u/Eructate's SOTDs for challenge 'Lather Games 2023'

July 1, 2023 Bonjour, Lather Games!

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Craving Shaving w/ 26mm SHD Badger
• Razor: Autostrop #SELFSHARPENING
• Blade: Feather FHS10 (1)
• Lather: Subtle Art Soap Co. - Night Out
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

Used the autostrop today for the first time to meet the special challenge #New All The Things. Was pretty worried about how the shave was going to go once I got the blade in. Turned out to look much scarier than it was and I thought it performed pretty similarly to a GEM.

The Subtle Art soap performed decently, but started to dry out halfway through the second pass. It easily could have just been the fact I was using it for the first time. Residual slickness wasn't the worst I've had, but post shave was pretty much non-existent. Wrapped the shave up with Midnight Stag which matched mostly on word play with Night, but also because the leather note in both. Even waited to snap this picture tonight to help bring it all together even more!

Hope everyone had a wonderful LGs day one and I look forward to continue reading the shenanigans going forward!

July 2, 2023 Don't have a Cow, Man!

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Chisel and Hound w/ 26mm SynBad
• Razor: RIRON Barber Feather Razor #KAMISORI #ALLNATURAL
• Blade: Red ProTouch mg (4)
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Valley of Ashes
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Valley of Ashes
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Valley of Ashes

Not only one of, if not the best, vegan bases out, but still one of my favorite bases to date.

Challenge: #(ICan'tBelieveIt'sNot)ButterTheToast Day - The SE shavette was pretty painless this morning and left me with a pretty decent shave and no complaints.

July 3, 2023 Almonday

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Omega 11047 Mixed hair brush #MISTURA #OLDWORLD #RUNT #SMOLL
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (1)
• Lather: Cella Milano - Crema Da Barba
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather
• Fragrance: The House of Oud - Almond Harmony EDP

Wonderful almond scented shave today. All software was on theme with he almond scent, but each one went about it differently.

To honor u/RedMosquitoMM today seeing how there is no way I could come close to his wordsmithery ( that is 100% a word now) I just decided to shave dressed from head to toe in red. Started with some red Elmo socks I usually wear to they gym, followed by red workout shorts, a red flash shirt, and topped it all off with the red hat I have worn the past two years for the lather games. I also used the MMOC this morning for the MM.

Hope everyone had a wonderful day!

July 4, 2023 April Showers Bring May Flowers

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: r/Wetshaving Zenith MOAR BOAR (31 mm × 57 mm bleached boar) #CHONK #OLDWORLD
• Razor: STAR 1912 #BRASSING #TWINS
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (2)
• Lather: Noble Otter - Rawr
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Rawr
• Fragrance: Coach - Wild Rose EDP

Today's shave began normal enough with setting my shave gear out on the counter and knocking out a warm shower. After the shower I filled the cup I usually use to add small amounts of unmeasured water to the bowl or brush while I lather. Today however, I took the temperature of said water, which was "lo" ( I couldn't find another thermometer, oh well), and filled my syringe to measure the amount of water used. I took the brush to the bowl containing .11 ounces of soap and began adding water to build lather. I ended up using 4mL of water and was able to get a bowl full of glorious lather with an approximate viscosity of 90 centipoise (cP). Overall, the lathering took me 2 minutes and 13 seconds. I think the lathering process could have been faster if not for the minuscule 600 lumens I was working with. To end the shave I used .04 ounces of aftershave and 2 small sprays from the sample EDP. All software was related by at least being on theme for the day.

Science of Shaving

Photo documenting the science of lathering. Also, the "Lo" thermometer reading was funny.

July 5, 2023 Canned Shave Goop

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: KIKC Pure Badger #WEDONTNEEDNOSTINKINGBADGERS
• Razor: GEM 1912 #TWINS
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (3)
• Lather: Cremo - Bourbon Vanilla
• Post Shave: Aqua Velva - Classic Ice Blue
• Fragrance: Parfum Belcam - Classic Match Obsession EDT

I actually really like this theme because it reminds me how truly nice the artisan stuff is that I certainly take for granted at this point. Cremo is slick, quick, and cheap, but really has nothing else going for it. Lathering is next to impossible and the poor lather I can get out of it becomes such a dry airy mess so quickly. The Aqua Velva is great for what it is and I don't mind using it, especially just once in a while. The fragrance was super cheap and honestly smells pretty good for about 10 minutes and then ceases to exist. Was able to pick it all up at Walmart and it is all pretty cheap so I have no real complaints.

