Open question on shaving brushes

[daverasi]

Being relatively new to wet shaving (and before finding B&B) I looked at reviews on Amazon and chose a Parker Safety Razor brush - 100% Pure badger. I have had if for a few weeks now and, from time to time, noticed a stray hair here and there. However the brush is okay but I am certainly aware that there are MUCH better brushes out there.

I should be getting an Omega Boar Brush relatively soon from Zir0 (thanks again) and want to give that a try.

So soon I will have two brushes. That at some point I had hoped to purchase a quality badger brush and was leaning towards a Shavemac 177 but now am considering a Savile Row, or Simpson.

After reading all of the many posts and brush reviews on B&B I am utterly confused.

Do I need more than one brush? Are some brushes better with soaps and some better with creams? If I generally use soaps are some brushes better than others with certain soaps? Is it important to rotate brushes?

Any assistance would be appreciated and I thank you in advance.

[ackvil]

Actually, you need only one brush but what you WANT is another story. :001_rolle I have five brushes and a travel brush and I was happy with the first four. And then a friend got a Simpson Duke 3 as a birthday gift and I got one too. The Duke is now my favorite brush and I use it more than the others.

Some individuals think that some brushes are better with creams and some with soaps. However, all of my brushes work fine with both. Mine are as follows: Caswell-Massey Badger + Bristle (two of them), Hoffrtiz badger, T&H Silvertip Badger, and the Simpson Duke 3.

You may want to post a question on brushes on the brush forum. I did that and that is how the Simpson Duke was recommended. Just explain all of your requirements, wants, and needs. :biggrin1:

[Go West Young Man]

Need more than one brush? No.
Want more? Yes!

[Eric V]

It seems to be important to let a brush dry out between uses. With a single large badger brush, I don't know if it is possible.

Since you already or soon will have two brushes, you will have a good comparison to see if you like the different effects of each one.

A quality brush that fits your needs can be a great tool. Handle size and grip is important to me. So is the knot size, density, and firmness. I'm still experimenting with my brushes to see how they act with my kind of style.

For me, it is just another fun game in wet shaving. Not necessary, but fun.

[Wetshavemike]

A boar brush ($10+) is easy to come by and cheap. They are great for soaps because they are stiffer then badger. A badger ($30+) works better on cream. One of each covers both formats, so if your budget has room, you can get both for under $50.

[daverasi]

Thanks for the info. I am going to repost on the Shaving Brushes forum and see what responses I get.

[bogey97]

You only need one brush. I used only one for over 15 years until it finally fell apart. Some people find stiffer brushes better for lathering soap, but I never really had trouble with that. Also, some brushes are better for bowl lathering and some are better for face lathering. If you are mixing your techniques, I can see wanting to have more than one.

[jss4537]

A boar brush ($10+) is easy to come by and cheap. They are great for soaps because they are stiffer then badger. A badger ($30+) works better on cream. One of each covers both formats, so if your budget has room, you can get both for under $50.

which one would you recommend for both types for under $50.00??

[Luc]

I would recommend 1 boar brush to start with. It's cheap, it works, it will give you lather. Boar are really good and worth looking into. It's a cheap way to get started and learn.

[Go West Young Man]

Men spent most of the last century using 1 boar brush 7 days a week, and nothing particularly bad seems to have happened.

We like multiple brushes because it's fun, not because it's necessary.

[Wetshavemike]

which one would you recommend for both types for under $50.00??

I use an Omega boar ($12.98) and a Classic Silver Tip Badger ($35.98). Neither is "wonerfull" but the Omega works great for soap and bowl lathering and badger for soap and face lathering. The Classic (rebranded?) is great with creams and my water is really hard. After my Omega is broken in it may be good for face lathering too.

[beginish]

As others have pointed out, one brush is all you need, boar or badger. I would suggest that before you run off to drop some serious coin on a higher end badger, use the Parker and Omega for awhile and figure out what type of shaver you are. Soaps? Creams? Face lather? Bowl lather? All of these should influence the choice you make. Once you get a handle on that, join us in the brush forum, and you will have no shortage of suggestions.

[akira7799]

Need more than one brush? No.
Want more? Yes!

+1 In full concurrence there.

[daverasi]

As others have pointed out, one brush is all you need, boar or badger. I would suggest that before you run off to drop some serious coin on a higher end badger, use the Parker and Omega for awhile and figure out what type of shaver you are. Soaps? Creams? Face lather? Bowl lather? All of these should influence the choice you make. Once you get a handle on that, join us in the brush forum, and you will have no shortage of suggestions.

Thanks Bob!

That is a practical and great idea. While I think I prefer bowl lathering I an relatively new to the hobby and still need to figure out what works best for me. Look for my post in the brush forum in a few months!:thumbup: