LGSOTD 25-July

• Brush: Chisel and Hound - Brazier AP Gelousy #SHD
• Razor: Wolfman - WR2 1.25   
• Blade: Wizamet - Super Iridium  
• Lather: Noble Otter – ‘Tis The Season   
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – ‘Tis The Season AS

Christmas in July, wow I didn’t actually know that was a thing beyond the original movie, I had to Google it and got lost in wikipedia. Seemingly it’s spreading across the world and becoming yet another ‘movement’, who knew, certainly not me, guess I get to use the phrase ‘bah humbug’ early this year.  Saying that though, at least today gave me an excuse to bring out the NO set, bought for this past real christmas but it saw only a handful of uses, shame really.  It’s nice, a little reminiscent of a car air freshener, but it’s actually enjoyable.  One brief note on the setup pic, I bloody hate that elf, 3 years we've had to find a ridiculous number of different hiding places because this child has a memory like a steel trap, damn elf! 

Now for the challenge, this could go a couple of ways.  I could go the easier route and just use my left hand, there’s no real challenge in that one though.  The razor mainly guides itself and with a straight I use both hands anyway.  The other, I could ask the Mrs. I considered this one for a while and thought why not, let's see what she says.  So I sidled up to ask her whether she’ll shave me…I think I could have phrased that better and put it into context first but never mind.  After a very puzzled look and a brief explanation she kindly accepted. I then had to clarify further that she had to use her left hand, a little less sure but after first laying out the terms that any injuries I suffer from shaky hands are of my own doing she was still in, so in for a penny in for pound!  So as my special guest star, welcome Mrs Crossan1983's hand. My choice of razor could have been a bit better, the gap is large ish and she’s not overly familiar with DE’s beyond the crap no name one use I used for the #RAINBOW tags, but I was slated to use this anyway, so this could be fun.  

Can't share the video, but here are a handful of stills, the first couple with the look of shock is that she seemed to take the advice of shave the lather literally, the razor barely touched my skin.  I'll be absolutely honest, we had to stop at one pass, that one pass took 20 minutes, only my first forays into straights took that long. We had to keep stopping, one for her hand to stop shaking, several times because we were laughing and unsurprisingly, given the time it took, I had to reapply (the lather wasn't my best). But after all that I can safely say I won't be asking the Mrs to shave me again unless I'm in a coma, awful finish. That was good for a laugh so thank you for the challenge. 

Hope everyone has a closer shave than me and a cracking day. 

Cheers

Marc

#ROTY #PhotoContest

July 25, 2023 – Month of Lather Day 25

• Brush: DS Cosmetics Jade Green handle w/ DSC 24mm SHD G7 Synthetic knot
• Razor: Gillette Tech
• Blade: Gillette Platinum (3)
• Preshave: Stirling Soap Co. – Unscented
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Smoking Bishop
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented Balm
• Fragrance: Ralph Lauren - Polo Red Intense EdT
• Music: Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes - Let's Just Do It

Daily Theme: B&M's marketing for Smoking Bishop: "Smoking Bishop refers to a pleasing punch served in Victorian homes during the winter season... Whip some up today and be transported to a Dickensian Christmas".

The Challenge: After recovering from the shock of reading today's challenge (and ignoring any conspiracy thoughts fermenting in my brain), I got down to solving the task at hand. I'm left-eye dominant but I write (and shave) with my right hand. I perform many tasks left-handed (including hockey which I sucked at it but loved playing) so why can't I shave lefty? Recognizing that I would need to focus on the razor orientation in order to follow my grain patterns, I reasoned that a razor with a neutral-ish blade exposure and a mild-ish blade gap would be best because I didn't trust myself to always keep the shave angle in a safe zone. The Tech is my most forgiving razor so it was chosen.

The Shave: Today's shave was surprisingly enjoyable. The Omnibus base was great as always. Not having to worry about the lather I rode the cap of the Tech and after two passes (WTG, then ATG with very minor cleanup) I survived with a nick/burn-free SAS. The most difficult part of the Leftorium Challenge was getting my right hand to contribute to the shave. With enough practice, left-handed shaving could become a new tool in my shaving tool kit. #ROTY

July 25, 2023 – Christmas in July, Secret of Santa

• Brush: AP Shave Co. 22mm Faux Horse w/ Ruby Ripple Handle #fauxfur
• Razor: Gillette Slim #dial
• Blade: 7 O’Clock – Sharpedge (Yellow) (3)
• Lather: Siliski Soaps – Santa’s Pipe
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face – Santa Paula
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux – Rose Santal

Ah Christmas. Wonderful time of the year. So great it’s starting to sneak up sooner each year. I see Christmas stuff for sale before Halloween now, usually at Sam’s. So Christmas in July may end up being accurate in a few years at this rate.

