** 12.06.2024 **

• Brush: hand (left)
• Razor: Gillette Fatboy Adjustable #ADJUSTABLE
• Blade: Perma Sharp
• Lather: Reuzel - shave cream
• Post Shave: Reuzel - aftershave
• Post Shave: Mühle alum stone

First i was thinking about TOBS but I'll use it for brand older then me and next cream that I have is this Reuzel. Nice brand and I known them from their beard care products that I use when I have long beard. It's ready to use no need for brush just using your hand. It's not bad if you are in hurry. I bought this cream before I was familiar with your north American artisans. Now this sits at the bottom of the cabinet waiting Lather Games. What is in this cabinet you can see on this video. There are pictures to more curious among you showing in more detail what I have. Pic 1.... Pic 2 ....Pic 3 .... Pic 4...On all this are soaps that after sniffing them I can't living without having it. On this picture is this one that I keep them only if I need them in Lather Games or are gifts and I can't throw them away. On this are my hardware. Wacker Best Tradition 6/8, C.V. Heljestrand 5/8, Jernbolaget 5/8, Manier Mason 6/8 ( I. named Mystery razor), Razorock Lupo .95 OC, Mühle R41 Kosmo and missing Razorock Game Changer .84 and 1.05 , Yaqi Remus. They are to my friends testing it. And on this pic are my shaving brushes. My award from Lather games 2023 ( Thank you Andrew ) AP Shave Co G5C and G5A knot from same company that I made this handle. The two knots are Mühle silver tip badger and one 18 mm synthetic Boti. They are projects to make handle for them. The small one are gonna be in my travel kit with Yaqi Remus. That's it! Now I'm gonna spy and dig in yours drawers!

LGSOTD 12-Jun-24

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts - Declaration Grooming B16 #FRANKENBRUSH #SHD
• Razor: Charcoal Goods - Gen 1 Level 3 #CNC
• Blade: Wizamet - Super Iridium
• Lather: Proraso - Wood & Spice
• Post Shave: Proraso - Wood & Spice Balm
• Fragrance: Proraso - Wood & Spice Cologne

Cream Day

I've had this cream for an age, the scent is lovely and the performance is very good, slick as hell, but with plethora of gear waiting in the wings it barely gets a look in. The cologne is the one that always surprises me, the longevity is remarkable given it's cost, admittedly it doesn't have the apparent layers of other scents but you can't grumble.

Opted for the Dogwood Declaration Grooming B16 and CG Lvl 3 today. With the brush I wanted a simple one in matte black and this did not disappoint. I almost went for a synthetic knot but opted for a bit of luxury with DG and once again a very happy man. The level 3 CG is sometimes a bit intense though, this gives the dart a run for its money in the feel department, so not a daily driver for me but still comfortable to use on occasion.

Challenge - Den Tour Day

I've done this exercise once before, and it is nothing if not eye opening. Sadly I don't have the room to be able to have everything on display. So everything is packed away and I work on a smaller rotation. One thing I really don't want to know is how much I've managed to sink into this, sod it though!

Photocontest

With wood and spice on the cards, it'd be rude not to target 'Wood' for this outing.

Happy hump day and hope everyone is having a good week.

Cheers

Marc

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Stirling Two Band Synthetic
• Razor: Van Der Hagen 85mm Safety Razor
• Blade: Gillette Nacet
• Lather: Taylor of Old Bond Street - Almond Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Van Der Hagen - Unscented Aftershave Balm

June 12, 2024 – Lather Games!

• Razor: Titanium Henson +++, polished, tattooed ("Machine Spirit Shaver").
• Blade: Gillette Winner Stainless (2).
• Lather: Cobra Spit Tattoo Co. – Charred Sandalwood & Bourbon
• Aftershave: A&E – Signature

Shaving with this cream is a decent experience, certainly better than the Cremo I was using earlier. This actually lathers slightly and has decent cushion to it. It feels almost like a shave gel. Decent finish and I decided to go for a nice scented aftershave. A nicer finish than I expected with only minor irritation; I still prefer my soap lather to this, however.

#Challenge:

https://ibb.co/Lp3C5gg https://ibb.co/0GY5Njq

Most of my collection is shave soaps, I don't have that many razors. I do have a nice collection of bespoke fragrances from the various soap maker artisans.

#LatherGames

Bonus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX_r9R98DiY ← Civilisation: A Personal View by Kenneth Clark (1969) - Parts 1 through 5

LG SOTD 12Jun2024 * Brush: Yaqi Mountain Lake - 24mm arctic synthetic * Razor: Henson - Ti22 Medium * Blade: Personna - Viking’s Sword (1) * Blade: Rise - Classic (1) * Lather: Taylor of Old Bond Street - Peppermint Shaving Cream * Bowl: CaYuen - Dark Nebula, large * Post Shave: Afta by Mennen - Aftershave Lotion, Original

Happy humpin hump day! Welcome to the twelfth shave of the 2024 Lather Games. Today's theme is “CREAM” where we shave with a shaving cream versus a proper shaving soap.

I’m not a fan of shaving creams, there’s something visceral and pleasing in my brush loading routine. If I can’t brush load, I don’t want to use it (c.f. my Milksteak antipathy). While trying soaps out, scoop away, but when I get a tub, I want to rub my brush on that 😅. That said, I like trying stuff and I’m looking to upgrade the next generation ALL YOUR BASE PIFs so I bought a tub of TOBS Peppermint Shaving Cream from Maggard though the only time I am likely to use it is Lather Games.

Using my Yaqui Mountain Lake brush set with a 24mm arctic knot. This is another misfit brush for me, knot is too soft but it is purdy and fits the peppermint theme. Fibers might be a different dye job as timber wolf but not certain.

——

Before the shave report, time for a tour of the den.

• Overview

I have claimed the right side of our main floor bathroom. The top shelf was installed just about three years ago in July 2021 after the June software explosion. The shelving beside the sink that I am using as makeshift a soap caddy has been in the bathroom long term but I claimed the top to make the double row of soap tubs same time in 2021 (expanded to the entire top in fall 2022, used to be some of my daughter’s stuff and I used to have less soap). The middle is modular shave shelving from WetShavingBySteve, an Etsy seller, and was added at the beginning of 2024 and GREATLY reduced the shelf chaos.

• The high shelf

To the far left are the post shaves. Hanging on the left (cropped out of the picture, but visible on the overview), is a golf club cleaning microfiber. Works great for wiping off the copper and brass after use so they don’t water spot.

Moving to the right is the paper towel where I lay any blades to be used again. Got some overflow tubs and the larger sized samples. Then it’s the stainless steel Williams and Sonoma 1/4 teaspoon that I permanently borrowed from the kitchen for scooping samples.

At last, it’s the three horsemen, my favorite razors (that’s why I give them fancy stands, so they know they are better than the other razors 😀). And at the far right edge is the Feather blade bank and today’s Tournament of Blades contestants (with the U.S. Virgin Islands quarter that calls the starting blade).

• The Low Shelf

There are seven brushes in the modular WSBS shelving, one for each day of the week and my favorite seven of the complete brush pool. When I’m not being a flagrant shaving degenerate and showing off every minuscule detail of my shaves, I just follow the daily rotation (starts with the AP Shave on Monday at the right and moves to the left, finishing on Sunday with the Yaqi Caramel).

In the middle of the brushes is an area for whatever three other razors I’m giving some degree of attention to.

At the far left of the lower shelf of the modular shelving is the D-plate for the copper Karve CB. There’s the Lady Gillette I used on WetTuber day. And if you zoom in, at the rightmost bin is a restored 1920s Gillette blade box holding blades for upcoming ToB fights.

Below that on some metal bathroom shelving are double rows of soap tubs. I like this setup because I can get to whatever soap I want easily.

Last, resting on the tubs below the modular shelving is the box of samples.

That is the IN the den tour. But, I wouldn’t be a true shave degenerate if that was everything. The stuff I maybe sometimes use lives in the bin of misfit shave goods. If you want a quick look at it all, see my comment to this post.

And no tour of my den would be complete without showing you what 1700+ blades in several dozen types looks like.

——

Now, the shave report. Shaving creams are not something I understand - I save maybe two minutes with a cream versus a soap and that’s not enough for what I give up. I suppose if you find lathering soaps just a little too much they have their place because the next step down for effort is canned goo.

This cream is scented with peppermint oil and it smells fantastic off the puck, being lathered, and during the shave - the good part. You can feel the tingle of the peppermint oil on the skin. Worked up quickly, was sufficiently lubricating, but residual slickness was poor. Not great at holding water. Post shave is decent. The essential oil based peppermint scent was gone by the time my face had fully dried.

TL;DNR: I’d used TOBS a couple of years back and today’s revisit did nothing to change my mind.

Enjoy your day!

User makes long post and remarks "too long, do not resuscitate"

June 12, 2024

• Brush: Semogue Galahad C3 Premium boar
• Razor: Mongoose Alumigoose
• Blade: Kai Captain Mild
• Lather: Palmolive - Classica (cream)
• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger AS
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - unscented balm
• Post Shave: Olay Complete

I use this cream very infrequently. I bought it with the intention of using it for travel, but I just take a cheap stick when I travel. Go figure. It's a decent cream though. It doesn't really take very much product to make a good lather. It's an acceptable choice for a no nonsense shave.

SOTD 2024-06-12 It comes in a tube

• Brush: Semogue 830
• Razor: Gillette Aristocrat Adjustable
• Blade: Dorco - Prime (2st use)
• Lather: Nivea - Sensitive shaving cream
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria - Cognac and Cuban Cigars

This week I went to one of my local pharmacies to pick up a package.
|
Because that's where the post office is.
Of course I needed to check out the shaving aisle.
Zoinks! The Canadian Pharmacy Day must be gaining traction!

Look at all this stuff!!
Even though I was impressed by the Guardian Pharmacy;
Floored, absolutely floored!
This selection was impressive.

Every Shoppers Drug Mart typically carries 1 or 2 Proraso items.
Yes very rarely I'll even see one of the non-standard scents.
Even in the largest ones I've never seen four!

Check this out:
Have they got Old Spice? Yes. Brut? Yes. Aqua Velva? 3 types!
I see Azur Lime, Wood and Spice, and Green Proraso.
Like, I'm drooling now. They've got pricey Art of Shaving too.
I'm tempted to fill up my cart, but settle for a Nivea cream.

On to the shave:
Creams are designed to allow you to shave more quickly;
Which means I can spend extra time needlessly overcomplicating my shave!

So I can use an adjustable razor and constantly play with the settings!
Settings used during the shave: 6 - 7 - 6 - 7 - 5 - 6.
I can use a brush that requires soaking, because I'm saving time!

This tube even has instructions! Look at Nivea thinking I'd read pictures...
Also, if it comes in a tube that means it's automatically a cream.
Instructions are for people who don't already know how to do things better. Why face lather when you can face AND bowl lather!

And this poor cream doesn't even contain any alcohol in it!
Not to worry, I've got my strongest scented alcohol-based splash to save the day!

What a remarkable shave! It was just like when I used the Nivea canned foam.
Same scent; less convenient!
Felt similar too; this is definitely a notch down from Palmolive or Proraso.
But think of all the time I saved using this cream!

June 12, 2024

• Brush: Simpson - Trafalgar T3
• Razor: Karve Shaving Co. - Christopher Bradley
• Blade: Gillette Platinum
• Lather: Proraso - Menthol & Eucalyptus Cream
• Post Shave: Zingari Man - Unscented balm

Nothing exciting or clever about this shave, but I really like Proraso cream. Maybe its the performance, maybe it's the classic scent, or maybe its just the throwback metal tube. But when I am in a hurry it never disappoints.

LG Day 12- Cream

• Brush: Leavitt & Pierce 22mm Silvertip
• Razor: Merkur 37C
• Blade: Rapira Platinum Lux (5)
• Lather: Musgo Real Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Proraso - Menthol & Eucalyptus splash
• Post Shave: Zingari Man - Unscented AS balm

Woke up this morning and took a look at the calendar reminder on my phone that said today is Cream Day. Immediately, the musical jukebox in my head fired up and pingponged from here to here to here. Once I settled on a song, it was time for a shave. I've got a few cream options in the den, but Musgo won out. Throw in the 37C and a badger brush and it's 2008 for me all over again. Musgo is now wildly overpriced, but it's in the den for nostalgia purposes. For me, it still works like a charm. And while I think they reformulated the scent in the last several years, it still smells great to my nose.

Want to see my shave of the day and want to see what else I have stuffed into my house shaving-wise? Well, here's your opportunity to get a glimpse behind the curtain of loudmusicboy's shaving life via a den tour.

