Ausgust 31, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (31)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

We made it. A month of austerity lies behind us. Let's recap the journey. From previous years, I was used to perceive August more of a challenge and hardship. Past two years I used the Stag, which resulted in a few call outs from my gf. But we also hyped each other. At the end we had Stockholm syndrome for a soap. I often compared the Stag scent to the cool friend from high school that you lost closer contact too. Shaving every day for a month seemed much more difficult back then and I remember my skin looking forward to some rest by day 2X.
This year, things were a lot easier with a few exceptions. First, my Software choice was just good. A great soap that's easy to lather, smells good. The aftershave smells awesome and cares for my skin. Fragrance wise, there was a lot to enjoy. During this year's LG, I used a GEM for the first time. With one sentence of description, I understood how to use it and from day 1 had no problems with my shaves. No problems? That's not entirely true. After a week it felt like my blade was chipped. I know that I can ignore such things for longer than it's healthy for me, but after a few uses, the blade felt so good as fresh. No idea what happened.
Of course the best blade will see decline in performance. The last week my shaves became mediocre and left me with a beginner feeling. There were little irritations, blood once, but no close shaves possible.

Thanks to u/FMKjuli for nice words, because we use a similar setup.
u/Infernalinternal for this awesome razor. We Need to talk about polishing it sometime as the soap leaves some spots in white.

Aug 31, 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

Cheeks & neck: WTG/ATG, Chin: WTG/XTG

Last AA shave for my second stupid early morning at work this week. Very grateful that I start 10 days of vacation tomorrow!

As much as I’ve bitched this month about the Weck I’ve really enjoyed having the challenge of it! I’m still not good at it or can consistently get a close shave but I’ve gotten a lot quicker and have a lot less irritation from it.

Raw Hoggin has been an absolute pleasure! This Maggard boar knot broke in fairly quickly and is just incredible! My only complaint is I did a terrible job setting it so had to reset it twice this month. This was my first time ever setting a knot so it’s been a learning experience.

MammothMafia: second year of this an all I have to say is “The Family chooses Tusk, Tusk is life”

Raw Hoggin album

Daily tags: #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23 #MonthOfWeckoning

August 31, 2023 - Austere August Day 31

• Prep: House of Mammoth Embrace Doppio Bath Soap
• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts 24mm 2-Band
• Razor: Charcoal Goods LVL II SS (Gen 2) on Triad Aristocrat SS handle
• Blade: Personna 74 (77)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

And that's a wrap, Jack.

Overall soap use: 22g. This frigging tub didn't die! 2 AAs plus regular rotation use, and it still has about 7g left.

Blade: 77 shaves on this blade, and it's still serviceable. No issues, really, but I am looking forward to getting back to my AC shavettes and GEMs. This is definitely the most I ever imagined putting on blade.

To the #MammothMafia23 crew: it's going to take me a few to verify posts against the portal so everyone gets credit. I'm also still waiting on the surprise, so just expect a PM in the next week or so with the details. I'll share totals for anyone who wants to donate along with me as well (not required). Thank you all for your diligence and commitment to the Tusk! Thanks to u/mammothben for continuing to make great smelling stuff!

And of course, a general congratulations to all who made it through the entire month, regardless of soap choice!

#MammothMafia23

August 31 2023 - MicroMammoth Austere August Day 31

• Brush: Dogclaration B9A 30mm
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (31)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather balm
• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver

Another Austere August enters the pages of wetshaving history. It was a good month, although having now completed three MMOC/Mammoth months I'm not sure I learned much that was new. Next year I think I will raw hog or try an open blade razor or do something to bring back a bit of the challenge aspect. I won't give up on the Mammoth aspect though, as using Tusk for a month is a treat. Looking forward to the return of variety and digging into my new stuff and some samples over the next month. Congrats to everyone who participated.

#MammothMafia23

August 31, 2023 - Fin

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (31)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Done. ‘Twas a good month, but, glad she’s over.

True to form, the Personna had to bite me just a little bit on the neck to leave her final mark of wretchedness.

Insert section here about learning a lot, blah blah.

Software and Brush were top notch all month and here are the Final Pics (she’s still wet from last night). The blade today felt really dull – I think my lather was quite slick, but I notied the blades dullness more than I have all month.

Anyway – thanks for the good month, y’all. We did it!

Also, shoutout to u/jwoods23 and u/Environmental-Gap380, one of whose tags I Ctrl+F’d every day so I didn’t have to type ’em out or open an old SOTD. You guys really are the best. You were always there, reliably posting earlier than me. Cheers, friends.

Tags: #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23 #MonthOfWeckoning

August 31, 2023

• Brush: Dogwood Good Gully Maggard Black and White Synthetic 26mm
• Razor: Razorock Game Changer .84
• Blade: 7 O’Clock – Sharpedge (Yellow) (31)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Voices
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Almond Leather

#MammothMafia23

Goodbye, Austere August, it's been nice. I am looking forward to getting to use any gear I want tomorrow, though.

August 31, 2023

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps 28mm Synthetic
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade
• Blade: Personna Glide-coated Hair Shaper (31)
• 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: 31)

First off - soap usage. I started with a brand-new tub of Sonder, weighing in at 113 grams.

I placed an empty tub of HoM on the scale to tare it. Then weighed my tub of Sonder. 59g remaining, meaning that 54g was used, or just under half the tub. I was using a 28mm brush, and definitely loaded heavy to give my face as much chance as possible to avoid meeting the Weck too closely, but I'm still surprised at how much I used. Today was the first day I could see the mammoth at the bottom of the tub.

Now... a quick look back at some of my comments throughout the month:

• 1: One of two things is going to happen. I'm either going to get better at this thing in short order, or I'm going to get out an MMOC and have an enjoyable August and give up the sweet, sweet Weckonista flair. The shave was bad enough that Osma was pulled out to stop some of my bleeding. The Osma quickly informed me that I am terrible at this. Cuts = 6

• 2: I swear the Weck is just a medieval torture device. A better shave. Not great, but better. Cuts = 5

• 3: If I have 28 more shaves like this, I'll be satisfied enough to keep with it, so unless I regress a lot, I think I'm in for the month.

• 5: First nick-free Weck shave!

• 6: Shaves are getting better, but are still wildly inconsistent, and a lot of thought and work.

• 8: It like I get almost done, and then lacerate my chin. Every freaking day.

• 9: Completely drama- and blood-free shave today. Not crazy close, but I'm taking acceptable and non-irritating over chasing BBS while I work on my technique.

• 12: No blood again for the fourth day, but oddly a lot of irritation. I need to remind myself not to hurry with the Weck

• 14: This was the first Weck shave that I would say was enjoyable. I've so far been so focused on not hurting myself, or frustrated on my inability to get a close shave that I was worried about it. Today I was just focused on the task at hand, and had a great shave.

• 15: Another enjoyable close shave. How long until the blade starts to get dull and the shaves get bad?

• 18: I started to notice the faintest amount of dragging from the blade.

• 20: I'm not sure I'm going to make it to the end of the month. This blade is getting bad quickly.

• 22: As the French said in early internet cartoons, I am le tired of this blade.

• 25: This blade is now jumping around on my face like a jackrabbit.

• 27: This blade is terrible. Yesterday Mrs. Miasma said she thought a well-honed spork would shave better. And I agree.

• 28: I'm done with this. This shave is no longer enjoyable. The blade is no longer capable of cutting hair... The maximum number of times a Personna blade should be used is probably around 10, but definitely less than 28.

• 31: I'm very glad to be done with the blade, but going all month with the Weck was a rewarding experience. Sonder was great too. Zero cuts today, ending the month at exactly one cut per day on average. Granted, 11 of those happened the first two days.

Remote Learning is up for tomorrow!

