LGSOTD 30-Jun-24

• Brush: Zenith - MOAR Boar #SUBBROOSH #OLDWORLD
• Razor: Atelier Durdan - Vestige ++ #CNC #MODERNGEM
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps - Trouble Maker
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps - Trouble Maker AS
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Lavender Interupted

Well that's all folks, it's been a fun run and everyone has done well to make it through. There's been a lot of excellent posts, some entertaining hijinx with only a small amount of drama.

So for for today's theme and challenge - International Day, all my gear is from a country other than my own current residence.

Zenith - MOAR Boar - Palermo, Italy

Atelier Durdan - Vestige - Veyron, France

Personna GEM Blade - Verona, VA, USA - or possibly Obregon, Mexico

Summer Break Soap - Trouble Maker - Kearney, NE, USA - I think this is the rough origin, my searching skills failed me.

Barrister and Mann - Lavender Interrupted - Hartwick, NY, USA

Fingers crossed those are at least roughly accurate, either which way none of it is made near me in North Wales, so I'm at least safe in that respect! Though it would be considerably more convenient they were.

Photocontest

Final theme for the month 'Soccer', I most certainly call it football though! With football being the world's most popular sport I think that fits fairly well with the international challenge! That being said I can't stand the sport, I'm rugby through and through. This is actually my daughter's football, she loves to play.

I never set out for any wins, my only intention was to have a little fun, play along and enjoy everyone's quality posts. So in that respect, I've won and achieved what I set out to do! I've thoroughly enjoyed the photocontest, really must plan better though, there were a number of missed opportunities, but still fun.

Really though, I'd like to thank the various sponsors for stepping up and to the djudges for running this thing. You can see that it takes a lot of effort and time to plan and execute this, I mean we're looking at a global competition here, so trying to arrange something that everyone can participate in (at least to a degree) is an impressive feat. So thank you for giving up your personal time both before, during and after as we know it doesn't end with the final calender day, it is very much appreciated.

Finally, thank you to everyone who has taken part. Without the efforts the majority put in, this would be a boring affair. So thank you all!

To that end, for the final time, everyone have a cracking day and I'll see you for AA!

Cheers

Marc

SOTD World Traveler * Brush: Omega - 10098 Boar Brush.
Razor: Henson - AL13 mild.
Blade: Feather - Stainless.
Lather: Cella - Bio Cream. * Post:* Cella - Bio Balm.

Cella cream and balm =Italy Razor = Canada Blade = Japan Brush = Italy

An assortment of some money from my travels. I studied abroad in Greece and it was the best time of my life. With the Euro you miss some of that country specific cash, but I suppose it makes things easier. Get out there and travel the world and your own country. There is so much more to life than a screen or Reddit points though it’s been a fun adventure. I’m in the U.S..

Coins: Mexico, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Denmark, Norway, Canada , Turkey, Greece

Bills: Costa Rica, Euro, Australia, Turkey, Greece

photocontest money

ROTY

June 30, 2024 – Bon Voyage

• Brush: Omega 40033 24mm #hollow
• Razor: Gillette Tech
• Blade: Bic Chrome (2)
• Lather: Paradesha Farms – Bay Rum
• Post Shave: Tallow + Steel – Shag
• Fragrance: Parfums De Marly – Pegasus

Bon Voyage, saying goodbye to yet another games. Bittersweet. I laid it all out there this year, and we’ll see where the chips fall. Am I disappointed in how I did? I was at first, but I shouldn’t be. Sure, some of my bits didn’t work as well as I wanted, others fell apart as the games progressed. But I put together a good point run, nabbed more legendary points than last year. I tried to balance shit posts with serious posts. I made international shipments of incriminating baggies. I had fun. That’s what matters in the end. I mentioned to u/hugbckt I’m probably not going all out again. Maybe I’ll change my mind on day two next year like u/onionmiasma. I suspect not though. My family needs a break from a month of chaos over the summer. FYI for the judges, I bolded the relevant info below for ease of skimming (but it’s not that long.)

