August 1, 2023 – Austere August Day 1

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (1)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Day one with the hair shaper – better and worse than expected. I got a closer/cleaner shave than I thought I would and I didn’t cut myself that much. I did not really enjoy the shave, nor am I good at it. Like, at all. But, I remind myself throughout the shave – everyone struggles when they start learning something. They only way to get better is to do something over and over. And, there are only 30 more shaves to go, so, I got this. Plus, u/OnionMiasma hooked me up with this pretty little Marianna and I can’t take his gift for granted – gotta keep on keeping on. Slid a nice little Personna Hair Shaper in there and hopefully it gets better and better, not worse and worse.

I went with a with the grain first pass followed by a hybrid across and against the grain second pass with some minor buffing to get acceptably smooth. The boar pic 1 pic 2 pic 3 was scratchy and unbroken in but overall pleasant. It’s lofted very high (I don’t have a calipers to say exactly how high) and I like it. Good splay, good scritch, whipped up a stellar lather. I suspect this thing will break in beautifully and be a knot I keep around.

What did I learn from this shave? That I need to go slow, but not too slow; too slow means snags. That the blade angle can be a bit wider than I thought. That I need to pay very close attention as I situate the razor so I don’t slice myself – no whipping it around like I do with my DE to get it in position. And, that it’s going to be more difficult than I initially thought. Hopefully I’ll come to enjoy the process – I vaguely remember my first several weeks of shaves with a DE being very difficult as well, so, all in due time. I’ll keep updating with each shave at least one thing I learned – hopefully writing it down helps it stick.

As for Dammusi, well, I’m a believer! I got a smoosh from u/jwoods23 (I think) and I didn’t love it, but, if I’m going to upgrade my Mammoth Mafia status I needed something and I did Sonder last year and no other scent grabbed my attention so I went in with the expectation that the splash would be the scent that everyone was raving about and man am I glad I did. It’s wonderfully complex and u/mammothben crushed this release. I’m glad I didn’t pick it up on release so I can now use it for a month straight – as it sits here drying down it just gets better and better. I look forward to unpacking it.

Anyway – good luck, all. May your learning curve be quick and your shaves become bloodless.

Tags:

RawHoggin

u/EldrormR

MammothMafia23

u/LaTuskFamilia

Monthofweckoning

u/EldrormR
u/Djundjila
u/Semaj3000

August 1, 2023 – Austere August Day 1

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (1)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Day one with the hair shaper – better and worse than expected. I got a closer/cleaner shave than I thought I would and I didn’t cut myself that much. I did not really enjoy the shave, nor am I good at it. Like, at all. But, I remind myself throughout the shave – everyone struggles when they start learning something. They only way to get better is to do something over and over. And, there are only 30 more shaves to go, so, I got this. Plus, u/OnionMiasma hooked me up with this pretty little Marianna and I can’t take his gift for granted – gotta keep on keeping on. Slid a nice little Personna Hair Shaper in there and hopefully it gets better and better, not worse and worse.

I went with a with the grain first pass followed by a hybrid across and against the grain second pass with some minor buffing to get acceptably smooth. The boar pic 1 pic 2 pic 3 was scratchy and unbroken in but overall pleasant. It’s lofted very high (I don’t have a calipers to say exactly how high) and I like it. Good splay, good scritch, whipped up a stellar lather. I suspect this thing will break in beautifully and be a knot I keep around.

What did I learn from this shave? That I need to go slow, but not too slow; too slow means snags. That the blade angle can be a bit wider than I thought. That I need to pay very close attention as I situate the razor so I don’t slice myself – no whipping it around like I do with my DE to get it in position. And, that it’s going to be more difficult than I initially thought. Hopefully I’ll come to enjoy the process – I vaguely remember my first several weeks of shaves with a DE being very difficult as well, so, all in due time. I’ll keep updating with each shave at least one thing I learned – hopefully writing it down helps it stick.

As for Dammusi, well, I’m a believer! I got a smoosh from u/jwoods23 (I think) and I didn’t love it, but, if I’m going to upgrade my Mammoth Mafia status I needed something and I did Sonder last year and no other scent grabbed my attention so I went in with the expectation that the splash would be the scent that everyone was raving about and man am I glad I did. It’s wonderfully complex and u/mammothben crushed this release. I’m glad I didn’t pick it up on release so I can now use it for a month straight – as it sits here drying down it just gets better and better. I look forward to unpacking it.

