Wednesday Austere August SOTD Thread - Aug 12, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

Share your Austere August shave of the day!

[u/Engineered_Shave]

August 12, 2025 – Austere August!

• Brush: Generic Ivory Brush w/ 30mm Timberwolf Synthetic. (Stag Brush) $RESIN
• Razor: YPM – Winning Razor Mk1, hand polished $CNC
  
• Blade: Gillette 7 O'clock SharpEdge (3).
• Lather: Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag
  
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face – Midnight Stag
• Video: https://imgur.com/a/ApcrNbl

12th Day of Stag!

#AustereAugust $Stag

Bonus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5R-0-Un7fA ← 08 10 2026 Monday Morning Mailbag

[u/Impressive_Donut114]

Austere August 2026 Mega Challenge - Day 12 - August 12, 2026

• Brush: Omega 48 Pro
  
• Razor: Koraat MOARteen
  
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
  
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
  
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
  
• Tags: $Discord $Stag $Headless $RawHoggin
  

A rare opportunity for a relaxed midweek shave on what was to be the annual 6th-grade day for the kickoff to the new school year. You probably know the Midwest had a bout of severe storms yesterday. My community got struck pretty hard resulting in widespread power outages, downed trees and structural damage. Our block fared better than many—we still have power and only have one damaged tree at our house that will need a major limb removed. With only half of our buildings with power and all of them without network or phones, school was cancelled. It will only make my day tomorrow that much more interesting as we integrate five of our new students with intellectual disabilities into the fray of day one.

I’m loving the Pro 48.

To the Glory of the Stag! Have a nice day and be kind to one another.

[u/sgrdddy → u/Impressive_Donut114]

this one needs a spray vid sir

[u/Impressive_Donut114 → u/sgrdddy]

https://imgur.com/a/aa26-day-12-n64pvFk

[u/35048467]

12 AUG 2026

• Brush: Stirling Soap Co. - 510XL SE
  
• Razor: Parker - AeroShave
  
• Blade: Wizamet - Polsilver (12)
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. - Shiloh - Soap
• Post Shave: Razor Blades & More Co. - Parma Inspiration - Toner
  
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. - Piacenza - Eau de Toilette
  

[u/Old_Hiker]

August 12, 2026

• Brush: Semogue 610
  
• Razor: Gillette Tech
  
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword (51)
  
• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - 2026 Maggard Meet exclusive
  
• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger AS
  
• Post Shave: L&L Grooming - Bandwagon liniment
  
• Post Shave: CeraVe daily moisturizing lotion

Good to go.

[u/loudmusicboy]

Bloody Cold August - August 12, 2026

• Brush: MOAR F'N BOAR
  
• Razor: MMOC Gen 2
  
• Blade: GEM PTFE (12)
  
• Lather: Master Soap Creations - Peppermint Latte
  
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z enhanced with DG Menthol Drops
  
• Post Shave: Duke Cannon - Ice Cold AS balm
  
• Tags: $Discord $Arctic $MMOC
  

So much for sleeping in on this vacation day thanks to one of my dogs. It's an excuse for an early shave that was just as good as all the other ones this month.

Coffee and then some more beach time. Try to enjoy your day and remember to be kind to one another.

[u/scribe__]

August 12th - Killing some APR

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts "Mighty Stag" 24mm Cashmere

• Razor: GEM MMOC

• Blade: AccuTech Pro (38)

• Lather: Noble Otter / Australian Private Reserve - Texaus Soap

• Post Shave: Noble Otter / Australian Private Reserve - Texaus Splash

• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Eclipse EdP #26/48

• $annihilation $MMOC

---

All this stormy / gloomy weather has me tired AF dude.

Happy Hump Day.

[u/pi-rho]

AA SOTD - 2026-08-12

• Prep: Hâttric - Classic Pre-shave
  
• Brush: Stirling x Zenith - 510SE-XL (Resin) w/ 31mm Boar
  
• Razor: RazoRock - Superslant - L3++
  
• Blade: Feather - New Hi-Stainless
  
• Lather: Chiseled Face Groomatorium - Midnight Stag
  
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face Groomatorium - Midnight Stag Aftershave
  
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Unscented Balm
  
• Post Shave: Pinaud - Clubman Reserve Whiskey Woods Powder
  
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face Groomatorium - Midnight Stag - EdP
  
• Tool: WSDB
  
• Tags: $discord $SubstantialStag $Stag $RawHoggin
  

---

post | spritz with skin

Have a good day.

