Monday SOTD Thread, June 9th, 2025 (#727)
DaveWave94 @ DaveWave94 @sub.wetshaving.social Posts 7Comments 694Joined 2 yr. ago
DaveWave94 @ DaveWave94 @sub.wetshaving.social
Posts
7
Comments
694
Joined
2 yr. ago
Thanks!
Oh, that's an interesting fact. Good to know! Over here in Germany, and as far as I remember also in Switzerland and Austria, all spouts look the same but there are colour indicators like on this Shell pump station - diesel is almost always black, while regular gas/fuel is either green, red, yellow or blue (depending on the branding of the gas station you're at: Shell = yellow or red, Aral = blue, and so on). I feel like the US solution is a bit more practical, though. Many people have wrecked their motors by putting the wrong fuel in their tank...
I'm a full day too late, but since I picked up my new car on Thursday in the late afternoon, the weather hasn't been great for taking photos. So I share some from before picking it up when it was at the car dealership:
Front view, surrounding cars cropped out Back view, had to censor out one of the salesmen in the background 😅Overall the Opel Mokka B is a great car, it's just a bit tough getting used to such a modern car. My previous car was an Opel Astra J Sports Tourer, which was way longer but made in 2012. The new one was manufactured at the end of 2023, so it has all kinds of new tech I am yet unfamiliar with. I finally have a working sound system again, which is quite enjoyable. Also, my old Astra was a diesel, new one drives on normal petrol/gas. It's good that the fuel tank is on the opposite site with this one, so I won't accidentally put the wrong fuel in it. Driving comfort is very high and feels familiar to my old one, even though Opel changed quite a while back from GM to Stellantis platform. I hope this car will serve me as well as the old one did!
Also, since I don't know where else to put it: since quite a while I have a new Matrix messenger address, it's @dave.anders94:matrix.org . The old one is broken/lost due to Onmail closing down and no opportunity to change emails on Element. Unfortunately all messages sent there are lost in the ether... Nowadays I use FluffyChat. I also changed my primary Lemmy app back to Raccoon since it allows me to edit my profile and bio, unlike Voyager. However, it sometimes does formatting weird - please show me if something I write looks weird on other appliances or webviews (Jerboa, Voyager, Alexandrite, etc.)! A little plus: @walden@sub.wetshaving.social , Raccoon shows the daily SOTD thread image in case you're interested!
It's a really high quality shopping bag 🤣
Huh, colour me impressed! I thought it was a massive ebony table. 😅
Yeah, I kinda got it back then because I was curious how well petrichor scents could really emulate my favourite nature scent of fresh rain on warm, dusty roads... Only to be hit with a blast from the past of Persil 😂
Awesome picture! This black theme goes really well together with the red accents of software and the Weck. What's the background, looks like a really quality piece of wood?
Unfortunately Bangarang mostly evokes memories of laundry day at my grandparents' house for me. Smells kinda like her laundry detergent of choice did 😅
Thanks and I agree. The written part is so heavy on theory that it's definitely the most difficult part for me too. 😅
Those Abalone razors are looking really great, makes even me want one despite never having used straight razors. I hope your order makes it to you soon, delays suck.
05.06.2025
- Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop/Fan hybrid
- Razor: RazoRock Hawk V2 w/ Cyber handle
- Blade: KAI Captain Protouch MG
- Lather: Noble Otter - Neon Sun
- Post-Shave: Lavera Men sensitive skin ASB
- Fragrance: Bentley for Men Intense EdP
-> 1 pass on both head and face plus a few touch-ups. A very comfortable shave. I've done this shave way earlier, but just now found the time to post.
Neon Sun is one of my comfort scents. I don't know if anyone else of you has some, but there are certain soaps and certain smells that just make me feel better instantly. It's slightly powdery and barbershop-like with a hint of citrus and a masculine fragrance. It's not overbearing, but it doesn't need to be. A true evergreen scent and it's actually like something that could've been used in the late 80s like the tub art suggests. Coupled with a new guarded AC blade in the Hawk, it was a very nice and smooth shave despite only taking a single pass!
So I'm done with my written exams since yesterday. Day 2 was a teenager in a psychiatric clinic suffering from bullying and neurodermatitis. Day 3 was an old women in a wheelchair who had a stroke and multiple other medical problems that required attention. But I must say, for each day I have the feeling that I have indeed passed. I wrote something down for every single question and gave it my all. Now it's just one practical exam in July and the oral exam at the end of August that's between me and my RN degree!
I also picked up my new car today, together with my dad. It's an Opel Mokka B in black with some red details. Beautiful design and a joy to drive, just need to get used to such a modern car. I might post some pictures and more details in tomorrow's FTF thread!
He does! But I think it wasn't his first time. His video has a very relaxing and oddly satisfying vibe though, really skilled dude with a calm voice.
02.06.2025
- Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop/Fan hybrid
- Razor: Leaf Thorn
- Blade: Perma-Sharp half DE
- Lather: Chiseled Face - Ghost Town Barber
- Post-Shave: Lavera Men sensitive ASB
-> again a single pass both on the dome and around the goatee, plus a bit of buffing/contouring for the beard.
Safety razors are totally superior for my skin and for getting crisp beard lines. At least in comparison to cartridges, I am not experienced with open blades except AC shavettes. GTB is one of my feel-good scents, it cheers me up. Much needed in the current hot phase of the exam period.
So Day 1 is behind me, I think it was enough to pass at least, but I don't expect anything better than a 3/C. I know it'd be very theoretical before, but this was a lot of dry theory... I gave it my all tho and that's what matters. I kinda look forward to tomorrow which should be more on the practical side, even though I anticipate something about children/pregnancy which really isn't my strong suit (I work with old folks in a nursing home). Nevertheless, I am eager to get it done! Let's go!
Kudos for having balls of steel for shaving with an outdoor knife. This reminded me of an old commercial where a few "tough guys" were shaving in a public bathroom. The toughest dude was shaving his head with a large bowie knife... afaik it was a commercial for an insurance company 😂 Unfortunately I wasn't able to find said commercial, but I found this Bob Ross of knives who even shaves his face clean from a long beard without properly lathering the soap with a brush. 🤯 I mean sure, in ancient times that was how everyone shaved. Still takes a lot of skill and massive intestinal fortitude...
Thanks! I'll do my best!
Thank you very much!
01.06.2025
- Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop/Fan hybrid
- Razor: Wilkinson Sword Hydro
- Blade: Hydro 3-blade cartridge
- Lather: Wholly Kaw - King of Bourbon
- Post-Shave: OAM sensitive skin toner
-> single pass head and face shave. Alright, I won't even pretend this was some kind of luxury. It was a cartridge shave for the sake of saving time and not cutting myself with my shaky hands.
King of Bourbon was amazing though. As always. Somehow this slightly sweet and definitely bold scent manages to take my mind away from worrying. Also, WK Siero is so good to shave with.
As for the cartridge? Couldn't care less. It's one of those extra flexible cartridge razors, apparently for people with no wrist mobility or extreme tremors. It worked well, no questions. But I seriously don't care about cartridges anymore. Mostly due to the lubra-strip, this hellish invention of either a strip of lubricating chemicals or like this one, those lubricants housed in some silicone contraption. I like that you can flat out remove in on their 5-blade carts, since that stuff is simply useless with a good slick soap like WK. Sadly that isn't possible with the Hydro 3, which are better for my skin since less blades. Cartridges also suck for any kind of beard contouring, which oddly was what originally got me into traditional wetshaving tools around 2020. You simply can't achieve straight lines with them.
This was the last shave before my written exams start tomorrow. I am very well prepared, but still got some nerves. Well, at least I can look forward to some nice safety razor shaves once it's done. Let's rock this and get shit done! 😎
Last weekend before the written final exams. To say I'm nervous would be an understatement, but at least I recognize it and take some measurements to calm down. Really looking forward to the time when all of it is done and I can finally be myself again...
It definitely somehow helped me to appreciate the hobby aspect again. Not really the FOMO and staying up late to catch a certain drop of soap or brushes - that's gone for good. But the simple enjoyment is back and that's cool. 👍🏻 Thank you very much 🙏🏻
26.05.2025
- Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop/Fan hybrid
- Razor: Leaf Thorn
- Blade: Perma-Sharp half DE (fresh)
- Lather: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist
- Post-Shave: OAM sensitive skin toner; alverde men aftershave balm
-> 1 pass on both head and face. Mostly ATG on the dome, mostly WTG on the face. Great shave.
Today I postponed picking up my new car until after the exams. My stress levels were getting so high that even my parents began to worry about me, which is never a good sign. It's not good to have two big milestone events of my life conflicting with each other. I was at the dealership with my father, we looked at the new car and took some photos and I signed all the necessary contracts and made my deposit. Everything's prepared for next week, but until after the exhausting exams.
Anyways, back to our regularly scheduled SOTD program: after I mentioned HoM Tobacconist yesterday, I couldn't get it out of my head. So of course I had to use it today. What a magnificent scent, this could definitely be my desert island soap. I think FMoM is a close second, but still second. Also, Mammoth's Tusk base is a pleasure to work with: hassle-free lather, very fast and good slickness. I'm aware that Vida from Chicago Grooming does the soap base for Ben and I also never had a problem with any of her soaps either. Granted, haven't tried her newest base yet.
