Post 'Saturday Austere August SOTD Thread - Aug 05, 2023' of challenge 'Weckoning 2023'

August 5, 2023

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: AKA Brushworx- 26mm Boar
• Razor: Weck Hair Shaper
• Blade: Kismet (5)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

A little more time this morning so I really focused on angle. Slightly better results than the first couple days, but still not anything to write home about. Day 5 and still no blood from anything more than a minor weeper or two though. #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin

2023-08-05 - Day Five

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

Austere August:

• Day: 3MRTNG's Ultra Nightmare Mode
• #RawHoggin - Brush Pics: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
• #MonthOfWeckening

Dear u/PrideTwo

As the battle rages on in this #MonthOfWeckenoning, I find myself losing the ability to smell the battlefield, a sign that I am becoming fully immersed in the trials of this #WAR. While I have heavily focused on my Razor, Soap, and Blade, today I will delve into something different.

In the realm of the Razor and Blade, I experienced a near identical, mirrored wound today. Setting my razor against my skin under the left ear, I inadvertently placed it directly into a crease, resulting in an immediate bloodshed. Much like yesterday's incident, the wound quickly disappeared, leaving no visible trace once the shave was complete.

Regarding my trusty Omega Pro48 brush, there have been no noticeable changes today. However, one of my fellow soldiers pointed out the presence of at least one "backwards" hair in the brush, suggesting that I consider removing it for optimal performance.

Today, I wish to pay tribute to the unsung heroes in this war - Nivea cooling balm and Lucky Tiger aftershave splash. The Nivea balm has proven to be a true ally, cooling any irritation or burning induced by the Weck. It serves as a constant reminder to take care of myself in the midst of this battle. However, the real superstar is the Lucky Tiger splash. Unscented and alcohol-free, it has played a pivotal role in preventing the typical skin irritations one might expect from daily shavings with the Weck. As a result, I find my face feeling better on this Day 5 than it did before I embarked on this month-long challenge.

As the fifth day concludes, I realize that there are many elements to consider in this battle beyond the Razor, Soap, and Blade. The camaraderie of battle buddies and the support of essential aftercare products have become indispensable. Until tomorrow, my journal, I shall continue to uncover the hidden facets of this #WAR and press on towards the ultimate victory.

-- As Always... Thank you... I hate you!

Sincerely u/absenth

August 5, 2023

• Brush: AP Shave Co Gold Flakes with Oumo 30mm Boar
• Razor: Diane Hair Shaper – Patent 33095 78145
• Blade: Fromm Hair Shaper Blade (5)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
• Post Shave: Declaration Ghosting – Unscented Aftershave Liniment

Busy day today. Learning the weck is a challenge. #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #unscented

August 5, 2023

• Brush: Zenith 508 Moar Boar
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade
• Blade: Kismet hair shaper (89)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - unscented balm
• Post Shave: Olay Complete

Another really enjoyable shave with some mutton tallow. This soap punches way beyond its price point for me. I am on of the fortunate souls that isn't bothered by lanolin. Throw in mutton tallow and I'm all set.

One thing I haven't mentioned yet this month is the quality of the Stirling balm. It's very effective on my skin. It's definitely a rebuy. I haven't used it much before this month because I tend to use one u scented balm at a time until it's killed then move on to another one. I'm on the verge of killing a bottle of ZM balm, but I wanted to use the Stirling balm with the Stirling soap.

#Monthofweckoning

August 5, 2023

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps 28mm Synthetic
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade
• Blade: Personna Glide-coated Hair Shaper (5)
• 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: 0 (Running total: 16)

First nick-free Weck shave!

That right I'm all about that Weck, 'bout the Weck, no bleeding....

Man I hate that song!

ScallionMiasma turns two today. Have a good weekend all

August 5, 2023

• Brush: Munnin Woodworks w/AP Shave Co 24mm Titanium Synthetic
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade (Straight Shave 286)
• Blade: Kismet (5)
• 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. Excellent shave.

Kismet Blade - Losing My Edge
#Monthofweckoning

---

The scent strength on the soap, aftershave, and EdP is mild, but the scent itself is just a beautiful balance of notes. I cannot describe it. Here's what SV says:

The classic citrus notes are accompanied with refreshing aquatic notes, supported by a rich and balanced green aromatic floral and rural heart. All set on a base of precious woods and amber.

I can find the citrus, and aquatic notes if I try, but overall it is a very nice blend.

The Munnin Woodworks handle has a Titanium synthetic knot from AP Shave Co. This knot is described as having good backbone with soft tips. I was concerned about the backbone so I mounted it high and am happy I did. It was too stiff when new but has broken in well in my use of it so far, and I enjoy using it. I'd still prefer a little less backbone but I'm very spoiled with my Wald synthetics.

I have zero issues with the brush handle, though. It has terrific ergonomics in addition to having a beautiful shape.

I planned to go through AA using one of my straight razors (probably the Fili 14), and acquire that cool Headless Horsemen flair. I reluctantly agreed to participate in Days of Weckoning instead; mostly because I haven't really used a replaceable blade straight razor before, and I thought it would be good to try something new.

I expected to be able to get great shaves from the Weck because my technique with a straight is "good enough", but I assumed that it would lack personality and I would spend more of August just enjoying 70th Anniversary. As is often the case, I could not have been more wrong. I'm loving how this razor shaves. I can use a very, very low angle, get very gentle feedback from the edge, and get 2-pass BBS shaves with far less effort than I can with a regular straight razor. Ugh. And I'm only 5 days into this. What will happen to my razor collection on Sept. 1?

I added a microscope image of the blade edge to the album, but did not notice any change from yesterday.