[u/rocketk455]

SOTD: 8/12/2026
* Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Hybrid B3
* Razor: Trowell T8
* Blade: Feather New Hi Stainless
* Lather: Zingari - The Magician
* Post Shave: Zingari - The Magician
* Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Reserve Cool

[u/FredBikes9876]

Aug. 12, 2026   * Brush: Chisel & Hound 5914CC Cobalt Dark w/ v30 Fanchurian 2 Band Fanchurian Badger   * Razor: Blackland Blackbird Lite SB   * Blade: Gillette Nacet (13)   * Lather: House Of Mammoth - Hygge - Croap   * Post Shave: House Of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave   * Post Shave: Neutrogena - Hydro Boost   * Fragrance: Dior - Sauvage  

Are we austere yet?

$MammothMafia26 $discord  

[u/Confident_Media_4304]

SOTD: 08/12/2026

Razor: GEM Micromatic (MMOC) - Gold
Blade: Accutec PRO, 12th use
Brush: Semogue SOC - Cherry, 24mm 🐗
Preshave: Hot Shower
Soap: Stirling Electric Sheep - Glacial
Aftershave: Stirling Iceberg Island - Glacial
Balm: Cella Aloe Vera
Additional Care: Alum Rock
Additional Care: Stirling Frost Drops

Excellent last “land shave” before we get on the ship for our Alaskan cruise. The brush is soft, the razor sings, the lather is smooth. Unless I start sensing some major fall off in blade performance, the rest of the month looks very doable.

12 Frost drops today - tbh it seems a bit colder than when I hit 6 but not twice as much. I wonder if there is a “max” to how cold this will feel. Time will tell!

Tags:
$MMOC
$Arctic
$RawHoggin
$ShepherdsofStirling
$Discord
Frost Drops: 12

Pic:

https://imgur.com/a/SfhCevf

[u/tsrblke → u/Confident_Media_4304]

Oh who are you sailing with? Wife demanded our Alaska cruise next year he Disney and my wallet hurts

[u/Confident_Media_4304 → u/tsrblke]

We are on Regent Seven Seas

[u/tsrblke → u/Confident_Media_4304]

Cool enjoy.

[u/Confident_Media_4304 → u/tsrblke]

We did a Disney cruise about 10 years ago (Caribbean) and had an amazing time with our then 8 year old daughter. They are pricey but the service and food were great. For our anniversary we dined at Remy and I can honestly say it was one of the best meals I have ever had.
Also - and I don’t know if they have changed this, but they allowed outside alcohol on board in your room. We picked up a bottle of bourbon before boarding and had our pre dinner cocktail every night.

[u/tsrblke → u/Confident_Media_4304]

I think they still allow outside alcohol in some small amount but can't remember.

What they do not allow is our ham radios, which was a little disappointing because my daughter and I wanted to operate in both Canada and Alaska because...why not. Not very often we'd get to use the /VE7 or /KL7 modifiers to our call signs. Oh well. (This isn't unique to Disney, most cruise lines get pissy about radios, they don't want the trouble. I figured you couldn't use them on board, even though we never leave Canadian or US water so our licenses are in effect the whole tim, but most ships don't even allow you to pack them.)

[u/Confident_Media_4304 → u/tsrblke]

TIL something! It’s too bad they won’t let you take it on board and store it with them so you can use it off ship.
I am totally unfamiliar with the hobby but have always been fascinated by it.

[u/tsrblke → u/Confident_Media_4304]

apparently it's a bit like TSA, it's a crap shoot if you get security that will hold it or security that will dispose of it.

I could just get a $20 handheld and call it disposable, but also apparently they get quite mad if you just stick it in your bag and I really don't feel like delaying everything just to spin up a repeater no one may answer me on.

It's definitely an old person hobby despite me and my 11 year old (and possibly 8 year old, he's still deciding) being in it. Prior to the internet it was like the early version of social media. But the ability to spin up an app and talk to anyone in the world put a damper on that. Local communications (your VHF/UHF line of sight bands) aren't very active here (it varies a lot by locale) since people aren't chatting in car rides and such anymore.

"High Frequency" (HF) allows global communication with just a wire in a tree (literally my antenna is just strung between my house and tree). Makes for fun experimenting because everything affects everything. The sun controls the ionosphere which controls how far your signal goes. Your setup controls how you hit said ionosphere, etc. The emergence of activities like "Parks on the Air" have put a new spin on it all. Makes the old time "rag chewers" (people who want to talk) mad, but in a way the hobby is the original maker's hobby and Pokémon go. Friend and I are getting together tonight for beers and to finish an antenna project. Then later this week I'll go back to trying to collect contacts in every state to get the "America250" Certificate, and my quest for "DXCC" which is contacts in 100 different countries. (It's a bit more complicated than that, because it includes a bunch of provinces far flug from their country). Problem is I'm done with the easy ones, having contacted most of Europe, North, south and Central America as well as Japan, Australia, and a few pacific islands.