Also, turns out when you walk into a store with items and take a picture of those items at their self checkout all while the self checkout is trying to scan everything you have sitting on it, people tend to give you weird looks. Who would have guessed.

Daily Challenge: I have thought about this since it was posted yesterday. In spite of all the thought I feel like I would be lying if I tried to overcomplicate this. I think my perfect cent would be some mixture of a sweetish barbershop like Stirling's with Ombre Leather and then tossing some grapefruit in. Then "dirtying" it up a bit with some gasoline, oil, or smoke like Stag would be perfect in my mind.

July 6, 2023 Olfactory Overdose

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Semogue Pharos C3 Horse Hair #HORSESASS
• Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable #DIAL
• Blade: Voskhod (1)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist

Wonderful shave this morning with what is probably my favorite HoM scent. I have been pleasantly surprised each use of the horse brush and am determined to use it more after LGs and AA.

SOTD photo has my attempt at the daily challenge.

July 7, 2023 Fremen Friday

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Razorock F400 #TOLL
• Razor: Gillette Tech (Gold) #REGUS
• Blade: Voskhod (2)
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Co. - Seaforth! Spiced
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Co. - Seaforth! Spiced
• Fragrance: Dior - Sauvage Elixir

I'll start off by saying that I wholeheartedly agree with with the statement "Bay Rum++". However, when I saw the spiced theme on the calendar I knew I would be working the rest of the month around me using Spiced today. Shawn has absolutely killed every scent done for Spearhead, but Spiced is the top dog for me. I slightly overloaded, as is normal with this huge brush, but having too much lather isn't anything I see myself ever complaining about. The Tech did normal tech things and I was able to get a great shave with no complaints. Wrapped up the shave with Sauvage Elixir that ties all my hardware together by it all being on theme for the day.

WARNING - Before reading my response to the challenge, I know that it may be controversial and obviously my intention is not to offend or stir up contention with anyone in our wonderful community. In short the answer to my other hobby is hunting so please don't continue if you don't want to.

CHALLENGE - >!Other than shaving I read when I can, game a little bit, and have even picked up woodworking recently. However, if there was one thing that I enjoy more than just about anything else its hunting. I picked up archery hunting several years ago and if you know me you know that's really almost all I think about. I love it because of the challenge it presents in stalking and taking down game, the connection to nature and the outdoors, and the sense of accomplishment and skill when successful in a hunt. Until I was 25 yards from a screaming bull elk I didn't know I hadn't really lived. Living where I live now, I have had to opportunity to hunt elk, deer, antelope, bear, and have even come 20 yards from mountain lions with nothing more than my bow. I enjoy back country archery hunting more specifically meaning that I hike in for miles with everything I need for about a week on my back and hope for the best. Days and nights can be long, hot, cold, and miserable, but the connection to the outdoors and the animals I come across is something I can't find really anywhere else. !<

Some of the potential weird jargon would be things like - Draw weight, anchor point, glassing, spot-and-stalk, and bugling.

July 8, 2023 Small Business Saturday... but in July

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Yaqi Moka Express 26mm Two Band
• Razor: Weck #YTHO
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper Blade (2)
• Lather: Maggard Razors - London Barbershop
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Seville
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Seville

I used this razor a couple weeks back when I first got it. That shave went pretty well, today's was much less successful. I am of course fairly certain the poor result was my fault and it was almost solely because of my lather. As much as I love Maggard and have bought my fair share of things from them I don't reach for this soap enough. Combine that with being in a bit of a rush and my lather was really lacking this morning. Rough shave aside, I do really enjoy the scent and really should reach for it more. I feel like spending a minute to actually dial it in would make it much more enjoyable. Tied all my software together today based on each scent being a barbershop scent.

