July 15, 2023

• Brush: Beard and Blade Classic synthetic
• Razor: Karve Overlander SS
• Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Black Super Platinum
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Death
• Post Shave: Nivea - En(balm)ing fluid

As you probably can understand, my chosen theme for today’s SOTD is Death. Unfortunately, I do not own any Tabac products..… sooooo… uhmm…, I had to go with my 2nd choice - Death from the Barrister and Mann’s Four Horsemen series. Ouch…. Eh… Did I hit a sore spot there? Take your best shot, click the downvote button - I’m ready.

Hashtags #photocontest #oof

Music
“Shuriken” - Alix Perez, Headland Spotify / YouTube

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Daily challenge:

My favourite YouTube wetshaver is Donald Youngner aka Wet The Face. Not really watching to learn about new hardware/software or anything like that. This guy is just like that next door neighbour you wish you had. I think his wife is sick and in palliative care, so that is kind of sad. Honorary mentions goes to John Shaves and The Virtual Groomroom for razor reviews. YMMV!

July 15, 2023

• Brush: Maggard mixed Badger/Boar 24mm
• Razor: New England Straight Razor 6/8
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – The Four Horsemen: War
• Post Shave: Thayers – Rose Petal

It might smell like cilantro and suffering, but somehow War also manages to be considered a chypre. I have no idea what a chypre really is, but I will say that War also smells (marginally) better than most sheep I've met, so it's got that going for it.

My favorite wettuber is r/Wetshaving's sweetheart, Michael Freedberg. I don't watch many wetshaving videos, but when I do, most are from Freeberg. His calm, kind presentation style just makes for pleasant and easy to watch videos.

​

War (Hardly Good for Shaving) to the tune of War by Edwin Starr

Lyrics:

War, huh, yeah

What is it good for?

Hardly good for shavin’, uhh

War, huh, yeah

What is it good for?

Hardly good for shavin’

Say it again, y'all

War, huh (good God)

What is it good for?

Hardly good for shavin’, listen to me, oh

War, I despise

'Cause it means destruction of innocent noses

War means tears in thousands of shaver's eyes

When their sons go to lather

And lose their hairs

I said, war, huh (good God, y'all)

What is it good for?

Hardly good for shavin’, say it again

War (whoa), huh (oh Lord)

What is it good for?

Hardly good for shavin’, listen to me

It ain't nothing but a lather-maker

(War) Friend only to The Soapmaker

Oh, war it's an enemy to all shave-kind

The scent of war blows my mind

War has caused unrest

Within the shaving generation

Induction then destruction

Who wants to shave? Oh

War, huh (good God y'all)

What is it good for?

Hardly good for shavin’

Say it, say it, say it

War (uh-huh), huh (yeah, huh)

What is it good for?

Hardly good for shavin’, listen to me

A Fine Chypre

• Brush: Zenith B8 (XL aluminium handle, 28 mm × 57 mm boar)
• Razor: Zwilling J. A. Henckels Friodur 14 (8/8″, extra hollow ground, stainless steel) #Str8Snob
• Lather: Fine – Platinum
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming – Tribute
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. – Executive Man

Half-way point! Crazy how fast this whooshes by. I'm celebrating this milestone by using my Frio 14.

All chypres in my den, Executive Man, Sellout, Platinum, are dupes of Aventus. I really should try Le Grand et le Petit Chypre someday, and explore this family a bit.

The relevant post and frag theme today is fruity, specifically pineapple-forward fruity with patchouli. On a side note, Tribute is a good illustration for how poor my nose is. It smells practically like yet another Aventus dupe to me 😅

Wettubing challenge is a bit tricky. I value privacy on the internet, sticking my face in a camera is where I draw the line, and recording a face shaving video without showing a face misses the point (i.e., is truly impossible in the context of the challenge). My recent favourite WetTubing star is u/MrTangerineSky for this performance, but the all time award goes to u/CosmoBarber for whatever this is. No way u/VisceralWatch could match that.

LGSOTD 15-July

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hope everyone has a grand day.

Cheers

Marc

ROTY

#PhotoContest

Sheep-ruh

Prep: Warm shower
Brush: AP Shaveco 30mm Cashmere
Razor: Parker SE Adjustable
Blade: Schick
Lather: Mike's Natural Soaps - Barbershop

​

l am optimistic that today's lather is a Chypre. The notes include bergamot, basil, oakmoss, and patchouli. lt's as close l will get ;)

Have a good day everyone.

7/15/23

• Brush: Turkish Walnut Pure Badger #WEDONTNEEDNOSTINKINGBADGERS
• Razor: Ralf Aust 6/8, Full Hollow Spanish Point
• Lather: West Coast Shaving - Chypre
• Post Shave: Barrister and Man - Le Grand Chypre Aftershave Splash

This smush of WCS Chypre comes courtesy of u/RedMosquitoMM. I really enjoy this soap. Made for WCS by Chicago Grooming, if I'm not mistaken. The duck fat base is a great performer. Both primary and residual slickness are there. The scent, though, is my favorite part. Citrus and resin done very well. To me, it comes across as very incense-y and I love it for that.

Prior to this, my only experience was with LGC, which I honestly don't care for. I had a set and gave it away to a friend who was also into wetshaving. The splash I used today came from him. Though I don't care for it, I borrowed it so I can commit to the bit today. This same friend is who I borrowed the brush from. I made him this brush super early on when I started making anything wetshaving related. Looking at and using this brush makes me think of that scene in Avengers when smart Hulk is back in time and watching in embarrassment as his old self just runs around, mindlessly smashing. I used to think these knots were pretty alright. They were definitely a huge step up from what I'd started with. Then u/sgrdddy gave me some education on badger hair and nudged me in the right direction. That nudge, as it turns out, brought me right to the edge of the rabbit hole. I am incredibly thankful for the advice and help he gave me. Both my shaves and what I make are the better for it. Thanks again, u/sgrdddy.

#ROTY

July 15, 2023 – Think big!

• Brush: Maggards – purple handle 2 band badger #WEDONTNEEDNOSTINKINGBADGERS
• Razor: Blackland Era
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (1)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre
• Fragrance: Issey Miyake – L’eau D’issey

It took me some time to find a few Chypre soaps, but in the end, I will probably go with the classic like the whole sub.
Daily Challenge:
Le GRAND shave

For those too bored to watch the video, I took a whole sample of Barrister & Mann and lathered it up in a huge “cereal bowl”. During my passes, I crack a few dirty jokes.

I ll be on a wedding in a few hours and wanted to take the most fool proof razor. Unfortunately the video made me nervous and I wanted to keep it short. In the end, I have some irritations on my neck. After the first pass, my skin felt good enough to go, but I am chasing BBS skin that glows.

#FOF
Le Grand Chypre is often called “Cola” shaving soap. I never tried the soap but used the aftershave a lot of times. It’s true, the soap has a cola vibe. The aftershave does not have that and is more heavy on the citrus front. L’eau D’issey is pretty complex and I did not have something similar this month. It starts with yuzu, almost sour, but there is also a spiciness that combined with the yuzu makes me think that we have way more mediteranian herbs. In the beginning it is not that fresh as its marketing would suggest. Minute by minute the Sandalwood becomes more preasant. All in all, I would have expected the fragrance to become heavy or earthy. It does not. Although its againa citrus and wood combination, this one is something different. All its ingredients stay present. Like there is no head and basic note. After an hour, the yuzu is still there and evokes a nice freshness. I guess I am confusing. Lets sum it up with: This fragrance is something special. Something is going on here.

Player plunges face directly into bowl of lather, leading judge to wonder: copycat or parallel independent creation?

July 15, 2023 – LG2023 Day Fifteen

• Brush: Brad Sears – 28mm 2 Band Select
• Razor: Berkeley – Custom Shaver Adjustable #DIAL
• Blade: Polsilver (4)
• Lather: Grooming Dept – NYChypre
• Post Shave: Lucido – Splash

I struggled with today’s choice as my mind went blank when it came to finding a Chypre in my den that wasn’t from B&M then I was reminded of NYChypre which I already had in the den.

I admit I picked NYChypre up on its release purely for it’s artwork as the Lilly Of The Valley plant has lots of significance in my family, scent wise it’s obviously floral forward followed by a woody musky dry down.

Hardware wise the Brad Sears is a beautiful ivory resin handle and if memory serves me correct he even uses the same resin that the museums use in order to look as authentic as possible, the knot is like lathering a marshmallow topped cloud over you head it’s just the right amount of backbone.

The Berkeley Custom is a blunderbuss of a razor, it ticks the adjustable dial box and you can even open the handle fully to store blades in. Despite looking a little like a novelty shaver this is an efficient beast, I dialed this into number 4 on the first pass and then back a notch on the second. You get a very close smooth shave and the handle isn’t uncomfortable at all despite it’s bulk.

• Daily Challenge:

I did have good intentions of trying a video even ordering a suction mount for my phone but alas it didn’t arrive (Screw you Amazon Prime) on time and at the end of the day who wants to see this tubby faced baldy shaving his head? So I still get my Challenge points I need to mention my favourite YouTube stars of wetshaving. I will admit the first person that grabbed my attention was Rudds and despite some of the BS I did enjoy he videos to a point. The only guys I watch now are u/VisceralWatch for his love of all thinks vintage, and u/latherhog along with u/iaregerard because they give great unbiased reviews along with adding some interesting topics and guests.

Sat Jul 15 2023

• Prep: Coffee, Face wash soap/warm water
• Razor: Merkur - 34C HD
• Blade: BiC Chrome Platinum
• Brush: Semogue 620
• Lather: Wet Shaving Products - Olympus
• Post Shave: Pinaud - Clubman AS Lotion

Love the weekend shaves. Plenty of time and nothing to rush out the door for. Took my time and whipped up some great later. The WSP is awesome. Super smooth shave. Have a great shave day!

ROTY

Day 15 - Sheep-ruh * Brush: Royal London - 1980s Brush #ANCIENT * Razor: Karve - CB * Blade: Astra - Green
Lather: WCS - Duck Fat Chypre * Post Shave: WCS - Chypre * Fragrance:* Barrister and Mann - Romance in Middlesex County

A quick shave, no video. first time using this brush. I have had it for a long time but mostly keep it around for decoration. It worked well and has a smaller knot than I am used to.