🦣 SOTD: 08/31/2023 🦣

Brush: TanZ “Dark Skies” 🐗

Razor: GEM 1920’s Nickel Revamp

Blade: GEM Single Edge, (31)

Soap: House Of Mammoth Fu Dao Puck

Aftershave: House Of Mammoth Fu Dao

Balm: House of Mammoth Fu Dao

Fragrance: House of Mammoth Fu Dao

u/LaTuskFamilia

MammothMafia23

Congrats to everyone with this very Austere August. Time to switch back to some variety!

August 31, 2023 - The End of Austerity

• Brush: Semogue SOC Cherry
• Razor: Weck Hair Shaper Glitter Scales
• Blade: Kismet Rostfrei (31)
• 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

Brush before the final shave of Austere August

In the picture you can see the tub is a bit over half used. Brush is still a hungry beast, and works best when well fed. It can make a lather with a small amount, but it is easier to get a good lather with a healthy scoop of soap. Tonight was not a great shave, but I got through it with no bloodletting. Plenty of sting from the splash confirmed it was a fairly rough shave. I went ahead and binned the blade when I was done. I only tookit out a couple times to clean up. I really should do it more frequently. It was difficult to get it moving. A plastic comb was used to push the blade keeping my digits away from the edge.

At the beginning of the month, I had a lot of trepidation at the prospect of a solid month of straight shaves. A bit of a bumpy start, but after a week or so, I started to notice improvement. Not even close to mastering the technique at this point, but maybe after another 30-50 shaves I could advance from a novice with the cut throat blade.

About the House of Mammoth - Sonder set, there is a good reason you see many SOTDs with this artisan’s products, and Sonder in particular. They are absolutely fantastic. Just like last year with Alive, I did not get sick of this scent. If this were the only base or splash I had to use, I wouldn’t be upset. However, a variety of wonderful products and scents are why we are here. I look forward to many interesting shaves in September. I won’t be doing 100% samples for the month, but will add in many first shaves with scents. I have the guest bedroom ready for after tomorrow’s shave with Remote Learning. I might not be allowed in the bedroom by my wife after that one. It will be interesting at least with the nacho cheese scented soap and EdP.

Congratulations to all that finished your challenges and unchallenges. If you started but didn’t finish, that is probably a measure of your sanity.

AUGUST 31, 2023

• Brush: r/wetshaving Zentih MOAR BOAR 31mm
• Razor: King C. Gillette Chrome
• Blade: Personna Platinum Chrome
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Smash
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Smash Splash
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Smash Balm.

We have made it to the end!!!! What a journey!!Right on time since my blade scraped me good this morning! The soap is still as good as when I started and I may actually use it a few more days but I will be bowl lathering!!

I wanna thanks u/35048467 for the the generous PIF inspiring me to join u/EldrormR Raw Hoggin month and u/Infernalinternal for his charity work and making Mammoth Month possible. I thought I wasn’t going to make it but I held in there. Also u/GroundbreakingRole45 for my King Gillette! And u/tsrblke for the Personna blade. And last u/curbside_champ in keeping me motivated and checking on me to make sure I got my AA SOTDs in!! As for the rest of you guys/girls Great Job!!! So long August I’m checking out…for today only lol… will be back tomorrow

RawHoggin

MammothMafia23

August 31, AA 2023

• Brush: Semogue 2000
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Ti
• Blade: Personna Lab Blue (31)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Sonder splash

Use Progression: Unboxing, New, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Thirty one days with 1 brand new boar brush, 1 razor, 1 blade, 1 soap, 1 splash. I’m not sure I will ever subject myself to the one blade for 31 days ever again, but I’m glad I did it at least once. I now know a blade CAN function for 31 days, but the shave definitely degrades for me. The boar brush has actually been much better than I would ever have expected. Ya it smelled a bit and was scratchy to start off, but it has turned into a pleasant brush that has significantly softened up. I look forward to going back to a little more freedom with my shave choices in September.

