u/TheStallionPartThree's SOTDs for challenge 'Shepherds of Stirling 2024'

August 1, 2024 – Everyday We Shepherdin’

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (1)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen

Well it looks like there’s more than just the three initial shepherds along for this monthlong ride on the mutton train. And for good reason, this mutton base is so slick for me and Varen is just so wonderfully dank and lingers. Paired with the Orbit it just sits underneath that cool woody rose. I can’t wait to see how this Torga develops alongside it this month. I had to reload a bit but it was pretty soft out of the box. I can’t imagine using the more common Semogue knots that are taller and skinnier, this Torga splays well fresh. Unlike u/cowzilla3 I am grateful for you and this challenge u/EldrormR. $RawHoggin

Cheers to great rest of the month of shaves and all the challenges and challengers!

Unboxing with the rest of the crew.

Before and after shave 1.

🤙🇳🇱🐑🇳🇱🤙 $ShepherdsofStirling

August 2, 2024 – Counting Sheep Shaves in an Airbnb

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (2)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

SOTD shot for u/J33pGuy13. Up in Boston for the weekend and staying in an Airbnb so figured why not get a glamour shot with some cheap barely used appliances and peeling wallpaper. Seriously though, a great night one up here and finishing it off with a great shave just before midnight.

Damn this mutton is slick AF. I used a sample pick of Varen last year and I don’t remember it being this good. I also couldn’t dial in a lather worth a damn. Semogue splaying and feeling more like an itchy sweater on my face than yesterday so only two comfortable passes.

Post Shave Dos

Cheers!

$RawHoggin $ShepherdsofStirling

August 3, 2024

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (3)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann – Just Right for a Tuesday

Quick post. Headed out into Beantown for the night. Smellin good for seafood and a ghost tour. Love everything about this setup.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

🐖🐑🐖🐑🐖🐑🐖🐑

August 4, 2024 – Last BoarHariBnB Shave

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (4)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Last night in Boston, one more half day our touring around, over to Cambridge for the Natural History Museum before heading back home on Amtrak.

Great shave tonight as I’ve come to know the last three nights. Might want to slow down on subsequent shaves to see if I can be efficient enough with the CB plate to just do a 2 pass shave with results. Still amazed this plate leaves me with no irritation around my Adam’s apple. Also. I could be a bit more frugal with my Orbit application, especially near me eyes. Varen is still slick as shit, once I get home I’m going to weigh again to see grams per shave.

Also, love seeing all the sheep in these August pastures. Keep up the great work shepherds!

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 5, 2024 – Clocking in Clockin out

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (5)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 6, 2024 – Tubdate #1

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (6)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Weighed out my soap for the first time since starting AA, seems about right to do it every five days. 10 grams down, five shaves in before tonight equals 2 grams per shave, 2-3 healthy passes per shave seems pretty good. All while breaking in a new boar. We’ll see how this develops over the month but hot damn, not sure what the empty tub weighs but all in all that’s looking at 100 shaves per tub of the finest mutton base I know. Color me impressed. I may load with a bit more abandon now. But I do love the thrill of austerity. Cheers homies!

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 7, 2024 – Lucky Number Seven

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (7)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Loaded a bit heavier and more frequent tonight and was rewarded. Best lather of the month so far, think I’ll indulge as I have the time. First time getting a bit of irritation in my trouble spots through, blade felt fine though.

Before shave 1 to before shave 7 update shot on that beautiful boar.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 8, 2024 – Ocho Shave-o

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (8)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

2 years in and Orbit is my favorite scent in wetshaving. Time to finally track down an edp.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 9, 2024 – Fine Nine

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (9)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Earlier shave than I’m used to, working evening shift this weekend so I’ll have to squeeze in a shave before work tomorrow. Blade is holding up, still comfortable but definitely not as efficient. Two passes without incident. Mutton is still awesome, Varen is still awesome.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

🐷🤘🐑🤘🐷🤘🐑🤘🐷

August 10, 2024 – 10/10

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (10)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

This was a quick one in the morning, thought I’d post once I got to work but things got busy. Rarely shave in the morning but a two pass was all I needed. Shave 10 and the Wiz might be its best since the first 2 shaves. Varen is still awesome, Torga is a little fluffy beast.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 11, 2024 – Shave of Luck?

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (11)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

May my shepherding this month bring me the luck of the clover. Morning shave before work and minutes before viewing a potential house. Like my AA setup, everything was great. We’ll be putting in an offer tonight.

Also, update on soap usage. First five days I averaged 2g per shave. I decided to load a bit heavier days 6-10 but to my surprise I used even less. 9 grams over the five days. Proof.

Hope you all had a great weekend. I’m off the next two after getting off at 11 tonight.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 12, 2024 – Homeowner Shave?

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (12)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

I shouldn’t jinx it but they accepted our bid and we signed our agreement. If all goes well we settle in a month. Maybe this AA set truly did bring me the luck needed. For settlement day I’ll wake shave with this set. Cheers!

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 13, 2024 – Lucky

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (13)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

13 uses of Wizamet and still good good good.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 14, 2024 – Old Hiker SOTD

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Christopher Bradley B SB AL plate – Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (14)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Work sucks. The end.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 15, 2024 – 50/50ish

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Christopher Bradley B SB AL plate – Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (15)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Okay wow yeah it’s time. No more denying it. At 15 shaves im about done with this blade. Maybe I’ll have a change of heart tomorrow, but I couldn’t muster up the desire to do any better than this poor two passer.

