u/sahenders's SOTDs for challenge 'MMarch24 Maddness Matchup 2024'

u/sahenders submitted 30 SOTDS.
  1. u/sahenders posted on 2024-02-29 23:42:07-08:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 1, 2024 - MM24 1st Match-Up: B+M vs. CGC

    • Brush: Brochas El Druida/House of Mammoth Tobacconist Chisel & Hound v8 Fanchurian
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [1]
    • Lather: Chicago Grooming Co./House of Mammoth - Armonía - Soap (Darkwing)
    • Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Shire 2 - Splash
    • Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. - Golden Balm - Balm
    • Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Shire 2 - Eau de Parfum

    Keeping with my usual #FougereFriday theme, I had plenty of great fougère choices from B+M. However, one fougère scent from CGC stood out as a clear contender.

    While Armonía is officially a scent by Ben of HoM, Darkwing is criminally underrated. Vida of CGC quietly produces some amazing soap bases, and her partnership with Ben has proved that as well.

    B+M, with their large scent catalog and history of great soap bases—culminating in Omnibus, will likely take the win today, but I'm rooting for the underdog.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  2. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-02 05:20:17-08:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 2, 2024 - Rose of Phrygia

    The combination that stood out to me of rose, honey, jasmine, grapefruit, and vetiver made the whole shave very enjoyable. Rose of Phrygia is an amazing rose and vetiver scent, and when it's gone, it's gone...

    Rating: 4/5

  3. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-03 03:09:36-08:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 3, 2024 - MM24 2nd Match-Up: SW vs. CFG

    • Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Purple Hybrid 28mm Declaration Grooming B7 Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [3]
    • Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Lycanthropy - Soap (Vegan)
    • Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Lycanthropy - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
    • Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Sunrise on LaSalle - Eau de Toilette

    SW and CFG will be a close match-up today. So many sub favorites on either side, and many complimenting or playing off of the other. Both have incredible soap bases and have extended into hardware—with the Dogclaration brush I used today as an example.

    SW Desairology was my introduction to artisan shave soaps. As such, SW beats out CFG by a small margin. Lycanthropy, which I despised when I first sampled it, has recently become a top favorite. Enough that I just bought a full tub at the end of last year after finishing off the sample I had from years ago.

    Rating: 5/5

  4. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-04 05:23:38-08:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 4, 2024 - Macduffs Monday: Birth of the Cool

    • Brush: The Razor Company Cream Soda Acrylic 28mm Synthentic Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [4]
    • Lather: MacDuffs Soap Company/Pastuer Shaving - Birth of the Cool - Soap
    • Post Shave: Wholly Kaw - Entropy Man - Aftershave
    • Fragrance: Maison Martin Margiela - Jazz Club - Eau de Parfum

    Macduffs' base, once properly hydrated, produces a silky, smooth lather with a beautiful, glossy sheen.

    Birth of the Cool is a scent I keep coming back to. It's partly inspired by Jazz Club, but IMO, with some of the rough edges smoothed out. Entropy Man overpowered BotC initially, but as it dried down, they worked really well together.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  5. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-05 09:47:15-08:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 5, 2024 - MM24 3rd Match-Up: NO vs. M&W

    • Brush: Chisel & Hound The Diplomat 26mm v19 Fanchurian Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [5]
    • Lather: Noble Otter - Lonestar - Soap
    • Post Shave: Noble Otter - Barrbarr - Aftershave
    • Fragrance: Noble Otter - Lonestar - Eau de Parfum

    Lonestar and Barrbarr remind me of home in Texas, and as such are favorites from their line-up. The bright oakmoss and lemon from both tied the two scents together, and the warm undertones of Barrbarr and the excellent dry down from Lonestar's cedar, leather, and hay made this an excellent shave.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  6. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-06 11:42:39-08:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 6, 2024 - Kraken

    • Brush: Maritime Brush Co Box Puffer 24mm M5C Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [6]
    • Lather: Mickey Lee Soapworks - The Kraken - Soap
    • Post Shave: Moon Soaps - Bixby - Splash
    • Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Dammusi - Eau de Parfum

    The aquatic Kraken, from the once active MLS, was a nice change of pace this morning. The new-to-me Bixby paired well enough and left me very impressed with it's scent profile.