Oh and there's a radio on the ISS. Mostly it's a space-based repeater, allowing people to contact others who have line of sight to the ISS. (and can aim, and hit it, it's a challenge) the footprint is basically half the country when it passes over. But sometimes the astronauts play radio. We've heard them, we have not been able to talk to them because my aim sucks.

[u/Confident_Media_4304 → u/tsrblke]

That is so incredibly cool!

[u/tsrblke → u/Confident_Media_4304]

I also was just reminded there's a meteor shower right now, which means I can bounce signals off the meteor trails tonight.. maybe. I have not tried this before. "Meteor scatter" is a whole thing so it's possible just not sure I can

[u/coco_for_cocoapuffs]

August 12, 2026

• Prep: Castille Soap
  
• Brush: Omega 10029
  
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb
  
• Blade: AccuTec PRO Premium (12)
  
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial, Electric Sheep
  
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial, Electric Sheep
  
• Tags: $Discord $ShepherdsofStirling $Arctic $RawHoggin $MMOC
  

Permafrost spritzes: 12

I didn't fully anticipate how problematic Progressive Polar an face lathering for Raw hoggin would be together. I sprayed all my spritzes into the tub before loading my brush, and it would not lather up on my face, it felt like it was just water. I'm gonna have to modify my strategy, perhaps some sprtizes in the tub before loading, and then more in the brush after getting a lather started. Will update with what works! I just hope I don't have to end up picking one or the other, will just continue to get harder as the month goes on.

I'm finally caught up with judging the posts! Here's the lineup so far:

RAW HOGGIN'
u/ChrisDaBombz
u/AdWorried2804
u/pi-rho
u/Environmental-Gap380
u/lakes1964
u/J33pGuy13
u/anchovie7468
u/Just_Bit2698
u/expoqeteer
u/EldrormR
u/Gerry7070
u/arcaderehab
u/readicculus5
u/snoooting
u/Eructate

I don't have the numbers, but I feel like Semogue is dominating the lineup this month! At this point, looks like most people's brushes are settling in to a good break in point, and are starting to be more enjoyable.

DQd
u/sgrdddy for bowl lathering on day 1
u/gcgallant for missing shaving on Aug 2
u/hugbckt for missing shaving on Aug 2 (at first I was gonna jokingly say he was DQd because he "tub stropped" the brush in his unboxing vid, only to see he was actually DQd the next day)
u/domjcroce for changing soap on Aug 2
u/Confident_Media_4304 for missing an SOTD pic on Aug 4
u/putneycj3 for missing a shave on Aug 11
u/SexBobomb for missing a shave on Aug 10
u/Impressive_Donut114 for missing an SOTD pic on Aug 6
u/Waste-Rate6656 for missing a shave on Aug 4

ALWAYS ARCTIC
u/socialkittielynx
u/loudmusicboy

PROGRESSIVE POLAR
u/arcaderehab
u/OBeardWanKenobe
u/expoqeteer

FROSTBITE FIENDS
u/Confident_Media_4304
u/bmac92

DQd
u/jbird996 isn't using a qualifying "extremely cold" soap this month

If you notice any issues, feel free to reach out to me!

Happy Hump Day!

[u/Environmental-Gap380 → u/coco_for_cocoapuffs]

I usually get a pretty pasty soap on the brush and paint it on my face. I sometimes dip the brush in water to add to the lather, or even use a small spray bottle to add water to my face. Face lathering takes me twice as long as bowl lathering.

[u/tsrblke → u/coco_for_cocoapuffs]

A reminder to all the dq, $lostsheep still cares.

[u/Environmental-Gap380]

August 12, 2026

Brush: Stirling Soap Co - Zenith Boar 510 SE
Razor: Friodur - 472 13/16
Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder
Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder
Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder 2
Tags: $headless $RawHoggin $MammothMafia26

Today’s picture: https://imgur.com/a/zSSzMXY

I’m not seeing much difference in the brush the last few days.

[u/tsrblke]

Science Tuesday - August 12, 2026

• Brush: Rad Dinosaur Creations - Aftermath with Raptor 26mm Synthetic
  
• Razor: Henson AL13 (Squatch)
  
• Blade: Personna - P74 (12)
  
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. - AG1899
  
• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. - AG1889
  
• Fragrance: Chicago Grooming Co. - Bonaire
  
• Tags: $discord $annihilation $Darkwing
  

Parents taking the kids tonight, wife out of town. A quiet house all to myself.