Tags: #MammothMafia23 #RawHoggin

August 31, 2023 – AA 31, el fin

• Brush: r/wetshaving Zentih MOAR BOAR 31mm
• Razor: Gillette Red Tip Super Speed
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (66)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Sonder
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth – Smash

Glad this month is done. Not because the products, they are all stellar, but itching to try some recently acquired stuff. Different blade too. Excited for Daydream for next few days while I’m on the road.

For the last time #MammothMafia23

August 31, 2023

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

Welp. I did it. This blade got binned so fast after this shave. Going to take a day off from shaving, then do GEMs for a week or two. Looking forward to trying the Weck again with a Kismet sometime in the future. Really feel like I built a new skill and want to keep getting better with nicer blades. I can’t smell the soap anymore. I can still smell the splash. That’s my one lasting complaint with this month, how effective nose-blindness can be.

AA Mileage: 150 miles! I did it. I missed my goal for literal number of rides (goal was 25 actual was 19), I legit didn’t realize I skipped that many days. Met my mileage goal (goal 150, actual 150). Really proud of my progress so far and looking forward to getting that first 20 miles in one ride some point in the near future.

Tags: #Monthofweckoning #MammothMafia23

31-08 - A Mammoth month, completed

• Brush: Yaqi 'Purple Haze' w/ 24mm Mew Brown knot
• Razor: 1953-54 Gillette 'Aristocrat Junior'
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (31)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Balm
• Fragrance: Proraso - Wood and Spice - Cologne

It's over. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't kinda sad about that fact.

Looking at the clock I don't have much time to get this post in (it's been a hell of a day here at the office so I've hardly had a minute to think) so I'm going to keep this brief and maybe expand on it later.

This has been an amazing month of championing a great set of shaving gear. From my vintage razor that's as mild and forgiving as can be to the best bang-for-buck synthetic brush I could recommend, it's been an absolute blast. Mood Indigo doesn't just have the benefit of coming in one of the best bases in all of wetshaving, it also has a killer scent to back it up. That, combined with the ease-of-use of my hardware, made this a dang enjoyable month (in stark contrast to some of you, who apparently looked to imitate the labours of Hercules or the passions of Christ).

Before I thank the organisers of this whole month and slew of side-challenges, I'd also like to thank some notable posters whose work I've greatly enjoyed throughout the 31 days. u/Marquis90, u/MrTangerinesky and u/tsrblke for our enjoyable back-and-forth chats - it feels at times like we could rely on each other for sanity and levity alike, and I enjoyed reading your posts as much as I enjoyed writing mine. Truly goes to show how great a community this is. I'd also like to thank u/OnionMiasma for his insight, u/djundjila for his speedrun shaves and for introducing me to u/sgrdddy's 'Slurry Lather' (thank you for that method, by the way!), u/gcgallant for his amazing photos and nice convo we had about the artform, and a heap of other people for your great posts and/or choices of soft- and hardware that kept me wanting to try more (or relapse and fall back on the rest of my den). If I haven't mentioned you by name, I hope you nevertheless know who you are and that I appreciate you all.

Lastly, big thanks to u/cowzilla3 and u/InfernalInternal for your respective side-challenges (or unchallenges). I've been very happy to follow along with the requirements for each, and in Spice Man's case even inadvertently contributing to a great cause. Thank you to u/mammothben for making this amazing soap and balm I had a blast using, and for the kind and encouraging words about my wife's embroidery work. Hope your fans on the socials enjoyed it too! Massive shout out to u/wallygator88 for setting up AA - without you it wouldn't have happened.

I've learned a lot throughout this month, come to appreciate my gear for what it is, and really settled into a comfortable routine. It's been fun. Now to think about what to use for my first shave of 'freedom'.

Wow, I ended up going for the full post anyway, so disregard my disclaimer at the start I guess...

​

Tags: #MammothMafia23 #UNCHALLENGE