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

6/1/24 Lather Games shave  

• AP Shave Co 2BED synth    

• Summer Break Soaps Woodshop soap (sample)    

• Charcoal Goods Everyday (brass) w/ Suneko    

• Thayers unscented witch hazel  

• Eleven unscented ASB    

• Cremo Reserve Blend EDT    

I've somehow never used Summer Break Soaps, but I knew I had this sample so it seemed appropriate to break it out. Very easy and nice lather, smooth sailing for the shave. I thought that the scent might to too aggressive but it was actually quite nice and not overly strong by any means.   

Good start to the month. Have a nice weekend everyone!

6/2/24 Lather Games shave

• Vintage Surrey / AP Shave Co cashmere synth

• Tallow + Steel Grog 2 soap

• Charcoal Goods everyday (brass) w/ Suneko 

• Noble Otter Barrbarr AS (sample)

I decided to go with a Noble Otter AS product for their day, rather than a bay rum AS. The soaps I have from them aren’t on-them for the day so just looking to support and give props in some way!

6/3/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Trotter Handcrafts / TGN boar

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo

• Razor: Charcoal Goods everyday (brass) w/ Suneko

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo ASB

It’s an overcast day here so the duck-fatted goodness of Mammoth’s Mood Indigo seemed fitting. And the gray-handled Trotter brush also felt appropriate. This is the farthest I've pushed one of these Suneko blades (6th shave I think), this one is staying smoother for longer than the previous ones I've used but I can tell that sharpness is waning.

Make it a good week everyone.

6/4/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Jayaruh #441 / AP Shave Co G5C synth

• Lather: Proraso - Red (sandalwood)

• Razor: Blackland Blackbird w/ Gillette Wilkinson Sword

• Post Shave: Antica Barbieria Colla - Red Sandalwood AS milk (sample)

I consistently rail against Proraso, and here I am using it for Lather Games cuz I don’t think some of my other options would qualify as a single-note scent. Irony is cruel. The Blackbird of course blitzed everything down quickly. No real need for a 3rd pass when I use this razor.

A couple soap bases that I miss are Talbott and Siliski. I still have some left from both artisans and enjoy using them. Not quite up there with what I’d consider the top bases nowadays (Ethos, Grooming Dept, Declaration, B&M) but very good stuff and friendly artisans to interact with.

6/5/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Jayaruh #441 / AP Shave Co G5C synth → quick switch to palm

• Lather: Gillette - Satin Care with aloe vera (Target)

• Razor: Charcoal Goods everyday brass w/ Suneko

• Post Shave: Brut - Classic (CVS)

• Post Shave: Neutrogena - Hydro Boost gel cream w/ HA (Walgreens)

I was able to choose between a wide variety (i.e. 2 options) of the wifey’s Gillette shaving gels. The Target she goes to really has the best selection in town. Obviously I chose the one with aloe vera, knowing that that would take this already ethereal product to the next level. For my lather method (do you really call it a method though if the stuff doesn’t lather??) I started with a synth brush and since I normally face lather I tried to bowl lather. It look about 1.7 seconds to realize that the lather would just end up being too good that way, and since I didn’t want to spoil all future shaves I switched to the good ol’ palm to face method. Three passes later and I’m ready to face the day. Just from inside the house though, so nobody sees me like this.

Thanks so much mods for setting this day up. What a treat 🙄

6/6/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: AP Shave Co 2BED synth

• Lather: Ethos Grooming - ShaveMD

• Razor: Schick Krona w/ Suneko

• Post Shave: Ethos Grooming - Shave MD AS

Not only is the performance and the scent on this soap/AS great, but I really like the story behind it. Frank at Ethos has always done some custom/one-off scents for good customers, and this is one that he did for a guy who was active on a couple of the shave forums (ShaveMD) that was meant to be inspired by ginger ale. Unfortunately ShaveMD passed away suddenly before getting to use it, so Frank decided to release it as a tribute soap and donate a portion of the proceeds to Ronald McDonald House. I love it when shave artisans do stuff like that, we all know that this stuff isn’t big business but it’s great when artisans still make it a priority to give back.

I don’t really follow YouTube shavers regularly nowadays, mostly it’s if I’m looking for info on a particular product is when I’ll search through if any videos are up about it. But I do tend to enjoy u/sgrdddy and Latherhog vids.

6/7/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Rudy Vey / TGN finest

• Lather: Stirling - Port au Prince

• Razor: Schick Krona w/ Suneko

• Post Shave: Stirling - Port au Prince ASB

• Fragrance: Carven- Vetiver EDT

Love me some Stirling mutton tallowy goodness… and I’ve always loved this scent from them, a good excuse to pair with some vetiver cologne and it all happens to go very well with the gray morning we’re having here. The green-handled Rudy Vey brush seemed like a natural fit with the rest of today’s gear.