You know, it's kinda funny how now in the most stressful time ever I start to shave more and appreciate the hobby aspect of it again - finally! It kinda helps me to calm down and get my thoughts sorted, something sorely needed atm. Maybe @walden@sub.wetshaving.social 's sample letter was also part of igniting the spark again. Maybe I'll get myself a nice set when all of this is finally over in September. Thanks for reading, folks ✌🏻
25.05.2025
- Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop Fan hybrid
- Razor: Leaf Thorn
- Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum
- Lather: Barrister and Mann - The Full Measure of Man
- Post-Shave: OAM sensitive skin toner; alverde men aftershave balm
-> 1 pass on the head, 2 on the face. Minor irritation on the face, otherwise a very enjoyable shave.
Had a busy day. Apart from studying, I also cleaned out my old car and put its summer tires in the trunk. Tomorrow it's the final drive with it - I'm leaving it at the dealership and Wednesday I'll pick up my new car! A bit excited, a bit sad. My old car has gone through a lot with me, but sadly it's falling apart and is definitely at the right time for permanent retirement. I'll need to get a rental car tomorrow, I hope they have something small. Don't really need something as big and long like my current old car if I have to be extra careful...
FMoM is such a great tobacco scent. Perhaps it'd be my top spot if HoM Tobacconist wouldn't exist. Still, this one is beautifully dark and comparable to a high quality cigar. I had to work a bit harder than usual to get a great lather and had to redo it for the face shave, but I chalk this up to nerves - still, it was as great as can be. While I liked the other B&M bases I tried so far (thanks to PIFs and generous samples), Omnibus is really high quality. Especially noticeable on head shaves, where one needs good residual slickness for an even result.
Hope everyone had a nice weekend. 👍🏻
24.05.2025
- Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop/Fan hybrid knot
- Razor: Leaf Thorn
- Blade: Perma-Sharp half DE
- Lather: Australian Private Reserve - Raconteur
- Post-Shave: Benecos - 2in1 face & aftershave balm
- Fragrance: Bentley for Men Intense EdP
-> 2 passes on the head and on the face. Great shave on the dome, some minor irritation on the face but still comfortable enough. Sample kill!
Ok, I kinda need to explain the constant shift between facial hair styles: I went back to smooth cheeks and just a goatee since due to the current stress of my final exams drawing closer and closer, my facial hair is shedding a lot. Especially on the cheek area. I'm not that fond of the full goatee anymore, but atm I will use it to grow out the moustache and soul patch enough to not look weird - it's simply a bit too short right now. I don't know what causes this shedding, but I think it's the culminating stress.
Still had my sample tray with Raconteur in it and it was plenty for two full shaves (face and head), so I used it. Huge thanks to @walden@sub.wetshaving.social for allowing so many of us to use this unobtainable soap. I kinda have to revise my earlier statement from Wednesday: Raconteur is much more of a sophisticated, high-class scent than VoA or Midnight Stag. While those two perfectly represent the lower to middle class work of bikers and car mechanics, Raconteur is more of the office friendly scent. And I don't mean a call center office, more like a lawyer's/attorney's office if you catch my drift. Somehow I got the lather even better today, it didn't even dry out my skin too much.
Ok, enough pointless rambling. Have a great weekend y'all ✌🏻
22.05.2025
- Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop/Fan hybrid knot
- Razor: Leaf Thorn
- Blade: Perma-Sharp half DE
- Lather: Australian Private Reserve - Raconteur
- Post-Shave: Moon Soaps - OldSchool "balm"
-> 2-pass head shave and a very great one if I may add.
Even though I wanted to drop out of BVWSC until further notice, @walden@sub.wetshaving.social generously provided me with a sample too. Maybe he knew this scent is right up my alley? Anyways, I couldn't let this generous opportunity pass even though my shave got delayed quite a bit by studying and beard trimming:
I had no problems to lather the APR base, perhaps this one likes soft water. My experience with APR is extremely limited, but I once got a small sample for the Lather Games '21 (IIRC it was "Fenchurch"?). It left my skin a bit dry after shaving, though that's not uncommon for me. Overall it was pretty slick.
Now the scent is the real star: a great blend of leather and woody notes, generally a warm scent IMHO and somehow very comfy. Like driving around while wearing your favourite leather jacket. The runny Moon Soaps "balm" kinda fits nicely, even though it's way sweeter than Raconteur. I know you folks like kinda bizarre comparisons, so here's one: I think Raconteur is the well-groomed, toned down cousin of Midnight Stag and Valley of Ashes. Does a solid and stable job and won't overstay it's welcome. Also definitely more of a people pleaser than the aforementioned "fuck you, I wear this for myself"-scents.
Have a good time, everyone. 👍🏻
09.06.2025
-> 2-pass head and face shave; good shave except some irritation from shaving around the goatee...
I don't know how I managed to need an alum block with guarded blades; it seems like my face really doesn't like shaving that much. I wasn't overly reckless, in fact it was rather slow and controlled. Well, seems like I still lack the muscle memory.
Apocalypse is a nice summer aquatic scent that reminds me of warmer days - while we got some sun today, it was still rather windy and a bit cold for June.