u/Specialist-Quiet-833's SOTDs for challenge 'Lather Games 2023'

07.01.2023- It Starts

• Prep: None

• Razor: Rolls Razor #SELFSHARPENING

• Blade: None

• Brush: Omega - 10049 #TEXASPIGSTINKMASSACRE

• Lather: Highland Springs Soap Co. - Reflections - Soap

• Post Shave: Epsilon - Blue Mediterranean Splash

First go with the Rolls. My dad gave this to me a few months ago remembering it was something he pulled out of an estate sale at at an apartment complex he worked at. I’ve been somewhat skeptical to use it and its shave readiness was unknown. I pushed it back and forth on the hone and stop a couple dozen times and gave it a pass on the arm hair. It cuts…how this translates to the face was still a mystery at this point. Onto the lather, found a review of this from Ruds 3 years ago, you can watch that here

It’s a dupe of Guess man with the scent notes including Lavender, Armoise, White Pepper, Ginger Root, Nutmeg, Siberian Blue Fir, Peru Balsam, Sandalwood, Amber, Suede and Musk. I’ve never smelled the original to say how close it is and according to the shaving fragrance homage database it’s the only example.

Lather was slick and creamy just as good as any other base on the market. The Rolls however was not shave ready and the one pass WTG I completed wasn’t the most smooth shave I’ve ever had. Will need to get this honed before trying again. Finished with the Epsilon blue because of the shared lavender notes.

07.02.2023 - Don’t have a cow man!

• Prep: PAA Cube

• Razor: GEM 1912 Junior #BRASSING

• Blade: GEM PTFE Coated

• Brush: Zenith B3 #TOLL #OLDWORLD

• Lather: Captain's Choice - 45th Parallel Soap

• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Adagio

Much better results than yesterday. I had more vegan options than I thought I did but never using Captains Choice before I gave it a shot. Grabbed this sample from their booth at Maggards last month and lathered this up in a Timeless bowl that was on the PIF table at the end. I’ve always assumed their stuff to be mediocre but if gave a good shave and slickness was nice. To complete the cherry theme I went with the B&M Adagio splash, I got the set when it came out but haven’t used it so this was the first time it was used. I’ll still need to try the soap but the splash was more lime than cherry which works for me. It’s been a long time since I used any of my GEM razors and was going to use the MMOC but after yesterday I wanted something milder and this one qualifies for the #Brassing hashtag in the scavenger hunt.

Instagram SOTD pictures: let's talk about why it's a bad idea

07.03.2023 - Almonday aka Cella Appreciation Day

• Prep: PAA Cube

• Razor: Wolfman WR2 #CNC

• Blade: Personna Lab Blue

• Brush: Zenith - Pro Aluminum Handle B2 26mm #HOLLOW

• Lather: Cella - Cella - Soap

• Post Shave: Cellla - Cella - Aftershave Balm

• Fragrance: Imaginary Authors - A Whiff of Wafflecone

Quick shave today as I work on an assignment for my grad school class. Not what I wanted to be doing on this holiday weekend but life is busy and it is what it is. I wouldn’t rank it as a favorite but I enjoy the almond scent of Cella, it’s light and doesn’t stick around. It’s also leagues above Proraso in quality and creates a decent lather in the Timeless Bowl I used again. I’ve tried Moon Soaps Amaretto and it was too much scent wise, Cella on steroids to the point of being sickly sweet. This is just right. I also appreciate the balm is not the same scent and compliments instead of matching. To me, it smells like citrus which I approve of and doesn’t hang around. Usually I don’t use frags but today I needed something to keep my mood up. IA Whiff of Wafflecone makes me think of summer (something I’d rather be enjoying than sitting inside writing a paper, at least the weather is crap) and the gourmand nature of the scent with notes of vanilla, cream, caramel and cinnamon compliment the almond in the soap.

Onto celebrating LG22’s reigning champion, u/RedMosquitoMM. To honor him I’m using the razor of champions the Wolfman since that is inevitably the prize that the first place winner goes for. He’s also a member I enjoy talking to on the sub and in the Discord chat. His write ups last year were outstanding and I hope mine today is worthy of honouring him. It’s because of him and his thoughts on blade life that I’ve actually started tracking shaves on a blade to see how the sharpness and smoothness progresses rather than tossing it after 4-ish uses.

07.05.2023- Long weekend hangover

• Prep: Shower

• Razor: Gillette English Tech #REGUS

• Blade: Feather Hi Stainless

• Brush: WCS 26mm Synthetic

• Lather: Trader Joes Honey Mango Cream

• Post: Kiehls Post Shave Balm

My wife picked this for herself to use and I actually must say it’s pretty good and quite slick. Definitely a brushless cream. I tried using a brush with water and it just made it thin and watery.

If I were to make a fragrance, one of my favorite it Tobacco Vanille, but I’d want to brighten it up with maybe citrus or something.

07.07.2023- Fremen Friday

• Prep: PAA Cube

• Razor: Carbon Shaving Co. CX-316L with (+) plate

• Blade: Gillette - Platinum

• Brush: Omega 11126 (24x55mm Boar)

• Lather: MacDuff's Soap Co. - Prairie Rumrunner

• Post Shave: MacDuff's Soap Co. - Prairie Rumrunner

Macduffs is really an under appreciated brand, maybe it’s because Maggard’s doesn’t sell it but you don’t see too many people using it. I love this bay rum, notes are West Indies bay, tobacco, lime, orange, ginger, allspice and it’s not on the label but I think hay. Most are a clove bomb with the Eugenol of the bay but the tobacco and hay add something else for a pleasant experience. The soap is also awesome, super soft and almost cream like it makes a think yogurt lather.

I don’t have too many other hobbies, time is a premium lately but I do enjoy fishing when I have the time to get away. It’s something I picked back up during COVID and have kept at it as something to do with my dad and I’m looking forward to being able to take my little ones when they’re old enough.

SOTD