Anyway – good luck, all. May your learning curve be quick and your shaves become bloodless.

Tags:

RawHoggin

u/EldrormR

MammothMafia23

u/LaTuskFamilia

Monthofweckoning

u/EldrormR
u/Djundjila
u/Semaj3000

August 2, 2023

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (2)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

“Wow, what happened to your face!?

“You weren’t being careful.”

“You could use some makeup to cover it up.”

“I’m sorry that happened, dad.”

Just a few highlights from the breakfast table this morning. Kids say the darndest things, am I right?

Needless to say this morning’s shave was another chance for learning. I have no idea what I’m doing. I know I have no idea what I’m doing. But, we’re here to learn. u/Zimora sent me a helpful video to watch and shared this graphic and between the two and my own mistakes I learned that I have been holding the razor at way too narrow of an angle. I’ve also just not been careful enough setting the blade on my face. Three or four cuts are definitely from sloppiness at this point.

Dundy whipped up an excellent lather. There’s one hair that has to be in there upside down because it’s very pokey. I tried to pluck it, but, I don’t know if it was for sure the right one. Tomorrow will tell. Tomorrow evening, though, because this face needs a 36 hour rest. I told myself I wasn’t going to shave in the morning so I would avoid going to work looking like I’d gotten in a fight, but, my foolish pride and ego got the best of me, so, now we rest.

As for Dammusi, today, I’m trying to imagine what Ben was getting after when he set out with this and this can definitely take me to the water and wet stones. It’s bringing me here – the shores of Lake Michigan at Cave Point park in Door County, Wisconsin. This photo is a year or so old, but, it’s a very happy memory. I get the wet rocks, the damp breeze, and the dark/dirty woodsiness of the hike there and back. Love it. I don’t mind smelling this all month long!

RawHoggin

MammothMafia23

Monthofweckoning

August 3, 2023 – Is this the end?

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (3)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

I am not enjoying this hair shaper at all. Literally 0%. In fact, I actively dislike it. Will I continue with it tomorrow? I doubt it. I’m not quitting tonight. I don’t have to quit tonight, I already shaved with this piece of garbage. Tomorrow I might pick up that glorious Blackbird Lite and shave it all off and end it. That will mercifully free me from the Weckoning and sadly end my Mammoth Month (although I’ll continue to use Dammusi all month and donate at the end). I’ll still be in the Raw Hog group, though. So there’s that.

Anyway – shave sucked tonight. Dundy and Dammusi were great, but, this hair shaper in my hands is just not good. Don’t like it, don’t care if I like it, don’t want to use it. Sometimes it’s best to let others speak on your behalf. Like The Grinch.

Here’s brush pic 1 and pic 2 from tonight. Dammusi is excellent. I love it. This Maggard boar is excellent, I love it. It’s already breaking on beautifully and it’s shave 3.

Hair shapers? Get out. Maybe I’ll run a PIF and gift it to some unsuspecting fool. I apologize in advance.

Then again, maybe I’m stupid and I’ll keep going. I hope tomorrow me listens to tonight me and quits. I really do.

#Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23

Edit 1: Tags Edit 2: I did multiple passes. Same as last couple - with the grain followed by across on my face and then a hyrbrid of across/against on my neck becuase honestly idk how any of you do 3 passes with this monster nor do I know how to maneuver this well enough to get it in all 3 directions on my neck. woof.

August 4, 2023 – The grind continues

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (4)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

I don’t quit. That’s a thing about me. It’s probably from the way my dad raised me and how he always told me the things I “should” do and on and on and so I feel this stupid sense of commitment to this dang shaving thing but screw it I’m going to keep going. Because I don’t quit. If you’re thinking about quitting like I was, let Goggins inspire you.

You’ll notice a new addition to the SOTD pic today – a styptic pencil. I’ve never needed this before. Because I’ve never cut my face this many times in my freaking life. And you know what? I didn’t need it tonight, either. A few nicks and a slight scrape of a previous cut was all there was. No new cuts tonight. How? Well, I made my lather wet, then I added more water until it was wetter, and then I did it again. And it was too wet in my book, but, I’ve read some of y’alls advice and maybe it helped. My chin is still a mystery – how anyone gets that thing smooth with a hair shaper is beyond me.

