u/rocketk455's SOTDs for challenge 'Lather Games 2023'

July 1, 2023 – It starts

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Hybrid B3 #COMPOSITE
• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy Ti #RAINBOW
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (15)
• Lather: Abbate y La Mantia – Fufluns
• Post Shave: Gentleman’s Nod – Ernest
• Fragrance: DSH – Sunflower

Here we go, Lather Games number 7 for me and 6th time taking the full ride.

Some how, I haven’t tried AYLM until now despite it being a darling of IRC. I felt like an amateur lathering this stuff. When I use samples, I typically smash them in a bowl, put a bit of water on them so that I don’t have to scrub them off the bottom of the bowl, then shower. I clearly should not have done that with this soap as it just absolutely turned into nothing with the water. I do look forward to trying it again in September after LG and stupid AA because Fufluns smells very nice.

Finally, this is probably the final post I’ll get to do using Boost for Reddit, an absolutely awesome app, so obligatory fuck u/spez.

July 2, 2023 – Vegan Day

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts ‘Kyle’ SHD #SHD.
• Razor: Schick Injector G1
• Blade: Schick Injector blade (1)
• Lather: Dr. Jon’s – Flowers in the Dark
• Post Shave: Dr. Jon’s – Flowers in the Dark
• Fragrance: Dr. Jon’s – Flowers in the Dark

Excellent shave today. I went full vegan stereotype and did some yoga this morning, which is always a great start to the day. I did some reminiscing about this soap and scent during my shave. This was one of the first artisan soaps I tried after immediately purchasing Proraso and TOBS when I entered the hobby. 7 years ago, I sheepishly told my wife I wanted this FITD set for my birthday shortly before the games started that year. I remember eagerly checking the ingredients to see if I could use to for “tallow day” as I tried to squeak out at least half participation in the games. I was clearly a clueless idiot, not much as changed. FITD immediately became my absolute favorite scent, and it remains near the top. It’s 100% responsible for igniting my love of lavender and opening my eyes to how awesome scents could be. I was sad to see Dr. Jon’s go this year. They contributed a great deal of awesome things to our hobby.

As far as the challenge goes, I popped a new blade in my Injector for the first time in a long time. I forgot how effortless and smooth this little guy is. Even ignited a little thrill to maybe start trying to hunt down the beautiful but elusive F type.

July 3, 2023 – Almond Day

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Acrylic G5 #PREMIUMPLASTIC
• Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable #DIAL
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (4)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Almond Leather
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps – History 101
• Coffee: Good & Gather House Blend, tap water, kitchen light, over ice

July 4, 2023 – Spring Day

• Brush: Lentfer Custom Woodworks Red & Black #FAUXFUR
• Razor: Gillette Milord #BRASSING
• Blade: Dorco Stainless (2)
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps – Field Day
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps – Field Day
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux – Agua Fresca

I'm really glad that biography is still pretty mostly still accurate. Definitely had not read through that in a minute! Despite me acting like a grumpy old man, I do really enjoy the lather games and love this community. It always gives me a special feeling to see my logo or products pop up when I open r/wetshaving. You guys are awesome, especially you person judging my post today.

In honor of the theme, I decided to pull out my RFM (Rocket Freshness Meter) (patent pending). It has been quite awhile since I’ve used Field Day, so I wasn’t really sure how this would score, but I’ll be damned, the Field Day/Agua Fresca combo registered a near perfect freshness score of 19.3 gigafreshies.

July 5, 2023 – Cheap Soap Day

• Brush: Perfecto #WEDONTNEEDNOSTINKINGBADGERS
• Razor: Blackland Blackbird Ti #CNC
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (21)
• Lather: Cremo – Original
• Post Shave: Old Spice – Classic
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Spiced

I had planned to just use whatever random canned store brand stuff my wife keeps in the shower for today, but a few days ago my kids decided to go crazy with shaving cream in the bath tub and use it up causing me to panic buy some Cremo. Somehow, I had never used Cremo until today, and honestly, I didn’t mind it at all. It was totally serviceable. I probably would have enjoyed more had I just used it with my hand instead of using my god awful Perfecto. I definitely won’t mind having this around for traveling.

So if I were ever to get into scent creation this would be my plan. The depth of lavender has been something that has intrigued me since I started “hypothetically” experimenting with scent making. “Hypothetical scent” would seek to draw out an accentuate some of the darker elements in lavender. Scent notes would probably include lavender, black pepper, neroli, coriander, vetiver, and cedar. Make no mistake, lavender would be the star here, but the other notes bring earthy, spicy, and dark notes to the table would result in a complex and versatile scent.

