LGSOTD 27-Jun-24

• Brush: Semogue - TSN Final Edition 2023 #OLDWORLD
• Razor: Charcoal Goods - Gen 1 Level 3 #CNC
• Blade: Wizamet - Super Iridium
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Vor V
• Post Shave: Wholly Kaw - Vor V AS Toner
• Post Shave: Wholly Kaw - Vor V Balm
• Fragrance: Wholly Kaw - Vor V EDP

Information Overload

Ok so I flipped around on this one so much, desperately trying to find one that would work for my calender. This one was originally pegged for Halloween, before Boonana came to the rescue. To my relief this one has 11 scent notes:

Geranium, Raspberry, Nutmeg, Saffron, Oud, Black Tea, Cashmeran, Musk, Leather, Amber and Vanilla.

Honestly though, with my nose I could only really identify Raspberry, Leather and Vanilla, what I do know is that I like it, so much so that I went to the effort of getting the scent which is no easy feat over here.

Challenge - Leftorium Challenge

With last year's attempt to have my Mrs have a go at my face with a blade (there's trust there), I thought with an additional year on her I could get the daughter (5 y/o) involved. Unfortunately I made the grievous error of picking the Gen 1 CG Lvl 3, I could have robbed the other half's leaf, lesson learnt.

The Mrs did suggest giving it to her without the blade, but I told her that defeats the purpose. Admittedly it started to tingle somewhat when she kept going over the same area, and I was sweating like a vicar in a house of ill repute, purely out of nerves. I let her go for the one pass, she got most of the way through, with one nerve wracking moment on the neck against the grain. So here was my daughter's effort, again sped up a lot so as not to waste people's time.

I will admit I bottled it after that, took control and went to finish off the remaining passes with my left hand, which was uneventful barring a couple of slight nicks, one the chin and neck. So despite her not completing the full shave she still get a dessert as a reward!

Photocontest

This one is aimed at 'Steam Punk'.

Have a grand one all and good luck!

Cheers

Marc

Player lets 5yo daughter shave his face for Leftorium challenge.

June 27, 2024 – Lather Games!

• Brush: Cayuen Abalone w/ 28mm Timberwolf Synthetic.
• Razor: YPM – Winning Razor Mk2, polished, tattooed ("The Emperor's Razor!") #CNC #TITANIUM
• Blade: Gillette Winner Stainless (3).
• Lather: A&E – Indo-Ink.
• Aftershave: Ultima Unmasked Unscented Splash.

Scent notes here are: Mandarin, Ink, resins, absinthe, ylang ylang, coumarin, tonka, leather, incense, saffron, oud, tobacco, wormwood & sandalwood. It's like Peter threw in everything and the kitchen sink in this. It's very complex and it shows. Extremely well done, very sophisticated. Another great shave with this soap.

#Challenge: Port-side shave hand, away!

#LatherGames

Bonus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKO8f79Ekew ← How Do You Detect A Neutrino?

LG Day 27- Just To The Left of Information Overload

• Brush: Leavitt & Pierce 22mm Silvertip
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24
• Blade: GEM PTFE (12)
• Lather: Spearhead - Spiced
• Post Shave: Catie’s Bubbles - Retreat splash
• Post Shave: Zingari Man - Unscented AS balm

Shout out to u/partyman97_3 for hooking me up with this smoosh. If I hadn't finished my tub of Spiced earlier this year, I wouldn't have had to go out begging for the most obvious soap with ten scent notes. From the Spearhead site, or if you look at the top of your tub-

Scent notes include: Mandarin, Aldehydes, Carnation, Anise, Cinnamon, Clove, Cardamom, Benzoin, Tonka, and Vanilla.

Bam! And what's even better about this day is that today is Round 3, and the final round, of this VP interview process I'm going through, or what u/hugbckt refers to as selling my soul further to be /#boringcorporateman. Yea, whatever cupcake. Any way, as far as I'm concerned the calendar couldn't line up better for getting the power scents on for such an occasion. Spiced is a friggin' great scent. I mean I'm not sure it's the most summery of scents but on a day like today, who cares. Follow that up with Retreat and I'm just radiating confidence, but not cockiness. This ain't no sure thing, but at least I smell ready.

On to the Daily Challenge. As a right-handed guy, maybe I should look at today as a left handed gift or maybe it's an opportunity to walk down the left hand path. I mean what could go wrong shaving lefty with the MM24? Actually, nothing went wrong as you can see from this clip of my first pass, but let's just say I didn't exactly find the angle easily. Maybe it was the whole lefty thing or maybe it was trying to shave lefty while looking at my phone. I decided to take the next passes off camera and, admittedly, right-handed because I need a good shave today. It all worked out in the end. Oh, do you need an actual left-centric musical earworm? Here you go!

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

LG SOTD 27Jun2024

• Brush: DS Cosmetics Kensurfs ‘22 - 26mm G7 synthetic
• Razor: Karve - Overlander (Brass)
• Blade: Personna - Lab Blue (6)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - DFS 2021
• Bowl: CaYuen - Dark Nebula, large
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Shave Balm, Embrace

Welcome to the twenty-seventh shave of the 2024 Lather Games. Today’s theme is Information Overload where the goal is to shave with a lather that has ten or more scent notes in its marketing.

I originally came by this soap in a PIF from u/whollykaw himself. I dug it at first but the more I used it the more my brain fixated on something I smell as an intense powdery note from the fragrance, and I don't like powdery notes. Not sure what it is exactly, but once smelled, couldn't unsmell it so the tub has been living as a donor tub helping to spread the knowledge of WK's Sego base in my own sample PIFs. Using it today because some last minute calendar shuffling left this as the only possible remaining spot to slot in an on-theme Wholly Kaw product.

There are eleven, count them, eleven notes in the marketing for WK's DFS 2021:

• 01 - Ginger
• 02 - Osmanthus
• 03 - Bergamot
• 04 - Lemon
• 05 - Lime
• 06 - Artemisia
• 07 - Tobacco
• 08 - Patchouli
• 09 - Guaiac Wood
• 10 - Vetiver
• 11 - Vanilla

The ginger and tobacco forms the backbone of the scent to my nose and I’d be hard pressed to pick out any individual fruit notes. Regardless, if you get past the “powder”, it’s a lightly spicy, warm scent with a lot going on.

The daily challenge is to shave with our non-dominant hand and that is why I chose the Overlander as without any data at all I determined this to be the better razor to use left-handed. It worked out very well - no nicks or irritation and shave is within acceptable parameters. It’s a bit awkward shaving without the muscle memory, but shaving is something my left hand can handle.

Enjoy your day, everyone!

Jun. 27, 2024 Information Overload
Brush: Semogue 2020 Best Badger
Razor: Fatip Piccolo
Blade: Dorco Titan [1]
Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Autumn Ash - Soap
Post Shave:* Bartigan & Stark - Campione - Aftershave

It feels good to use products actually intended for use in shaving!

Experimenting with different blades to find a replacement for the Rapira Swedish Super Steel blades that worked perfectly in this razor is proving difficult; the Dorco Titan cut well, but are definitely a lot less smooth than the Rapira. One benefit at least should be that they won't make a terrible mess in the razor like the Rapira do. My guess is that the Rapira Swedish Super Steel are actually semi-stainless, lacking the necessary percentage of chromium to qualify as "stainless".

Still, a close shave and reasonably comfortable; just not as good as I would normally get with this razor. My neck in particular.

Oh and I realized that I didn't even talk about the soap at all. Yes, this discerning nose can definitely pick out the maple, spice, smoke, amber, cedar, oud, rain, plum, blackberry, ash, birch tar, pumpkin, coffee, dirt, and mildew notes; it's totally not like it is with wine where I wonder what on earth they are talking about. Actually no, I have never even come across birch tar (what even is that?), oud, or amber and stuck my nose to it so I have no idea what they smell like; but most of those other things I know and yeah maybe. But mostly it smells like autumn.

Campione only has 14 scent notes rather than 15, and somehow not a single one of them are the same between the two soaps:

Top: bergamot, clementine, dried fruit

Middle: tobacco, frankincense, jasmine, coconut, almond, hay

Base: amber, vanilla, musk, cognac, sandalwood

Yet, they don't clash somehow.

Jun. 27, 2024 - fruity tooty
Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Gully G5A
Razor: Blackland Vector
Blade: Feather Artist Club Pro Guard [7]
Lather: Zingari Man - The Brewer - Soap
Post Shave:* Summer Break Soaps - Day Dream - Aftershave

Lots of notes for this soap on the product page of Zingari Man’s website: Guava, mango, pineapple, passionfruit, apricot, kumquat, orange, juniper, hops, musk.

If I close my eyes and focus really hard, I swear I can smell each one. This soap smells great and always performs. I find it likes lots of water too. Add some Day Dream splash to that and holy fruity tooty Batman! The hops note doesn’t even seem present today, whereas in previous uses it figured quite heavily to my nose.

Effortless head shave this morning. My head smells fruity.

June 27, 2024 – 2024.06.27 SOTD: Lather Games Day 27 – Information Overload

• Brush: Bundubeard Oryx Horn handle with 26mm AP Shave Co. Pure Bliss knot
• Razor: Aylsworth Drakkant
• Blade: Wizamet
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps – Prom King
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. – Light-ish Red – Splash
• Fragrance: Zoologist Perfumes – Bee

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Daily Theme: Information Overload

Theme justification: Summer Break Soaps Prom King has the following scent notes:

1. lavender
2. bergamot
3. mint
4. cinnamon
5. cumin
6. orange blossom
7. vanilla
8. tonka bean
9. sandal wood
10. cedar

That meets the requirement of at least 10 scent notes

Relevant Post Shave & Frag: Information Overload continues! Both my aftershave, Stirling Light-ish Red, and my frag, Zoologist Bee, have more than 10 scent notes (16 & 13, respectively).

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Scavenger Hunt ~~Justification~~: COMPLETED

Razor facts: N/A

Brush facts: N/A

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Daily/Special Challenge: Leftorium Challenge

I cannot believe that the judges are making us do this. Left-handiness is something that is plain wrong! It's an abomination. The fact that the judges are making us do this is ridiculous. This goes against every single thing I believe in.

This post is mostly right, until it state that left-handed people are not evil. That is just flat out gibberish. Left-handedness is a sign of the devil and nothing more. There is a reason the nuns used to beat it out of children. It was the only way the devil would leave them alone!!!

Just look at this list of left-handed people:

• Oprah - evil - wants to control the world through her TV shows
• Prince William - evil - thinks he's better than us just because of his odd family tree
• Neil Armstrong - liar and evil - wants us to believe in "the moon landing"
• Leonardo da Vinci - evil - he was probably just high all the time. Plus, the Mona Lisa sucks.
• Napoleon Bonaparte - so evil that even poison couldn't kill him
• Bill Gates - do I need to even say anything here? I mean, come on, the list is endless.
• Babe Ruth - evil - he was a Yankee for goodness' sake!
• Gordon Ramsay - anyone who cooks a grilled cheese like this is pure evil.

There's absolutely more, but the evidence is clear: the only right hand is the right hand. I mean, just look at the word sinister. I comes from the Latin word for left! That's not a coincidence. It's bad enough we allow these people to play sports just because "it gives the teams an advantage." We need to return to the values that have stood the test of time. We need to recognize left-handedness for what it is: a troubling sign of the devil’s influence. The fact the judges would bring their left-handed satanic agenda to the games embarrassing. It's time to reclaim our righteous path and banish this sinister affliction from our midst! #DownWithLeftHanders #WetshaveOnlyRight #RightHandPride #WetshaversAgainstLeftHandedness #Only1DominantHand

So, anyway, I shaved with my left hand. It went fine. Here are some pics for proof

---

Fragrance description

Prom King is a dupe of Le Male. Honestly not a huge fan of this one. Smells "generic," for lack of a better term. It's not bad, but nothing spectacular to me.

Light-ish Red is a dupe of Abercrombie Fierce. Smells like an early 2000s A&F store in the mall. A scent I can easily see, whether I'd like to or not. Not that I ever went in their stores, as I wasn't their target demographic, but they were very potent.

Zoologist Bee is quite nice. The first note I get is one similar to honey, but slightly off. It's relaxing. Vanilla is next. Don't think I have anything else like it in my den.

---

Now onto the shave!

I did (against my upmost beliefs) shave with my left hand. It was fine. Summer Break Soaps is a fantastic soap and Stirling aftershaves are very nice as well.

Overall, 8/10 shave today.

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Totals:

• Razor Hashtags: 10/10
• Brush Hashtags: 10/10
• Hardware Sponsor Points: 2/2
• Software Sponsor Points: 16/16
• Number of Lather Brands: 27/30
• Number of Lather Scents: 27/30
• Number of Post Shaves: 27/30
• Number of Frags: 27/30

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Contest Hashtags:

#FOF

#ROTY

OP's stance on Lefties is puritanical and, apparently, righteous.

OP's stance on Lefties is puritanical and, apparently, righteous.

