Thread: Brush for face lathering

I'm thinking about picking up a second brush to use when I make lather right on my face. I usually make uberlather but occasionally like to face lather. My current silvertip badger certainly works but I'm wonder what the characteristics of a brush are that make it particularly well suited to face lathering. Two band vs. three? Boar over badger? Smaller sizes maybe?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I am very happy with my Chubby 1, but for a lower price a Simpson Berkeley is a very good face lathering brush.

There are of course many other brushes that will be good to, as with everything with this hobby YMMV, but for face lathering I would look for a brush with short loft.

I do face lathering exclusively and to tell you the truth all my brushes do great jobs. Now I don't have any horse or boar or pure badgers so I don't know about them but either my Thaters or 2 band badgers all work great.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I do face lathering exclusively and to tell you the truth all my brushes do great jobs. Now I don't have any horse or boar or pure badgers so I don't know about them but either my Thaters or 2 band badgers all work great.

Thanks, I've read 2 band badgers are good for face lathering. A little stiffer maybe?

What about shapes? I would think the more 'fan' shaped brushes would be better for swirling on the face, whereas a more 'bulbous' shaped brush would be better for painting lather on the face. Yes? Maybe?

Originally Posted by eflatminor

I'm thinking about picking up a second brush to use when I make lather right on my face. I usually make uberlather but occasionally like to face lather. My current silvertip badger certainly works but I'm wonder what the characteristics of a brush are that make it particularly well suited to face lathering. Two band vs. three? Boar over badger? Smaller sizes maybe?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

They all do the job. I think the bottom line is how if feels on your face. I like a smaller and stiffer brush (best badger) when shaving with a DE because I can work up a lather faster. When using a straight I want a softer brush (silvertip badger) and enjoy a more leisurely shave.

I used to face lather but I don't anymore, because I do better lather in a bowl. That said, IME a 48 to 50 loft with a 23 or 24mm knot is better for face lathering if using a puck. Creams a longer loft may be in order. Just my preference. BTW, I bought a 2nd hand Shavemac Pure that fits the above noted dimensions. The original owner sold it for fifty bucks and it is one of my absolute favorite brushes. If you want to try a boar the Semogue 630 is bad to the bone. Cost me thirty bucks shipped to my door.

The two SRP group buy Thater two bands are killer as well. Backbone to the max yet soft on the phizzog. I bought a fan and a bulb figuring to sell the one that I liked least. Best laid plans of mice and men ..... they are both so good that they are keepers. Matter for fact I've been using them every day, alternating between the two, and so far the bulb is my favorite but the fan is so close it is almost a tie.

+1 on the Thater two bands. Awesome, soft tip, good backbone. I like Simpson as well for that. I have the Persian Jar 3, I believe....

eflatminor,
i really enjoy the Semogue 830 in Boar which does a fantastic job for such an inexpensive brush comparable to the more expensive badger. Actually, any of the Semogue premium boar brushes are excellent with the best backbone of all the cheap boar brushes. Far better than the Omega boar brushes.