I’m pretty sure this scent would remind me a bit of cooler weather, maybe fall like, so I’d probably think to give it some kind of fall name. Maybe named after a football game or dance or something. No, never mind thats stupid. It would need some name with sexual innuendo like substitute teacher. No, that wouldn’t work either, too subtle. I’d just call it Lavender Slut and put a ~~half~~ totally naked girl on the label.

Profit.

"Lavender Slut"

July 6, 2023 – Trickhole SOTD:

• Brush: Declaration Grooming Fae B8
• Brush: Gillette British Aristocrat #16
• Blade: Leaf Super Platinum (4)
• Lather: Australian Private Reserve – Marbles
• Post Shave: Australian Private Reserve – Marbles
• Fragrance: Australian Private Reserve – Marbles

I rarely bust out this set, especially the extrait because it is strong AF, but I won’t lie, I smell awesome (or like Play-Doh depending on who you ask)!

I decided last night I was just going to skip this challenge because I’ve been too lazy to take SOTD pictures. As I was shaving I decided what the hell and gave it a shot.

https://imgur.com/a/qbyYQHq

July 7, 2023 – Spicy Day

• Brush: Summer Break DeMaranville B15
• Razor: Rockwell 6s
• Blade: Ming Shi Super White (11)
• Lather: Zingari – The Merchant
• Post Shave: Zingari – The Merchant
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann Lavender Interrupted

The Merchant is such a fantastic scent. Makes my day every time I use it.

Prior to wetshaving, I made my own beer. My friend got me into it, and I got another friend into it. It was an awesome way to spend a Saturday, watching football, making meet, and, of course, drinking beer. Unfortunately, after families started and a move on my part. I no longer had any brewing buddies. I’m really not a bit drinker at all, so without them to help me drink the beer I made, I quickly developed a stockpile. Without them to hang out with while making beer, I sort of lost interest and sold my equipment. Not long after I found wetshaving and this amazing community. I dove in head first trying out vintage razor collecting, restoration of old brushes, honing straights, and of course soap making and eventually handle turning. This was my jam. Anyway, over this past thanksgiving, I randomly checked into some black Friday deals on homebrewing stuff. Before I knew it, I ordered some new equipment. A lot of developments had happened in the homebrewing world in my absence including readily available electric boilers and increased ease in making batches smaller than 5 gallons. I immediately texted my friends to get advice and talk to them about brewing. I’ve been having a great time making small batches of beer far better than I used to. Most importantly though, it’s allowed me to reconnect with some old friends.

Let’s get serious here for a second, this is something I talk to my students a lot about, but struggle to do myself. Bros, just tell your bros you appreciate having them in your life. You shouldn’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a new hobby just to have an excuse to talk to your friends.

July 8, 2023 – I Heart Maggard Day

• Brush: Solid Set B3
• Razor: Schick Injector G1
• Blade: Shick Injector blade (2)
• Lather: Maggard Razors – Limes & Bergamot
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Monoi De Tahití
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux – 88 Chestnut Street

Gotta love traveling during the Lather Games. Although, this shave was fit for a vacation. The limey citrus goodness to coconut back to a smooth orange is just phenomenal. It might be one of my best ideas ever. I don’t know why I don’t just buy a full tub of Limes & Bergamot soap for this day. It’s such a nice scent and I end up buying a sample every year.

A hard hitting, deep thinkint, and incredibly important question

https://www.reddit.com/r/Wetshaving/comments/14tvgmp/comment/jr5hima

July 9, 2023 – Tea Day

• Brush: Solid Set B3
• Razor: Schick Injector G1
• Blade: Shick Injector blade (3)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Cheshire
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Cheshire
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux – 88 Chestnut Street

Vacation shave number 2. Cheshire is just such a nice and enjoyable scent.

I am 100% going to pass on the challenge today. My parents are well aware of my hobby. They are amazing supporters of my business, and they know I drug my brother along with me to a, “shaving convention” as they call it, in Michigan. However, shaving in their kitchen is a lot. My wife shaking her head at me is one thing, but my wife, mother, and father shaking their head would be just a bit too much.

