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

March Madness 3/1: B&M VS CGC

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts “Endor” 26mm B9B
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (38)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Clusterfig - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Proraso - Sensitive - After Shave Balm
• Fragrance: Mikmoi - Vesper
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: DR Congo. Kalehe. South Kivu. v: Bourbon. Typica. p: Washed. Dried on Raised Beds. r: 02/20/24
• Music: Daniel Romano - Too Hot to Sleep

Both of today's artisans are heavyweights, but Barrister and Mann made what is probably my favorite wetshaving scent of all, so it takes the game with Clusterfig as MVP. Tough matchup!

Also, #MMarch24 begins! Give our man u/EldrormR some love.

Otterday

• Brush: Prometheus Handcrafts “Chaos” 24mm Maggard Razors SHD
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (39)
• Lather: Noble Otter - The Night Before
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Red Letter Day - Aftershave
• Fragrance: AMERICAN PERFUMER - Madame Chouteau
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Sumatra. Aceh. v: Ateng. Bor Bor. Catimor. Timor. p: Washed. r: r: 02/20/24
• Music: Hands of Goro

The Night Before may be a holiday scent, but it works just well the rest of the year, and doesn't smell like a Christmas tree.

MMarch24 Madness: SW vs CFG

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts “Dune” with 28mm Declaration Grooming B8
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (40)
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Anthropophagy - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Talent Soap Factory - Gia 10 - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Etat Libre d’Orange - Soul of my Soul
• Passes: WTG, XTG, ATG
• Coffee: Ethiopia. Chericho. Sidama. v: 74110/74158 p: 72-hour extended fermentation. r: 02/20/24
• Music: Nils Frahm - Day

Chiseled Face makes one of my favorite in-production razors, but neither of their bases are standbys for me, and the brand's scents feature notes and genres that aren't my jam. Southern Witchrafts also makes challenging scents that I rarely reach for, but their vegan base convinced me the tallow vs. vegan argument is moot, I love their branding (opinionated, consistent, unique), and Stephen made me a Dune brush, so they're taking the game today.

As for the specific soap, Valley of the Ashes is a wet shaving classic, but Anthropophagy is the Southern Witchcrafts scent wet shaving forgot. Maybe it will come back eventually in a different formulation.

#MMarch24 🦣 Mammoth Monday 🦣

• Brush: Mammoth x Voigt & Cop Smash 28mm VC01 Super Badger
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (41)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Lather Bros. - Everglades - Balm
• Fragrance: Olympic Orchids - Kilauea
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Ethiopia. Idedo. Yirgacheffe. v: Dega. Jarc 74110. Jarc 74112. Kurume. p: Natural. Dried on Raised Beds. r: 2024-01-21
• Music: Kali Malone - All Life Long

Do y'all take the GEM out of the MM24 between uses? I've been doing so, but it's annoying, and I'd prefer to leave it in there if it won't be a problem.

#MMarch24 Madness: NO vs M&W

• Brush: Farvour Turn Craft “Worm” 26mm Brown Synthetic
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (42)
• Lather: Noble Otter - Lonestar - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - BarrBarr - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Olympic Orchids - Tucson
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: DR Congo. Kalehe. South Kivu. v: Bourbon. Typica. p: Washed. Dried on Raised Beds. r: 02/20/24
• Music: Joe Ely - Honky Tonk Masquerade

While Tabac's OG base remains really darn good (can't speak to the current version), I put up with the Tabac scent, and at best find it to be comforting but musty. It's a classic for a reason, but my ceramic jar sits unused these days; I don't mind the scent slowly fading into oblivion. I'm convinced Tabac's popularity around here is 80% meme.

