The brush above was purchased from Strop Shoppe some years back, when Strop Shoppe was still in business. (They went out of business a while back, and Craig K has an interesting article in Sharpologist that explores some reasons for the demise of the business.) The brush’s handle is snakewood, and the knot, with its long loft, is very gentle indeed.
Despite the softness of the knot, it was easy to load with Mike’s Natural Hungarian Lavender shaving soap, and they — soap and brush — created a very nice lather indeed. With three passes of Fine’s Marvel razor (here on a bronze UFO handle) all traces stubble were removed, comfortably and easily.
A splash of D.R. Harris Old English Lavender Water (with a couple of squirts of Grooming Dept Hydrating Gel) finished job, and I sit how now with a smooth, soft, and fragrant face.
The tea this morning is Murchie’s Lemon Tea: “the flavour of fresh lemon on rich Ceylon, Darjeeling, Keemun, and Nepal black teas.”