Try to enjoy your day and remember to be kind to one another.

OP gives video tour of entire house, increasingly small New England bathrooms, all manner of nooks, and clandestine products hoarded in medicine cabinets. Shows off sick music posters and cute pets that did not give permission to be on camera.

OP gives video tour of entire house, increasingly small New England bathrooms, all manner of nooks, and clandestine products hoarded in medicine cabinets. Shows off sick music posters and cute pets that did not give permission to be on camera.

June 12, 2024 – Creamed

• Brush: Turn n Shave – L7 Boba
• Razor: Wolfman WR1 #cnc #stainlessless
• Blade: Treat Classic (Carbon Steel) (3)
• Lather: SIR – Irisch Moos
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Fragrance: SIR – Irisch Moos

Cream! I was fortunate enough to be involved in one of u/j33pguy13’s raid of the B&B forums that resulted in many Moos cream tubes. I had heard good things about the Moos, so I decided to get one. It’s one of the few scents my wife goes “that’s good” when I lather it up. I picked up a second from him later.

It’s a true cream in a metal tube, so no bowl, just onto the brush and lather. It makes a decent enough lather. Not as good as any artisans, but better than the Cremo I used earlier. For #fof, I call this my Moos-Varen-Moos sandwich. Born out of necessity that I don’t have Moos splash, I tried it, and it works wonderfully. Varen is a bit spicier and darker to my nose. It is more vetiver forward, and that vetiver lasts a long time on my skin, so when I return to the Moos, I get a delicious blend of the two that’s greater than any one individually. Sure, I still do a Varen Trick every now and then, especially in winter, but if you get Moos EdT, paring it with Varen splash or (in my case) balm is a match made in heaven. Moos is special so for #photocontest let’s fill the frame with it. But I’m going to fill my frame a bit differently. I’m using a lens ball to play with perspective here, because why not.

Today’s challenge shows the necessity of improv in lather games. My daughter and I worked out a bit for den tour day again this year, with her leading the video. But she’s sick in the other room. In her honor though we’ll continue the bit just via pictures and text. Pretend the italics is her.

What’s this? An Admission fee?
Mom says we need to recoup the vacation fund you spent on soap.

“It’s my bathroom, also I don’t carry cash. And what about her Sephora bill?”
We take Venmo! And I won’t’ tell her you said that if you tip well.
“Fine” (Makes payment).

Excellent, I’ll lead your tour. Over on this wall we have the TOWERS OF SOAP. See how precarious they are? And how occasionally they get knocked over at night?
“Amazing! Also disorganized.”

Over here we have THE DRAWER OF MYSTERY! Random odds and ends, some of which haven’t been touched in years!.
“Those carts are probably not dull yet!”

And in here, THE MAGIC CABINET! Stuff goes in, sometimes to never be seen again!
“Yes, Yes, I get it, I need to get better organized.”

Would you like to upgrade to a VIP ticket to see the overflow den in the office? It’s only $29.99 and comes with a Seaforth! sticker we found on your desk!
“It’s my office! I’m not paying to go in my office, also give back my sticker.”

Vacation fund, remember!
“I’m good, they Saw that yesterday.

Frag display is not included in this level of tour, but we can tell you the LG 2024 winner’s frag collection has grown substantially since last year, now containing over double the full bottles of last year and many smaller sprayers!
“Thanks! Great tour!”
Don’t forget to tip!

Edit: the honorable u/djundjila informs me the brand for Irisch Moos is "SIR" which is owned by M&W but is it's own brand. I have updated accordingly.

June 12 - Crema da Barba

• Brush: Semogue 610 21mm Boar

• Razor: Razorock Mamba

• Blade: Asco Platinum Orange

• Lather: Cella Crema da Barba Soap

• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger Splash

• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Big Leap Splash

• Fragrance: Noble Otter/Australian Private Reserve - Jungle Warrior EdP

---

Cella is always a good time for me. It brings back lots of good memories, and it makes for a very pleasant shave. Just remember to load it like you hate it.

Big Leap is a more vintage fragrance, with heaps of powder, some well blended citrus, some geranium and a lotta class. I'd even liken it to a vintage barbershop. Add on the sweet n creamy fougère of Jungle Warrior, and mmmmm that is one hell of a dapper, distinguished gentleman. The powdery and citrus blend super well with the light fougère and it brings about the best of the fragrance. I love it.

#FOF

Edit: I'm a dingdong who updated everything but the soap for today's shave FML.

2024-06-12 Catie's "Luxury Cream Soap"

• Prep: Coffee, Face wash soap/warm water
• Brush: Maggard Razors - Maggard Blue Swirl, Timberwolf Synthetic, 24mm
• Razor: Ikon Razors - Ikon Short Comb with Bulldog 80 mm handle
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum, DE
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles – Greek Fire "Luxury Cream Soap"
• Post Shave: Hendrix Classics & Co. - Alpine Forest – “Tiger Milk” Edt & Aftershave splash

The Cream:

Going the Catie's Bubbles route with a soap in their "Luxury Cream Soap" base. I understand this is one was made originally for Razor and Brush. Here is the entry from the shop.

The Shave Den (& Storage): https://imgur.com/a/shave-den-tour-OYdt8kZ

So...about the den...yeah the den (AKA downstairs bathroom). In a bargain for storage space I had to agree if it can't fit on the counter or in the drawers then it had to be in storage. So no shelves. Okay, all good. The door to the shave den is adjacent to the unfinished part of the basement. I repurposed a book shelf for storage. So I have a large part of the collection five feet from the counter in the shave den. I have a shelf bought for the remainder that is sitting on a step stool - unless that deal falls through - I hope to pick it up this weekend. There is a few other bits and bobs but this is the largest chunk of the collection.

Scent notes for those interested:

Greek Fire - Myrtle essential oil, menthol

Alpine Forest - Pine and Menthol

Take care and have a good one.

June 12, 2024 – 2024.06.12: Lather Games Day 12 – CREAM

• Brush: Shave Forge Horsehair, 20mm #HORSESASS #HOLLOW
• Razor: GEM 1912 #RUSTYBUTTRUSTY
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE
• Lather: Harry’s – Shave Cream
• Post Shave: Proraso – Menthol and Eucalyptus
• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors – Every Storm A Serenade

---

Daily Theme: CREAM

Theme justification: Harry's Shaving Cream for Men is listed as a shaving cream. The tube is also clearly labeled as a cream.

Relevant Post Shave & Frag: Today's matching theme is Eucalyptus (otherwise known as the plant that koalas eat). All elements incorporate eucalyptus into their products. The Harry's Shaving Cream is made with "aloe and eucalyptus"(it's also listed on the tube), the Proraso Aftershave is with Eucalyptus & Menthol, and Imaginary Authors' Every Storm a Serenade has a note of eucalyptus as well.

---

Scavenger Hunt Justification:

Razor facts: This GEM 1912, which was provided on loan by /u/EldrormR, has a patina. I did my best to capture it: here, here, and here.

Brush facts: This brush, loaned by /u/OnionMiasma, is made of horse hair and has a hollow handle. It is the same brush he used here. A judge wouldn't lie about the brush characteristics, would they?

---

Daily/Special Challenge: Den Tour Day.

All I ask today is that you do not judge me on the messiness of my den/bathroom. Also, my cat wanted to take part in the den tour. I am willing to answer any questions related to my cat.

Here you have the right side of my counter. Encounter #1 with the cat. He was very interested in what I was doing. I keep all my brushes & razors up here because I have not found a good storage solution for them. I'm open to suggestions. My toothbrush also lives nested in the warm embrace of the brush forest, as does my CaYuen bowl. To the left of the sink is my organization tray. It has some of my most used items. My frags also live on this side, along with most of my lotions, because I haven't found a better place for them yet. The items on my HoM x Lancaster towel just haven't found a home yet either.

Here is the drawer on the right side. It has a few soaps and some miscellaneous items. It also has my blade bank. Under that drawer, we have a cabinet that I've installed two pullout drawers in. On the top we have my soap, and on the bottom we mostly have my aftershaves. The bottom does have my Stirling samples as well. I will say I greatly prefer the top drawer. It is much smoother and feels higher quality. Plus, I think it looks nicer. There are some boxes on each side of the drawers that have various items in them. The ones on top are filled with samples (one for smushes the other for actual sample products), while on bottom we have smush making items.

On the left side, the top drawer has my floss, hair stuff, and my sample frags. The cabinet below is a hodgepodge of items... Cat! What are you doing? You don't belong there! Come one, get out. Don't give me that look. I know you like drawers, but I don't want to be in a position where I have to tell a vet that you at a razor blade. Great, now that he's gone we can continue.

The top is mostly blades and boxes, while the bottom is a lot of bath soap and other miscellaneous items (like drop kits, travel razors, canned goo, and other various items I don't really use any more). This side really needs more organization. Next time I go to a place with a Daiso I'm buying some more organization items. The box I bought for my blades is perfect, and the stand on my countertop is nice too.

So thanks for taking a tour of my ~~crib~~ den. See you next year.

---

Fragrance description

The Harry's cream was so bad that it's not even worth mentioning in this section.

The Proraso lived up to its name and smelled like eucalyptus. Good on you, Proraso.

As for Every Storm a Serenade, the main note I'm getting is spruce and a bit of vetiver. I, unfortunately, do not get the any sense of storm or west coast of Denmark. Nor any sea notes. Not bad, but a bit different that I expected.

---

Now onto the shave!

Overall the shave was decent. I probably wasn't supposed to use a brush for the cream, but I did anyway. I mean, it doesn't say not to use a brush. The cream smelled horrible, but provided enough slickness to shave with the 1912. Result was a decent enough shave that was presentable without murdering my face.

I'll call it a win.

Finished up the morning by making some eggs, the Kenji way.. I prefer my scrambled eggs on the harder side, and this method worked great for that. They were still moist and delicious.

---

Sponsor Spotlight

House of Mammoth (/u/MammothBen). What can really be said. Active in the community while making great stuff. Him and Vida make a great team, and I've never been disappointed in a HoM product.

---

Totals:

• Razor Hashtags: 10/10
• Brush Hashtags: 10/10
• Hardware Sponsor Points: 2/2
• Software Sponsor Points: 8/16
• Number of Lather Brands: 12/30
• Number of Lather Scents: 12/30
• Number of Post Shaves: 12/30
• Number of Frags: 12/30

---

Contest Hashtags:

#FOF

#ROTY

OP's cat makes a dramatic cameo during den tour.

Detailed tour that really let's OP's cat shine.

June 12, 2024

• Prep: House of Mammoth Embrace Doppio Bath Soap
• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts 26mm Quartermoon Synthetic
• Razor: EverReady Streamline Strop Outfit Gen 2 #FlipTop
• Blade: Personna PTFE (2)
• Lather: Palmolive - Classic - Cream
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Neon Sun - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Mäuer & Wirtz - SIR Irisch Moos - Eau de Toilette

Comparison is the thief of joy. That said, my favorite CRIBS episode was always Redman's.

CREAM

• Brush: Zenith - 506 N XS (extra soft horse) #HORSESASS
• Razor: Razorock - Hawk V3 (standard plate)
• Blade: Feather - Professional
• Lather: Lea - Classic
• Post Shave: Lea - Classic
• Fragrance: Sir - Irisch Moos

Theme: It's a cream!

Relevant post & frag: Lea is the fresh little mossy brother of Irisch Moos. (Moss being the link)

Challenge: Sigh, every year I think I should do an elaborate show of all my stuff, and every year I'm short on time on Den Tour Day. Even worse, I have absolutely no excuse because 1) Den Tour Day happens every year, so anyone could have prepared it beforehand, and 2) I chose the date for this challenge, so I even had specific knowledge about when this would happen weeks ago. Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Have some poor pictures of my den storage.

June 12, 2024 - Wednesday

• Brush: Chisel & Hound "Cobalt Short" / 26mm Turn N' Shave Quartermoon
• Razor: Yates 921-H
• Blade: Astra SP (3)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Avocado cream
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Beaudelaire splash
• Fragrance: Rogue Perfumery - Mousse Illuminee EdP

So I was going to skip today because I didn't think I owned any creams and then came House of Mammoth (on their sponsor spotlight day no less) to the rescue! I don't know how I forgot about my sample from the meet up because I love this stuff. It performs great and the "vegetal fougere" scent is just awesome. I think people would really enjoy a full release of this. I know I would, but since that isn't happening as of yet I'm rationing this sample.