June 27, 2024

• Prep: House of Mammoth Embrace Doppio Bath Soap
• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts 26mm Quartermoon Synthetic
• Razor: Wade and Butcher Extra Hollow Ground Improved Tang 6/8 Shoulderless Round Point with Ivory scales
• Edge: Max Sprecher (11)
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Gravefruit - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Gravefruit II - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Gravefruit II - Eau de Parfum

Dan didn't really do simple, did he? Still one of my favorites.

2024-06-26 - Analysis Paralysis

• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Valley of Ashes
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Texas on Fire
• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors - A City on Fire
• Razor: Henson AL13 Medium
• Brush: Omega 343178 Synthetic

Unifying Theme: Combustion
I was going to use Slow Explosions, which offers a little more variety in names, but my nose doesn't care for it and City on Fire fits wildly better in terms of scent.

Information Overload:
1) Coal 2) Tar 3) Bourbon 4) Tobacco 5) Bitter Citrus 6) Smoke 7) Leather 8) Motor Oil 9) Burning Rubber 10) Diesel 11) Clove 12) Birch Tar 13) Bergamot

Leftorium Challenge: Yup. I'm suprised at how much better I am at doing this, despite only doing it once year. That said, I'm still pretty inept.

The Henson is pretty much my designated Leftorium razor; I'm not sure I could cut myself with this thing if I tried! I'm not going to try to cut myself. I'm pretty sure I could cut myself with this thing if I tried.

#FOF
The order is backwards, which means we experience the effects of the blaze in reverse order. Starting with the soft ashen aroma of Valley, why do so many people say it's bad? I find it to be very nice; it's a calm, even soft scent. Surely, there is calm after everything has been burned to ashes, no?

Texas on Fire is another that people don't seem to like. To be fair, there is a Stag-isness to it. I liken it to the tar-rich smoldering embers—when the flames have died down but the fire is very much alive in the heart of the burning wood—as we slowly move backwards in time from the ash.

City on Fire is a bit more fresh, taking us futher back to when the fire was new. There's a clear wood (which is not a play on the listed "Clearwood" note) intermingling with smoke, with enough lively notes in the background that it brings to mind a small campfire in the moments just before the destruction begins to spread...

#photocontest Fire

SOTD format

LG 2024- June 27th “overload”

https://imgur.com/a/eK2jdJn

• Brush: Elite Razor Custom Synthetic Birch
• Razor: Razorock GC .84
• Blade: Lord Platinum (6)
• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Which Ones Pink
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Lonestar splash
• Frag: Stirling - Deep blue sea

Shave: “Top notes of pink pepper, pink grapefruit, bergamot, & tangerine blend into a heart of coriander, lavender, cinnamon, pink rose, myrrh, black currant, and berries. But this scent still isn't done. A base of sandalwood, Haitian vetiver, amber, patchouli, musk, and vanilla provide a pleasing, powdery finish.”

17 notes… not much missing from this one.

Challenge: time to build some neural connections. Had to be much more present this morning given the left handed shave. I was half way through the first pass when I remembered to do it. The shave was obviously slower but more deliberate. Results were just as good as normal.

ROTY

June 27, 2024 - Thursday

• Brush: Chisel & Hound "Chocolate Drop" / 26mm Maggard Razors faux horse
• Razor: Yates 921-H
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword (2)
• Lather: Zingari Man x Rogue Perfumery - Bon Monsieur
• Post Shave: Zingari Man x Rogue Perfumery - Bon Monsieur splash
• Fragrance: Chanel - Bleu de Chanel EdT

Bon Monsieur is one of those top shelf soaps that I could settle in and use for an extended period of time. Both the base and the scent are just fantastic. As you can see on the sales page, it includes notes of lavender, bergamot, fir balsam, geranium, oakmoss, carnation, lily of the valley, cedar, patchouli, sandalwood, and musk. 11 notes! Some people have likened it to Drakkar Noir, but I think it's deeper and more complex with less of a sweet "mall cologne" vibe.

For the challenge, loading, lathering, and shaving with my left hand was certainly awkward, but not really all that difficult. Pretty decent finish since I haven't done this since the last Lather Games off hand challenge.

June 27th, 2024

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: None
• Razor: Gillette RFB
• Blade: Tiger Platinum
• Lather: Floid - Vetyver Splash Transparent Shaving Gel
• Post Shave: Floid - The Genuine
• Fragrance: None

Today's write up will be short and sweet to alleviate the Djudges after Wildcard Wednesday.

Floid Vetyver Splash has 12 notes that can be seen here on Floid's website

Top Notes;

Cedar

Bergamot

Black Pepper

Elemi

Heart Notes;

Geranium

Juniper

Pine

Incense

End Notes;

Patchouli

Vertyver

Olibanum

Guaiac

I have completed today's shave using my non-dominant hand.

Thank you and God Bless

Jun. 27, 2024
Prep: Warm Shower - - Preshave
Brush: Stirling 2-Band Synthetic Brush
Razor: Merkur 37C
Blade: Gilette 7 O’Clock - Super Platinum [10]
Lather: Talent Soap Factory - Where The Wild Things Were - Soap
Post Shave: Kroger - Witch Hazel - Aftershave
Post Shave:* Stirling - Alum Block

The scent profile on this lists:

coconut, bergamot, cassis, rosemary, cardamom, thyme, coriander, green olives, salty sea breeze, and amber wood.

Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Stirling Two Band Synthetic
• Razor: Van Der Hagen 85mm Safety Razor
• Blade: Gillette Nacet
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. - AG 1889
• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. - AG 1889 Aftershave Splash
• Post Shave: Van Der Hagen - Unscented Aftershave Balm

23 scent notes

June 27, 2024 – Error: NaN

• Brush: Chisel and Hound V24 Passaround
• Razor: Bic Sensitive #rainbow
• Blade: whatever comes in a bic (2)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Marilyn
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Marilyn
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Marilyn

Today we celebrate information overload. As such for #fof I’m trickholing Marylin, which has 14 scent notes right on the back of the EdT box! Now when I think information overload, I think back to when I used to teach ethics of Big Data (I promise this ties into the scents!) There are “3 V’s” of big data: Volume, Velocity, and Variety. Basically, a large amount of a lot of different types of data; coming at you fast. That’s not a bad description of Marylin, a large amount of a lot of different scent notes coming at you fast. One thing I’d point out in my lectures is with these 3 V’s you get so much data it can basically be made to say whatever you want it to. Sometimes this is called spurious correlation. You can overfocus on one single thing and bend the data to show that thing. Again, back to Marylin, where…all I get is powder. Tons of notes and my nose chooses to bend it to powder. Oh well.

For #photocontest, I’ve included a growler from a brewery/homebrew store near here called “Steampunk BrewWorks” for Steampunk. Their beers, like Marylin, often contain a lot of notes. And sometimes my pallet reduces it to “hops.”

For the challenge. Well, this is a family affair, and the rules dictate it doesn’t have to be my hand, so here’s my daughter shaving my face with her left hand. Per my rules her face is not in frame, but as you can clearly see this is not an adult’s hand. It is also not her dominant hand. (Of note, she asked what the challenge was and I said, “shave with my left hand or someone else’s” she immediately said “I’m gonna cut your face!” with a wicked grin. I have compensated by using the Bic again.) Now one thing I didn’t plan on was that she insisted on lathering as well. Despite my numerous warnings, there was soap in my eyes. Apparently, I need to convince u/bostonphototourist to make “tear free Omnibus” next. She got about half my left side done then said “Dad, it’s not working.” She couldn’t get the angle of a bic right! I ended up finishing up (with my left hand as I am right-handed! Also take note, lather was mixed with my left hand and applied by her and my left hands. She’s also right handed.)

Two quick closing notes: As you can see this is u/geekyoldrob’s pass around V24. It is wonderful. Damnit I don’t need a new brush.

Also today's sponsor TSF: I said I’d love them to do a sub exclusive. I’m glad they joined up as a sponsor this year. They’re just fun.

Cute. He got his daughter to shave him.

Jun. 27, 2024 - The Scents Be Here

• Prep: Shower, Baxter Shave Tonic
• Brush: AP Shave Co. G5A
• Razor: Heritage Collection Gibbs 15
• Blade: Personna Platinum (3)
• Lather: Van Yulay - Spicy Man
• Post Shave: Old Spice (Indian)

Easy Old Spice Day. Thankfully Van Yulay lists the full scents notes of Old Spice on the page so this counts. https://www.vanyulay.com/product/shaving-products/all-shaving-soap/cologne-types/spicy-man-shaving-soap/

Jun. 27, 2024
Brush: Maggard Razors Kit
Razor: Maggard Razors V3
Blade: Gillette Nacet [4]
Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
Post Shave: Macduff’s Soap Co. - Prairie Blooms
Fragrance: First Line Shave - Turtle EdP

Midnight Stag is nice to pull out every once in a while. Apparently it has 11 notes (Russian Leather, Motor Oil, Hoppes #9, Birch Tar, Oakmoss, Gasoline, Smoke, Cedar, Cade, Bergamot, Vanilla) but I just get leather and sweet oil and gas. Smells like grandpa and that’s enough for me.

Because I can’t be smelling like grandpa all day or my family will end me, I followed up with Prairie Blooms and kept the overload going (12 notes: Lilac, Lemon, White Musk, Galbanum, Ylang Ylang, Peach, Jasmine, Musk, Carnation Absolute, Bergamot, Orange Blossom, Bamboo). I love this scent and its photorealistic lilac backed by a really nice collection of sweet citrus. It’s very bright and a polar opposite of the Stag.

And finally Turtle is a dupe of Acqua di Gio Absolu, listing 14 notes (Sea Notes, Bergamot, Pear, Apple, Grapefruit, Lemon; Lavender, Rosemary and Geranium, Woody Notes, Tonka Bean, Patchouli, Amberwood, Labdanum). This continues the sweet citrus theme from Prairie Blooms but transports it to the sea before drying down to a cool patchouli.

June 27 2024: Information Overload

• Brush: AP Shave Co Beehive w/ 28m G5C
• Blade: Shark Super Chrome (4)
• Razor: Gillette NEW Long Comb
• Lather: Zingari Man - The Rambler
• Post Shave: Australian Private Reserve - Fenchurch
• Fragrance: Maher Olfactive - Tempo Rubato

The Rambler has 14 notes, consisting of strawberry, raspberry, peppercorn, currant, anise, tobacco, hay, plum, rose, amyris, vanilla, coumarin, tonka, red fruits. Off the puck I get mostly fruit but the hay and tobacco come on strong once the soap is lathered up.

Fenchurch has 13 notes (or fourteen if old leathers and new leather are counted separately) "The scent evokes images of important documents, velum paper, and warm balsams, while also incorporating hints of sweet vanilla, musky animal tones, fragrant patchouli, and luxurious tuberose. This is not a product of compromise. The rich scents of leather, both new and old, add layers of texture and experience, while sweet tobacco flower and dark tobacco leaf create a harmonious blend. Fenchurch celebrates the finer things in life, with a finishing touch of whiskey, hints of narcotic heliotropin, and sweet plum accents.

Tempo Rubato has 13 notes, apricot, plum, neroli, petitgrain, orange blossom absolute, rose otto absolute, narcissus absolute, jasmine grandiflorum absolute, galbanum, orris butter, benzoin, leather and musk.

But I did not just pick these three scents because they all have many notes. The Rambler and Fenchurch both have tobacco and vanilla, and Fenchurch and Tempo Rubato share leather and musk. The glue that holds them all together are the plum notes that bring a touch of dark sweetness connecting soap, splash and fragrance.

So there you go. Close to 40 scent notes between my three products today. I shaved with my left hand, it was no big deal.

Day 27

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts - Svolaer Aurora 28mm - SHD Badger
• Razor: Gillette Executive FatBoy
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: AA Shaving – The Hunt
• Post Shave: 345 Soap Co – Estes Splash
• Fragrance: Boucheron - Jaipur Homme

AA’s The Hunt has 22 listed scent notes. 22!! Does that mean I get double credit?? I think it’d be quicker for AA Shaving to list the scent notes that aren’t included with this soap. Holy shit – 22. When I read the list of scent notes, I had to take a break and get a snack halfway through. We’ve got woodsy notes, citrus bursts, floral undertones, spices, ozone, and possibly even unicorn tears. I think they just accidently dropped their fragrance oil collection into the soap and ran with it. I also got a kick out of this line from their description, “The Hunt is a great scent for the fall, summer, spring, and winter that is sure to please.” So that narrows it down to EVERY SEASON. Why not just say year-round?? And who orders the seasons like that??? Has anyone in human history ever ordered the seasons, starting with fall and going in reverse chronological order? That is crazy person behavior if I ever saw it. These people need to be locked up and have the key thrown away. We can’t have people that list the seasons in that order just roaming free. I will say, the scent was nice and enjoyable, and does it achieve it’s goal of taking my nose deep into the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, so they have that going for them.

