Looking for ultimate face lathering brush for creams

[mwhals]

I only face lather and only use shaving creams. My current brush (Merkur) was my first ever brush that I got in a set with a 38C, stand and bowl. Now that I have been wet shaving for a few years, I am interested in upgrading my brush. My current one is a silver tip badger hair brush, so it isn't necessarily bad, I just want to upgrade. I guess I am experiencing BAD.

I would love to have one that has a case I can use when traveling like I have seen with some brushes like Kents and Simpsons.

I have also heard of synthetic hairs and wonder how they compare to the best badger hairs available.

Thanks for your input as I hope to pair this up with a new Muhle R41 Grande.

[Rivguy]

I think that a Kent BK8 is a great brush for face lathering creams or soaps for that matter. It has very soft tips and an excellent feel. Some like more backbone but I find it ideal for creams. Other outstanding brushes worthy of your consideration are the T&H medium classic (same as a Rooney for less money) and the Da Vinci 290 or 293. T&H offers a discount to B&B members.

Regards,

Doug

[AirForceMX]

Duke 2 bro! I'm a cream only face latherer as well and I couldn't be happier! It does not come with a case but I'm sure you could figure something out when it came time to travel. I've heard of people using medicine bottles and a variety of other random object to travel with their brushes. Good luck in your search!

[Monkeyboy]

+1 on the Duke 2/3

[guYom]

For creme face lathering I find myself reaching for my New Forest 2207 'Chunky' or Simpson Commodore X 2.

The Duke 2 or the Berkeley are very tempting, but not part of my den ... unfortunately.

[xraygun]

Simpsons Duke or Classic, Best Badger.

[tbress]

Simpsons Duke or Classic, Best Badger.

+1. I just sold my Duke 3 to buy a Classic 1. Both are good face latherers, but I prefer the Classic to the Duke. I use soaps, though, not creams so I can't speak to that. The Classic 1 (or Chubby 0 as it is sometimes called) fits in the Simpsons travel case, so that's a plus.

[CHSeifert]

My favorites for face lathering are:

1. Simpsons The Duke 3 in 2-Band - exceptional brush, can recommend it highly. Luxurious face lather brush 10/10 rating
2. Shavemac Custom Fan shaped 22 mm knot, 48 mm loft Silvertip D02. Great face lathering brush 9.5/10
3. Simpsons The Duke 2 in Best - very very nice face lathering brush. Tend to not hold quite enough water for me personally, which is why I got the Duke 3 in 2-Band. 9/10
4. Mühle Sophist Silvertip 23 mm knot. Extremely soft and gentle face lather brush/Kent BLK 8 Silvertip 25 mm know. Almost as soft as the Mühle. Both are on the floppy side for face lathering, but they are so silky smooth and nice, that I still use them from time to time for face lathering, because they both are a joy to use. 8.5/10

Still need to test a Rooney Stubby 2XL 2-Band, and I'm sure it will perform fantastic for face lathering, once I get hold of it and test it.

[ziplepingouin]

If you want to UPgrade, with a better and softer hair, I would advise something like a thater 22mm. A very good size for face lather and good density. Muhle and kent will probably be about the same as your merkur brush.

[Acmemfg]

Simpson Colonel, Vie Long Zurito, Omega 11126, Semogue 1800 are all finest kind face latherers.

Of the lot, the Zurito is probably the more versatile and a super value, a ton of bang for the buck. The Simpson will afford the best all around "feel", it is so nice and dense.

Boars are tanks. I will always own and use a couple. But many don't care for the feel. I'll take a boar over entry level ("pure") badger any time.

My Omega Synthetic has proven to work better with softer soaps and creams. It feels luxurious, softer than my silvertip, but is too much like work with most harder soaps. As you will be using creams exclusively, this may be a great choice for you. The Omega Synthetic Badger (NOT the Syntex) is another great value and superbly finished. It's one of the nicest looking brushes out there.

For travel, 99.9% of the brushes out there fit just fine in a prescription bottle drilled out with a few holes. No need for the pricey "travel cases" unless you really must have a plastic tube with a decal on it to add $$$$ to the price of your brush. But that's up to you.

[dundak]

You say you want a travel brush. Do you mean a turnback that screws into the handle or just a small brush?

[bonfire]

+1 on the Duke 3....... Also yet to be metioned is the Chubby 1 in 2-band. Both of these are exceptional face lathering brushes !!!

[attime6]

Simpson Colonel, works great for face lathering soaps or cream, also works well with bowl lathering.

[auk1124]

Semogue 830. Best cream face latherer I've tried.

[mwhals]

You say you want a travel brush. Do you mean a turnback that screws into the handle or just a small brush?

I prefer a regular size brush rather than a small one as I decided I want a new main one for home and also take it on travel or maybe convert my existing one to a travel brush.

Of the good face lathering brushes that have been recommended I have listed below:

Kent BK8
Simpson Duke 2
Simpson Duke 3
Simpson Commodore X 2
Simpson Classic
Simpson Colonel
T&H Medium Classic
Da Vinci 290 or 293
Mühle Sophist Silvertip
thater 22mm
New Forest 2207 'Chunky'
Vie Long Zurito
Omega 11126
Semogue 1800
Semogue 830

It looks like I have my work cut out for me. Some of these I have never seen at my usual shopping locations like West Coast Shaving of ClassicShaving.

[gregindallas]

From out of the blue of the western sky comes.....

Vulfix 41

Who said that?

[mwhals]

How do any of these compare to a Rooney 3/1?

[xraygun]

A Rooney in "super" silvertip is a great face lathering brush. I prefer the style 1 handle for face lathering, I think of the style 2 and 3 as bowl handles.
a 1/1 or 1/2 fit your bill nicely.

[Perished]

Duke 1 in best. That or the Da Vinci 'Uomo'.
Both superb brushes for soap or creams. Duke 1 in best is such good value for money though, probably edges it for me as it can double up as a travel brush too.

[pirateskull]

I use rooney 3/1 or 3/2.IMO both are great for face lathering.