Happy Friday, I hope everyone is having a good end to the week.

6/9/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Vintage Surrey / AP Shave Co cashmere synth

• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles - Tonsorial Parlour

• Razor: Gillette short-comb NEW w/ Suneko

• Post Shave: Barrister & Mann - Sunny Lane AS

• Fragrance: Dana - Canoe EDT

Happy Sunday! I hope everyone is having a great weekend 👍

6/10/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Prometheus Handcrafts SHD

• Lather: Talbot Shaving / Maol Grooming - Island in the Sun

• Razor: Gillette short-comb NEW w/ Suneko

• Post Shave: Maol Grooming - Island in the Sun AS

Talbot & Maol are two artisans that I miss, they made some great products (separately and together).

I don't listen to music anymore while I'm shaving, if I'm listening to anything it's usually the WSJ What's News podcast. Gotta try to keep up on current affairs!

6/11/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: AP Shave Co 2BED sytn

• Lather: MacDuffs - Lilacs in Bloom

• Razor: Yaqi Raster w/ Feather pro

• Post Shave: MacDuffs - Lilacs in Bloom AS

Clearly my photo skills really suck... was trying to get a picture with our jasmine in the backyard showing nicely, but oh well. I really love this scent from MacDuffs and need to use it more, its fresh and green and sweet all at the same time and is a perfect warm-weather shave.

6/12/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Jayaruh #440 / AP Shave Co synth

• Lather: Speick - shaving cream

• Razor: Yaqi Raster w/ Feather pro

• Post Shave: Barrister & Mann - Lavanda Latha AS

• Fragrance: Musgo Real - No. 2 (oakmoss & lavender)

I'm not a big cream fan, but Speick is the one that I do love and I think I might enjoy the shaves more than from the Speick stick.

We had to redo our bathroom last year and I was able to carve out some space for my gear that I didn't have before, as well as take advantage of a larger vanity where I made sure to claim drawers right away before the wifey commandeered them all. I'm still looking for a better storage piece/unit for the brushes & blades, but I keep the hardware in an open shelf, software in my side of the vanity, and then a couple racks with colognes.

https://imgur.com/a/SK4RlsH

6/13/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Jayaruh #440 / AP Shave Co synth

• Lather: Ethos - Succes

• Razor: Gillette flare-tip superspeed w/ Treet platinum

• Post Shave: Ethos - Succes AS

• Fragrance: Milton Lloyd - No. 9 Victor EDT

It’s funny, I thought that I had more dupe soaps in my collection but looking through them there’s really only 3 or 4. And while I’ve never used/smelled the real Aventus, I very much enjoy Succes from Ethos both from a scent and performance standpoint. And this cheapo dupe cologne I got a little while back works pretty well too.

As you can see my art skills are about as good as my photo skills, so I don't expect to be winning any grants or awards anytime soon... but I'll play along!

https://imgur.com/a/dR1sH28

6/13/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Farvour TurnCraft / Boti NC badger

• Lather: Proraso - green shaving cream

• Razor: Gillette flare-tip superspeed w/ Treet platinum

• Post Shave: Thayers - cucumber witch hazel

• Post Shave: Osage Rub - AS

• Fragrance: Lacoste - Essential

Today is just not a shave I was looking forward to for several reasons: 1) I don’t like menthol, 2) I don’t like Proraso (and this is now the 2nd time I’ve been stuck using it during LG), and 3) I don’t like shaving creams, but had to use the Proraso as I couldn’t find anything else mentholated in my collection. The shave itself worked out ok though,and I decided to go all-in on the menthol and brutalize myself with Osage Rub for the post. I live to tell the tale.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

6/15/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Jayaruh #441 / AP Shave Co G5C synth

• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co (Oleo) - unscented

• Razor: Gillette flare-tip superspeed w/ Treet platinum

• Post Shave: Chicago Geooming Co - unscented AS

• Fragrance: unknown sample (gotta clear some of these things out)

I have been working on polishing off this tub but it seems to be at this stage where it does not want to deplete any more. I could have sworn I saw the bottom of the tub half a dozen shaves ago and it’s like it is still at the same place ever since then… will get there eventually.