Dundy – I almost feel bad about how nice this knot is already. But, I don’t. If I were using something easy to shave with I’d be sad I didn’t choose a tougher boar, but, given the beating my face takes on a nightly basis, I’m good with the boar being easy, breezy, and beautiful. That handle was made for a boar knot, I’m convinced. It looks so dang good.

There’s much to say about Dammusi, but, tonight I simply say I don’t know how you all doing this Weckoning thing without a Mammoth splash are managing. The slight cooling after effect is sublime after you slice and dice your flesh. If you don’t have a cooling Mammoth splash you need to do yourself a favor and get one.

Monthofweckoning

RawHoggin

MammothMafia23

August 5, 2023 – We keep on a rolling

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (5)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

I went for a run by our local small town zoo today and ran by the Camels, Ponies, and the Zedonk (and here’s a video that you won’t watch of our actual zedonk) and as I ran by I smelled Dammusi. I can’t place it, but, something about Dammusi has an animal smell to it and it’s in all the best ways. Don’t think “stinky farm animal,” think “happy memories around farm animals.” It’s a compliment – Dammusi is such a rich and interesting scent that’s been fun to unpack.

Dundy (named after a town in Nebraska, not the Michael Scott award) performs beautifully with the Mags Boar. I daresay this thing is better than some other boars I’ve used that were fully broken in and it has just 5 uses. One of these days I'll remember to take a picture before I set it in my soaking mug.

Am I enjoying the weck? No. Is it becoming serviceable? Yeah, kinda. The styptic really helps – I’m not walking around all night bleeding anymore at least. No new major cuts on my face tonight, a couple nicks on my neck that bled a fair bit but the pencil took good care of it. With the grain on my cheeks, upper lip, and top half of my chin has become quite easy. Across the grain is ok, against is still a challenge but doable – though I really don’t risk it on many spots. The neck, lower chin, and jawline are still a struggle for sure. Holding the blade at angles that are not straight down or straight up on all those curves is a big challenge.

I have been successful in shaving with both my right and left hand and surprisingly my left hand seems to be a bit easier – probably because I don’t have any prebuilt DE habits that need adjusting for the open blade.

Anyway, after nearly quitting 2 days ago I guess I’ll be sticking with it. I am improving, even if it’s just an eensy bit every day.

Tags: #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23

August 6, 2023 – Sunday Shenanigans

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (5)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

There were no shenanigans around this shave, but, I needed a title. Overall a decent shave. Added another small cut on the right side of my chin, but otherwise just a few nicks here and there (got my nose for the first time) and it was a decent shave.

Dundy was great and I finally remembered to take a picture before I dunked it and it’s beautifully fluffy already. If you don’t have a Maggard boar you should fix that. And you should love it fairly high. It’s excellent.

The Marianna continues to be the cruel devil that she’s always been, but, I’m slowly learning how to finesse her. u/Zimora has assured me that one can get a closer shave with a straight and/or weck than one can with a DE and I’m starting to believe it. I’m nowhere near that level of proficiency but I can see how eventually you’d get there. And, if it really is true that a good straight razor is more forgiving and easier to get a good shave with than a hair shaper then maybe I’ll dabble in that world. But – only one. Just one straight. I cannot get more than one. And a strop, of course. But, that’s it. One. Maybe.

Dammusi is becoming wonderfully familiar. I think it’s going to be a really good year round scent. Fun fact: the island of Pantelleria has never (at least since 1971 when recordings started) experienced a temperature at or below freezing but the scent it inspired from Ben certainly will be tested out in the frigid Wisconsin winter in a few months (gasp).

Tags: #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23 #MonthOfWeckoning

August 7, 2023 – Week one

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (7)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Well boys and girls, we made it. One week of this foolishness and only 3.5 to go. We got this.

Smooth first pass on the sideburns, upper neck, and cheeks tonight. It didn’t all fall apart after that, but, there’s a reason I shave at night and not in the mornings during August – I’d rather not go to work every morning with the inevitable razor burn and nicks all over my neck. It is improving, but, I feel a bit lost on my neck. I can really only go straight down my neck and straight up it – anything horizontal is just not happening. It’s fine but it leaves me with a pseudo with the grain/across the grain first pass and then an against the grain/across the grain second pass. It’s weird and challenging and maybe I should watch some more people shave their necks but who has time for that these days.

Dundy 1 and 2 was great as usual and Dammusi continues to excel.