Challenge DQ

July 9, 2023 Death Before Decaf

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: MM24
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (4)
• Lather: Gentleman's Nod - Musashi
• Post Shave: Gentleman's Nod - Musashi
• Fragrance: Gentleman's Nod - Musashi

Today's theme was probably the hardest to pick for. There are so many good tea and coffee scents that even after deciding between a tea or coffee scent I had to pick the actual soap for today. I ended up going with Musashi and have zero regrets. This stuff takes a ton of water, almost as much as the Omnibus base. After yesterdays bloodbath of a shave I needed a great shave this morning and this may have been the best of the games for me so far. I cheated and just used the trifecta to tie the software together today.

Challenge - On year three of this challenge I finally found a good spot to rest the mirror and honestly and this point I may as well just shave in the kitchen all the time. This year I didn't even get caught by people walking the path behind my house like the last two years. I did however get hit with the "oh, this again" from my son who just turned 12.

July 10, 2023 Musical Monday

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Wild West Brushworks - Invasion - 26mm Oumo SHD #SHD
• Razor: Stirling Stainless Standard Head #CNC
• Blade: Voskhod (3)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Boat Drinks
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Labyrinth
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Labyrinth

Great shave but sadly rushed this morning due to an early show time for work. Boat drinks by Jimmy Buffet and Labyrinth by Taylor Swift are both names of songs so all the software was on theme for today.

Challenge - This has been one of my favorite challenges the last couple years. Again this year I sat down with the kids and we each took our shot at drawing the soap label. It is always a blast!

July 11, 2023 Sunny Days

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Semogue SOC Butterscotch
• Razor: Yaqi Pink Razor #RAINBOW
• Blade: Voskhod (4)
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Summer Solstice
• Post Shave: Catie's Bubbles - Summer Solstice
• Fragrance: Lancaster - Summer Splash

I haven't tried many Catie's Bubbles, but this is one of my favorites. It starts off right away with watermelon front and center and then quickly turns into and stays a bright citrus throughout the shave. An absolutely killer summer scent! Once I picked this set for today's theme the search for a full size fragrance that fit the color scheme began. All I could find was this perfume from Lancaster, which is labeled as a woman's scent. My wife was convinced I wasn't going to wear it, but she greatly underestimated what I would do for Lather Games sake. It was all fine and dandy until I found out we would be meeting with the Commander today... All good no one even asked about it. Today's software is linked by being on theme and color scheme.

Challenge Photo (Same as SOTD photo without the razor because I thought it looked a little better)

July 12, 2023 IT'S SO FLUFFY I'M GONNA DIE

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Omega Pro 48 #HOLLOW
• Razor: Schick Krona Black Handle DE #UNICORN
• Blade: Voskhod (5)
• Lather: Black Ship Grooming - Classic
• Post Shave: Old Spice Classic
• Fragrance: Old Spice Classic EDC

Black Ship was one of the first artisans I tried when I started wetshaving. To this day I still get mixed results, but if I really take my time and focus I can get a pretty good lather from it. I tied the software together by using Old Spice aftershave and fragrance since Classis is a dupe of Old Spice. Honestly, I wish there was someone who told me how good Old Spice was. Maybe someone should do a whole series on comparing the dupes of Old Spice out there as I'm sure there are a bunch. If there was such a thing after today I'm sure I would really enjoy the series.

Challenge - When I first started wetshaving I didn't see the appeal of face lathering and was a strict bowl latherer. As time went on I became more of a hybrid latherer and was that way until August of last year with the Raw Hoggin challenge. Since then I have almost strictly face lathered simply because it saved me a couple minutes. To lather the occasional sample I would revert back to the bowl, but not enough to consider being a full bowl latherer. All that to say that for the challenge this morning I broke out the trusty bowl again and man was it great. I certainly get better lathers in a bowl, but do appreciate the couple minutes I save with face lathering. If only someone knew of a lathering technique that incorporated both.

Player muses about the unfortunate lack of Old Spice reviews and overly elaborate face/bowl hybrid lather methods in our community

July 13, 2023 Hippy Dippy Baloney

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Grizzly Bay w/ 28MM Timberwolf
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Stainless
• Blade: Voskhod (6)
• Lather: Shannon's Soaps - Bay Patchouli Grapefruit
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Gothorum Tonstrina
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Gothorum Tonstrina

I decided to go with a patchouli scent today and this is one of the more patchouli forward soaps I have. I only have a couple of Shannon's soaps and they perform well enough. The real star of the show today though was the aftershave and fragrance. I love this scent and its the reason I leaned toward the patchouli for today's shave. I get mostly patchouli from it with hints of barbershop scents. Plus, with the wonderful performance of the Southern Witchcrafts aftershave what is not to love.

Challenge - After a bit of research I found that Patchouli essential oil was a popular fragrance during the 1960s. The whole hippy lifestyle and counterculture movement of the 60s obviously led to one of the most monumental U.S. music festivals ever in Woodstock in 1969. Many of the musicians who performed at Woodstock, such as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and The Who, were popular among the hippie culture of the time and often associated with the use of patchouli oil and other similar scents. Obvious choices of songs for the Rocker in me would have been something from Hendrix or Led Zeppelin. However, after thinking about it before heading to bed last night I decided to go with Woodstock by Joni Mitchell because it shares its name with the famous music festival.

July 14, 2023 Frigid Friday

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Chisel and Hound Kingfisher - V12
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Ti
• Blade: Voskhod (7)
• Lather: Tcheon Fung Sing - Barber Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Ghost Town Barber
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Ghost Town Barber

I have a few mentholated soaps but chose this one for today to make hitting 30 artisans a bit easier. This soap doesn't have the most menthol but it is definitely noticeable. I actually think this stuff contains pretty close to just the right amount for me. The scent isn't super strong, but what is there is good. The performance is what is lacking a bit for me. Of course, that could be the ice in the lather again this year. The software is related because the barber tin, ghost town barber being a barbershop, and the word barber in each name. Not to mention the aftershave has menthol in it too.

Challenge - A year ago Rod from Stirling posted a video comparing a super mild razor with his hyper aggressive razor. In the video he shaved half his face with the mild and half with the hyper aggressive and timed how long each side took to shave. I thought he was crazy when he did his first pass with the hyper aggressive ATG on his neck to start the shave. Fast-forward to this morning and if I'm being honest it wasn't bad at all. I did the first pass ATG both neck and face and then XTG with a couple small cleanup passes. I felt like I saved a little bit of time and didn't have any of the irritation I thought I would when all was said and done. 9/10 will try this challenge again later on my own time.

July 15, 2023 Sheep-ruh

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Wild West Brushworks - Shock - 26mm Timberwolf
• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy Titanium Razor
• Blade: Voskhod (8)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Le Grand Chypre
• Fragrance: Parfum Belcam - Classic Match Polo EDT

I can't believe we are already halfway through the LGs. I played it safe today and used Le Grand Chypre mostly because I still don't really know what a chypre is. Either way the scent on this has always been one of the best BaM scents imo. The performance was typical of BaM and resulted in a near perfect shave. Paired the soap and aftershave with this Polo dupe fragrance that says its a chypre too.

Challenge - One of my all time favorites has always been u/sgrdddy . Not only do I enjoy his videos, but his willingness to help and respond to everyone on the sub is truly inspiring. Now, don't get me wrong I think u/VisceralWatch is great, regardless of what the other judges want to hear today, but has he used a single blade 500 times? 100 times even? Enough said when it comes to comparing the two if you ask me.

July 16, 2023 Shave and a Haircut - Two Bits

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Yaqi Barber Pole 24mm Tux
• Razor: Tatara Masamune Handle w/ Nodachi Base and Head
• Blade: Voskhod (9)
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. - Windy City Barbershop
• Post Shave: 345 Soap Co. - Maduro Barberia
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Hygge

Since I started wetshaving barbershop has been one of my favorite scents. While I do like some more than others I don't think I've come across one that I haven't liked yet. I like that even though a lot of them use the pre-blend most of them still have something that sets them apart from the others. All the software is a form of barbershop to tie it all together.

