The Days Of Weckoning are upon us

• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with a 26 mm unbleached Zenith boar knot at 56 mm loft
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade Med Prep
• Blade: Kismet Rostfrei, Polymer beschichtet (8)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Oceana
• Post Shave: Ralon – Original
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. – Island Man

So, I came down with something, started AA with fever and a splitting headache, and almost didn't post yesterday.

Today I'm feeling marginally better, and I actually enjoyed my shave. Three passes with a Kismet, Soft Heart, and Oceana is a pretty great combination.

#Monthofweckoning

Austere August 2023

• Brush: >!REDACTED!<
• Razor: Munnin Woodworks Forest Moss Sextoblade
• Blade: Kismet (2)
• Lather: MdC Vetyver Brain Bowl (Day 98)
• Post: CB V splash

Another great shave. The Brain Bowl continues to treat me well.

monthofweckoning

August 2, 2023

• Brush: Zenith 508 Moar Boar
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade
• Blade: Kismet hair shaper (86)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - unscented balm
• Post Shave: Olay Complete

Settling in with this stuff for the next few weeks. I'm so accustomed to this stuff that it's an automatic shave.

#Monthofweckoning

2023-08-02 - Day Two

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade
• Blade: Kismet
• Brush: Omega Pro48
• Lather: Barrister And Mann - War
• Aftershave: Lucky Tiger Splash
• Balm: Nivea Cooling Balm

Austere August: Day: 2
MRTNG's Ultra Nightmare Mode
#Monthofweckoning
#RawHoggin

Dear u/PrideTwo

As I embark on the second day of Austere August, I find myself reflecting on yesterday's experience. It appears that the lingering scent of #WAR soap persisted for about 5 to 6 hours after the shave, a testament to its potent aroma.
In today's razor and blade adventure, I achieved smooth passes with the grain, which provided a satisfying start to the shave. However, I spent extra time on my against the grain passes, being cautious not to draw my own blood for two consecutive days - a feat I consider a success. Although not the smoothest shave I've ever had, it was certainly not bad, and I take solace in the progress made.
The #WAR soap proved to be a bit of a challenge during the lathering process this morning. My bathroom no longer retained the scent of war, but the brush retained the lingering fragrance from yesterday's shave. On my first attempt at loading the brush, I underestimated the amount of soap needed, leading to a rather unimpressive lather that merely trickled down my face and neck. Thankfully, I adjusted my approach, loading more soap, and successfully generated a good, slick lather.
Regarding the boar brush, I noticed a few hairs shedding this morning. While it still carries the unmistakable scent of #WAR, I am eager for it to break in and reach its full potential. The splay of the brush is a delight, and I look forward to seeing how it evolves over time.
As the second day concludes, I am gradually adapting to the nuances of #WAR soap and refining my shaving technique with each passing moment. While the challenges persist, so does my determination to persevere. Until tomorrow, my journal, I shall continue to document my journey through this austere battlefield of shaving.

Thank you... I Hate you....
Sincerely u/Absenth

Aug 2, 2023 - Mammoth Mafia

• Prep: CeraVe - Hydrating Facial Cleanser

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps Grant w/Maggard 26mm Boar

• Razor: Weck Sextoblade

• Blade: Kismet Hair Shaper

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Dammusi

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

Day 2 and I’m my face is absolutely on fire from the second day with the Sextoblade. I’ve gotten a surprisingly ok shave but it takes forever and my face is super raw from trying to make it presentable enough for Uncle Sam. I am nowhere near able to do a ATG pass so today was WTGx2 and XTG. Been switching hands which helps out a lot on the angles. I really just need to figure out how to stretch my chin flat enough for this.

This boar knot is going to be incredible once it breaks in! It’s already not scratchy or unpleasant but it’s eating lather like nothing! I had to go back to the tub both shaves so far! Also had to pull and reset the knot today since my glue job didn’t stick and it was coming loose on one side. Hopefully round 2 works better for me!

Raw Hoggin album

Daily tags: #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23 #MonthOfWeckoning

August 2, 2023

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (2)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

“Wow, what happened to your face!?

“You weren’t being careful.”

“You could use some makeup to cover it up.”

“I’m sorry that happened, dad.”

Just a few highlights from the breakfast table this morning. Kids say the darndest things, am I right?

Needless to say this morning’s shave was another chance for learning. I have no idea what I’m doing. I know I have no idea what I’m doing. But, we’re here to learn. u/Zimora sent me a helpful video to watch and shared this graphic and between the two and my own mistakes I learned that I have been holding the razor at way too narrow of an angle. I’ve also just not been careful enough setting the blade on my face. Three or four cuts are definitely from sloppiness at this point.

Dundy whipped up an excellent lather. There’s one hair that has to be in there upside down because it’s very pokey. I tried to pluck it, but, I don’t know if it was for sure the right one. Tomorrow will tell. Tomorrow evening, though, because this face needs a 36 hour rest. I told myself I wasn’t going to shave in the morning so I would avoid going to work looking like I’d gotten in a fight, but, my foolish pride and ego got the best of me, so, now we rest.

As for Dammusi, today, I’m trying to imagine what Ben was getting after when he set out with this and this can definitely take me to the water and wet stones. It’s bringing me here – the shores of Lake Michigan at Cave Point park in Door County, Wisconsin. This photo is a year or so old, but, it’s a very happy memory. I get the wet rocks, the damp breeze, and the dark/dirty woodsiness of the hike there and back. Love it. I don’t mind smelling this all month long!