Overall from where I was a week ago when I first started this I’m at least happy with some progress happening. Hopefully there’s no plateau and they continue to get better.

Tags: #MammothMafia23 #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning

Edit: forgot to post in markdown, fool.

August 8, 2023

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (8)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Over 25% of the way through this madness, my wife asked this evening how the razor was treating me. “I still cut myself every shave, it’s very annoying and painful, but it’s better than the night I was ready to give up.” Also, I feel like Robin Williams in Jumanji every time my kids see me post shave.

Nothing new to report. Dundy pic 1 and pic 2 did well and Dammusi is still excellent – the cooling effect on my face right now is just stellar after another poor hair-shaper experience, too. Hair shaper 2 passes continue to improve but are still for sure rated in the poor category – a couple more unfortunate slices tonight with the usual few nicks. Thank goodness I picked up a styptic pencil, that stuff is magic.

For the photo today in incorporated this book because it was still on the bathroom counter from when my 5 year old son needed it to finish his evening dump. Proud of that boy.

Anyway – have a good night all.

Tags: #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23

August 9, 2023 – I should not have done this

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (9)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Gosh, idk how y’all are enjoying the weck. I am not. I’m beginning to dread my nightly shave, and that’s stupid.

Dundy was great again, breaking in beautifully. Raw Hoggin is a great challenge.

Dammusi, also great. Mammoth Mafia is a great challenge and I’ve been proud to bear the flair for the last year. It’s a real shame that quitting the weck will get me DQ’d from Mammoth, too. It is literally the only reason I’ve used the weck for all these 9 days.

Weck – sucks. Not fun, not good, not pleasant. That’s all.

Broosh pics

tags: #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23 #MonthOfWeckoning

August 10, 2023 – no blood

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (10)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Cut free 2 passes tonight. Both times I’ve wanted to quit the next shave has been a fairly big improvement. I don’t know what I did different to make this better, a lighter touch, perhaps? In any event, no new cuts or really anything bad. This could have been a morning shave and I could have gone to work not looking like I’d gotten in a fight with Edward Scissorshands.

I did slice the tip of my left wring finger which is very annoying as I try and type this. Carelessness will be the death of me.

Dundy (pics) was great again – this knot is just a really excellent boar. Not much more to say there or about Dammusi for tonight – it was excellent. The splash really stung (I didn’t bleed but that doesn’t mean it was a perfectly smooth shave) but the cooldown right now with the complexity of the scent wafting up is really nice.

Anyway, it’s been a long day and a long week. Off tomorrow so I’ll get to “sleep in” until 7 or 7:30. Should be lit. Have a good night all.

Tags: #MammothMafia23 #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning

August 11, 2023 – fine shave

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (11)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

It was fine. I suppose that’s about as good of a compliment as this Personna blade is going to get. Nicked myself once on the right upper cheek which was painful and annoying, otherwise it was fine.

Nothing really new to report. 2 Passes as usual, basically one straight down and one straight up, save for some weird multidirectional gymnastics on my chin. It’s mostly a with the grain and then against the grain or across the grain pass depending on which part because my hair is far from uniform, but, I don’t ever see myself attempting more than those angles on my neck.

Brush Pics – continues to be excellent.

Dammusi – Still great. I doubt I’ll tire of this scent, which I’m glad of. Sonder was a real winner last year and this is as well. Probably become a staple in my den as Sonder did.

Tags: #MammothMafia23 #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning

August 12, 2023 – Birthday Party Shave

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (11)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

My youngest turns 4 on Tuesday (gasp) and her party is today. Risked a shave pre-party (starts in 45 minutes) and all in all it’s good. No razor burn or major blood that the styptic couldn’t stop. Just a few minor nicks, not bad.

Brush and Soap ++ Hair Shaper and Personna -+ (that’s dramatic improvement)

Broosh pic for Raw Hog

Tags: #MammothMafia23 #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning

August 13, 2023 – Lucky 13

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (13)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Got 3-4 cuts – a couple of em are super minor and will be gone in the morning, another on my ear wasn’t great and then one heavy hander slice on the left side required a bandaid. I’m beginning to be nervous that I’m going to end up with permanent scars for this stupid challenge I don’t even care about.

Blade is getting scrapier by the day. We’re not even halfway yet, I really don’t know how it’s going to hold out.

