Share your Austere August shave of the day for Saturday!
2023.08.19 SOTD (#UNCHALLENGE shave #19):
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Prep: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser
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Brush: AKA Brushworks Amethyst Watchman with 26mm AP Shave Co G5C
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Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable
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Blade: Gillette Perma-Sharp (4)
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Lather: Seaforth! Sea Ice Lime
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Post Shave: Stirling Mentholated Unscented Witch Hazel and Aloe, Seaforth! Sea Ice Lime Aftershave Splash, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Extra-Dry
AA Day 19! Used my method I described a couple of days ago and ended up with a beautiful BBS shave. Only issue was a spot on my neck where I think I might have some dermatological issues (need to book an appointment with a dermatologist) that caused the slightest of nicks (and I do mean the slightest). I think I’ll just have to go WTG constantly on that area.
#UNCHALLENGE
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The Nineteenth Day Of Weckoning is upon us
- Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with a 26 mm unbleached Zenith boar knot at 56 mm loft
- Razor: Weck Sextoblade Med Prep
- Blade: Kismet Rostfrei, Polymer beschichtet (25)
- Lather: Barrister and Mann – Oceana
- Post Shave: Ralon – Original
- Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. – Island Man
None of that slurry lather today for me. I took my time for a proper luxurious Soft Hearts lather and a full three-pass Weckoning.
I think I’m starting to notice the blade turning the corner. It didn’t pull yet, but it’s losing efficiency: I see hairs that escape the first pass, and it’s not something I’ve noticed before.
On a related note: Today, I looked at my hanging strop and I felt a pang in my heart. That’s what this hobby and AA are doing to me, I miss stropping 😂
#Monthofweckoning
I miss stropping
I left my strop hanging during vacation, and I worried that the cat would play with it and ruin it. Fortunately, it seems intact 😌
Fortunately, it seems intact 😌
Phew!
I used Soft Heart today. RIP, a great soap base. Good thing Omnibus is also very good.
💯
I seem to remember will mentioned that Omnibus is the result of him tweaking soft hearts to be firmer. I really like both very much
August 19, 2023
- Preshave: Cold Water
- Brush: Zenith 506U XS Horse 🐎
- Razor: Greencult GC 2.0 II
- Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (18)
- Lather: Cella Aloe Vera
- Post Shave: Mennen Le Grand Large
- Post Shave: Nivea After Shave Balm
AA reboot: I’m back in Paris, and it’s 29 degrees in our flat (at nearly 11:00 PM). 🥵🥵
What is stable?
- blade
- brush
All the rest has changed. Instead of the “artisan” Amber Fougère, I’m using the more industrial Cella Green (remaining in Italy, at approximately the same price point). The razor is a clear upgrade: the GC 2 gave me a closer shave in 2 passes than the DE 89 in 3. The aftershave is refreshing, and the balm is nice.
Have a good night, and may the frost gods smile on us.
Perhaps this has been covered already… but did you know that you’ve failed AA?!
Yes, I know, but I continue with my own kind of challenge.
I’m just happy to see you not getting burned.
- Brush: Muninn Woodworks w/AP Shave Co 24mm Titanium Synthetic
- Razor: Weck Sextoblade (Straight Shave 300)
- Blade: Kismet (19)
- Lather: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Soap
- Post Shave: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Aftershave
- Post Shave: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
- Fragrance: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Eau de Parfum
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Kismet Blade - Losing My Edge
#Monthofweckoning
Today I went for a luxury lather. I loaded longer than I normally, do and spent more time building for each pass. With a soap as good as SV, you really need to do this. It allows you to experience the full quality that this soap offers. I used Midnight Stag last August and thoroughly enjoyed it (well, I don’t like making frag spray videos). SV, however, is on a whole other level. [Obviously, MOIMO]
No need for a microscope photo today.
Enjoy your weekend!
- Prep: Splash of Cool Water
- Razor: Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 - Open Comb
- Blade: Gillette - Nacet (Marathon) (517)
- Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag (White Label)
- Brush: Zenith - r/wetshaving MOAR BOAR B35/508A XL (42 uses)
- Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag (White Label)
- Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
Austere August: Day: 19
MRTNG’s Ultra Nightmare Mode
Midnight Stag Challenge䷀ General Notes
I let the soap dry out mostly between the last shave and this one, so such small loads, like half a swirl, would not fly any more. So this was a 4 swirl shave.
䷀ Razor and Blade Notes
(Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 - Open Comb ::: Gillette - Nacet - M ‹517 uses›)
Same: First pass has some tugginess to it. But no irritation that lasts longer than a little tuggy stroke. Latter passes feel fine and give a reasonably close shave. 3 pretty quick passes.
Razor and Blade Performance/Comfort Rating: 2 out of 5 (Okay)
䷀ Soap Notes
(Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - White Label)
I just love all the aspects of this scent!
Scent Strength: 6/10, nicely present during shaving.
Lather… 2 swirls wasn’t enough, when starting with a drier soap, so I went for a total of 4 today.
SEcond pass was a bit drier than my usual with the Slurry method.
Just did 3.
Hydration: Dry End of Perfect (for me)
- 1 sec load with a Very Wet brush
- = 5 passes of lather
Bowl: No Bowl
䷀ Brush Notes
(Zenith - r/wetshaving MOAR BOAR B35/508A XL ‹42 uses›)
Same: Comfortable soft tips that do flex some, but that are supported by a base with strong backbone. As with all young boars, I look forward to the tips splitting with more uses and getting softer with use.
During the Shave Feel:
Cheeks: Felt blade but comfortable
Neck: Felt blade but comfortable
After the Shave Closeness:
Cheeks: Close Shave
Neck: Several hairs are showing some tip length (still a pretty good shave)
Ending of Blades Ledger - entry form and the data spreadsheet