For the fragrance, Romance would pair nicely with the Chypre. Today, I am driving, so the fragrance is just for me.

ROTY #FOF

July 15, 2023

• Brush: Maggard Timberwolf Synthetic 24mm
• Razor: Razorock Mamba 70
• Blade: Lord Extra (1)
• Lather: Grooming Dept – Chypre Peach
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Smash
• Fragrance: Declaration Grooming – Daemon

A podcast episode for the ages.

tl;dr I recorded a podcast today, aptly titled PodShave (u/merikus please don’t sue), as I want to limit my face on the internet but wanted to participate beyond admitting that HD Shaves is the only wettuber I watch. Hence, you get the dulcet tones of my voice – and by you, I mean the judge unlucky enough to be assigned this shave, and anyone who is bored enough to listen to a half-hour in-real-time recorded shave.

I spoke about this in the podcast, but GD Chypre Peach is unpleasant. u/OnionMiasma warned me (P.S., thanks for the smush), but it’s really not good. I will say, however, the performance of the soap was fantastic. For my #FOF, I used Smash because I wanted the peach that this soap was simply not giving me despite it being in the name, and Daemon because I was hoping the oakmoss and other pleasant notes in that frag would make up for the disappointing lather. Both did exactly what I hoped. Peach and bourbon, mixed with a warm, oaky vanilla and amber is all I’m smelling at this point. Inoffensive, perfect for seeing friends later today, and evoking some of the notes I was really hoping the GD chypre was going to give me in the first place.

Happy Saturday, folks.

July 15, 2023 – Lather games day 15 – AKA who the hell has time to shoot a video anyways

• Brush: AP Shave Co Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Tech
• Blade: Voskhod (1)
• Lather: Grooming Dept – Peach Chypre
• Post Shave: Ariana & Evans – peach & cognac

So this is the halfway mark, eh? On the move for the weekend with my lady – we’re off to a cottage with no wifi and spotty cel reception. That should be great for tomorrow. But first today we shave with Grooming Department’s Peach Chypre. Big thanks to u/OnionMiasma for repeatedly sending smushes my way. And not without fair warning if you look at the SOTD photo (I just love the wood grain of the table). True enough, just plain yuck. Had to finish with Peaches and Cognac just to make things worse. Or better. Still not sure. Normally I just wouldn’t shave while on the go but Lather Games and all…

No time for a video today although emo RayMoonie needs to make a return soon, I think. As far as wet tubers, u/VisceralWatch all the way! He gemnabled me for goodness sake! I also enjoy Latherhog and LatherTalk vids. More topic-oriented and less actual shaving.

#PhotoContest

Today I shaved with Le Grand Chypre. I used a National Bakelite razor with a Polsilver blade. I chased it with Le Grand Chypre aftershave and Le Grand Chypre edt. This is one of the top scents in the business and if you used something else today, you’ve done yourself a disservice. Shaving videos are terrible, and WetTubing sounds like a euphemism for a depraved sexual act.

Lather Games Day 15- Only using the craziest Sheep-ruh, bruh

• Brush: CaYuen 26mm Tuxedo
• Razor: Gem 1912
• Blade: Gem PTFE (14)
• Lather: Shannon's Soaps - Botanica
• Post Shave: Catie's Bubbles - Waterlyptus Splash

Let's get right to the point, Shannon is batshit crazy and there is no way in hell I would spend much on her products. To hit 30 soapers for 30 days, I figured grabbing a sample wouldn't cause the planet to tilt off its axis. I also couldn't use B&M LGC because B&M showed up on music day. I wanted to grab a sample of Grooming Depts Chypre but that was sold out so Shannon's it was.

On to the shave. After yesterday's Against the Grain Death March (yes Shaving Overlords, anything you want Shaving Overlords), I figured I would grab a mellower razor for this shave. I haven't used the 1912 a lot since I picked it up several months ago and I figured it would be the right tool for the task at hand, and it was. My face definitely appreciated the easiness of the shave. As to the soap, the scent is great. I think I really dig the Chypre scent thing. I think I can even get my wife around to it. But the soap itself? Ehhhhhh. It's fine, This base didn't move the needle for me and, for me, did not provide much in the way of residual slickness. If I don't want residual slickness, I'm perfectly fine using Proraso, but that's not why I use artisan soaps. I want the whole package and I'm happy to say that batshittery does not make for a great soap.

Speaking of bathshittery, it's time for the Daily Challenge and let's talk about WetTubers. Until a couple of years ago, I had no idea the number of shaving channels there were on YouTube dedicated to shaving. And little did I know how 1) relaxing and 2) informative some of these could be. Our man u/VisceralWatch has some stiff competition to be both relaxing and informative. But his dulcet tones do a fine job of telling me what I need to know about a specific product or his life in general before I lull off into dreamland. He should really consider a career in hypnotism. I jest about the lulling to sleep (sometimes). So who do I like to watch other HD Shaves?

In the "Relaxing and Informative" category, I like Shave&Butcher. He's got a great speaking voice, he uses a wide range of products and doesn't fanboy over many/any and I appreciate his international perspective on a range of topics. He has an interesting straight razor shaving style as well.

In the "I Don't Want Any Bullshit In My Shaving Vids", I'll watch Soap Thing . He's one of the few WetTubers not fanboying the same brands and does provide honest critiques of soaps and hardware. I find it refreshing from time to time. He has some hot takes on wetshaving things, but I haven't wanted to throw anything at my TV as a result.

In the "Wacky AF" category, there's always Silky Smooth . Why do I watch this? Honestly, I tune in from time to time just to see what metal band t-shirt he is wearing. That dude has a metal band t-shirt drawer that rivals mine and might be better than mine. But from a shaving vid perspective, he has a schtick that he sticks to and really doesn't get deep into product reviews and opinions. The dude also uses Astroglide in his lathers and his lathers look weak as fuck. But again, the dude likes metal clearly as much as I do and I just want to see what he's wearing while shaving.

And those are my WetTuber reviews for the day. Have a great day all!

July 15, 2023 – I have become death, destroyer of videos.

• Brush: Body Shop Synthetic #runt #smoll #ANCIENT
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #brassing
• Blade: GEM (2)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – The Four Horsemen: Death
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Alive
• Fragrance: Maher Olfactive – Red Skies

So here we go. First parts first: I did a video. It needs to be cleaned and uploaded so I’ll update once I have time to get to my desktop. This pushed the boundaries of my desire for a sort of privacy. Interacting through text (even if many of you have my name and address from trades) acts like a mask. So the mask slips a little and I’m uncomfortable, but the point here is to get out of our comfort zone. It’s not a good video but I tried.

Edited: As promised here is the video. TBQH, it's painful even I couldn't watch all 8:37 of it and it's me. My demanded we watch 3 minutes then they got bored. Before any judge hits me with a negative point, I warned you! You can simply verify there is a video for the challenge.

On to the choices and #fof. So death is a chypre (yes I mispronounced it in the video.) the others, I’m not sure they haven’t become a new category. They’re built off a chypre accord, but Will didn’t call them chypre so… I didn’t take the chance. But I do want to use war “during” lather games. So next Saturday, leg day, gonna use war for shave 2 (non LG shave) to shave my face. So, I am a bit superstitious, so after slathering death all over my face 3 times, I countered it with Alive. Take that death! (Edited: according to our Chief Justice, Alive is also a chypre! So my superstition created a chypre trifecta. How's that for a feat of fragrance! " Red Skies is listed on Shawn’s website as a chypre so I went to it get back to the theme. Given its name comes from the old adage “red skies at morning sailor take warning…” it also ties into the overall theme of death and life I got going too.

After I turned off the camera I nicked myself 3 times. Twice under the nose (as I noted is giving me trouble with the MM24) and once during the cleanup pass with the tech, because I forgot to tighten the head (doh).

Today’s #photocontest is water. That is actual holy water. My wife, who isn’t particularly religious, grabbed that many years ago after a Christmas Mass, because she thought you were supposed to. I, who is religious can’t bring myself to throw it away, so I keep it in a drawer. A friend, who’s a priest, saw it and told me I can dump it onto dirt and that’s proper disposal, but it still seems weird. I did not use it to make lather either. But it goes nicely with the death and life theme.

I did a shout out to my fellow #ROTY in the video but will do one again here. I count about 15 of us remaining. Since we’re halfway there here’s a song “Shaving our hair” to the tune of “living on a prayer”

Tommy’s got his moar boar in hock.

Now he’s letting grow what he used to shave off

Ohh shave off

Gina wishes the beard would go away

When she cries in the night tommy whispers

“Baby it’s ok, I’ll shave today”

You’ve gotta load up with what you got

It doesn’t make a difference if you GUTL or not

We’ve got each soap and that’s on theme for now

We’ll give it a shot

Oh, we’re half way there,

Oh-oh shaving our hair

Your skin is raw, but we’ll make I swear

Oh-oh, shaving our hair.

(Edited Video above)

July 15, 2023

• Brush: Muninn Woodworks purple burl AP Shave Co. 24mm MiG
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts – Gravefruit II

My face is still feeling the effects of yesterdays challenge and I must broke open some of the micro wounds. This feels like straining your ankle in the middle of a marathon. Keep pushing through.

I had to go with an obvious Chypre because I can’t identify them. A lot of people saying this smells like cola and I can understand that. To me, more citrusy though. Like a lemonized cola or cola mixed with some citrusy drink to tone down the cola. So I paired it with Gravefruit II to keep up the citrus.

As for wettubing stars……I don’t really watch them. I watched cosmo’s precision lathering when I first started out and then decided it takes too long. I did recently watch a video from Sourav using a blackbird Then I got a blackbird and used it today for that reason. So, I guess Sourav is my favorite for convincing me to buy a good razor. /u/VisceralWatch did not convince me to buy a blackbird sooner than Sourav, which is why Sourav is better. Too modern of a razor perhaps?

July 15, 2023

​

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Zenith 507U XSE
• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy Aluminum
• Blade: Gillette Platinum
• Lather: Barrister And Mann - Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Myrsol - Formula C
• Fragrance: Hugo - Hugo Boss

Picked up this sample of B&M's Le Grand Chypre from Maggard, having never tried a Chypre before. I must say, it's quite wonderful. To me, it smells exactly like a snow cone from the ice cream truck back in the day. I get very fruity notes from it, which I thought would be well complemented by Myrsol Formula C.