Challenge - Memes for your enjoyment (hopefully)

July 17, 2023 Happy Together

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Paladin 26mm B13
• Razor: Rockwell 6s plate 5
• Blade: Voskhod (10)
• Lather: Talbot Shaving - La Terra Verte (Catie's Bubbles Collab)
• Post Shave: Talbot Shaving - La Terra Verte (Catie's Bubbles Collab)
• Fragrance: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus Fougere (Dec/HoM/NO Collab)

I have saved this soap for collab day the past three years. While I prefer the Catie's Bubbles base this scent is too good to complain about anything. I paired it with its matching aftershave and Cerberus Fougere. All the software is on theme as collaborations and also all fougeres.

Challenge - Luckily I still have this alum sitting around from when I first started wetshaving and thought I needed it. I now know that unless its Osma alum I actually don't need it at all.

In fact that reminds me of a story I heard once of Osma saving a marriage. Their names were Tanya and David and they had been married for around 10 years if I remember right. They had two beautiful children together and had always been happy. However, over time, they began to drift apart, and their relationship became strained. They grew apart, and their marriage started to fall apart. They argued over small things, and they no longer felt happy in each other's company.
One day, Tanya came across an article about the benefits of using Osma alum in personal hygiene online. She was intrigued and decided to give it a try. After a while of using it, she noticed some unexpected changes. She noticed her skin was softer, and she felt fresher and more confident. She felt more attractive to her husband and felt that he was more affectionate towards her.
One day, Tanya's husband David asked her what had changed. He wanted to know what was making her so attractive and confident. Tanya told him it was the Osma alum that she had been using. David was surprised but decided to give it a try too.
David began using the Osma alum, and over time he also noticed the changes. He felt that his skin was clearer and smoother, and he felt more confident and happy. The couple began to bond over their newfound love for the Osma alum, sharing tips on how they used it and discussing their internal experiences.
As they continued to use the Osma alum, Tanya and David began to rediscover each other. They started talking more and spending more time together. They found instances of small joys in everyday life, which they hadn't noticed before. They began to understand each other's needs and started to work on their relationship together.

Thanks to the Osma alum, Tanya and David's marriage was saved. It gave them a common interest and helped them reconnect, becoming a team of two and working through any problems together. They fell in love with each other once again and learned to appreciate the little things in life. They taught each other how to be better people and better spouses. They still use the Osma alum and credit it for saving their marriage. Some have even said the Osma alum made them, Happy Together.

Boy, how I wish my alum was Osma alum.

Great ad for Osma

Great ad for Osma

July 18, 2023 Spooky Season

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Skull Brush 21mm Synth
• Razor: Blackland Dart
• Blade: Voskhod (11)
• Lather: Soap Commander - Heritage
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Gravefruit II
• Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Gravefruit II

Heritage was the 2021 Fall scent from Soap Commander. The scent makes it a fan favorite in my household and a joy to use. I was able to whip up a wonderful lather that, quite frankly, makes me wonder why I don't use it more often. Paired with the Dart, I started the day with pretty much the perfect shave. Rounded the shave off with Gravefruit II aftershave and frag. SW states that "Gravefruit II combines notes of bright citrus with dark woods and intricate florals to create a highly-nuanced scent profile that is perfect for crisp Autumn weather". With that being said all the software is linked by being on theme for today.

Challenge - We spend the last couple weeks listening to the djudges asking us to be considerate and keep our posts short. Then they go and do this challenge and expect us to remain sympathetic? I think this challenge may be a cry for help to be honest. Has anyone checked on them recently?!

July 19, 2023 CREAM

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: AP Shave Co. 24mm SynBad #FAUXFUR
• Razor: GEM Junior 1912
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (5)
• Lather: Proraso Cream - Green
• Post Shave: Proraso - Green
• Fragrance: Acqua di Parma - Colonia Club

I really enjoyed the menthol in today's cream and I enjoy the scent enough not to complain. On fragrantica, the fragrance that Proraso green most reminds people of is the Acqua di Parma Colonia Club. I used the scent comparison and the color green to link all my software for the day.

Challenge - I knew almost instantly that the lather sock wasn't going to work out well. As such, I admittedly didn't spend very long trying to make a lather that would do more than just cover my face. I started by squirting the cream straight on to the sock and worked it together like a washcloth until something sort of lather-like started forming. I ended up having to add cream 2 more times and water throughout. Even with the extra cream I didn't end up with anything special and blame the poor lather for the irritation I dealt with most of the day. I did throw the lather on the brush the second and third pass and painted it on just to get credit for using it.

