u/Marquis90's SOTDs for challenge 'Mammoth Mafia 2023'

u/Marquis90 submitted 31 SOTDS.

u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-01 10:29:17-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 1, 2023- Rise of the MMOC
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (1)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23
/u/LaTuskFamilia

Just in time u/InfernalInternal 's Gem MMOC arrived today, so I can be the only one who earns the MMOC whisperer (if I make it through august alive). That brings me right to my SOTD.
Because I heard so often "more soap, more water", I tried to use more and more water with each pass. Mammoth soaps works well with all 3 water levels I used. Did anybody question that? I hope not. But with the most water, the lather was in fact the best for the MMOC.
Unfortunately, I am a noob with the razor, had over a full day of beard growth and wanted to be super clean shaven. Blood. There was some of it. I am in doubt if the blade will last the full 30 days, but I am not here to give up. I know that I should hold the razor pretty flat to my face, which felt unneccesary (says the guy with blood around his mouth).
In the end, I got a very close shave.
The razor looks beautifull. It's well polished and I am fascinated by the mechanism to open it (took me a minute to understand).

Why did I choose that brush? Because I like the color and it matches the mood indigo best, without being too big and soap hungry. Also I believe that with a synth brush, I have to worry very little about getting it dry on time for the next shave.

Rambler and Sonder. I wanted to prove to my GF that August can also be a nice month. Long gone are the days of the stag. Lets enjoy the summer with these awesome scents. I hope we will get more sunny days for Sonder.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-01 23:35:53-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust , 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (2)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Eith only 14 hours of beard growth, I thought this shave will be more like pretending to shave. The GEM had a different opinion and found some hair to get rid of. I did XTG and ATG passes today, using very little pressure and a flatter angle. No blood was spilled today.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-03 01:30:14-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 3, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (3)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

A great shave without much effort. I did three passes though, as two are not smooth enough. It makes me a bit afraid to calculate that the blade has to go through 84 more passes.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-03 23:09:32-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 4 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (4)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

After the second pass, I felt smooth shaven. But I did not look like it. 3 passes! I am getting more confident in the durability of the blade. I have moments where I miss my straight razors.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-05 04:03:33-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 5, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (5)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

I am missing that the AA is not shitty. No complaints from my gf, no talk about banning me to the couch, no comments from coworkers. And there are people who always play it like this? What's the deal? Ohh, it's rainy today and sea spiced lime doesn't match when I take the yacht to work. Poor fella. I miss my straight razors.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-06 04:42:48-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 6, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (6)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Finally back in the gym. It was a catastrophe. My body started sweating like I would die in the first exercise. From the second exercise on, I felt way better. Was nice to be there and working on health and narcissistic optics again.

There is not much to say about the shave. The blade feels good, the lather had a bit too much water but still worked fine. My skin feels great. I blame the great aftershave Balm.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-06 23:35:20-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 7, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (7)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

There was only little stubble to shave. Did not miss my straight razors and had a generally good shave this morning.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-07 23:04:39-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 8, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (8)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

I missed a spot on my right jawline yesterday and found out while I was already in the office. It made me furious. That patch of long, spikey hair. Argh!

Today I am clean shaven. 24 passes down and the blade I'd still working well. Pretty interesting that the coating is able to do it. It also makes the price of around 1 buck per blade seem like a better deal.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-08 23:05:42-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 9, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (9)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Went on autopilot today and haven't checked my face in the mirror enough to see if there are irritations. Going over myx face with my hand, I find one spot with a little stubble. Soon, I ll be able to see the bottom of the tub. I tried face lathering today, but that's not for me. My bowl lathering gives me better results. All my claims from my LG discussion about it stay the same.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-09 23:32:03-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 10, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (10)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

First third is done. I had thoughts about using a different soap. I had a fantastic shave. My skin feels great.

Small magic tournament today.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-10 23:08:58-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 11, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (11)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

I can see the bottom of the tub clearly now. Will the soap still last 20 days? It has to. Might switch to precision lathering to make it through the month.

Shaving with the GEM is pretty easy by now. Shaving under the nose is a bit difficult, but I hold the razor sideways and get the hair close to my nose.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-12 05:11:12-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 12, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (12)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Girlfriend shaved the back of my neck with the GEM and gave it good praise. Within one pass she was done. Someh, the blade felt uncomfortable today, as if there is a chip somewhere. I ll try again tomorrow. Looking forward to shave with my little brother and show him thet GEM.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-13 01:36:46-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 13, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (13)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Let my little brother watch me shave. He can remember lots of things I told him and asked about the hair type of my Brush. Let him try to figure out how to open the GEM, but he failed. The shave was not as comfortable as on day 11 and before, but the result was very good.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-13 23:05:12-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 14, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (14)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

The best days of the blade are gone. With more focus on lighter pressure, I can still get good shaves.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-14 23:28:57-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 15, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (15)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

The blade feels uncomfortable on my ATG pass on the chin area. Tiny irritations are visible on the neck. Nothing concerning.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-15 23:41:29-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 16, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (16)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Since I am in home office, in the gym and meeting a friend from university, it was not necessary for me to do 3 passes. I stopped after the second one and avoid to touch my face. The blade worries me, as we are only at halve time.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-16 23:07:35-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 17, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (17)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Like u/onionmiasma suggested yesterday, I used a lot more water in my lather. The sdoap surprised me. With just a few seconds of loading, I had a full Mug of good lather. Then I added more and more water. The soap took all of it, but got a bit thin and bubbly. From the first pass on, the blade felt way more comfortable and I am in good faith to survive the rest of the month on this blade.