I went a slight different way with the challenge and did a cold water shave rather than the usual warm water. Excellent shave still, thanks in no small part to the great soap 👍

6/16/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Vintage Surrey / AP Shave Co cashmere synth

• Lather: Colgate - vintage mug soap in Old Spice mug

• Razor: Gillette flare-tip superspeed w/ Treet platinum

• Post Shave: Mennen - Skin Bracer AS

• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger - face moisturizer

Old stuff eh? Ok so this brush is a vintage Surrey handle, which was expertly restored by u/freddiep318ti, and I think the blue looks awesome with the cashmere knot.

The vintage Colgate puck is in an Old Spice mug that is the late 50’s style. I believe it’s considered the “early glass mug 05.” I eventually need to get around to getting one of the red caps for the mug.

The superspeed isn’t my oldest razor, but it was loaded up and ready to go so it fit the bill. It’s a L1 date code, which puts it at Q1 of ‘66.

And then according to the interwebs Skin Bracer was launched in 1931. It really is a nice scent, probably my favorite of the “drugstore” brands. Lucky Tiger’s website has them starting in the 20’s and then becoming an official brand & company in ‘35. Older than I thought!

6/17/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Trotter Handcrafts T1 manchurian

• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Fougere Bouquet (the really old vegan formula)

• Razor: .95 Wolfman WR2 w/ Gillette platinum

• Post Shave: Stirling - unscented witch hazel & aloe toner

• Fragrance: Wholly Kaw - Fougere Bouquet

I thought that I had turned this tub into a bath soap years ago, but when I found it while digging up some stuff I figured I’d have to use it for vegan day. u/whollykaw how long ago were the old white label tubs from Sri, 10 or so years? I ask and mention that because the scent strength on this is sitll rockin, it's pretty impressive. And it really is a great scent, I love this one and it was a great excuse to bring out the matching cologne.

Have a great week everyone.

6/18/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Prometheus Handcrafts SHD

• Lather: Talbot Shaving - Grace

• Razor: Gillette Tech (Timeless TI crown handle) w/ Personna X-series

• Post Shave: Dr Jon’s - Sakura Musk AS

RIP to Talbot Shaving, they made really good soaps and I’m happy to have a couple tubs to still work through. Additional RIP to Dr Jon’s, whose aftershaves I always enjoyed. I thought they made some nice scent profiles and they had enough staying power to be enjoyable during the day but not overwhelming.

6/19/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Rudy Vey / TGN finest

• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Yuzu rose patchouli

• Razor: Timeless TI slim plate w/ Gillette Wilkinson Sword

• Post Shave: Thayers - rose witch hazel

• Post Shave: Siliski - Patchouli Blend ASB

I think I managed to get all union state products in today: Rudy Vey is based in New Jersey, Declaration in Michigan, Timeless is out of Ohio and Siliski is in Pennsylvania. Heck Thayers is even out of Connecticut according to their label… who knew.

Sorry about this memeage https://imgur.com/a/EvtRY1Y

6/20/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Jayaruh #441 / AP Shave Co G5C synth

• Lather: Australian Private Reserve - Suitably Attired Summer

• Razor: Gillette Tech (Timeless TI Crown handle) w/ Personna X-series

• Post Shave: Australian Private Reserve - Suitably Attired Summer AS

• Fragrance: Davidoff - Cool Water

I'm sorry u/Old_Hiker, just can't do the outdoor shave. I'm confident enough in my technique but I don't know if I'd make it out of that in one piece...

6/21/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Jayaruh #440 / AP Shave Co synth

• Lather: Zingari Man - The Magician (sample)

• Razor: Gillette Tech (Timeless TI Crown handle) w/ Personna X-series

• Post Shave: Barrister & Mann - Fougere Gothique AS (sample)

• Fragrance: Musgo Real - No. 2

A soap that I hadn’t tried yet,

But a scent that is nice I would bet.

I don’t get orange blossom,

Yet the ivy is awesome,

And I think it is one y’all should get!

6/22/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Jayaruh #441 / AP Shave Co G5C synth

• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Samhain

• Razor: Timeless TI (slim plate) w/ Gillette Platinum

• Post Shave: Dr Jon’s - Propaganda

No pumpkins or time this morning for other carving, but enjoyable shave regardless! Have a great weekend everyone 🤙

6/23/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: AP Shave Co 2BED synth

• Lather: Ethos - Vanilla Safi

• Razor: Blackland Brassbird (lite plate) w/ Astra SP

• Post Shave: Thayers - unscented witch hazel

The powers that be might not count my soap choice (which is fine!), but I’ve always thought this soap smells a lot Iike a root beer float, over a quality vanilla ice cream. It’s just suuuuch a yummy one to smell.