Ben and Vida are a great team that produce some fantastic scents and products. We are lucky to have them in the community.

EDIT: Den tour! And since Imgur is complete garbage I have to do it in multiple links...

Brushes and razors

Samples and miscellany

Everything else

Cream SOTD:

• Razor: Ever Ready 1912 #REVENANT
• Blade: GEM PTFE (13)
• Brush: Summer Break DeMaranville B15
• Lather: Castle Forbes - Lavender Essential Oils Cream
• Aftershave: Summer Break Soaps - Trouble Maker
• Fragrance: Summer Break Soaps - Trouble Maker

Much like the Maggard day, you think I'd be smart enough to just buy a cream rather than buying a sample for this day every single year. Castle Forbes is definitely my favorite of all of the creams I've tried, at least from the bigger manufacturers. This lavender scent is absolutely fantastic. Hopefully I'll just win a Maggard gift card so I can buy this stuff for next year.

Just a little side note on my razor because I like taking the opportunity to show off u/ahjoyc2 's handiwork. I inherited this 1912 from my grandpa. It l looks like it had spent years sitting in some kind of liquid that significantly tarnished the bottom. Ahjoyc2 was able to save it though and now it's one of the most beautiful razors in my collection.

Challenge: Here is my den. Some of it lives in my bathroom and most of it lives in my soap/workout/3d printer/whatever the hell else my wife puts in there room.

LG23-12: CREAM

• Brush: Wald Shaving 29mm A1 Fan
• Razor: Carbon Cx-Ti .68mm
• Blade: Astra SP (36)
• Lather: Proraso - Shaving Cream for Sensitive Skin
• Post Shave: Proraso - After Shave Balm for Sensitive Skin
• Fragrance: DS & Durga - Debaser
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Burundi. Kayanza. v: Bourbon p: Honey Process r: 2024-05-20
• Music: Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass - Whipped Cream & Other Delights

This Proraso cream features the "refreshing scent of lime and apple" so I paired it with another lightly-fruity fragrance. I still haven't found my preferred fig fragrance—ideally to pair with Barrister and Mann Clusterfig—but Debaser is getting closer. The scent of the leaves and stems are there without being overwhelmingly vegetal, it's not overly sweet, and the musk-tonka-coconut combination is a smooth platform for the fig. Still need to sample Dyptique Philosykos, but haven't looked for a vendor that stocks it yet.

June 12, 2024

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Badger brush I've had forever with the maker's mark rubbed off
• Razor: Muhle Companion
• Blade: Astra Green (Indian)
• Lather: Goodfellow & Co - Moroccan Mint & Cedar Shave Cream

After carefully considering all of the shave creams available at Target, I chose this one because it was the cheapest. I suppose, if I had planned ahead, I could have double dipped and used this on goop day. Alas, a rookie mistake.

I squeezed out quite a lot of product while trying (and failing) to whip up a lather. I think this stuff is meant to just be slathered on without the aid of a brush. It's certainly slick enough, but no cushion at all. It smells very strongly of mint. I'm prepared to believe that there are cedar notes, too, but my nose couldn't really detect them.

ROTY

June 12, 2024: Y'all brought this on yourselves

• Prep: warm splash of water
• Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia Tuxedo 24 mm
• Razor: AtT S1
• Blade: Gillette Blue
• Lather: Head and Shoulders - Daily
• Post Shave: Zingari Man - The Watchman
• Fragrance: Storybook Soap works - Revisions

It was this or sour cream.

June 12, 2024 – LG Day 12 – Mmm…Creamy

• Brush: Chisel & Hound v23 Fanchurian
• Razor: Karve CB SB-C
• Blade: Treet Classic (2)
• Lather: Derby – Lemon
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. – Glacial, Lemon Chill
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth – Sonder

Artisan shaving cream: for when you don’t have 30 extra seconds to make lather from soap. This is incredible. A marvel. Why are we using soap? Saving those extra 30 seconds was honestly life-changing. I got just as good as a shave with a fraction of the work! I’m actually so excited about this that I went back in time eighty years to make a radio ad, which you can listen to here!

The fragrance theme of the day is (obviously) lemon. Because of the use of lemon oil in ubiquitous cleaning products, using Derby Lemon brings that unfortunate association to the front of mind. It’s a big “lemon fresh” vibe, which wasn’t helped by glacial lemon, which is…also just lemon oil. Neither Derby nor Stirling were trying to do anything fancy, tricky, or convoluted here. Just bright, fresh, clean lemon. Sonder, on the other hand, is something special. I’m brought back in time to my childhood, taking my first bite of a lemon Oreo (or some other sandwich cookie brand; my memory's not great). Swirls of fragrant vanilla, sweet lemon, and pure childhood bliss. Sonder exudes comfort and summertime joy. #FOF

Den tour time! Album link for those who want just a quick look.

Photo 1: Razors live on a test tube rack in front of all my splashes (and a few balms), and above them on a shelf made with scrap wood live my brush collection, which is starting to get too big.

Photo 2: A disorganized mass of shaving soaps and a dopp bag containing a plethora of blades, many which have fallen out of their tucks and into a dangerous grab-bag layer on the bottom, as well as smushes and some other random items. On the right is where all my samples are, once organized, but now a chaotic mess.

Photo 3: My full bottles and travel sprays of fragrances. I wish this collection was bigger, but…money. I would like to figure out how to display these better.

Photo 4 and Photo 5: My fragrance samples, the only organized thing in this den. This system has made my daily SOTD pairings a whole lot easier, since I choose based largely on vibes when it’s not June, and when they’re all in a messy box, some (many) get forgotten about.

2024-06-12 - CASH RULES ALL PEOPLE

• Lather: St. James of London - Cedarwood & Clarysage (cream)
• Post Shave: St. James of London - Cedarwood & Clarysage (gel)
• Fragrance: Nicor - Royal Ebony
• Razor: Wolfman Razors - Guerrilla
• Brush: West Coast Shaving - Two Tone Synthetic 26mm

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#photocontest MONEY

MAIN POINT OF SELLING BELGIAN FIVE SEVEN PISTOL IS EXTREME PRICE OF WEAPON AND CARTRIDGE.
BELGIAN FIVE SEVEN IS WEAPON OF MAN WHO WEARS EXPENSIVE ITALIAN FASCIST SUIT OF HAND SEWING, DRIVE HUGE EXPENSIVE NAZI MERCEDES OF A.M.G. SHOP, SAIL ON MASSIVE YACHT TO GREEK ISLANDS. I THINK YOU GET PICTURE. BELGIAN FIVE SEVEN IS WEAPON THAT SAYS IS NO SUCH THING AS CONCERN OF MONEY.
FOR MAN WITHOUT EXPENSIVE SUIT, BIG BLACK MERCEDES, AND MASSIVE YACHT, BELGIAN FIVE SEVEN IS FOR PRETENDING OF BE RICH LIKE BLACK GANGSTER OF AMERICAN CITY WITH GOLD CHAINS OF LOW QUALITY AND JEWELS OF COLORED GLASS. WHEN YOU EXPLAIN USE OF BELGIAN FIVE SEVEN PISTOL IS ONLY FOR SHOOT MAN WITH BULLET VEST WITH CARTRIDGE ILLEGAL TO CIVILIAN, THIS MAN HAS NUCLEAR RAGE. WHOLE IDENTITY OF THIS MAN IS SPENT IN PRETEND PISTOL SHOWS HE IS RICH. IS VERY AMUSE.
FOR REST OF WORLD THERE IS 9 MILLIMETERS OF LUGER WHICH IS SAME WOUND FOR COST LESS.

C.R.E.A.M.:
EVERY BREATHING DAY I WISH SUFFERING ON INVENTOR OF SHAVE CREAM. CREAM IS SHAVING FOR LAZY MAN WITHOUT DEXTROUS SKILL OF HANDS AND BRUSH.

SMELLS ARE ALIKE: SUBSTANCE IS ALL WRONG (BUT MAYBE ALL WOOD)
CREAM FOR LAZYMAN AND INSANE LUNATIC MAKES FRAGRANCE IN WAX.

DEN TOUR DAY:
ДОБРЫЙ ДЕНЬ, MY DEN! XA!
LOOK WITH YOUR BALL-EYES GIVEN BY MOTHER: DEN AND TRIPLE SHAVE AS THROUGH MY OWN EYES!

I LEARN VIDEO EDITING IN OPEN SOURCE BUT THEN BIONIC EYES RECORDED NO SOUND. JOKES AND TUTCHEV POEM LOST BUT VIDEO SHORTER. DJUDGES ARE SPARED.

I HAVE BOXED SWEDISH MORNING CABINET FOR MOVING TO LAND WITHOUT DEATH OF SUN.
LOOK AT КОШКА ARTEMIS! I DIGRESS!

GOOD LUCK WITH GAMES! ИГРАЕМ LIKE RED-HAIRED CHESS ORPHAN.

#FOF

CREAM SMELLS EXACTLY AS WRITTEN ON FLIMSY PAPER ENVELOPE: LIGHT WOOD AND CLARYSAGE, I RECALL FROM YESTERDAY'S ELEVEN WITH VIOLATE. PAPER ENVELOPE IS FOR UNKILLED HANDS THAT ARE INCAPABLE OF USING CIVILIZED SOAP TO CRUSH LIKE CAVEMAN FOR UNFATHOMED SLIME OF POSTSHAVE

WAX FRAGRANCE FROM WEB CHINESE STORE SELLING TRASH TO PEASANTS.
IT SMELLS LIKE BROWN.

June 12, 2024

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps - Berwyn Handle - 26mm APShave Co Gelousy Badger
• Razor: Wolfman WR2 – 1.15 Gap
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword
• Lather: Moon Soaps - Amaretto Speciale Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Moon Soaps - Amaretto Speciale Splash
• Fragrance: Pearlescent Parfums - Baklava Extrait

For today’s shave, we’re all using creams. Which are a different consistency than soaps – on the product description for this cream, Moon Soaps says: “This formula is a very soft cream comparable to the consistency of room-temperature butter” and they are absolutely right. But don’t spread this butter on toast, despite the delicious smell! And this smell is awesomely delicious. For the uninitiated, Moon Soaps is one of the most unique artisans in that they have several different soap bases across their line-up – pretty much every scent has its own base. Which can be frustratingly confusing when you like one-scent they offer, but prefer the base of a different scent. Anyway, that’s how they do it and it works for them and they are the only artisan (that I know of) that operates like that.

I don’t have any wacky shavanigans planned for today, so I’m focusing my effort on a great #FOF write-up. Today’s shave was the perfect shave for The Gourmand King (me). It was sweeter than a trip to Willy Wonky’s Factory. Can you get Type II Diabetes from a shave? We’re about to find out!

Starting with the Amaretto Speciale Shaving Cream. My bathroom was transformed into the bakery section of Willy Wonky’s Factory. I loaded my brush into the creamy goodness and was immediately hit with a whiff of sweet almonds and cherries. Lathering up almost felt like spreading sweet marzipan over my face. I half-expected a team of tiny Oompa Loompa’s to emerge and start decorating my cheeks with frosting swirls and sprinkles. Then, if the shaving cream was an Oompa Loompa’s dream, the matching splash was a delicious river of almonds and cherries cutting through land of sweets. I slapped it on, and BOOM—my face was engulfed in a wave of sweet delight. The splash almost had a warming effect, like a cozy blanket of almond and cherries, soothing my freshly shaven skin while making me smell like Little Debbie’s Dad.

To top off this sugar-fueled journey, I used Pearlescent Parfums’ Baklava Extrait. One spray, and I was back to the Willy’s bakery! The scent of the extrait surrounded me with by layers of flaky pastry, dripping with honey and pistachio. The scent was rich and decadent, perfectly complementing the almond notes from the soap and splash. I felt like a walking dessert tray, ready to tempt anyone within smelling distance.

Today's shave was a sugar-coated extravaganza! From the sweet embrace of Amaretto Speciale to the buttery goodness of Baklava, this shave was a Confectionery Circus and I was the Ringmaster.

Oh, and that line about no wacky shavanigans was a lie.

This lather smelled so sweet, and I had a Chocolate Eclair Cream Pie that was missing something...

I couldn’t help myself but to put a little bit of lather on top of the pie and ate it.

Was gross. Don’t recommend. Lather is for shaving. Not for human consumption.

Challenge: Den Tour Time! Last year, I made sure I included my feet in every picture for u/J33pGuy13’s pleasure, and felt dirty afterwards, so I’m playing it straight this year. If no feet in the pics costs me the victory this year, I’ll be kicking myself (with these sexy tootsies of mine).