For today's challenge, I'm unable to video myself. I probably follow most of the well known WetTubers, and can't say I have a favorite as I feel it would be a disservice to others in the space. The first I ever watched was GeoFatBoy as I received a tub of proraso, and had no idea how to use it. I enjoy KenSurfs as well, as I'm also a huge James Bond fan, and I find him to be very kind.

I found a brush online I was very interested in, and as one would do, I went to look up reviews of it on youtube. Couldn't find anything, except for a video by /u/VisceralWatch. It was a great and informative video, I've even messaged him to ask questions and he is so helpful! Until tomorrow!

#ROTY

• Brush: Van Der Hagen Boar Brush
• Razor: Parker Clip-Type Shavette Dark Sheesham Wood Handle
• Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - The Four Horsemen Death

ROTY

July 15, 2023 – Chypre Day

• Brush: Zenith Moar Boar #CHONK
• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy Ti
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (16)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Voices
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Reserve Cool

I went a little off the wall today with my scent combo, but honestly, it really worked well.

I think even u/VisceralWatch will agree, u/Cadinsor is still a way cooler YouTuber. First off u/Cadinsor taught me how to wet shave, so he’s got that going for him. Most importantly though, u/Cadinsor did not introduce himself to me at Maggard and then immediately drag me to ~~a razor blade dungeon~~ back storage room, put me on camera, and ask me personal questions unlike SOMEONE!

• Prep:
• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Hybrid / 26mm Maggard Premium Boar
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Lite SS
• Blade: Personna Comfort Coated (2)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co - Bay Rum
• Alum: Osma
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - Vide Poche
• Fragrance:

Bay Rum can be classified as a chypre scent due to its characteristic combination of citrus, woody, and mossy notes. The bright and refreshing citrus elements in Bay Rum, such as lime, provide the vibrant opening reminiscent of the citrusy facet often found in chypre fragrances. The warm and earthy base notes, typically featuring oakmoss or patchouli, contribute to the distinctive chypre character of Bay Rum, creating a harmonious balance between freshness and depth.

Fuzzy's got to be the most entertaining youtuber, right /u/visceralwatch?

LG23-15: Sheep-ruh

• Brush: Rubberset 400 26mm Soft Tuxedo (thanks /u/EldrormR!)
• Razor: Wolfman Razors WR2-DC 0.95 SB / 1.25 OC #CNC
• Blade: Voskhod (15)
• Lather: Sudsy Soapery / Chatillon Lux - Lemon Rose Chypre - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Lemon Chill - Balm
• Fragrance: Rogue Perfumery - Chypre Siam
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Peru, Cajamara - v: Geisha - p: Washed.
• Music: Lindstrøm - Everyone Else Is a Stranger
• LG Tags: #FOF

Continuing my famed WetTube career, I present Mosquito Shaves Episode #2. I should do these quick videos more often.

Also, for the other half of the challenge, I recommend Another Cut Above. I like getting an international perspective on the hobby, plus the occasional head shave demo (something I don't do myself), and he's got one of the best lathering tutorials out there. Unfortunately, I don't think he's posting regularly anymore.

As I mentioned in my video, I went with two citrus-floral chypres with a straightforward lemon balm to bridge the two. (My aftershave chypres might be limited to just Alive, Famine, and the WCS.) The Chatillon Lux collaboration is true to its name, the rose soft and blushing, mixed with lemon made complex by the tang of grapefruit and jolt of ginger. I notice the labdanum and oakmoss second, balanced to let the namesake combo sing. The lemon balm is straightforward, but goes with just about anything. In this case, it references the lemon in my soap and alludes to the lime and grapefruit in my chypre fragrance. Chypre Siam is a best-in-class example of the genre, with a traditionally structured mix of flowers, spice, leather, resins, and oakmoss kissed by wonderful kaffir lime. I've tried far more animalic chypres, but that aspect is as present in Chypre Siam as you'd expect from chypre perfumes in the classic mode. Come for the sour-floral lime opening, but stay for the study in progression.

July 15, 2023 – Lather Games: Day 15  

• Brush: Yaqi Synthetic  
• Razor: Karve Overlander  
• Blade: Gillette Nacet   
• Lather: West Coast Shaving – Chypre  
• Post Shave: West Coast Shaving – Chypre  

I was slightly hesitant to by this set since I’m not into citrus heavy products. I did so based on the performance and scent of their Oriental soap which I already owned and its many good reviews. I was truly surprised by how much I liked it. The scent is enjoyable, and the performance is great. Oriental is still the better of the two, but for a scent profile I am not into, this really is good.

The YouTuber that I really liked watching was Ruds. I know he doesn’t make videos anymore and not everyone likes him, but he is one of the people who really influenced me to try wet shaving. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy who wanted to give you his take on the soaps he was using. He even answered an email I sent him once with questions about shaving my head. I figured he would never answer me, but he did. Is he better than u/VisceraWatch? Maybe not, but he certainly helped me get into this hobby (yeah, it’s a hobby considering the money I spend to do this – lol), and that means a lot, considering wet shaving got me through COVID quarantines.

July 15, 2023

https://imgur.com/gallery/ZODSQCV

Prep: Proraso - Refrescante Preshave Cream

Brush: Simpsons Commodore X3 Best Badger

Razor: Rockwell - 6S R6 plate

Blade: Treet - Platinum (1)

Lather: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre Shaving Soap

Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre Aftershave Splash

Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre Aftershave Balm

This is one of my favorite soaps. I absolutely love this scent and how it really "blooms" into something different once you start creating a lather with it. Being the citrus degen that I am, I could leave this lather on my face all day. Alas, that isn't possible or practical, but the aftershave splash and balm combo ensures the scent sticks with me for quite some time after a shave session.

Fresh Treet Platinum blade + Le Grand Chypre = DFS

#ROTY

• Lather: Wet Shaving Products - Olympus
• Brush: Erskine Synthetic
• Razor: Gillette Tech Gold Ball-End
• Blade: Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge Yellow
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man Balm

Today's shave was built upon the principle of surprise. I was surprised about the theme because I had no clue what the hell a Chypre even was. I was surprised when I searched "Chypre" on Maggard it only came up with like one result "Le Grand Chypre". I was surprised that u/worbx announced a PIF, had that soap, and even though I didn't win, he was kind enough to send me a smoosh. I was surprised about my paranoia when I hastily added the sample of it to my Maggard cart to ensure the USPS didn't destroy my hopes and dreams by losing my smoosh sample. Then I was further surprised that Creed Aventus is a Chypre and I already had dupes of the scent in my den. So I used Olympus soap and Executive Man balm since I don't think I have room in my calendar to use WSP anywhere else.

I'm currently waiting for my video to load to Imgur, but it hasn't loaded yet and I'm not sure it will. I'm losing faith so, to hedge my bets here, lemme tell you what I appreciate about people that video their shave. That shit is difficult. I don't like talking and shaving and I'm sure there's loads of awkward silence in my video. If it loads up later, I'll post it up. If it doesn't, you're not missing much.

I'm about to take my road bike on the capital trail for a bit. Take care wet shavers. Please like and subscribe.

Have a great day folks!

Edit: video probably won't happen. It was 10 minutes long and the limit for Imgur is like 60 seconds. I also did everything through their app so I don't have a local copy. Consider yourselves spared. Apologies and congratulations.

2023-07-15 C'est un chypre

• Brush: Yaqi - Metal Timberwolf
• Razor: Gillette Old Type 1919 #BRASSING
• Lather: Wet Shaving Products - Olympus
• Post Shave: Fine Accoutrements - Platinum
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man
• Blade: Feather (4)

Natural brassing wear on the razor's handle. I don't want anyone to think I'd deliberately scrape the cap for this, because I know it looks like that.

Relevant Post-shave and Fragrance: The only thing more confusing than figuring out whether a soap/scent is a chypre is figuring out why somebody decided to name a family of scents after cheese. Or is it named after the goats themselves? Either way, both are stinky and smell nothing like these Aventus dupes in today's lineup.
Aventus is apparently a "fruity chypre," a description that I guess makes sense if we're talking about cheese, but not so much if we're talking about goats, so I guess it's the former.

Challenge Accepted:
What have you djudges gotten yourselves into? You know you're not going to want to watch a bunch of boring shave videos, I am nothing if not ~~pandering~~ ~~acquiescent~~ accomodating, so I condensed my shave video with the magic of time lapse. Come to think of it, I think I did pick up a whiff of cheese during the shave...

But also, I'm still going to make mention of Challenge^bis, i.e. "WetTubing," which frankly sounds like something you'd encounter at a water park. I'm only inferring it's related to YouTube. In that case, no YouTube shaver can ever hope to come close to u/Cadinsor. I don't understand why this thread isn't full of people praising u/Cadinsor. You all need to look up Michael Freedberg immediately.

#FOF
All of these products, being different (maybe? unless they're all pre-blends?) reproductions of the same scent, are similar enough that my nose can't discern them in any meaningful way. Altogether, it is a fresh scent, that is for sure. It is also undeniably fruity, but I don't care for that at all. I mean, it's fine, but it's not my cup of tea (unless it provides relief from a super-stanky civet).

Now, it's relevant to mention that, as I was figuring out my Games calendar a few weeks ago, my lying-around sample of Executive Man fell onto my concrete floor, seemingly destroying my only goat-cheese fragrance for today. However, there was plenty left in the little tube. Nonetheless, I later got a sample vial of the veritable Creed Aventus. While I haven't used it, there does seem to be something remarkable different about it, better, less in-your-face pineapple.

#photocontest
Photo: History (No, I'm not talking about the goofy Greek diorama, though I am quite proud of that)
I am, however, talking about the literal piece of history in the photo: the 104-year-old razor. I mean, the threshold is 20 years. There's plenty of junk that we all have lying around older than that, but at some point—maybe the centennial mark?—a thing ceases to be old junk and becomes a piece of history (purely coincidental tie-in).

Edit: I've been informed that it's Chypre, after the island of Cyprus, and not chèvre, like goats and goat cheese. They're, like, almost the same word, guys. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

July 15, 2023 - Sheep-ruh

• Brush: Noble Otter 26mm Synthetic
• Razor: Blackland Razors Era 2SB
• Blade: Gillette Platinum (1)
• Lather: Grooming Department - Peach Chypre - Soap
• Post Shave: Aqua Velva - Ice Sport - Splah
• Fragrance: Parfums de Marly - Layton
• Music: The sounds of Mrs. Miasma Yakking

Daily Write-Up:
It seems that Chypres are hard to come by, as this was the smush I sent out most often. 6 times, in fact. I gave generous smushes and don't mind my tub being depleted, because even though the artisan lists many scent notes in addition to the peach in order to make it a Chypre, to my nose when you combine peach with a chypre accord it's one thing. Rotting peaches.

I worked at a grocery store for 6 years in high school and college, primarily in the produce department, so I have experience sifting through pallets of peaches, separating the rotting, maggot-covered ones from the ones that we could sell. So rotting peaches (and cantaloupe, watermelon, and… dear God… potatoes) is a smell that is etched in my memory. And Grooming Department hit it perfectly.

The problem with sending these smushes out is that I may be running afoul of federal statues. There are laws on the books against harming others through the mail, as this woman found out.

So, I had to disguise myself on the video to not alert the feds who I am.

As to who I watch now... Mostly just watch u/VisceralWatch, and listen to u/merikus and u/djundjila, u/semaj2000, u/EldrormR, and VW again on podcasts.

Speaking of which, it's been a long time since either ShavePod or ABC Shave have had a new episode.

Soap Theme Justification
Grooming Department Peach Chypre - It's in the name.

Post-Shave and Fragrance Relevance Notes
* My wife hates…. HATES the Peach Chypre. So I l tripled down on a sort of war day, and picked all the stuff that is her least favorite. * "Aqua Velva makes you smell like a teenager who is trying to cover up the fact they haven't showered in three days." * Layton - "Don't wear that again. It gives me a migraine."

I'm sure she's going to be super happy to see me for the first time in weeks.

I apologize to everyone who received Peach Chypre.

User admits he may have run afoul of federal statutes by mailing a harmful substance -- Peach Chypre in this case.

July 15, 2023 – LG23 Day 15: Sheep-ruh

• Brush: Omega 11047 Mixed 22mm
• Razor: Gillette Travel Tech K-4
• Blade: Gillette Super Stainless (2)
• Lather: West Coast Shaving – Chypre
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre
• Fragrance: Banana Republic – Black Platinum – EdT

Daily Challenge
Shaving in the countryside on the deck overlooking the pool at Mrs_Donut’s cousin’s house. Find out why my videos are better than u/VisceralWatch’s and watch me stumble through the awkward monologue, though I edited most of it out. Who needs another WetTuber? No one, except for today.

The shave today was actually quite nice. Maybe something about sitting peacefully in nature and communing with my shave. It’s enough to make you overlook the abnormalities like too small of a razor or brush, or plow through a video in spite of stumbling over what to say and how to say it. Or, it’s just the Lather Games.

Sheep…bruh
I think this is my first time actually using any Chypre scented anything. I’m not sure it is my favorite, but I could use it more often. Even within the Chypre family, as with any other, it is interesting to see how each artisan chooses to work within the palate. Black Platinum by Banana Republic is an affordable option to try a Chypre fragrance and it is marketed for men and women, so, twinsies again!

We’re halfway through, peeps! Time to buckle down and pull out your best stuff. I guarantee at least one more epic video in the second half.

What a pleasant, calming video.

JULY 15, 2023

• Brush: Stirling Synthetic 24mm
• Razor: Gillette - 1964 Solid Handle Tech
• Lather: Shannons Soaps LTD - Botanica
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Rawr splash

This soap is so warm and earthy. I feel a little bit of spice. Super slick. Overall great feel. I have never tried a Chypre before so this is a good start.

TODAY’s CHALLENGE I am going to post one of the video that help me figure out the correct ways to shave using a GEM from my shave yesterday which I failed miserably. Ya’ll have a good one!!!

PS. If you know the member who is shaving in this video let me know so I can thank him!!!

ROTY

July 15, 2023 – Sheep-ruh

• Brush: Maggard Razors Handle w/ AP Shave Co. Gelousy SHD fan 24mm
• Razor: Muhle R41 Grande
• Blade: Wizamet (10)
• Lather: Grooming Dept – Chypre Vert
• Post Shave: Catie’s Bubbles – Mille Chypre
• Fragrance: Aramis – Aramis

Challenge: I made a video. Go easy on me.

Chypre vert smells like green tea, sculpting clay, muddy rose, and fruit. It feels muted and dull. The soap made a good lather.

Mille Chypre open with a lemony citrus with a bit of something sharp (yuzu?). I get mossy green notes. There’s a rosy floral note. The fragrance is bright and cheerful.

Aramis is, I imagine, a more traditional chypre. It feels old fashioned, like it’s withstood the test of time. I’ve read that chypre tends to be a feminine genre of fragrance, but Aramis is very masculine. The fragrance is very strong with lots of sillage. It’s a mix of earthy, musky, and light floral notes. It’s almost animalic. I can pick out notes of patchouli, leather, and amber. After a while, it dries down to mostly patchouli, leather, and amber, but there's not a huge difference. This is definitely a fragrance for cooler weather. It’s a fragrance I enjoy having in my den.

#FOF

July 15, 2023 – Sheep-ruh

• Brush: Zenith 506U Manchurian
• Razor: Stirling Stirling Stainless Standard
• Blade: Astra SP (Green)
• Lather: The Sudsy Soapery – Lemon Rose Chypre
• Post Shave: The Sudsy Soapery – Lemon Rose Chypre

Went hiking this morning. I’m so out of shape. Have a nice day everyone. Mr Freedberg is still my favorite star. I like that he can pronounce European words.

July 15, 2023

• Brush: Wild West Brushworks Blue Space 26mm Cashmere
• Razor: Blackland Razors Blackbird Ti #CNC
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (1)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre - Soap
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Thayers - Lemon - Toner

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

---

I checked my shaving database and, apparently, I have 12 BaM soaps. Not surprisingly, it is my most-used brand; followed closely by Stirling. Of the BaM products I own, all (or almost all) are in Omnibus. I consider this to be a top-tier soap base. Of the scents, I think of LGC and Seville as very distinctive everyday scents. Then there's a good group of coffee and tea scents followed by more specialty fragrances; Marilyn, Spice, Bay Rum, etc. All terrific stuff. Anyway, LGC was a no-brainer choice for today as is Seville for tomorrow.

Wait! u/VisceralWatch is a WetTuber? Okay, I may have actually watched his eponymous channel playing jazz, and I may have seen 1 or 20 of his shaving videos.

But VW is a whippersnapper; far too young to rant convincingly. Though he's very knowledgeable about shaving gear that was created before his time, and is a reliable commentator on Chicago weather, he lacks the patois necessary to make American English sound authentic and difficult to understand, even to Americans. For that, you need Shaving With Fuzzy who, I know, sets a standard to which VW aspires.

I wasn't feeling inspired to make a photo so for today I went back in black.

2023-07-15 Cheepruh, Shipruh, eh? Sheep-ruh, eh? Chypre...*

• Brush: Stirling Soap Company - Li'l Brudder, Synthetic 22mm
• Razor: Stirling Soap Company - Stirling Stainless Steel "SSS" (Austin Handle / ST plate)
• Blade: Schick Stainless Steel, DE
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre

The shave - software:

Always happy with the performance of Barrister and Mann. I have several of their soaps on hand. I do not have anything much in the way of Chypres so I procured a Barrister and Mann Le Grand Chypre soap sample and an aftershave sample. Chypres, they just don't seem to be supre common - watch I'm totally wrong. The scent is kinda perplexing to me. To me it seems to remind me of Tart-n-Tiny or smarties, and so kinda gourmand. Not bad. Just not expected. I mean take a smartie, or bottle cap, or something like that and elevate it's scent to a epic and glorious mannre and I guess end up with a Chypre. I kinda like it (Mrs. Zombie, not so much though).

The shave - hadware:

Noticing this is Stirling's but unsure of which Stirling soap might truly fit the profile of a chypre I decided to honor this with the hardware side of things. Today I used my Li'l brudder (which also works great for soaps in small containers) and the Stirling Stainless Steel razor. Rod wanted a razor made fully in the USA that matched his standards and his likes. The road was a bit rough, howevre I am incredibly happy Rod took the time to do this as I really enjoy this razor. I have both the ST (standard) and HA (hyper aggressive) heads. The ST is not low in aggression and is my default on this razor. It mows down a tough stubble with ease. The ST, I find to be a bit of a novelty, a novelty that should be wholly respected with great care. This is the most aggressive head configuration I own on a safety razor and you could regard it as a shavette-on-a-stick. The only othre head I have that comes close to this in aggression is an Ikon Tek head (which also demands similar care in use).

All in all a great shave.

Take care and have a good one

________________________________________________

*^(Sorry, no video I do not need to be on a tube or really any other visual medium. The term "face for radio" applies without modification, addendum, or any othre form of clause. In fact locked up in a dark room covered with a tarp may be advisable with regards to my countenance. A framed picture to scare away rats could, however, be a remarkably viable usage for my visage.)

July 15, 2023 - Sheep Ruh

• Brush: Yaqi Cola 22mm Synthetic
• Razor: Karve CB C Solid Bar
• Blade: Gillette Minora Stainless
• Lather: West Coast Shaving - Chypre
• Post Shave, West Coast Shaving - Chypre Splash
• Fragrance: Maher Olfactive - Red Skies

FOF

Today’s Theme:

I went pretty obvious and used a soap called Chypre. Splash is the same, and the fragrance is described as a Chypre on the description from Maher Olfactive.

Today’s Challenge:

God I feel so old sometimes. I recorded a video of my first pass handheld. However, I tried to upload it to imgur 5 times. First at full length, then trimmed, trimmed some more, etc. I have uploaded small snippets before, but this kept saying it uploaded. When I’d go to get the link, image says resource unavailable. I gave up. Maybe there is a simple solution, but I don’t want to spend all afternoon trying to figure it out. So I thought about drawing a pic for every second of the clip to make an animated flip book. Yikes, that would be about 90 pics to draw and image. If I draw one image every 5 minutes, I’d be done later this evening. I could try to upload it to Youtube, but I preferred to keep it hidden in my imgur. What’s left to do? I guess start watching some shave tubers, or better yet, a selection of todays postings. BTW, I’m informing the Postmaster General about the u/OnionMiasma’s crimes against scent, that were distributed through the mail. Now we can all move up a spot once he is arrested, unless he figures out how to make prison soap. (ok, we know he will improvise a fougere out of toilet wine and smuggled ingredients, a brush out of his bunkmates mattress, and a shavette from a toothbrush shiv.) For some other clips, I was impressed with the timelapse u/ginopono posted. I had to watch a second time to catch the wardrobe change. I am going to watch more of them that I missed later. I was reading u/tsrblke’s post before my shave, but didn’t see a link. I checked again and it is there now, so another one to watch on the list. Ok, last review for now, I didn’t actually see a shave in u/RedMosquitoMM’s video. It was about shaving software and hardware though, so I’m sure u/AirBudRule will allow it. (He did do both parts anyway.)