Noble Otter, on the other hand, has just about everything going for it: some of my favorite wet shaving scents (Lonestar, Orbit, Thé Noir Et Vanille) and rarely a dudd in the bunch; best-in-class branding and packaging (though I vastly prefer the old label style to the new ones); a reliable soap base. As a counterpoint, while Noble Otter's current base is very quick to lather, I don't think the performance is top-tier in any other area. Still, it's a very good base. Combining that easy-mode lathering quality and above-average performance with every other metric takes the brand's soaps from good to great.

Noble Otter does it all really well and has a shot at winning this tournament.

#MMarch24 Madness

• Brush: Farvour Turn Craft 26mm TNS Half Gel Shoat
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (43)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Lavender - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Pacific Shave Co. - Caffeinated Aftershave Balm
• Fragrance: Zaharoff Signature Pour Homme
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Sumatra. Aceh. v: Ateng. Bor Bor. Catimor. Timor. p: Washed. r: r: 02/20/24
• Music: Yoski Horikawa - Spaces

Surprised Will is cutting Lavender from the roster. It's my favorite straightforward lavender scent in wet shaving. First Homecoming, now Lavender; other primarily-purple scents should be nervous.

#MMarch24 Madness: DG vs ZM

• Brush: Maggard Razors Synthetic
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (44)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Vide Poche - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - Vide Poche - Post-Shave Salve
• Fragrance: London Razors - Mountain Laurel
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Cafe's Drip
• Music: Tapir! - The Pilgrim, Their God, and the King of My Decrepit Mountain

Declaration Grooming was an easy choice for this one. Milksteak is darn good and Icarus is still great all these years later (I prefer it to its successor). More importantly, DG has Chatillon Lux going collaborations going for it. Few DG originals have worked for me—our noses don't align—but CL stuff like Gratiot League Square more than make up for the misses. Can we get tubs without the overhanging lid, tho'?

Z-Man makes a terrific shave soap, but their scents have rarely stood out for me, and I'm still hung up on the name. It's a "now that I know this I can't un-know it" situation and I find myself hesitant to include it in a SOTD post. Still, excellent performance, and a recurring Lather Games sponsor. (Don't have any solutions here—sorry.)

Declaration Grooming takes the game.

#MMarch24 Madness

• Brush: Maggard Razors Synthetic
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (45)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Lavender - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Pacific Shave Co. - Caffeinated Aftershave Balm
• Fragrance: WSP - Tobacco Vanilla - Solid Cologne
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Hotel Americano

Travel day. I'll keep it brief and save some words for our March Madness bracket.

#MMarch24 Madness: SSC vs TSF

• Brush: Maggard Razors Synthetic
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (46)
• Lather: Talent Soap Factory - Lonesome Dove - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Pacific Shave Co. - Caffeinated Aftershave Balm
• Fragrance: Etat Libre d’Orange - Fat Electrician
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Hotel Drip (not too bad!)
• Music: Amen Dunes - Boys Single

I assume that me and a few others on the sub make up the majority of Talent Soap Factory's sub usage, so I have to rep the brand today.

Stirling would have been a fine choice too: the best value proposition in the game; two soap bases (haven't tried the beeswax one) that both compete in the big leagues (Sheep is the MVP); a scent for everybody, since there are one gazillion options on the site regardless of season; my go-to bar soap at a killer price; the MOAR BOAR; everybody likes Rod and Mandy. Nevertheless, most Stirling scents are dupes—that I have no interest in—and there are a select few Stirling originals that I enjoy more than competitors' similar offerings. I should have grabbed a set of Pharaoh's Dreamsicle before it disappeared from the Stirling site (hopefully it's just out of stock and coming back regularly); if not that musky orange wonder, I would have pulled out Electric Sheep or joined the Valiant Varen Vanguard Venture for Venerable Victory.

