like that herbaceous note in many Cabernet wines?
Uhm, hot metal + u/BostonPhotoTourist equals to... Here's the epiphany! We may have previously rejected it within the context of human belligerence, but here, it actually adds an intriguing facet to the fragrance. I don't know if I'll still love it on the lung run. But for today, I am glad I went for the trifecta, being encouraged to pay attention so to continue with my daily #FOF

ROTY

Jun. 8, 2024

• Brush: Maggard Razors Sky Blue SHD Fan Badger #SHD

• Razor: u/EldrormR Industries MM24 2 Tone #Fliptop

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [18]

• Lather: Maggard Razors - Limes & Bergamot

• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Boonana

• Fragrance: Montblanc - Legend Spirit

Small business Saturday.

For today’s shave I used Maggard Razors Limes & Bergamot, I grabbed a sample of it right before the games started. Now I’m not sure if it’s the soap or my Maggard Razors brush look at it in its magnificent glory but I used less than an almond sized scoop and I had lather for days. I have u/infernalinternal to thank for steering me to that knot. I have a Dogwoods handle without a knot and I might just grab another one of the SHD’s and pop it in there.

For the daily challenge I went and looked to see what my biggest Maggard order was. I pretty much knew what it was, but what I did not realize is that I have placed 7 orders in the last 2 months. I’ve bought a few samples and a lot of full tubs and splashes. The biggest order price wise was my last one. A Trifecta of DG Contemplation, tub and splash of DG Yuzu Rose Patchouli and HOM Tobacconist splash. The most items in one order is 8 and the smallest was 1. I also have 6 items in my cart right now. Tomorrow is my bday and told my wife I wanted a Maggard gift card. Hope she listened but if not Ima buy it anyway

Todays shave is also a Fruit salad YUMMY YUMMY

Splash, SW Boonana now a banana does not go into a traditional fruit salad, but I’m comparing a shave to one so there’s that.

Frag choice today was an easy one. I’ve had this sample of Legend Spirit for a few weeks now and never wore it. But when I was filling in my calendar for today, I remembered this has top notes of Grapefruit and Bergamot so today was the perfect to use it.

Photo contest theme Baseball

Growing up in Jersey City you had 2 choices for baseball and 2 for football. Mets or Yankees, Jets or Giants. I went Mets & Giants because almost everyone around me were Jets and Yankee fans. 1986 was a glorious year to be a fan of both. The Mets went 108/54 and finished the season 21 1/2 games in the lead. Went on the beat the Astros and then the Red Sox for the World Series. I will always remember where I was for games 6 and 7. Game 6 I was at my father’s house, I fell asleep on the couch but woke up when my father started yelling about the wild pitch that tied the game. Game 7 I was home at my mom’s house, were flipping back and forth between game 7 and the Giants vs. Washington and both outcomes were wins. Mets win the Series and a few months later Yeah Baby!. It was a great time to be New York sports fan. So today’s picture is some of my favorite 86 Mets autographs.

#ROTY #FOF #photocontest

Day 8

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts – Svolvaer - 28mm Maggards SHD
• Razor: Wade Butcher - 6/8 Extra Hollow Ground Straight #STR8SNOB
• Lather: Maggard Razors – London Barbershop Soap
• Post Shave: Maggard Razors – London Barbershop Splash
• Fragrance: Prada - Luna Rossa Ocean

Can I be honest with you guys? Are we in a safe space? I almost hate to say the quiet part out loud, but I don’t like Maggard’s House Branded Soaps. There. I said it. And I feel better. The weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders! I bought this sample for last Lather Games and also picked up a full-size splash because I figured a Barbershop splash could go with anything. But I don’t really like the performance of the soap and scent leaves something to be desired. It’s possible I’m spoiled with all the other top-notch shaving software I’ve used since starting this hobby but this ain’t it. There are so many other products I like better. Like, I want to like this stuff, I really, really, really do.

And I hate to throw shade on Maggard Razors, because I know they are part of this community and I’ve bought so much from them since I started, but… If you’re looking for a London Barbershop scent that’s good enough for King Charles, maybe look elsewhere? Please don’t hate me, Mr. Maggard.