Today’s Shave and Fragrances:

I tend to ramble into the tldr territory, so will combine my fragrance and shave commentary. This is my first use of the duck fat base that WCS gets for their line of soaps. I forget for sure who supplies it, maybe Grooming Dept.? It is on the firm side of the soap range, not a triple milled soap, but similar to perhaps Tabac, but a little crumblier. With a damp brush, it made a very dry foam right away. It took a lot of water to get it to the soft, slick lather I prefer. The scent is very citrusy to me with a kind of mineral background. I’d say it smells like rocks we had surrounding our woodstove in the house where I grew up. The rocks were all flagstones from the local mountains and were covered in lichen. So maybe a mossy scent there? Not as strong as a fougere, but the scent has a strong presence. When I opened the plastic bin where I store my soaps, I got a strong scent coming out of the bin. It was this soap and splash. Maybe I got a drop of splash leaking out? For the fragrance today, went back to my samples and found a chypre scent from Maher Olfactive. There is a bit of similarity to the WCS Chypre, but there is more going on in the fragrance. Definitely a bit stronger citrus off the top, but still untangling the scents I am getting from it. I really need to get some kind of fragrance trainer that has the individual scents. Looking at the listed notes, some of that extra depth I’m picking up is from the leather. Until I saw it listed though, I couldn’t name it, but it clicked when I read the description.

Today’s Haiku:

Video failure,

At least my scents today feel,

Fresh and outdoorsy.

Jul. 15, 2023
Brush: Maggard’s Synthetic
Lather: Barrister And Mann - Le Grand Chypre - Soap
Post Shave: Noble Otter - Bare - Aftershave
Post Shave: Ariana & Evans - Post Shave Balm - Balm

Hectic travel day getting back to the states. Can’t wait to get back to my own den.

My favorite YouTube sensation is Michael Freedberg, though I’m not sure if he’s posting anymore. I watched a ton of his stuff when I went down the wetshaving rabbit hole a few years ago. He’s got the one up on visceral watch because of the scarcity of videos.

Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

2023-07-15 Lather Games SOTD

• Brush: SHAVE⭐DANDY St Vincent (26x55mm Synth)
• Razor: GEM Travel-sized 1912 (1925) #JETSETTER
• Blade: GEM PTFE (7)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive
• Post Shave: Gillette - Cool Wave
• Fragrance: John Varvatos - Vintage

Photos first: color-coordinated soap and brush, and wee lil "squat-head" Travel-style 1912.

I went with a seasonal progression for today's Chypre theme. "Spring Chypre" from House of Mammoth (confirmed as such via DM to Ben last month), summery Aquatic Chypre aftershave (documented as such in an AP News article from 1991 that was just removed from their online archive about a month ago - d'oh!), and an autumnal Woody Chypre fragrance replete with rhubarb, spices, and tobacco - perfect for a fall day. Good trio when spaced out a bit.

I hate this little GEM travel razor. I think it might be an old GEM Marvel? The lid is a little crooked and the spring is a little weak and the result is that you can hear the dang blade rattling around inside the razor every time you swish it in water to rinse off the lather. And that's on top of this version being considered one of the most aggressive versions of the 1912. Not a comfortable shaver.

If anybody wants this razor (ancient case included) it's free for the cost of Canadian shipping.

Challenge: nah, I honestly ain't into wet-tube. And /u/VisceralWatch is the one who got me into GEMs... I'm not sure if that makes him better or worse than other shaving influencers.

July 15, 2023 - Campground shower Chypre Shave

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps "Tekamah" / 26mm G5C
• Razor: Baili BT131 / TiBam "Norsborg" handle
• Blade: Wizamet (7)
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Azure
• Alum: Osma
• Post Shave: Fine Accoutrements - Barber Blue
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Dammusi

Excellent excellent shave to knock down a couple days growth. This new base from Catie's Bubbles is something else. Probably one of the best soaps out right now nO cAp. This scent is also incredibly well done. I had never smelled an aquatic chypre before this, but I can tell you I like them now! It's a bright "blue" scent while at the same time possessing a resinous quality. Dammusi makes an awesome follow up to this shave. These two are the scents of this summer for me!

And when it comes to wet tubers, nobody is better than u/VisceralWatch! ;)

July 15, 2023

• Brush: Boti Totem Pineapple Swirls with Green Tuxedo 25mm Synthetic Knot
• Razor: Wade & Butcher – Extra Hollow Ground 7/8 Straight #STR8SNOB
• Lather: Grooming Dept - Chypre D'Ananas
• Post Shave: Central Texas Soaps – Cowboy Spice Splash
• Fragrance: Mont Blanc – Starwalker

This Chypre is D’ananas! D-A-N-A-N-A-S! I said this Chypre is D’ananas! D-A-N-A-N-A-S! Shoutout Gwen Stefani for making sure I never misspell bananas ever again.

With a name like “Chypre d’ananas”, I honestly expected there to be banana notes in this soap. But no bananas – Just pineapple. Along with his friends Bergamot, Grapefruit, White Flowers Accord, Oakmoss, Cedarwood & Patchouli. But I guess Chypre d’ineapple doesn’t have the same ring to it. I would honestly love an explanation as to what this name refers to. Does anyone know? It’s actually pretty funny, West Coast Shaving AND Pastuer’s Pharmacy spell this soap wrong on their websites. Clearly some people need to listen to more Gwen Stefani!

The scent is nice and the soap performs nicely. I made sure I had an extra watery lather because I used an open blade again today. Gotta collect all the hashtags I can! For the splash I used CTS – Cowboy Spice because it has citrus and is a woody-spicy scent. Wasn’t perfect for the scent of D’Ananas, but it was a nice one-two punch. And for cologne, I used Mont Blanc Starwalker because it’s a nice step up from Cowboy Spice. Starwalker is a woody, citrus, fresh spicy cologne with a badass name. Smelling great after the shave and feeling even better. #FOF

CHALLENGE

As much as I’d like to show my face to the people out there, I actually better not because of the type of work I do. If a goofy video of me shaving got out, it would be great for my career. Which is weird to say, because it’s stupid, but the firm I work for has pretty strict guidelines about publicly facing internet posts. So instead, I’ll tell you who my favorite wettuber is. I actually asked this question when I was first getting going and Michael Freedberg is a great one to watch. I was also pointed in the direction of CosmoBarber for his lathering technique video and I like his style too. Neither one is over the top or fake excited, which is all too common in youtube. They seem like real dudes who are there, talking to a friend. And I like that.

Lather Games Day 15

• Prep: Warm water
• Brush: Mühle - Rocca Jet
• Razor: Mühle - Rocca Jet
• Blade: Voskhod
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre

Today is one of these days! Full of shit! But like sheep shit. Small but plenty and I step on them all day!!!! I don't know why? Maybe because is Chypre day! And all of them is for me!! At first my plan was to go to near mountains because I have day off. To rest on my hammock near small waterfall. To eat and make relaxing video of my shave! Great plan!!! But you know what they said "if you want to make God to laugh ( or throwing sheep shit on you ) make plan". First I forged my phone! I returned to take it back. Arrived but can't find a good spot. After that I have to clean some branches and I forged my saw! Didn't put in my backpack and he stays comfortably in my car! And because is fu*king Saturday there is people everywhere and if I go back somebody will take my spot! My Victorinox Huntsman save me! I have it always with me (and few other blades) But I pay heavy price! I have to clear a lot of branches and one thick little less then 20 cm. I was tired and pissed off!!! I lay back for short break in my hammock! But more people start coming and I decided to make first picture and video before starts crowdy. I was prepared my Mühle Rytmo set because have wooden handles and will match perfectly with nature. But guess what?! I forged to take razor blade!!!! @%&#@@$%#@## Really?!? Am I so stupid? I was so furious!!! Start packing and return to home! And I was ready to go back when my phone rings and my friends call me to ask for my exact location because they arrived! F@##%@@$#CK!!!! I forged that yesterday I was ask them to join me today. OK!!! I spend few hours whit them and I returned home! Now at home I change to Mühle Rocca set. Because was already in my bathroom with blade and ready to use and I don't want to waste more time! In my head on the way back pops genius idea! Because today is Stirling's sponsored day and they are my favorite ( from this brand I have more soaps then others) I'll make joke video in the beginning of real one!!! Amazing!!! The judges will laughing so hard that they will give me all the points in the world!!! I takes one green laver ( green like Stirling's jar so great idea so innovative so original ) full of water. Put half bottle dishwash detergent. Open jar Stirling "Deton-8" take a little, micro peace soaphttps://imgur.com/xvhW8Uz and throw it in water. Grabbed the toilet brush and start stirring like crazy with exclamations " Oooo sooooo much bubbles,...... so quickly became lather from so little..... Detonated great!!..." WTF!!!! Was horrible!!! The most stupid video ever!!!! If Rod seen it he will put bounty on my head or he will shoot me personally!!! I have so much respect to this guy! Ranger making one of the greatest shaving soaps and I'll make him hate me!??!! No way!! I never show this video ( only if Rod personally required)! Its better to loss this challenge! OK I'll regroup and make only shave video!!! Another sheep shit!!!! And I dropped my phone in the sink. Don't worry guys it is waterproof but Another shity video and thank god that my phone battery end to stop this nonsense! This parade of stupidity and lack of originality!!! I'll apply some screenshot just to verify his existence but this video never gonna see lightt!!! F@#$@@$%%$CK!!!! OK I'll writing about watshaving tuber!!! Bit I don't have one!!!!! OK calm down and write few sentences and wrap this misery!!!!! I don't have favorite star in wet shaving. But in the beginning I watched a lot Geo Fatboy videos. And videos about hardware and to know who is top soap makers to buy some of their soaps. But that was less then week. Taste about fragrances and base and safety razors is so individual and I understand that have to start taste and make my own experience. And start to following soap makers in Instagram and start looking for their vendors in Europe and buy stuff. I watch all videos in u/MrTangerinsky YouTube channel. Friend and part of our shave group. That's it!!! I'll go to jump from high building!!!! Oooo nooo I forget another sheep shit! For tomorrow! I have plan to go to nearby ranch! Western atmosphere. I borrowed two revolvers!!! Tomorrow I'll use Chiseled face "Ghost town barber" but guess what before few minutes call me and want me to work tomorrow !!!! So bye bye video!!! Bye bye nice photos!!! I am done!!! P.S. forged the soap! Its amazing!!! Its Barrister!!!!! And if someone is so curious what is in it .....google it!!!!!