July 20, 2023 Dupelganger

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Craving Shaving w/ 26mm Viking Soft Tux
• Razor: Yaqi AC Blade Excalibur
• Blade: Red ProTouch mg (5)
• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Vanille de Tabac
• Post Shave: Ariana and Evans - Vanille de Tabac
• Fragrance: Parfum Belcam - Classic Match Bold Tobacco

Day one of traveling so short post today. Love this scent and vow to eventually try the real thing. Everything is linked by being a dupe of the same scent.

Challenge - Pasty lather for your enjoyment. This soap is pretty thirsty so it was pretty easy to add minimal water and keep it pasty. The shave was subpar because of it, but at least tomorrow the djudges aren't messing with my lather again.

July 21, 2023 Fougere Friday

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Aka Brushworx - 26mm G5C
• Razor: Gillette Super Speed - Red Tip
• Blade: Voskhod (1)
• Lather: Zingari Man - Mousse Illuminee
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus Fougere (Dec/HoM/NO Collab)
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Fougere Gothique

Finally managed to use a sponsor on the same day they were spotlighted! Snagged this sample a bit ago and off the tub was pretty sure I wouldn't like. Once lathered though I couldn't have been more wrong. The scent is amazing and performance was the typical top tier performance of the Zingari base.

Challenge -

Software is all linked

Fougere all around today

Fougere Friday wins

July 22, 2023 Strange Times for Berry Club

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Aka Brushworx - 26mm G5B
• Razor: Ever Ready 1914
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (1)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Banana
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Boonana
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo

Everything is linked today by being on theme. The two different versions of banana and then the blueberry in Mood Indigo.

Challenge - I was all about shaving my legs today. However, with my wife and I going on our trip this upcoming week my wife begged me not to. Something about being embarrassed being around me in my short shorts and shaved legs. I gave in and shaved my chest(NSFW) instead to save her at least a bit of the embarrassment.

July 23, 2023 What IS that enchanting aroma?

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Teton Shaves w/ 26mm Motherlode
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Clog-Pruf Gen 2 ""Peerless"
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (2)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus (Dec/HoM/NO Collab)
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus (Dec/HoM/NO Collab)
• Fragrance: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus (Dec/HoM/NO Collab)

Not only do I get compliments from people I work with everytime I use Cerberus, but my wife has said anything other than Cerberus for date night is strictly not allowed.

Challenge - I bowl lathered this morning just to make the lather Audit easier. Turned out a little fluffier than I like, but the water at the inlaw's house is different than what I'm used to so I'll take what I can get

July 24, 2023 Christmas in July's Eve

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Yaqi Atlantis 24mm Synth
• Razor: iKon Tek
• Blade: Voskhod (2)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Tempest
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Leviathan
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Leviathan

u/Priusaurus provided me this smoosh of Tempest from Wholly Kaw. Thank you again! My youngest shaved with me this morning before I left and while he wasn't the biggest fan of the scent I really enjoyed it. Wholly Kaw describes tempest as , "Straight from the throne of Zeus himself". As such I paired it with leviathan today which is linked based on mythology. This article even mentions Zeus when talking about Leviathan.

Other than u/Priusaurus some of my most recent interactions have been with u/chronnoisseur42O . Each interaction I've had has ended well and I have been glad to have had it each time. Super nice and a pleasure to talk to and deal with!

July 25, 2023 Christmas in July

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Yaqi Red Marble 26mm Tux
• Razor: Knockoff Gilette Tech Plastic
• Blade: Voskhod (1)
• Lather: Crowne and Crane - Rut-Roh
• Post Shave: Crowne and Crane - Rut-Roh
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Fu Dao

Flew all night and most of this morning. Got to our destination and then drove 3 hours to our first hotel. Just got in and shaved so I could get this posted. All software is linked by being on theme.

Challenge - Easy no fuss non-dominant hand shave. Took a couple minutes longer, but nothing to report.

