My Simpson Emperor 2 is a nice little brush. I had an Emperor 1 but shed it along the way. It worked, but it was no Wee Scot. I loaded an excellent lather from Meißner Tremonia’s Moroccan Rhassoul, which has a pleasant fragrance, and did not need to add any water while loading despite the soap’s clay content.
I love this iKon stainless slant. It fell from favor for a while because it seemed to nick, but then I figured out that it was not the slant, it was me: I was using a bad angle, with the handle too close to my face. Once I corrected that, and continued with light pressure, it once again was totally comfortable (which for me includes “not inclined to nick”) and highly efficient. It was like a falling out with a friend when you finally, uncomfortably realize that the person at fault is yourself, and you need to shape up in some area or another. So I feel some chagrin, but that is tiny compared to the pleasure of having this slant as one of my best ever.
Three passes resulted in that wonderful Monday smoothness, and I used Origins Fire Fighter, not to put out any burn (there was none), but just as a pleasant balm. Men who routinely use an aftershave to “take the burn out of shaving” should rethink their shaving tools and method. Shaving done right is a burn-free experience.
The tea this morning is Murchie’s Ceylon Kenilworth: “a bright and oaky Orange Pekoe, with body and strength. The Kenilworth Estate is known for producing creamy teas with rich, full body.” and it is indeed very pleasant. (It’s interesting how the old name for Sri Lanka lingers on in, for example, the name for a variety of tea.)