First off: Full sets of soaps and splashes live in organizers under the futon in my home office.

Coffee scented soaps/splashes get their own little tub

Brushes go on a on spinner organizer thing

Razors on the windowsill

Two plastic tubs for fragrances

I keep the little things in organizers in an antique Table Talk Pie Crate

Soap Samples

Splash Samples

Blades

Straights

Misc handles (some I’ve turned myself) and knots

And finally…

Two toolboxes of soaps/splashes that are not part of sets – Also the top top of the toolbox has blades, different baseplates, and stickers, which I’ve been meaning to stick to the box, but haven’t gotten around to it yet.

I’m REALLY trying to stop buying soaps and splashes unless it’s something special. I’ve been getting more into the fragrance side of things because (1) I have enough soaps to last forever and (2) the scent of the fragrances last for so much longer so I can enjoy the scents throughout the day. It’s science.

Soap Theme Justification: Amaretto Speciale Shaving Cream. It’s right there in the name.

Relevant Post Shave & Fragrance: Deliously gourmand, almond scented Soap, Splash, and Fragrance. Yum!

Player eats boston cream pie with Amaretto Speciale lather on top. "Smells great, tastes horrible."

Jun. 12, 2024
Brush: AP SHAVECO AP400B XL 28 mm (G5C)
Razor: Karve CB SS SB (D Plate, First Pass; B Plate, Second Pass)
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum [3]
Lather: Pacific Shaving Co. - Natural (Shaving Cream) - Soap
Post Shave: Noble Otter - Rawr - Aftershave
Post Shave: Zingari Man - Unscented (Sego) - Balm

There is a reason we use artisan soaps…

Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

June 12th, 2024

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Simpsons Chubby 2 Manchurian
• Razor: Thiers Issard 7/8" Maple Straight #STR8SNOB
• Blade: N/A
• Lather: Mäurer and Wirtz - Sir Irisch Moos
• Post Shave: Floid - The Genuine
• Fragrance: Dior - Eau Sauvage

No getting cute today, rocking the Sir Irisch Moos cream; unfortunately the only time I get to use Mäurer and Wirtz this month. I've missed two Tabac Tuesdays now, and I'm jonesing. Rounding out the old man shave with Floid and Eau Sauvage, I'll be sure to get some funny looks today. Actually only for like 20 minutes, the Eau Sauvage has virtually zero longevity.

As requested, here is my den, I would kill for a normal sized bathroom.

Prep: Prorasso White Pre Shave 
Brush: Vielong Alter Brown Horsehair #HORSESASS 
Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable #ADJUSTABLE #RUSTYBUTTRUSTY
Blade: Gillette Platinum 
Lather: Proraso - White Shave Cream
Post Shave: Alum, Proraso - White Aftershave Balm, Taylor of Old Bond Street  - Royal Forest 
Fragrance: Ex Nihilo - The Hedonist

The last couple weeks have been my first experiences shaving with soaps, before that shaving with a safety + proraso has been my jam. It feels like home, but definitely feel like this challenge has helped me get better at working a soap lather!

Jun. 12, 2024
Brush: Omega 10029
Razor: Green Cult GC 2.0 II
Blade: Astra Blue [1]
Lather: Barbus - cream * Post Shave: Moon Soaps - Havana - Balm

Brought this back from the depths of my den’s hell, it’s fine but not great, blade feels like a bit of a defective one too.

My den isn’t envy worthy, it’s 3 level ikea bathroom “caddy” and I’m sure at least 1 other person mentioned they had the same one. The only “nice” things are 3d printed razor holders

Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

• Razor: Maggard Razors MR7/V3
• Lather: Dollar Shave Club Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Barrister and Man - Reserve Spice This is the only shaving cream I had. It is pretty lackluster and just smells like chemicals but I’m sure it was free as part of some trial so the value is close to the cost

June 12, 2024

• Brush: Truefitt & Hill Wellington 24mm Silvertip
• Razor: Gillette Tech English Flat Bottom
• Blade: Personna Platinum (7)
• Lather: Truefitt & Hill - Grafton - Cream
• Post Shave: Unilever - Brut - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Thayers - Lemon - Toner
• Fragrance: Floris of London - JF - Eau de Toilette
• Talc: Yardley Classic
   

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Not a lot to say. I enjoy this Grafton scent, but rarely use this cream. The brush and this cream were part of a gift set that I received long ago. The razor is another gift (from u/VisceralWatch) that I really should use more often. These little FBTs are terrific shavers.

Here are some photos of my collection of shaving stuff.

Today I shaved with Proraso Green Tea and Oat Sensitive Skin Shaving Cream and no brush. I used a tech with a Personna blade. I followed up with Stirling City Slicker aftershave and Cuba Copacabana edt.

June 12 2024: CREAM

• Brush: Yaqi Synthetic
• Blade: Personna PTFE (17)
• Razor: Ever Ready 1912
• Lather: Taylor of Old Bond Street - Sandalwood Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Uitwaaien
• Fragrance: Noble Otter - Monoi de Tahiti

A lot to get to today, so let's dig in. First, the shave was my first time using a TOBS product. It was perfectly mediocre, barely scented and difficult to scoop cream from a sample jar. I didn't find it as drying as the reputation held, but it certainly was nothing special. Still would like to try the Avocado scent. I used the Ever Ready 1912 again today after I was reminded how much I love this razor during my shave yesterday. Crunchy audible feedback, pretty handle, this this is the bee's knees, as they would have said in the 1930's when it was made. On CREAM day I figured it was only appropriate to use a balm instead of a splash, since balm is basically just another form of cream. The connecting scent note today is sandalwood, which is the scent of the shave cream (barely there though it was) and serves as a base note upon which the floral accords of both Uitwaaien and Monoi de Tahiti rest.

Next up is the den tour, consisting of brushes and razors, soap and splash sets, more soap and splash sets, soaps without splashes, the big box o' samples, frags, blades, more razors. shampoo and bath bars, and finally random razors that are busted or need to be cleaned up. Here's the album.. Probably should have led with the album. Oh well.

And finally, Sponsor Spotlight is House of Mammoth. Indigo was the scent that really pulled me in to the wetshaving hobby, when I first started it had just been released and was out of stock basically everywhere, I remember reading so much about it and being desperate to get a set. It finally got restocked and I blind bought a set, and it remains a favorite to this day. I've done three Mammoth Austere Augusts and look forward to another later this summer. And as I do every Lather Games on Mammoth's spotlight day, I made a donation to Restore to show my appreciation for the charitable contributions Mammoth makes.

June 12, 2024 - CREAM

• Brush: Omega 10077
• Razor: Yates Precision Manufacturing - 921-M
• Blade: Gillette - PermaSharp
• Lather: Proraso - Eucalyptus Oil & Menthol Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Hygge Balm
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Barrbarr Splash

Today's Theme: Today I used Proraso Green in a tube, which is explicitly stated as their cream. I actually got a really nice lather and decided to full Italian with the Omega brush as well. I was so happy I remembered Proraso was a cream because I would not have to use Barbasol again, cue the Geto Boys.

Today's Challenge: Here is a small album of my den. I try to keep things simple as much as I can, but realized I have a lot more shit than I thought I did. Oh well....

Sponsor Highlight: I've only used House of Mammoth products a handful of times, but every time I am impressed with it. That Tusk base is to die for.

ROTY

Jun. 12, 2024 - Luxurious Cream ^soap

• Prep: CeraVe - Hydrating Facial Cleanser

• Brush: Trotter Handcrafts Burnt Butterscotch v11 Fanchurian Badger

• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley - SB-E

• Blade: Astra Green (2)

• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles - Cape Cod Cranberry Luxury Cream Soap

• Post Shave: Thayers - Cucumber

• Fragrance: Catie’s Bubbles - Cape Cod Cranberry

Daily Challenge: Todays the day to show off the goods! I am spoiled with an excess of storage options in my bathroom with split sinks in my bathroom so I don’t have to fight the Mrs over space, I just have to deal with her silent judging as I continue to spread into more and more drawers. The shelf in the first picture was built by me two years ago while I was on paternity leave with the Woodstock. I keep my favorites and seasonal rotation along with my brush rotation. I’m super proud of it that it works so perfectly for holding 10 tubs of soap. Now it just needs to be 5 times bigger to hold my den…

I forgot to snag a picture of my basket of samples, it’s a shamefully large basket stuffed to the gills with samples, most of which haven’t even been used 😬

Daily Theme Justification: Luxury CREAM Soap from Daddy Bubs. I asked the djudges to verify after he said it isn’t a true cream. Apparently there is a legit difference for the makeup but LG rulz says it works!

Relevant Post Shave & Frag: Did you know that Cucumber is botanically a berry? While we didn’t keep the ~~banana~~ berry day from last year it did give great knowledge! Today’s theme is berry scents, all that start with the letter C! Cranberry—>Cucumber—>Cranberry!

• Brush: Stirling - Synthetic 2 band.
• Razor: Gillette - Flare Tip Superspeed.
• Blade: Gillette - Nancet.
• Lather: Taylor of Old Bond Street- Almond Cream.
• Post: Geo F Trumpers - Coral Skin Food.
• Fragrance: D.S. And Durga - Rose Atlantic.

Shave Den- this is most of my soaps/hardware, but we just met so I can’t reveal everything. I also have a box of 15-20 samples, an assortment of blades, and various smushes.

ROTY

2024-06-12 LG SOTD

• Brush: Yaqi Rainbow (26x55 Synthetic)
• Razor: Generic Mach III
• Blade: Generic Mach III
• Lather: Nivea - Protect & Care - Shave Cream
• Post Shave: Nivea - Protect & Care - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Lalique - Lalique pour Homme (Lion version)

Oh what's that you say I already used this software this mo- WHO GIVES A SHIT? It's a shave cream and I like it, tadaa

I have very few frags I would describe as creamy. This one isn't quite there, but it's Very smooth and blond so that's good enough for me, a player who earns no points

Jun. 12, 2024 - Behold the Complete Dupe Collection!

• Prep: Shower, Baxter Shave Tonic
• Brush: Paragon Plisson Type
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24
• Blade: GEM Stainless PTFE (1)
• Lather: Old Spice - Lather Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Old Spice (1980s)

The only actual Old Spice shaving product is a cream so that's a check right there. Doesn't smell much like actual Old Spice but it's got the branding on there so still counts.

My den is basically just a wooden stand, two metal ones, and then under the kitchen sink but I realized I hadn't taken a picture of what is now the complete collection of every Old Spice dupe on the market and some that aren't. Is it a complete collection of every one I know of? No... still seeking that elusive Wild West Shaving and Wickham but this is as complete as it gets. You can also see my toothbrush in these photos so count yourselves lucky to see such a rare sight.

This may all change soon, though, as just this morning my wife said that she'd ordered more boxes for me to put shaving stuff in and we're about to put some shelves up in the bathroom. Next your you may see what could only be described as the 54th greatest shaving den ever.

https://imgur.com/a/DCrzbg5

• June 12
• Brush: Chisel and Hound – 26mm AP Shave Co Synbad
• Razor: Aylsworth Razors - Drakkant
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum
• Lather: Taconic – Tequila Lime Cream
• Post Shave: Apex Alchemy – Gren River
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving – Sea Spice Lime

While today may be Cream Day, for me, it’s Lime Day! Limes in the soap. Limes in the Splash. And, you guessed it, limes in the fragrance!

I imagine myself waking up in a hammock strung between two palm trees. The sun high in the sky, the waves are gently crashing, and there's a refreshing breeze carrying the tangy scent of lime my way.

I start my shave with Taconic’s Tequila Lime Cream. As soon as I crack open the sample, it’s like a fiesta in a tiny jar! The zesty lime hits first, bright and invigorating, followed by a smooth tequila undertone. It's like drinking a margarita on the beach - without the hangover! I’m dreaming of my island paradise with each stroke of the razor.

Apex Alchemy’s Gren River splash is simply lime. Goes great with the soap as it is a burst of limey zest. It’s like I told the bartender I needed more limes in my margarita and he squeezed a fresh one out onto my face. It made my skin feel refreshed and invigorated.

To cap of my day of lime, used Spearhead Shaving’s Sea Spice Lime. A few spritzes, and I feel like the mist of the sea hit my body as I’m still laying on that hammock with my (now empty) margarita. Sea Spice Lime is the perfect finale—a blend of oceanic freshness with that irresistible zing of lime. It's crisp, clean, and undeniably captivating. As the fragrance settles, I feel refreshed, energized, and ready to conquer the world—or at least, the day ahead. This trio of products has worked together in perfect harmony, transforming my morning routine into a mini-vacation. Today's shave was more than just grooming; it was an experience—a tropical getaway wrapped in a refreshing, lime-infused embrace.