For my splash, I picked Estes, which has a pathetic 9 scent notes listed… Fucking amateurs… Similarly, they are trying to evoke the scent of the mountains, except this time in Colorado. And they do it with half the scent notes. Both scents are designed to take you into the mountains, but I guess the mountains the AA Shaving goes to are far more complex. Imagine needing to take more than double the time to do the same thing as others? It’s like AA Shaving is u/MudAccording and 345 is everyone else player Lather Games. For my fragrance, I chose Jaipur Homme by Boucheron. Not surprisingly, it shares some of the same scent notes as the soap and splash, but more importantly, it’s a nice, warm spicy amber. And it’s no slouch in the scent note department with 12 listed: Lime, Jasmine, Cardamom, Carnation, Rose, Patchouli and Cedar, Cinnamon, Lemon, Bergamot, Benzoin, Tonka Bean. It’s like they took every scent known to man, put it in a bottle, and called it a day. Citrus, spices, woods, flowers—it’s all in there. With the olfactory overdose my nose experienced today, I’m all sorts of confused. Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats living together. Mass hysteria!! #FOF

Sidecontest: #photocontest: Elements: Earth

Challenge: I did indeed shave with my left hand. Once again, you’ll have to trust me on this. We’re on the honor system, right?

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Information Overload”… The Top 5 Pictures of Overloaded Cars and Trucks

5.) When I make a quick trip to Ikea

4.) More tables, ladders, and chairs than a WWE match

3.) Big load on a tiny truck

2.) Should we get a Uhaul? Nah, we can fit it all in my truck

1.) How many people are on this thing?

Has anyone in human history ever ordered the seasons, starting with fall and going in reverse chronological order? That is crazy person behavior if I ever saw it. These people need to be locked up and have the key thrown away.

User diagnoses artisan insanity.

It’s like AA Shaving is u/MudAccording and 345 is everyone else player Lather Games.

Murders innocent competitor in drive-by.

June 27, 2024

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Chisel and Hound Sakura with v21 Fanchurian
• Razor: Muhle Companion
• Blade: Astra Green (Indian)
• Lather: Talent Soap Factory - Switchback
• Post Shave: Zingari Man Sego Aftershave Balm Unscented

The scent notes on the tub say, “Amber, teakwood, coffee beans, musk, cedar and leather all mellow with hints of lemon, bergamot, neroli, iris, and vetiver.” By my count, that’s 11.

Normally, I feel pretty comfortable using my left hand for things. But I had a lot of trepidation going into this shave. I made it through the WTG pass, but called it there. I spotted a couple weepers and I’m blaming my maladroit handling. If I were determined, I’m sure I could get used to this and build some muscle memory. But for now, it just feels dangerously awkward.

ROTY

June 27, 2024 – LG Day 27 – Info Overload

• Brush: AP Shave Co. Synbad Fan
• Razor: Univinlions Kamisori #KAMISORI
• Blade: Ted Pella Injector
• Lather: Australian Private Reserve – Lightning Ridge
• Post Shave: Black Ship Grooming – High Seas
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux – Admiral

Last night, I asked my partner if she would be willing to wake up a couple hours early to shave my head. The answer was simple: “No.” My otherwise supportive partner has broken my heart. I may never recover.

So, I figured if I’m doing this myself, it would be the ideal opportunity to try a kamisori for the first time. Thank you u/tsrblke for the loan - it came in just in time for today, as if it was meant to be. As a lefty, I did everything with my right hand today. Loading the brush took about 10 times as long as usual due to a complete lack of fine motor control in my right wrist. Lathering was difficult but doable, though it looks like something from dry lather day. Then, after spending not enough time finding the right angle, I shaved my head with my right hand. It was more difficult shaving across the grain from back to front, and significantly more challenging to shave the back of my head. It was bad enough to the point that I’ve made an album highlighting all the nicks I got (proceed with caution), and I had to clean up (still with my right hand, don’t worry) with an injector to get the stripes of stubble I left behind.

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APR, apparently famous for long scent note lists per folks in the Discord, certainly fit the bill today. 11 notes altogether – Ozone, Lime, Petrichor, Musk, Patchouli, Guava, Bergamot, Pear, Anise, Lily, Grapefruit – per the WSDB listing as well as this Badger & Blade review. (Thank you u/EldrormR for the sample and making this shave possible.) Ostensibly as a result of having so many scent notes, this soap is fairly indistinguishable to me. It doesn’t smell like an aquatic, nor any green soap I’ve smelled; it’s not fruity, ozonic, floral, nor does it fit in any other category well. It’s both everything and nothing. I decided to go the aquatic route with the rest of my shave, because it seemed like the ozone and petrichor notes wanted me to go in that direction. High Seas is the opposite of Lightning Ridge – it keeps it simple and it knows what it is. Sea air, salty water, and cypress. Aquatic through and through. Easy to layer on top of, works with any other aquatic-adjacent soap or frag, and inoffensive (unless you’re one of those folks who hates aquatics). Finally, CL Admiral finds the balance between complexity and a clear concept. With nine notes (or ten+ because “aquatic notes” implies more than one note), there’s a good bit going on, but the notes all complement each other beautifully. Lightly aquatic, lightly green, with a lasting citrus quality – for a fragrance meant to represent summer on the Mississippi River, I can imagine it hits the mark. Sweet, pleasant, comforting, relaxing. #FOF

2024-06-27 LG SOTD

• Brush: SHAVE⭐DANDY CS Baritone (26x55mm Synth)
• Razor: Wolfman WR1
• Blade: Astra Superior Stainless (A.S.S.)
• Lather: Mäurer & Wirtz - Sir Irisch Moos
• Post Shave: Aqua Velva - Ice Blue
• Fragrance: Giorgio Armani - Acqua di Gio

13, 14, and ... okay I went through my entire collection trying to find a fragrance with 15 advertised scent notes, but couldn't find any. Tons with 14 or 16 notes, but none with 15. So I just grabbed AdG because I know it lists a lot... let's see. 25. That'll do, I guess.

It's Complicated SOTD:

• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy Ti
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (46)
• Brush: Summer Break DeMaranville B15
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps - Bell Ringer
• Aftershave: Declaration Grooming - Bell Ringer
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Everett

Believe it or not, Bell Ringer has the most individual scent notes out I'd any SBS soap. 11 notes in total, grapefruit, mango, orange, lemon, lime, green apple, linden blossom, chamomile, musk, and sugar.

LG23-27: Information Overload

• Brush: Maggard Razors Gray and White 24mm Synthetic
• Razor: Edwin Jagger DE86
• Blade: Astra SP (36)
• Lather: Australian Private Reserve / Highland Springs Soap Company - Eclipse - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Pacific Shave Co. - Caffeinated Aftershave Balm
• Fragrance: BLACKBIRD - Anemone - EdP
• Passes: WTG, XTG

I know this soap is divisive, but DJ likes it, and that’s good enough to me. It’s gnarly stuff though. More relevant to today’s theme, it features 21 listed notes; they all blend together to my nose.

Last day on this work trip, so had to keep the shave simple and shave with my man Reliable Right.

SOTD Information Overload * Brush: Chisel and Hound - LG Massaranduba handle w. Synthetic knot. * Razor: Gillette - Super Speed Flair Tip.
Blade: Gillette - 7’o’clock super platinum (2). * Lather: Catie’s Bubbles - A Midnight Dreary.
Post: CeraVe - Moisturizing Cream.

Scent Notes: Orchid, Lotus, Spices, Black Currant, Black Truffle, Jasmine, Dark Chocolate, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Amber and Vanilla (12!).

Today’s Challenge - while I did plan to shave with my non- dominant hand I succumbed to an injury walking with my SOTD forgetting there was a blade in - my alum pencil did nothing but sting. Luckily I am certified in traumatic bleeding, but it didn’t come to that this time.

For the photo contest I have some birds- Peregrine Falcons to be exact. Falcons have nested at a nearby library (Evanston Public Library if you’re interested) for years and this year their clutch consists of 4 (3 males and one female)! Last year was a rough year for them so it’s amazing to see them have success. It’s pretty amazing to see how fast they grow and their stages of development. Volunteers will start to be on fledge watch this week as the juveniles are now all able to jump on the ledge (as seen in the photo) and will be start taking the first test flights.

photocontest

ROTY

06.27.2024- No Time Like The Present

• Prep: Showered

• Razor: Blackland Razors - Blackbird Ti

• Blade: Personna Lab Blue

• Brush: AKA Brushworks Never Alone 2 G5C

• Lather: Gentleman’s Nod - Kensei - Soap

• Post: Gentleman’s Nod - Kensei - Splash

I haven’t posted a SOTD in quite some time on here. Life has been busy and having the time to post has been limited. But at 27 days in I decided NOW is the time to join the games and make a run for shaving gold. The cards are stacked against me but I think I can still win. I had planned to pop up just in time for Xmas in ~~July~~ June like a much less attractive Michael Bubble or Mariah Carey bout time got away from me. So here I am.

Onto the shave, GN Kensei was sitting in my shoe organizer and came in at 14 scent notes…check. The scent is a citrus and tea scent and unlike Air Bud 2 is a sequel worthy of Mushashi which I will need to revisit. The Ti Blackbird is my favorite razor and gave a great shave.

For the challenge I am left handed and needed to use my right. I asked my wife who is right handed to shave my face but with child in hand and an exasperated look on her face responded with a “No”. I also considered my 10 month old son as a volunteer but giving him a razor blade was shot down by wife as being unsafe…I suppose she’s probably right but he has to learn one day and the earlier the better. Out of candidates I elected to use my own right hand. I’m used to shaving with my non-dominant since using a straight so this wasn’t a terrible experience.

LG SOTD Jun 27, 2024 - MEASURING UP WITH THE BEAR NECESSITIES

#photocontest

Theme Steampunk (Vintage brass telephone speaker. Retro-computer console from Terry Gilliam's Brazil, a masterwork of retro-futuristic overload)

• Brush: Alpha Brush & Shaving Co. - Bully Boy 28mm #TOLL
• Razor: Muhle - Hexagon - R41 head #CNC
• Blade: Muhle - Stainless Razor Blade [3]
• Lather: Murphy and McNeil / Black Mountain Shaving - DFS Horizons - Shaving soap - Kodiak base
• Post Shave: First Line Shave / Black Mountain Shaving - Crossroads - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Givenchy - Xeryus - vintage

Today’s singalong:

https://youtu.be/6BH-Rxd-NBo?feature=shared

WY?

One of the first English language sentences that I learnt as a teenager was from a joke based on a white man who compares his penis tattoo to that of a tall Jamaican.

The joke is rooted in a racial stereotype that is at the center of this interesting NYT op-ed from almost two decades ago.

I wonder if the Wendy joke contributed to making my brain forge some association between a thoroughly-unraveled body of information and the value of one’s masculinity.

Maybe this is the secret origin of my wordiness. 

Could the dick-measurement social instinct be the reason why some of you are uncomfortable with my posts being “too long”?

Are scent notes lists some kind of dick measuring contest?

THANKS FOR BEARING WITH ME

Before the end of the LG, I really wanted to shave with a bear tallow soap, also to homage u/enndeegee and his choice of prize for the Scruba Awards.

Murphy and McNeil’s Kodiak base is excellent, especially in terms of post-shave feel. I find it very interesting that someone ended up trying to saponify tallow sourced not from a yard animal, or edible game, but from a predator whose population is thinned down within the narrow boundaries of local regulations.

Bears have a strong symbolic presence in the world's cultures since the dawn of humankind, when our ancestors depicted them on the walls of caves.

When I shave with a soap that I know contains bear tallow, my mind is pervaded by a sense of awe that I haven't felt, for example, at the idea of shaving with a bison tallow soap. The symbolic power of certain animals is extremely intriguing to my skeptic mind.

WELCOME TO OUR LISTS OF SCENT NOTES AND HAVE A NICE DAY

For my lather and AS I picked two scents formulated by Joseph Katon of Black Mountain Shaving.
He definitely seems to have fun with long lists of notes:

HORIZONS features 18 notes, divided in:
Top: Lavender, bergamot, lemon, ginger, mandarin orange, tangerine, basil, rosew**d
Middle: Honey, Cinnamon (synthetic), cashmere, jasmine sambac, Haitian vetiver, sandalwood, iris, carnation, patchouli, cedar
Base: Leather, amber, labdanum, benzoin, oak moss, musk, tobacco, tonka, bourbon vanilla

CROSSROADS also features 18 notes:
Apple, Bergamot, Orange, Grapefruit, Oakmoss, Basil, Rosemary, Juniper, Carnation, Jasmine, Freesia, Cypress, Vetiver, Cashmeran, Patchouli, Vanilla, Amboxan, Sandalwood

A XERYUS OVERLOAD

I completed my shave with this monumental 1980s fougère by Alberto Morillas.
According to Fragrantica, it counts TWENTY NINE NOTES:
Top notes: Lavender, Jasmine, Green Notes, Lemon, Violet, Bergamot, Nutmeg Flower, Mandarin Orange, Lily-of-the-Valley, Ylang-Ylang and Rose
Middle notes: Cypress, Juniper Berries, Carnation, Geranium, Tarragon, Coriander, Petitgrain, Sandalwood, Cyclamen and Cinnamon.
Base notes: Oakmoss, Balsam Fir, Leather, Vetiver, Amber, Cedar, Incense and Musk.

