Day 13/31 of Looking for Serenity in Austerity

• Brush: Semogue Owner's Club (cherry wood and boar) (13)
• Razor: Zwilling J. A. Henckels Friodur 50 (7/8", hollow ground, stainless steel, masonic deco) (11)
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Roman Spice
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Roman Spice
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Roman Spice

I'm solidly back on the morning shave routine train and that feels good. I was almost expecting that, after yesterday's ultra-smooth Friodur 17 Second Luxury Shave™, this 50 would feel rough by comparison, but this edge and razor still feel smooth and pleasant. It just feels lighter, less deliberate, less substantial.

Nose blindness is setting in and the scent of Roman Spice starts to escape me while lathering and shaving. I still get the splash and the frag, so that's good, but I'm getting tempted to go more than my usual 2 spritzes, which is probably not the best idea for a day at the office.

Oh, and the brush is winning me over.

$FriodomRiders $HoneMeisterschaft $RawHoggin

August 13, 2024

• Brush: Maggard 24mm 2 Band Badger
• Razor: Gillette Tech (Z-4)
• Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum (1)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Port-Au-Prince - Soap
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - The Night Before - Aftershave
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo - Balm

$Discord
$ShepherdsofStirling
Progress Album

It has been a while since I've used a BIC. Very close shave, but that's probably more due to using a Tech.

I loaded what I thought was a ton of soap, and it ended up just being on the high side of average (3.2g, average is 2.8g this month). Excellent lather as always with this base.

August 13, 2024

• Brush: Zenith r/Wetshaving 31mm x 57mm Moar Boar

• Razor: J.A. Henckels Friodur 14 Full Hollow Square Point

• Lather: Chicago Grooming - AG 1889 - Soap

• Toner: Thayers - Lavender - Toner

• Aftershave: Chicago Grooming - AG 1889 - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Guerlain - Jicky - Eau de Toilette

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave. $headless $FriodomRiders #NoStrop

Edge Condition Album

I was on autopilot today and was done with the shave before I realized it. And I had yet another BBS, comfortable, no drama shave. The last couple of days, I have noticed stubble reforming earlier in the day than I would normally, but I can't help but rate these shaves excellent. By this time in the month I fully expected to change from my "ignore the grain" 2-pass pattern to my more traditional 3-pass pattern. I need practice on the latter, so I'm hoping that tomorrow's microscope image shows some wear.

I'm absolutely loving the Darkwing base. This is my only Chicago Grooming soap, and I fully intend to remedy that.

13.08.2024 - And again menthol

• Prep: cold water
• Brush: Omega Roma Colosseo 31 mm
• Razor: Leaf Thorn
• Blade: snapped BIC Chrome Platinum (new)
• Lather: Moon Soaps - Union
• Post-Shave: Thayer's Original toner; Phytorelax Aftershave scalp cream

-> 2 pass head shave and again a bit contouring. Cool and good.

Today was the hottest day of the year in Germany, with temperatures rising to over 35°C and the "felt temperature" (aka how hot/cold does it feel like for the average person) rising over 40°C. Even after two showers in a single day, I still didn't feel so fresh. Time for some menthol again - I reached for the safe option, barbershop scent with a tiny little amount. I could've definitely used something with a stronger menthol content today though... Sometimes, laid back doesn't quite cut it.

I also used a "new" snapped BIC blade today, or rather the remaining half. It's quite impressive how efficient their cut is when they're fresh!

Now that the bot is back in business, may I kindly request that we get a Free Talk Friday thread again? My ADHD simply doesn't allow me to remember posting one of these on time, but I feel something lacks when we don't have one.

AA24 - Day 13 - Picture Day

• Brush: Zenith Multi-Color (2006 XSE) 21mm Unbleached Boar Knot

• Razor: Aylsworth Razors Drakkant Plus

• Blade: Gillette Platinum [13]

• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Varen - Soap (Mutton Tallow)

• Post Shave: Summer Break Soaps - Picture Day - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Summer Break Soaps - Picture Day - Eau de Parfum

• Tags: $ShepherdsofStirling $RawHoggin $Discord

I took some inspiration from u/Priusaurus for today's shave. It also reminded me that I need to use Picture Day more often.

The boar stank is hanging on to this knot, but at least it's breaking in nicely.

Brush Break-In Progress Album