August 5, 2023 - Austere August Wecked Mammoth Hog

• Brush: Semogue SOC Cherry
• Razor: Weck Hair Shaper Glitter Scales
• Blade: Kismet Rostfrei (5)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder Splash
• Daily Tags: #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23
• Passes: Face - wtg/atg Neck - xtg up and down
• Music: Dave Brubeck - “Take 5”

Brush before shave 5

I told my wife and daughter that there was no blood from today’s shave. My daughter said, “That’s because you didn’t shave your legs.” In the first 5 days that is just 4 nicks so far. I thought I was going to slash my neck tonight when I slipped, but somehow I stopped before the blade did a bunch of damage.

Busy day today. I got up, made breakfast for the family. Then I got some ribs going on the smoker. I tried a Costco rub I picked up this summer. I combined it with a glaze of peach bourbon bbq sauce. I should have made a Smash cocktail to go with it. Before dinner, we hit the community pool to cool off. The shave was a bit later than planned, but that coolant in the splash is feeling really nice tonight. Especially since I didn’t get much of a burn from the splash. Still loving Sonder, but after that dinner, was really tempted to get Smash out.

The brush is getting more split ends, but has a ways to go before I’d say it us soft. I can’t comfortably splay the brush, so I’m having more success with painting the lather once it builds up. When I try circular motions, it is like the brush pulls the lather off my face, but a couple paint strokes puts it back. Tonight I did get a better hydrated lather than the previous shaves this month. Might be able to take more water, but getting closer.

August 5, 2023 – We keep on a rolling

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (5)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

I went for a run by our local small town zoo today and ran by the Camels, Ponies, and the Zedonk (and here’s a video that you won’t watch of our actual zedonk) and as I ran by I smelled Dammusi. I can’t place it, but, something about Dammusi has an animal smell to it and it’s in all the best ways. Don’t think “stinky farm animal,” think “happy memories around farm animals.” It’s a compliment – Dammusi is such a rich and interesting scent that’s been fun to unpack.

Dundy (named after a town in Nebraska, not the Michael Scott award) performs beautifully with the Mags Boar. I daresay this thing is better than some other boars I’ve used that were fully broken in and it has just 5 uses. One of these days I'll remember to take a picture before I set it in my soaking mug.

Am I enjoying the weck? No. Is it becoming serviceable? Yeah, kinda. The styptic really helps – I’m not walking around all night bleeding anymore at least. No new major cuts on my face tonight, a couple nicks on my neck that bled a fair bit but the pencil took good care of it. With the grain on my cheeks, upper lip, and top half of my chin has become quite easy. Across the grain is ok, against is still a challenge but doable – though I really don’t risk it on many spots. The neck, lower chin, and jawline are still a struggle for sure. Holding the blade at angles that are not straight down or straight up on all those curves is a big challenge.

I have been successful in shaving with both my right and left hand and surprisingly my left hand seems to be a bit easier – probably because I don’t have any prebuilt DE habits that need adjusting for the open blade.

Anyway, after nearly quitting 2 days ago I guess I’ll be sticking with it. I am improving, even if it’s just an eensy bit every day.

Tags: #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23

Aug 5, 2023 - A Wecked Mammoth August

• 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

Not much to report today, my dumbass cut myself on the cheek when setting my blade down on my face. Would’ve been a cut with any razor so not a Weck problem. I only did a simple WTG & XTG pass without worrying about what i left behind. Not a smooth shave at all but also not much irradiation thankfully!

Raw Hoggin album

Daily tags: #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23 #MonthOfWeckoning

August 5, 2023

• Brush: Zenith 31mm MOAR BOAR
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (5)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Sonder
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Sonder

Not only was today my first bloodless Weck, it was also the first day that the second pass actually felt like it accomplished hair reduction instead of just scraping my face off to get rid of the hair.

WTG I feel confident in saying I’ve finally found the correct angle. XTG still has lots of work to do, but today is progress.

AA Mileage: 31 miles. Got 12 miles in today, nice round 12mi/hr average for my hour long ride. The route I took today has a lot more elevation changes than my normal route, so I’m pretty happy with that ride.

Tags: #Monthofweckoning #MammothMafia23

August 5, 2023 - Day 5 AA

• Brush: Omega Pro 48
• Razor: Weck Med Prep
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (5)
• 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

Days of disapproval: 2

Day 5 - Just another day of Weckoning in the trenches of War. Nothing eventful aside from hitting the same raised spot on my face from a few days ago. Today was the second time my wife said something about the scent and we are only on day 5 and I had to remind her it's here until the end of the month and I PROMISE it's gone. I did offer to move my shaves to the guest bathroom and she said no so any suffering beyond this might be on her. So I think I'm just gonna add a counter for the number of days that I've been told I disappoint my spouse with my life choices this month.

Tags: #RawHoggin #monthofweckoning

The Fifth Day Of Weckoning is 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 (11)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Oceana
• Post Shave: Ralon – Original
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. – Island Man

Travel day evening shave in the hotel. Quick two passes, and I was almost too tired to post😅

#Monthofweckoning

August 5th, 2023 - AA Day 5: Month of War

• Prep: warm water

• Brush: Declaration Grooming Goldmember B6

• Razor: Weck Sextoblade

• Blade: Kismet (6)

• Lather: Barrister and Mann - War - Soap

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

• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Fougere Gothique - EdP

Almost forgot to post, did another live shave with /u/ChrisdaBombz and /u/pridetwo. Blood was drawn from a slice in the chin (bad intro angle) but otherwise a very good shave. Felt way closer than my previous one. Still not getting the neck as clean as I'd like.....

#Monthofweckoning