Challenge: My den is nothing compared to the likes of everyone else here. I’m still new to the hobby and learning my way around here. I only have 3 brushes and a couple razors I keep in my top bathroom drawer. Then I have a small collection of soaps in the drawer below that. A lot of these were actually given to me by my brother in law, who is big into wetshaving and pushed me over the edge to trying artisanal products. He’s also loaned me a bunch of razors/soaps/fragrances to use for Lather Games too. He got me set up pretty good with everything except for brushes. He won’t share his brushes.

6/12/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Jayaruh #440 / AP Shave Co synth

• Lather: Speick - shaving cream

• Razor: Yaqi Raster w/ Feather pro

• Post Shave: Barrister & Mann - Lavanda Latha AS

• Fragrance: Musgo Real - No. 2 (oakmoss & lavender)

I'm not a big cream fan, but Speick is the one that I do love and I think I might enjoy the shaves more than from the Speick stick.

We had to redo our bathroom last year and I was able to carve out some space for my gear that I didn't have before, as well as take advantage of a larger vanity where I made sure to claim drawers right away before the wifey commandeered them all. I'm still looking for a better storage piece/unit for the brushes & blades, but I keep the hardware in an open shelf, software in my side of the vanity, and then a couple racks with colognes.

https://imgur.com/a/SK4RlsH

June 12, 2024 – Lather Games 2024 Day 12: CREAM

• Brush: Vie Long Vintage Alder Horsehair
• Razor: Karve CB SB-A
• Blade: Gillette Winner (6)
• Lather: Pacific Shaving – Caffeinated Shave Cream
• Post Shave: Pacific Shaving – Caffeinated Aftershave Balm
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. – EMP

Use of Theme: CREAM

What do toothpaste, perfume, and cigarettes have to do with CREAM day? Let’s get to that. Today’s themed product, Pacific Shaving Caffeinated Shave Cream, which is a decent product and better than the Cremo I used to use when I started this journey, smells just like toothpaste. Its menthol content gives the same toothpaste sensation. It’s slick while it’s on, but the post shave feel is quite lacking. Thankfully the matching after shave balm takes care of that somewhat.

In my first career position in news media one of my coworkers was quite well put together. Carrie had particularly nice teeth and I seem to recall that she kept a toothbrush in her purse along with a pack of menthol cigarettes. We worked on a team of about 15 people to produce 22 weekly community newspapers. Some nights we’d finish on deadline and go out to a bar after work. It was a great crew to work with.

It wasn’t until a few years ago that these memories were triggered with that first spray of Stirling EMP. It’s a more pineapple-forward version of Executive Man with a smoky undertone; reminiscent of someone who uses a spritz of perfume after having taken a cigarette break at work or 3 or 4 spritzes before going out to a bar with friends, just like Carrie used to do.

Daily Challenge: Den Tour

Not much has changed from last year. I cleaned up the shelves a bit. There are a few new brushes. One thing I added was a 3D printed tray to keep some blades organized.

Have a happy day, a happy shave, and be kind to one another.

LG 12 - CREAM

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts - Oumo Two Bands 5th Edition Hand-tied 26mm Fan
• Razor: Kamisori Iwasaki #KAMISORI
• Lather: Lea Classic - crema de afeitar
• Post Shave: Zingari Man - Traditionalist
• Fragrance: Álvarez Gómez - Agua de Colonia Concentrada Barberia edt

Some of the hardware and almost all Software (Post shaves are in another cabinet) for today's challenge.

.#FOF Lea has a mentholated scent with traces of sandalwood, the tradi -one of the best sandalwood out there- goes in the same line but with better sandalwood and more complexity, Alvarez Colonia pairs well with the after, with a more prominent cedar note but with sandalwood too.

Who doesn't love Cream? Strange Brew

I changed razor after the photo and couldn't be arsed to redo the photo games day 12

• Lather: body shop - maca root and aloe shaving cream
• Razor: Schick injector #rainbow
• Brush: yaqi rainbow synthetic

As some judge once said “enndeegee is playing his own game” or something like that because you know I don't really pay attention to the podcast when I'm running. (Humble brag I did 4 miles at a hair under 8 mins a mile for the first time in ages. Smug.) I am and I thought I'd do a kinda explanation of the game I'm playing over and above than the obvious - that I'm just here for the shits and giggles.

We all know that there is an element of the lather games that is pay to win. But to what extent is it really pay to play. How high could someone get without breaking the bank. And of course how often can I shill the no scrub soap that u/grindermonk made and which is absolutely epic.

So I looked at what I already owned 25ish soaps , similar number of user grade razors and 5 brushes. I looked at the calendar (on the 28th of may or so) and worked out what I could hit using the minimum number of brushes, soaps and razors in my collection. Where I could get away with a theme with a squint I'd chance it and hope the explanation was good enough. And the day I couldn't make it work I winged. (Badly it turns out ).

I'd then do each daily challenge to the best of my ability leaning into the shits and giggles and either fly high or flame out. Thanks u/djundjila for the Icarus tag. I should really flair it.

So my personal challenge: how high can I get with as small a den as possible? Can I get above halfway?

I've not done the maths till now but by my reckoning if it all goes in my favour (and it hasn't) I could (won't) hit

1. 29/30 theme days (58)
2. 0/30 relevant post shaves (don't use em. Long story and I'm not nesting comments. Today) (0)
3. 30/30 topical consistency (20)
4. 5/5 Legendary points (5)
5. 10ish/20 Scavenger hunt points (1)
6. 0/2 Hardware sponsors (0)
7. 4/16 software points (4)
8. 0/5 various bonus points (0)

That's 80+ points (I think. I can't read, write or do maths proper). Based on last year need to nail it if I'm going to be above half way mark. So I have to play hard, but also where there's a choice go for the funnier option over the safe bet.

Tl;Dr I'm an idiot with a point to prove and here's my LG mini den*

*With no scrub industries reverse items deconstructed

Day 12

• Brush: Boti 28mm Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Executive Fatboy
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Geo F. Trumper – Almond Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Clubman Pinaud – Classic Vanilla Splash
• Fragrance: Tumi - Kinetic EdP

I’m going old school today. Using a sample of Geo F. Trumper. It’s funny how samples just appear on their own because I’m pretty sure I would never have purchased this. Honestly no clue where it came from. But I’m glad I had it today!

Both the scent and performance are largely inoffensive and forgettable. Same with the splash. It’s as bare-bones and basic as you can possibly get. I think these two companies may literally be the first shaving companies ever. Like the Christopher Columbus was trying to trade this stuff with the Native Americans. The splash was fine. The vanilla scent smelled artificial and disappeared quickly to makes room for the cologne, which I appreciated because I did not want the scent to linger.

I chose Tumi Kinetic for my cologne. From a #FOF perspective, it was the highlight. I was hoping the almond soap, vanilla splash, and a fragrance that features smoky vanilla would work well together for an almond/vanilla party. And on paper, it would have. But we don’t shave on paper! The scents of the soap and splash left much to be desired, so by default the Tumi Kinetic was the MVP. The smoky vanilla in the cologne was light, yet refined and it sits with a nice sandalwood base. It has a slight sweetness to it, almost there’s cherry somewhere in there, but the sandalwood is the prominent note. I’m not about to go out and buy a full bottle of this, but for today, it was just fine.

For #photocontest: Cactus

For the challenge, here’s my “den”. It’s a little smaller than a lot of people here, but I’m limited on space and it’s not the size of the den that matters, but how you use it! Everything fits in one cloth box. I have a leather dopp bag for brushes, a metal bucket for razors, a ziplock bag for samples, and all the full size soaps and splashes are at the bottom. The cloth box lives under my sink, and I typically use the same set every day for a week or so before switching out for a different set. That approach allows me to mix it up a good amount without my collection getting unmanageable.

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “CREAM”… The Top 5 Best Flavors of Ice CREAM from Ben & Jerry’s:

5.) Half Baked

4.) Americone Dream

3.) Netflix & Chill’d

2.) Cherry Garcia

1.) Chubby Hubby

LG24-12: CREAM

• Brush: Zenith Cobalt Blue (505BC SE) 28mm Boar Knot #OLDWORLD #HOLLOW
• Razor: Karve Shaving Co. Christopher Bradley Copper, SB-D (Copper/Brass Knopf Pommel Handle)
• Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Stainless (Green) [8]
• Lather: Taylor of Old Bond Street - Mr. Taylor's - Cream
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Logbook - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Chicago Grooming Co./House of Mammoth - Armonía - Eau de Parfum

I'm just glad that I didn't have to sock lather today like we did last year. On the contrary, the Zenith boar knot produced an incredible lather. TOBS is not my favorite, but it does the job.

Logbook and Armonia provided more modern approaches to the fougère when compared to the vintage Mr. Taylor's.

I'm currently in the process of reorganizing and prepping to thin the den after lather games. I was hoping I'd have a few more days to get the den under control before the Den Tour challenge. Oh well.

June 12, 2024

• Brush: Stirling Boar 24mm
• Razor: Blackland Razors Era
• Blade: Gillette Platinum
• Lather: Old Spice - Cream
• Post Shave: Old Spice - Indian
• Fragrance: Maher Olfactive - Nefertiti

Went with Old Spice today, because I have the cream of it. I paired it with the Old Spice that Cowzilla gave me for secret santa one year.

And then I followed it up with Nefertiti, which rifs off the jasmine note. I think this is also a good choice, because it features "jazz cigarette", which might explain why someone would choose Old Spice amongst all the other after shaves available.

June 12, 2024 - CREAM

• Brush: Munnin Woodworks Mother of Pearl APShaveCo G5C 24mm
• Razor: RazoRock Hawk v2
• Blade: Feather Pro Guard (15)
• Lather: Gillette - Pure
• Post Shave: Maurer & Wirtz - Tabac
• Fragrance: Calvin Klein - CK One Shock For Him

Challenge: Den Tour pic 1 - the shelves of shaving; pic 2 - soap box; pic 3 - post-shave box; pic 4 - frag box; pic 5 - razor box; pic 6 - under sink storage; pic 7 - bathroom drawer; pic 8 - overflow has gotten… pic 9 - kinda crazy.

Once upon a time, Gillette Pure was my Drug Store Day lather. It used to be available in my local Wallgreens stores. It’s not on shelves anymore. I guess it didn’t sell. There’s not much fragrance at first. I got a faint green powder and laundry musk in the soap while aloe seemingly hangs in the air. This cream is fluffy. The cream went from the tube, to my hands, then to my face, which was messy. I shouldn’t have rubbed it between my fingers. It made my hands soapy. It looked thin on my face at first. After a pass with the brush it morphed into pasty proto-lather. It puffed up quickly once I started adding water. I hydrated it until lather flung off of my brush. The slickness was okay, but not as good as the appearance of the lather led me to believe. It was at least a bit better than the Barbasol on Canned Goop Day. But, it was drying. The fragrance came out more when it was hydrated. The powder note was more prominent and smelled more distinctly of lavender. Overall, it’s a safe fragrance for a commercial product. It’s similar to what canned foam smells like. It’s non-offensive, and that’s probably the nicest thing I can say about it.

Today’s theme leaves the fragrance options wide open. I started by picking hardware and software that are physically black and white for my SOTD pic. Out of those options, I liked the idea of using other mass-market products in tandem with Pure. I won this bottle of Tabac in a PIF from /u/loudmusicboy. It’s the only Maurer & Wirtz product I’ve used. This fragrance is the most old man thing I’ve ever smelled. To be fair, it’s an old man who has taken care of himself and still cares about his appearance. I’d hate to smell the chain-smoking alcoholic on oxygen wearing a half open bathrobe old man fragrance. It’s floral. I get a mix of carnation, rose, and maybe some jasmine. This is that stinky rose note that modern fragrances have veered away from. It's soapy and woody at the same time, like this was cut from a soap tree. There’s a grassy note in there. Given time on my face, it does kind of smell like tobacco (I’m still uncertain whether tobacco is actually a note, here). It’s definitely old-fashioned. I have a lot of vintage razors. I appreciate seeing what older generations shaved with, and the trends wetshaving products have gone through. So, I’m happy to have this in my den.