July 10, 2023 – HD Day

• Brush: Summer Break GP B11
• Razor: Gillette Ball End Old Type #REGUS
• Blade: Pol silver Super Iridium (2)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw – Fern Concerto (Mentholated)
• Post Shave: Wholly Kaw – Fern Concerto
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux – Vide Poche

Fern Concerto is such a bright and enjoyable scent. I’ve also always really likes the combination of synthetic menthol in the soap and real menthol in the splash also provides a really nice level of cooling.

I know the u/wyze0ne always dreads these draw the label days because eventually I might realize the raw artistic talent I have and start doing my own labels again. I mean look at this masterpiece. Raw. Talent.

July 11, 2023 – Summery SOTD

• Brush: Lentfer Custom Woodworks Red & Black
• Razor: Charcoal Goods Brass Level 2
• Blade: Leaf Super Platinum (12)
• Lather: Australian Private Reserve/Southern Witchcrafts – Gravefruit
• Post Shave: Australian Private Reserve/Southern Witchcrafts – Gravefruit
• Fragrance: Australian Private Reserve/Southern Witchcrafts – Gravefruit

Gravefruit is just amazing. Without a doubt one of my absolute favorite scents of all time.

This is the first LG in several years that I haven’t done SOTD photos every day, so I had a lot of fun with this challenge. I’m super happy with the result.

July 12, 2023 – Coconutty Day

• Brush: Summer Break Kearney B10
• Razor: Gillette Red Tip
• Blade: Bolzano Superinox (6)
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – Porch Drinks
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux – Les Boissons sur le Porche
• Fragrance: London Razors – Coffee & Contemplation

I was so happy to see that old school Catie’s Bubbles had coconut oil in the top 3 because it gave me an excuse to slide Porch Drinks into my calendar. If there was a Mount Rushmore of shaving, this scent is a guaranteed lock. maybe half Chris’s face half Shawn’s face since they both did the scent separately but awesomely. Coffee & Contemplation also pairs beautifully with it.

I refuse to bowl lather because bowl lathering is dumb.

July 13, 2023 – Hippy Day

• Brush: Ever Ready unnumbered
• Razor: Above the Tie Atlas S1
• Blade: Dorco Stainless (16)
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps – ROTY 2022
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps – Recess
• Fragrance: Summer Break Soaps – ROTY 2022

When u/Str8_Razor won ROTY last year and chose patchouli, vetiver, and leather as his 3 notes, I didn’t have high hopes that this scent would be one that I’d personally enjoy. If I were to make a list of common solo notes that aren’t exactly my favorite, all 3 of these probably make the top 10. However, when combined, I was blown away by how enjoyable the scent was. I experimented with some different 4th notes and found that pine tied it together beautifully. To my nose, the leather hits tou initially followed by the deep green and woody notes of vetiver and pine before landing firmly on the patchouli. The scent comes through nicely in soap, but the fragrance is a real treat. I really appreciate u/Str8_Razor sending me in a direction I never would have gone otherwise. Further exploring this scent is definitely still on my to do list.

Here is my song for today. My all time favorite band and one of my favorite songs. I feel like it matches my shave nicely. The Airborne Toxic Event – The Common Touch

July 14, 2023 – Icy Day

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Kyle SHD
• Razor: Gillette Flat Bottom Tech
• Blade: Super Max Stainless (22)
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Sea Ice Lime
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux – Agua Fresca

Sea Spice Like plus Agua Fresca has me smelling fresh AF.

Challenge

July 15, 2023 – Chypre Day

• Brush: Zenith Moar Boar #CHONK
• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy Ti
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (16)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Le Grand Chypre
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Voices
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Reserve Cool

I went a little off the wall today with my scent combo, but honestly, it really worked well.

I think even u/VisceralWatch will agree, u/Cadinsor is still a way cooler YouTuber. First off u/Cadinsor taught me how to wet shave, so he’s got that going for him. Most importantly though, u/Cadinsor did not introduce himself to me at Maggard and then immediately drag me to ~~a razor blade dungeon~~ back storage room, put me on camera, and ask me personal questions unlike SOMEONE!

July 18, 2023 – Barbershop Day

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Acrylic G5
• Razor: Gillette Flare Tip Super Speed
• Blade: Polsilver Super Iridium (18)
• Lather: Oleo Soapworks – No. 11
• Post Shave: Oleo Soapworks – No. 11
• Fragrance: Summer Break Soaps – Picture Day

For awhile I absolutely loved barbershop scents, but then I got pretty sick of them and purged most from my den. No. 11 is one of the few remaining because it is just such an incredible scent. I really do need to pick up Replica At the Barber’s.