For today’s theme we return to where we started, the team run. When I reached out to u/adworried2804 about teaming up, I asked if he could find me a soap from the Philippines. Keep in mind, I live in the US, so the coordination of getting stuff between us was not easy. He wasn’t sure if he could find the soap, but he went looking and sure enough he found a bay rum from a local maker. Country 1, check. Continent 1. English Tech, country 2, continent 2 Bic Chrome: Greece County 3. Brush, Omega Boar, Italy, country 4.

Now here’s where it gets hard, for #fof I had to get…creative. Shag, made in Canada, country 5 woot continent 3!. Pegasus, made in France, Country 6. All different countries, a world tour in a shave (and 3 of 6 continents regularly inhabited continents.). And to be honest all different scents. This is a cacophony, the tower of Babel of scent combos. The shag is potent pachouli. The Pegagus cloyingly sweet. And again, I have to go to church smelling weird. (I also used nivea post shave not listed because of the bots. Made in Mexico. Countries: 7.)

For the last day I didn’t want to play it totally serious, but how do you do a travel shave that’s not overbearing (yes, last year’s post went on too long.) Well I told my daughter someone has to go on a trip for this to work and she obliged by packing her bags. Joke’s on me though because I have 3 hour round trip drive to the sleep away camp. Also, a second idea came to me during a conversation with none other than u/pridetwo on the discord. I noted my wife has given me a ton of dopp bags since I started shaving. More than you can use since I don’t travel that much. Basically every free gift in a dopp bag lands in my lap. And u/pridetwo said they were useless because “you can’t lather them.” To which I responded, “but you can lather in them.” His retort was “SOTD with it, or it doesn’t count.” Well, travel day seems perfect for that. Sometimes on trips, your forget your bowl, it gets lost, or something else odd happens, and us bowl latherers have to improvise. So here’s a makeshift bowl lather in a dopp bag. Satisfied u/pridetwo? (Note: Dopp bag did not have a “made in” sticker on it anywhere. It was included in an Ulta order my wife made as a promo. Generally, these lower quality freebies are made in China, so I made sure my brush wasn’t made there. Other possible countries include: Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, none of which are in my shave. Countries: 8)

Finally, #photocontest we’re going to do money. Wait, how does that tie in? Have I completely given up my photo themes after yesterday? No. I mentioned to u/onionmiasma I spent some time in high school in Your Honduras, working in a nutrition center for impoverished children. So, here is a Honduran Lempira (yet another country included in the shave, up to 9!) I’ve been carrying around in my wallet for the last 21 and a half years to remind me of that time. It’s worth less than a nickel, but it serves as memory of both the good and bad I saw while working in the nutrition center. Years later another graduate of my high school would go down to the Center in college. (For various reasons, funds, housing, etc., only 6 seniors were allowed to go each year and he was not one of them his year. His brother was chosen later, which is how he became connected.) He fell in love with the mission and moved there to run the center. Soon he started a charity to both fund the center and expand upon its work. Amazing what a little yearly service project at a school in the Midwest can grow into. (The annual service project has been on hold for a number of years, hopefully they’ll restart it soon.)

Bonus country: I took this picture with my Canon T6, made in Taiwan, countries: 10.

Thanks to all the organizers and judges this year. I know drama hit at the end but let it roll off your back. Thanks to the side contest organizers too. You add extra fun.

Jun. 30, 2024
Brush: Simpson Trafalgar T1
Razor: Feather AC DX Kamisori
Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild Pro Touch [2]
Lather: Saponifcio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Soap
Post Shave: Saponifcio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Aftershave
Fragrance: Versace - Eros Flame

Bon Voyage, Lather Games!

I just want to say it’s been a pleasure playing LG. It was a fun month, learned a lot, and will be better prepared for next year.

LG final Daily Challenge World Traveler.

I live in the U.S.A. So here is my worldly shave of the day.

Saponificio Versano 70th Anniversary Soap and Splash are from Italy Versace Eros Flame is also from Italy. Simpson Brush made on the Isle of Man Feather DX Is made in Japan as are the Captain Titan blades.

