So I think the brush I bought isn't very good...

[NewGuy]

Hi everyone,

For my first brush i bought this:
http://www.mankind.co.uk/Barbiere-Shaving-Brush-and-Stand--Black-PRODMUGK1/

Not to be confused with the more expensive better brush that Men-U do.

After having used it for around 2weeks now I don't think its that good. Well considering how much I paid for it I guess I got what I paid for lol. It seems I have to use quite a bit of shaving cream with the brush. Not a nickle sized as in Mantics youtube videos... I am using Anthony Logistics Shave Cream if that makes a difference.

This is my first brush and my first shave cream. (I used to use Mach3 Gel with catridge blades :redface:) So maybe im just doing it all wrong?

But I think its the brush really. It doesn't look that good and the hairs are falling out too. So im thinking I need a better brush to go with my Merkur Futur.

What do you guys this?

Thanks.

[NeckShaver]

Hi everyone,

For my first brush i bought this:
http://www.mankind.co.uk/Barbiere-Shaving-Brush-and-Stand--Black-PRODMUGK1/

Not to be confused with the more expensive better brush that Men-U do.

After having used it for around 2weeks now I don't think its that good. Well considering how much I paid for it I guess I got what I paid for lol. It seems I have to use quite a bit of shaving cream with the brush. Not a nickle sized as in Mantics youtube videos... I am using Anthony Logistics Shave Cream if that makes a difference.

This is my first brush and my first shave cream. (I used to use Mach3 Gel with catridge blades :redface:) So maybe im just doing it all wrong?

But I think its the brush really. It doesn't look that good and the hairs are falling out too. So im thinking I need a better brush to go with my Merkur Futur.

What do you guys this?

Thanks.

It's all about the shave cream my man...

[NewGuy]

It's all about the shave cream my man...

So im guessing the shave cream I bought isn't that good? It cost me £13 and that's like $20 :eek:

[ScYcS]

Hi everyone,

For my first brush i bought this:
http://www.mankind.co.uk/Barbiere-Shaving-Brush-and-Stand--Black-PRODMUGK1/

Not to be confused with the more expensive better brush that Men-U do.

After having used it for around 2weeks now I don't think its that good. Well considering how much I paid for it I guess I got what I paid for lol. It seems I have to use quite a bit of shaving cream with the brush. Not a nickle sized as in Mantics youtube videos... I am using Anthony Logistics Shave Cream if that makes a difference.

This is my first brush and my first shave cream. (I used to use Mach3 Gel with catridge blades :redface:) So maybe im just doing it all wrong?

But I think its the brush really. It doesn't look that good and the hairs are falling out too. So im thinking I need a better brush to go with my Merkur Futur.

What do you guys this?

Thanks.

First you need to tell us what you mean with "not good". You can't make good lather? Not rich enough? not lubricating enough? not at all?

And yeah a brush that sheds a lot is not ideal but it is still a brush.

[NewGuy]

First you need to tell us what you mean with "not good". You can't make good lather? Not rich enough? not lubricating enough? not at all?

And yeah a brush that sheds a lot is not ideal but it is still a brush.

I cant make good lather :( not like in the vids anyway. I actually think shaving foam would be better to use compared to the lather I get and the amount of cream I use lol.

I'm beginning to think more and more that i'm doing it wrong and its not the brushes fault lol.

[northpaw]

I don't know anything about the Anthony Logistics stuff, but I can say that, generally speaking, it is possible to make decent lather with a cheap brush. It might take a lot longer, but it's doable. Experience making lots of lather with a better brush helps, of course.

I say this after trying an 80 cent boar 'beauty' I got at the open air market the other day. Spent at least ten minutes whipping furiously (and another ten fishing bristles out), but I got pretty good lather in the end. :biggrin:

Try adding water a few drops at a time, and just keep at it.

[sanpaku]

you're in the uk, so get some real shaving cream; ingram, erasmic (for a couple quid at most independent chemists), or if you'd like some real luxury, trumpers coconut, taylor of old bond street almond.

men-u and anthony logistics are just at odds with brush shaving...

go now man and thank us later.

[NewGuy]

you're in the uk, so get some real shaving cream; ingram, erasmic (for a couple quid at most independent chemists), or if you'd like some real luxury, trumpers coconut, taylor of old bond street almond.

men-u and anthony logistics are just at odds with brush shaving...

go now man and thank us later.

Yes I think its time for me to head to the good old shaving shops of London. Rather then just buying stuff online lol.

Will report back with what I find!

[BroJohn]

NewGuy --

You're fortunate that the UK is home to many fine manufacturers of shave brushes. Rooney, Vulfix/Simpson, Edwin Jagger, Kent, etc. Like Sanpaku above said, there are a number of excellent shave creams at modest cost at the local chemist; Ingram, Palmolive, etc. Also, I recommend that you try the Palmolive shave stick. :w00t: The Boots products are OK, serviceable, low cost, but at the low end of the spectrum.

Regarding lather making, shake most of the water out of the brush so you start with a damp (not wet) brush. Begin the mix, and add a few drops of water at a time. Be careful, and the lather will gradually fluff up and fill the brush. Shave cream is inexpensive enough to make several 'trial' lathers just for the experience.

Good Luck.

-- John Gehman

[arghblech]

men-u and anthony logistics are just at odds with brush shaving...

go now man and thank us later.


I got a DFS with the Men-U cream the other day. It came as a free sample. I won't speak for the brush but the cream wasn't bad.

[sanpaku]

also, don't forget the age old adage; (for the most part) you get what you pay for. from my experience that's especially true with shaving brushes. however, as another wonderful post around here illustrates, you can get the job done with as simple a material as steel wool...!

i'm willing to bet that once you pick up a decent cream and get your method honed a bit that you'll be back here raving...

[cvac]

I don't think that Anthony stuff is meant to be used with a brush...that might explain the poor results you get.

[Clockwork John]

I think the Anthony Logistics shave cream says it can be used with or without a brush. I'm too lazy to go dig out the tube right now.

My experience with that cream is that you can get good lather from it... really good lather, actually, but it takes alot more cream to build a good lather than other, more "traditional" shave creams.

[pablo_h]

I use that brush with proraso soap.
I sit the brush in hot water while I'm showering to soften it up first though.
Then I shake of the water and rub the brush into the soap for a while, (a fair bit longer than mantics video or that you would need to do with a badger brush I guess, probably twice as long as mantic)
I get a thick lather very quickly with it though.

edit: I think boar brushes are more suitable with soaps than creams. Creams need to hold a lather, which a boar brush doesn't do, while stiff bristles allow you to collect and agitate solid soap better.

[lamina]

If you have the Futur razor...get the Futur set!!:001_smile The Futur brush is a splendid brush...But i think your problem is the soap, to begin a nice Col. Conk almond makes miracles!!!