For today’s theme I chose Santa’s Pipe. I mean it just screams Christmas in the name. Now, as far as I can tell the type of pipe is not specified, but given another magical Christmas character, Frosty the snowman smoked a corn cob pipe, and I live in Missouri, home of a corn cob pipe company I’m inclined to believe Santa also smoked such a pipe. And in honor of this, not only will I shave with my non-dominant hand for the challenge, I have brought out my old cob pipe for this shave. (picture is neck up, so SFW-ish) Alas, I have no pipe tobacco anymore so I’ll have it just keep it for a phantom smoke. Add a red brush for Santa’s jacket and this is a Christmas themed shave. Even has a present. A loaner razor from u/Chronnoisseur420 so I can get a bit of a point. I set it to 1, did 2 left hand passes, turned it to 2, did a 3rd and ended up with a surprisingly good shave, even if I had trouble finding the angle. Not sure I’ll switch to an adjustable, but it was fun for one use. Glad the shave went well because it's not like tomorrow's will be enjoyable.

For #fof, the soap gives me peaches and cherry when lathered and that and the EdT go surprisingly well with the citrus in Santa Paula but they all also have a theme. All of their names contain the word “Santa” in the name. Just ignore the extra L. Continuing my trend with the Chatillon Lux scents, these tie a bit into my own experience. This scent is described as being inspired by Henry Shaw’s travels before returning to Saint Louis. It’s a testament to the impact of Shaw’s legacy in STL that Shawn has not one but 2 scents that can be traced back it him in some way. (The other being YRP, which is inspired by “Shaw’s Garden” what the Missouri Botanical Garden was called for years of my youth.)

For #photocontest, I’m running out of ideas. So here’s “Royalty.” anyone with kids my age will recognize the child versions of the queens of Arendelle, Elsa and Ana. Could have chosen any of my daughter’s Disney princesses, but for the winter themes I went with the ice queen. And put them in front of our Christmas tree with my son’s adult Elsa version (he’s a copy cat of his sister sometimes and wanted in on the fun l) for good measure.

Keep slogging my fellow #ROTY well have winner soon.

Edit almost forgot hardware tags.

Tue Jul 25 2023

• Prep: A hot shower
• Razor: Merkur - 34C HD
• Blade: BiC Chrome Platinum
• Brush: Perfecto Badger
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Druantia Soap
• Post Shave: Pinaud - Clubman AS Lotion

Out of town today. So not my normal good shave. But i enjoyed the shave.

ROTY

Lather games 2023 day 25

• Prep: Warm water
• Brush: Mühle - Rytmo
• Razor: Mühle - Rytmo R41
• Blade: Voskhod
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Christmas Eve
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Christmas Eve
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Christmas Eve
• Post Shave: Osma - alum block

Christmas for me is not the same since I have to buy the presents. So let's leave this jungle bells a side. Another Stirling! I love this brand!!! This soap Smell like Christmas tree when you put decoration. No pie no cookies no hot chocolate with marshmallows. I don't like This scent like I like "Ozark Mountain ". Evergreens, fresh but still this one is OK the Ozark can sniff all day! I choose again Mühle Rytmo set coz I think that match with Christmas atmosphere wood and shiny things!!! And to give deserved to this set. I love this R41. Time to time I use my left hand for..... Various things..... And it is not so unfamiliar to me so today challenge was not so..... Hard ;)

ROTY

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts 49ers Custom w/ Declaration Grooming B5 28mm

• Razor: Blackland Blackbird

• Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Santa Noir

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Santa Noir

• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors - Whispered Myths

Today's Theme: Christmas in July - well Santa Noir has a santa hat on the label so I think we're good here.

Today's Challenge: Leftorium Challenge - I'm left handed. Most people in my life know this. What you don't know but likely could have guessed, is that I was dropped as a baby. No brain damage on record but I did break my right wrist, so all my fine motor skills development went to my left hand even though my right hand has all the power and would likely have been my dominant hand. So today I shaved using only my right hand.

