Whipped Dog silvertip, Plant Java Hive, and the DOC Yaqi

I bought this little octagonal-handled silvertip from Whipped Dog years ago — about $30, as I recall. At the time, it seemed to be popular to set the knot deeper than the standard depth, which narrows its range and stiffens it somewhat. I prefer softer knots, so I went with the standard depth, and the brush has been eminently satisfactory.

This morning I chose the unusual honey + coffee fragrance of Phoenix Artisan’s Planet Java Hive, here in the CK-6 formulation. The lather from that formula is exceptional, and I love the fragrance.

Three passes with Yaqi‘s quite wonderful double-open-comb razor left my face perfectly smooth for a splash of the matching aftershave — a great beginning for a new day.