I want to give a shout out to all my fellow Rookies, good luck to all of you!

Photo Contest Theme Water Vehicles.

I saved this one for the last day of the games. That’s my neighbors boat in the background.

And for one last time

#ROTY #FOF #Photocontest

June 30, 2024 - Bon Voyage, Lather Games! (previously International Day)

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Omega Model 11126 Ovangkol Wooden Handle Boar 24mm
• Razor: Yaqi SE (Half DE)
• Blade: Voskhod (13)
• Lather: Westman Shaving - Nirvana
• Post Shave: Master Soap Creations - Bloom
• Fragrance: Paco Rabanne - One Million Elixir

Omega Brush is made in Italy, Yaqi Razor is made in China, Voskhod Blade is made in Russia, Westman Soap is made in Portugal, Master Soap Aftershave is made in South Africa, and One Million Elixir is made in Spain. All are from different countries, none of which are from the U.S., which is where I am from.

I always tell myself that this year will be the year I can put more time into the LGs, and then the LGs come and work or school rears its ugly head. Watching the amount of effort everyone else puts in is always a blast and one of my favorite parts of the community. Thank you to all participants this year for the fun posts and, at times, questionable shaves!

To the judges, thank you again for the time and effort you all put into making this happen. None of this would be even close to successful without the work you all do behind the scenes, and I am truly grateful for all of your hard work!

Side contest: #PHOTOCONTEST - A Prius. I had to wait for the dealership to be closed today to get this picture. However, it might have been more valuable if I had dodged the salespeople while trying to get the picture.

June 30, 2024

• Brush: Stirling x Zenith 510SE-XL
• Razor: Karve CB SB-D
• Blade: Gillette Nacet
• Lather: WestMan Shaving – Adamastor
• Post Shave: Australian Private Reserve – Coeur de Vert

Adamastor was specifically bought for this challenge last year. It works well and in that tier right below the S-tier bases. Unfortunately, it has dimethicone so its now on my personal do not buy list once I found out. Scent wise, I get the rhubarb right away, along with a little saltiness. The rhubarb is spot on, sharp and tart just like a freshly snapped raw stem. A touch of earthiness as well, but only after lathering. I like the aquatic notes as they come through less cologne-y and more salty. As the abrasively green rhubarb dissipates, you get the remaining earthy notes to create a scent that goes from bright and vibrant, to a calmer and smoother green from the vetiver. It is a “clean” smelling scent. Reminiscence of a very elevated blue dawn soap but the more I smelled it, the more I got a different salty grassy green scent. It brings back memories of rhubarb pie, the first “fruit” of the spring. My grandmother, and now mom, would make a rhubarb custard pie every year. It really is better, in my opinion, than the classic strawberry rhubarb or douse your rhubarb in sugar pie. The cream tempers the rhubarb while it still has that ever-present tartness I love. I actually planted rhubarb this spring, so may have to continue the tradition starting next year when I can get a good harvest.

Brush is from Italy ~4104 miles Razor is from Canada ~2130 miles Blade is from Russia ~4107 miles Lather is from Portugal ~3203 miles Post shave is from Australian ~10066 miles I am from the United States 0 miles

In case you were wondering, it took ~23610 miles (37997km for my metric friends) for these items to make it to me, not including third party vendor travel. Add in the third party (for the ones I know where they came from), and it is ~26732 miles. Absolutely absurd when you think about it considering around the world is 24901 miles, just so I can shave. If this isn’t the definition of world traveler, I don’t know what is.

Well, this is the last of my photo themes: Pirates. I was hoping to find the resting place of a real pirate, but alas, after researching, all the local pirates were apparently tossed into the sea after their hanging bodies were left to the seagulls as warnings for other pirates. So instead, please take a gander at all of this booty. #photocontest

fof

Great games everyone – really had a lot of fun reading and watching everyone’s antics.