P.P.S. and now all judges will hate me for this long writing and wasting their time full of sheep shit!!!!

ROTY

July 15, 2023 – Not so chipper Chypre

• Brush: Ap Shave Co Synbad 24mm
• Razor: Schick Injector Type I1
• Blade: Personna Injector
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre

In the middle of a night shift run at work and can’t sleep. So here’s a low effort post for a low effort shave. Two pass LGC dickhole. Sorry, Charlie.No water sports video from me. Stay rad. 🤙

ROTY

Jul. 15, 2023 - Baa Baa Grand Chypre

• Prep: CeraVe - Hydrating Facial Cleanser

• Brush: Stirling Soap Co. 2 Band Synthetic

• Razor: Blackland Era SB LVL 3

• Blade: Astra Green

• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors - The Soft Lawn

TBH I really don’t know what a Chypre is supposed to smell like and only realized that Alive is classified as a Chypre when looking up things for today. This makes me happy because now I have a matching aftershave for todays theme!

For the fragrance the scent doesn’t perfectly match but Chypre = Sheep, Sheep eat Grass, and Grass = Lawn. Boom on theme! Also I wanted something to tie into the Tennis theme for todays #photocontest #Sport picture!

Lots of incredible things to say about Stirling Soap today. I swapped out the brush I had set out for this synthetic from them. Like many of us, Stirling was the first full size tub of soap I purchased in the infancy of my wetshaving career. Their breadth of products while keeping incredible price and performance says a lot about the effort that Rod and Mandy put into their business! They care about this community so much that Rod was willing to take “repeated kicks to the groin” to make the MOAR BOAR brushes reality!

I have no interest in videoing myself shave for todays challenge. To begin with I shave how God intended us to : buck naked! And that’s a show that only one person has an admission ticket to so unfortunately y’all get left out.

But to satisfy the requirements of the challenge I must share my wettuber of choice. There are a ton of incredible options out there but I keep coming back to sgrdaddy’s channel. You can pretty much guarantee that he has reviewed the scent that you’re looking for and if you need encouragement to push that blade just one more shave he’s got it!

Lather Games Day 15 

• Prep: Splash of warm water
• Brush: Van Der Hagen Boar Brush
• Razor: Viking Revolution Long Handle Safety Razor
• Blade: Treet Silver
• Lather: West Coast Shaving - Chypre
• Post Shave: Barrister & Mann - Behold the Whatsis balm

Never been a fan of chypre soaps so might as well use my WCS sample up. Still had some left so afraid I'll have to use it at least one more time

July 15, 2023 Sheep-ruh

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Wild West Brushworks - Shock - 26mm Timberwolf
• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy Titanium Razor
• Blade: Voskhod (8)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre
• Fragrance: Parfum Belcam - Classic Match Polo EDT

I can't believe we are already halfway through the LGs. I played it safe today and used Le Grand Chypre mostly because I still don't really know what a chypre is. Either way the scent on this has always been one of the best BaM scents imo. The performance was typical of BaM and resulted in a near perfect shave. Paired the soap and aftershave with this Polo dupe fragrance that says its a chypre too.

Challenge - One of my all time favorites has always been u/sgrdddy . Not only do I enjoy his videos, but his willingness to help and respond to everyone on the sub is truly inspiring. Now, don't get me wrong I think u/VisceralWatch is great, regardless of what the other judges want to hear today, but has he used a single blade 500 times? 100 times even? Enough said when it comes to comparing the two if you ask me.

Jul 15, 2023 - Sheep-ruh

• Prep: Klar - Activated Charcoal - Face Soap
• Brush: Declaration Grooming Magic Hour B8
• Razor: STAR Model 100 (1946-1959) #UNICORN
• Blade: Gillette Platinum [3]
• Lather: Grooming Dept - Chypre D'Ananas - Soap
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Chaipre - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Fougere Nemeta - Eau de Parfum

Chypre D'Ananas and Chaipre seem to be somewhat unconventional chypre scents, at least when compared to others I've used like B+M LGC or Death. Each have an extra bright, fruity top, the common chypre notes, and a woody base. Finally, Fougere Nemeta hit all the right notes even if it strayed from the chypre theme.

The STAR razor looks like a cross between a Gillette Old Type and a Tech. It's mild like a Tech, but a bit more efficient. After the first two passes, there wasn't much left for the ATG pass. However, it's still a mild razor and wasn't the closest shave. I probably could have done without the third pass.

WetTuber Challenge: I enjoy watching Jon from Latherhog. His recommendations are usually inline with my own preferences, and his videos are always easy-going, quality work.

Rating: 3.5/5

Saturday, the 15th of July, 2023

• Brush: Semogue Owners Club boar, Taj white handle
• Razor: Blackland Era, Level 3 OC
• Blade: Topaz Platinum (69)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre
• Post shave: Wholly Kaw - Chypre Rose Concerto
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Lyssa

I woke up this morning to find the power's still out here. They say there's crews working around the clock to repair the storm damaage, and there's a lot more to do. It's the longest outage since... 2017 or 2018 I think. At least it's not terribly cold or terribly hot here. At least I don't need electricity to shave, just water. Although today's challenge would require electricity... my phone battery is not dead, but since the power's out I'm trying to conserve the battery, now that I have to charge it somewhere other than my wall.

In this razor, the blade still isn't a rough shaver, but today I needed almost a full fourth pass of cleanup. Which is a bit much. Le Grand Chypre (in Excelsior) of course gave me a great shave. And the bright resiny citrus was a nice scent. I also have this floral Chypre Rose Concerto splash, which is, at least to my nose, not much like le Grand Chypre. It is still bright, at least. Less bright, but also very floral, and I'm sure not at all a Chypre, is Lyssa. This goes quite well after Chypre Rose Concerto, and is a great scent.

I suppose my favorite "wettuber" right now would be HD Shaves. He's a nice dude, the kind of guy who'd give you a thumbs-up for your shave, unlike the harsh judge u/VisceralWatch. ;)

July 15, 2023 – LG 15: Sheep-Ruh

• Brush: Dogwood Coprolite B15 #COMPOSITE #CHONK
• Razor: Military Simplex #UNICORN
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (9)
• Lather: Grooming Dept – Peach Chypre
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre
• Fragrance: Rogue Perfumery – Chypre Siam

As I was figuring out my calendar I had several swap me Chypre. I have LGC, but needed BM another day. So, thanks to u/onionmiasma and u/tetriside who traded me some options. Normally, when something says “warning: terrible” on it, you avoid it in life, but this is LG after all, so that seemed like the reasonable choice. So thanks Onion, I guess? And a thanks to u/eructate for loaning the military simplex for #UNICORN. 40s 3 piece razor with metal head and plastic (maybe bakelite?) handle.

I don’t watch too many wetshaving videos, maybe the occasional scent review. I will say I appreciate how this day turned from bash on an influencer to appreciate someone, we need more positivity in the world. I do recall the first one I watched many moons ago was from u/iamsms, about how to properly lather. I figured I’d do some screen grabs, and showcase a sort of “who wore it best”. If you want to fast forward through a general video to adhere to todays challenge here you go.

I don’t claim to be a Chypre expert, but the gist is citrus top, labdanum (resinous) middle, and oakmoss base. Of course, this can then be taken several directions, enter peach Chypre. There is a touch of peach, but it is buried under a rather dirty patchouli, vetiver, mossy combo. I’d even venture to say it smells a bit like decaying fruit, like when something got left in the fruit bowl too long in the heat. As for LGC, I got it early when venturing into artisan work and it took a minute for me to appreciate it, but I love it. Quite citrusy and a bit floral on top, herby and resinous. Even a touch of light spice, Lastly, Rogue Perfumery’s Chypre Siam. Here, Manual Cross said he wanted to take the genre and, return it to its vintage roots, and use scents from Southeast Asia. Enter kaffir lime, ylang ylang, basil and lemongrass for brightness and citrus. Underneath, animalistic civet and leather are used in combination with the traditional moss base. About an hour or 2 after application, it’s mellowed a ton. Sort of a classy old grandpa smell. #FOF

As for #PHOTOCONTEST, went with games, as always need plenty of sheep in catan.

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

Copying SMS video, including his trademark sloppiness of lathering.

Copying SMS video, including his trademark sloppiness of lathering.

July 15, 2023

• Brush: Sunsoaps Maple Walnut – 26mm Motherlode
• Razor: Chiseled Face - Legacy
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Elysian Soap Shop – Patchouli Peach Splash
• Fragrance: Guerlain - Vetiver
• Music: Mai Yamane – Don’t Bother None

First things first – Thanks for u/worbx for the smush for today. I own a LOT of B&M, but I don’t have Will’s Chypre. Really appreciate you sharing this. I have an interview with Will Carius from Barrister and Mann, but we have a lot to unpack first…

Before I get to today, I need to set the stage. Yesterday, I posted a super cold ice bath shave for Frigid Friday and included a couple friendly digs at u/Marquis90. We both had the same idea to shave in a bathtub full of ice, and I had more ice, and less water in mine. I thought it’d be funny to tag him and let him know. THEN u/MrTangerinesky came in from the clouds and inserted his COMPLETELY WRONG opinion about which ice bath was more difficult. Honestly, I think some of the menthol he put on his balls somehow found it’s way up into his skull and turned his brain to mush. So today, I shaved in my bathtub. Again. In a Spite Shave, dedicated to u/MrTangerinesky, using a method he thought would be more difficult. Watch me do both and see which one I look more uncomfortable in.