My scent writeup today is much shorter: Horizons is nice but a bit "heavy" on the long run, I am happy I did not get the complementary postshave or EDP, it would've been too much.

Crossroads is nicely contrasted and flows well into Xeryus' big Cinemascope and Technicolor spectacle.

FOF

A SINISTER SHAVE

My razor was chosen before I found out about the daily challenge.
As I have "franken'd" my Hexagon by replacing its DE89 head with an open comb, this has been a very slow shave with the "devil's hand". Managed not to get nicked, but I realized how hard it is to focus on a non-dominant hand, and how terrible it must've been up to the generation of my parents, when left-handed students were forced to become right-handed.

ROTY

Jun. 27, 2024 - Overloaded

• Prep: CeraVe - Hydrating Facial Cleanser

• Brush: Muninn Woodworks Weru Burl w/ 24mm B16 Badger

• Razor: Blackland Blackbird (SS)

• Blade: Astra Green (4)

• Lather: Australian Private Reserve - Passione

• Post Shave: Australian Private Reserve - Passione

• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts/Australian Private Reserve - Gravefruit

Today’s shave is a homage to Dan of APR and the incredible nose for scents that he had! Dan is one of the people who I really wish I had met or talked to before he had passed. I have stumbled upon a couple forums of his stuff (I’ll link in a reply comment since Reddit keeps removing my posts). One in particular that I found that dives into information overload was Dan creating his aftershave splashes. It’s absolutely eye opening how much went into him creating and experimenting with things and the community of minds that he worked with to do that. That is the kind of thing that is so cool to get an insight into that we “consumers” don’t normally get.

Daily Challenge: Another repeat challenge and again I have the same experience with this. I really don’t have an issue using the razor with my left hand, my Weck AA helped out big time on gaining that flexibility. What absolutely sucked was loading and lathering with my left hand! It just feels so wrong to use that hand to do that and took way longer than it should have to figure it out again.

Daily Theme Justification: Australian Private Reserve Passione - Notes: Passion Fruit, Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Elemi, Apricot, Peach, Raspberry, Lime, Apple, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Musk, Lavender, Geranium. Thats 13 notes by my count!

Relevant Post Shave & Frag: All have at more than 10 notes! Passione has 13 notes as shown above and Gravefruit has 15 as shown below! Dan scented these products and he certainly wasn’t shy with the notes!

Australian Private Reserve Gravefruit - Notes: Yuzu, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Cedar, Green Mango, Vetiver, Freesia, Aldehydes, Ho Wood, Sandalwood, Elemi, Frankincense, Pear, Costus Root, Sambac

Today I shaved with Cologne Russe and a Prometheus/tuxedo combo. I used the GC84 with a Personna blade. I followed up with 4711 aftershave and Cologne Russe edt. Damn shame this one got phased out.

June 27, 2024

• Brush: Farvour Turncraft 'Blue Diamond Dust' / AP Shave Co G5A 26mm
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade #WECKONISTA
• Blade: Personna Glide-coated Hair Shaper (1)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - King of Oud
• Post Shave: Wholly Kaw - King of Oud - Splash
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Rose Santal - EdP

I'm not really competing. I can't.

But I also can't help myself sometimes.

I realized today that I hadn't gotten the 1/10 of a point for Weckonista.

And it's on left hand day.

And I'm using a soap base that I don't prefer and have little experience with.

Awesome.

Let's throw in a brand new Personna blade to make it fun.

My scent theme is "Roses". Don't let this list of 14 scent notes confuse you. It's definitely rose-forward. I like roses in my garden. But, not my favorite on me. I know when I walk downstairs, I'm going to get a "what in the fuck are you wearing today?"

Top Notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Clary Sage, Rose, Aldehydes and Pink Pepper
Middle notes: Angelica, Rosewood, Galbanum
Base notes: Agarwood or Oud, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Patchouli and Amber

The Shave: I don't want to talk about it. 3 cuts. Left-handed, no depth perception, unforgiving razor, shit blade.

But, at least I have use of my right arm if I would have allowed myself to use it.

When I was in eighth grade, I had a teacher, we'll call him Mr. Thomsen (so I don't doxx myself or him) whose right arm was completely "dead" from effects of Polio he suffered as a small child.

The other students were merciless to Mr. Thomsen. Not only was he an easy target because of his arm, but I believe he was gay and partnered in a time and place where that was something to be subject of great ridicule and speculation. Many of the less-kind kids (eighth graders are particularly ruthless in the best of cases) would play a game where they would try to get things to stick in his dead arm, and then see how long it would be until he noticed. You'd often see band-aids on his right arm from where pencils, forks, or geometry compasses had been lodged into his skin. He also had a personality that just seemed at odds with teaching 13 and 14-year olds; he was kind, quiet, unassuming, shy, and frankly just liked to read and talk about books.

There are a lot of things I regret about things I've done, but I'm glad I can say I always returned the same kindness to him that he showed to me. I too was a voracious reader at the time, and didn't fit into the cow town in which I was raised, albeit for different reasons.

Things were doubly difficult for him physically, because before Polio removed the use of his right arm, he was right-handed. So he spent virtually his entire life having to navigate with only his non-dominant hand.

So while this shave was extraordinarily unpleasant, at least I don't have to do it every day.

I know that Mr. Thomsen passed on several years ago, but I fondly remember his class as being one of the few bright spots of my middle school years.

June 27, 2024

• Brush: Semogue 610
• Razor: Wolfman Guerilla (Gen 1)
• Blade: Bolzano Superinox (German) (15)
• Lather: Barrister & Mann - Lyssa - Soap
• Post Shave: Barrister & Mann - Lyssa - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Jōvan Musk - EdT

This brush misses the #SMOLL scavenger hunt by 1mm. Oh well. It's a small brush, but never has any trouble providing enough lather for 3+ passes.

Lyssa is an interesting floral scent. It's floral without being flowery. I found this teaser video while researching scent notes (caution, it's a facebook link).

According to this website, the scent notes are: rose, geranium, ashes, nutmeg, saffron, sage, oud, labdanum, oakmoss, patchouli, tobacco, smooth musk and Violets. The Wetshaving Database lists them slightly differently, as Saffron, Tobacco, Oud, Violet, Sage, Patchouli, Nutmeg, Ash, Oakmoss, Labdanum, Rose, Geranium.

Eiher way, that's more than 10.

Relevant post shave and fragrance - Each item used today is used to either repel or attract. Lyssa is a zombie repellent, and musk is used by a lot of animals to attract mates. For me, however, it seems to repel my spouse.

June 26, 2024 - *Information Overload*

• Brush: Stirling - Synthetic 24mm
• Razor: Schick - Krona 1960s TTO DE
• Blade: Personna - Platinum
• Lather: Zingari Man - The Navigator
• Post Shave: Zingari Man - The Navigator Splash
• Fragrance: Zingari Man - The Navigator Edt

THEME I must say this LG has been very instructional and educational for me. I have never learned so much about scent notes in my life. I also learned I know nothing about them after taking u/onionmiasma scent test. So in reading the some other soap comes to find out navigator has about 12 scents. This is what they stated on Heather’s (Zingari Man) website! Top notes: Bergamot, dewfruit, ozone, water, lemon Heart: Dry grass, Ozone, lilly of the valley, jasmine Base: Ambergris, musks, soft woods, green florals So overall lots scents and what better way to complement all these scents than used the same product for splash and edt so there you go folks!! Way too much information.

CHALLENGE: FULL DISCLOSURE!! Today’s shave took me 44 min!!! 🤦‍♂️.

I don’t use my left hand for anything. It’s there just to make me look symmetrical. I’m useless with it unless I am lifting something heavy, well not too heavy. So in order to fulfill today’s challenge I attempted to shave using my left hand. My first thought was to try something crazy!! Toe shaving anyone? Then realize I can barely touch my feet with my legs bent so scratched that idea. Back to my left hand. I used my left hand to lather and took like 15 min!! I got through but took me three passes to finally get it done. Finally I was done but goodness that took forever!!!

June 27, 2024 - Information Overload

• Brush: Rubberset 400 w/ Maggard Synthetic
• Razor: Yates Precision Manufacturing - 921-M
• Blade: Gillette - Silver Blue
• Lather: Murphy & McNeil - Pisgah
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Barrbarr Splash

Today's Theme: Pisgah by Murphy and McNeil actually has a pretty extensive list of scent notes. It is a pretty complex scent, but it is very nice and I always enjoy using it. Total scent notes = 18

• Top Notes: Bergamot, Bigarade, Cardamom, Incense
• Middle Notes: Lavender, Ylang-Ylang, Orris, Peony, Plum Blossom, Tobacco
• Base Notes: Vetiver, Cedarwood, Amber, Patchouli, Vanilla, Gaiac Wood, Leather, Iso E Super

Today's Challenge: I was actually pretty nervous about today's challenge, but as rookie lather gamer, I would be remiss to not shave lefty today, or at least make a decent attempt. I actually went the extra mile and bowl lathered and applied the lather left-handed as well, which harder than it sounds. I actually got a great shave because I was shaving slowly and carefully, not on auto-pilot mode. Have an efficient razor with sharp blades helps a lot too.

ROTY

LG 27 - Information Overload

• Brush: Grizzly Bay - Oumo Sparrow ST1 #PREMIUMPLASTIC
• Razor: Rigarazor 8/8
• Lather: Gentleman's Nod - Johnny
• Post Shave: Murphy and McNeil - Kell Aftershave Splash
• Fragrance: Gentleman's Nod - Jhonny

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Notes overload:

T: Green Apple, Bergamot, Lemon, Timur Pepper, Lime

M: Jasmine, Rosewood, Cedarwood, Tonka Bean

D: Amber, Vanilla, Patchouli, Vetiver, Musk

.#Challenge I use both hands to shave but today I kept my right hand in my pocket while I shaved with my left.

.#FOF Full AventuzzZZ

The real man. Respect.

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6/27/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Prometheus Handcrafts SHD

• Lather: Grooming Dept - Omnia

• Razor: Blackland Brassbird (Lite plate) w/ Astra SP

• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Alibizia AS

Ok I’m counting 15 scent notes here per GD’s description: Citrus Accord, apricot, jonquil, oakmoss, clary sage, orange blossom, lavender, orris, vetiver, galbanum, costus, thyme, tarragon, peru balsam, styrax.

Can I smell all of those? Heck no… but I like it and I’ve always thought it goes really well with Alibizia from DG.

My non-dominant hand is my right hand; I didn't do the whole shave with it, but I did do that half of my face.

June 27, 2024

• Brush: WSP Stubby 26mm Extra Dense HMW #SMOLL

• Razor: Puma 89 #2 11/16 Full Hollow

• Lather: PannaCrema - Nuàvia Nero - Soap

• Post Shave: PannaCrema - Nuàvia Nera - Balm
• Post Shave: Thayers - Lavender - Toner
• Fragrance: Zaharoff - Evening Mystique - Eau de Parfum
• Talc: Yardley Classic
   

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The PannaCrema fragrances that I have tried have been amazingly fresh and clean, but complex. Here's what I mean. These are the fragrance notes of Nuàvia Nero:

The fragrance opens with top notes of mandarin orange, bergamot, black pepper, lavender, and cardamom.

Body notes are cinnamon, mugwort, sandalwood, jasmine, and patchouli.

Base notes are amber, tonka bean, vanilla, and white moss.

The fragrance blend is subtle and very refreshing. I have trouble picking out individual notes, but I like the overall scent very much.

More cat tricks with this razor today. This was another test shave, so no leftorium beyond the usual. (I normally use both hands to shave and have for many years.)

These microscope image videos are long, as GG mentions, but not something I've seen before from other players.

June 27, 2024

• Brush: Yaqi - Barbershop - 24mm Boar #SMOLL
• Razor: Gem – Flying Wing Bullet Tip
• Blade: GEM PTFE
• Lather: Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag Splash
• Fragrance: Coty – Raw Vanilla EdC

Today is my simple tribute to a man who got me off the sidelines and got me to truly participate in Lather Games shenanigans. The year is 2022, and I am just dipping my toes into the r/wetshaving water. I see the Lather Games announcement and decide to take part. I quickly noticed there were several users posting using Midnight Stag every single day, trying their best to convince the judges they were on theme. They belonged to The Noble Order of Stag, and there was one user in particular who was crafting arguments with a particularly hilarious fervor. This user then started a side contest to have people argue on his behalf, every single day, as to why Midnight Stag fit the daily theme. Many days, I looked forward to posting my defense of him more than posting my own SOTD. It was fun and I had a blast. And I ended up winning that side-contest. That user and his side-contest is got me away from just posting individually, and got me interacting with different community members, stirring the pot a little, and having more fun with my posts. Without this user, my time at r/wetshaving likely would have been drastically different, thus altering the current history of The Lather Games forever. So, wherever you are, thank you, u/CosmoBarber, I’m about to be a two-time Lather Games Champion because of your ridiculous daily usage of Midnight Stag. And today, Midnight Stag is indeed on theme.