I was able to do a decent downward pass and then my hybrid across and against the grain pass was fine, aside from the few slices. I really think it has more to do with the blade than my technique at this point but I haven’t read enough SOTDs from Weck folks to know if it’s the same for all us Personna users. My chin is surprisingly getting easier. What was impossible to navigate day 1 has become not impossible, I suppose.

Dundy pics is still great. Notice the sick bandaid from where I stupidly pressure washed my arm the other week. Fun times.

Dammusi is still great.

Have a good night, y’all.

Tags: #MammothMafia23 #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning

August 14, 2023 – Decent Shave, actually.

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (12)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Was actually a decent shave tonight. With the grain is getting easier and easier. Aside from my silly heavy hand yesterday, my down scrape (cuz this blade is scrapey as heck) is pretty easy at this point. I’m also figuring out a light touch on my second hybrid pass and that’s helping quit a bit.

Dundy++

Dammusi ++

Etc. etc.

Have a good night, all.

Tags: #MammothMafia23 #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning

August 15, 2023 – “All the rest have 31″

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (15)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Thirty days has September, April, June, and November, all the rest have 31 except February…” that’s how I learned it, anyway. All that means is we’re not quite half way because this is one of those extra long months.

Shave was fine. Dundy was weirdly still damp from last nights shave, guess I didn’t fling the water out of it enough when I was done. It’ll be nice when I can towel dry the knot again. Dammusi is still great and aside from accidentally scraping a bit off a cut from a few days ago this was pretty much a bloodless shave. I’ll take it.

As always, the two pass hybrid method works well and I seem to still be improving, even if this blade sucks. Not brave enough to try a 3rd pass, but, improving.

Also - wetshaving database constantly auto adjusts my blade number of uses to the wrong number and I can't figure out why. Anyone else?

Tags: #MammothMafia23 #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning

August 16, 2023 – All downhill from here

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (16)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

51.6%

Corner bit me hard on my first pass. So much blood.

Dundy++

Dammusi ++

Tags: #MammothMafia23 #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning

August 17, 2023 – Then there were 2

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (16)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

2 weeks remain. We got this. Dundy

Tags: #MammothMafia23 #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning

Edit: posting was hard tonight cuz I'm dumb but we got there.

August 18, 2023 – AA Day 18

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (18)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

18 Days down.

Accidentally re-sliced the big slice from 2 days ago and it resulted in an absolute bloodbath. I thought about taking pictures but nobody wants to see blood soaked lather, so, you’re welcome. Lots of blood. No pain, thankfully, but, many bloods.

Dammusi ++

Dundy ++

There’s something so peaceful about using the same setup every day. I almost want to do something like this on a shorter basis – like, use the same soap for a whole week every week all year or whatever. It takes away the stress of “ugh, I want to use this but I’d rather use this but I haven’t used this one in forever and it needs to.” Instead it’s just – hey, here’s what we got this week. Simple.

Tags: #MammothMafia23 #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning

August 19, 2023 – Solid

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (19)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Actually a solid shave tonight. The blade is still scrapey, for sure, and I’m not trying to chase BBS with this thing at all, but, the down pass and the up pass were relatively good, much to my surprise.

Dammusi is still stellar.

Dundy is still stellar. Pic and Pic and here’s Day 1 and pic 2 because I was curious how much it’s developed and it’s opened up a ton. Very soft, very pleasant knot. I know we spend hundreds on nice badger knots, and yeah they’re nice, but for 20 bucks plus whatever handle, this Mags boar is a way better value.

I went for a run tonight and got covered in gnats. This is just a portion of them. After I write this up I get to go clean out the shower. So gross. Thankfully it was dark so I couldn’t them while I ran. Because, gross.

Anyway. Have a good night, y’all.

Tags: #MammothMafia23 #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning

August 20, 2023 – Eventful Day

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (20)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Shave today was just fine. It’s been pointed out to me that likely the Personna blade is responsible for keeping these shaves solidly at mediocre and at this point, with a shoddy blade that’s now worn down, they’re unlikely to get much better. That in mind, tonight’s hybrid 2 passer was fine straight down then mostly straight up with a bit of side to side in the places that are hard to go straight up. Someday I’ll be brave and try a true 3 pass with BBS in mind, but, not today and not with this blade.

Dammusi is still excellent. I love the familiarity of it every day.

Dundy is as beautiful and high functioning as ever.