Did a 2 pass shave again, but by yesterday's evening, my stubble made it to the "unbearable" level. Tomorrow, I ll do a clean 3 pass shave.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-18 01:21:27-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 18, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (18)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

It seems like the blade honed itself on my skin and is good for the rest of the month. It will ber a very easy and enjoyable AA overall.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-19 06:38:22-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 19, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (19)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

My girlfriend is disappointed, that my posts are not funny or entertaining in comparison to Julys posts.

"The golfer brought an extra pair of pants in case he got a hole in one."

Today, I shaved very fast as I saw yesterday, that an AA subgroup is doing Speedruns and u/sggrdddy is doing experiments for us to be even faster. What he also proved was that chiseled Face is damn easy to lather. Back to my shave. In all the hurry, I did not focus on comfort. It did not feel well. Used a bit too much aftershave, which clogged my pores and I got sweaty from a 5 minute walk.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-20 05:25:37-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 20, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (20)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Again a quick shave in 10 minutes with cleaning of equipment. It was more comfortable than yesterday. I am on a magic tournament today, and missing my licorice soap and Fragrance. But my bag is filled with licorice candy.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-20 23:06:50-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 21, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (21)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Finally, I took my time for this shave again, experimentimg with even less pressure on the blade. During lathering the ring of death started to move and suddenly a piece broke off. It's a bit early for that, I would say, as there is a wide area of soap left. During this week, I ll take a picture for you. Looking forward to kill this tub, as I ordered two more yesterday.

Great shave.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-21 23:29:49-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 22, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (22)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Decided to precision lather today, because of the moving ring of death. The lather was too thin and the blade did also not feel at its best potential. Shave was rather okay. I miss my straight razors.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-23 00:13:18-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 23, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (23)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Although the blade is not dragging, it's not really able to give me a close shave in 3 passes. I went back to tub lathering and moved the crescent moon of soap around. The lather consistency was well better that way.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-23 23:26:03-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 24, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (24)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Despite my fantastic lather and huge effort with the razor, I am not able to get a BBS shave. It's a fine shave, no blood or irritations, but not what meets my standards. Somehow I think the end of AA is closer than it really is. I feel like we have 2 or 3 days left, while in reality it's 7 more days.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-24 23:15:28-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 25, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (25)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

In my SOTD picture, you can find the residual crescent moon of left soap.

Shaves are still okay, although irritations on the neck occur. Just 6 more shaves. I won't quit.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-26 03:34:50-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 26, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (26)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

We are coming closer to the end. I am really looking forward to it. I want some variety, I want to try new soaps and my Karve and my Koraat, and show my little brother the valet Autostrop, I want a fresh blade, I want to kill aftershaves, I want to kill smoishes, I want to kill hand labeled samples.

I precision lathered the soap today as the crescent moon was too fragile. Last sample September I used a sample of HoM almond leather which lasted for more than a week. I guess the remaining soap will last for 3 weeks...
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-27 04:29:44-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 27, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (27)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

No blood, no irritations, not a close shave. I guess it's just not possible anymore. My face looks pretty clean shaven though. I have and like that chiseled Face look.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-27 23:07:30-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 28, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (28)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

3 more shaves... Today I used a lot of soap for precision lathering. The first two passes were good, but in the last, the lather was very thin. I am getting a bit angry when I feel my face and it's not as clean shaven as a week before.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-28 23:05:11-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 29, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (29)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Anniversary with my gf. We will go to a Sushi restaurant later. Unfortunately, today is the first day the blade gives me nics. I am tempted to do the second luxury shave later, but think it would invalidate the spirit of AA. For lathering, I threw one third of the leftover soap, like a stick, into the bowl and got wonderful lather. I hoped to get rid of the remaining soap faster, but that did not work out. I could stretch the remaining soap for halve a month, but try to use it up in less than 9 shaves.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-29 23:58:48-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 30, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (30)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

Almost done. I have micro irritations, but no blood and of course no smooth shave. Just tomorrow. We almost made it.
u/Marquis90 posted on 2023-08-30 23:08:43-07:00 (Pacific Standard Time). Reddit Comment (See markdown)
Ausgust 31, 2023
Brush: Ap. shave Co. - Purple Haze
Razor: GEM MMOC 2.nd Generation
Blade: GEM PTFE (31)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood indigo
Aftershave: Zingari - The Rambler
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder

#MammothMafia23

We made it. A month of austerity lies behind us. Let's recap the journey. From previous years, I was used to perceive August more of a challenge and hardship. Past two years I used the Stag, which resulted in a few call outs from my gf. But we also hyped each other. At the end we had Stockholm syndrome for a soap. I often compared the Stag scent to the cool friend from high school that you lost closer contact too. Shaving every day for a month seemed much more difficult back then and I remember my skin looking forward to some rest by day 2X.
This year, things were a lot easier with a few exceptions. First, my Software choice was just good. A great soap that's easy to lather, smells good. The aftershave smells awesome and cares for my skin. Fragrance wise, there was a lot to enjoy. During this year's LG, I used a GEM for the first time. With one sentence of description, I understood how to use it and from day 1 had no problems with my shaves. No problems? That's not entirely true. After a week it felt like my blade was chipped. I know that I can ignore such things for longer than it's healthy for me, but after a few uses, the blade felt so good as fresh. No idea what happened.
Of course the best blade will see decline in performance. The last week my shaves became mediocre and left me with a beginner feeling. There were little irritations, blood once, but no close shaves possible.

Thanks to u/FMKjuli for nice words, because we use a similar setup.
u/Infernalinternal for this awesome razor. We Need to talk about polishing it sometime as the soap leaves some spots in white.