On the other hand, I have a soft spot for Talent Soap Factory. TSF soaps are a similarly great value, both current soap bases work well for me (and they're vegan, if that matters to you), and I like the labels that feature the artisan's mom's artwork (about half their available catalog, I think). I like supporting the underdog; in this case, the tiny Etsy seller. Also, I like TSF's approach to wet shaving scents, which usually work for me. Many are relatively simple blends that translate well in a soap medium, are rarely candy-sweet, and often are weird enough to be interesting in a crowded field. I'm pretty sure they're just blends of pre-blends, but I enjoy the results. It's a wise approach for the untrained perfumer; more wet shaving brands should try it.

Give Talent Soap Factory a try! Happy to smush you some.

#MMarch24 Madness

• Brush: Zenith r/wetshaving Moar Boar
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (46)
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Heather - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Mennen - Skin Bracer - After Shave
• Fragrance: Rogue Perfumery - Bon Monsieur
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Diner Coffee that really needed cream
• Music: Trip Hop playlist

Travel day—keeping this one short. Back tomorrow for another game in our bracket.

#MMarch24 Madness: (6) Summer Break Soaps vs. (11) Ariana & Evans

• Brush: Mammoth x Voigt & Cop Smash 28mm VC01 Super Badger
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (47)
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps - Bell Ringer - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps - Homecoming - Aftershave
• Fragrance: DSH - Axis Mundi
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Ethiopia. Chericho. Sidama. v: 74110/74158 p: 72-hour extended fermentation. r: 02/20/24
• Music: Supermoon - Half Country

Honestly, I've only tried a few Ariana & Evans products, so I don't have a strong opinion about the brand. On the other hand, I love Summer Break Soaps. They're arguably the best value shaving soap in all of wet shaving, when you combine price, performance, original scents, and branding, and they're a big part of the community here at r/wetshaving.

Unfortunately, Kyle axed two of my favorites this year, so I'm highlighting both today. Bell Ringer is a little Bed & Bodyworks, but I've always enjoyed its unabashed fruityness, and the just-walked-by-that-mall-storefront aspect of the scent has grown on me over time. There's not much out there like it. Homecoming was my favorite lavender scent in the game, and it's unique; dark but lifted by neroli, spiced with an interesting black pepper and coriander blend, earthy without being mineralic. I noticed a strong and completely-unexpected liturgical incense note in the aftershave version this morning—which I can't explain from the official notes list—so I put a dent in my Axis Mundi sample.

#MMarch24 Madness SOTD Mar 12, 2024

• Brush: Prometheus Handcrafts 26mm v.6 Odin's Beard Fan
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (48)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Varen - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Zingari Man - The Explorer - Balm
• Fragrance: INeKE - Idyllwild
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: DR Congo. Kalehe. South Kivu. v: Bourbon. Typica. p: Washed. Dried on Raised Beds. r: 02/20/24
• Music: Night Glitter

Tomorrow's Spearhead vs. Catie's Bubbles matchup will be interesting. I'm not sure what I'll be using yet but need to think fast.

#MMarch24 Madness: (7) Spearhead Shaving Company vs. (10) Catie's Bubbles

• Brush: Muninn Woodworks "Red Amboyna Burl" 26mm Maggard Premium Boar
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (49)
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Dusk - Luxury Cream Soap
• Post Shave: Catie's Bubbles - V - After Shave Lotion
• Fragrance: Catie's Bubbles - Blugere - Eau de Parfum
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Sumatra. Aceh. v: Ateng. Bor Bor. Catimor. Timor. p: Washed. r: r: 02/20/24
• Music: Hannah Frances - Keeper of the Shepherd

This will likely be the toughest Round One match-up for me. I narrowed it down to Catie's Bubbles, but this was a very close game.

Spearhead's Seaforth! lineup is very cohesive, combined with excellent top-tier soap bases. Plus I love Spiced, especially as an aftershave (those samples go a long way, btw). Unfortunately, the lineup's scents largely don't work for me, despite appreciating the concept and execution. I think I'm one of about three people that can't stand Sea Spice Lime.