It did feel right using this honking English Straight Razor on London Barbershop Day though. I don’t know exactly what it means, but it must be some sort of omen.

Luna Rossa Ocean ties the #FOF together since it is a powdery, clean scent featuring lavender and sage, which is reminiscent of a barbershop. Ironically, I think this cologne may actually smell more barbershoppy than Maggard’s London Barbershop!

Challenge: I’ve spent more than I care to admit with Maggard’s. My most regrettable purchase was blind buying a set of Cha Cha Matcha from Ariana & Evans. I thought I was going to love it. Then I tried it and it burned my face up like none other. Like it honestly felt like my face was on fire. It was super disappointing because I did enjoy the scent. One would think I’d learn my lesson by now, but I still blind-buy a shit-ton… Just not Ariana & Evans!!

For the #photocontest: Fill the frame.

imhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Small Business Saturday”… The Top 5 Objects with the word “Micro” in them:

5.) Microscope – A really cool way to make small things look big.

4.) Microplastics – Not really a good one, but it’s part of all of us.

3.) Microfiber – Are they better than regular-sized fibers? Exactly how big is a fiber? And how much smaller than a regular fiber is a microfiber?!??

2.) Microprocessors – Microprocessors were the AI before AI was AI. Microprocessors this and microprocessors that. You really don’t hear about microprocessors anymore.

1.) MicroMachines – Remember how fast that guy in their commercials talked??

June 8, 2024

• Brush: Muninn Woodworks purple burl AP Shave Co. 24mm MiG
• Razor: Schick Injector
• Blade: Schick Injector
• Lather: Maggard Razors – Orange Menthol
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Alive
• Post Shave: Zingari – Unscented

This soap is simply scented, as its name implies just orange and a touch of menthol. Right away, you notice the orange essential oils it was made with. The menthol is noticeable to me but actually adds to the scent. I would not say straight minty as expected but it compliments the citrusy oil to create a more earthy yet sharp and crisp citrus than pure oils. Slightly medicinal, slightly like Orange Glo; which I love by the way. Orange Glo has other fragrances like Linalool which may provide the similarity to me since that can sometimes take on a medicinal/mintesque scent. This takes me to my memory of bringing wood back to life, since I associate this scent with dusting the tables off. Although I didn’t use Orange Glo, this SOTD brought me back to the time that I worked on my first restoration of an antique pair of skis and ski boots. I am not handy so this was a good moment for me – I gave them to my sister for Christmas to decorate her new ski house. My second project was this antique butcher block. Neither were stained, although the color changed drastically and became true to what the wood used to look like. I hadn’t thought about this for a while so it was nice to reflect upon it.

Mad Braggard Day: Two fold. First dumb purchase from another store included a razor/brush stand. Then, to top it off, I decided I didn’t want to harm my razor or brush so I put a line of silicon on it to be squishy. Now, its more useless than before since nothing fits on it (photo to follow once I get home late tonight because I forgot to take one). My second purchase is my largest from Maggard’s but is a nod to the absurdity of its longevity – one razor and 9 samples. I have finished exactly TWO of these samples from 12/27/21 but added >100 more and 30+ full tubs.

Today’s SOTD features Trash. Specifically, trash from various orders I have placed in wetshaving to circle back to the challenge. Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, a cardboard box, and a USPS envelope.

Photocontest

FOF

June 8, 2024 - Small Business Saturday... but in June

• Brush: Maggard Razors Aluminum Handle 2-Band Badger 22mm
• Razor: Maggard Razors SS70 #ZAMAC
• Blade: Wizamet (25)
• Lather: Maggard Razors - Mango Sage Tea
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Paganini's Violin
• Fragrance: Zoologist - Chameleon

Challenge: My biggest Maggard’s order was made last month and was just over $150. It was mostly samples and other items for a PIF I’m putting together. It also included Catie’s Bubbles Blugere for my fougere soap and a boar knot for my Aurora LG brush.