The fatigue is real and by the number of posts today it’s seems like it’s having an effect on some parts of the sub. Stay strong. $RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 16, 2024 – 13.1

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (1)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

You know what’s cool? A fresh blade. Had to bin the first Wiz after 15. I could have pushed some more but no way was I getting to 31. Started really getting a bit of irritation. No thank you. Not sure how you wild men with 300 shaves per blade do it. Life’s too short mang. This Wiz, ill shave til it don’t feel no good and report back.

Forgot to weigh the tub after another 5 loads, I guess I’ll go to ten and see how my average is.

Also, people who do half marathons. They’re cool. My hats off to them. Cool cats.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 17, 2024 – One and Six

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (2)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Second shave on this blade and I really appreciate it after each shave over ten on that first blade. No shame that I can’t nightmare mode it. Not to mention the Torga is getting ever softer.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 18, 2024 – 18.

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (3)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

The age I was able to legally buy cigarettes. I told my teenage self I would quit when I turned 18. Took about 20 more years to do so.

This set up is so good it should be as illegal as it was for me to buy cigarettes from John’s Newsstand in Spring City.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 19, 2024 – Almost 20

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (3)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Shots fired over in W_E about Stirling. Had to let them know we have some Shepherds representing that mutton tallow. Great shave. Five stars.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 20, 2024

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley B plate Aluminum/Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (4)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Exhausted.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 21, 2024 – Three Touchdowns

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Christopher Bradley B SB AL plate – Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (5)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Football is almost back back. Mutton Varen is still great great.

Update on per shave usage. Looks like over the past ten days I used 23 grams again keeping me right around 2 grams/shave despite loading heavier. Maybe it’s this boar breaking in. Prüf

$RawHoggin $ShepherdsofStirling

August 22, 2024

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Christopher Bradley B SB AL plate – Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (1)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Good. Night.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 23, 2024 – Ch ch ch changes.

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Christopher Bradley B SB AL plate – Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (3)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Roam Two

Finally decided to take a break from Orbit. The temps have dipped for the first time this summer and I wanted something less than frigid on my face. Haven’t used the Roam Two set much since receiving post LG and it was perfect fit with Varen. But I have to admit something was missing without the cooling agent. Pair that with a relaxed and smooth two pass shave and I couldn’t even feel the splash. Could smell that currant and tobacco though. Cheers!

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 24, 2024 – 24

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Christopher Bradley B SB AL plate – Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (4)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Missed that synthetic coolant post shave. Shave 4 on this wiz was so smooth.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 25, 2024 – Woweee

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Christopher Bradley B SB AL plate – Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (5)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

After 25 shaves and I think this was the best lather. Semogue is really getting soft while loading and holding the soap so much better. Keep hoggin’, keep shepherdin’.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 26, 2024 – I can count on one hand how many shaves we have left.

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Christopher Bradley B SB AL plate – Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (1)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Three passes to look nice for my gross dirty job tomorrow.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirlings

August 27, 2024

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Christopher Bradley B SB AL plate – Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (2)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Closer.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 28, 2024

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Christopher Bradley B SB AL plate – Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (3)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

Joined a fantasy league today. Haven’t played in awhile. Heavy load, great lather, great shave but definitely excited to shave with some different gear.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 29, 2024 – Luxurious Barnyard

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Christopher Bradley B SB AL plate – Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (4)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

This semogue has really developed into a wonderfully soft brush. I don’t think my technique has developed too much over the month. Varen still just so solid. Finally able to dial it in quicker. Cheers!

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 30, 2024 – Uno Mas.

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Christopher Bradley B SB AL plate – Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (5)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

I really enjoy this hobby because even 29 shaves in with the same product you can still fuck up the 30th. I couldn’t dial in the lather and nicked my neck with a stupid attempt at a cleaner first pass around the Adam’s apple. Oh well. Here’s to the closing of a great month with great products.

$RawHoggin

$ShepherdsofStirling

August 31, 2024 – The End of Austerity. May Gluttony Prevail.

• Brush: Semogue Torga C5
• Razor: Christopher Bradley B SB AL plate – Maggard Handle
• Blade: Wizamet (1)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
• Post Shave: Noble Otter – Orbit

What a wonderful month to partake in the barnyard challenges of $RawHoggin and $ShepherdsofStirling. Seems like amazing successes for the challenges all around. I’m still impressed that from an off handed remark from u/SaintBandicoot, the $WolfInSheepsClothing, a last minute easy mode challenge popped up and gained a few player/shavers. It was a pleasure to be a little more involved in the community and maybe add a bit of revelry to the sub.

For the 31st shave, I was rewarded for this months effort with a surprisingly soft boar.. I am so impressed it’s taking quite a bit of restraint not to purchase more Semogues ASAP. It was also a good time tracking usage. The mutton tallow base was excellent throughout and I learned how to best dial it in for myself, dense and slick. Tonight may have been the best of the month. Not really much to report about the CB, it was mild and worked, next year I’ll take a greater risk and test my daily mettle.

Even though I’m excited to take some days off between shaves and switch up my hardware/software its been a hell of a month. Cheers, homies!