    Rating: 4/5

  7. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-07 00:17:23-08:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 7, 2024 - MM24 4th Match-Up: DG vs. ZM

    DG and ZM both have great bases, with ZM slightly leading with the extra skincare ingredients. Both collaborate with incredible perfumers, and they both create excellent scents of their own.

    The shave today really came down to Yuzu or Oud. I had laid out DG's Y/R/P and ZM's Amir to decide which one to use. Both prominently feature beautiful Rose and Patchouli scents, so it was the darker Oud that hit me just right this morning.

    This match-up was a really tough choice.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  8. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-08 01:45:53-08:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 8, 2024 - 🌿 Fougère Friday: L'Avventura🪻

    • Brush: Chisel & Hound/House of Mammoth Beloved 26mm v15 Fanchurian Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [8]
    • Lather: Grooming Dept - L'Avventura - Soap
    • Post Shave: Grooming Dept - L'Avventura - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
    • Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Heather - Eau de Toilette

    The bright fougère of L'Avventura was very nice this morning, especially in combination with Heather.

    The blade in the MM24 is finally getting to that point where it's just a smooth shave with no aggression whatsoever. Love it!

    Rating: 4/5

  9. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-09 11:26:46-08:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 9, 2024 - MM24 5th Match-Up: Stirling vs. TSF

    • Brush: Trotter Handcrafts Souls 26mm Manchurian T1 Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [9]
    • Lather: Talent Soap Factory - Echo Beach - Soap (Vegan)
    • Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Waves - Aftershave

    I was surprised that Talent Soap Factory made it to the tournament, as small as they are, but I think that just goes to show the special creativity of their scents. TSF has a fantastic lineup of unique scents (doughnuts or grape soda), and sometimes odd scent notes (corn husks, radish, or spray paint). Even their more standard fragrances like Moon Shadow, Riviera, and Seven Stones are excellent. Talent Tuesdays have been my way to experience and enjoy their scents.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  10. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-10 07:24:59-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 10, 2024

    • Brush: Farvour Turn Craft Eye of Jupiter 27mm Motherlode Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [10]
    • Lather: Elysian Soap Shop - Green Fig - Soap
    • Post Shave: Westman Shaving - Nirvana - Splash

    A quick Sunday shave with some fig scents.

    Rating: 4/5

  11. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-11 00:19:10-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 11, 2024 - MM24 6th Match-Up: SBS vs. A&E

    The hardest thing about this match up was trying to figure out which Summer Break Soaps scents to use. Both of these scents are absolutely amazing.

    Rating: 5/5

  12. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-13 01:29:52-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 13, 2024 - MM24 7th Match-Up: Spearhead vs. CB

    Today's match-up could have gone either way. Spearhead has excellent bases and beautiful vintage scents re-created by Shawn. Still, when I woke up this morning, I just wanted to use Blugère.

    The CB Luxury base is fantastic, and Blugère is one of favorite fougères besides Passiflora. I used the Aftershave Lotion this morning for the first time, and I love how it brought out the scent notes in such a different way.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  13. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-14 04:58:34-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 14, 2024 - Awakening

    • Brush: Trotter Handcrafts Daliesque 26mm Manchurian T1 Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [14]
    • Lather: H.A.G.S. - The Awakening - Soap (Vegan) (OSIRIS)
    • Post Shave: H.A.G.S. - The Awakening - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)

    Excellent shave with a new Trotter brush! Love this dupe of Tom Ford's Bitter Peach.