After a brutal, frigid shave yesterday, today was an easy full bathtub shave with only one bag of ice, and more water, like u/MrTangerinesky thought would be difficult. Wrong on every count. The softness of a Motherlode knot and the smoothness of the CF Legacy and only one ice bag was like shaving on easy street for this video. Today was the perfect day to use Barrister & Mann as well. Big fan of a lot of what Will puts out and Le Grand Chypre is no different. It’s fresh, with a little floral earthy perfuminess to it and slightly fruity nature to it, which is why I went with Patchouli Peach from Elysian to finish the shave. It’s a little fruity, with a floral perfumy nature to it. Then to close out the scents, Vetiver from Guerlain to bring everything back down to Earth and compliment, yet tone down the fruit notes from the splash for a great #FOF day.

DISCLAIMER: Elysian Soap Shop sent me this sample size splash because I’m on my way to becoming a world famous shavefluencer. #dontforgettolikeandsubscribe

Daily #photocontest. Took a picture with a mobile phone in it.

As far as the challenge, I posted a video yesterday of the ice bath shave, and I’m posting a sequel video today for my Grand Chypre Spite Shave today, dedicated to u/MrTangerinesky. I spend about 90% of the time explaining just how wrong he is. Spite Shaving may be my new favorite way to shave! And look out u/VisceralWatch, I’m coming for you! Just wait until I hand out TWO stickers to everyone I meet that say, “I met Priusaurus and he gave me two stickers!”. You’re move, HDShaves. Still using the free face filter app (which barely works) because I still want to remain somewhat anonymous, even though half of you probably have my name and address by now. I figure most influencers use filters in their videos, why can’t I? Make sure to SMASH that like and subscribe button! And once we reach 100,000 subscribers, we have an AWESOME PRIZE PACK from our sponsors that I’ll send to one lucky subscriber!

PS – Thanks for (hopefully) being a good sport u/MrTangerinesky!

For the interview, I talked with this unknown artisan that call themselves: Barrister and Mann. Give them a shot, I think they may have a future in wetshaving. Okay… That was a joke! Get it? Because Will Carius is well known to everyone in the community. MOIMO, but Barrister and Mann makes the absolute best soap base in the business. There are a lot that are really, really excellent soaps out there, but Omnibus just does it for me. This community is what it is thanks to Will. His willingness to continuously improve and be willing to take risks is what makes B&M one of the best. I’m really happy that Will was willing to take part in this series. Thanks so much, u/BostonPhotoTourist, really appreciate it!

10 Questions with… Barrister and Mann

1) Why the 2nd “n” in Mann? Ever regret not really going for the gusto and making it “Mannn”?

It was just a stylistic device from the fact that I originally envisioned the line to be geared toward men. Point of fact that that that's still functionally true, hard though I have tried to shift it into a more unisex space over the years.

2) One thing I really admire about you is you aren’t afraid to try new things and experiment with scents. You’ve said you don’t want everyone to like every scent you make. Do you have any scent notes that you won’t work with?

I used to say synthetic amber/ambergris notes, but several of my more recent designs have incorporated Norlimbanol, and Lavender, Interrupted contains a decent quantity of the synthetic ambergris material Cetalox. So not anymore, I suppose.

3) I heard you say that your mother actually names most of your soaps. When do you decide that it’s your turn to name one?

It's really just whichever of us comes up with the idea that the two of us like more. She has named things like Nocturne, Adagio, Solstice, Dickens, etc. I've named things like Hallows, Leviathan, Beaudelaire, Seville, etc.

4) Has there been a scent release that stands out to you as unexpectantly successful, where it sold faster or far more than you expected? If so, which one?

Probably 42. I guess I didn't realize how popular Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy actually is, so the reception caught me a bit off guard. We've leaned into it in the years since, of course, but that first release was a bit of a surprise.

5) When I was researching questions to ask Brad Maggard, I stumbled across this comment you made about Colonial Drug in Cambridge, before you even made shaving soaps. Colonial Drug has since moved locations, but have you been back there since you’ve built Barrister & Mann? I'm envisioning you going in today, slamming your soap on the counter ala Matt Damon, and saying "How do you like them apples!"

Man, that thread is a blast from the past. I've only been in their new location twice, shortly after they moved, and was not further impressed.

6) When you aren’t using your own products, what software do like to shave with?

I still have a jar of tallow Tabac; I haven't tried the new vegetal version. Great soap. Other than that, House of Mammoth products are terrific, but I don't buy much in the way of shaving stuff anymore. I have it EVERYWHERE, so it takes something truly remarkable to catch my interest.

(INTERVIEW CONTINUES IN THE REPLY)

User does a 2nd ice bath shave out of spite. Set out to prove that a shallow bath with 30lbs of ice is colder than a deep bath with 10lbs of ice.

July 15, 2023

• Brush: AP Shave Co. 26mm G5C
• Razor: Karve CB (SB – C)
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (4)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw – Chypre Rose Concerto
• Post Shave: Wholly Kaw – Chypre Rose Concerto

Pretty simple to be on theme today. I picked my favorite scent with Chypre in the name. Always looking for an excuse to be a full on rose boy. Great lather. LG really hammering home that non-alcohol splashes aren’t my jam.

I do my absolute best to keep my face off the internet. I won’t even put myself in lesson videos I make for work. So to meet today’s daily challenge I’d like to shout out my favorite wetshavetuber PaulHFilms. He’s my favorite of the daily shave type channels that I’ve found so far. I just really like his vibe and listening to him talk. I think he’s better than VisceralWatch because I can zone out more while listening to him talk.

Healthy Activity of the Day: Tacked on 5 more miles today. Originally planned on doing a double (to get 10), but I went with a friend to some trails near here instead of my usual ride. Actual hills kicked my ass. LG Mileage: 40 miles

Tags: #ROTY

July 15, 2023 – Coyote (thanks to autocorrect)

• Brush: Stirling Soap Co -Boar
• Razor: Gillette Aristocrat
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (1)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Fine Accoutrements – Italian Citrus

Normally by this point I have shaved with Barrister and Mann a few times. But this is the first time this month. A rough shave. It has been ages since I have used the boar and it took a ton of soap and patience before I could get an okay lather. I’ll try again when I have a whole tub and am not working with samples. It smells great.

Jul. 15, 2023

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts/Briar Brushworks Hybrid Declaration Grooming B15 Badger
• Razor: RazoRock Mamba 70
• Blade: Perma Sharp
• Lather: Sudsy Soapary - Lemon Rose Chypre - Soap
• Post Shave: Sudsy Soapary - Lemon Rose Chypre - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Osma - Alum

Well, there’s no chance I am not nailing the theme today….

I really, really enjoy this scent. Since Rose Santal returned to Shawn’s offerings, this scent, and Vide Poche are the two I would most like to see return. Okay, okay…. TSM Fougere too….

This brush was a collaboration between Dogwood Handcrafts and Briar craft Brushworks. It’s got a B15 Declaration Grooming Knot.

The RazoRock Mamba is a nice everyday razor. I have a lot of good “everyday” razors. Mostly because I enjoy shaving almost every day.

Today’s music….

Have a little CAKE….

Sheep Go To Heaven, Goats Go To Hell…

July 15th 2023 - Lather Games Day 15

• Brush: Boti handle w/ 24mm AP Shave G5C
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM PTFE (8)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Death
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Cologne Russe
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Rumble

Chypre day. Maybe you don’t know what a chypre is, but I sure as heck do ^if ^Will ^from ^Barrister ^describes ^a ^soap ^as ^such. So Death it was today, which hit way too close to home considering what I’ve been through this week, but at least I got through the shave without bursting into tears.

No major through lines or connectivity between the soap and post shave choices today; I went with Cologne Russe because I thought I had an aftershave sample of Le Grand Chypre but it turns out it was this instead. And Rumble because Rumble rules.

No time for a video but my favorite non HD wetshaving YouTuber is our very own u/sgrdddy, his videos helped me when I was first starting out and I trust his takes on gear and scents.

• Brush: Naked Armor Mahogany Wood Shaving Brush

• Razor: Gillette Travel Tech

• Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum

• Lather: Grooming Department - Chypre D'ananas

• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Passiflora

• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors - Sun Soaked

My theme for today's shave: Fruity Tooty

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

July 15, 2023

• Brush: Farvour Turncraft B15
• Razor: Supply Pro #DIAL
• Blade: Supply Black Label
• Lather: Ariana & Evans – Spartacus
• Post Shave: Ariana & Evans – Spartacus
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man EdT

Spartacus is a dupe of Creed Aventus, which is apparently a chypre. Not that I fully understand what a chypre is nor what it smells like. Apparently B&M has quite a few that classify (Death, War, Le Grande Chypre...etc.) but already used them for Fremen Friday.

I am also not sure that I get the hype behind Aventus, though it does smell pretty nice to me. Finished off with Executive Man, which is also a dupe of Aventus.

As far as shaving YouTubers go...I have seen quite a few recommendations for u/Cadinsor, which I fully support as his videos were quite helpful when starting out with lathering. Also if you are looking for a very 'spirited' YouTuber and into head shaving and some other shenanigans Subie Shaves (u/luvmy07subie) is worth a look. I believe he was the one who first pointed me towards being able to use GEM blades in my OneBlade Genesis.

#ROTY

July 15, 2023 – War is a Chypre!

• Brush: Maggard Synthetic
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Lite
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – The Four Horsemen: War
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux – Admiral
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux – Admiral

Chypre is bar far one of my least favorite categories, so, I wasn’t that excited about this day being on the calendar. And, given that I am really trying this LG to not get a ton of smushes and not spend any money (read: use what you have) I knew that I would have to use that smush that u/zimora sent me as a funny prank several months back. My poor mailman was probably very confused as to why this little greeting card envelope smelled so bad, but, whatever. Here we are. Zim is a good guy and a good friend and his contribution to this lather games nets me, you know, a few more points towards my mediocre showing.

That said, War (which Will himself says is a Chypre, if you haven't heard) has been locked up in the envelope in a zip-loc for months – never to be smelled for fear of it’s terror. But here’s the thing – it’s not that bad. T+S Shag from Patchouli day was waaaaay worse. I’m sure the scent is stronger on the splash and I am sure my wife wouldn’t like it – hence pairing it with Admiral – but – it was bordering on something pleasant at points as I lathered it on. I did double scrub my face in my post-shave shower for fear of the abomination appearing in the middle of the night as my wife lay next to me, but, for those brief 6-8 minutes, it wasn’t that bad.

