AA SOTD 31-Aug

• Brush: Semogue - Owners Club Taj (31)
• Razor:  Shield - Predator
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE (31)
• Lather: Ariana & Evans - Tobacco Road
• Post Shave: Ariana & Evans - Tobacco Road AS
• Fragrance: Ariana & Evans - Tobacco Road EDP

Day 31 of AA and #RawHoggin.

And that's all folks, the end of AA and the final day of RawHoggin. It wasn't difficult to use the same software for the full period, I do really like this stuff. The hardware was another story, with the Tradere SB and the MOAR Boar showing up on my doorstep has been nagging on my mind. 

I won't be taking a blade this long again though, the last few days weren't 100% comfortable. I think I said it before but around day 23 is probably the max for me with this razor. 

I do have a slight problem though, there's something that appears to have developed in my Soap tub that I've never seen before. Despite hours of googling it continues to baffle. 

The brush though, this was the star. A little bit of a wobble on the first few days whilst I struggled to get a decent lather, but after the first week it was absolutely plain sailing. It has developed fantastically well (though there doesn't seem to be a massive visual difference but it's definitely there) and will continue to see regular use in my rotation. 

Happy shaves everyone, I won't be participating in sample September, or at least not entirely. I've got a few SBS samples to trial but other than that the full sets are calling! 

Have a grand one all. 

Unboxing vs Day 2 vs Day 31 Pre 

Day 1 vs Day 31 Post 

Cheers

Marc

#RawHoggin

Aug. 31, 2023
Brush: Omega 10029
Razor: Gem MMOC
Blade: Personna GEM
Lather: MWF - - Soap
Post Shave:* Moon Soaps - Havana - Balm

Day 31 still #RawHoggin

31 uses for this blade and it held really well, maybe could go for another 10. Really showed me that a blade can go for way longer than I would think.

Guess it would be a good time to ask what MRTNG is or stands for because I just beat this mode!

brush album Shared from My Shave Den for iOS I will keep trying to update it as I use the brush more just as a reference

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

Raw Hoggin’ My Way Through August - Day 31

• Brush: Zenith B16
• Razor: GEM Flying Wing
• Blade: GEM PTFE (14)
• Lather: Crowne & Crane - Green Tea soap
• Post Shave: Stirling - Glacial Spearmint splash
• Post Shave: Crowne & Crane - Green Tea balm

#rawhoggin

The last pre and post shave pics of the brush

Turn out the lights, the party's over. Here we are, finally, at the end of August. Some of us are noseblind. Some of us are preparing to get down on our knees and cry tomorrow morning after using a fresh and sharp blade for the first time in a month. Most of us will be standing in our dens tomorrow morning wondering "What the fuck am I going to use after being told what to use by our Shaving Overlords for the last two months?" Yes, here we are, about to be cast out on our own until next June. All that time with all those choices. It's going to feel weird.

This was a smooth ride for AA. The Raw Hoggin' brush had an easy break-in. It's nice and soft and definitely not a soap eater. I probably knocked out an ounce of this soap over the last month. I took down half a bottle of splash and close to a quarter bottle of balm. The shaves were nice and smooth. I'm happy I didn't go Nightmare Mode and/or Unscented for the month so my sanity is intact.

So it's adios, arrivederci, peace out cub scout to Austere August. May your September 1st bring joy and an awakening of your nasal passages. Have a great day all!

8/31/23

• Brush: Muninn Woodworks w/ 24mm Maggards Premium Boar
• Razor: MMOC
• Blade: GEM (34)
• Lather: Mäurer & Wirtz - Tabac Original
• Post Shave: Mäurer & Wirtz - Tabac Original Aftershave Lotion

Well I think that was more than enough Tabac to last me, and especially Mrs. Pudding, for quite some time. I have no complaints on performance, it was not a bad set to go with, in that regard, for the month.

I rather like the MMOC. Its aggressiveness speaks to me. The blade definitely feels rough. I don't see myself pushing it any further than this. I came out of the month with only 1 nick. I think that's pretty alright.

This Maggards Premium Boar turned out to be a fantastic knot. It broke in rather quickly and wasn't even terrible new. I think I was extra fortunate that it lacked The Stank. My only other boar experience was the MOAR BOAR, which was quite the sizeable difference.

A big thank you again to u/EldrormR for this fantastic MMOC and for hosting Raw Hoggin.

Knot progress:

Album

Album 2

#RawHoggin

August 31, 2023

• Brush: AP Shave Co Gold Flakes with Oumo 30mm Boar
• Razor: Diane Hair Shaper – Patent 33095 78145
• Blade: Fromm Hair Shaper Blade (31)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
• Post Shave: Declaration Ghosting – Unscented Aftershave Liniment

Live look at me, finishing Austere August.

I remember when I did the unscented thing last year, I was going stir crazy by like day 8. But this year, the challenge of the Weck kept me and all my senses occupied on not slicing my face up that I didn’t truly miss scents until about a week or so ago, once I really felt comfortable with shaving with a hair shaper. Then the blade started to give out on me a few days ago and I it’s been uphill since then. The good news is: after this month, I feel so much more confident with an open blade than I did before and I’m looking forward to using the hair shaper with a new, fresh blade in it.