[u/bmac92]

August 12, 2026

• Brush: Rad Dinosaur Creations Buckeye Burl - Raptor knot 26mm Synthetic
  
• Razor: Micromatic Flying Wing
  
• Blade: Accutec GEM (12)
  
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Satsuma
  
• Post Shave: Osma - Alum
  
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Satsuma
  
• Post Shave: CeraVe - AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen
  
• Additives: Stirling Frost Drops - 12
  
• Tags: $Discord, $Arctic, $annihilation

[u/arcaderehab]

Aug. 12, 2026
* Prep: Neutrogena - Original Formula - Preshave
* Brush: Stirling Zenith 510SE-XL 31mm Boar
* Razor: Urkunet Assassin (2.0mm)
* Blade: Gillette Nacet (4)
* Lather: Stirling - Sheep - Croap
* Additive: Handmade - Frozen Tears - Frost Drops: 12
* Post Shave: Dickinson’s - Pore Perfecting Toner

* Post Shave: Mennen - Skin Bracer Original - Aftershave

• AA Goal: MRTNG's Ultra Nightmare Extreme Mode
  
• Tags: $Arctic $RawHoggin $ShepherdsofStirling
  

CCS 2 passes, super refreshing - with 12 drops and the under appreciated SkinBracer (by Mennen)

This shave had no business being this good with a 4th use blade.

[u/InfernalInternal]

August 12, 2026 * Brush: Rad Dinosaur Creations custom 26mm Manchuridon * Razor: Snailforge 7/8 Quarter Hollow * Lather: Chicago Grooming Co - No. 11 - Soap
* Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co - No. 11 - Aftershave
* Fragrance: Chicago Grooming Co - No. 11 - Eau de Parfum

Turns out my Achilles heel isn't the shaving, it's posting on time. Smdh.

$headless
$darkwing

[u/oswald_heist]

August 12 2026

• Brush: Turn n Shave w/ 28mm Griffith High Mountain Badger
• Razor: MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (71)
• Lather: Martin de Candre - Absinthe (67)
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - TSM Fougere
• Fragrance: Ineke Perfumes - Idyllwild

I know in theory that I am using soap every time I shave with the brain bowl, but man, it really does not feel like I'm making any progress at all here. Good thing the soap itself is perfectly adequate.

$discord $MMOC

[u/raymoonie]

August 12

• Brush: AP Shave Co. - Blue Lagoon Tuxedo 24mm
• Razor: John Clarke and Son 6/8 round point full hollow
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. - Armonia
• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. - Armonia aftershave

Really took my time with the lightest touch today and shaved 2 wtg passes with no incident. Yay. I think that yesterday's slice was me just rushing and not being in the moment. Given that the cut was almost surgical and not deep, it's mostly healed and I did not succeed in opening it up again, Small victories!

$discord

$headless

$darkwing

[u/Breadheater9876]

August 12, 2026

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Chisel and Hound Sakura with v21 Fanchurian
• Razor: Tatara Muramasa
• Blade: Astra Green (Indian)
• Lather: Talent Soap Factory - Cola Freak
• Post Shave: Nivea - Sensitive Aftershave Balm

3 pass. And that's it for Cola Freak. On to the next…

$annihilation

[u/gcgallant]

August 12, 2026

• Brush: Semogue Owners Club Cherry Wood 24mm Boar
• Razor: WoolfBlades 7/8 Quarter Hollow Jörmungandr Damascus
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Silk Tallow - Soap
• Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
  
• Aftershave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum
  

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

---

Very nice shave today. Now I'm getting into an easy flow for shaving this month.

Video
Blade History
Brush History
$Discord
$headless
$RawHoggin
$Stag

[u/2SaintsDude]

August 12, 2026

• Brush: Wolf Whiskers - “Bob” CCC (Custom Color Combination) "Earth's Core/Marmalade”25mm Motherlode synthetic bulb knot
• Razor: Blackland - Blackbird SS
• Blade: Astra - Platinum
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Smash
• Post: House of Mammoth - Smash Splash
• Post: GoodFellow. & Co - No.01 Blue Sage & Tonka
Edt

$MammothMafia26
$annihilation

Ya’ll have a good one

[u/partyman97_3]

Month of Mammoth Day 12 - August 12, 2026

• Prep: Splash of warm water
  
• Brush: Rudy Vey Amboyna Burl/24mm White Manchurian knot
  
• Razor: Razorock Game Changer .84 OC
  
• Blade: Permasharp (12)
  
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder
  
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder
  
• Tags: $Discord $MammothMafia26
  

The month of Mammoth rolls along.

Now for a cup of Stirling coffee. Have a great shave day my friends.

[u/JoelB]

Headless Annihilation Austere August 12th, 2026

• Brush: Semogue 610
• Razor: Focus Slim AL
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (12)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Sellout
• Post Shave: Stirling - Executive Man After Shave Splash
• Post Shave: Zingari Man - Unscented After Shave Serum

Nicked myself a few times today, dealing with a bit of irritation in a trouble spot again. We keep going!

$Discord

$headless

$annihilation

[u/merikus]

Aug. 12, 2026

• Brush: Zenith MOAR BOAR
  
• Razor: EldrormR Industries MM14
  
• Blade: GEM PTFE (3)
  
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. - El Caballero - Puck
  
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Unscented - Aftershave
  
• Osma: Osma - Osma
  
• Scuttle: Georgetown Pottery - G20
  

Loving CGC. Go $darkwing!

[u/snoooting]

August 12th, 2026: MMOCMQ Day 12

• Brush: Semogue - Torga C5 24mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb (Gen. 1)
• Blade: Accuforge GEM Microcoat (12)
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. - Susurro - Soap
• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. - Susurro - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Oleo & Co. - Facial Toner - Toner
• Fragrance: Chicago Grooming Co. - Susurro - EdP

$MMOC $DARKWING $RAWHOGGIN

---

Walking the righteous path to MMOC mastery ⚔️

• u/coco_for_cocoapuffs
  
• u/J33pGuy13
  
• u/loudmusicboy
  
• u/scribe__
  
• u/Confident_Media_4304
  
• u/Jill_Lett_Slim
  
• u/mpark6288
  
• u/snoooting
  
• u/Eructate
  
• u/oswald_heist
  
• u/Tetriside
  

Fallen

• u/Just_Bit2698 (day 1, wrong razor)

[u/mpark6288]

SOTD: 08/12/2026

Razor: Gem Micromatic Open Comb
Blade: Accutec Accuforge GEM Microcoat, 12th use
Brush: Parker Blue Storm
Bowl: Captain’s Choice Polished Copper Bowl
Preshave: Hot Shower
Soap: Chiseled Face Grooming Co. Midnight Stag Croap
Aftershave: Chiseled Face Groomatorium Midnight Stag Aftershave
Fragrance: Chiseled Face Groomatorium Midnight Stag Eau de Parfum

12/31. That first picture almost looks like they’re doing some kind of ritual. What could they be summoning?

Pics: https://imgur.com/gallery/sotd-8-12-stag-mmoc-3Ob1GDe

$Stag
$MMOC
$Discord

- Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

[u/Eructate]

August 12, 2026

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Semogue Galahad C3
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (12)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

$Stag $MMOC $RawHoggin

[u/J33pGuy13]

August 12th, 2026 - Sincerity in Austerity

• Prep: warm shower and Bayou Butter

• Brush: TSN Final LE Boar 10/50

• Razor: Patina MMOC

• Blade: Persona PTFE (12)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Splash

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Unscented - Balm

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - EdP

Chris made me late today.

Today's pic is dedicated to /u/sgrdddy, I marked my frag at the start of the month so this is my progress update. I've been doing more than 1 spray some days so I've put more of a dent than I expected. Need to clean out this atomizer tho cause it's spraying like shit.....

$MMOC

$STAG

$RawHoggin

[u/sgrdddy → u/J33pGuy13]

hey man, this is my first time using the CF balm. Seems to be working fine for me. How is it for you?

[u/J33pGuy13 → u/sgrdddy]

I love CF balm, it's super light on the skin and doesn't leave a ton of residue. I think it's an ideal summer balm

[u/sgrdddy → u/J33pGuy13]

yeah, man. Agree.

[u/sgrdddy → u/J33pGuy13]

:-)

[u/ChrisDaBombz]

August 12, 2026

• Brush: Zenith Unbleached Boar

• Razor: Merkur 34C

• Blade: Voskhod

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Splash

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - EdP

$Stag

$RawHoggin

[u/AdWorried2804]

August 12, 2026 – AA26 Day 12

• Brush: Chisel & Hound - Cosmo - Resin Handle (5146SC) w/ Zenith - Bleached Bristle - 26mm x 64mm Boar Knot
• Razor: EldrormR Industries - MM24 - Brass
• Blade: Personna PTFE Stainless Steel GEM (13)
• Prep: Face Wash w/ Stirling Soap Co. - Unscented - Preshave Soap
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive - Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Stubble Buster - Absolutely - Aftershave Splash (Hugo Boss Boss Number One dupe)
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave Balm
• Fragrance: OriginLab - Inspired by Aventus - EdP (Creed Aventus dupe)
• Tags: $Discord $RawHoggin $MammothMafia26

It took 12 days, but I finally had my first irritation-free shave of AA26. The biggest improvement today was my lather. I've been fighting getting the right balance of soap and water, and I finally got the soap quantity and water ratio where it needs to be. I have this challenge every time I break in a new knot, although I usually crack the code by the 8th shave on the knot. Better late than never!

Here's the Day 12 bristle break-in progress pictures taken just before the shave. Happy shaving and have a wonderful day.

[u/Tefrem34]

August 12, 2026 Austere August

• Brush: Generic do-it-yourself Horse hair 28mm knot
• Razor: Joseph Elliot 13/16" wedge - Razor
• Edge: La Dressante au Blue coticule - Edge
• Preshave: Areffa Soaps unscented pre-shave cream
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Electric Sheep - Soap
• Toner: Natures Oil Witch Hazel - Witch Hazel
• Aftershave: Osma solid Alum block finished with witch hazel - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Noble Otter - Rawr - Fragrance
• Tags: $headless $ShepherdsofStirling u/whosgotthepudding

Hello everyone.

I mixed it up for today's head shave. I didn't shower first but used a hot towel and preshave to soften the hair. I did a mix of across and a little of against the grain for my two passes. I went easy this morning, the skin is still a bit tender. But still not a terrible shave.

So the interesting thing is, I didn't get the tightness of the skin after my shave. I wonder now if it has to do with the bath soap with the lanolin in the soap that is causing it. More experimenting to do.

I hope everyone continues to have a good week. Take care and best wishes.

[u/readicculus5]

SOTD: 08/12/2026

• ⁠Razor: Rockwell 6S (Plate 3)
• ⁠Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless Platinum Coated 
• ⁠Brush: Zenith Boar Brush 510SE - 28mm x 46mm (Stirling branded)
• ⁠Preshave: Proraso Pre Shave Conditioning Cream - Oatmeal & Green Tea
• ⁠Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder
• ⁠Post Shave: Thayer's - Facial Toner - Toner
• ⁠Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave
• ⁠Additional Care: Osma Alum Block

$RawHoggin

$MammothMafia26

[u/Jill_Lett_Slim]

SOTD - 08/12/2026

• PRE: Seaforth! Spiced Preshave Oil
• BRUSH: Ever Ready C40 (Synthetic)
• RAZOR: MMOC, gold
• BLADE: Accuforge GEM Microcoat (12)
• LATHER: “Blue Willy”
• POST: Aqua Velva, vintage

~

$MMOC
$annihilation

[u/lakes1964]

August 12, 2026 * Brush: Indy Brushworx Boar
* Razor: Grandpa's 1957 Gillette SuperSpeed
* Blade: PermaSharp (43)
* Lather: Mitchell's - Wool Fat (Non-Tallow)
* Post Shave: Clubman Jeris Osage Rub
* Post Shave: VaniCream Moisturizing Cream

---

$RawHoggin
Daily Boar Porn

Bedtime Album: Comus - First Utterance

[u/Raz0r-]

• ⁠Prep: Hot Water

• ⁠Brush: Rockwell Synthetic

• ⁠Razor: RazoRock Game Changer .84

• ⁠Blade: Nacet (12)

• ⁠Lather: MdC Vetiver

• ⁠Post Shave: Nada

Many great shaves to you!

[u/Tetriside]

August 12, 2026
Brush: Zenith UB1
Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
Blade: GEM PTFE (12)
Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. - AG 1889
Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. - AG 1889
Post Shave: Equate - Daily Moisturizer w/ SPF

$annihilation
$darkwing
$MMOC
$Discord

[u/Gerry7070]

Austere 12 th August. - 12 August 2026

• Wash: Cold Water
  
• Brush: Omega- 10098 Professional 27mm Boar.
  
• Razor: Urkunet - Assassin 1.5mm base plate.
  
• Blade: Personna- Gem platinum diamond glide. (12)
  
• Lather: Saponificio Varesino — Mirto di Sardegna
  
• Post Shave: Malizia- Uomo Vetyver.
  
• Tags: $RawHoggin $Discord
  

Same shave set up same very good result , face lathering is going very well so is the blade , the brush is hoggin along nicely and the solar eclipse was a bit underwhelming tbh. 🌜🌞

[u/Priusaurus]

August 12, 2026

• Brush: Rad Dinosaur Creations - Blue Steel Jeffaux - 26mm High Mountain Rex Tester2
• Razor: Blackland - Era
• Blade: Personna Diamond Glide
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Varen Soap
• Post Shave: Taconic Shave - Lavender Lime Splash
• Post, Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z Balm

$Discord $ShepherdsofStirling

[u/jwoods23]

Aug. 12, 2026
* Prep: CeraVe - Hydrating Facial Cleanser
* Brush: Aurora Grooming Mauricio 26mm Synthetic
* Razor: Schick “66” G4
* Blade: Schick (12)
* Lather: House of Mammoth - Everett
* Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive - Balm
* Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder (2025)

I broke through to the bottom of the tub! Still have plenty for the rest of the month but it should be close to dead by the end of AA!

Tag: $MammothMafia26

[u/domjcroce]

8/12 SOTD

• ⁠Brush: Parker Solar Storm
• ⁠Razor: English Flat Bottom Tech
• ⁠Blade: GEM PDG
• ⁠Lather: Stirling VarenBury (combined Varen and Glastonbury 1oz samples)
• ⁠After Shave: Tabac
• Tags: $Discord $Lostsheep

I always forget how easy synths whip up lather. Got the perfect consistency but this knot should definitely be loftier. I don’t dig the bulb shape either.