I picked Calvin Klein CK One Shock For Him because of the black bottle, and because I thought it would go well with Tabac. The first smell of this makes me think “warm spicy.” It’s woody, but I get a hit of powder up front. Tobacco sits at the edges of the spice notes. There’s a hint of sweet citrus. After dry-down, the tobacco note comes through more. I get a note of amber in the base. The amber and powder combine into a sweet note resembling vanilla. I think it smells better after dry-down. Longevity is short. This doesn't have a lot of depth. It's a bit old, but not outdated. But, it's nice to splash on when I want a hit of tobacco.

#photocontest - Black and white

#FOF

June 12 2024 - FIELD OF CREAMS

#photocontest

Theme: Baseball

• Brush: CREAM & Wine Merit 99-4 by Heritage Collection / AP Shave Co. Pure Bliss SHD Premium Synthetic 24 mm
• Razor: Rex - Konsul #ADJUSTABLE
• Blade: Voskhod - Teflon Coated [2]
• Lather: Acqua di Parma - Barbiere - CREMA soffice da rasatura
• Post Shave: S.M. Novella - CREMA pre-dopo barba
• Fragrance: Murphy and McNeil - Barbershop De Los Muertos 2 Solid Cologne

American newsletters inform me that I should hurry with my carts checkout, as the Father's Day discounts are about to expire. I am moved by how online stores really care about my attention for family-related festivities. There's no better way to show affection that to buy some stuff.

Following Father's Day rules (yes, I committed to keep following the rules), for my lather and AS I diligently used two local brands that are older than me.

Accidentally, they also happen to be mention their adherence to the CREMA category, Italian for cream. The first word in my brush description is also CREAM. As this creaminess seems to be important to someone out there, I even tried to find a fragrance that came in cream form: as deodorants are not eligible, the closest approximation I could find was a "solid" (actually kind of soft lip-balm consistency) cologne.

Today's photocontest scavenger theme is baseball, which as you all know is Italy's national sport: depicted in today's photo is a snapshot from tonight's amateur leage game, together with my shaving gear. Yes, I do follow the American habit of regularly taking my shaving gear out to public arenas. I am well aware that you are nothing but a sore loser if you're not taking your gear out and shave in public while watching people trying to grab or bat each other's balls.

Thanks to American cinema, I also learned that a father/son relationship will never be fulfilling unless you spent a lot of time playing catch in your backyard. Grabbing balls is really essential if you want to live up to your potential.

Another American pastime that is super-popular here in Italy is showing off our own shaving den: man, what fun that is! It's even more popular than staring at each other's dicks while talking about your preference in cream.

As requested by the judges who don't even want to get paid for the privilege of looking at such mind-opening photos, here's my metonymic picture that reflects the chaotic spirit of my shave products collection. It feels so rewarding to share some sexy visuals! Words are boring, but a lifetime is not enough to enjoy all the shaving den pictures that can be found in the world!

Now, I have to interrupt this celebration of Uncle Sam's values in the overseas consumeristic domains, to say a few words about the topic of fragrances. I know, it's not as sexy as grabbing balls and peeking into each other's bathrooms, but you don't really have to read it if you don't care.

My lather, Acqua di Parma crema soffice da rasatura, is a surprisingly good reflection of the Acqua di Parma Colonia scent, including the bright topnotes: compared to the muted AdP balm I used on day 3, this was actually very centered and expressive in terms of scent. And it even performed more than decently, even if I had no clue about the appropriate level of hydration, and eventually just started shaving hoping for the best: it all went way better than I feared.

On the other hand, Santa Maria Novella pre- and post- cream was an olfactory disappointment - possibly because it's a few years old. Not much to say here.

More recognizable scent notes were provided by the BDLM2 Solid Cologne, which is allegedly inspired by Tom Ford for Man (according to the manufacturer's website). Fragrantica mentions no individual Man, but plural Men. In any event, I am not familiar with the original fragrancel. The dupe, while offering a very convenient form factor with its lip-balm-like tube, feels generic and ultimately meh.

Acqua di Parma was the star of the day.

All the rest was as memorable a fun as a sport that makes a big deal out of balls-grabbing since you early childhood. Too bad the day is almost over, and tomorrow we'll have to move to different challenges!

#FOF

#ROTY

Jun. 12, 2024 - I told you to use the Cream
Brush: Razorock 400
Razor: Blackland Vector
Blade: Feather Artist Club Pro Guard [5]
Lather: MEM - Regular - Soap
Post Shave:* Proraso - Green - Aftershave

Very straightforward evening headshave after a hard day’s work. Feels great! This cream is from Israel and was given to me by a friend who lives there. Apparently only old men use it there. Fine slickness, easy to lather. Smells decent with a soft citrus note. Nothing not to like, really.

Den tour, eh? After putting these photos up on imgur, I can clearly see that it’s time for a clearance sale. Or a support group. Or a new podcast so that I can talk it out. Something.

June. 12, 2024 - SOTD 

• Prep: Splash of warm water
• Brush: Oumo O4 Venus SHD Badger Brush 26MM
• Razor: King C Gillette
• Blade: King C Gillette
• Lather: Taylor of Old Bond Street - Royal Forest
• Post Shave: Nivea Men - Sensitive Soothing Aftershave Balm

LG 2024- June 12th “OH HURRRAH”

• Prep: Proraso- Green Preshave
• Brush: Prometheus Handcrafts custom Baseball Bat Birch with 28mm APshave co G5C knot
• Razor: Razorock GC .84
• Blade: Astra Green (10)
• Lather: Proraso- Green cream
• Post: Proraso- Green splash ** Fragrance:** Stirling- Sharp dressed man EDT

Shave: Ahh proraso green. Prior to finding this sub and purchasing some Barrister and Mann soap in late 2022 this was the only stuff I used to shave with, for a decade. I will probably never NOT have some in my den. Same goes for the green splash, just a classic scent.

Challenge: One shelf. This is what my wife gave me. One shelf! I think that’s adequate. We are moving more to a minimalist type of lifestyle which certainly has its merits. We have purged a lot of in there past couple of years but it seems my den has only grown in that time hahaha. I feel this hobby lends itself towards the opposite of minimalism and it’s certainly a struggle to balance. We are also in the process of moving so my den isn’t at all organized in its full glory.

Some takeaways

• I highly value software over hardware. I only have one razor. Will this change? Likely. I would like to add an adjustable, a titanium, and something bronze in the near future. The Razorock Gamechanger serves all my needs for now.
• I like samples.
• All 7 of my brushes are synthetics. I may dabble into the high end badgers but for now synthetics serve me just fine.
• Taking a survey and an accounting of what you own is an interesting exercise in self reflection. I currently have 58 soap samples, 33 soaps, 25 splashes, 7 brushes, 1 razor.

Do I really need all this stuff? probably not but that’s why we are all here.

lather game stuff and brushes

Splashes/ frags

Soaps

Samples

Viewing: Just a little lad that likes berries and cream I always wonder how they pitch stuff like this and where they find the actors. This guy kills it.

ROTY

CREAM

• Brush: Omega 10098
• Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable
• Blade: Astra
• Lather: Speick

photocontest

Prius.

Today’s Challenge:

Den Tour Day I’ll show you my small collection of straights. Someday I will use them all.

June 12, 2024

• Brush: Commonwealth 'CW' Badger, purchased on Ebay #WEDONTNEEDNOSTINKINGBADGERS
• Razor: Fatip Piccolo Slant Closed Comb
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (Green) (3)
• Lather: Geo. F. Trumper – Eucris Soft Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Løthur – Samber
• Fragrance: Jovoy Paris – Private Label

Of sandalwood and oakmoss, shave dens and cream art

A den isn’t built in a day. I don’t really have den to speak of. It’s more like hovel. Or a storage closet with bathroom cleaning supplies. But for the sake of the daily challenge I’ve posted a before SOTD and an after SOTD photo.

Geo. F. Trumper of London make Eucris, of which I have the Eau de Parfum. They also make “Hard Shaving Soap” and a “Soft Shaving Cream” versions of the scent. In my initial foray into the hobby I was about to buy the hard soap, but online reviews by wet shavers—who can sometimes be opinionated—suggested that the hard soap doesn’t perform well.

Today the soft soap worked just fine. I put it in the bowl, added a bit of water, and got a decent lather. In some ways I prefer the scent as a shaving cream, which is more diffuse and understated than the rich, heavy scent of the EdP.

I chose Løthur Samber as the aftershave because like Eucris it has a sandalwood note. Today’s fragrance is Jovoy Private Label, which I’d previously described as smelling like a musty library. Upon smelling it for the first time in ages, I’d revise my assessment: it smells like a wood-paneled musty library with a bowl of fruit in it. According to the perfumer, Private Label has notes of papyrus(!) along with sandalwood.

In potentially useful art related news, this video shows how kids can make art using shaving cream.

#ROTY

I don't get the joke, but the photos in he den tour seem like they should be one.

Jun. 12, 2024

• Brush: Chisel & Hound Strata W/TnS Quarter Moon Synthetic

• Razor: Ever Ready 1930’s Streamline Stroper Set

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [19]

• Lather: Taylor Of Old Bond Street - Jermyn Street

• Post Shave: Guy Laroche - Drakkar Noir

• Fragrance: Guy Laroche - Drakkar Noir

CREAM day.

I was looking forward to today’s shave, I don’t use TOOBS enough. It’s the first soap/cream that I successfully face lathered. The sent is light but it is enjoyable while shaving. I’ve had the Streamline set for awhile now, first use today. When I planed out my calendar I penned in Streamline and Drakkar. The Drakkar for me is 8O’s-90’s barber shop scents and what better to go with a soap that’s literally the name of the street and barber shop.

The shave was great but my thoughts during it were how I was going to set up today’s picture. The theme I chose to day was Onion. I call it Romance of the onion.

Today was youngest son’s 14th birthday. I know I have been saying I have a 14 yo lately but today it’s official. He’s outside right now in the blistering heat running around in his new cleats kicking a soccer ball around. I almost past out from heat stroke just watching him. Oh to be young again.

Today’s Challenge Den tour.

I only started wet shaving a 6 months ago and have fallen down the rabbit hole very quickly.

I’ll start off with frags. I was collecting fragrances long before wet shaving.

This drawer is body washes, body sprays, deodorants, unopened frags, bar soaps and lotions.

Here is the den

Soaps

Samples and pucks

More samples

I also have a lazy Susan of Badger and Synthetic brushes

I need to buy more storage for my aftershaves

Here are my boars and Weck. The green one is on loan

And lastly here are my razors and blades

Razors 1

Razors 2

Razors 3

Blades

That’s it for today!

#ROTY # FOF #PhotoConest

June 12, 2024 - Crema

• Brush: Zenith Copper 28mm Boar
• Razor: MM24 #MODERNGEM
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE
• Lather: Proraso - Green Tea and Oatmeal
• Post Shave: Proraso - Pelli Sensibili Balsamo Dopobarba
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Just Right For a Tuesday

FOF

Today’s Theme:

I had a couple creams to use, but decided last minute to switch to Proraso. It is a cream in a tube and fits pretty well.

Today’s Challenge:

My den is getting a bit more organized. At the end of last month I picked up the shelves to replace a tiny little bookcase in the corner of my bedroom. The intention was to use the lower shelves for the books, and the upper shelves for shaving gear and fragrances. I thought I would be able to fit all my fragrances on one shelf. Instead they are taking up 1 1/2. I might make some kind of shelf grandstand to make it easier to see everything. For now I used various boxes to lift up the ones in back and tried to keep the taller stuff in the back. I put the stuff that still has a box in the front to block the light a little. On the spill over shelf of fragrances are all my small vials kept in a lab sample rack. I think it was designed to hold 5ml tubes up to 12mm in diameter. The 2ml tubes from today’s sponsor House of Mammoth fit really well. I thought I would take longer to fill it up but I have 3 different samplers and usually get a sample of new products before committing to a full bottle when I can. The rest of the shelf will eventually hold more splashes. Stuff on the bottom shelf is either new and no home decided, or soaps I pulled out for this month. Trying to keep out the splashes I’ve used so I think twice to see if I already used it. Most of my blades and hardware gets kept in a Walker’s Shortbread tin. I emptied it out to drive home to myself how much stuff I have. A couple years ago I got a gift tin of the Proraso used today. I use it to hold sample soaps. Last I have 6 plastic bins for my soaps, and 2 for aftershaves. I have a couple things in my office like a vintage Old Spice mug and a Seaforth! Highlander mug. A few razors I need to clean like a Fatboy and Slim, but 90% or more of my stuff is in the photos. I also need to figure out where to put my straights. I’ve seen pen racks or test tube racks used and may go that way. That’s pretty much it. Now I don’t want to count how much I have. Somehow need to maintain plausible deniability. Willful ignorance may be best.