On the other hand, Catie's Bubbles has many original scents, a few of which are absolute bangers. That new Premium Shaving Soap base is a contender for S-tier, but it's only available in a few scents so far. The two older bases feel dated, but they're fine, and might even be ideal depending on how you like a lather to behave (the Luxury Cream Soap has plenty of structure when hydrated, but little density). 2022 and 2023 were particularly good years for the venerable wet shaving brand; looking forward to what 2024 brings.

For today's shave, I'm using Catie's Bubbles for all the software, highlighting a few scents I enjoy.

Dusk seems to be under the radar, but if you like a dry hay smell, you should try it. It's a minimal blend—four notes and "some accents"—which is the kind of scent I prefer for shave soaps. Nice label design too. (Chris, if you're looking for inspiration, I'm curious what you could do building off Dusk as the core of a fragrance with more complexity. Combine it with ideas from Connecticut Shade? Happy to help you test. 😎)

I followed up my shave with a splash of V and two sprays of Blugère. Both do interesting things with the fougère archetype. I'm always surprised by the significant spice accord in V (the cardamom pops for me) and the latter's blueberry note is just wonderful. Recommended.

⁂

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I'm pretty-sure Chris designed the scents for the exclusive line West Coast Shaving sells. Chypre is a desert island soap scent for me and I love the Fougère. Can't speak to the others tho'.

SOTD Mar 14, 2024

• Brush: Rubberset 400 26mm Soft Tuxedo
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (50)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Autumn Glory - Balm
• Fragrance: Maher Olfactive - Santal Auster - Parfum
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Ethiopia. Chericho. Sidama. v: 74110/74158 p: 72-hour extended fermentation. r: 02/20/24
• Music: Neil Young - On the Beach

Pretty confident in my predictions for tomorrow.

#MMarch24 Madness: (2) House of Mammoth vs. (15) Wholly Kaw

• Brush: Mammoth x Voigt & Cop Smash 28mm VC01 Super Badger
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (51)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Tobaconnist - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Balm
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Smash - EdP
• Fragrance: Blackbird - Pipe Bomb Intense
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: DR Congo. Kalehe. South Kivu. v: Bourbon. Typica. p: Washed. Dried on Raised Beds. r: 02/20/24
• Music: Four Tet - Three

It ain't Mammoth Monday, but it might as well be. House of Mammoth has it all: a killer soap base (Z), original scents with sharp perfumery and ton of character, an empathetic mission, and an owner who many of us chat with regularly on the sub and Discord. I can keep this one brief and let the products speak for themselves.

#MMarch24 Madness: SOTD Mar 16, 2024

• Brush: Grizzly Bay 28mm 2BED
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (52)
• Lather: Grooming Dept - Almond Vanilla - Shave Soap
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Spiced - Aftershave
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Shire 2 - EdP
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Music: The Fountain OST

Off to a coffee roasting class. Don't know what to expect, but it should be fun!

#MMarch24 Madness: Elite Eight - (1) B&M vs (8) SW

• Brush: Chisel & Hound “Cyndi” 26mm V11 Fanchurian
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (53)
• Lather: Barrister and Man - Shaving Soap - Saeryan
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Shire 2 - Aftershave
• Fragrance: MISKEO Parfums - Pistil
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Sumatra. Aceh. v: Ateng. Bor Bor. Catimor. Timor. p: Washed. r: r: 02/20/24
• Music: Kevin Morby - Lagniappe Session 2018

We're at that point in the bracket where there's no wrong answer.

Sadly, I have to give this one to Barrister and Mann. Will's soaps will probably go far in my tourney, occupying lots of my shelf space and featuring many of my favorite scents in the game. I also have a soft spot for Excelsior, the first elite-level base I really dialed in; it just feels correct.

Interested to see how this game turns out.