    Rating: 4/5

  14. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-15 00:50:12-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 15, 2024 - MM24 8th Match-Up: HoM vs. WK

    • Brush: Trotter Handcrafts Gothic 26mm Manchurian T1 Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [15]
    • Lather: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist - Soap
    • Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist - Splash
    • Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist - Eau de Parfum

    I have nothing against Wholly Kaw, but House of Mammoth was an obvious choice for me. I've not used the Tobacconist trifecta in a while, so it was nice to return to it this morning.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  15. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-16 08:18:30-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 16, 2024 - Warmest Regards

    • Brush: AP Shave Co. Honey Ebonite 26mm G5C Fan Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [16]
    • Lather: Moon Soaps - Warmest Regards - Soap
    • Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Nordost - Aftershave

    The Moon Soaps base isn't bad, but it took a little patience to dial it in. Warmest Regards is a nice scent, but it's reminiscent of something else...maybe Barrbarr. Nordost paired well with it.

    Rating: 4/5

  16. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-17 03:54:53-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 17, 2024 - MM24 9th Match-Up: B+M vs. SW

    • Brush: AP Shave Co. Honey Ebonite 26mm G5C Fan Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [17]
    • Lather: Barrister and Mann - Sandalwood - Soap
    • Post Shave: House of Mammoth/Noble Otter - Cerberus - Aftershave
    • Fragrance: Declaration Grooming/House of Mammoth - Cerberus - Eau de Parfum

    I couldn't resist the Sandalwood.

    Rating: 4/5

  17. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-18 03:13:10-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 18, 2024 - Coffee & Vetiver

    Sidama is a complex, coffee and dark chocolate scent. Dark Man's coffee note seems a little sweeter somehow. However, it was the vetiver that tied the whole shave together this morning.

    Rating: 4.5/5

    Edit: added photo

  18. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-19 01:45:24-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 19, 2024 - MM24 10th Match-Up: NO vs. DG

    • Brush: Summer Break Soaps Hopper 28mm Boti Stone Middle Flower SHD Badger Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [19]
    • Lather: Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Soap
    • Post Shave: Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Aftershave
    • Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Unconditional Surrender - Eau de Toilette

    This match up could go either way. For #teatuesday I had both TNeV and Chaotic Neutral lined up for today, and ultimately went with the Otter.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  19. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-20 01:50:45-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 20, 2024 - Deep Ellum

    • Brush: Highlander Brushes Jade 26mm Cashmere Synthentic Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [20]
    • Lather: Crowne & Crane - Deep Ellum - Soap
    • Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Druantia - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
    • Fragrance: Noble Otter - Monarch - Eau de Parfum

    Crowne & Crane has a very easy-to-lather base, and Deep Ellum is a fantastic scent. This along with Peppered Plum are must tries. The Deep Ellum opening reminds me a little of Nordost, but it continues into a woodsier place. Followed up with the earthy Druantia, where the orange and ginger tied the scents together. Finally, Monarch capped off the shave and I got compliments from the Mrs.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  20. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-21 11:02:43-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 21, 2024 - MM24 11th Match-Up: Stirling vs. SBS

    • Brush: Chisel & Hound Gulf 26mm Maggard Premium Boar Boar Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [21]
    • Lather: Summer Break Soaps - Rope Swing - Soap
    • Post Shave: Noble Otter - Rawr - Aftershave

    This morning was the first warmish morning we've had this year, but the cool blast from Rope Swing was still premature. The scent of Rope Swing though is always welcomed. Rawr continued the dandelion note through, along with it's bright citrus punch.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  21. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-22 08:00:35-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 22, 2024 - 🌿 Fougère Friday: Varen🪻

    Congrats to Stirling on the win, and good luck in the next match-up.

    Varen is awesome! Happy #fougerefriday!

    Rating: 4.5/5

  22. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-23 02:25:09-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 23, 2024 - MM24 12th Match-Up: Spearhead vs. HoM

    • Brush: Brochas El Druida/House of Mammoth Tobacconist Chisel & Hound v8 Fanchurian Badger Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [23]
    • Lather: House of Mammoth - Shire - Soap
    • Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Shire 2 - Splash

    At this point in the competition, it's hard to say which way these match-ups will go. I almost went with Spiced, but Shire was fantastic this morning, as always.

    Rating: 5/5

  23. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-24 09:12:10-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 24, 2024 - L'Orane Verte

    • Brush: Stirling Soap Co. Green & Ivory 24mm Synthetic 2-Band Synthentic Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [24]
    • Lather: Ariana & Evans - L'Orane Verte - Soap
    • Post Shave: Lucky Tiger - Face Tonic - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
    • Fragrance: Hermès - Terre d’Hermès Eau Intense Vétiver - Eau de Parfum

    This sample of LOV really opened up into a great citrus and vetiver scent. I may have to look at getting a full tub...

    Rating: 4.5/5

  24. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-25 00:58:37-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 25, 2024 - MM24 13th Match-Up: B+M vs. NO

    • Brush: Shore Shave Pestle 24mm Motherlode Synthentic Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [25]
    • Lather: Noble Otter - Hamami - Soap
    • Post Shave: Noble Otter - Hamami - Splash

    Another round with the Otter—this time using the mysterious Hamami. It made for an excellent Monday morning shave.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  25. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-26 04:01:09-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 26, 2024 - 🫖 Tea Tuesday: Forty-Two 🍵

    • Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts 28mm Declaration Grooming B13 Badger Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [26]
    • Lather: Barrister and Mann - 42 - Soap (Excelsior)
    • Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts/Shawn Maher - Gravefruit II - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
    • Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Yuzu/Rose/Patchouli - Eau de Toilette

    I'm shamelessly using u/djundjila's setup from here. It is remarkable how each of the notes play off one another. I really enjoyed this scent journey and will definitely revisit it.

    I started with an unintentional slurry lather. I hydrated the brush the way I would for Omnibus, but then realized I was dealing with Excelsior. The lather for the second pass was better, but the mix up didn't affect the shave either way.

    Rating: 4/5

  26. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-27 01:54:54-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 27, 2024 - MM24 14th Match-Up: Stirling vs. HoM

    I think this is going to be a very close match-up. It may come down to a variety of scents used during overtime, and Stirling has variety in spades. Hopefully, bringing out some older HoM scents may help if it comes to that.

    I needed some bright, refreshing scents to get my morning going.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  27. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-28 03:25:54-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 28, 2024 - Everything but the...

    Excellent shave today using u/grindermonk's Kitchen Sink. Highlander and Confluence both worked really well with it.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  28. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-29 08:38:02-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 29, 2024 - MM24 Championship: B+M vs HoM

    It was difficult not to stray back into my routine of #fougerefriday. Ben has created two solid fougères, Cerberus Fougère and Armonia, but unfortunately, neither are in Tusk. It was tempting to give in to any of the numerous B+M fougères: Gothique, Angelique, Classique, Beaudelaire, Fern, Vespers, Passiflora...

    I went with a different kind of fresh, green scent, Alive. I have no complaints with this shave!

    Regardless of how the championship turns out, this has been a fun event. Thank you u/ShavingInCT for hosting the event and to all those who supported it.

    Rating: 5/5

  29. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-30 02:12:57-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 30, 2024 - 🪻 Champs de Lavande 🪻

    • Brush: Stirling Soap Co. Green & Ivory 24mm Synthetic 2-Band Synthentic Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [30]
    • Lather: Declaration Grooming/Chatillon Lux - Champs de Lavande - Soap
    • Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Beloved - Splash

    My first impression of Champs de Lavande was not favorable, but this morning's shave with it was much better. Beloved's opening blast of mint and lavender is still among my favorites.

    Rating: 4.5/5

  30. u/sahenders posted on 2024-03-31 12:35:12-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)

    Mar 31, 2024

    • Brush: Stirling Soap Co. Green & Ivory 24mm Synthetic 2-Band Synthentic Knot
    • Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
    • Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [31]
    • Lather: Catie's Bubbles - V - Soap
    • Post Shave: MacDuffs Soap Company - Rosemary Sea Salt - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)

    Happy Easter!

    Rating: 4/5