Thanks to /u/Impressive_Donut114 for the smoosh! As I begin loading my brush I smell tea with a muddled mango note. It's similar to brewing a black tea with bits of dried fruit. As such, the mango isn't particularly juicy or bright. I mostly get black tea. It's cozy. I'm not a fan of the soap base. It's too fluffy and doesn't hold much water.

For post-shave today, I'm using Paganini's Violin to play off the black tea in the soap. When I got the r/wetshaving release of Paganini’s Violin, I thought it was boring. I expect strong scent notes from Barrister and Mann. It took a few shaves for me to appreciate the subtleties of this unassuming fragrance. It's a dry, nuanced, tea-like fragrance. It's almost like the scent of paper. It's more delicate than any tea I've smelled. Imagine a tea that smells as light as violets. That's the best analogy I can come up with.

I chose Chameleon from Zoologist for the mango note to match the soap. Freshly sprayed, this fragrance feels aromatic; borderline aquatic, even. There's zesty citrus, mainly lemon, a dry woody note, and a bit of smoke. It's been a while since I've worn this. It's not what I expected so far. About 30 minutes later, there’s a tropical fruit buried in a light, powdery note. The powder note isn’t very green, or even floral. It’s as close to neutral as I can imagine for a powder note. Similar to Mango Sage Tea, the mango note in this isn’t a big player. It sits in the mix and complements the other players. A lot of the citrus has evaporated at this point. There’s still traces of the aromatic opening, but I’m mostly smelling the powdery note. It pairs nicely with Paganini’s Violin. Similar to my initial impression of Paganini’s Violin, I find myself wanting more. It’s pleasant. But, it’s not interesting enough to grab my attention.

I used the SS70 and aluminum handle badger for the theme. I don’t think I’ve used this razor since last year. The way it clamps the blade leaves room for chatter. It usually causes some irritation. Today wasn’t too bad. The brush is great for lathering, especially when I don’t have a lot of time to shave.

#photocontest - eyes

#FOF

June 8, 2024

• Brush: AP Shave Co Complete Candy Stripe - 24mm Boar/Badger Mix #MISTURA
• Razor: GR100B Kamisori Shavette #KAMISORI
• Blade: Feather Professional Soft Guard Artist Club
• Lather: Maggard Razors – Mango Sage Tea Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Voices Splash
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth – Voices EdP

Dear Brad Maggard,

Thank you for taking my money, and in return, sending me stuff I don’t need, for a hobby in which I acquire items far faster than I can ever, ever use them.

Sincerely,

Everyone on r/wetshaving

I’ve been wetshaving a few years now, and every now and again, I thank the shaving gods that of all the different shaving groups I found my way to reddit and r/wetshaving, and of course, that also led me to Maggard Razors. If things had been different, I could be eagerly scooping up all the different Shave Dad releases instead of a micro-drop of Animal Crackers or helping to get a set that smells like Doritos and Mountain Dew released. But, fortunately for me, I found w_e, then eventually landed home here. While some online shaving stores seem to overhype up every release single release, nonstop spam social media, have constant discount/affiliate/referral codes, artificially jack up the price of discontinued products, acquire subpar shaving soap companies, or publish youtube videos, Brad Maggard just chugs along, delivering quality products with superior service at a fair price. Crazy, right?!?? I, for one, appreciate the Maggard approach. It is truly a breath of fresh air in a world of constant hype, FOMO, and BS. Like a lot of people, I prefer to shop local and shop small. There is no question that it’s easy to shop on Amazon or the big box stores, but small businesses are what keeps small towns running and a store like Mags helps keep our hobby going. So, for this shave, I raise a figurative cup of Mango Sage Tea to Mr. Brad Maggard. Thank you for enabling me in this unexpected hobby that I’ve come to love.

I’ve always said I can get a great shave from any modern shave soap, and that’s true, but the Maggard’s house brand isn’t my favorite. The performance is… Adequate. But there are many artisans who make soap that I enjoy more. The good thing is: Mostly all the artisans who make things I truly enjoy make products that I can buy at Maggard Razors!

The scent of Mango Sage Tea quite enjoyable to. It’s a little fruity without being overly sweet, thanks to the tea notes. It’s actually a very nice summertime scent. I don’t think I’ve ever drank a Mango Sage Tea, but I would certainly like try it if it tastes like this soap smells. Using Voices for #FOF is kind of a no brainer today. All the software I used features Mango, but the soap is undoubtedly sweeter than the splash/fragrance. It’s almost like I had the dessert first, then went on to eat the sticky rice main course. Voices is one of the more unique scents I have in my den, and it won some award or something. It’s bright, clean, a little woody, and deliciously creamy. I swear, each time I spray it on myself, I discover something new to appreciate with it. Something about wearing Voices puts me in a good mood and signals to myself that it’s gonna be a damn good day!

Challenge: I look back at my order from Maggard’s my biggest and most stupid order is probably my first one. I was new to discovering scents and picked up a huge variety of every product under the sun, without really considering anything what I needed and the scent profiles of what I was buying/already owned. I bought a smorgasbord of soaps, splashes, balms, blades, a brush, and a pre-shave oil. There were some products I bought only because like one person on reddit said they liked the scent (Leviathan) and other things I bought just because they were on clearance for a reason (First Line Shave). The day the order arrived I learned I should be a little more discerning when I buy wetshaving products. A lesson I would fail at time and time again. There was some really good stuff in that first order, like SW Samhain and CB Irish Coffee, and yet there were more misses than I would have liked. As I’d come to find out, that is all part of the experience!

Soap Theme Justification: It’s Maggard’s Soap.

Relevant Post Shave & Fragrance: The theme of the day is: Mango

June 8, 2024 – LG 8: Small Business Saturday

• Brush: Maggard 2 Band Badger 24mm
• Razor: CJB Kamisori #KAMISORI
• Blade: Feather Proguard (4)
• Lather: Maggard – Lilac
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Fougere Angelique
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Fougere Angelique

All products software and hardware used today were purchased from Maggard Razors. Obviously the house brand soap, followed up by the Maggard BM exclusive that is Fougere Angelique are the connector today.

For our #FOF lilac is a pretty light and straightforward lilac floral scent. Their house brand is made by Maria Arman of Trhough the Fire Fine Crafts. Is it the best base out there, no, but damn well serviceable and a great price point. BM FA is probably the most citrus forward fougere I have put my nose too, a total lemon lime bomb on the opening. Super vibrant citrusy green scent. There is a whole laundry list of notes, but I find this holds bright throughout hours of wear. The geranium gives that sort of intense citronella component while the lavender gives it that herbaceous intensity. Despite sharing some many notes with its counter part Gothique, I don’t get any of the smoldering flame, but there is a woody base to counter all the other sharp citrus smells.

As for our daily challenge. I don’t know how I did it, but I deleted some of my purchase history when they did the site revamp a year (or 2?) ago. I had multiple emails with accounts and managed to I think undo some of my purchase history. It says my first purchase was a GC, and I know that is wrong both in what is is and the timing of purchase. That said, the highest I can see is $111.24, which is pretty modest all things considered in this hobby. Also, no purchases yet in 2024 (but GRUYE does not live as I needed that 1889). I think where haggard ‘gets me’ is even if I go in with only a single item in mind, I’m a sucker for free shipping thresholds. Exhibit A. So I end up just loading my cart with other things to just get over that. Why pay 8 dollars to ship when I can pay $40 for more stuff and free shipping.

For #PHOTOCONTEST Money seemed fitting, since all of our disposal income goes to shaving things, notably Maggard. Funny enough, I live in California, but I had more pounds on hand than dollars for a upcoming trip to the UK, but the colors work better for the photo anyway.

As an aside, I still suck with a kamisori, but at least this one wasn’t made of ice. Under chin is tough, and I have a days worth of stubble ~~hitler~~ Michael Jordan stache despite my efforts.

soap brands 8/30, post shave 8/30, frag 8/30, post/frag linked 8/30, software sponsors 5/16, hardware sponsors 6/2, razor hashtags 6/15, brush hashtags 8/15, photo contest 8/30, daily challenges 7/26, special challenges 1/4