#MMarch24 Madness: SOTD Mar 18, 2024

• Brush: Mammoth x Voigt & Cop Smash 28mm VC01 Super Badger
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (54)
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Retreat - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Autumn Glory - Balm
• Fragrance: Anjali Perfumes - Tiger Bright
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Bolivia. Caranavi. v: Catuai. Typica. p: washed. r: 2024-03-14
• Music: The Long Winters - So Good at Waiting (Rarities 2000-2017)

Forgot about Mammoth Monday, but you can't go wrong with Retreat either. Trying to kill the Autumn Glory balm. Borrowing a bottle of Tiger Bright, which is excellent here in the jasmine and leather hiding behind all of the spices opening.

All good stuff.

#MMarch24 Madness: Elite Eight - (5) NO vs. (4) DG

• Brush: Rubberset 400 26mm Soft Tuxedo
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (55)
• Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Le Jardin Retrouvé - Mousse Arashiyama
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Honduras. Cabañas. La Paz Dedertment. v: Lempira. Catuaí. Ihcafe 90. Pacas. p: natural. r: 2024-03-14
• Music: Gillian Welch - Soul Journey

If this was just a soap base shootout, Declaration Grooming would take it with Milksteak. It's not quite as stupid-easy to lather as Noble Otter manages with their own significantly-above-average base, but its a stronger performer overall.

However, I'm trying to be more holistic about this, and Noble Otter is going to win most matchups when you include the number of their scents I enjoy and their best-in-class branding. Also, DG entered this matchup with a benched MVP; I've never tried one of their brushes. Tough break!

Going for a woody-aquatic thing today since I picked Firefighter to get my shave started.

#MMarch24 Madness: SOTD Mar 18, 2024

• Brush: Semogue 620 22mm Boar
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (56)
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. - AG 1889 - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. - AG 1889 - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Le Jardin Retrouvé - Oriental Sans Souci
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Honduras. Cabañas. La Paz Dedertment. v: Lempira. Catuaí. Ihcafe 90. Pacas. p: natural. r: 2024-03-14
• Music: Penguin Cafe Orchestra - Broadcasting from Home

I typically avoid dupes, for a range of reasons, but I'm thrilled that I scored a set of this r/wetshaving exclusive. I haven't tried Guerlain Jicky, but I love this AG 1889 interpretation. The texture is smooth and powdery, there's some lively citrus, the spices are exceptionally well-blended into the mix, and the expected animalic stank is almost undetectable to my nose in the soap. I'm guessing that for me, this is the kind of vintage fragrance that benefits from the complete lack of progression you get putting it in a shave soap. A suggestion of that rumored urinal cake vibe is present in the aftershave, but I don't mind it. Digging this all around.

#MMarch24 Madness: (3) Stirling vs. (6) Summer Break

• Brush: Trotter Handcrafts “Sea Glass No.3” 28mm SynBad
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (57)
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps - Field Day - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face Groomatorium - Summer Storm - Aftershave
• Fragrance: MISKEO - Brume
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Ethiopia, Gugi. Natural Process
• Music: Adrianne Lenker - Bright Future

#MMarch24 Madness is getting to the nitty-gritty, so I went with three wet and earthy scents for today's shave.

This is an interesting match-up. Take the scents, branding, and sub involvement out of the equation for a moment, and just focus on value, and you still have a quandary. On one side, Stirling Soap Company, which pairs a darn good lather with a shockingly low price-per-ounce. On the other side, Summer Break Soaps, which has an unbeatable price for an elite-level base. Stirling's standard or Sheep bases compete at that level too, but the texture of a hydrated SBS lather might just be at the top of my favorites list, plus more of their originals work for me. Summer Break Soaps takes the game!

These later matchups feelsbadman. Love you too, Stirling.

#MMarch24 Madness SOTD Mar 22, 2024

• Brush: Rubberset 400 26mm Soft Tuxedo
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (58)
• Lather: Summer Break Soaps - Daydream - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps - Daydream - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Le Jardin Retrouvé - Citron Boboli
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: DR Congo. Kalehe. South Kivu. v: Bourbon. Typica. p: Washed. Dried on Raised Beds. r: 02/20/24
• Music: Saint Saviour - Sunseeker

I really enjoyed yesterday's SBS shave, so I went back for more, this time stretching a sample of Daydream into one more shave.

