I Love My New Brush, But...

[oldpalchamp]

Came into some unexpected cash this month and decided to pamper myself. Had been using a C&E Best Badger for about a year. It is a nice brush, but I really wanted to try something different. I placed an order for a Shavemac 177 Silvertip and had it personalized with my initials. It arrived about a week later and it was beautiful. Literally, I couldn't sleep that night because I was so excited about using it the next morning (honestly!).

Morning came, and I began my ritual. I soaked my brush with my razor in hot water, while I showered. After my shower, I broke out my favorite soap (AoS Sandalwood), shook out my brush, and began loading it. After swirling the brush in the soap for about 20 seconds, I began lathering. The feel was amazing! This brush is very dense, and the bristles have some spine to them, but the tips were soooo soft! I made my first pass, and then, it happened.

After I rinsed my face, I began to lather for a second pass, no lather! I was basically smearing water on my face. My C&E was always good for at least two passes, and could easily provide enough lather for another. I rinsed off my new Shavemac and reloaded it. I love how the brush feels, but can only seem to get enough lather for one pass. Fortunately, I have enough soap to last a long time.

[Ignatius]

It may just be a matter of getting used to a new brush. I myself have a Shavemac in Silvertip, and the tips are, as you mentioned, so soft, that I think it requires a little more loading time than other brushes of similar specs (marginally...maybe...). I'd just use it for a week or so and I'm sure it will work itself out.

[JJMontague]

If it's a much denser brush than your C&E Best than it could just be that you need more product. A denser brush will not give up it's lather as easily as a less dense brush, so you'll need to start with more product.

[kbuzbee]

If it's a much denser brush than your C&E Best than it could just be that you need more product. A denser brush will not give up it's lather as easily as a less dense brush, so you'll need to start with more product.

Spot on. I bet that is exactly what's going on.

I have the larger version (227) and it takes quite a lot of soap to load, but once it starts making lather, I could literally shave all day with it:thumbup:

Ken

[Montecristo #2]

You need to break the brush in a bit. Run some test lathers (probably not with the AOS soap)maybe 10 or so and let the knot really bloom. It is true that denser brushes require more product, so spend another 20 seconds on the puck and you'll be rewarded handsomely. Or use Ambrose's method for breaking in a new brush, do a search it's on here somewhere...