June 30. 2024 - it’s too hot for this

• Brush: Yaqi 26mm Tuxedo
• Razor: Gillette Flat Bottom Tech
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Bundubeard - Kletterkees
• Post Shave: Myrsol - Don Carlos 1972
• Fragrance: Zoologist - Elephant

Today’s shave brought to you by a large number of places. I live in the US. This brush was made in China, this razor was made in England, the blade was made in Russia, the soap was made in South Africa, the splash was made in Spain, and the fragrance was made in Canada. We’re celebrating the international phenomenon that is hair removal today.

Software relevance was achieved by everything meeting today’s theme, but the scents work ok together too. I’m still not 100% sure what the fruit actually is for this soap scent, but I’d say it smells like very, very ripe apples. The citrus in Don Carlos cuts through that to make everything smell a bit more fresh. And then the magnolia and tea in Elephant really impart some floral greenery to the whole thing to get me through the rest of today.

The final photo contest theme I’ve gone for here is Soccer. I rode my bike up to a nearby park and found a soccer goal, then got to work balancing things into the netting for a picture. I think it’s fitting that the most popular international sport gets to represent my international shave. #photocontest

Congrats to everybody who played the games this year. It’s a lot of work to come up with ideas for every day and then even more work to execute them. Thanks again to the judges for all their hard work, which puts the rest of our contributions to shame. Looking forward to the community torture of whatever straight razor challenge Austere August is bring us right around the corner.

Bon Voyage, Lather Games

• Brush: Omega 10065 - Italy
• Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable - USA
• Blade: Astra - Russia
• Lather: Lea Stick - Spain

photocontest

Eyes Black and White It seems that I used the Animals theme 2 times, so here are 2 last themes together in one photo

Today’s Challenge:

World Traveller
All today’s items are from different countries and I’m from Belarus

Day 30

• Brush: Semogue – Owner’s Club 24mm Boar
• Razor: Wade & Butcher – Extra Hollow Ground 7/8 Straight
• Lather: Proraso – Aloe & Vitamin E Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Master Soap Creations - Tabacchi Splash
• Fragrance: Diesel – Only the Brave Street EdP

It’s the final day! Somehow this month has both flown by and dragged on! I definitely feel like I understood The Lather Games more this year than last and I tried to step up my game this year. I did the best I could and still had a blast. Daily posting can be a lot, but it was fun and I understand more of this hobby this year than I did last. A sincere thank you to everyone that worked hard and dedicated time to this crazy month for the enjoyment of the players.

For the sake of the final challenge:
Me: USA
Brush: Portugal
Razor: England
Lather: Italy
Post Shave: South Africa
Fragrance: France

Sidecontests: #photocontest: Soccer! All themes secured! Thanks photo contest team!

Proraso Blue – Officially called Aloe & Vitamin E - isn't just about the soothing aloe and vitamin E; there's a hidden layer that adds a sophisticated twist to the experience. As the creamy lather envelops your face, subtle notes of amber and musk begin to unfold. The amber introduces a warm, resinous depth, reminiscent of a sun-drenched forest floor. It adds a comforting richness that complements the refreshing top notes. Then, the musk kicks in, weaving an earthy, slightly sweet aroma that lingers delicately on the skin. This scent combination creates really nice experience, where the initial freshness evolves into a more complex fragrance than I ever expected. Post-shave, the Master Soap Creations Tabacchi splash continues with a bold, woody transition away from the amber of the soap. This splash adds a touch of rugged masculinity, grounding the earlier freshness with a deep, aromatic embrace. It’s a perfect juxtaposition, that actually works really well together. To finish, a couple sprays of Diesel’s Only the Brave Street. It’s woody, like the splash, but has a nice freshness to it that hearkens back to the soap. The fragrance opens with a crisp burst of basil and apple, delivering an immediate sense of freshness that’s invigorating and bold. As it settles, the woody heart of cedar and vetiver emerges, grounding the initial brightness with a rich, earthy depth. This harmonious interplay between fresh and woody elements creates a scent that is both revitalizing and enduring, perfect for this final shave of the Lather Games. #FOF

Great fun in The Lather Games and already looking forward to next year, as well as maybe even doing Austere August this year!

iamhonestlylying’s Daily Top 5:

In honor of “Bon Voyage, Lather Games!”… My Top 5 most fun sounding ways to say goodbye in languages other than English:

5.) Polish: Do widzenia - Do what now? 