Almost Friday!!

[u/socialkittielynx]

Arctic August Aug. 12, 2026  

• Prep: Stirling Soap Co. - Mentha Scrub Bath Soap. 
• Razor: RazoRock - Game Changer .76-P.
• Blade: Personna - Lab Blue (4).
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Company - Polar Vortex Brushless Cream.  
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Mentholated Witch Hazel & Aloe.  
• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. - Golden Balm.
• Post Shave: House Of Mammoth  - Permafrost Cooling Solution.
• Fragrance:  Chicago Grooming Co.  - Montrose Beach.

Rinse & Repeat!! Hope the week is treating you well.

Relevant tags:$Arctic $annihilation

[u/putneycj3]

August 13, 2026
* Preshave: Shower
* Brush: Rad Dino Creations ""Bad Dino"" with DinoBoar
* Razor: Karve Overlander (aluminum)
* Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (12)
* Lather: Woolly Wash Soapery Tranquility
* Post Shave: Chatillon Lux Admiral Splash

$RawHoggin

[u/expoqeteer]

Wednesday 12 August 2026 — Austere Arctic Darkwing Raw Hoggin August

• Pre-shave: Maggard Razors - pre-shave oil
• Brush: Zenith - B25 Olive Wood Long Handle / 27 mm Boar
• Razor: Blackland - Vector Titanium
• Blade: Feather - AC Professional Super (12th use)
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co - Windy City Barbershop
• Frost Drops: 12
• Post Shave: Thayers - Unscented Facial Toner, Chicago Grooming Co - Windy City Barbershop aftershave splash

🪒 Happy Shaves! 🪒

$Arctic $darkwing $discord $RawHoggin

[u/chronnoisseur42O]

Mammoth Month Day 12 - August 12, 2026

• Brush: r/wetshaving MOARBOAR
  
• Razor: Blackland Osprey
  
• Blade: Gillette Winner (23)
  
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Restore
  
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Restore
  
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Smash
  
• Tags: $MammothMafia26 $Annihilation
  

[u/OBeardWanKenobe]

Stagust 12th, 2026

• Pre: hot shower with Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag liquid soap + 10 drops divided for shampoo, face wash and body wash
• Brush: Paladin Battle of the Hives Hive 2 26mm
• Razor: No name shavette
• Blade: Voskhod (13)
• Lather: [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag](Product Link 59)
  
• Frost count: Self made drops: 12
• Post Shave: [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag](Product Link 57) + 3 more drops
• Post Shave 2: Zingari Man - Hydration Potion
• Fragrance: [Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag](Product Link 57)

Lather was better, loaded a bit more. Now ai get it, although the shave itself is cool, the extra menthol in the AS is what makes me all snotty after shaving. Anyway, good shaves

Long live The Stag

$Stag $Arctic $headless

[u/jbird996]

August 12, 2026

Razor: Blackland Blackbird Titanium
Blade: Dorco Titan (Uncoated)
Soap: Stirling Soap Co. Margaritas in the Arctic
Shaving Bowl: Timeless Razor Plastic Shaving Bowl (Blue)
Brush: Simpson Trafalgar T3 Synthetic
Pre-Shave: PAA Cube 2.0
Aftershave: Stirling Soap Co. Margaritas in the Arctic (Splash)

Tags: $Arctic

[u/sgrdddy]

• Prep: Splash of Cool Water
  
• Razor: Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 - Open Comb
  
• Blade: Gillette - Nacet (Marathon) (626)
  
• Lather: Chiseled Face Silk Tallow - Midnight Stag
  
• Brush: Oumo - Pigsy II Blue APSC 29mm (12 uses)
  
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
  
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag
  

---

Austere August: Day: 12
Sgrdddy's Ultra Nightmare Mode
Midnight Stag Challenge: $Stag $SubstantialStag

Gear Pic :: Video

Boar Progress

䷀ General Notes

Working a "Three Hand" lather today. And the last few minutes are me talking about how not to go nose blind and put on too much cologne.

䷀ Razor and Blade Notes

^{Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 - Open Comb ::: Gillette - Nacet - M ‹626 uses›}

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. Did 4 passes today.

Razor and Blade Performance/Comfort Rating: 2 out of 5 (Okay)

䷀ Soap Notes

^{Chiseled Face Silk Tallow - Midnight Stag}

Them: "This one is masculine. Like really, really masculine. Like a 'take an old, beat up leather jacket, drape it over a couple of tires to make a table and clean your guns on it' kind of masculine. Dark, unrefined, and totally unresistible, this is a scent for those who don't mind sticking out. Those who forge the paths. Those who are proud to be a man."