Why did I use the a very efficient razor like the Blackbird instead of something a bit safer like a tech (like how /u/AdWorried2804 so smartly chose)? Well I'd like to say it's because I ain't no scrub. But truth be told it's because I took my SOTD photo before I checked the daily challenge and I don't do retakes. Small nick on my upper lip but otherwise an OK shave after my brain adjusted to moving the razor around with my other hand.

My theme for today's shave: Santa's Not Real

For today's shave, Santa Noir was an obvious choice, and I wanted to contemplate the role of mythology in our lives, so Whispered Myths from Imaginary Authors felt appropriate. Being that we're all of shaving age here, I think it's safe to assume we're all aware of Santa Claus' mythological status, the history behind sinterklass, saint nicholas, krampus, and the whole holiday's pagan origins. If not, then oops.

I do find that these shared mythologies which we attribute context and causality to the regular events in our lives are something that not only simplify things, but give us all an opportunity to share joy. Whether it's Halloween's spooky ghosts, Christmas' Santa Claus, Easter's bunny, or any other of the holiday-adjacent mascots that give context to our lives, I find great joy in being able to let go of being so firmly rooted in reality and just enjoying the fantasy of some holiday mascot becoming real for one day a year.

For music, I picked Therion's Secret of the Runes album which is basically just symphonic metal about different aspects of Norse mythology. Great album that - in conjunction with Deggial - really helped shaped the direction of the band ever since they transitioned away from black metal. #photocontest #FOF #ROTY

July 25, 2023

​

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: Trotter Handcrafts Bone Classic G5C
• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy Aluminum
• Blade: Personna 74 (5)
• Lather: Stirling - Scots Pine Sheep
• Post Shave: Cooper & French - Santa's Workshop
• Fragrance: None

Shout out again to /u/Priusaurus for the Scots Pine Sheep; a fine pine-y Xmas tree scent. Whipped up the lather with a brand new Trotter synthetic, the handle is nice and heavy. Diving further into Xmas in July by topping of the shave with some Santa's Workshop balm, one of the few items I've bought again once the first ran out. Really puts you in the spirit when you're cooling off by the air conditioner after.

​

For today's challenge, I went with my non-dominant hand for the entire shave. I have some experience using the other hand from using a straight, so it wasn't too bad, maybe a little more awkward since the CF Legacy needs a wider angle.

​

Until tomorrow!

#ROTY

7/25/23

• Brush: Farvour Turn Crafts w/ C&H v12 Fanchurian
• Razor: Ralf Aust 6/8, Full Hollow Spanish Point
• Lather: Noble Otter - The Night Before
• Post Shave: Wholly Kaw - Amber Bomba Aftershave Splash

I got smush of TNB from u/J33pGuy13 and I actually really liked it. The Frankincense and Myrrh really stood out to me, as well as the sandalwood. In the back I got hints of the vanilla, amber, and fir. It was more incense-y to me than it was christmas feeling. Zero complaints, this is the kind of scent I'd wear year round.

To pair with it I chose Amber Bomba. The AB label I think really does a good job of giving you an idea about this scent. The warm light of candles in the night. Not only did I think the amber, cinnamon, honey, and vanilla would fit well with TNB, I also felt that vibe really captures those Christmas nights, at least for me anyways. The kind of nights that followed a day of family fun. Kids are all worn out and sleeping and the night is ending just chilling out in soft light from the tree and candles with the Mrs. The two paired well together.

Todays challenge wasn't the hardest, but it also wasn't the easiest. I never use my left hand to shave. I strictly stick to my right, as I can comfortably and confidently get a great shave out of it. I didn't nick myself any and I don't have any razor burn, but I can certainly feel some of the spots where I didn't get near as close as I typically do. Overall the shave was fine, nothing to right home to Mom about or anything.

#ROTY

• Brush: Van Der Hagen Boar Brush
• Razor: Parker Clip-Type Shavette Dark Sheesham Wood Handle
• Blade: Treet Carbon Steel "Black Beauties"
• Lather: Black Ship - Wassail

ROTY

July 25, 2023

https://imgur.com/gallery/i1GEbT3

Prep: Proraso - Refrescante Preshave Cream

Brush: Antiga Barbearia de Bairro - Principe Real Green Boar Brush

Razor: Rockwell - 6S R6 plate

Blade: Feather (1)

Lather: House of Mammoth - Santa Noir Shave Soap

Post Shave: Cremo - Vintage Red No. 508 Spiced Amber Post Shave Balm

Today's shave was pretty great. Thanks to u/chronnoisseur42O for the excellent quality smoosh today. This scent is very mild but pleasant. I wish it was still available, I would definitely buy a tub. HoM base was great as always, giving me a nice lather and a DFS.