So, shavers and shavettes, gather 'round and let me regale you with the tale of a man who was not just a legend, but a force of nature, a fragrance icon, and an olfactory maestro—the one and only Cosmo. If you ever had the privilege of interacting with him, you know he was a man of epic proportions, a titan of scent whose very presence could make the flowers bloom and the air sing. And in his heart, he had one scent to rule them all: Midnight Stag.

Cosmo was not merely obsessed with Midnight Stag; he was the embodiment of it. From the moment he woke up to the moment called it a night, Midnight Stag was his constant companion. His house didn’t matter. His car didn’t matter. Even his dog took a back seat to the Stag. If you were within a mile of Cosmo, you knew it. The air surrounding him was always thick with the rich, heady aroma that could only be described as a symphony of leather, gasoline, smoke, and a hint of rugged, untamed wilderness. Midnight Stag is as if someone bottled the essence of raw masculinity and adventure, and Cosmo wore it like a second skin. But Cosmo was not just a man with an extraordinary nose; he was a connoisseur, a scent sommelier of the highest order. He could dissect all 11 of the notes of Midnight Stag with the precision of a maestro conducting an orchestra. "Ah, the top notes of Russian Leather," he'd say, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. "Followed by a heart of Motor Oil and Hoppes #9, with just a whisper of Birch Tar and Oakmoss. And the base notes? A sublime blend of Gasoline, Smoke, Cedar, Cade, Bergamot, and Vanilla." It was poetry in motion, a performance that left all of r/wetshaving in awe.

Cosmo’s devotion to Midnight Stag was more than just a personal passion; it was a crusade. He converted the uninitiated with evangelical zeal, spreading the gospel of The Ancient and Noble Order of Midnight Stag far and wide. His friends, his family, even passing acquaintances were not safe from his fragrant fervor. "You haven't truly lived," he'd declare, "until you've experienced the raw, untamed power of Midnight Stag." And somehow, he always convinced them. Is it a coincidence the Noble Order of the Midnight Stag has not been able to recruit a new member since Cosmo stopped posting about it? You tell me…

Cosmo, you were not just a shaver; you were a phenomenon. A force of nature whose love for Midnight Stag was only rivaled by the love that GaryTha gave to Williams Mug Soap. Your legacy is not just in the unforgettable scent of Russian Leather, Motor Oil, Hoppes #9, Birch Tar, Oakmoss, Gasoline, Smoke, Cedar, Cade, Bergamot, Vanilla that lingers in our memories, but in the the lathers you taught us to properly hydrate using Precision Loading for a Perfect Lather. You were the Midnight Stag in a world of faint whispers, a true original. Some people around these parts may remember your 2020 run of winning the Lather Games, but I’ll always remember 2022 for your pursuit of Stag.

Fin.

BTW – I went down a Lather Games 2022 rabbit hole preparing this. Did my rookie year have The Greatest Lather Games Rookie Class of all time? Me, J33p, Putney, Tangerinesky, Hugbckt, Str8_Razor, Marquis, loudmusicboy, Zimora, Environmental-Gap380, schontzm, PhilosphicalZombie, bloodcrab, and some guy named OnionMiasma. Goddamn, if there ever was a Lather Games Team event, where different years competed against each other, I would take our team 100 out of 100 times.

The Shave Soap and Splash, have some very obvious bold and rugged notes, and create a ridiculously powerful and unique scent base that is unlike anything else. But the splash shows a nice vanilla quality to it, and when layering Coty’s Raw Vanilla on top of the splash, the rich and creamy vanilla adds a layer of warmth and sweetness that beautifully complements the raw intensity of Midnight Stag. The combination results in a perfectly balanced fragrance profile that is both rugged and refined, making it a really nice scent experience those who appreciate something a little more… unique. #FOF

Challenge: Yep. I’m right handed and I used my left hand today. Nope. It wasn’t an issue. There was a time when this would have been the most questionable thing I’ve done in the Lather Games. That time has long past by.

Soap Theme Justification: Midnight stag has 11 scent notes: Russian Leather, Motor Oil, Hoppes #9, Birch Tar, Oakmoss, Gasoline, Smoke, Cedar, Cade, Bergamot, Vanilla

Relevant Post Shave & Fragrance: The sweetness of the vanilla note in the Stag splash really comes through, then finishing with a Vanilla Fragrance ties the whole thing together.

• June 27
• Brush: Chisel and Hound – 26mm AP Shave Co Synbad
• Razor: Aylsworth Razors - Drakkant
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving – Seaforth! Spiced
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving – Seaforth! Spiced
• Fragrance: Antonio Banderas – Spirit

Spiced is loaded with spices - 10 to be exact! For the sake of the theme, here they are: Mandarin, Aldehydes, Carnation, Anise, Cinnamon, Clove, Cardamom, Benzoin, Tonka, and Vanilla.

I really enjoyed this set. Even when I first opened the tub, I could immediately smell this scent had a lot of stuff going on. It is jam packed with, well, spices. It’s a wonder how Spearhead came up with the name of this one. The scent is vibrant, lively and (to me) has an old, vintage feel to it. This aftershave is the perfect sidekick to the soap, packing a gentle punch (love tap?) with its invigorating blend of spices. A splash of this stuff and my face felt like it was shopping in a spice market. There are so many spices to smell! There’s no alcohol in this splash, so it felt pretty gentle on my face. After splashing it on, it gave me a warm, spicy embrace, as if a cinnamon stick and a clove had a passionate tango on my cheek. It’s refreshing, bold, and left my skin feeling as smooth. To finish, Spirit is a blend of amber, incense, and sweet spices, perfectly complementing the earlier layers of spiced soap and splash. With a few sprays, I felt like I was living in the spice market, instead of just walking through it!

Challenge: I did it. This one was a little tough for me, but I took it slow and had a beautifully slick lather to work with, so I managed to complete it without cutting myself.

June. 27, 2024 - SOTD 

• Prep: Splash of warm water
• Brush: Oumo O4 Venus SHD Badger Brush 26MM
• Razor: King C Gillette
• Blade: Gillette Nacet
• Lather: Zingari Man - The Rambler
• Post Shave: Nivea Men - Sensitive Soothing Aftershave Balm

Scent notes: strawberry, raspberry, peppercorn, currant, anise, tobacco, hay, plum, rose, amyris, vanilla, coumarin, tonka

June 27, 2024 – Lather Games 2024 Day 27: Information Overload

• Brush: West Coast Shaving Clear Smoke Burlwood 26 mm
• Razor: Weck Hair Shaper
• Blade: Diane – Platinum Japan (2)
• Lather: Chicago Grooming – AG 1889
• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming – AG 1889
• Fragrance: Guerlain – Jicky

Use of Theme: Information Overload

Our soap of choice today, Chicago Grooming’s sub exclusive AG 1889 is inspired by Guerlain Jicky and was the brainchild of u/Ythin and u/wallygator88. Meeting Information Overload criteria of at least 10 notes, AG 1889 lists 22 and are Lemon, Mandarin, Bergamot, Lavender, Rosemary, Basil, Bay, Orris, Jasmine, Patchouli, Rose, Vetiver, Cinnamon, Leather, Amber, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Civet, Tonka Bean, Incense, Benzoin, and Rosewood. I would list a ghost note of Ammonia, as it is the first thing I notice off the tub, however, it dissipates quickly upon lathering and is not present in the aftershave. Speaking of aftershave, I really felt the burn today no thanks to my little shaving helper’s handiwork behind the razor. Hopefully, the vast amount of skin-nourishing ingredients it contains will help after my near-death bleed-out in my bathroom. To fragrantly finish this morning’s blood-letting session I chose the real deal—Guerlain Jicky in a tiny sample vial. As there is more than one version, the current listing from Fragrantica shows 16 distinct notes of Rosemary, Bergamot, Lemon, Mandarin Orange, Lavender, Tonka Bean, Orris Root, Basil, Jasmine, Vanilla, Leather, Spices, Benzoin, Sandalwood, Amber, and Brazilian Rosewood.

Daily Challenge: Leftorium Challenge

Our little shaving buddy Sapo makes an appearance today to seek out another new adventure in our shaving journey. For the record, Sapo is right-hand dominant, so he uses his non-dominant, left hand to shave. He has a temper, though he managed to keep it in check and even showed a new side of himself this morning. Even my mettle was tested in what would have normally been a panic situation for the average shaver. Some scenes may be disturbing, viewer discretion is advised.

Sapo is back for a left-handed shave and takes it up a notch with the blindfold. Goes all Sweeney Todd on OP.

Sapo is back for a left-handed shave and takes it up a notch with the blindfold. Goes all Sweeney Todd on OP.

June 27, 2024 – LG 27: Information Overload

• Brush: Rx Shaving 26mm Maggard Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Tech
• Blade: Voskhod (9)
• Lather: Jabones de Joserra – Cefiro
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. – Scarn
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. – EMP

Jabones is pricey and overrated but I got a couple samples in a PIF. Cefiro is his Aventus dupe coming in with exactly 10 notes listed. I find it to be somewhat muted, with bits of citrus being the leaders but nothing really jumping out. Scarn is a dupe of Sauvage, a bit spicy and citrusy. I felt as cool as all those sweet Johnny Depp ads. EMP is like Executive Man (aka Stirlings take on Aventus) but with boosted pineapple and smoke. I believe it’s slightly sweeter than EM too, likely from said pineapple. #FOF So, today’s linking is they are all dupes, but also fuck boi frags.

For #PHOTOCONTEST we went with birds. I got my Hogwarts letter today, 25 years late, and lo and behold my shave gear was ready to pick up in Diagon Alley with my owl.

As for the challenge, going lefty is always easier than anticipated. Like yeah, it takes a sec longer, but in the grand scheme of things it ain’t that bad.

As for our sponsor, can’t say much as I’ve only tried 3-4 smooshes, but they seem like they could carve out some space in the unique/wacky/gourmand scents. Perhaps that’s all I’ve happened to try though.

Jun. 27, 2024

• Razor: Blackland Blackbird

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [23]

• Lather: Zingari Man - The Merchant - Soap

• Post Shave: Zingari Man - The Merchant - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Zingari Man - The Merchant - Balm

• Fragrance: Burberry - Brit

Information Overlaod

I had a few choices I could have used today but went with Zingari Man The Merchant for 3 reasons, I needed the Sponsor points, there is 14 scent notes listed on ZM’s website, and finally because the notes are right up my alley. Unfortunately, I could not get it to lather. Add water, still pasty, more water still pasty, more water still pasty, more water annnnnnnd broken. Ok let’s try again, this time I stopped before it broke, but it was still not right for me. The splash and the balm are awesome, don’t get me wrong the soap smells amazing and I’m gonna try it again, different brush maybe a bowl lather we shall see. I also recorded part of the shave using my left hand and you will see that this soap actually turned my towel brown.

I went with Burberry Brit today because it has 13 sent notes and I honestly just like to wear it. The base notes are all to my liking but it’s the middles, the Rose and Cedar that are my favorites in this one

Went to my last Dr’s Appointment today. This one was the Pacemaker doc, I swear I was the youngest person by 15-20 years in the waiting room. I got a clean bill, told me to come back in a year. So all I have left is my heart specialist in December hoping he says come back in a year, and in January I have a device check that they do once a year at the Pacemaker Clinic, the other times are all remotely.

Today’s daily Challenge. I recorded the second pass of my shave using my left hand ATG. I used the left for WTG but that’s the easy one.

Photo Contest. Theme Prius

These last 4 days also have the last 4 themes that I have been trying to figure out since the themes were posted. I am not happy with this one at all but it’s honestly the best I could come up with.

#ROTY #FOF #photocontest

Information Overload

• Brush: Yaqi Ferrari
• Razor: Qhave adjustable
• Blade: BIC
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre

How many scent notes are there? Le Grand Chypre ("Leh Grond SHEEP-ruh") combines notes of bergamot 1, lime 2, labdanum 3, oakmoss 4, and a touch of patchouli 5 to produce an elegant, citrusy heart. We wrapped it in notes of peach 6, rose 7, frankincense 8, cedar 9, cinnamon 10, and other 11.

photocontest

Soccer

Football

Actually

Today’s Challenge:

Leftorium Challenge
Shaving with the left hand is totally fine, need some time to master it, but it’s fun.

Jun. 27, 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 [2]
Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. - AG 1889 (r/wetshaving exclusive) - Soap
Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. - AG 1889 Aftershave Skin food (r/wetshaving exclusive) - Aftershave
Post Shave: Zingari Man - Unscented (Sego) - Balm

Scent Notes:

Top - Lemon, Mandarin, Bergamot

Mid - Lavender, Rosemary, Basil, Bay, Orris, Jasmine, Patchouli, Rose, Vetiver, Cinnamon

Base - Leather, Amber, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Civet, Tonka Bean, Incense, Benzoin and Rosewood

Challenge: I’m a righty and shaved left-handed. Won’t be doin’ the that again anytime soon.

Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

Information Overload

• Brush: Zenith 506B MB (27 mm × 51 mm Manchurian badger)
• Razor: Schick Repeating Razor Type C
• Blade: Schick Injector Blade
• Lather: Highland Springs Soap Co. – Eclipse
• Post Shave: Highland Springs Soap Co. – Eclipse
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux – Gratiot League Square

My fellow djudge u/RedMosquitoMM's and my mind have synchronised. My shave happened 12 hours ago, or 7 hours before skeeter's, I just haven't had the chance to post yet.

Eclipse is warm and rich and comforting, and more importantly for today's theme, it has 21 scent notes.

Relevant post and frag: Gratiot League Square is Eclipse's lost sibling sharing the tobacco-leather-sandalwood core.

Challenge: I got distracted. Started with my left, forgot about it by pass number two. Sigh.

overload progression

• Lather: barrister and mann - sandalwood

This shave series was inspired by u/djundjila

1 : sandalwood

overoverload progression

• lather: no scrub X red house farm - no scrub soap 

Who as we all know claims that multiple passes over the course of a day with different software constitutes multiple shaves 

2 : sandalwood and lavender

overoveroverload progression

• lather: signature soaps - a Britannia

Which while disputable opened the door to some proper information overload 

3. : aniseed spearmint and peppermint

overoveroverloadload progression

• lather : Wickham soap co. - gothic revival 

Because information overload only really happens when you've been overwhelmed not a one off but a totality of experience.

4: Sandalwood, Pepper, Honey and Blackcurrant

overoveroverloadloadload progression

• Lather: house of mammoth x barrister and mann: smash

And then u/djundjila announced yesterday that multiple shaves ARE picked up in the portal. And so that gave me an idea.

5: peach, cane sugar, tobacco, bourbon, hedione

overoveroverloadloadload proprogression

• Lather: spearhead - sea spice lime

I didn't say it was a good one.

6: Ink, Lime, Bergamot, Oakmoss, Sea Spray, Coriander

overoveroverloadloadload proproprogression

• Lather: chiseled face - Santa Paula

One half pass per soap for a soap with a scent note of one through to ten. With time stamp to prove it

7: Petitgrain, Siberian Fir, Bitter Orange, Clary Sage, Litsea Cubeba, Siam Wood, and Cedar.

10 different shaves by NDG

overoveroverloadloadload proproprogressiongression

• Lather : Wickham Soap co. - ninfeo do Egeria

But then the challenge of finding a progression within my moderate den meant a pivot. The mini scrub den plan was out of the window because this set of posts amused me. its one thing many rigid games players can't do.

8: Lemon, Galbanum, Petitgrain, Bitter Orange, Fig, Lentisque, Woods, Ambe

overoveroverloadloadload proproprogressiongressiongression

• Lather: grooming dept. Mallard coretto

And that's pivot at the drop of a hat. Or in my case stupid idea.

9: Coffee, Brandy, Plum, Berries, Honey, Cacao, Dust, Vanilla, Patchouli.

overoveroverloadloadload proproprogressiongressiongression overoveroverloadloadload proproprogressiongressiongression

• Lather: Chicago grooming co - ag1889

Lots of scent notes on this and I used my left hand.

Note: I know one of the numbers isn't right but close enough.

Note 2: yes my face hurts

Note 3. Here's the album

10+ : too many

June 27, 2024: Is it really even a Lather Games without the G.O.A.T.?

• Prep: warm splash of water
• Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia Tuxedo 24 mm
• Razor: AtT S1
• Blade: Gillette Blue
• Lather: Chiseled Face Groomatorium - Midnight Stag
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face Groomatorium - Midnight Stag
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face Groomatorium - Midnight Stag

Glory be to thine day for The Stag hath blessed thee! Hark friends and hear the divine call that beckons you to feel the power of The Stag (and the high ground, Anakin).

** 27.06.2024 **

• Brush: AP Shave Co 28MM G5A SHD
• Razor: Razorock Lupo .95OC
• Blade: Tatara
• Lather: Gentleman's Nod - Kensei
• Post Shave: Gentleman's Nod - Kensei
• Post Shave: Mühle alum stone

On day 15 I use Gentleman's Nod "Musashi". Today I'll use another soap "Kensei". Literal translation is sword saint and this title is been given to people with amazing skills with sword. Miyamoto Misashi has this title. This soap is totally worthy to be part of every Kensei shave.

Top: Blood Orange, Yuzu, Yellow Mandarin, Nashi Pear

Mid: Lapsang Souchong Tea, Neroli, Violet, Black Pepper

Dry: Saffron, Cedarwood, Fir Balsam, Amberwood, Vetiver, Cypriol

And I choose Tatara blade to fit in this jidaigeki saga and because today challenge is to use non-dominant hand don't want to use five body katana. And of course samurai is printed on blade and is so cool!

P.S. George Lucas was inspired from Akira Kurosawa for his Star Wars. Yes Star war fans your journey begins from my favorites jidaigeki movies.

Jun. 27, 2024
Prep: Cremo - Coconut Mango Shave Cream - Preshave
Brush: Simpsons Emperor 1 #RUNT #SMOLL Super Badger
Razor: Edwin Jagger DE86RC14bl Black Rubber Coated
Blade: Personna Platinum [4]
Lather: Ariana & Evans - Spartacus - Soap
Post Shave: Ariana & Evans - Peach & Cognac - Aftershave
Post Shave:* Tower 28 - SOS Rescue Spray

Tried using my non-dominant left hand. It wasn’t great. Erred on the side of caution; got a lousy shave instead of (more) cut up.

12: ambergris, apple, bergamot, birch, black currant, jasmine, musk, oakmoss, patchouli, pineapple, pinkberry, vanilla

Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

DAY 27 LATHER GAMES! OVERLOAD DEEZ!

• Prep: Water
• Brush: OUMO BRUSH-Carry's collection 30mm G5A SHD
• Razor: Filarmonica 14 Medallon Taurino 7/8
• Blade: Filarmonica 14 Medallon Taurino 7/8
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Fougere Gothique
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Fougere Gothique splash
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Fougere Gothique EdP

So that it's easy for the judges, here are the scent notes of FG so that they don't have to search for it:

• Open - Black Ashes, Bergamot, Lavender, Cedar
• Heart - Sandalwood, Geranium, Leather, Tuberose, Burning Wood
• Base - Mushroom, Oakmoss, Tonka, Vetiver, Smooth Musk, Balsam Fir Absolute

Leftie day, or non-dominant hand day. Believe me I did try to find someone who would shave me with their non dominant hand, but my friends were like "Nah fam, your crazy is your crazy to deal with, I ain't shaving you with neither my dominant nor my non dominant hand". I did consider going to the morgue and asking if they had any spare hands that I could use, but figured that it probably wouldn't end well.

To get me in the spirit of shaving with my left hand, I tried doing most things(that I usually do with my right) with my left. Some were awkward, some came quite naturally. I didn't expect that opening doors with my left hand could be so strange and foreign to me. Washing my teeth also wasn't that fun.

A decision was made that I will just repeat what I did my first LG, which to be fair was very brave. I say brave cause I had never used my left hand to shave with a straight. Well surely there's more to it? Well of course, I shaved for the first time using a straight with my left hand, while I was blindfolded.

While I could have repeated the mechanics of it, this year, I felt lazy, so I just closed the door to the bathroom and turned off the light, so I don't have to deal with any blindfolds making me feel uncomfortable.

To be honest it was ok, thankfully no cuts, the thing that stressed me out the most was that I don't damage the blade in the dark bathroom by hitting the faucet or sink with the edge of the razor. But it took me so long, one of the longest shaves I've had in the past year or more probably, around 40-50 minutes.

Everything was done with left hand, washing the face, lathering, rinsing the face etc. My right was almost constantly on the faucet just so that I could keep spatial awareness and not ding the damn razor.

I keep repeating not hitting the razor, cause this is my favourite straight, it shaves like a hot knife through butter. Just sublime, it will be my AA razor for this year, 100%. I chose this razor on purpose, because FG is kind of my favourite scent, they're in a big fight with Midnight Stag. And the brush was my first 5th gen brush that arrived in the midst of the first lather games and at that time quickly because my favourite brush.

If we discard the stress, the shave was pleasant, DFS at best, but more could be desired, I really wasn't feeling 100% confident.

Here are some left hand facts to make you ask "Why?":

• Nearly half of cats are left-handed.
• Lefties have their own day! August 13th.
• Of the last 15 U.S. presidents, seven have been left-handed, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
• Using chopsticks with both hands simultaneously invariably goes oddly and disappointingly unnoticed.
• Being left-handed increases the likelihood that you’ll get migraines.
• Oh and this

Daily Lather Themes: 27/30

• Daily Challenges: 25/30
• Hardware Scavenger Hunt: 20/20
• Hardware Vendor Points: 2/2
• Software Vendor Points: 15/16
• Software Vendor Bonus Point: 0/1
• 30 Different Soap Brands Point: 27/30
• 30 Different Soaps On Theme Bonus Point: 27/30
• 30 Different Post-Shaves Bonus Point: 27/30

6/27/24

• Brush: Muninn Woodworks w/ C&H V19 Fanchurian
• Razor: Wüsthof 220 "Barber's King" 7/8, Extra Hollow Square Point
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps - Prom King
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps - Prom King Aftershave Splash

Prom King scent notes:

• Lavender
• Bergamot
• Mint
• Cinnamon
• Cumin
• Orange blossom
• Vanilla
• Tonka bean
• Sandalwood
• Cedar

10 on the dot with this. I was glad to be able to fit this one into the month. I really like Prom King, though I have yet to sniff Le Male. I think I'd like that too. SBS is really good, too. It's really easy to get a good, slick lather out of it. Which I needed today.

Not only because my face is still feeling the effects of my poor decision to not further hone that Bowie, but (SIDE CHALLENGE WARNING) because it was left hand day. I am one a straight user who does not use his left hand. I'm able to comfortably use one hand for my entire shave. There's no need for me to use my left hand.

It was slow goings. And I mean SLOW. I did not want to mess myself up today. The quality of the shave lacked. The coordination just isn't there. I don't believe that it will ever be either, because I just don't care to learn. I like my shave to be comfortable, not challenging.

Overall, it was fine, I guess.

June 27, 2024 - Info Overload

• Brush: AP Shaveco Purple Ivory 26mm G5A SHD
• Razor: Game Changer .68P
• Blade: Gillette Nacet
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Marilyn
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Marilyn Splash
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Marilyn EdT #FOF

Today’s Theme:

Marilyn is quite a complex fragrance with 14 listed scents. I did a trickhole of it so the whole shave is up to ~~11~~ 14! That’s 4 more than 10 for those that don’t math.

Leftorium:

I told my wife and daughter the challenge today. My daughter jumped up and said I want to do it. I told her since she’s a southpaw, she had to use righty. Then she asked if she could just put the lather on my face. I said all or nothing. She asked, “Is this the right razor?” No, I’m not that crazy. She made the lather using her right hand. She wanted to switch to her left hand as it was awkward, but she persevered. “I’ll just put the lather on your whole face.” This is what happens when you let a 10 year old be in charge of your grooming. She was very nervous about shaving. I told her to just make sure she doesn’t move the razor sideways. I had to correct her angle a few times. Starting to get into it a bit. First pass almost done. A bit more confident now, she shaved the neck too. A few more strokes and she was finished with the shave. Just the post shave and fragrance left. This was her favorite part. I’ll say she did a pretty good job. She did not like using her wrong hand, and asked if we could just say she did. I told her no, we don’t do that, just try to be patient and do your best. If I would have don’t the shave left handed, it would be less of a challenge for me. I started practicing shaving left handed well before the Weckonista challenge. I’m reasonably comfortable left handed now.

Feats of Fragrance:

Marilyn is a fantastic scent. I like to imagine it is what Marilyn Monroe’s bedroom would smell like, but when she was married. So the Chanel No. 5 mixes with a more masculine cologne. This is one blend where I don’t get a lot of individual note, but I do smell the leather and tobacco. As those fade it will leave a creamy woody scent left with the cedar, fir, sandalwood, and amber. When I saw the theme for today last month, I immediately knew that Marilyn was going to be my choice. With the overload of scent notes, it is a beautiful orchestration of a scent.

Jun. 27, 2024
Brush: Stirling Soap Company Finest Badger Shave Brush Badger
Razor: Gillette Ball End Tech
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue [1]
Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Bonaparte - Soap
Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Unscented - Aftershave
Osma: Osma - Osma
Scuttle:* Georgetown Pottery - G20

This is a really fun challenge in my view. It was intersting going through my den today and trying to figure out what might qualify.

I chose Bonaparte because it’s a pretty unique Stirling scent to me. Rod made pretty clear in his social media post about it that he was encouraging people to not buy it. I wasn’t able to find the 2023 post, but back in 2018 when it was rereleased Rod said, “you will likely hate it. Don’t buy it” and that he discontinued it because of all the refund requests they got. He also said it is one of his favorite scents.

The notes are:

Thyme, Rosemary, Bergamot, Lavender, Petitgrain, Lime, Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Ylang Ylang, and Tangerine.