In other news, my son sliced his head open at the playground today and needed stitches. First time with stitches for any of our kids but unlikely the last. It’s always so shocking to see how much heads bleed. Anyway, he’s fine and was in very good spirits before bed. At one point on the drive home he even said, “today was a fun day for me!” – kids are insanely resilient.

Have a good night, all.

tags: #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23 #MonthOfWeckoning

August 21, 2023 – 10 to go

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (21)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

With 21 shaves completed that leaves a measly 10 left. C’mon, brothers and sisters (are any sisters weckoning?) – we’ve got this.

My lather was plenty slick tonight and still this personna skipped around my face a couple of unfortunate times. Hopefully that doesn’t continue. Otherwise an alright shave – the tip bit my neck just a bit in a spot but nothing too terrible.

Dammusi continues to shine and the cooldown tonight feels extra intense and pleasant for some reason. Love it.

Dundy is also still great. My Shire Lancaster towel was recently cleaned and brought back to the bathroom and it’s amazing how green the photo skews with it as the background – that handle is solidly yellow but looks real green. There’s your random thought of AA for the night.

Have a good night, people.

Tags: #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning #MammothMafia23

August 22, 2023 – Single Digits, baby.

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (21)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

We’re in the single digits, friends. We have got this!

I can’t believe the month it’s been, but, tonight as I shaved I considered whether it would be worth it to purchase a full Sextoblade to get the heavier weight, bigger scales (?) and the whole deal to pair with my kismet. Me! The guy who almost quit after 3 days. Here’s the lesson, and it’s what I knew at the start: learning new things is hard. That’s it. Nobody knows how until they do so just try new things.

Dammusi ++

Dundy ++

2 Pass hybrid style ++

Persona Blade —

My wife just asked me if I was done writing up shaves the end of August so I guess my late night writeups are getting annoying. Maybe I’ll shave in the morning tomorrow because I’m confident enough I won’t accidently gore myself before work. Then I could finally do that second luxury shave everyone raves about.

Tags: #RawHoggin #Monthofweckoning #MammothMafia23

Espn 8, the ocho

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (22)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

8 shaves left. Honestly it’s mostly autopilot at this point. I could push harder to learn some more passes, etc., but I’m going to ride out this awful blade and work on pushing my technique forward with a better blade. Good shave, though. Dundy and Dammusi are still excellent – pics of Dundy in the main SOTD photo.

Busy and full but very good day today. Highlight was the local fire dept. setting up a ladder truck and hose to make a giant sprinkler at the local park. I was able to take a late lunch and join my family for it and was the only dad who was joining in with the kids (a few moms). Hesitated at first then thought, screw it – if other dads want to stand off to the side, I’m not going to say no to my kids so I don’t look silly. Was an absolute blast.

tags: #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23 #MonthOfWeckoning

August 24, 2023 – Just a week remains

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (24)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Just a week remains in this beautiful challenge. For all it’s awfulness early, it’s really been fine as of late. Glad I stuck with it and glad I learned – another relatively easy shave.

After 3+ weeks of Dammusi I’m still nowhere near sick of it. Ben nailed this.

Dundy just gets softer and softer. Great handle and knot – glad I grabbed it on an impulse when I was still on the fence about everything this month.

Have a good night, all.

tags: #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23 #MonthOfWeckoning

August 25, 2023 – 25 done

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (25)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

25 shaves done. It both feels much longer and much shorter than this, which is good, I guess. I’m very much looking forward to the Personna being done. Dammusi and Dundy could continue on, though. I won’t, but, I could.

We buried my wife’s grandpa today and he was a good guy. Hadn’t spoken to him in years as he has been mostly gone for a long time (he battled parkinsons, dementia, and had a stroke 2 years ago). Shaving tonight after the funeral made me think that I wished I’d gotten into this hobby a bit earlier and I could have asked about his shaving habits. He was stationed in Germany in the early 1950s in the military (not sure which branch) so I have to assume he was standard issued some Gillette kit for use over there. I honestly didn’t know he’d served until today. People have stories and even though we didn’t see them often I wish that I could have heard more of his. Every time I go to a funeral I’m reminded of the importance of treasuring the time you have with people while they’re still around. So – fine friends, treasure your people, whoever they may be.

Good night.

Tags: #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23

August 26, 2023 – intimacy over time

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (26)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Getting to know a scent is like getting to know a spouse, it takes time. And just when you think you’ve cracked it – you learn something new. That’s how it’s been with Dammusi. 26 straight uses and I still feel like I’m getting to know her depth. And, she’s more and more fun every time.