July 26, 2023 Wildcard Wednesday

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Omega 20106 Boar
• Razor: Yaqi Agamemnon Slant Razor
• Blade: Voskhod (2)
• Lather: Taylor of Old Bond Street - Royal Forest
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man

This stuff explodes in lather, sub-par lather, but lather nonetheless. All linked by being a dupe of the same scent.

Challenge - Well, I'm in another country so the best I can do is what I brought with me and a recent-ish picture of my brushes and razors.

July 27, 2023 Lavendursday

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Yaqi Chianti 24mm Synth
• Razor: Muhle R89
• Blade: Voskhod (3)
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps - Homecoming
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps - Homecoming
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Beloved

Software is linked by being on theme today. Great shave, but confirmed again that lavender still isn't my favorite.

Challenge - Easy outside shave this morning. The bed and breakfast we are staying at made this challenge easy. Right outside our room is a table with some chairs with the pool less than 20 yards away. I don't even think I got "caught" by anyone else staying here.

July 28, 2023 Frugal Friday

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Zenith 80R Boar Brush
• Razor: Bevel Essentials Disposable #JETSETTER
• Blade: Bevel Essentials Disposable (1)
• Lather: Arko
• Post Shave: Aqua Velva - Musk
• Fragrance: Parfum Belcam - Classic Match Y by Yves Saint Laurent

How could I not use Arko today, is there actually anything in this hobby cheaper than Arko? I'm one of those that doesn't mind Arko, but talk about a shave with zero skin food. I could almost use the lack of skin care ingredients as my software link today tbh. As such everything is linked by being on theme.

Challenge - Everything today, software and hardware, is the cheapest stuff I have.

Arko is on saleon Amazon currently for $19 for 12 sticks which is about 61 cents an ounce. At normal price ist only $22 for 12 which is still only around 70 cents per ounce.

The Zenith I bought from an old listing that was normally priced at just $7.99

The Bevel razor came in a 5 pack for just under $10. So about $1.90 for blade and razor.

Then the post shave and fragrance were both Walmart specials. Post shave was just over $3 while the fragrance was just over $7.

I'm almost as happy as my wife is about all the money I saved on today's shave!

July 29, 2023 Sandalwood Saturday

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: TRC Cream Soda 28mm
• Razor: Starter Razor From Stirling
• Blade: Voskhod (4)
• Lather: 345 Soap Co. - Breakfast Group
• Post Shave: 345 Soap Co. - Breakfast Group - Balm
• Fragrance: 345 Soap Co. - Undercut

Sandalwood and Amber, that's it. Nothing too complicated, but done well. I really enjoy this one from 345 and find it a "creamier" sandalwood than most I have smelled before. The fragrance is also from 345 and while it list several notes I get mostly sandalwood from it as well. As such, software today is linked by being on theme.

Challenge - I feel dirty giving my opinion here as I've been traveling and exploring the last week so I haven't read as many posts as I'd like. With what I have read though a couple people come to mind. u/onionmiasma and u/priusaurus have been consistent in top tier quality posts. u/redmosquitomm is of course in the running for FoF, as yet again, every post of his I read this year leaves me jealous of his ability to write and describe things the way he does. u/chronnoisseur42o continues to impress with the pictures as is normal and has got to be near the top for the photo contest.

July 30, 2023 Bon Voyage, Lather Games!

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Omega Model 11126 Ovangkol Wooden Handle Boar 24mm
• Razor: Yaqi SE (Half DE)
• Blade: Voskhod (5)
• Lather: Westman Shaving - Gerês
• Post Shave: Myrsol - Aqua Balsamica
• Fragrance: Paco Rabanne - One Million Elixir

Fantastic shave today with this soap from Westman. Fully intend on picking up a tub or two more of their stuff up while I'm on my trip. Software is linked by being on theme which also leads to the challenge.

Challenge - I live in the USA as you'll see from the passports in my picture today.

Omega Brush - Italy

Yaqi Razor - China

Voskhod Blade - Russia

Westman Lather - Portugal

Myrsol Aftershave - Spain

One Million Elixir - France

Lather Games has been a blast this year thank you to all those who participated and made it so fun this year. Of course, thank you a ton to the djudges and rules expert(s) that made it all possible through all the hard work behind the scenes!