I don’t get the hate on this one. It’s citrus forward, but overall a pleasant scent and a pleasant shave.

Unfortunately despite the enjoyable scent the shave was not very enjoyable. The Feather was tugging out of the gate so I switched over to a GSB. It improved things a lot, but still nothing compared to what I would get with an SE. I also blame the brush somewhat—I don’t use this brush often for a reason.

June 27, 2024 – 資訊泛濫 (Information overload)

Shave setup 1 (medium shot)

Shave setup 2 (close up)

• Brush: Aurora Grooming LG24 Synthetic ("Lux Emerald Green")
• Razor: “Screwy” (GEM Damaskeene)
• Blade: Personna GEM (5)
• Lather: Zingari Man (x Maher Olafactive) - The Gent (eucalyptus, grapefruit peels, lime, neroli; musk, woods, hay, jasmine, citrus, coumarin, herbs; musk [sic], woods [sic], amber, rose)
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag (Russian leather, motor oil, Hoppe’s #9, birch tar, oakmoss, gasoline, smoke, cedar, cade, bergamot, vanilla)
• Fragrance: Carthusia - Uomo (lemon, bergamot, freesia, green leaves; lily of the valley, jasmine, geranium, cedarwood, patchouli; sandal, oakmoss, amber, white musk)

Devil Take the Hindmost

Chastened by u/Enndeegee ‘s Carleton-air-ball gif in yesterday's SOTD, I decided to shave and post earlier in the evening. (Geez Enndeegee, do you also go to marathons and heckle stragglers?)

Voila un homme

I didn’t plan it this way, but the lather, aftershave, and fragrance all allude to themes of masculinity. Even the names suggest masculinity. “The Gent.” “Uomo.” “Midnight Stag.” (If there was any question about the latter, the smell more than made up for it.)

To me, the smell of Zingari Man The Gent closely approximates Geo. F. Trumper Eucris. It’s rich. It’s intense. It’s a lot. It smells fancy, if decidedly old-school.

Midnight Stag is a completely different beast. Had heard a lot about it around these parts and it lived up to its reputation. This contains Village People levels of masculinity. For the first time, though, I noticed that in terms of scent, oakmoss and gasoline have strange affinities. Like an raw, earthy, suffocating quality that’s still somehow fragrant.

Carthusia Uomo is the freshest, most summer-ready fragrance out of the group, though it too is complex, with richer notes including sandalwood and oakmoss.

And now, the Prime Minister…sinister

For the Daily Challenge I tried my best to shave with my non-dominant (i.e. left) hand—which started off okay. Screwy (my razor) did great. But I caught a few nicks in problem areas and eventually resorted to using the dominant hand. Still, I might try using the NDH again in future shaves.

Brush Strokes features a cartoon about masculinity by the ingenious Honoré Daumier (1808–1879).

#ROTY

Lather Games 2024-06-27 Information Overload

• Brush: AP Shave Co. - Handcrafted Series "Summer" with 24mm Gelousy SHD fan knot (A1)
• Razor: Blackland - Blackbird, DE safety razor, Brass, 101 mm handle - "Brassbird"
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum, DE
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Uitwaaien
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Uitwaaien (Splash)

Daily Theme: Information Overload - must have at least 10 scent notes!

Uitwaaien's official scent notes -

Top: Cold iris, tinged green, with a barely there subdose of mint.

Heart: Transparent deconstructed florals ride the salty wind, underpinned by a haze of seaweed and driftwood.

Base: Rooty orris and vetiver mingle with cedar, sandalwood, and spiky modern superambers.

So we end up with 10 notes -

Iris

Mint

Florals

Salty air

Seaweed

Driftwood

Orris

Vetiver

Cedar

Superambers

_____________

10 notes!

Daily Challenge: Shave with non-dominant hand

Being right handed, I shaved using my left hand for my whole face today. Although, this one is not really an issue for me. While I'm right handed I usually do the left side of my face with my left hand anyway. So doing the whole face goes pretty well.

Take care and have a good one.

SOTD June 27

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Yaqi - Moka
• Razor: Merkur - Progress
• Blade: Gillette - Permasharp
• Lather: Chicago Grooming - AG 1889
• Post Shave: Old Spice

Left hand shave not too bad. I shave with both hands typically. Chose not to shave with a straight razor today though. No cuts so that's decent.

photocontest

Black n white

June 27, 2024 - this is my prius

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts w/ 25mm Muhle STF
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley (brass, SB-D)
• Blade: Wizamet
• Lather: Zingari Man - The Watchman
• Post Shave: Wholly Kaw - King of Oud
• Fragrance: Zoologist - Camel

Relevance for the software is through all the pieces being on theme today. The Watchman is 19 notes, King of Oud is 14, and Camel is 18. From a scent perspective, King of Oud and Camel play really nice together with the emphasis on oud, incense, and rose working together between them.

This challenge was a bit of an easy one today. I am right handed for everything that matters, but I almost always shave with both hands for the purpose of getting angles. To meet the challenge I just forced myself to shave left handed for the entire shave. As an added challenge I did a full three passes, which is something I almost never do for skin irritation reasons.

I love this soap. I really need to use it more often. The lather is great. It's really slick throughout the shave, but I do wish is had slightly more residual slickness. I hate this splash. I LOVE the scent on King of Oud, but I hate this splash. It's somehow the driest liquid I've ever put on my skin. I have to use so much to get my whole face rubbed in that it can't be cost effective to use this stuff. That said, the face feel like 10 minutes after using the splash is phenomenal. There's clearly something in here doing good work even though I hate the experience of using it.

Today's photo contest theme is A Prius. Specifically this is my prius. It lives in a photo on my iPad hosted on Toyota's website. Isn't it such a great Prius? I really enjoy owning my Prius. #photocontest

https://imgur.com/a/VCQYoyC

• Prep: PAA - Chocolate Cube
• Bowl: Naked Armor - Silver Fox Scuttle
• Brush: Timeless - WCS 26mm Abyss Synthetic
• Razor: Ever Ready - 1912 Sunray Gem - 1912 Damaskeene #TWINS
• Blade: Gem - Stainless
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Spiced
• Post Shave: Abbate Y La Mantia - Isacco
• Fragrance: Geoffrey Beene - Bowling Green

Today was more than information overload, it was a mixed up day. It was confusing for my head with so many scent notes. It was confusing for my hands trying to shave left handed, and it was confusing for my face that got hacked up from the Leftorium Challenge. To make matters worse, I decided since it was Information Overload, I wanted to use two razors for Twins. I used a 1912 Gem and a 1912 Ever Ready. I have never used either razor, and it was only my second time using a Gem type razor. The first time was earlier this month during the Lather Games. My soap has 10 scent notes and I decided to go with the theme of the day for my aftershave and Fragrance. They both have over 10 notes. The Isacco aftershave has 17 notes and Bowling Green has 28 notes! I have been wearing Bowling Green for years and never knew how complex it was.

Soap -Seaforth! Spiced: Scent notes include: Mandarin, Aldehydes, Carnation, Anise, Cinnamon, Clove, Cardamom, Benzoin, Tonka, and Vanilla

Aftershave-Abbate Y La Mantia Isacco: HEAD NOTES: Apple, Green, Grape, Coconut, Pineapple, Herbaceous, Strawberry, Banana, Peach. HEART NOTES: Rose, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn, Gardenia. BASE NOTES: Woody, Amber, Musk

Fragrance- Geoffrey Beene Bowling Green: Top notes are Lemon, Bergamot, Orange, Cloves, Juniper Berries, Fruity Notes, Basil and Vetiver; middle notes are Lemon Verbena, Lavender, Oakmoss, Pine Tree Needles, Nutmeg, Sage, Artemisia, Cardamom, Cinnamon and Jasmine; base notes are Oakmoss, Fir, Geranium, Rosemary, Coriander, Cedar, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Amber and Brazilian Rosewood.

Daily Challenge - Leftorium Challenge: I think I preferred Leg Day. See photo as to why https://imgur.com/a/XWp2cnu

Anything for The Games!

Different razor, blade, brush, soap brand, aftershave.

ROTY

June 27, 2024

• Brush: Muninn Woodworks purple burl AP Shave Co. 24mm MiG
• Razor: Karve CB SB-D
• Blade: Gillette Nacet
• Lather: Ariana & Evans – Peach & Cognac
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps – Daydream

Arianna and Evan’s gets used about 1-2 times a year. Today it fulfilled the 10+ notes with this: Bergamot Lemon, 2 wonderful, but uniquely different Peach notes, Orange Blossom, Cognac, Tobacco Absolute, Mimosa, Leather, Vanilla, Dried Fruits, Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Himalayan Cedar. A total of 12, or 13 if you count 2 peaches. It actually is a nice scent, described as a gourmand with a twist. I find it to be a almost sickly sweet scent up front but quickly evolves to something else. The (2) peach notes are strong, combined with the dried fruits it does give it an overly sweet start which reminds me of a mix of prunes and peaches. The tobacco and leather accentuates the dried fruitiness making it smell thick, maybe sticky, to me. The other scents are there for background and depth, I get a woodiness but not clearly one type. An ever so slight hint of orange blossom too, it’s more likely I’m sensitive to citrus blossoms because they occasionally perfume my house while my Charlie Brown lemon tree produces them. As for what it evokes or a memory, it’s of a dark warm night, walking through a club/bar, shoulder to shoulder next to everyone trying to get a drink. A palpable heavy sweating air condensing on my skin. The building slowly heating up. It’s the sweetness of this scent that reminds me of the perfumes from 15 years ago. Overly applied so everyone within a ten foot radius gets a hint. But at the same time, I liked it then as I kinda do now.

Left handed challenge (I’m right handed) is one that I just go slow with. Extra drippy lather to accommodate my weak hand taking so slow and drying it out.

Today I used baseball as my theme. It’s the back stop to my local playground field. Welcome to the Sandlot for #photocontest

fof

Jun. 27, 2024
Brush: AP Shave Co G5C
Razor: Merkur 37c
Blade: Astra SP Green [4]
Lather: Declaration Grooming - Chaotic Neutral - Soap
Post Shave: Thayers - Witch Hazel Original - Aftershave
Post Shave: Zingari Man - Unscented - Balm

There are exactly 10 scent notes listed on DG’s website for this soap. It smells great!

To pay homage to whoever this left shoulder shaver is, I decided to give my face a break and shave my RIGHT shoulder. You can do the math, that means I shaved lefty. Cheers!

June 27, 2024 – Information Overload

• Brush: Chisel and Hound – Desert Ranger 26mm
• Razor: Merkur – 34C
• Blade: Personna Lab Blue (4)
• Lather: Zingari Man – The Gent
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – The Gent splash
• Fragrance: Zingari Man – The Gent EDP
• The Lather: Since this is leftorium challenge day the lathering was far weaker than I would have liked. My left hand not very nimble and made a rather watery thin lather in the bowl. Taking the brush to my face helped significantly to improve the lather though.
• The Shave: Just like lathering, my left hand is not destined for giving a good shave. Its handywork was marginal at best and left me with more than a few weepers. After 3 passes though I managed to have a reasonably passable shave.
• Aftershave/Frag: I went the easy route with my aftershave and frag today and just used the rest of the matching trifecta of The Gent. Each was applied using, of course, my left hand.
• Challenge: Todays challenge was to shave with our non dominant hand. As I am right handed that meant using my left to shave. While I don’t have a video of my face showing the shave, I do have a shave video of sorts. Please note my right hand is clearly holding the bowl at all times in the video and acts as nothing more than that, making the shave truly one handed.
• Theme: Todays theme being information overload requires a soap with at least 10 scent notes. Zingari’s page lists 15 scent notes (Eucalyptus, grapefruit peels, lime, neroli, Musk, woods, hay, jasmine, citrus, coumarin, herbs, musk, woods, amber, rose) in the description, but admittedly musk and woods are listed twice and brings it down to 13 different notes.
• Information Overload: Since this is information overload and leftortium day combined I thought I would take a stab at enlightening everyone on left handedness and its intricacies. I performed my own deep dive into peer reviewed literature to find these 10 fascinating ~~scents~~ tidbits about left handedness.
• Left handedness is found in 5% to 25.9% of individuals with men being more common than women (1.23 – 1).
• The prevalence of left handedness varies by culture and region.
• Handedness probably begins to develop in utero as fetuses suck one thumb more often and it is partly hereditary.
• Left Handedness is significantly more common in persons born in the spring or early summer and is perhaps due to altered Vit D metabolism due to the lack of sunlight during the winter months.
• Birth stresses in utero causing cerebral hypoxia of the fetus are suggested to also cause left handedness.
• Left handedness is associated with cognitive processing being more bilateral which also may account for the left-handers to more likely have an IQ score above 131.
• Proficient musicians are more commonly left handed, partially due to left-handers being better at using both hands.
• Left handedness is unusually more common in high performance athletes. This is more so in one-on-one sports with some of advantage possibly coming from striking from the left side.
• Left-handers, unfortunately, are drastically underrepresented in the oldest age groups, and suggests a decreased longevity.
• Non right-handers are at greater risk accidents in machines they use, likely due to button placement.