RawHoggin

MammothMafia23

Monthofweckoning

August 2, 2023

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: AKA Brushworx- 26mm Boar
• Razor: Weck Hair Shaper
• Blade: Kismet (2)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

RawHoggin

Monthofweckoning

A bit more irritation with this morning's shave. Nothing too bad though and I smell great so I can't complain! After only two uses I'm pretty sure this brush is going to end up being one of my favorites. I don't feel like the break I'm is even going to take that long.

August 2, 2023

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps 28mm Synthetic
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade
• Blade: Personna Glide-coated Hair Shaper (1)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder
• Post Shave: Stirling - Unscented - Balm
• Fragrance: Kenneth Cole - Reaction

#MammothMafia23
#Monthofweckoning

Passes: (Face) WTG, XTG
Passes: (Neck) WTG, ATG
Cuts: 5 (Running total: 11)

I swear the Weck is just a medieval torture device.

A better shave. Not great, but better.

Really focused on my angle today. I think it works better for me at a steeper angle than I was trying. Not quite 90 degrees, but steeper than 45 seemed to do the best job. Definitely have less irritation today than yesterday, and a closer shave.

One fewer nick today, but the ones I did have really bled a lot. The Osma wasn't enough to stem the blood, I had to get out the styptic, which I hadn't used since we moved... so at least 2 months.

August 2, 2023

• Brush: Munnin Woodworks w/AP Shave Co 24mm Titanium Synthetic
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade (Straight Shave 283)
• Blade: Kismet (2)
• Lather: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Soap
• Post Shave: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
• Fragrance: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Eau de Parfum  

2 passes. Face lather. Good shave.

Kismet Blade - Losing My Edge
A #Monthofweckoning

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My shave result was excellent, but I had two tiny weepers; one near the right corner of my lips and one under the chin. I think the one under the chin was an angle mistake. The other might have been a bump. Both of these closed during my cold water rinse.

The SV Beta 4.3 base is light and luxurious. It just occurred to me that this will be my longest run with a vegetal base. The vast majority of my soaps are tallow-based.

I've added microscope photos for the edge condition after one shave and after two shaves. I expect changes on the edge to stabilize shortly. When that happens, I won't update the album daily.

August 2, 2023

• Brush: AP Shave Co Gold Flakes with Oumo 30mm Boar
• Razor: Diane Hair Shaper – Patent 33095 78145
• Blade: Fromm Hair Shaper Blade (2)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
• Post Shave: Declaration Ghosting – Unscented Aftershave Liniment

My technique still sucks, but I’m taking my time and it’s going okayishkindasorta. We’ll get there. #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #unscented

August 2, 2023 - Austere August Raw Hoggin Mammoth Mafia Weckoning

• Brush: Semogue SOC Cherry
• Razor: Weck Hair Shaper Glitter Scales
• Blade: Kismet Rostfrei (2)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder Splash
• Daily Tags: #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23

Today’s Picture - After 1 shave

Second day trying to learn this Weck. No blood, but my neck is not liking my shaky hands. The cheeks to jawline are going just fine with either hand. Left hand is slower though. The neck feels like I’m trying to do everything upside down and backwards, especially shaving up towards the chin/jawline. Two passes wtg/xtg on the face, and xtg/other xtg on the neck. I’m just shaving north to south and south to north on the neck. Splash gave me a bit of burning, but at least I didn’t get any nicks tonight.

Nothing new on the Sonder use. Still getting a lemon creme cookie scent. My wife says she smells vanilla, but didn’t get any citrus. She didn’t smell it very soon after I shaved.

August 2nd, 2023 - AA Day 2: Month of War

• Prep: warm water

• Brush: Declaration Grooming Goldmember B6

• Razor: Weck Sextoblade

• Blade: Kismet (3)

• Lather: Barrister and Mann - War - Soap

• Post-Shave: Barrister and Mann - War - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Fougere Gothique - EdP

Day 2, still feeling good about the Weck technique and bad about War. The end. (meme credit to /u/pridetwo)

#Monthofweckoning

August 2, 2023 - Day 2 AA

• Brush: Omega Pro 48
• Razor: Weck Med Prep
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (2)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - War
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - War
• Post Shave: Zingari Man Sego Balm
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Tres Matres EdP

Brush break-in album: Daily Progress

So day 2 was pretty uneventful as far as the shave goes. The brush seemed to loosen up a tiny bit and not make me work as hard for a slick lather compared to the paste from yesterday. I do believe it only took that 1 shave for war to consume the pig stank. I didn't exactly inform my wife of the choice of software for the month, but she stopped me on the way through the house with a concerned look on her face. She's not happy at all for this scent and all I could tell her was I'm not happy with it either, but here we are. This is life for the next month.

Tags: #RawHoggin #monthofweckoning

August 3, 2023

• Brush: Zenith 31mm MOAR BOAR
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (2)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Sonder
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Sonder

Already hating this razor and we’ve barely started. Was really hoping it would take a week or two before despair, but alas. Definitely got WTG grain on the first pass. Second pass was a combo XTG and ATG depending on how I was able to make my hands work. That WTG pass was ok, going not that way is hard and bloody.

AA Mileage: 10 miles

Tags: #Monthofweckoning #MammothMafia23