Also, lots of new music to listen to today: Waxahatchee, Elbow, Kaleida, Julia Holter, Wye Oak, Saint Saviour, and another Richter Recomposed recording.

#MMarch24 Madness: Elite Eight - (7) 𓐬 vs. (2) 🦣

• Brush: Farvour Turn Craft 26mm TNS Half Gel Shoat
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (59)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Spiced - Aftershave
• Fragrance: MISKEO Parfums - Feuille
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Sumatra. Aceh. v: Ateng. Bor Bor. Catimor. Timor. p: Washed. r: r: 02/20/24
• Music: Waxahatchee - Tiger's Blood

This one is tough. The rest of the bracket will be full of difficult decisions.

While Spearhead's soap is a slightly better performer than Z, Spearhead's packaging is best-in-class, and I adore Spiced (I'm also very enthusiastic about the upcoming Roman Spice), I have to give this one to House of Mammoth—even if it ain't Monday. Many of Ben's scents are among my favorites, I love his brand's focus on charitable efforts, and that logo is terrific. I also enjoy more HoM scents than I do Spearhead scents; y'all can have your Sea Spice Lime. Both brands are terrific contenders overall and you can't go wrong with either.

For my Mammoth soap, I went with my prize from a previous Austere August. Makes me smile.

#MMarch24 Madness: Sleeper Must Awaken

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts “Dune” with 28mm Declaration Grooming B8
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (60)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Mélange - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Mélange - Aftershave
• Fragrance: MISKEO - Épices
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Ethiopia. Chericho. Sidama. v: 74110/74158 p: 72-hour extended fermentation. r: 02/20/24
• Music: The Dune Sketchbook

Off to see Dune: Part Two at the local IMAX today. Made the mistake of missing Part One there, so looking forward to the thrilling conclusion in 1.43:1 (plus, maybe, Dune Messiah and Children of Dune down the line).

#MMarch24 Madness: Final Four - (1) 🧑‍⚖️ vs. (5) 🦦

• Brush: Mammoth x Voigt & Cop Smash 28mm VC01 Super Badger
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (61)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Nordost - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Pharaoh's Dreamsicle - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Le Jardin Retrouvé - Sandalwood Sacré
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Bolivia. Caranavi. v: Catuai. Typica. p: washed. r: 2024-03-14
• Music: Elbow - AUDIO VERTIGO

I'm going to second and third-guess myself today.

My heart is with the otter on this one; looking at all the factors holistically, they could potentially take the whole bracket. However, I glanced at my soaps before today's shave, and Barrister and Mann occupies way more of my den than any other brand. And that's without factoring in aftershaves or at least one core-line scent I haven't picked up yet since I'll kill my sample first (which might be a while). Excelsior is still my favorite base, and Omnibus is excellent too, as is Barrister and Mann's packaging (though I'm partial to the old labels). Going brain over heart on this one. Still routing for the otter 'tho.

u/J33pGuy13, the V&C brush lost a few more hairs today, so we're up to twelve lost this shave and the last, plus however many I lost before that and failed to record. I'd say three or four each shave is a accurate estimate.

#MMarch24 Madness - Mar 26, 2024

• Brush: Farvour Turn Craft “Gandalf” 24mm FTC Two-Band
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (62)
• Lather: Elysian - Styx - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Autumn Glory - Balm
• Fragrance: Le Jardin Retrouvé - Bois Tabac Virginia
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Honduras. Cabañas. La Paz Dedertment. v: Lempira. Catuaí. Ihcafe 90. Pacas. p: Natural. r: 2024-03-14
• Music: Kaleida - In Arms

Two days in a row of rain. Yuck.