As soon as I’m put on the spot to do some meming, I cannot come up with a single thing. Here is my low effort meme on the lowest hanging fruit possible.

July 17, 2023 – Friends Day

• Brush: Summer Break DeMaranville B15
• Razor: Rockwell 6s
• Blade: Ming Shi Super White (13)
• Lather: London Razors/Summer Break Soaps – Mountain Laurel
• Post Shave: London Razors/Summer Break Soaps – Mountain Laurel
• Fragrance: London Razors – Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel, easily one of my top 5 scents. In one word I’d describe this scent as beautiful. I think I was looking forward to this shave more than any other shave on my calendar.

Being a part of this community and an artisan has given me a lot of really cool experiences I would never have had were I not here. One of those experiences was meeting u/ahjoyc2. Many many years ago, we met and bonded over the shared terribly sad experience of miscarriage. When u/ahjoyc2 started London Razors, I quickly sent him my grandpa’s Ever Ready 1912 and he did THIS to it. When he started experimenting with candle making and scent creation he asked me if I’d ever be interested in turning a scent he made into soap and splash. I immediately agreed. He sent me several samples of Mountain Laurel and eventually landed on this amazing version. After Mountain Laurel, eventually Coffee & Contemplation came along followed by But First, Coffee. Despite the fact that only 2 of these 3 collaborations between 2 r/wetshaving artisans count as a collaboration for today….making them has been an incredible experience. It was awesome to finally get to meet u/ahjoyc2 at Maggard last month!

I busted out my old Maggard Alum block for this shave and quickly remembered why I don’t use alum, because it’s dumb.

July 18, 2023 – Fall Day

• Brush: Declaration Grooming Fae B8
• Razor: Gillette British Aristocrat #16
• Blade: Leaf Super Platinum (5)
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps – Back to School
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps – Back to School
• Fragrance: Summer Break Soaps – Woodshop

I typically strongly prefer spring and summer scents to fall and winter scents; however, my fondness for Back to School has definitely grown over the years. It is probably my favorite of my discontinued scents.

Challenge

July 22, 2023 – Berry Day

• Brush: Zenith Boar B30
• Razor: Gillette Flat Bottom Tech
• Blade: Super Max Stainless (23)
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – Berry Good Noah
• Post Shave: Catie’s Bubbles – Berry Good Noah
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux – Agua Fresca

Back to my regular account fresh off doing time in Reddit jail for sliding into too many DMs and sending ~~nudes~~ product order links.

Berry Good Noah is a super unique scent I’ve never smelled anything quite like it. I’m thinking it will probably be my AA soap as it’s a great scent for this time of year. Combine it with Agua Fresca, and it gets even better.

Edit: According to u/jeffm54321, melon is also technically a berry. Now, I trust him about as much as I trust the Canadian Postal Service that lost my Wolfman, so I double checked with Google. I'll be damned he is correct. That makes my shave even more awesome as Agua Fresca also fits.

July 23, 2023 – You Smell Good Day

• Brush: Declaration Grooming Fae B8
• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy Ti
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (17)
• Lather: Chatillon Lux/Declaration Grooming– Admiral
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux – Admiral
• Fragrance: Chatillon Lux – Admiral

I had to go with Admiral today. I absolutely get the most compliments from this scent. Primarily, Admiral smells absolutely incredible. It’s also super long lasting and carries very well. I can always still smell the splash chilling in my beard when I wash my face the next day and one spray of the fragrance under the shirt is plenty to make you smell awesome all day.

July 24, 2023 – Gift Day

• Brush: Solid Set B3
• Razor: Ever Ready Streamline
• Blade: GEM PTFE (41)
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – Maggard Razors 2023 Meetup
• Fragrance: Declaration Grooming – Auryn
• Fragrance: London Razors – Mountain Laurel

When I looked at the calendar I thought, “this day will be easy.” I’m lucky enough to have been on the receiving end of a lot of awesome stuff from this great community. The last week I figured I’d better take a look at the participants. Imagine my horror when I realized the other people were not participating! I started at for soaps for probably a concerning amount of time trying to trace the origins of everything. Then I landed on this soap from the meetup, and an idea popped into my head. See, I did not get this soap from u/c_bubbles, despite the fact that I was staring at him across the walkway the entire meet. For most of it, I was too busy (mostly talking to u/J33pGuy13). At one point J33p was kind enough to offer to walk around and collect some samples for me which he then GIFTED to me. It was mostly a very generous gift, other than the fact that he also made me use CFG Banana.