Fragrance Feats:

The Proraso Pelli Sensibili or Green Tea and Oatmeal is a very mild scent that gives me a green leafy scent. Can’t say I get a strong tea impression, but definitely fresh leaves with maybe some cut or torn to release a little scent. Basically it provides a base to add almost anything. Looking over the pile of fragrances on the shelf, Just Right for a Tuesday caught my eye. To quote the description on Barrister and Mann,:

“I find myself reaching into my shave den and reading notes for, say, Hallows, Leviathan, or Night Music and going, “Well that’s lovely, but just a bit much for a Tuesday.”

I found that sentiment just right for a Wednesday too. A light yet complex scent with ~~12~~ 11 scent notes; rose is listed twice. What I can pick up from it is the green fig, violet, and vetiver. Because of the Vetiver day last week, I can actually pick up that green grassiness. The lavender is giving me a slightly powdery vibe and while not getting the scent in particular, my nose is feeling the black pepper. About 10 years ago or so, whenever I have something with a bit of black pepper, I get a stuffy nose. It goes away a little while later, but it took a while to figure it out. Seems like scents with a black pepper note can do it a little, but worse when I eat something heavy on black pepper like steak au poivre or sausage gravy. Still JRFAT is a great fragrance, and I have a full bottle kind of hiding in the middle of my shelf.

6/12/24

• Brush: Fuller Brush w/ 20mm Soft Tuxedo #RUNT
• Razor: Raido Star Kamisori 8/8, Full Hollow Barber's Notch
• Lather: Proraso - Green
• Post Shave: West Coast Shaving - Chypre Aftershave Splash

Proraso Green is the only cream in my den. It's a damn fine cream, though. Especially for its cost. Menthol and Eucalyptus is pretty easy to get along with.

When thinking of a splash pairing, Chypre kept coming to mind. My first try with a Chypre was Le Grand Chypre, and to be honest, I did not like it. I'd considered that maybe a Chypre wasn't for me. Til I got a smush of this one. It's a unique style of scent, but very nice. Citrus and resins, I mean that's a pretty good combo. It paired well with Proraso Green, kinda to my surprise.

For the side challenge, My Den

12JUN2024

• Brush: Aurora Grooming Viscount w/25mm Paragon Boar
• Razor: Karve CB [SB-D]
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum
• Lather: St. James of London - Mandarin and Patchouli
• Post: St. James of London - Mandarin and Patchouli
• Fragrance: St. James of London - Mandarin and Patchouli

Oh my, who do we have here? One of my favorite scents, in lather, post, AND fragrance. My I had to put down my book to do this one. Well we went with a classic cream today, with an amazing scent. The shave den tour is definitely not as great as others though. Don't just read it from me though, take a look!

ROTY

https://youtu.be/QOYfysZRxAE

Solid den tour video. Classical music and robe really sells it.

Jun. 12, 2024
Prep: Cremo - Coconut Mango Shave Cream - Preshave
Brush: Simpsons Chubby 1 Best Badger
Razor: W.C.S. Multi Titanium Collection Razor, 84M
Blade: Lord Platinum [1]
Lather: Proraso - Coarse Beards - Sandalwood Oil & Shea Butter - Soap
Post Shave: Proraso - Coarse Beards - Sandalwood Oil & Shea Butter - Aftershave
Post Shave:* Tower 28 - SOS Rescue Spray

ROTY

I used the Proraso cream thinking it was the only cream I had, then realized after the Cremo i’ve been using as appreciate is also a cream. So I kind of used two. I tried the Lord platinum blade for the first time too. I’m not sure yet what I think. It felt like it was tugging a lot, but I got a really nice smooth shave and don’t seem to have any cuts or irritation. i’m trying to Passo aftershave for the first time too. We’ll see how my wife feels about it.

Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

• Brush: Declaration Grooming - Thaw Jeffington - 28mm B16
• Razor: Karve Shaving Co. - Overlander (Matte Black Aluminum)
• Blade: Personna Med Prep
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Florentine Fern - Luxury Cream Soap
• Post Shave: Catie's Bubbles - Florentine Fern - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Catie's Bubbles - Florentine Fern - Parfum

Jun. 12, 2024
Brush: AP Shave Co G5C
Razor: Karve CB
Blade: Astra SP Green [3]
Lather: TOBS - Eton College - Soap
Post Shave: Thayers - Witch Hazel Original - Aftershave
Post Shave: Zingari Man - Unscented - Balm

This is the last sample of TOBS I have and I cannot wait to get rid of it. Not a fan of the TOBS my skin feels dried out after but it is indeed a cream.

As for the den my wife has allotted me these two shelves. The rest of the bathroom is hers of course lol.

https://imgur.com/a/thv4TMZ

June 12, 2024 - CREAM

• Prep: Warm Shower

• Brush: Yaqi Goblin 24mm Synthetic

• Razor: Starter Razor From Stirling

• Blade: Voskhod (2)

• Lather: Proraso Cream - Green

• Post Shave: Proraso - Green

• Fragrance: Acqua di Parma - Colonia Club

Quick and painless shave with Proraso green cream and aftershave. Fragnatica has Acqua di Parma as the first listed fragrance Proraso green reminds people of, so that was good enough in my book.

Den tour - You don't have to look...

PHOTOCONTEST - Fill the Frame

DAY 12 LATHER GAMES! CREAMY CREAM CREMMITY CREME!

• Prep: Water
• Brush: Simpson - Trafalgar T3
• Razor: Razorock - Game Changer 1.05
• Blade: Nacet
• Lather: Speick cream
• Post Shave: Brut - Oceana
• Fragrance: Krizia - Krizia Uomo

So I have a video for you today, BUT, before you watch it, I advise you read the text first, because the video will come naturally after the needed forplay is given.

Right, cream day, I already creamed myself seeing u/Priusaurus swallow that load on video, but I had still not shaven.

Many thoughts came through my mind, what should be MY theme of the day, and how can I spice things up? After some many hours of struggling my two brain cells to produce something I figured it out!

What is the thing that keeps mankind to fall behind on it's true potential as a species? You guessed it, McDonald's! Not just McDonald's itself, but the ice CREAM machine. Yes, that dreadful apparatus that never works, failing to bring joy to people. So I thought, fuck McDonald's I'm gonna go there, to the 31(24/7) McDonald's on the highway, have my damn cheesburger and shave in the bathroom, so that the establishment may know what is a good CREAMY lather. And maybe then it might get inspiration to fix the damn machines...

Low and behold my dismay and upset, that even though I've been there before and it was possible to dine in, now it was only a drive-through. I cursed the heavens, and Priusaurus(cause it's fun and a running joke). There wasn't anything left to do, I tried asking the beautiful cashier if I could enter, my reasoning, and heavily implied how much this will change humanity for the better and speed up the colonisation of Mars! She didn't have none of it. Barely seeing the road, from the eyes that were filled with bitter tears of disappointment, I parked in the parking and decided that I don't take shit from anyone. I said I would shave at McDonald's and that's what I will do, the parking of McDonalds is still considered part of McDonald's.

When you really think about how many people pee and go №2 outside, the world is one giant toilet, so in the end I did in fact, shave at the toilets of McDonald's!

Now you can go and watch the short video!(BONUS: There's a cat in there)

DAILY CHALLENGE:

Here's another VIDEO.

This one should actually be funny and amusing. My travel den is still the case, but I give a small tour of the house and how FUCKED it is at the moment, due to LG. Not much else to share to be honest, if you didn't watch the first one, you shouldn't miss out on this one.

Daily Lather Themes: 12/30

• Daily Challenges: 11/30
• Hardware Scavenger Hunt: 9/20
• Hardware Vendor Points: 2/2
• Software Vendor Points: 6/16
• Software Vendor Bonus Point: 0/1
• 30 Different Soap Brands Point: 12/30
• 30 Different Soaps On Theme Bonus Point: 12/30
• 30 Different Post-Shaves Bonus Point: 12/30
• 30 Different Fragrances Bonus Point: 12/30

shaved outside a McDonalds

shaved outside a McDonalds

June 12, 2024 – CREAM

• Brush: Semogue 2000
• Razor: Blackland - Blackbird Lite
• Blade: Personna Lab Blue (1)
• Lather: Castle Forbes – Lavender Essential Oil Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Lavender Splash
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Lavender Interrupted EDP
• Song: Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.

I’m not going to lie all I can think of today is Wu-Tang, however, in the interest of not getting DQ’d for offensive language or imagery I will refrain from an entirely Wu-Tang related write up.

• The Lather: Castle Forbes is by far my favorite shaving cream base. It lathers up easily and all of their scents are clean and easily identifiable. The lavender essential oil that I used today brings that beautiful calming scent and helps to provide a relaxing shave experience.
• The Shave: The shave was smooth and easy, not much else to say here.
• Aftershave/Frag: What goes well with Lavender? How about more lavender? I stacked the Barrister and Mann Lavender splash to increase that calming feel, but decided to push the scent profile to a little more masculine with the lavender interrupted.
• Theme: Castle and Forbes shaving cream was used for today’s lather.
• Challenge: My den is a bit of a mess right now with Lather Games in full swing, but here it is in all its glory.

June 12, 2024

• Brush: Muninn Woodworks purple burl AP Shave Co. 24mm MiG
• Razor: Schick Injector
• Blade: Schick Injector
• Lather: Proraso – Sandalwood
• Post Shave: Zingari – Unscented

This sandalwood scent is nice and light, sandalwood at its core. A little musk, a little depth. That classic shave smell. It brings back memories, no surprise, of shaving. It was the first time I received something via mail from a fellow wetshaver. It was u/35048467 who sent it after an awesome SOTD photo full of empty tubes. That April, Proraso became number one in the subs use single-handedly because of all the samples sent out. It was a cool introduction into the community. 🚂🚂🚂

Challenge: My den is chaos. I have a cubby hole that I am spilling out of and a drawer of recently used items.

Photo today features soccer (and football). Had to play it safe to be on soccer theme.

photocontest

fof

June 12, 2024 – Creamy Dreamy Evening

• Brush: Maggard Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Tech Fat Handle
• Blade: Personna Platinum Chrome (4)
• Lather: LEA – Classic Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Pinaud – Clubman
• Post Shave: Thayers – Rose Petal

Real great easy lather with a clean chilly scent. And the touch of mid-century modern design to my shave cave doesn’t hurt as well.

Speaking of shave cave, mine is just that. A subterranean escape (or possible hideout from those who may be listening, or judging) into a land of creamy dreams, that shave away the days worries while fortifying us for our work ahead. So it is only natural that alongside of my favorite artisanal soaps and splashes, next to my vintage razors and brushes, I place aspirational imagery and icons that inspire. Thank you, friends. Stallion’s Safe Space.

Cheers! And enjoy the shave between the blades.

Player has pictures of Airbud prominently displayed throughout his den.

June 12, 2024 – LG 12: CREAM

• Brush: Catwood Handcrafts Golden Nib 18mm Master Badger #SMOLL #RUNT #FRANKENBRUSH
• Razor: Gillette Flare Tip Superspeed #RUSTYBUTTRUSTY
• Blade: Person Platinum Chrome (7)
• Lather: St. James of London – Lavender and Geranium
• Post Shave: St. James of London – Lavender and Geranium
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann Lavender, Interrupted

Back to back lavender days, what a treat! The cream was actually a decent shave, but that also could be a more preferred razor/blade combo for me today. The AS gel is a bit weird consistency. For #FOF I would say the soap/AS gel are quite green takes on lavender, again reminiscent of the actual plant. The geranium gives it a bit more brightness due to its citrusy qualities. Lavender Interrupted is much different, and I get so much vanilla. The MdS accord that brings the funk in lavanille seems subdued by the sweetness of Lavender Interrupted. I’d wager this is both the tobacco and vanilla. There is the faintest spice but it is not intrusive. LI a sensual one for sure, strongly recommend.

For our #PHOTOCONTEST, opted for eyes today, because it matched the brush. Speaking of, the Atwood has gone through some LG iterations, but sadly not this year. It came in to play for the hashtags, sorry not sorry.

Today’s main event and challenge is the den tour. Always so fun. Here you go!. It seems like on of the videos embedded there isn’t working, so here it is by itself for a closer view.

Tried to get a better look at this developing patina, lots of green in the vertical lines. The human eye catches better than the camera. I also think people always think of brass (but I keep that karve CB looking pristine!), but nickel and silver can make cool patina too.