For those interested in more information I used the following Journal Sources and they were a fascinating read.

• Handedness and birth stress
• Understanding Left-Handedness
• Left-handedness: A marker for decreased survival fitness
• Sex differences in left-handedness: A meta-analysis of 144 studies

10 minute video. Water runs down the drain the entire time. Also no words. And no view of the shave - just the bowl, rinsing, and the water running down the drain. For TEN MINUTES. This was unbearable even at 2x speed.

10 minute video. Water runs down the drain the entire time. Also no words. And no view of the shave - just the bowl, rinsing, and the water running down the drain. For TEN MINUTES. This was unbearable even at 2x speed.

June 27, 2024 – Lather Games: Day 27  

• Brush: Shavemac w/ AP Shave Co 26mm Pure Bliss™ SHD Premium Synthetic Knot  
• Razor: Tatara Muramasa  
• Blade: Gillette Nacet   
• Lather: Murphy and McNeil – Abbey  
• Post Shave: Murphy and McNeil – Abbey  

Abbey reminds me of just that, an abbey full of monks reading ancient tomes in a dim lit room with the scents of incense and candles wafting in the air. I find it pleasant and sickly at the same time. I find it a bit powdery and sweet for my tastes, but yet something draws me in.

The performance is quite nice and provided a very good shave from a software perspective.

Scent Profile:

Incense, amber, balsam, absinthe, vanilla, aldehydes, saffron, rose, osmanthus, lime, & ylang-ylang

Today’s Challenge: My shave took twice as long and I had a few nicks here and there due to the opposite hand shave. This was the not so great part of my shave

June 27, 2024 - Information Overload

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Craving Shaving Red Vintage Set Brush
• Razor: Gillette Super Speed - Red Tip
• Blade: Voskhod (12)
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving - Seaforth! Spiced
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving - Seaforth! Spiced
• Fragrance: Parfum Belcam - Red Classic Match

Seaforth! Spiced scent notes include Mandarin, Aldehydes, Carnation, Anise, Cinnamon, Clove, Cardamom, Benzoin, Tonka, and Vanilla. Spiced was the only Seaforth that met today's theme and is probably my favorite Seaforth scent. I paired it with the spicy Polo Red dupe for a play on spice and matching red.

Today's challenge is better than the first time I did it. At this point, the only hard part is the right side of my neck. I escaped the shave with no issues and couldn't have had a better morning because of it!

Side Contest: #PHOTOCONTEST - Steampunk

Cool photo.

June 27, 2024

• Brush: Omega 10065
• Razor: Schick Injector Type I1
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – A Midnight Dreary
• Post Shave: Catie’s Bubbles – A Midnight Dreary

Just getting this in on time. Busy day/night. Already mourning the coming end of the games but will also be relieved.

Here’s the write up from Chris on his website for a midnight dreary, “A Poe inspired soap with notes of Orchid, Lotus, Spices, Black Currant, Black Truffle, Jasmine, Dark Chocolate, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Amber and Vanilla.” On my count that’s twelve.

Challenge. Lather with and did my first pass with my left hand. Used the forgiving Schick with fine results.

Enjoy the shave between the blades!

June 27, 2024 - Information Overload

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Cashmere Fan
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird
• Blade: Wizamet (41)
• Lather: Zingari Man - The Blacksmith
• Post Shave: Gentlemen's Nod - Zaharoff Signature
• Fragrance: Zoologist Perfumes - Musk Deer

Challenge: I did a two pass shave using only my non dominant hand.

Theme: The Blacksmith has 10 scent notes. Zaharoff Signature has 16 scent notes. Musk Deer has 11 scent notes.

Zingari Man The Blacksmith is a r/wetshaving exclusive. The fragrance is a dupe of Bvlgari Man In Black. It’s very leathery. I detect some cardamom, and something floral. There’s a woody note buried under the leather. There’s hints of rum and spice. It’s an upscale, leather-forward fragrance. But, I find it a bit lifeless. I think I’d like it more if the rum and spice were dialed up.

This Zaharoff splash is throwing me for a loop. When I splashed it on, it just smelled like bergamot, which isn’t even one of the advertised scent notes. So, I grabbed the bottle to give it another sniff. Now, it smells very musky, woody, with a peppery note. There’s still something reminiscent of bergamot. I think it’s the combination of cardamom, lavender, and pear, maybe mixed with an ingredient in the toner. It's a designer-style fragrance that's safe for most occasions, but doesn't spark joy for me.

A couple of years ago during the r/wetshaving secret santa, I was the lucky recipient of the full Zoologist sampler. There’s a lot of winners in the set. Musk Deer is one of my favorites. I’m immediately enveloped by a strong note of musk with soft powdery undertones running up against a wall of dry cedar. Over the course of an hour it hasn’t really changed. The fragrance feels warm, and quite dapper. It’s more of a fall fragrance.

This brush is a complete APShaveCo brush.

#photocontest - Pirates. This post was typed on my handy pirate keyboard. We were warned about pirates. But, the spirit of piracy is hard to stamp out. My SOTD pic is ~~me~~ a pirate showing off their shave wares and illegally downloaded music.

#FOF

June 27, 2024

• Brush: Omega 10065
• Razor: Schick Injector Type I1
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – A Midnight Dreary
• Post Shave: Catie’s Bubbles – A Midnight Dreary

Just getting this in on time. Busy day/night. Already mourning the coming end of the games but will also be relieved.

Here’s the write up from Chris on his website for a midnight dreary, “A Poe inspired soap with notes of Orchid, Lotus, Spices, Black Currant, Black Truffle, Jasmine, Dark Chocolate, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Amber and Vanilla.” On my count that’s twelve.

Challenge. Lather with and did my first pass with my left hand. Used the forgiving Schick with fine results.

June 27, 2024 – LG24 Day 27 - Information Overload

• Brush: Chisel & Hound Spice Blow handle w/ 26mm v23 Fanchurian Badger knot
• Razor: Schick Injector Type M Variant D2,H1,G1
• Blade: Schick Stainless Steel Injector (6)
• Lather: Noble Otter – Two Kings
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving – Seaforth! Black Watch AS Toner
• Fragrance: Symmetry Lab - Supreme Bleu EdP
• Music: Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes - Let's Just Do It

Daily Theme & Relevant Post/Frag: Two King's product page (as found in the Wayback Machine since it is not currently listed at the NO storefront) lists 10 scent notes as follows:

Top Notes: Black Currant, Citrus
Heart Notes: Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Carnation
Base Notes: Incense, Oud, Sandalwood, Oakmoss

From a relevancy perspective, both post and frag (a Chanel Bleu de Chanel dupe) have citrus, jasmine, incense and sandalwood as scent notes in common with Two Kings. I like how the warm darkness of Black Watch and freshness of Bleu intermingled with the two powerful notes of Two Kings.

Daily Challenge & Shave: My, how a year changes your perspective. When I initially read this challenge last year, my reaction was WTF. Then I performed the challenge and came to realize that being able to shave with your off hand can be a nice tool in my shaving tool kit. I really looked forward to doing this challenge, and finally, 26 days into this year's games, it is Leftorium day!

I'm left-eye dominant, write (and shave) righty, but perform many tasks lefty (including making a fool of myself playing hockey). I find when shaving lefty, as long as I concentrate, proper razor orientation and head pressure become automatic. My nemesis when lefty shaving is always shave angle. Because of this I decided to use the Schick Adjustable Injector. It was a wise choice. I find that the shave angle is easier to find/keep with my Schick Injectors, and the Schick Injector blades (the Chinese ones in the yellow blister packs) are sharp, smooth, efficient shavers for me. After yesterday's coconuts shave, today's lefty shave was as smooth as butter. WTG pass, ATG pass, cleanup pass, BBS result. It doesn't get any better than that, and an off-handed shave to boot!

Jun. 27, 2024 Information Overload * Brush: Chisel & Hound Quartermoon
Razor: Everyday Shaving Stinger
Blade: Astra SP * Lather: Wholly Kaw - King of Oud
Post Shave:* Wholly Kaw - King of Oud

Top Notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Clary Sage, Rose, Aldehydes and Pink Pepper

Middle notes: Angelica, Rosewood, Galbanum

Base notes: Agarwood or Oud, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Patchouli and Amber

Daily Challenge: Shaved with my right hand 🫱 which was not enjoyable. Lefties rule…but only for fine motor stuff, gross motor I’m with the rest of you righties.

ROTY

Information Overload

• Brush: Chisel and Hound Vitae Taper w/AP Shave Co. 26mm Pure Bliss Knot
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Brass SB Long Handle #CNC
• Blade: Personna - Comfort Coated
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - V
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Presto Aftershave Splash
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Uitwaaien

Daily Video

Daily Gratitude
Thanks to ShavinginCT for the soap and frag. Thanks to anyone who watches the whole vid. Thanks to the judges and fabulous people for putting this whole thing together.

Daily Mistakes
I forgot to shave earlier so it's late and I am rushing me.

Daily Writeup Idk man, this is just too much smells, I'm completely overloaded. I absolutely love this razor and the Catie's Bubbles base isn't too bad, obviously it wasn't the best lather on my part because I didn't try to hard and it was left handed.

Daily Theme Points Catie's Bubbles V has more than 10 scent notes.

Daily Relevant Post Shave & Fragrance Points
Both presto and uitwaaien have more than 10 scent notes.

Daily Challenge I lathered and shaved with my left hand (I am right handed).

Hardware Scavenger Hunt
Nothing new today.

Photo Contest
Getting close to the end and there aren't any more easy prompts so I was actually scared and I had to think for a bit before I found this weird steampunk closet with a bunch of gas leaking out of a bunch of cool pipes. So today's photo contest theme is steampunk.

TL;DR
Late shave, overloaded, steampunk, I win rookie of the year thank you very much give me my prize.

Side Contests

photocontest

ROTY

LG24-27: Information Overload

• Brush: Wald Shaving Nimbus Haunter 29mm A1 Synthentic Knot
• Razor: Aylsworth Razors Drakkant Plus
• Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Stainless (Green) [6]
• Lather: Zingari Man - Amir - Soap
• Post Shave: Abbate y La Mantia - Ishtar - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Lattafa Perfumes - Bade'e Al Oud (Oud for Glory) - Eau de Parfum

Amir has 10 scent notes listed: Rose, Lemon, Smoke, Woods, Cedar, Amber, Oud, Musk, Patchouli, Labdanum. This is a really beautiful scent from ZM, and it's an excellent companion for Ishtar and Oud for Glory.

I tried my best with shaving the first pass using my left hand, but I'm just not coordinated enough. I had to switch back to my right to finish the shave.

SOTD June 27, 2024 

• Prep: Splash of warm water
• Brush: Stirling Synthetic 2-band 24mm
• Razor: Van Der Hagen 85MM Safety Razor
• Blade: Van Der Hagen Stainless
• Lather: Noble Otter - Two Kings
• Post Shave: Nivea Men Sensitive balm

1.Black Currant 2. Citrus 3. Jasmine 4. Lily of the Valley 5. Rose 6. Carnation 7. Incense 8. Oud 9. Sandalwood 10. Oakmoss

June 27, 2024 - Information Overload

• Brush: Turn N Shave M1 Molten Lava

• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy Ti

• Blade: Wizamet

• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Tres Matres

• Post Shave: Zingari Man - Unscented Sego Balm

I’ve realized way too late in the month that I seriously dropped the ball on software vendors. I think I just got caught up doing whatever I felt like for themes and ignoring the rest. Definitely a lack of planning on my part and just throwing myself into it. Hopefully including the notes here for the theme will be beneficial for the judges.

Notes: Amber, Oakmoss, Damp Earth, Rosewood, Lavender, Almond, Calla lily, Cotton, Aldehydes, Grapefruit, Ginger, Ambergris, Ozone, Peach

June 27, 2024

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Air Bud Brush 🐕

• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Lite #CNC

• Blade: Gillette Nacet

• Lather: Wholly Kaw - King of Oud - Soap

• Post Shave: Wholly Kaw - King of Oud - Splash

• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Y/R/P - EdT

First off, though it goes without saying. This Air Bud brush is simply the greatest brush ever created and belongs in the Smithsonian along with a VHS copy of the movie, which is also the greatest.

A great razor for non-dominant hand day. The Lite plate excells at daily shaving. I did choose to use the non-dominant hand that belongs to me, in case that needed to be specified. It's been stated already, even though this has 14 scent notes, rose is really the strongest and King of Rose may have been more appropriate. The splash drydown is great though. Finish line is in sight!

June 27, 2024  

• Brush: Dogwood – Badger  
• Razor: Maggard V3  
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts – Desairology  

Theme: Scent notes: Sandalwood, musk, oakmoss, citrus, lavender, vanilla, oud, burnt white sage, burnt palo santo, gardenia

Challenge: I shave my underarms, this necessitates use of the non dominant hand at least once. I know because I’ve tried shaving my right pit with my right hand it doesn’t work.