#MMarch24 Madness: Final Four - (1) 🌳 vs. (5) 🦣

• Brush: Zenith r/wetshaving Moar Boar
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (63)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Voices - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face Groomatorium - Natural - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Zoologist Perfumes - Sacred Scarab
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Ethiopia. Chericho. Sidama. v: 74110/74158 p: 72-hour extended fermentation. r: 02/20/24
• Music: Sierra Ferrell - Trail of Flowers

I recommend Stirling often and use a Stirling shaving product a couple times a week (along with the bar soap in the shower), but I've gotta give this one to the Mammoth. Ben's fragrance game is MVP for me in this matchup; I reach for his originals more often. Voices continues to climb up my favorites list. I originally skipped the fragrance, but now I'm thinking about picking up a bottle...

As a nod to Stirling, I used the Zenith r/wetshaving Moar Boar, which just wouldn't have happened without Rod's assistance. Thanks again!

First time trying Sacred Scarab. It's musky, animalic, fruity, floral, and powdery take on Kyphi (I'm used to the Olympic Orchids version). Sacred Scarab is expertly blended, but I'm not sure that the various elements of that blend are for me. Makes me want to smell blue lotus in isolation.

#MMarch24 Madness SOTD Mar 28, 2024

• Brush: Prometheus Handcrafts 26mm v.6 Odin's Beard Fan
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (64)
• Lather: London Razors / Summer Break Soaps - Mountain Laurel - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Fine Accoutrements - American Blend - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Le Jardin Retrouvé - Cuir de Russie
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: v60 Leftovers Blend
• Music: Jlin - Akoma

I really enjoyed my Summer Break Soaps shaves over March Madness. Mountain Laurel is one of my favorite wet shaving scents overall.

#MMarch24 Madness Championship: (1) 🧑‍⚖️ vs. (2) 🦣

• Brush: Chisel & Hound “Rainbow” 26mm Timberwolf
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (65)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Shire - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face Groomatorium - Natural - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Le Jardin Retrouvé - Oriental Sans Souci
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Sumatra. Aceh. v: Ateng. Bor Bor. Catimor. Timor. p: Washed. r: r: 02/20/24
• Audio: Serial: Season 4

This match-up is great and also this match-up sucks. Neither team is an upset. Both make up a significant portion of my den. Both are excellent perfumers with an excellent soap base. Both artisans participate in the community. I don't want to not pick either brand.

...so I had Mrs. Mosquito do it for me. She picked the Mammoth. A fine choice, madame.

Enjoying this sample of Oriental Sans Souci. Most ambers don't feel like year-round fragrances. Reminds me of Amber Classico Modern, if it was powdery-retro, with hints of debauchery from a different era.

And with today's coffee I tried a coarse grind, removed most of the chaff, and poured a long, low-temp bloom followed by a single 70% volume pour immediately off boil.

#MMarch24 SOTD Mar 30, 2024

• Brush: Grizzly Bay ChubCubXL 26mm V17 Fanchurian
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (66)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Nightcap - Tallow Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Lather Bros. - Everglades - Balm
• Fragrance: L'Aventura - Quiet Spell - EdP
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Bolivia. Caranavi. v: Catuai. Typica. p: washed. r: 2024-03-14
• Music: Saint Saviour - Sunseeker

#MMarch24 continues for one more day!

#MMarch24: Final Shave (SOTD Mar. 31, 2024)

• Brush: Zenith r/wetshaving Moar Boar
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24 #MMarch24
• Blade: GEM (67)
• Lather: Abbate Y La Mantia - Laureato - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face Groomatorium - Bay Rum - Aftershave
• Fragrance: For the Scent of It - Blackwood Sun
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Ethiopia, Gugi. Natural Process
• Music: Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care

Last day of #MMarch24. Expected to run into trouble pushing this blade past 40 or so shaves, but it's going strong. Great shave!