Oh, and that u/mammothben guy is pretty cool. Great products with $ going to great causes, and one of the most active artisans in our little r/wetshaving corner. His custom scent is easily the most coveted prize IMO for LG. #MAMMOTHMAFIA

soap brands 12/30, post shave 12/30, frag 12/30, post/frag linked 12/30, software sponsors 8/16, hardware sponsors 7/2, razor hashtags 9/15, brush hashtags 10/15, photo contest 12/30, daily challenges 10/26, special challenges 2/4

Now THAT is a den. I'm considering showing this to Mrs. Mosquito; love the organization and I need to finally wrestle my collection into shape.

June 12, 2024 – Lather Games: Day 12  

• Brush: Shavemac w/ AP Shave Co 26mm Pure Bliss™ SHD Premium Synthetic Knot  
• Razor: Blackland Osprey  
• Blade: Astra SP (Green)   

Dulci Tobacco smells great, but I can’t get a decent larger to save my life. I know it’s gotta be me, because Wholly Kaw makes great products. I admit I don’t use it very often, so this could be a reason. Whatever it is, my shave was just mediocre at best.

https://imgur.com/a/0URP8sG

• Prep: PAA - Bubble Gube
• Bowl: Naked Armor - Silver Fox Scuttle
• Brush: Riva - Resin and Wood Badger #COMPOSITE
• Razor: Wolfman - WR2 Ugly Wolfman #RUSTYBUTTRUSTY
• Blade: Bic -Astor Stainless
• Lather: Pre De Provence - No.63
• Post Shave: Tallow + Steel - Morocco

https://imgur.com/a/oQ0WCOG

Today's Challenge: Pictures linked above to some of my den items. Some of my soaps are hanging in a bathroom being renovated, the rest I have in drawers in the bathroom I am currently using. Most of my razors are away. Too much stuff, but I am having fun.

My shave was OK. I used my Wolfman WR2 with patina. I bought it used and the previous owner called it the "Ugly Wolfman" I disagree, I think it looks great. The patina is mostly on the handle. The cream was Pre De Provence No. 63. My first time using it. I face lathered. I was not a fan of the scent or performance. It could just be me, I really never use creams. Finished up with Tallow + Steel Morocco.

My personal challenge of a different blade, razor, brush, soap brand and aftershave still going strong.

ROTY

CREAM

• Brush: Wallygator - mystery vintage brush #SMOLL #RUNT
• Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable J1 #ADJUSTABLE #STAINLESSLESS
• Blade: Treet - Classic Double Edged Blade (2)
• Lather: Bevel - Shave Cream
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Ramblin' Man Aftershave Balm
• Fragrance: Creed - Himalaya

Daily Gratitude
Thanks to wallygator88 for the brush. Thanks to whoever sent me this blade with their smooshes, sorry I don't remember who. Thanks to my mom for buying this cream in my first shaving starter kit ever. Thanks to my grandma for buying the aftershave as my first non bevel shave product. Thanks to my dad for buying this razor from the antique shop with me after pho as my second razor ever! Thanks to the judges and fabulous people putting this whole thing together.

Daily Mistakes
Joining marching band, it sucks... again... I already went through this pain once and I hated it.

Daily Writeup
My whole body is sore. The knot fell out of the brush. The shave cream sucks. The aftershave and fragrance was nice though!

Daily Theme Points
This is indeed veeery CREEEEEEEEEAAMMMIIIIEEEEYYYY.

Daily Relevant Post Shave & Fragrance Points
For today's shave I went with some of my first products, my first lather, my 2nd aftershave, and a matching fragrance for that aftershave, actually the first fragrance that I ever tried because I tried it in a mall department store or something before I got into this whole thing lol. Also for matchy matchy I went with my slim which was my 2nd razor.

Daily Challenge
I have to stand up and take pictures? Man I'm too sore for this, but Lather Games doesn't give a fuck about my excuses. Here are the soaps (excluding arko because that's in the other picture and juniper reverie because that's at my dad's house) and here is my bottom mess of a drawer that was organized like 2 weeks ago before the lather games but now it looks like this, this is where I store my aftershaves, used fragrances, and razors (exluding stuff from yesterday because it's at my dad's and exluding my brassbird because it's over with blackland for inspection). The only brushes that are currently at this house are pictured in the reference photo for hashtags below.

Hardware Scavenger Hunt
This brush is definitely a #RUNT. I think it's #SMOLL but I don't know exactly how big that is and I don't have measuring stuff so up to you and this reference photo.

Photo Contest
Football! Or soccer or whatever the hell you call it. This is a jersey from the local Real Salt Lake soccer team that I have never seen in my life, I got this shirt for free from my school because I was a good student or something. I actually played soccer in like 2nd grade, didn't really play it because my mom forgot about every practice lol.

TL;DR
My legs hurt, I win rookie of the year thank you very much give me my prize.

Side Contests

photocontest

ROTY

"Lather Games doesn't give a fuck about my excuses."

Truth.

Also, marching band++

26 April 2024 Non Complementary Non Dickkhole Caties Bubbles Something Noir

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Dogwood White Oumo LOD 26mm
• Razor: Blackland Dart
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (12)
• Lather: Caties Bubbles - Something Noir (1)
• Post Shave: Caties Bubbles - Reflections A/S
• Post Shave: Thayer's Concoction
• Post Shave: Good Oleo
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Unscented Balm
• Fragrance: Caties Bubbles - Mille Chypre

Narrowly missed posting. Today has been a busy day.

Something Noir was an early iteration of Reflections, while it was still a concept scent. This scent always makes me smile

Cheers

June 12, 2024 - CREAM

• Brush: Green Shave Boar Brush #RUNT #SMOLL #HOLLOW
• Razor: Bulimica - Safety Razor
• Blade: Bulimica - Stainless Steel Blades
• Lather: Castle Forbes - Lavender Essential Oil Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Lavender Splash
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Lavender Interrupted

SOAP - I have never used a cream before and didn’t known what to expect. But thanks to my hook up u/curbside_champ I got myself some LAVENDER-Y_NESS cream and complimentary scents. So the obvious first impression is how soft they are. Not only extremely soft but also very aromatic. Now it could be this one cream from CastleForbes that is stronger than the others but I was getting lavender slapped in my face at every pass.

RAZOR - Same ridiculousness as yesterday but I wanna to give another shot but still sucked. So moral of the story You get what you pay for!!

THE THEME -Well I don’t have a shaving Den to brag about to be honest. It’s small and flaccid!! My DEN that is!!! I am working in getting it bigger and girthier!! My Den that is!!! I have gotten lucky in having people close to me friends and family know what to get me on holidays and birthdays! Shaving gear! Oh yeahhhh…..

Jun. 12, 2024
Brush: Chisel & Hound Quartermoon
Razor: Yates Winning Ti
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
Lather: House of Mammoth - Avocado
Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Everett * Post Shave: Osma - Alum
Post Shave: Jack Black - Double-Duty Face Moisturizer

Picked this sample of HoM Avocado cream up at the Mag’s meet this past April. It is, in fact, nice and creamy. Followed up with Everett splash, which carries on with the gourmand theme including dried orange slices and marshmallows. The Everett font on the label is also green, just like avocados. 🥑

ROTY

June 12, 2024 – LG24 Day 12 - CREAM

• Brush: AP Shave Co. Black & Clear handle w/ 24mm G5C Premium Synthetic fan knot
• Razor: Schick Injector Type L1 Variant 2 Style 1
• Blade: Schick Stainless Steel Injector (2)
• Lather: Crown Shaving Co. - Farad’s Tobacco Shave Cream
• Post Shave: Crown Shaving Co. - Farad’s Tobacco AS Lotion
• Fragrance: Minimaliscent - Get Up and Smoke EdP (Inspired by Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille)

Daily Theme & Relevant Post/Frag: The product label says it all - Farad’s Tobacco Shave Cream. For post I tricked Farad’s Tobacco AS lotion, and in keeping with the tobacco theme, I went with the Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille dup for my frag. In addition to its complimentary tobacco accord, the frag's vanilla and spicy notes add a bit of sophistication to the otherwise straight tobacco scent of the soap and post.

Daily Challenge: Den Tour Day. The one day of the year where I pretend that I'm organized and take selectively cropped pictures to give the illusion that my bathroom is tidy.

I am lucky that my wife tolerates my software and hardware addiction disorders. She even let me mount brackets for my razors & brushes next to our sink so that I can easily access them. I keep my posts & miscellaneous hardware in a trolly under the pedestal sink, and my soaps in two trollies in a void/nook behind our shower. I haven't found a decent place to store my frags, so for now I cart them around in a spare tray that I have.

My wife and I are in the infant stage of designing our forever home. She has an addiction to makeup and perfumes, so I am piggybacking on her addictions to ensure that I have sufficient storage for my addictions when our forever home is complete. Waiting sucks!

June 12, 2024 - I'll show you mine since you showed me yours

• Brush: Prometheus Handcrafts w/ 26mm Oumo Motherlode
• Razor: Blackland Razors Vector (Lite)
• Blade: Schick Proline
• Lather: Proraso - Green Tea and Oat Sensitive Skin Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Two Kings
• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors - The Soft Lawn

This is one of the first lather products I ever bought, back when I started shaving my head. I almost immediately swapped it to soaps, but it worked ok today. Post Shave and frag are on theme for being fresh, clean, inoffensive scents to pair with the Proraso Green Tea scent. I really enjoyed smelling fresh and floral all day.

Shave went well. Got a good lather after really working the cream. This was the perfect brush for it. Started with way too much water so I had to really work the brush on my face to work out all the air bubbles. Anything stiffer and I definitely would've gotten some brush burn.

Den tour. Starting with most of the brushes, going to a lot of the splashes these really need some damn labels, next up is pic one and pic 2 of some generic storage, then you have the unofficial storage called the sink, and lastly the treasure trove of soaps. I hope you all enjoyed this foray into my great shame. In real talk, the vast majority of the hardware I own was purchased from you fantastic people, and I really appreciate how the community enables each other to try new things.

Today's photo contest theme is Hobbies. Please judge the photo in the title. My other big hobby is collecting slide rules. The one in the image is a pocket rule made by Pickett model number N600-ES. Astronauts on the original Apollo missions were kitted out with a model very very similar to this one so that they could double check rough calculations on the fly. I have talked before (and will again these Lather Games) about coaching the Calculator contest for the school where I teach, well a huge fun fact is that, for a very, very long time, Texas hosted a Slide Rule contest. Students would compete to do calculations as quickly and accurately as possible for nerd fame and glory. While I have plenty of Slide Rules that are just collectors items, I also have a whole set of plastic ones (like this), that I keep at school and use to host my own version of the defunct Texas contest with my students. The reward is still just nerd fame and glory, but at a smaller scale. #photocontest

dude collects slide rules

June 12, 2024

• Brush: Prometheus Handcrafts w/ 28mm Synthet

• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley OC B Plate

• Blade: Ladas Super Stainless

• Lather: West Coast Shaving - Grapefroot - Cream

• Post Shave: West Coast Shaving - Grapefroot - Aftershave

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Shire 2

Jojoba Shave Cream under the West Coast Shaving label. This set definitely doesn't get the use it deserves. Just amazing scent and performance. The tobacco and violety notes of Shire paired very well.

The Den is stored in the bedroom closet in some little shelves. Soaps on one, aftershaves the other.

SOTD - June 12 - Cream. Get the money. Dolla dolla billz y'all

Feb 25, 2024

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Wild West Brush works - synthetic
• Razor: Gillette - FatBoy
• Blade: Gillette - Platinum
• Lather: Castle Forbes - 1445
• Post Shave: Cerave - Cream
• Fragrance: Aqua di Parma - Colonia Intensa

Here is my den and another one of my razors

photocontest

Photo theme was Darkness. Shot it in the dark 30 second exposure where I kinda painted the light in with a LED pole that I kept asking Alexa to change color mid shot. Had to put a blanket over my window. Used a 35mm prime lens that I purchased yesterday from a guy on marketplace.

The barrel lantern belonged to my grandpa. He was still wetshaving into his 90s. He used an omega boar brush. My cousin and I would buy him soap every once in a while and he would say "I wish they had stuff like this when I was young enough to go to the dances."

June 12, 2024 * Brush: Dogwood – Badger   * Razor: Merkur 34C   * Lather: Geo. F. Trumper – Violet  

Today’s soap is Violet Shave Cream. I would love to see more brightly colored soaps. It’s just fun. Cream is in the title, the only thing cute is the color.

Challenge: I present the sample bin. I love samples. The tiny containers with tiny labels bring me much joy. Ive won a couple of sample PIFs and purchased many samples. They all go to the box. Ive gone for a full tub a few times but the vast majority of the games are played out of Sample Box.