Challenge: I started wet shaving with a straight razor, so using both hands to shave kinda came naturally to me when I picked up a DE. I thought everybody shaved that way (left hand on the left side, right hand on the right). I guess not, lol, so in honor of today's challenge, I switched it up a bit and shaved my left side with my right hand and my right side with my left hand. Boy, was that fun. I don't think I'll be doing that again soon.

#ROTY

• Brush: Simpson Classic #1 synthetic brush
• Razor: Friedrich Herder Abraham Sohn 49 straight razor
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Eigengrau soap
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Eigengrau balm

ROTY

Getting close now… I chose Eigengrau for today's shave in soap and aftershave form. I don't know how much more winter a soap could get. It contains cold air… Been sitting on this set a while now and in use I really really enjoy it. I'm not exactly sure why to be honest. Both my wife and my friend's wife, separately from one another, told me it smells like mold. I don't really pick up much of that but find it cooling with a light powder type smell with unique elements of fir and lichen adding a bit of mystery. I'm pretty into it.

For today's challenge I'm lucky in that when I was starting to learn with the straight razor, I read to begin working on your off hand technique right from the get go and that's what I did. I don't feel very disadvantaged using my left for the most part. Maybe only slightly so but I was able to carry on without much trouble.

Jul. 25, 2023
Brush: AP Shave Co G5C
Razor: Karve CB
Blade: Astra SP Green
Lather: Barrister And Mann - Vespers - Soap
Post Shave:* Zingari Man - Unscented - Balm

Shaving lefty was risky. Definitely did not attempt to get as close of a shave as I normally do and nicked myself pretty good on the Adams Apple! Fun times!

ROTY

Day 25 - Christmas In July

• Brush: APShaveCo - Butterscotch Handle with Synbad Knot.
• Razor: PAA - La Criatural Green
• Blade: Astra Green
• Lather: Noble Otter - 'Tis The Season
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - 'Tis The Season
• Fragrance: House Of Mammoth - Indigo

Merry Christmas! Today, for me, it was between Vespers and Tis The Season. I picked NO because it perfectly captures the fresh-cut evergreen smell that always brings me back to picking out a tree in December. Vespers is good, but I love Tis the Season.

I face lathered today. For some reason, that was easier with my non dominate hand than bowl lathering.

For the fragrance, since it is not Christmas, I went with Indigo in an attempt to be more dark and mysterious than Christmassy.

ROTY #FOF

July 25, 2023

• Brush: Grizzly Bay V19
• Razor: Leaf Elite
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue(1)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Santa Noir
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Santa Noir
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth – Santa Noir

Merry err, Christmas?

Santa Noir is a wonderful holiday fragrance, glad for the excuse to use it out of season as it is just a wonderful scent all around. The Tusk base needs no qualifiers, it is definitely at the top of my list, and always provides me with a good shave.

Even when trying left handed. Luckily this razor pivots and is likely more forgiving than a traditional DE, but the shave definitely takes even longer and is more frustrating than I am used to. Shaving my head already takes long enough.

#ROTY

July. 25, 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: Black Ship Grooming Co - Wassail
• Post Shave: Nivea Men - Sensitive Soothing Aftershave Balm

If you haven't noticed I'm a big fan of Black Ship. This is the first scent I ever got from them and it literally smells like apple cider. Absolutely love this scent!

ROTY

JULY 25, 2023

• Brush: Stirling Synthetic 24mm
• Razor: Gillete King C. Chrome
• Lather: MacDuff’s - Explorer Series Christmas Tree
• Post Shave: MacDuff’s - Explorer Series Christmas Tree Splash

What’s better than PineSol? Pine Tree! Particularly Christmas trees. Makes the whole house smells fresh and clean. I got this soap for my B-Day couple months ago and been waiting till today to try it out and I am elated! I may shave my legs again just so I can lather this scent all over. PICTure.