6/24/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Jayaruh #440 / AP Shave Co synth

• Lather: Lisa’s Natural Herbal Creations - Mariner (sample)

• Razor: Blackland Brassbird (lite plate) w/ Astra SP

• Post Shave: Stirling - Sharp Dressed Man AS

This Lisa's sample was courtesy of u/cowzilla3, who graciously PIF'd off some samples from his spice-off selections. And I totally agree that this Lisa's soap is not a spice soap at all, it's kindof just a straight-up aquatic. She does make good soaps though, I've had a couple of them and really liked the performance.

For the next sub exclusive, I'd love to see something from either MacDuffs or Grooming Dept. In part because I think they're both great artisans that don't get as much love on W_S and would probably benefit from interacting more with the sub.

6/25/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: AP Shave Co 2BED synth

• Lather: Barrister & Mann - Vespers

• Razor: Aylsworth Kopparkant (+ plate) w/ Astra SP

• Post Shave: Barrister & Mann - Taiga latha splash

• Fragrance: Cremo - Blue Cedar & Cypress

Happy to be able to use my Aylsworth razor today. I’ll be honest, when I first got it I wasn’t sure if I’d keep it as I’d heard the + plate was fairly aggressive, and that doesn’t always work well for me. But I’ve found it to be very smooth and efficient, as long as I make sure to not use pressure.

Thank goodness the wifey wasn’t around to see me shaving while wearing a trucker hat on backwards… that would have been the talking point for at least a week 🙄

6/26/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Vintage Surrey / AP Shave Co cashmere synth

• Lather: Siliski Soaps - Midnight in Tunisia

• Razor: Yaqi Raster w/ Feather Pro

• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Gravefruit II

My brush-cleaning routine is pretty standard: rinse well with warm water, squeeze out and shake out in the shower, then brush lightly across a soft towel for a bit to try to get it as dry as possible. I don't use the same brush for consecutive shaves (unless I'm travelling, in which case I'm bringing a synthetic so that it dries quickly anyways).

Happy hump day!

6/27/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Prometheus Handcrafts SHD

• Lather: Grooming Dept - Omnia

• Razor: Blackland Brassbird (Lite plate) w/ Astra SP

• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Alibizia AS

Ok I’m counting 15 scent notes here per GD’s description: Citrus Accord, apricot, jonquil, oakmoss, clary sage, orange blossom, lavender, orris, vetiver, galbanum, costus, thyme, tarragon, peru balsam, styrax.

Can I smell all of those? Heck no… but I like it and I’ve always thought it goes really well with Alibizia from DG.

My non-dominant hand is my right hand; I didn't do the whole shave with it, but I did do that half of my face.

6/28/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: EverReady 200 / old TGN finest

• Lather: Vitos - Extra super

• Razor: Aluminum-handle Tech w/ Suneko

• Post Shave: Master - Bay rum

So for the soap, when I got this I believe Vitos was going for $22 for a kilo block. Thats $2.20 per 100grams (“normal” soap tub size), or 2.2cents per gram.

I bought this 15oz bottle Master bay rum right after I started wet shaving, and at the time I’m pretty sure it was $7-8 from one of the barber supply stores. So let’s call it 50cents an ounce. As I’m typing this though I’m realizing that my similar-size bottle of Osage Rub might have actually been a little cheaper. Hmm….

The vintage EverReady brush is one that a brush hobbyist threw in with a purchase I was making for $2. He had meant to restore it but never did, I thought I might try my hand at restoring it but clearly haven’t either 🙄

This Tech is another one I got in a purchase somewhere for $2-3. And Suneko blades were going for something like $6-7 per 100pack, so 6-7cents per blade.

Happy Friday, I hope everyone has a great weekend 👍

6/29/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Jayaruh #440 / AP Shave Co synth

• Lather: Barrister & Mann - Leviathan

• Razor: Blackland Brassbird (lite plate) w/ Astra SP

• Post Shave: Thayers - unscented witch hazel

• Post Shave: Eleven - unscented ASB

You know what’s a perfect soap for a hot day where you’re about to jump on an airplane and be in close quarters with people? Leviathan. It’s mellow, unassuming, inoffensive… oh wait no, no it’s none of those things. So in an attempt to tame the beast I got a couple layers of unscented post shave on there, but it is definitely still kicking.

I hope everyone has a great weekend 👍

6/30/24 Lather Games shave

• Brush: Jayaruh #440 / AP Shave Co synth

• Lather: Areffa - Discoverer

• Razor: Blackland Brassbird (lite plate) w/ Astra SP

• Post Shave: Thayers - unscented witch hazel

Areffa Soaps, viva Ukraine!