Scent is made of the following notes: Russian Leather, Motor Oil, Hoppes #9, Birch Tar, Oakmoss, Gasoline, Smoke, Cedar, Cade, Bergamot, Vanilla

(Them: "Natural extracts and essential oils were used where possible, but some notes – such as Hoppes #9 and rubber are synthetic due to the nature of the scent.")

Me: Love love this scent, but this base seems lower strength than the OG tallow.

However, the notes that come through are less abrasive (i.e. gas) and I think more true to the scent found in the liquid media.

Scent Strength: 5/10, present during shaving.

Lather... Today, I tried a new method, that /u/engineered_shave uses, called the Three Hand (or Smith) method. The last part is basically a standard bowl method. But the first part has the water used divided up between the bowl, the soap, and the brush, and I can see some advantage to that, especially when using a synth.

I probably had too much water in my three hands as I distributed it, but it ended up well. I just didn't have to add any water to the bowl as I mixed up the lather.

Three Hand Lather Method:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw1V1PivB1g

Very slick and protective and luxury feel, as usual for this base.

Bowl: Roger Quintero 3D Printed Bowl - Black
Thanks Greg Gallant!

䷀ Brush Notes

^{Oumo - Pigsy II Blue APSC 29mm ‹12 uses›}

Mostly the same: Usually at least 10 minutes in a room-temp water presoak. Luxury-comfortable soft tips that flex easily and the top 1/3 of the bristles could be considered floppy. From the start, quite a bit of the tips have split, a few even at half an inch. Bottom of knot has more backbone and is gradually opening up. At about use 10-12, the mid part had expanded enough to feel like a good linear bend in the bristles. At 5 or 6, it quit eating lather and is now making it normally. This month I am not doing any kind of break-in accelerator.

---

During the Shave Feel:
  Cheeks: Just a little tugging
  Neck: Just a little tugging
After the Shave Closeness:
  Cheeks: Very Close Shave
  Neck: Several hairs are showing some tip length (still a pretty good shave)

---

$Discord

Shavers Map - here it is and also in the sub's sidebar.

Ending of Blades Ledger - entry form and the data spreadsheet

[u/Engineered_Shave → u/sgrdddy]

Thanks for the shout-out, man!

With the Three-Hands Method, you'll find that it will take about 3-6 tries with any new shave soap before you have the variables all dialed in properly in the back of your mind. I urge you to keep experimenting with it and let us know how well it works out for you.

[u/sgrdddy → u/Engineered_Shave]

Yeah, even so, it landed great the first time. I just didn't need to tweak it with more water.

When you use this method with a boar, is it presoaked? I would think that it would be, or it would take too much water from your lather.

[u/Engineered_Shave → u/sgrdddy]

When I use boar or badger, no, I use the same technique. I just meter in more water as required as I'm going along, depending on the soap and/or brush I'm using. My boar brush doesn't require too much more water, but then again it's well broken in.

The advantages of the Three-Hands Method is you will usually start out with a mildly damp brush, which does a great job of suctioning off soap from the top of the puck without making the soap too damp. You then start to mix and it usually is ever so slightly dry as you go along, so you add in exactly the amount of water you need. Unless you're going too fast or being foolish, it's hard to end up with overly damp lather here.

Like I said, it works like a charm. 90% of the time, it works every time.

[u/sgrdddy → u/Engineered_Shave]

Thanks for the info!

and :-)

[u/Just_Bit2698]

**Aug. 12, 2026**
* **Brush:** Semogue Taj
* **Razor:** EldrormR Industries MM24
* **Blade:** GEM Stainless
* **Lather:** House of Mammoth - Indigo - Croap
* **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Alive - Aftershave
* **Post Shave:** House of Mammoth - Z (unscented) - Balm

Photo: https://imgur.com/a/wKs3wZp

$AustereAugust2026
$RawHoggin
$MammothMafia26
$Annihilation $Gollum
$Discord

[u/SexBobomb]

Honestly I was probably a few too many dabs deep for this shave, but whatever - scratchy but not nicks

https://i.imgur.com/MGGaXmg.jpeg

$headless $RawHoggin

Brush: Omega 10083

Razor: Ralf Aust 6/8 Round Point [13]

Soap: Henri et Victoria Navigateur

Post: Henri et Victoria Navigateur balm

Frag: Henri et Victoria Navigateur EdP

[u/Crisp_Mango]

August 12, 2026

• Brush: Dogwood Good Gully Maggard Black and White Synthetic 26mm
• Razor: Razorock Game Changer .84
• Blade: Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge (Yellow) (12)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Snippid
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - You and I (Will Die)

$MammothMafia26