Admiral is amazing and does well to cover this up. I can still smell War underneath the Admiral, but, honestly they play pretty well together.

Overall my shave was pretty meh. I shaved before I showered so I could scrub off the stank so my face wasn’t soft and I nicked myself a few times, but, it’s fine. Par for the day kind of thing going on here.

I didn’t take a video, because, well – it’s been a long 24 hours and a rough day of kids’ attitudes and my own bad attitude as a parent so I needed to just shave and be done – War was enough of a stretch. But, I will say that Kevy Shaves is the GOAT. Something about his voice and presentation is just so relaxing. I hear Fitjar soap is not that great, but, ever since I saw him use it early on I’ve wanted to grab some. But, of course, nobody could compete with our own u/VisceralWatch who perfectly encapsulated the loss of thrill feeling earlier this summer that I’ve experienced for the past few months. I want it back, and maybe the impending trip to Mags will bring it back. I don’t know.

Anyway. Have a great night you fine people.

FOF Haiku of the Day

War is a chypre
It is really not that bad
Would not buy it though

DAY 15 LATHER GAMES! WHAT'S A WETTUBER!?!?!?

• Prep: Water
• Brush: DS Cosmetics 30mm Tuxedo Knot
• Razor: Frederick Reynolds 7/8 #ALLNATURAL #STR8SNOB
• Blade: Frederick Reynolds
• Lather: Grooming Dept - Chypre Peach
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre
• Fragrance: Acqua di Parma - Blu Mediterraneo Arancia di Capri

​

PIC OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN

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Just got home, after and incredibly long long day and I'm half drunk.... Just saw u/Priusaurus's video and am currently watching u/chronnoisseur42O's video, cause today we are SET BUDDIES! \^_\^

​

First off, I demand my dividends of having my name used so much in one video, God damn... One could think we were having sex. You moan my name more than women I sleep with... Also djudges, disqualify him, he is making points on my back, not fair!!!

​

Really I'm just stumped... this is probably gonna be my weakest post of the lather games, but hey I stirred the pot enough yesterday it seems, got under that man's skin!! Too bad he couldn't get under water...

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Now for the Daily Challenge I did a video, but the past few days I had such good ideas that I was just spend. So I just went out on my terrace and shaved with a straight, looking at the video I should record there more often! Here's the video!

I will write to say though that for me u/sgrdddy and u/VisceralWatch are the only english speaking wettubers I follow now and since a long time ago. They just have so much knowledge, people who say that Visceral doesn't have a personality, go and watch the Ron Wiebe interview he conducted, it was awesome! Link to that! Screw anyone else, my criteria is, if you can't make good lather I won't watch you!

Note to self: Should shave more often with straights!

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#FOF

Sorry, just sorry, not today, I can't...

• Daily Lather Themes: 15/30
• Daily Challenges: 15/30
• Hardware Scavenger Hunt: 14/20
• Hardware Vendor Points: 1/2
• Software Vendor Points: 6/13
• Software Vendor Bonus Point: 0/1
• 30 Different Soap Brands Point: 15/30
• 30 Different Soaps On Theme Bonus Point: 15/30
• 30 Different Post-Shaves Bonus Point: 15/30
• 30 Different Fragrances Bonus Point: 15/30

• Brush: Simpson Classic #1 synthetic brush

• Razor: Karve Shaving Christopher Bradley

• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre

• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Bare splash

• Fragrance: Catie's Bubbles - blugere

Late Post been hosting my daughter's second bday party no time to record the shave!

ROTY

July 15, 2023 – Sheep-ruh

• Brush: Paladin Chief 26mm Satin Juma Smoke
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Ti
• Blade: Astra SP (2)
• Lather: Shannon’s Soaps - Botanica
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Contemplation

First time trying Shannon’s soaps and why not on chypre day.

The Soap/Lather: I am really not a fan of chypre in general. For whatever reason it just doesn’t click for me. Admittedly this is only the second one I’ve knowingly tried though. The lather however was pretty good. Not the best base I’ve ever used, but certainly adequate for a quick morning shave.

The Shave: After yesterday’s ATG first pass shave my face was a little sensitive and I had to take it a bit slower. Other than that, it was a damn good shave.

Post Shave: Followed up the shave with Contemplation as it just seemed to fit the day. It also helped mellow out the chypre scent into something a little more my style.

Theme: Botanica is billed by Shannon’s soaps as a “modern take on chypre.” How does one modernize a scent, I have no idea. Contemplation, however, may be a little more vague. As Sheep-ruh (phonetics?) is the name for the day I decided on Contemplation because it smelled the most of what sheep remind me of, grass and sunshine.

Challenge: Unfortunately I had to shave in the same bathroom my children were showering in so a video was not possible. Instead let me explain why Double Y (YY) is better than u/VisceralWatch (VW). Lets begin from the top.

• Aerodynamics: Clearly YY is far more aerodynamic in water with that smooth, freshly shaved, dome as VW will be slowed with that perfect head of hair.
• Courage: YY laughs in the face of danger and requires no eye protection for shaving. VW on the other hand wears glasses, I’m sure for his safety.
• Happiness: Just watch YY, the man is always smiling and incredibly excited to shave. I doubt any YouTube shaver can match is joy, but certainly not VW.
• Encouragement: YY has encouraged me with his overly positive praise of each soap to further my den growth without concern to the fact I have more soap then one man could ever need.

All jokes aside, VisceralWatch has a great channel and I have enjoyed watching more than a few of his videos.

#ROTY

Jul. 15, 2023
Brush: AP Shave Co G5C
Razor: Karve CB
Blade: Astra SP Green
Lather: Stirling Soap Co - Almond Creme - Soap
Post Shave:* Cella - Red - Balm

Today I fail as I do not have a Chypre sadly

ROTY

• Brush: Shave Prescription 28mm B11
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Titanium #CNC
• Blade: Persona Israeli Red
• Shave Soap: House of Mammoth - Alive shave soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive aftershave splash
• Fragrance: Maher Olfactive - Crystal Moon

U/USS-SpongeBob says Mammoth Ben says this is a chypre. That works for me. Chypre is a fun word- it’s a conglomeration of random letters, probably French or something- and it sounds nothing like it reads. My cave-man depth of understanding is that it means I am supposed to smell like something I would want to eat, but it sounds like a sheep-ruh- something I would not want to eat. Sheep are slow and dumb.

Whatever this may be, I smell like apples and Crystal Moon. I like this.

shave

July 15, 2023 – Month of Lather Day 15

• Brush: Simpson - Trafalger T2 Synthetic #OLDWORLD #PREMIUMPLASTIC
• Razor: Razorock Game Changer .68-P
• Blade: Gillette Minora Stainless (3)
• Preshave: Stirling Soap Co. – Unscented
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre Balm
• Music: Cypress Hill - Insane In The Brain

Daily Theme: B&M Le Grand Chypre demonstrates its chypre-ness right there in it's name. Shave time!

The Challenge: Today's challenge presented two options: record my shave WetTube style, or talk about WetTube videos. So the choices are to make an @$$ of myself, or to be a lame@$$. I'm an @$$ either way, so no lame for me today. Here's the @$$tastic proof.

The Shave: In spite of my horrible shaving technique due to having no frickin' idea on how to properly record a shave, the B&M Omnibus base performed flawlessly. I wish I had given B&M its well-deserved props on the video, but I'm making up for that now. #ROTY

July 15, 2023 – What even is chypre  

• Brush: Echolly – synthetic  
• Razor: Gillette Tech  
• Blade: Astra SP (Green)   
• Lather: Grooming Dept – Chypre Peach  

I still have no clue what chypre is supposed to actually smell like, but this is not good.

Challenge: I really do not want videos of myself on the internet. But I also felt like I should at least try to do something other than recommend the same excellent Maggard video every year.

I started with modesty bubbles and low light, then gave it a shot with the time lapse setting on the camera. It’s as much as y’all are gonna get.

July 15, 2023 * Brush: Summer Break Soaps w/ Declaration B10 * Razor: Blackland Blackbird Lite * Blade: Gillette Nacet * Lather: Sudsy Soapery X Chatillon Lux - Lemon Rose Chypre - Soap * Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - Yuzu Rose Patchouli - Aftershave * Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Yuzu Rose Patchouli - EdT

This soap always reminds me of the great LG fumble of 2020. Low IQ players couldn't plan their calendar so the judges gave out gimme points. Some days I like rose scents more than others. Today the rose is hitting heavier than I'd like. Great shave though! The Blackbird Lite really shines with daily use.

Here is today's shave video. I had to precariously set the phone up on a tower of paper towels, so the quality is pretty doo doo.

u/Cadinsor was my first WetTubing love. His review of Declaration Grooming Gratiot League Square influenced my first soap purchase following the Maggard starter kit. My first brush upgrade, a Yaqi Moka Express, was also based off a Freedberg review. His tutorials are extremely informative, the reviews are thorough and genuine, and every video is full of positivity and joy.

15 July 2023 Complementary Non Dickkhole Shannon Soaps Botanica

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Zenith r/wetshaving 2022 Moar Boar
• Razor: Ever Ready Streamline
• Blade: GEM (24)
• Lather: Shannon Soaps - Botanica (10)
• Post Shave: Australian Private Reserve - Winterfall A/S
• Post Shave: Thayer's Concoction
• Post Shave: Cold River Soapworks - Sandalwood Post Shave Lotion
• Post Shave: Tabac-Balm Balm
• Fragrance: D&G - L'Imperatrice No 3

Late post. Botanica from Shannon's is a pretty decent Chypre scent. Soap is decent as well

From yesterday

Can anyone beat SoSusDavid and his threat to beat people at a wetshaving meet?

Or when SoSusDavid said he could do make brushes better than established artisans?

Don't you love some dramz? u/Visceralwatch does no drama. All his videos are to the point, informative and unbiased.

Cheers

July. 15, 2023 - SOTD 

• Prep: Splash of warm water
• Brush: Oumo O4 Venus SHD Badger Brush 26MM
• Razor: West Coast Shaving Multi Titanium Collection Razor
• Blade: King C Gillette
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre

ROTY