TODAY’s CHALLENGE: Holy baby Jesus! This was the hardest thing I have done in a while. I pride myself in being able to use both of my hands for everything but I was wrong! The longest shave of my life! I got through it but took me 35 min!!!!! I mean I was late to work in trying to finish shaving with my left hand. My eyes were red in the exertion of having to concentrate so much - so pathetic. I got through but my face is all beat up again. Nick and weepers here and there. And for the first time in my shaving experience I actually thought maybe an alum block could come handy in these type of situations. Food for thought.

ROTY

July 25, 2023

• Brush: AP Shave Co. 26mm G5C
• Razor: Blackland Vector
• Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild (AC) (14)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Santa Noir
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Santa Noir

This trickhole is literally the only thing I have that fits today’s theme. Good news is that I really like this scent, bad news is that this scent is terrible in the heat. Nothing throws my northern hemisphere located brain into existential dread quite like smelling Christmas Trees when it’s 102F outside.

For the daily challenge I’m posed with a bit of a problem. I always shave with both hands at a basically 50/50 split for both head and face shaving, and I live alone so I can't ask someone else to do it. I’m right-handed, so I could’ve just done the whole shave with my non-dominant hand, but that sounded kind of boring. So what I actually did was completely invert my routine. Anything I normally shave with the right hand I shaved with the left hand, anything I normally shave with the left hand I shaved with the right hand. This was actually quite challenging to make sure I got the directions right with my weird growth pattern. Here is a diagram of my normal shave pattern, color coded by hand, so to imagine today's shave just swap red and blue.

Healthy Activity of the day: Super short ride today, waited too long to go out and it got too hot. LG Mileage: 91 miles.

Tags: #ROTY

July 25, 2023 – Christmas in July ~~but in June~~.

• Brush: Paladin Chief 26mm Satin Juma Smoke
• Razor: Merkur 34C
• Blade: Astra SP (1)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Frozen Tundra
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Tis the Season splash
• Fragrance: Duke Cannon - Sawtooth

Lather: Normally this is the easy part. Add soap to bowl (yes I bowl lather) and add water while whipping up a lather. Not today though. As the day is all about using your off hand. So away I went working up a pathetic lather for the days shave. Yes this awkward lather session lasted longer than prom night, but alas Imgur would only let me post 60s.

The Shave: The shave went just as poorly as the lathering. My left hand really has little in the way of talent so most of the time spent was at angles so far outside the norm it removed nothing from my face. After shaving for what seemed an eternity I managed to get some semblance of a decent shave.

Post Shave/Frag: I finished up the shave continuing on the winter spirit with Tis the Season splash and Sawtooth. I now smell like a tree in the snow.

Theme: Todays theme is winter scent and Frozen Tundra is just that. Stirling describes this scent as “A blend of nine essential oils and menthol meant to recreate the scent and feel of earth in winter.”

Challenge: Todays challenge was using your non-dominant hand for the shave. While I wasn’t able to record the shave, I did use my left hand and struggled through it.

#ROTY

[July 25, 2023 – Cranberry and Cedar Tidings via Ladder] (https://imgur.com/a/dK46pcw)

• Brush: Extro Comesi Synthetic 26mm
• Razor: Berkeley Shave Selector #unicorn
• Blade: Astra SP (Green) (3)
• Lather: K Shave Worx – The Elf Den
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. – Arkadia

This shave tonight is a Christmas in July gift to our master of ROTY u/J33pguy13. Not only did I step it up and complete the challenge using my left hand but I took his advice/chiding to really “step it up”. So I decided to “step it up”. As you can see in my SOTD photo, I pulled out my step ladder. I shaved my first pass with my left hand while on the first step of my ladder hunched over to look in the mirror at my disastrous and confusing shave. I hope this is what he meant because I’d rather not shave on a ladder for the remaining week, please confirm or deny.

First time using K shave worx. No complaints, fine lather but also no compliments. Was really looking forward to the balsam but I only got the cranberry, which was nice. I find Arkadia similar in being a little one note, cedar. But. They do well together and it was a fine shave, if a bit dodgy from the technique.

The highlight of this shave though I think is my #unicorn razor. This was actually my great grandfathers razor. Produced for one year in 1946, the Berkeley Shave Selector is a neat little adjustable razor. Surprisingly aggressive, tighten down its more aggressive than a tech. Here’s a link to a thread with a better overview than I can provide. https://theshavingcadre.com/threads/1946-berkeley-shave-selector.2166/

Cheers! 🤙

ROTY