Posts made by Brodie

Weather has finally cooperated on a weekend. Smoke's in the air for the first time this year.

@flannel-slut Thanks!

Things were a little sketchy that first wear after the soak (they were pretty damn tight before the soak)...so I was slightly second guessing my life choices after I finally got them buttoned. But after a bit, they weren't comfortable, but they weren't uncomfortable...which was a major win in my eyes.

Second day, easier to get on...still not comfortable, but definitely trending in that direction. And the third day, I'd almost say they are comfortable. Once they are on, and I move just a little, they get locked into the right position on my hips...and they are totally good to go. I'm a 777 guy, so finding the right spot for these to sit took me a minute...but I think they are golden now.

Stoked to hear that they are only going to get better from here!

First 888 cut. First experience with XHS. First wear, after the first soak.

Need them to stretch just a touch in the waist, and also get them hemmed. But pretty pleased with how they turned out for "flying blind" with these.

(I guess not totally blind, I did read this thread several times to help give myself the best shot at sizing. So thanks to all who have contributed to this thread...you have helped me, and many more I'm sure, figure out sizing and how to handle these bad boys)

@Graeme Love that 222...would love to see it in person.

Funny enough, just based on pictures, I think I may prefer the gold version. And I am not a yellow gold guy. But for whatever reason, I seem to be drawn to that one a little more.

A little sun on my morning walk.

(Ignore that unscrewed crown...bad job by me. I remedied it as soon as I noticed it after taking this photo)

@Matt Awesome, thanks for the reassurance! You've officially inspired another purchase. Looking forward to giving it a go!

I noticed a couple oils listed in the ingredients of AKT. This always gives me pause, as I've tried one or two natural deodorants that used oil and it ended up staining my t-shirts with oil-like stains. Have any of you noticed this? Or clean shirts all around?

@Mizmazzle Ya, I knew mine were looking a bit matte (which I didn't mind), but didn't realize just how matte they were until I saw your photo. I'll definitely take a brush to them soon and see if I can restore a bit of that luster to give them at least a little pop that they deserve.

@Mizmazzle Thanks dude...will do!

@Mizmazzle Like I said, damn near boxfresh. But we'll consider this a starting point on the road to lookin like yours...

@Mizmazzle Ya, I think there were a few factors that lead to my initial feelings. It was my first pair of Shell, so it just "felt" dressier. And all those little eyelets (I'm more of a 7-eyelet guy), combined with the color, had me feeling they were more formal.

Glad I saw the light a couple weeks ago. I've worn mine so little, they still look relatively new. Your photos have inspired me to keep wearing them consistently, though...your's looks fantastic! Hopefully I'll get there soon enough.

Cheers!

@Mizmazzle Too funny, I just started wearing my Scuffed #8's (2030) again, recently. In my head they were much more formal looking and more burgundy like my #8 CXL's.

I broke them out a couple weeks ago, and just fell in love with the color, and found they dress down with no problems at all. Not sure why the dressier thing ever entered my head.

And like you, I think they might be my best fitting pair of boots too. They've been getting lots of on feet time lately...just love them.

@Chap Can confirm what @Nocturama has observed. We had a gas fueled Ooni for years, and recently upgraded to a big wood-fired oven. I bought it mostly because I do a lot of BBQ'ing on an offset smoker, so I have plenty of wood around, and I really enjoy working a fire. Per my research, I didn't expect there to be any smoky or wood flavor added when using the new oven, and after using it for 18 months, I can confirm that that's the case, and there is no added flavor by burning a live fire. Like I said though, I didn't buy it for that reason, so no problem at all for me.

As far as dough, I'm always messing around with different flour and hydration levels, etc...but my go-to is the Tony Gemignani recipe from his book, which is a 48 hour Poolish recipe...but I bump the hydration up to 70%. Develops good flavor, and cooks well on my ovens. But as mentioned, I'm always experimenting...trying to unlock the next level

@endo We started messing around with focaccia last Fall. We just used this recipe:

https://www.emmafontanella.com/no-knead-focaccia

Done it twice, and it's turned out great both times...the only real tweaks we made was cooking it a little less than recommended...we like a a nice doughy soft bite. Unfortunately I don't have any money shots of the loaf cut open though.

Pretty easy recipe, takes a bit of time...but most of it is non-active, and just letting it rise and rest.

All this pizza talk inspired me to fire up the pizza oven on a cold winter night yesterday. Glad I did, all the pies hit the spot.

@kkibbey23 Were those PM versions available for purchase? Or display only?