4.)Italian: Arrivederci - Italian just hits different. 

3.)Spanish: Hasta la vista - Thank Arnold for making this more than just a way to say goodbye. 

2.) Japanese: Sayonara - Am the only one who thinks of" Speedy Gonzales saying "Sayonara Suckers" before he speeds off? 

1.) Hawaiian: Aloha - Both hello and goodbye is the most poetic way to end this little series. Because while this is goodbye to The 2024 Lather Games, but it's hello to just shaving to shave again. It's hello to complete shaving freedom! At least until August.... 

Bon Voyage, Lather Games!

• Brush: Bevel Shaving Brush
• Razor: Panhandle Barbershop Co. Tonsorial Gem #RUSTYBUTTRUSTY
• Lather: Tallow + Steel - Shag
• Post Shave: Brut - Classic
• Fragrance: Creed - Aventus

Daily Video

Daily Gratitude
Thanks to tsrblke for the soap sample. Thanks to Nordstrom for the frag sample. Thanks to my mom for going on the hunt for the aftershave and fragrance. Thanks to my mom for getting me the starter kit that had this brush. Thanks to my mom for buying me this razor a very long time ago. Thanks to my mom for recording me and supporting me through these crazy games. Thanks to anyone who watches the whole vid. Thanks to anyone that mentioned me in their predictions of ROTY yesterday! Thanks to the judges and fabulous people for putting this whole thing together.

Daily Mistakes
I should have done more planning on where we had to go so my mom wouldn't drive so much. I also forgot to tell her to record landscape so enjoy the OG day one portrait style. I also forgot to get the photo contest cactus while we were out.

Daily Writeup Welp, this is my last post of the month and therefore the last post of the Lather Games 2024. It's bittersweet and I am probably making too much of a deal but I'm just an emotional person okay! The bitter part is I will miss the games but the sweet part is I will finally be able to use all my own stuff! And I can use soaps from full tubs!!! I no longer need to load from parchment paper. As I said in the video, as of now I don't think I will shave daily in August because of band camp lol. Now for once I will actually talk about the shave itself, yesterday I returned to my straight razors for the first time in a while and today's shave is a lot better than yesterday's shave because I had a bit more experience from yesterday, still a lot to work on but today was a much closer shave with less irritation. Today I sold the Friodur because I dont shave with straight razors enough to warrant having 2 straights. I'm excited for tomorrow's shave, I think I'll use roman spice or something.

Daily Theme Points I am an American citizen living in America. Tallow + Steel is based in Canada, where my mom grew up!

Daily Relevant Post Shave & Fragrance Points
This Brut was made in Mexico. Creed is based and made in France.

Daily Challenge See above for soap, frag, and aftershave. Today was quite the expedition to find the frag and aftershave btw!!! The brush is made in China. The razor is made in Germany, where my grandma's family is from!

Hardware Scavenger Hunt
This razor is in pretty good shape but it definitely has a bit of patina making it my #RUSTYBUTTRUSTY.

Photo Contest
I forgot about getting the cactus when we were out and about so I had to scooter over to the local trader joe's to grab this cactus trio just for the photo.

TL;DR
Thanks mom, I win rookie of the year thank you very much give me my prize.

Side Contests #photocontest #ROTY

June 30, 2024 - Bon Voyage, Lather Games!

• Brush: Semogue Owner's Club Mistura #MISTURA #OLDWORLD
• Razor: Gillette Flat Bottom Tech
• Blade: Wizamet (42)
• Lather: Fitjar Islands - Slåtterøy
• Post Shave: Abbate Y La Mantia - Monet
• Fragrance: Zoologist Perfumes - Dragonfly

Challenge:

• Me: US
• Brush Portugal
• Razor: England
• Lather: Norway
• Post Shave: Italy
• Fragrance: Canada

Another Lather Games in the books! A huge thanks to the organizers, judges, side contest organizers, and sponsors! It's been fun and a bit stressful. It's amazing how much work goes into this event. The Lather Games creates the biggest sense of community in the subreddit. I've never been a part of an online community that goes to this much effort to celebrate their hobby. So, I'm grateful to all who helped make it happen.