Speaking of u/j33pGuy, and despite the fact that he called me out on the podcast, I suppose I can say some nice things about him. Our community needs to getters full of enthusiasm to keep functioning. He jumped right in and took over organizing ROTY when u/steelersroc86 abandoned me. J33p brings so much hype to the community. He also seems to be working on about 50 projects at once which benefit the r/wetshaving community, but also the wet shaving community as a whole (see the Stirling Zenith brushes on the way). To some it up, J33p is a good dude, and it was awesome to meet him at Maggard.

u/j33pGuy13, if you’re reading this fuck you.

July 25, 2023 – Christmas Day

• Brush: Summer Break Confidence B9a
• Razor: Rockwell 6s
• Blade: Gillette Platinum (1)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Scots Pine Sheep
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. – Scots Pine Sheep
• Fragrance: Summer Break Soaps – Woodshop

I smell like a tree, the end.

July 26, 2023 – Wildcard

• Brush: Summer Break DeMaranville B15
• Razor: Gillette Flare Tip Super Speed
• Blade: Polsilver Super Iridium (19)
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps – Daydream
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps – Daydream
• Fragrance: Summer Break Soaps – Daydream

Today was the perfect day to FINALLY try out the final version of Daydream in all its glory. Man, I’m excited to share this one with you guys

Rocket teasing daydream release. What a flex! Also, good to highlight sponsors participating in the games.

July 27, 2023 – Lavender Day

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts ‘Kyle’ SHD
• Razor: Charcoal Goods Brass Maze Level 2
• Blade: Leaf Super Platinum (13)
• Lather: Chatillon Lux/Declaration Grooming – Pure Lavender
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux – Pure Lavender
• Fragrance: Dr. Jon’s – Flowers in the Dark

I used to collect about every lavender scent out there, but now this is one of the few left in my den. This is a great lavender, especially the splash as it captures the sharp darkness of the lavender.

I definitely meant to do the challenge today and shave by my sunflower forest in my backyard, but then I definitely forgot.

July 28, 2023 – Cheap Day

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Acrylic G5
• Razor: Gillette Red Tip
• Blade: Bolzano Superinox (7)
• Lather: Williams – Mug Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Sonder
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth – Sonder

$1.79 on sale a few years ago at the grocery store is what this Williams cost me. I paid too much.

I was going to do the challenge today, but the thought of lathering Williams with my Perfecto brush was just too much.

July 29, 2023 – Sandalwood Day

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Hybrid B3
• Razor: Blackland Ti Blackbird
• Blade: Leaf Super Platinum (1)
• Lather: Geo. F. Trumper – Sandalwood
• Post Shave: Declaration Grooming – Peaches & Scream
• Fragrance: Summer Break Soaps – Daydream

I honestly have no idea why I picked up this sample for today rather than something else, I must have been over looking a scent notes when I was doing my calendar. It’s not the worst though.

Who won all the stuff, I have no idea, but not me. I might have to bend the rules a bit so that new guy, u/rocketk456, has a chance at ROTY. He seemed like a real stand up fellow.

July 30, 2023 – All Around the World Day

• Brush: Zenith Moar Boar
• Razor: Rockwell 6s
• Blade: Gillette Platinum (2)
• Lather: Martin de Candre – Rose
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps – International Studies
• Fragrance: Jean Paul Gaultier – Le Male

I decided to go with good ol’ MdC today. Many of you probably know that MdC, or more accurately attempting to replicate MdC played a huge role in making our hobby what it is today. 10+ years ago MdC was considered to be far and away the best shaving soap out there. European shaving products were top notch and MdC was king. 10 years ago a post was made on another shaving forum about attempting to replicate the awesomeness of MdC. The poster would go on to start The Los Angeles Shaving Soap Company. The founder of Dapper Dragon also can be seen posting in that thread. That thread was essentially required reading for all new artisan soap makers that got their start. At least those of us who started between then and the artisan boom that happened 5ish years ago. We all googled “how to make shaving soap” and found that thread. It is interesting to look back and see how things evolved and changed. The founder of LASSCO, jbisinla, is also the reason we have r/wetshaving as he claimed this sub in the early days of reddit. Just some fun pieces of history for you newbies!