Dundy ++, continues to break in nicely. Maybe it’s broken in, I don’t know. Sure is soft and nice, though.

Hair shaper is whatever at this point. Easy enough to scrape along my face, but not good enough that I’m going to get something better out of it.

Have a good night, all.

Tags: #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23

August 27, 2023 – Spectator Shave

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (27)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

My youngest is pretty sick at the moment and was having a rough go before dinner so after my shower I invited her to watch me shave. She seemed to like watching, although she really didn’t want me to use “the yellow brush” and I explained to her that I have to for the rest of the month because reasons and that seemed to work. My oldest then came in the bathroom as I was finishing up and dutifully pointed out that I had cut myself a couple of times so I showed her the magic of the stinging styptic pencil. Works like a charm.

Decent shave, aside from those cuts. The hybrid pass is really pretty easy at this point – when I can change blades and/or try a straight I will likely go for more passes and chase that BBS now that I’ve got some basic technique down and am comfortable with the holds, etc. Should be fun.

Dundy pics.

Have a good night, all.

Tags: #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23

August 28, 2023 – 3 left

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (28)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Today was a rough day, but, somehow just 3 shaves left. Shave was fine to wind down the evening. Dammusi is familiar and comfortable at this point – but, yeah, I miss variety and DEs.

Brush Tbh I don’t know if we’re supposed to be posting pictures every day for raw hog or not, but, better not risk it. They mostly look the same at this point, though.

Tags: #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23

August 29, 2023 – Twas the night before

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (29)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

School starts for my older 2 tomorrow. RIP me. I need more summer. They’re excited (and sad), but – I’m mostly just sad. Dang kids have a way of just ripping your soul out while you watch them grow up. I know some of y’all are way further down the line than me and I know the relationship changes but I just want to keep them as the sweet “dad is my hero” kids that they are forever and every year they go to school and at the end of it they come back different. Fuller, more independent, more grown up. And I love that for them and I hate that for me. Stupid self-sacrificing to raise kids.

Shave was decent, though. Couple little nicks – went with the grain and across the grain on this one for most of it (more than usual, anyway) and it went well. Had to hybrid two pass my chin and my neck somewhat. I was reflecting on how awful the first 3 shaves were now that we’re in the final three and dangit I’ve come a long way. Kudos to all you other fools who endured some early suffering to come out more refined on this side of things.

Dundy++ I forgot to take pics pre-shave so you get wet brush today. Not sorry. Dammusi ++

Tags: #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23

August 30, 2023 – And then there was one.

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (29)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Gosh it would have been cool if I did every SOTD title as either a movie title or quote, but, I didn’t. Maybe I’ll stash that idea away for another time. Anyway – one shave to go. Maybe I’ll shave first thing tomorrow morning so it’s done. What was once an impossible feat – shaving before someone would see me – is no problem now. There won’t be a bloodbath. No drama to speak of. Just a very mediocre 2 pass shave from a very very poor blade, one last time.

Tonights shave was just that. Mediocre from a poor blade. But, Dammusi and Dundy have been and continue to be great. I’ll miss using both every day, but, I am looking forward to some diversity.

See you tomorrow for one final AA shave, gents.

Tags: #Monthofweckoning #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23

August 31, 2023 - Fin

• Brush: Summer Break Soaps “Dundy” Maggard Boar 26mm
• Razor: Marianna #310 Hair Shaper
• Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (31)
• Lather: House of Mammoth – Dammusi
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth – Dammusi

Done. ‘Twas a good month, but, glad she’s over.

True to form, the Personna had to bite me just a little bit on the neck to leave her final mark of wretchedness.

Insert section here about learning a lot, blah blah.

Software and Brush were top notch all month and here are the Final Pics (she’s still wet from last night). The blade today felt really dull – I think my lather was quite slick, but I notied the blades dullness more than I have all month.

Anyway – thanks for the good month, y’all. We did it!

Also, shoutout to u/jwoods23 and u/Environmental-Gap380, one of whose tags I Ctrl+F’d every day so I didn’t have to type ’em out or open an old SOTD. You guys really are the best. You were always there, reliably posting earlier than me. Cheers, friends.

Tags: #RawHoggin #MammothMafia23 #MonthOfWeckoning