Fitjar Islands is a brand from Norway that makes personal care products, including shaving soaps and creams. I won this soap in the 2k subscribers giveaway from /u/kammander-kim. Slåtterøy is their take on a bay rum, and is named after a lighthouse near Fitjar. The bay note is aromatic and not overly pungent. There’s soft herbal spice and a natural sweetness. Hints of lime and lemon add a touch of brightness. This is the cleanest approach to bay rum I’ve smelled. It’s tranquil and calming; elegant in its simplicity. I’m glad to have an excuse to use it today.

There’s a common theme of water in my software choices today. Abbate Y La Mantia Monet is named after the famed French Impressionist painter, Claude Monet, and takes inspiration from his well known Water Lilies paintings. The scent consists of a water accord and flower petals. I smell notes of orange, banana, lilies, violet, rose, musk, vanilla, amber, and some green notes I can’t name. It’s pretty. It does a good job of conveying an impression of water without necessarily feeling like an aquatic. I don’t know that I’d want to wear this. It smells like pretty girls. And you can't walk around smelling like pretty girls.

Rounding out the water themed fragrances is Zoologist Perfumes Dragonfly. I had three aquatic Zoologist frags to pick from. I chose Dragonfly because Fragantica lists water lily as a scent note, which ties into Monet. Initially, I smell notes of bitter green, citrus spray, dirt, fresh air, and flowers. The aromatic green spicy notes and flowers pair well with the water accord and lilies in Monet. After ~20 minutes of dry down the citrus is distinctly grapefruit. I smell basil. The fragrance is mostly airy aquatic notes and sweet floral notes. The grapefruit and basil add a feeling of freshness and naturalness. It makes me think of playing in the creek as a kid. The bitter green notes remind me of Fougere Nemata. It's an excellent choice for warm weather. I really like it.

#photocontest - Donuts. French Crullers for international day.

#FOF

June 30, 2024 – LG 30: International Man of Mystery

• Brush: Zenith r/wetshaving MOAR Boar
• Razor: Tatara Masamune/Nodachi Combo
• Blade: Voskhod (1)
• Lather: Sweyn Forkbeard – Almond Shave Cream
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria – Cognac and Cuban Cigars
• Fragrance: Viktor and Rolf – Spice Bomb

Nothing like a pivot on last day of LG realizing I stupidly put Canadian (Macduffs and HeV) for soap and splash. The good news I get to try a new cream soap I picked up on vacay. On about hour 22 of being awake here.

Challenge first today: I’m based in the US (California). The soap is made in England. The AS is from Canada. Frag is from Netherlands. Razor from Portugal, blade from Russia. Brush from Italy.

In the sense of how they are connected, they are connected by being all from different places, but scent wise go quite well too for #FOF. The Almond cream is very amaretto like, and sweet like marzipan and maraschino cherries. I believe this is due to the benzaldehyde which can be in both almonds and maraschinos. The cognac and Cuban cigars build on this nicely as it also has some warm sweetness from cognac, and adds depth with spices and dry tobacco. We crank up the spice further in the frag, with lots of cinnamon and spicy tobacco. Supported by bits of leather and vetiver which give it some gritty base.

For #PHOTOCONTEST by default elements earth. Seems fitting as everything is really from the earth, and I traveled about half way round it today. I will admit, I regret not taking day 30 with me and could have done my shave across several countries as well, oh well, sometimes the brilliance strikes too late.

Good luck to everyone playing and congrats on making it through LG24. I know I have some catch up reading to do myself. Until next year, or AA. Thank you to all the judges, including all of the various side contests, and sponsors for their contributions, you make LG happen.