Breaking in this boar brush was a lot easier than the last time I did this. Probably because I knew what to expect this time around. This 30mm knot broke in relatively quickly and it a nice, soft, big soap eating machine.

I weighed my tub of Stirling before my first shave on day 1 and it weighed 165 grams, and I weighed it again before today’s shave and was 95 grams. So, this month, I’ve used a whopping 70 grams of soap! That’s not even including today! Really happy to have made a big dent in this tub, and even happier to put it away for a long, long time…

For tomorrow, we feast. #unscented #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin

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

Aug. 31, 2023
Brush: Zenith B-35
Razor: Karve CB C Plate
Blade: Astra SP Green
Lather: Noble Otter - Rawr - Soap
Post Shave: Noble Otter - Rawr - Aftershave
Post Shave: Zingari Man - Unscented - Balm

RawHoggin

https://imgur.com/a/aiESZac

Cheers to the end of AA

2023-08-31- Day ThirtyOne

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade
• Blade: Kismet (31) under a microscope at 23 shaves
• Brush: Omega Pro48
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - War
• Aftershave: Lucky Tiger Splash
• Balm: Nivea Cooling Balm

Austere August:

• Day: 31 — THE END!!!!

• MRTNG's Ultra Nightmare Mode

• #RawHoggin - Brush Pics: 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
• #Monthofweckoning

Dear u/PrideTwo

Today marks the end of this unyielding #WAR. The thirty-first day of this MonthOfWeckoning has arrived, bringing with it a mix of emotions - relief, accomplishment, and a sense of closure. As I stood before the mirror today, the razor in hand, I knew that this journey was coming to its conclusion.

The razor, my faithful companion through these thirty days, met my skin with a sense of finality. The scent of the soap, the enduring aroma of #WAR, carried with it the memories of this enduring challenge. In this moment, I realized that the battles fought, the routines embraced, and the lessons learned have all led me to this point.

As I navigated the routine for the last time, I found myself carrying a sense of pride for completing this challenge. The #WAR is over, and I'm returning home, changed by the experience, ready to embrace what lies beyond.

As the thirty-first day comes to a close, I carry with me a mix of emotions - the satisfaction of victory, the weight of accomplishment, and the promise of a new chapter. Tomorrow, I'll rise in a world without the confines of this #WAR, ready to face new challenges with the lessons learned in tow. Until then, my journal, I'll bid farewell to this chapter, knowing that the end of one journey marks the beginning of another. Onward, through the transition from this challenge to the uncharted paths that await beyond.

I don't know if I should thank you u/pridetwo, or curse you...

With great relief...

u/Absenth

August 31, 2023 – Month of Austerity Day 31

• Brush: RazoRock 506U Olive Wood w/ 26mm Natural Boar Bristle
• Razor: RazoRock Game Changer .76-P
• Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium (4)
• Preshave: Stirling Soap Co. – Unscented
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles – Le Nude
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented Balm
• AA Tags: #RawHoggin #unscented

AA23 come to a close today. Here is what I've learned/noted this month:

1. The Raw Hoggin' challenge helped me learn to appreciate boar brushes. Prior to AA23 I didn't really take boars seriously. I'm amazed at how slick I can make lather with so little effort.
2. The RazoRock 506U was a good choice for my first serious use of a boar. Being a white-label Zenith 506U, the break-in was a breeze and I'm very happy with its performance. Best guess these are Zenith seconds which have cosmetic issues that keep them from being badged a Zenith. Would I recommend the RazoRock 506U to others? If money is an issue, go for the RazoRock and you'll get Zenith performance at a budget price. Otherwise, go for the real deal Zenith (which is what I plan on doing).
3. I never got sick of the Catie's Bubbles Le Nude soap. Did I miss scents and variety? Yes, but using the single soap allowed me to focus on my lather-making with the boar.
4. Would I do the Unscented challenge again? Never say never again, but most likely no. While I'm not big into frags, I missed scented post shave products.
5. Do I see a single blade all month challenge in my future? Absolutely! My LG23 prize is an MM24 and I've got a bit of FOMO regarding the Weck so I definitely see a GEM or Sextoblade challenge pursuit happening.

Here's the Day 31 just before and immediately after the shave brush pictures. Raw Hoggin', Unscented, and AA Extreme Mode challenges achieved.

August 31, 2023

• Brush: Zenith B15
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (31)
• Lather: Saponificio Varesino - Desert Vetiver
• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger - Lucky Tiger
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Original Liniment
• Fragrance: Ralph Lauren - Polo Red Intense

Finally, this month is over. This Polo Red sample came from the Scarplux box. It's much sweeter out the gate than I had anticipated. It's fruity and softly floral. No real spice or woodyness so far. It reminds me of Vespers.

Edit: A closer look at the packing says this is Polo Red Intense

#RawHoggin

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

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: AKA Brushworx- 26mm Boar
• Razor: Weck Hair Shaper
• Blade: Kismet (31)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

Sadly, the final day of August. Of course I have loved using Stag every day, but the brush and razor have been fantastic as well. The brush broke in pretty quickly and has been an absolute dream to use the whole time. I was very nervous to accept the Weckoning, but am so glad I did. I have gotten to the point where I can get an equally great shave in about the same amount of time as a safety razor. I'm excited to see now if I can translate some of what I learned with the Weck to the straight razor side of the hobby. #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning