u/FireDragonMonkey's SOTDs for challenge 'Lather Games 2024'

SOTD 2024-06-01 Bonjour, Lather Games!

• Brush: Semogue 2020 Best Badger
• Razor: Some new-fangled 3-piece razor design
• Blade: Dorco ST-300, 1st use
• Lather: Haslinger Salbei (Sage) Fur Sensible Haut
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria Coeur de Vetiver splash
• Fragrance: Henri et Victoria Coeur de Vetiver EdP

It is somehow June.

Lathergames has arrived!
I remembered that I had these two soaps from Haslinger I ordered and never opened.
Even I forget things.
Don't judge me.

And on to the soap:
Bought it partly because it was inexpensive, partly because of the cute tin.
Ok, it was 100% because of the cute tin. You see, I love tins.
Under the lid with the cute bunny is a very firm soap.
This soap can really make lather! I could have shaved all morning.

If I were to fault the soap it's that it barely has any scent.
Maybe it's because I'm used to heavily scented artisan soaps.
Good though if you don't want to clash with any aftershave.
Unless of course you enjoy your scents clashing...
Really, who would do that except in the name of Lathergames?

I even created an IMGUR account just for the games!
My thinking was I should finally get with the times.

Now if I'm using a brand that is new to me, I should also use my newest razor!
Of course, that razor is the Gillette New!
Then obviously I should use the newest New, which would be the Long Comb version.

So I know what you're thinking: "That's not new at all!"
Of course, it is! It's even called the "New".
Reason for the LC? It was the newest New when the New came out!
Really, what were you expecting something made in the 21st century?
You're welcome.

SOTD: 2024-06-02

• Brush: Semogue 2020 Best Badger #WEDONTNEEDNOSTINKINGBADGERS
• Razor: Gillette New (Long Comb) #RUSTYBUTTRUSTY
• Blade: Dorco ST-300 Platinum, 2nd use
• Bowl: Captain's Choice Standard Copper Bowl
• Soap: Soap Commander - Endurance
• Post Shave: Thayer's - Witch Hazel Tonic

Apparently today is as close as we're going to get to an Old Spice day.

So yesterday some people were upset and/or disappointed by my SOTD post; you can see the damning accusations here if you like https://www.reddit.com/r/Wetshaving/comments/1d5gb5t/comment/l6nxf5b/?

But today I'll be serious.

Soap Commander seems to love nautical themes.
Made to emulate a "classic and enduring" scent they named it:
Endurance.
Lovely scent,
Like it a lot.

Like the 1938 version of the original Old Spice,
I feel transported to a different time.
Knowing that I've never tried the original Old Spice
Endurance I'm told, comes close to the scent.

And I'm grateful to u/Cowzilla3 for sending me this sample.

Maybe one day I'll come by an unused Shulton bottle,
And I'll get to enjoy the manly manliness of Old ~~Man~~ Spice!
Not today though; but this still smells good.

• Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

SOTD - 2024-06-03 Osma day

• Brush: Semogue 830
• Razor: Gillette New Improved Tuckaway
• Blade: Dorco ST-300 (3rd use)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Gratiot League Square
• Post Shave: Osma

It's Monday. Again.

But it's Lathergames Monday.
Excited are we?
That's the spirit!

You know what the greatest invention in wetshaving is?
Osma.
Use it; you'll understand.

The legendary brick of salt,
Hewn from the from ancient natural deposits in Craponne France
Oh don't be childish! (I know you read it as "crap on")
Under watchful eyes are those secrets,
Guarded by the mythical knights of Osma.
Highly sought after are their secrets,
Those secrets learned from ancient Egyptian papyruses

You don't believe me do you?
Osma's website; read it. It's all there.
Uncouth masses.

Well on to today's theme of "where's the beef?"
Even if the ads are from 40 years ago, the phrase stuck.
Really, who hasn't heard of it before?
Everyone should know this bit of pop culture.

Getting to the meat of the matter,
Even if we've been chewing the fat a bit,
There was still the matter of choosing the soap:
Tallow it must be since I'll use some non-vegan soaps.
It could have been vegan if I continued only using vegan.
Now I searched through my cabinet and found one:
Gratiot League Square, by Declaration Grooming.

Of course, it should've been obvious with a bison on the lid.
For my defence, I thought it was a cow.
Forgive me.

Excited I was to learn I didn't need to buy another soap.
And so I shaved with said bison tallow soap.
Splashed water on my face and rubbed it with Osma.
You don't need aftershave if you have Osma^TM

SOTD 2024-06-04 K.I.S.S. = Karaoke in Suntec Singapore

• Brush: Vie-long Alfil #HORESESASS #OLDWORLD
• Razor: Gillette Tuckaway (New Improved)
• Blade: Dorco ST-300 Platinum, 4th use
• Soap: Cella - Almond
• Bowl: Captain's Choice Standard Copper Bowl
• Aftershave: Henri et Victoria - Amande splash

Cella
Almond
Uni-noted
Lather
Does
Remarkably!
Olfactory
Note:
Superb.

Such
Exquisite
Experience
This
Horsehair
Effulgence

And
Vielong's
Alfil
Really
Inflates
Cella's
Excellence

SOTD 2024-06-05 Guardian Pharmacy is a Canadian Heritage

• Brush: Man'Stuff - Vegan #RUNT
• Razor: Wilkinson Sword - Classic
• Blade: Gillette Platinum
• Lather: Man'Stuff - Black Pepper cream
• Post Shave: Man'Stuff - Black Pepper balm

Today's bonus special challenge: Reverse Lather Routine. Normally I bowl lather so today I'll face lather. But how about we do everything a little differently today.

You can't go on for a penny without going in for a pound in this rabbithole, so of course if I was going to use a soap from a local pharmacy (which also happens to be a Canadian pharmacy) then I should also use a local pharmacy brush and razor and blade and aftershave balm and it just so happens that all of this gear was acquired at the same pharmacy, a pharmacy that just happens to perhaps be the greatest pharmacy in all the land and impresses me every time I go; though this time the gear I got was a bit of a different story, but enough of that story for now until I come back to that story in a few minutes while I chase this train of thought down what seems like a proverbial rabbithole, you’re probably thinking that there’s no way that I could have gotten all this gear from a single pharmacy; well you’d be wrong, I did, and I’ve got proof as I was told by the honourable (spelled the Canadian way because this is Canada Day; actually it’s not Canada Day because that’s July 1st, but it’s basically Canada Day: The Prequel) OnionMiasma “if the local store also sell Crest or condoms, you’re good”; so yup, I brought it home; though since we’re going on trial here I’ll throw this in too since the razor, while purchased from the same pharmacy, it seems they didn’t have any more of them in stock at the time, and since I didn’t really want to use the Bic Metal, even though I did buy them at the time, I had previously purchased the visible in picture Wilkinson Sword razor so without further ado, this is me at that same store, which is evidenced here and you can even see that “Man’Stuff” branded stuff below it, as if I needed more proof, but onward, upward, twirling, twirling towards lather we go, and so I opened up the package and was impressed (if that was really my reaction, I guess I was more taken aback) by how SMOL this brush was; it’s tiny and deformed from being in that package, which seemingly is vegan since it’s got a PETA logo on the back of the box, but vegan can be good (more on that later) as evidenced by wonderful soaps made by Southern Witchcrafts and others, but I would save my judgment for when I actually used the brush; so next on the list was the soap, which allegedly is supposed to smell like “black pepper”, but I’ll talk more about that later, first was the packaging which was hilariously cheap – even the threading was stripped due to the way it was sealed; talk about quality control, but I can forgive that, if it was a quality product and they simply cheaped out on the packaging, but alas that was not to be, and I will start with the scent, which reminded me of Gillette Foamy that had simply been sprayed into a tub; if only it was Gillette Foamy sprayed into a tub it would not have been so terrible, but it had all of the faults of canned foam as well as all of the faults of a hard soap, yet it was as soft as a cream, it boggles the mind, but I would try it, as I must for the purposes of shaving with it, so on I went and wet the brush which was also horribly bad, stiffer than a brand new boar brush, with zero splay, and more like a spatula than a brush, which is probably why the package also suggests that I could use my fingers rather than the brush if I wanted, but I needed to use the brush because I needed to use the brush because I said that I would use the brush since I’m reviewing the brush and that’s what the brush is for and I already wrote above that I used the brush and otherwise I’d be lying and lying is bad I guess and I’ve lost track of the train that was my thought but anyway the brush is bad, but somehow not as bad as the soap which has both the chemical smell of canned foam but doesn’t lather, but rather than not even lathering like a brushless cream it somehow is just I can’t even describe how terrible this stuff is because I can barely understand how they managed to create a cream that is almost as soft as canned foam and smells like canned foam that you found at your parent’s house after your dad switched to an electric razor in the 1980s and can’t lather for its life and clogs up the razor, yes I’ll get more on that, more than any other product you’ve ever tried, and you wish that you just used the bar of soap by the sink instead because I’ve never had to clean out a razor after a SINGLE PASS before, this is by far the absolute worst shaving kit and worst soap I can possibly imagine please don’t ever buy it I’m serious this is as bad as I’m describing it and even worse this is cursed beyond cursed this is run on sentence levels of bad where the writer goes on for pages and even passes one thousand words without using proper punctuation in their sentence to the point where you wonder if they even know what a period is, but somehow they must since there are periods in the URLs that they used to link the images, but back onto the subject at hand where we were talking about the soap, but I don’t want to talk about the soap anymore and how I had to disassemble the razor after doing a single pass and the brush that was worse at lathering than a spatula and they all are going into the garbage after this because I can’t possibly think of any enemy that I have that is deserving of such terrible punishment, even worse than having to read this huge wall of unbroken text (be happy that I at least remember how to use the spacebar) and I’ve forgotten what I’m talking about oh yes on to the ~~spatula~~ brush but yes it’s terrible and I hate it but at least it’s a tiny knot so it qualifies for the #RUNT hastag so I get some points for it and anyway there seems to be a theme with this kit and it’s that it’s absolutely horrendous but maybe the balm is alright because it’s a balm and it also says that it smells like black pepper which honestly if you know what black pepper smells like it’s not something that you’d think “yes this is what I’d want to smell like because it makes people sneeze” but maybe that’s just how delusional these people making these products are because they decided to call their product “Man’Stuff” without even using proper punctuation or even spacing (maybe my anger at that is why I’ve remembered how to use spaces) but still on the topic of the balm it smells EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE SOAP and so I proceed to put it on my face because I must for stience (the sacrifices we make) and somehow this balm is worse than if I didn’t use anything at all as my face is even drier than if I covered it in a paste of alum and left it all day not to mention that my face is now itchy and still scruffy since that single pass was also probably the worst single pass since the razor was totally clogged and probably didn’t cut anything at all but no fault of the razor it performed admirably and my face at least didn’t end up raw and cut up though it’s not exactly a fair test of blade since it’s the first time using it in this razor and I’m not even certain if it even had a chance to cut any hair because my face still feels like I haven’t shaven yet but now it’s itchy and also dry as a bone I see flaking how did it dry my skin out so much well I wasn’t wasting any more time thinking about it and I’m washing this horrible smelling stuff off my face and wishing that I had Midnight Stag to spread all over my face to cover it up and not to mention my bathroom now smells like this horrid chemical smell stronger than you’d normally get from that canned foam from the 80s but the same sort of smell and it did only so much but didn’t do anything for my now super dry skin so for the first time in possibly ever I spread hand cream on my face to deal with the dryness and thankfully I’ve got some good stuff so It’s not so bad but then I needed to go to work and spent the day debating whether or not I could use something different since it still would be Canadian Pharmacy shave day and I did still need to shave because this morning’s shave did nothing but alas I’m not sure if it would be breaking the rules but perhaps if someone has actually kept reading this far they could tell me though perhaps it would be the sort of Air Bud type ruling that is disallowed except when it is allowed but I thank you all for your attention because I know that every single person read all 1600 words of this because who knows if your future may depend on it because if you ever pick that soap up (at least it was only $13 Canadian dollars) and here I was thinking I was getting a bargain but no I was very very wrong and horribly wrong and terribly wrong and regretting my decision but it was for Stience and for the Lathergames and for the community that I have done this great sacrifice of my face and I’ll need to leave the review of the Gillette Platinum blade in the Wilkinson Sword Classic razor for another day since I’ve not passed 1700 words and I think I’ve remembered how to punctuate.

Let's leave the stream of consciousness with Misters Joyce and Faulkner.

SOTD 2024-06-06 Thirsty Thrusday

• Brush: Semogue - 830
• Razor: Gillette - Aristocrat Adjustable #ADJUSTABLE
• Blade: Dorco Prime (1st use)
• Lather: Henri et Victoria - Cognac and Cuban Cigars (triple milled)
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria - Cognac and Cuban Cigars splash
• Fragrance: Henri et Victoria - Cognac and Cuban Cigars EdP (rollerball)
• Post Shave #2: Henri et Victoria - Cognac and Cuban Cigars balm
• Fragrance #2: Henri et Victoria - Cognac and Cuban Cigars EdP (atomiser)
• Hair Product: Henri et Victoria - Cognac and Cuban Cigars Fibre Optics

Today's shave is so much better than yesterday's egregious one!
How could someone manage to produce such terrible terrible products?
Even the 4 horsemen would be more appealing.

Now today I got to use one of my favourites and be on theme.
Undo all the damage left by yesterday's horrendous shave.
Make my face wonderfully smooth.
Better yet, smell delightful.
Even more so, to go completely overboard with the scent.
Remember how to use punctuation!

Of course, I could probably do a PIF of those atrocities.
For real it'd be a P>!unish!<.I.F.

The requirements for such a PIF would be as follows:
Have either one of the 4 horseman, Stag, Remote Learning EdP.
Even then, I wouldn't recommend it.

Basking in the wonderful scent of a glass of cognac with the
Exquisite luxury of a box of quality Cuban cigars.
Adjustable razors are quite nice in that you can crank them up.
Set it and forget it was what I did today;
Try to guess the setting I had it on.

OP writes cryptic verse that may or may not link Cognac and Cuban Cigars to the dark arts.

Post spells out THENUMBEROFTHEBEAST.

OP writes cryptic verse that may or may not link Cognac and Cuban Cigars to the dark arts.

SOTD 2024-06-07 I don't even like vetiver

• Brush: Omega - 11047 Mighty Midget #SMOLL #MISTURA
• Razor: Karve - Overlander (copper)
• Blade: Dorco Prime (2nd use)
• Lather: Henri et Victoria - Coeur de Vetiver
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria - Coeur de Vetiver splash
• Fragrance: Henri et Victoria - Coeur de Vetiver EdP (rollerball)
• Post Shave #2: Henri et Victoria - Coeur de Vetiver balm
• Fragrance #2: Henri et Victoria - Coeur de Vetiver EdP (atomiser)
• Moustache Wax: Henri et Victoria - Coeur de Vetiver

Allergies. That is what I think of when I think of vetiver.
Really, why would I want to wear something that makes me sneeze?
Even the thought of that dry, grassy substance tingles my nose.

You're probably wondering then why would I have so much of it.
Or why would I put all that on my face if I hate it so?
Unless you just think I'm nuts; which isn't an unfair assumption.

So, there must be something different about Coeur de Vetiver.
Unless I'm just crazy and hate money and myself.
Right you would be about the first point.
Even if I'm dodging the second question.

Yes, I hate vetiver; but I adore Coeur de Vetiver.
Oh it still is vetiver; but it's somehow a fresh scent.
Unfortunately discontinued because apparently people are wrong.

Whatever, I won't shut up, and it's the only good vetiver scent.
Also it doesn't make me sneeze.
Not only that, but Henri et Victoria make the best balm ever.
There! Fight me!

Too chicken?
Oh well; at least I smell amazing!

Concerning the daily challenge; I prefer routine.
Only nothing about Lathergames is routine.
Now I did consider this challenge.
Though it would mean doing things differently and change is bad.
I mean; we're shaving with razors designed over 100 years ago.
Not only that, but we're prostelytizing shavers to our ~~cult~~ cult.
Understandably so, because wetshaving is better.
Eo ipso, it's better than all alternatives.

SOTD 2024-06-08 Another fake holiday

• Brush: Semogue 2020 Best Badger
• Razor: Karve - Overlander (copper)
• Blade: Dorco Prime (3nd use)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Convergence
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather

If Hallmark is allowed to create a fake holiday then so can Amex!

So today is about Maggard's.
Even though I've got plenty of soap,
Every time I order from them half my order is more samples.

Yes, I have wonderful self control.
Only you can prevent forest fires.
Underlying conditions? yes.

Go figure that I would have some exclusive Maggard's samples.
I am a little embarrassed that I had a senior moment this morning.
Vanity opened, I couldn't remember which Fougere was the exclusive.
Ended up going with Convergence as a result.

My shave was pleasant; DG soaps always seem to work well for me.
Even though the soap/water ratio wasn't ideal, a nice 2-passer.

And I tried Old Spice Lavender & Mint body wash this morning.

House of Mammoth Almond Leather balm seemed to make sense.
Unusually quiet for a Saturday outside; very dreary day.
Go figure the sunshine is gone when it's my day off.

• Shared from Microsoft Notepad.

SOTD 2024-06-09 Wow, I don't hate this!

• Brush: Semogue 830
• Razor: Karve - Overlander (copper)
• Blade: Dorco Prime (4th use)
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. - No. 11
• Post Shave: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary

First I want to thank the one who sent me this sample:
U/Priusaurus , thank you kind soul!
Now prior to trying this soap I had no intention of ever!
Zero, zilch, nada! Trying another Barbershop scent.
On the hook for that one: Seville.

What?! You exclaim! But how? It's the most wonderful barbershop!
And for that very reason I avoided anything "barbershop".
Now, after reading on No.11, and on u/priusaurus' good name;
This poor sucker decided to give it another go.
So CGC No.11 has restored my faith in the category of Barbershop.

The scent is sophisticated and screams sunny summer day.
On opening up the smush I knew that it was a scent I wouldn't hate.

Somehow my brain misremembered what 70th Anniversary smelled like.
I thought it smelled exactly like No.11; it didn't, but it worked.
Now, I think I actually prefer the scent of No.11 to 70th.
Guess I'm now going to be tempted to start looking at more soap.

Yes, the community of enablers and Lathergames.
Of course we love you all!
Understandably so, we are all in the same boat.

And that's the story of how CGC saved ~~Christmas~~ Barbershops.

So Funzo, yes that guy, wanted me to sing you a song.
On pain of death by hugging strangulation, and immolation.
Now I hope you like it.
Guess it's the end for me if you don't...

Barbershop, Barbershop
Oh Barber, Barber, Barber
Barbershop, Barbershop
Oh Barber, Barber, Barber
Barbershop, Barbershop
Oh Barber, Barber, Barber
Barbershop!
[Badum, badum, badum, badum]
...
Sweeter than candy on a stick
Huckleberry, cherry or lime
If you had a choice it'd be your pick
But Barbershop is mine.

SOTD 2024-06-10 Zamac Attacc

• Brush: Vie-Long Alfil
• Razor: Gillette - Travel Tech #ZAMAC
• Blade: Gillette Platinum (2nd use)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus balm

!Today you will!< get to see me make use of my NOS Travel Tech for the first time today; just look at that adorable pouch! Made in Argentina in Q1 1967 (based on the N-1 stamp), you can tell it's >!be!!engraved with!< Gillette branding on the cap >!screams!< "quality potmetal". The tiny 2" handle was actually easier to use than I was expecting; possibly because this thing weighs next to nothing. The light weight made it super easy to do the WTG pass; however going ATG was a challenge. This razor is >!LOUD!<! It also bounces around on my face, especially against the grain. It was >!like driving on!< a farm road! As >!you'r!!face!< any favours. Needed to go >!for a third pass because two wasn't enough!< with this razor. With the three passes my skin felt decently smooth; though >!the mirror told me,!< that my skin probably wouldn't have appreciated either alum or an alcohol-based splash.

For the theme I used both the Cerberus soap and balm. I really like the scent, but it makes my nose tingle and run for as long as the scent is given off. This is why I've kept it stored away >!for half a year!<.

Thinking of "Happy Together" I couldn't help but picture Dr. Evil and Mini Me singing "Just the two of us". So naturally I had to also pair my largest brush with my tiniest razor.

SOTD 2024-06-11 What is it? Well...It's green

• Brush: Semogue 2020 Best Badger
• Razor: Karve Overlander (copper)
• Blade: Dorco - Prime (1st use)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Vernal
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria - Absinthe

!R!<eally, Declaration Grooming could have just written:
!I!<t smells like a soap that rhymes with "Shmirish Spring".
!P!<retty sure that was the scent they were going for anyway.

!J!<ust a whiff of this soap and you'll know it's a "spring" scent.
!A!<nd it doesn't fool anyone with it's colour: It's bright green.
!M!<aybe there is some tomato leaf, some spices, other stuff;
!E!<ven maybe "sweet grass", whatever that is.
!S!<mells distinctly like the soap to me; I used it all my childhood.

!D!<idn't have a green brush, but there's verdigris forming on my razor;
!O!<f course verdigris is green!
!O!<h and I naturally had to choose Absinthe as a splash;
!H!<aven't you heard it's known as "la fée verte" (the green fairy).
!A!<nyhoo, the soap works well like all of their soaps.
!N!<ot one of my favourite scents though, so I've not used it till now.

SOTD 2024-06-12 It comes in a tube

• Brush: Semogue 830
• Razor: Gillette Aristocrat Adjustable
• Blade: Dorco - Prime (2st use)
• Lather: Nivea - Sensitive shaving cream
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria - Cognac and Cuban Cigars

This week I went to one of my local pharmacies to pick up a package.
|
Because that's where the post office is.
Of course I needed to check out the shaving aisle.
Zoinks! The Canadian Pharmacy Day must be gaining traction!

Look at all this stuff!!
Even though I was impressed by the Guardian Pharmacy;
Floored, absolutely floored!
This selection was impressive.

Every Shoppers Drug Mart typically carries 1 or 2 Proraso items.
Yes very rarely I'll even see one of the non-standard scents.
Even in the largest ones I've never seen four!

Check this out:
Have they got Old Spice? Yes. Brut? Yes. Aqua Velva? 3 types!
I see Azur Lime, Wood and Spice, and Green Proraso.
Like, I'm drooling now. They've got pricey Art of Shaving too.
I'm tempted to fill up my cart, but settle for a Nivea cream.

On to the shave:
Creams are designed to allow you to shave more quickly;
Which means I can spend extra time needlessly overcomplicating my shave!

So I can use an adjustable razor and constantly play with the settings!
Settings used during the shave: 6 - 7 - 6 - 7 - 5 - 6.
I can use a brush that requires soaking, because I'm saving time!

This tube even has instructions! Look at Nivea thinking I'd read pictures...
Also, if it comes in a tube that means it's automatically a cream.
Instructions are for people who don't already know how to do things better. Why face lather when you can face AND bowl lather!

And this poor cream doesn't even contain any alcohol in it!
Not to worry, I've got my strongest scented alcohol-based splash to save the day!

What a remarkable shave! It was just like when I used the Nivea canned foam.
Same scent; less convenient!
Felt similar too; this is definitely a notch down from Palmolive or Proraso.
But think of all the time I saved using this cream!

SOTD 2024-06-13 Dupelganger sounds a lot like a Wannabe

• Brush: Semogue 830
• Razor: Gillette Aristocrat Adjustable
• Blade: Dorco - Prime (3rd use)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Spice
• Post Shave: Thayers - Witch hazel toner (Unscented)

Yo I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want,
So tell me what you want, what you really really want,
I wanna (huh!), I wanna (huh!), I wanna (huh!), I wanna (huh!),
I wanna really really really wanna zigazig ah!

If you wannabe a wetshaver, you gotta know we're your friends,
Old Spice is forever, the dupes will never end.

User adapted a spice girls song that is not going to be stuck in people's heads for days.

SOTD 2024-06-14 Space: The final frontier

• Brush: Semogue 2020 Best Badger
• Razor: Gillette Aristocrat Adjustable
• Blade: Dorco - Prime (4th use)
• Lather: Nobel Otter - Orbit
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria - La Poire Francaise balm

These are the voyages of the Gillette Adjustable.
Its continuing mission: to explore strange new soaps;
to seek out new balms and new aftershave splashes;
to boldly go where many razors have gone before!

Captain's log Earthdate 2024.06.14: We received an urgent request from Starfleet;
a planet nestled deep in the Tertiary Leo Corpus sector of the galaxy called Iroc-Z.
This planet, located in the Camaro system, was facing a humanitarian crisis.
Due to the ~~reports of blue women on the planet~~ urgent humanitarian need,
we cranked up the Adjustable to factor 9 and raced to the planet Iroc-Z.
After being reminded of Starfleet regulations on warp speeds and the risk of tearing the
fabric of shavespace at factor 9, I reluctantly reduced speed to factor 8.
I think in future I'm just going to ignore that regulation since factor 9 works remarkably well.

On the topic of Starfleet regulations, we had a special passenger on this voyage:
Of the Noble Otter family, one known as "Orbit".
I had the "wonderful pleasure" of explaining to said Noble Otter that Starfleet regulations now
prohibit the use of regular menthol and we can only use synthetic menthol (or "Synthehol").

When we reached Iroc-Z we learned more about this crisis:
Half of the population were knowns as "Scrubs" and the other half "No-Scrubs".
Apparently the "Scrubs" (also known as "Bustas") were spending most of their days hollaring at the "No-Scrubs".
Clearly this was a matter of great concern.

However, one of the crew came up with a brilliant plan:
That plan was to guide the Scruba (as they liked to call them) to non-scrubatude;
using an internally inconsistent list of dos and do nots.

So we left a post on their planet-wide message board with the plan and left the planet before we could see how well it actually turned out.
Perhaps we'll come back and check on them in a later season; or a crew our clones will stumble upon them.
I do hope we didn't leave any technology behind that could be copied and accidentally advance them beyond their normal development speed.

We didn't just leave because we are morally irresponsible ~~and discovered the reports of blue women were false~~;
We also received another urgent request from our own solar system.
The request came from the Mars base commander, Rob Zombie. Apparently, Mars needs women; angry red women.
And so, we are currently on route to Mars.

SOTD 2024-06-15 Near Death Experience

• Brush: Semogue 2020 Best Badger
• Razor: Gillette Superspeed 1940s style NDC
• Blade: Dorco - Prime (5th use)
• Lather: Bartigan & Stark - Campione
• Post Shave: Bartigan & Stark - Campione splash

Saturday; finally!
How I have longed for thee.
Oh what a week it has been.
~~Cursed~~ blessed with 90s pop and hiphop all day every day.
~~Killing my braincells~~ bringing me waves of nostalgia.
Even the strongest can break after so much ~~torture~~ amazing music.
Defeat however, was not an option.

Picked my very first artisan soap; used it exclusively for months.
It is definitely the closest to death, despite it being 5oz.
Killing it will be sad; but I've got two spares.
As always, the 1940s Superspeed impresses me; it shaves so well!
Campione is also one of my favourite scents, especially the soap.
However the splash is somewhat different and I don't like it as much.
Underhydrated the soap with a 30s load but the same amount of water.

SOTD 2024-06-16 I'm not THAT old

• Brush: Omega 11047 Mighty Midget
• Razor: Gillette Superspeed 1940s style NDC
• Blade: Gillette - Platinum (3rd use)
• Lather: D.R. Harris - Sandalwood shave stick
• Post Shave: Thayers - Witch hazel toner (unscented)

Omega 1931.
Little whippersnapper that brush is; Thayers: 1847.
D.R. Harris though; 1790. Was the oldest one in my den.

Morgan's finishing fudge for my hair seemed the appropriate choice: 1873.
And it wouldn't be right without a Gillette razor and blade: 1901.
Now for British build quality: The shave stick knob broke after 17 shaves.

SOTD: 2024-06-17 - That's a vegan

• Brush: Wilkinson Sword Classic
• Razor: Gillette Superspeed 40s NDC
• Blade: Gillette Platinum, 4th use
• Bowl: Captain's Choice Standard Copper Bowl
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Necromantic
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Necromantic splash
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Necromantic EdP
• Additional Care: Osma - Alum Block

Vegan soap, vegan brush, vegan splash, vegan EdP, vegan alum block, vegan razor, vegan blade, vegan bowl, vegan towel, vegan coffee...

But ain't no way I was putting no vegan milk on my bowl of Lucky Charms!

SOTD 2024-06-18 RIP in Pieces

• Brush: Semogue 2020 Best Badger
• Razor: Unknown make German 4-piece Old Type travel razor
• Blade: Dorco - ST-300 (1st use)
• Lather: Central Texas Soaps - Padre Island
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria - Coeur de Vetiver splash
• Bowl: Captain's Choice Standard Copper Bowl

Random rusty/tarnished unknown make thin cap Old Type clone travel razor that I've never used before, soap base I've never used before, blade from a sample tuck that I've only used a handful of times so far; what could go wrong?

Actually it went surprisingly, really well!. This razor is super efficient like the Old Type Tuckaway; my cheeks probably only needed a single pass but I went for two anyway and they feel BBS.
My neck I must not have done the first pass well so I went for a third there under the chin and it's DFS I'd say.
Overall, probably my second most efficient 1-pass razor after the Old Type Tuckaway.
I must have a "type" when it comes to razors.
I wish I knew what make it was; the only identifiers are "Germany" and some kind of a Triforce etched into the baseplate.
So I suppose it shall henceforth be known as the Triforce of Old Type travel razor.

This soap instantly reminded my of the song "La Isla Bonita".
Yes I know it's "San Pedro"; but I don't care.
Pedro and Padre are close enough.
I don't speak Spanish anyway.
The scent made me feel like I was on a resort.
I don't know why; it just did.
It's a real shame that Central Texas Soaps are no more.
I'd pour out my drink in honour of them; but I don't believe in wasting alcohol.
Like seriously; it has to be really bad to waste alcohol. I don't even think I poured out that bottle of Voga white whine that was more hairspray than wine.
Maybe I did; it was terrible.
I guess there was also that travel bottle of Roku gin; but that was more about wanting to keep the cool bottle and free up more room for other better tasting booze because Canada limits you to 40oz...
Seriously; other countries let you bring back 4-5 times that amount so it's a total rip!
And I apologize for the tangent; I'm not drunk rambling because I've only had a single beer.
Don't think me a cheap drunk either.
I want a vacation.
Tropical the island breeze.
All of nature wild and free.
This is where I long to be.
La Isla Padre.
And when the samba played.
The sun would set so high.
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes. Your Texan lullaby.
I want to be where the sun warms the sky.
When it's time for siesta, you can watch them go by.
Beautiful faces, no cares in this world.
Maybe I need another drink.

SOTD 2024-06-19 Juneteenth and the state that almost wasn't part of the Civil War

• Brush: Semogue 830
• Razor: Gillette - New short comb
• Blade: Dorco - ST-300 (2nd use)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Persephone
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Persephone splash
• Bowl: Captain's Choice Standard Copper Bowl

It wouldn't be right if I didn't simp for all of my favourite soaps; I've already done so for 3/4 of them, so all that was left was Persephone.
Based out of Ferndale in the state of Michigan, Declaration Grooming came up with the best sandalwood scent my nose has ever experienced.
I thought about saving this soap for "sandalwood day", but then someone might get nitpicky and say that they list pomegranate ahead of sandalwood...
Well I have a backup plan for that, don't you worry!

I wanted to go all out with the quadfecta of soap, splash, balm, and EdP - but sadly, the EdP seems they only sold it on their own website and don't ship products with alcohol outside of the USA.
So I watched as the last bottle sold out while I cried on the inside.
At least I was able to order the splash that finally stocked at a retailer that would ship to Canada;
It only took 2.5 months of daily searching "Persephone" on every retailer that ships to Canada to see if it was in stock.
After a short while I only need to type the letter "D" on my phone's keyboard before it starts autosuggesting "Declaration Grooming Persephone".
So at the moment I'm anxiously awaiting a the long-awaited restock of Persephone splash to go with my stock of soap and liniment.
No longer will I have to gingerly ration my 10ml sample of Persephone splash!
Hopefully my stock will last me until the next run of Persephone is made and I'm able to get my hands on a bottle of the EdP!

So with that shameless plug of the greatest sandalwood scent in the universe out of the way, I have decided to tell you all a story.
You don't have to listen, but I know you will because who doesn't love history?!

Today's story is the story of how Michigan almost didn't take part in the Civil War.
In fact, it almost didn't end up part of the Union at that time!
The reason for that is a sparsely populated frozen tundra that borders it to the North known today as "Canada".
You see, in 1812 Canada conquered the state of Michigan. We also apparently burned Chicago to the ground while we were at it.
The intention was to give Michigan over to the natives to have their own country; especially since they had joined forces with Canada to defend against the American invasion.
(The Americans thought that because the British were busy fighting Napoleon that Canada would be easy pickings, so they invaded us first)
Sadly, both the native general and the Canadian one who had both agreed to the terms were killed in battle.
So the British made us give back Michigan to the Americans. They eventually joined the war too to back up the Canadians.
Because there was one thing that the early 19th century British (and I guess Canadian too) liked more than burning cities to the ground (Washington DC and everything between Norfolk to Baltimore where they were finally stopped):
Selling stuff for a profit!
Apparently the Americans were really attached to Michigan and wanted it back and threatened never to buy any more tea and biscuits from Britain ever again if they didn't give it back.
Maybe Britain learned their lesson about Americans and buying tea.
The British apparently also gave America back Maine; even I learn something sometimes!

And so that's the story of how Michigan has British capitalism to thank for why it's part of the United States today and could side with the Union forces during the Civil War to put an end to slavery. The End.

Edit: Memes go here.
Put it in the wrong place before.

SOTD 2024-06-20 Summer has Arrived

• Brush: Semogue 2020 Best Badger
• Razor: Gillette - New short comb
• Blade: Dorco - ST-300 (3rd use)
• Lather: Henri et Victoria - Lime
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria - La Poire Francaise balm
• Bowl: Captain's Choice Standard Copper Bowl

Normally I'd write a lot of stuff, but it's 34C today here (that's real temp and not that fake "humidex" "feels like" crap), oh and that's 93F for those who aren't metrically inclined.
It's 30C in the house (again, 86F) and I'm sweating. Cold shower and a cold water shave felt nice. Cold water really chills brass nicely and gives you a different feeling on your face.

Since I'm also tired and probably am not going to sleep too well tonight (thankfully I can keep the windows open tonight because it's not supposed to rain, but in order not to wake up with the sun at 5am the blackout curtains will block any of the non-existent breeze happening right now), I think I'll go to bed soon.

Henri et Victoria's Lime scent smells like Key Lime pie and is delicious and summery.
La Poire Francaise the artisan describes as being "a celebration of a sophisticated summertime".
Sounds summer to me. If I had the Poire soap as well I would have used it; but I don't yet since it's in transit.
Poire Francaise (French pear) also smells delicious.
Shaving made me hungry. I ate a Blizzard for supper because I'm an adult.

Don't get me wrong, I love the heat.
I just love it a lot less when it's also very humid and there's no breeze; especially when I want to sleep. I didn't shave outside today because I didn't shave outside today. The outdoors is where vetiver grows and it makes me sneeze.
Instead I drove with the windows down and Eurobeat blasting.

SOTD 2024-06-21 Fougere something something

• Brush: Semogue 2020 Best Badger
• Razor: Gillette - New short comb
• Blade: Dorco - ST-300 (4th use)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Fougere Angelique
• Post Shave: Henri et Victoria - Absinthe splash
• Bowl: Captain's Choice Standard Copper Bowl

u/Enndeegee is furtive and mean
you must keep them in close quarantine
or they sneak up to the slums
and promptly becomes
disorderly drunk and obscene

there once was a scruby dub a dub
who thought he was the king of the pub
so he belted a tune
to the entire room
and got beat o'er the head with a club

angelique a fougere of the light
and absinthe a drink that hath spite
an angel and devil
one good and one rebel
together they light up the night

SOTD: Jun. 22, 2024 - Pumpkin Cannon!!

• Brush: Omega 11047 Mighty Midget
• Razor: Karve Overlander Copper
• Blade: Dorco Prime Platinum [1]
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Samhain
• Post Shave: Zingari Man - Barrel Proof Recovery Splash

Pumpu-kin, pumpu-kin; pum-pum-pumpukin!

Also Barrel Proof just made sense in my head since they both share bourbon as one of their scent notes. The "barrel" also works for the extremely lame and forced "pumpkin cannon" pun/reference.

Didn't carve a pumpkin, but I used a Karve razor and a soap with a picture of a pumpkin on the lid.

Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

Jun. 23, 2024 Mmmmm, Donuts

• Brush: Semogue 830
• Razor: Karve Overlander Copper
• Blade: Dorco Prime Platinum [2]
• Lather: Talent Soap Factory - Fantasy Donut

Rather than tell you about how amazing this soap is, here's 8 minutes of Homer Simpson drooling over various things.

Thanks u/Priusaurus for sending me this smush!

Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

SOTD 2024-06-21 Diamonds are Forever; until they aren't

• Brush: Semogue 2020 Best Badger
• Razor: Karve Overlander (copper)
• Blade: Dorco Prime Platinum (3rd use)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Diamond
• Bowl: Captain's Choice Standard Copper Bowl

So I want to start off by thanking u/Impressive_Donut114
This was one of the two smushes in the very first wetshaving PIF I received.
Around this time last year it was.
Very timely I must say.
Extremely.

On to the first chapter of my review of Diamond.
Not that this will be a novel or anything.
Even I get bored sometimes.

Made of the Excelsior base;
And not Omnibus.
Really makes a difference, din'it?
Like, it's good; but it's not as good a base as Omnibus.
Even I can tell that!
Yes, I'll admit that it could also be the fact a 5 year old soap being
Stored in wax paper for a year might be a factor.

Guarded this soap was, in my cabinet.
Haven't used it in some time.
Of course, I needed to save it for a special occasion.
Some such one as a Lathergames shave.
Though this would be the last of this smush.

Maybe I could have eked out another shave of it.
Already there wasn't much left though.
Really, I'd used it for a couple shaves already.
Little bitty bit left;
Enough for two passes.
Yes, even three would have been pushing it.

Well the scent is pretty nice.
As I recall, I emailed B&M to ask if they'd consider doing another run.
Said that I really liked it I did.

Did I hear back? Yes.
Even was a quick reply if I remember correctly.
And sadly, it was that the soap would not be remade.
Diamonds don't last forever it seems.

This soap would join the annals,
Of unobtanium forever.

But all is not lost;
Even a fool's hope can be had.
Given that the illustrious u/Cowzilla3 has reported that the
Industrious u/mammothben would create an Old Spice dupe if,
Nigh all of r/wetshaving were to band together to request it!

With this hope in view,
Instilling our hearts with courage,
Tusk-based Old Spice may even be nigh at our doorsteps!
How has it not happened yet, one can scarecely imagine.

There may yet be hope for Diamond to be ressurected.
Have courage my fellow friends of baseball-scented soaps.
Even though there was another similar themed soap.
Really they smell nothing alike.
Even that one was discontinued.

Is there really no room for two baseball-themed soaps?
Seems to me a missed opportunity for a seasonal soap.

No doubt that it would be amazing; imagine:
Omnibus Diamond.

Diamond smells like... It smells good.
Of course it's got a theme of "America's pastime" on it.
Undeniably a selling point as well.
But the scent feels refined and complex.
This wasn't something I was expecting.

Whether Diamond or Batter's Up smells more like baseball is one that
Has been up for debate.
As smelling like playing baseball I'd put it for
The Noble Otter soap.
Even still, Diamond is a soap that
Very well invokes the sensation of being at a game.
Ever wonder if one was designed to be like a fan vs one on the field?
Really makes you think if there was some collaboration going on.

About Christmas,
Being in July.
Of course it isn't.
Unless...
That's just mattress sales pitches.

The real question is:
How come we don't celebrate the spirit of Christmas
All year 'round?
That seems like a good thing to me.

The spirit of giving,
Having thankfulness in our hearts.
Even caring for one another.

Really, I think we have lost a lot of the sense around
Even the beginning of sense.
Getting presents is great and all, but it
Isn't the purpose.
So superficial and materialistic.
The thought is upsetting.
Even if we keep the presents; giving is a joyful as receiving.
Really, it's probably more.

Of course, who doesn't like PIFs?
Fact: We all love them.

Happiness in giving is a really feeling.
It's just natural.
Science even shows it; probably.

Because we like surprises.
Unless you're someone who doesn't like surprises.
Really I don't get that.
Isn't it fun?
Are they really upset that they were surprised?
Like, they probably read all the spoilers for movies too.

Whatever; I'm not going to be bummed by it.
As someone who likes both, I was pleasantly
Surprised by this community's generosity.

So much so that I was inspired to do PIFs also.
I must admit, I have meant to do far more than I have.
Given that I procrastinate that's no surprise.
Now that I've put my foot in my mouth I should do another one at the
End of Lathergames.
Did anyone also one a "gag prize" PIF?

BTW the gag prize is really terrible.
Yes, like the worst wetshaving products I've ever used.

That settles it; I'll need to do at least two!
Have one for the gag prize and another one that
Everyone else wouldn't shy away from.

Clearly I should have been a novelist.
Let's hope that Reddit doesn't have a character limit on
Extraordinarily ~~wonderful~~ verbose posts.
Really I should have thought this through more rather than
Grievously plagiarize classic literature.
Yes you may have noticed.
Maybe you haven't though.
And no I'm not going to stop.
No, you can't make me.

The definition of insanity is:
Having the idea of using the Midnight Stag trifecta for an
Entire month!

Consequently, I haven't actually tried it; but Pine Tar was painful.
Leviathan was also very much not for me.
Even still, Leviathan did evoke a
Really clear image from what I smelled.
Knights of the Stag are really something else.

This leads me to realize that I
Haven't the faintest clue what I'm doing anymore.
Ever get lost on a tangent?

Understand that the mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Notwithstanding, there are times when it is appropriate to let loose.
Did you notice I spelled "loose" correctly?
Every time I see people spell "lose" as "loose"; freaking "loosers".
Really...
They are usually native English speakers too.
And it's not like they have the excuse of
Knowing any other languages.
English; only English.
Right. Venting complete.

And I think I was doing a review about how this was
Not an Old Spice dupe made by House of Mammoth. No, it was
Diamond, by Barrister and Mann.

The soap, that has a pretty baseball field on the tub.
Has on the tub; I just had a smush in wax paper.
Even without the graphic, I really appreciated it!

Cognisant of my obsession with tins,
How fortunate I am that most are sold in plastic tubs.
If they were in metal tins I would have so many that
Even I would have no idea what to do with them!
For the best it is then.

Moving on in my rambling is how Excelsior is not as good as
Omnibus, when it is 5+ years old and has been sitting in
Unideal conditions. I'm not sure if that's the correct usage.
Really, "unideal" is a word. I looked it up.
Nevertheless (I like that word too), it still worked well.
Excelsior is a good soap base and still had scent.
Really, I'm always impressed when old soap still has fragrance.

Why is this so long

Jun. 25, 2024 A Yule of a Shave
Brush: Semogue 830
Razor: Karve Overlander Copper
Blade: Dorco Prime Platinum [4]
Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Druantia
Post Shave: Bartigan & Stark - Campione splash
Post Shave: Ariana and Evans - Pistachio splash

This soap is supposed to be a celebration of Yule and a scent "perfect for crisp Winter days"; or that is what the artisan says.

So I take out the sample; on the label it talks about types of trees and stuff. Maybe that's a misprint; this is a soap about Yule after all.

Sniffed the soap; it smells weird, but all Southern Witchcrafts soaps do.

Lathered it up and put it on my face... WHAT THE HELL IS THIS SCENT?!

Where is the smell of icing?!
Where is the smell of whipped cream?!
Where is the smell of cake sponge?!
Where is the chocolate?!

Does Southern Witchcrafts even know what a Yule is?!

Utterly disappointed that I don't smell like a delicious calorie-rich baked dessert but instead smell like a forest (I would have settled for a Black Forest cake, but not that kind of forest either; the kind with actual trees and bark), I rummaged through my collection of splashes and perfumes looking for anything that contained cake ingredients to try and salvage this shave.

Campione: Bergamot, that's a kind of citrus (citrus zest goes in cake); Vanilla too (chocolate would be better, but I won't be picky here).
Pistachio: I've had pistachio icing before and it was good; nuts sometimes go in cake (despite seemingly most people saying that it is sacrilegious).

Somehow, they go well together. Actually, why am I surprised? They are cake ingredients and cake is delicious!

So in the end all was not lost.

OP doesn't understand Druantia and throws some shade at Southern Witchcrafts.

It's a shame OP didn't use a fragrance, because this is probably my favorite scent writeup of the games. Picking your post shave based on what you wished your shave soap scent had been is hilarious.

OP doesn't understand Druantia and throws some shade at Southern Witchcrafts.

It's a shame OP didn't use a fragrance, because this is probably my favorite scent writeup of the games. Picking your post shave based on what you wished your shave soap scent had been is hilarious.

SOTD 2024-06-26 Lemon Drops and Muffin Tops

• Brush: Didn't use one
• Razor: Flying Eagle - Not sure, but it's got a knurled aluminum handle
• Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless (1st use)
• Lather: Tiber River - Lemon Drops and Muffin Tops (body butter)
• Post Shave: J.R. Watkins - Lemon Cream (hand cream)
• Fragrance: J.R. Watkins - Lemon Cream (body oil mist)

What could go wrong?

What's it like using body butter as lather? Well, first it doesn't lather. Second, it's like shaving with margerine

And yes, I did shave with it. I may be a fool, but at least I'm an honest fool.

Did I regret not grabbing the bar of soap by the sink and using that instead? Yes.

Was the shave worse than the one with that stuff actually marketed towards shaving that I used on June 5th? Debatable.

Is my face smooth? Well yes, I slathered it in butter, then hand cream, and then sprayed it with oil.

Was it a close shave? Goodness no!

Is my face totally red from skin irritation? You could say that.

Will I remember this shave by the time next year's Lathergames rolls around? Probably not.

Will that result in similar poor decision making? Isn't that what this day (and possibly month) is all about?

As for the challenge; Clean Brush Talk: How do I keep my brush clean? By not using it on days like this.

Jun. 27, 2024 Information Overload
Brush: Semogue 2020 Best Badger
Razor: Fatip Piccolo
Blade: Dorco Titan [1]
Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Autumn Ash - Soap
Post Shave:* Bartigan & Stark - Campione - Aftershave

It feels good to use products actually intended for use in shaving!

Experimenting with different blades to find a replacement for the Rapira Swedish Super Steel blades that worked perfectly in this razor is proving difficult; the Dorco Titan cut well, but are definitely a lot less smooth than the Rapira. One benefit at least should be that they won't make a terrible mess in the razor like the Rapira do. My guess is that the Rapira Swedish Super Steel are actually semi-stainless, lacking the necessary percentage of chromium to qualify as "stainless".

Still, a close shave and reasonably comfortable; just not as good as I would normally get with this razor. My neck in particular.

Oh and I realized that I didn't even talk about the soap at all. Yes, this discerning nose can definitely pick out the maple, spice, smoke, amber, cedar, oud, rain, plum, blackberry, ash, birch tar, pumpkin, coffee, dirt, and mildew notes; it's totally not like it is with wine where I wonder what on earth they are talking about. Actually no, I have never even come across birch tar (what even is that?), oud, or amber and stuck my nose to it so I have no idea what they smell like; but most of those other things I know and yeah maybe. But mostly it smells like autumn.

Campione only has 14 scent notes rather than 15, and somehow not a single one of them are the same between the two soaps:

Top: bergamot, clementine, dried fruit

Middle: tobacco, frankincense, jasmine, coconut, almond, hay

Base: amber, vanilla, musk, cognac, sandalwood

Yet, they don't clash somehow.

Jun. 28, 2024 We do this once a year
Brush: Wilkinson Sword Classic
Razor: Wilkinson Sword Classic
Blade: Dorco Titan [2]
Lather: Palmolive - Classic cream
Post Shave: Laboratoires Osma - Alum Block (extra large size)
Fragrance: Eau de Robinet - Pure Canadian

~~Cheapy Tuesday~~ I mean, Frugal Friday: The day that we actually follow through on all those money-saving practices that we talked about when we were first contemplating switching to wetshaving. That lasted, for most of us, maybe a week; basically however long it took for us to start scrolling through SOTD posts and see such intriguing scents, or for an artisan to post about a new or upcoming scent. And there went most of the money we saved by switching to wetshaving; at least the shaves are more pleasant and environmentally friendly!

So for today's frugal shave: Palmolive shaving cream that I bought from a Canadian pharmacy near my parents' place for 3 Canadian Dollars for a 100ml tube! For Americans that's $2.19 for 3.38oz. A bargain!

Because there was an extra challenge I couldn't simply stop there. Razor? I got this Wilkinson Sword Classic with a 5 pack of blades locally for 8CAD ($5.84). Brush? Another Wilkinson Sword pharmacy special; 6CAD ($4.38).

As for the blade, a Dorco Titan, which going from Maggards website is the cheapest DE blade they seem to carry at less than 9.5 cents a blade.

Now I could have gone with Thayer's for the post shave which costs less than $0.75/oz, but! Osma... Either the 75g (2.65oz) standard block for $6.20 or the larger 100g (3.5oz) for $11 that comes with a storage case to protect the precious block of salt; this thing will probably outlast me! As long as I don't drop it. Considering how long it lasts and that I've already gone through more than one 12oz bottle of Thayer's while the Osma looks almost the same as it did brand new, I will argue that this is the better value.

As for the fragrance, I used Eau de Robinet. Most fragrance prices are measured in $/ml, but this one is priced by the 1000L (that's 264 US.gal). At $0.82 for 264 US gallons it's by far the most economical fragrance I can use, even if it is a very mild fragrance. Because it's so cheap and lightly fragrances I can use it liberally. And if you want to argue that it's not a real fragrance, well I checked, and it is!.

So there's my super cheapy shave; it happens about once a year so I make the most of it.

SOTD 2024-06-29 The Duke of Sandalwood and Lady Persephone

• Brush: Semogue 830
• Razor: Fatip - Piccolo open comb
• Blade: Dorco - Titan (3rd use)
• Lather: Henri et Victoria - Duc de Santal
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Persephone balm
• Bowl: Captain's Choice Standard Copper Bowl

How great is the classy sandalwood scent of Duc de Santal?
Even better is the sandalwood mixed with pomegranate in Persephone.
Listen as I tell you in verse; like those ~~terrible~~ bards in videogames.
Look, it's shorter than when I did acrostic A Christmas Carol.

!Welcome to the inferno!<

All day do I think of you, Persephone!
Beyond words is my love for you.
Any time you pass and I catch a whiff of your lovely fragrance,
Never has my heart not skipped a beat.
Duke of Sandalwood, I
Of noble birth to Henri and Victoria,
No lady of the court has charmed me as you do.

Any day without you is,
Lonesome as a day without sun,
Lonesome as a night without stars.

How I long to be with you, my lady Persephone!
Over and over doth my heart yearn for you.
Perchance hoping that you'll glance my way as you pass by.
Even by a glance warms my heart.

You spoke my name.
Even that alone made me giddy.

What fragrance compares to that of my lady Persephone?
How elegant is the sweetness of pomegranate mingled with sandalwood!
Oh how I would have you near me every day!

Ever did I long for you.
Not a day did pass that I didn't watch for your passing.
Then you came over to me,
Even happier was I than I had ever been.
Rest by my side always, my beloved Persephone.

How wonderful is your presence.
Even our time apart has not diminished my love for you.
Return to me, always my arms will be open to you.
Every time we part.

SOTD 2024-06-30 UEFA European Championship Shave

• Brush: Semogue 2020 Best Badger - Portugal
• Razor: Cesar - Old Type - France
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword - Classic (1st use) - Germany
• Lather: D.R. Harris - Twenty Nine cream - England
• Post Shave: Saponificio Vanesino - 70th Anniversary Lotion - Italy

Today we have a special guest here with us from across the pond.
He's come to us today from all the way over in Canada!
Everyone welcome, FireDragonMonkey [wait for applause]

Dear viewers, thank you.
I must apologise though, as I know very little about Football
Even still, I will do my best.

I see. Nevertheless, let's still have a little fun.
Shall we start off with some predictions?

Canadian as I am, I feel a bit of an outsider to the Euro Cup.
As well, I don't have a "national team" to root for.
Still, I enjoy a good game.
To that end, Group A: I choose Germany.

That seems as little surprise; they're in the lead in their group.
How did you come to that decision?
Even the leaders get upset.

Mainly I choose them because I don't have any blades from the other
European countries.
And I don't know enough about ~~soccer~~ football. Now for Group B I picked Italy,
Since I've got this aftershave from there.

Ok, let me stop you there. You're making your predictions,
From wetshaving products you own?!

Since it made sense to me; yes indeed I am.
And for Group C, I chose England.
Considering I've got this shaving cream in a new scent I
Really wanted to try.
I also chose France for Group D.
First because Cesar razors don't get enough attention;
I also chose it because I already chose England for the soap.
Can't shave with two soaps now can I?
Even though I wouldn't be surprised if it became a future challenge.

Have you any reasonably chosen predictions?!
And what of the other two groups?
Something less random I hope...

Being honest, I completely forgot about Group E.
Even still, I hear Baume.Be makes good products I'll need to try.
Ending off with Group F, I've chosen Portugal because of this
Nice brush I've got from Semogue.

Dear viewers, I sincerely apologise for subjecting you to such
Embarrassment from someone who knows so little about football
That they would choose their predictions for the Euro Cup
Entirely based on wetshaving products they owned.
Really, I've never heard of a more unusual and unreasonable
Method for selecting teams before.
In all my days...
Needless to say that FireDragonMonkey will not be invited back.
Even if we did need a correspondent from Canada.
David Moyes' unsanctioned clone, signing off.

!Do you dare spin the wheel of destiny?!<

The 🦌 is coming.

I don't know anything about sports, but acrostics are fun. I think OP has been doing these all month or at least more than once.