Sometimes cheaper is better; Cella vs no-name bristle

**Mad Man** · 07-17-2012, 04:01 AM

Lads,

Monday AM pulled the Cella out of the "cupboard of shame" to give it another crack (previous efforts at bowl and face lathering with an EJ BBB and an SR 3824 gave no joy).

Any who, I thought I'd give my dodgy little ceramic handled no-name bristle brush a go; ridiculously under-filled and a short, stiff loft of less than 50mm it came with a "gift pack" of Burts Bees Bay Rum shave soap and mug (BB bay rum soap...the horror.....the horror).

Serendipity! Using a combo of heavy upside down loading, sopping wet pre-soaked brush and apply to face (remember, I'm NOT a face latherer) gave me the Cella goodness some of you have spoken of. That short loft really did give a nice scritchy feel and a slick, CLOSE-cutting lather. That crazy little brush barely holds enough for 2 passes and touch-up but that's exactly my BAU M-F routine.

Long story short? You don't always need a golden hammer to drive an iron nail.

Your Kilometres May Vary.

**Den** · 07-17-2012, 05:03 AM

Glad you found some good use from a seemingly useless brush.

Many of us have succumb to SBAD and always think/hoping the grass is going to be greener with every brush purchase. My inexpensive $14 Omega 10066 lathers just as well as my much more expensive TGN Finest 2-Band XH badger.

**Mad Man** · 07-17-2012, 05:07 AM

Thanks Den,

Funny thing is, I'm looking at short-loft boars with backbone...semogue 620 seems to fit the bill but will take suggestions under advisement.

Also gave up my search for another silvertip to sit alongside the Savile Row; I'm gonna travel the boar road.

**eblau** · 07-17-2012, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Mad Man

Funny thing is, I'm looking at short-loft boars with backbone...semogue 620 seems to fit the bill but will take suggestions under advisement.

Go for it! You will not be disappointed with a 620 if you liked the no-name boar brush for face lathering. The 620 is a beast at face lathering, especially once it is broken in.

**jsj_297** · 07-17-2012, 12:56 PM

I fell in love with boars, now I'm in lust with big boar brushes. Like my omega 10206 and on order the shave factory large boar!!! 28-30mm knots 68-70mm lofts.....big fat handles too!!! Love em!!! 14-16 dollar range
makes me even happier!!! Sick of spending $100's to only get a badger that made me go, Ahhh. It's ok I guess.

**Leon** · 07-18-2012, 07:23 AM

Strange that Cella has given you some trouble.

I took mine out of the original microscopical red tub, put it in a wider and shorter tub and it lathers much better.

**Neognosis** · 07-18-2012, 03:50 PM

there is no reason a brush has to hold enough lather for more than one pass. THE SOAP IS RIGHT THERE. Right there... sitting on the sink or vanity. You just used, it, it's sitting right there. I have a boar/badger combo that doesn't hold enough lather or a third pass, so I just whip it around on the soap a few times and POW! More lather appears on my face.

Ok, the snarkiness is in jest, but I do think I have a point.

**Mad Man** · 07-18-2012, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Leon

Strange that Cella has given you some trouble.

I took mine out of the original microscopical red tub, put it in a wider and shorter tub and it lathers much better.

I know! I tried bowl and face lathering with a Saville Row silvertip and couldnt get the Cella right (that was about 6 months ago/been DE shaving since September last year).

However I have NO issue lathering MWF - that stuff just works.

I love Cella now - used it every day this week.

**OldGreyGuy** · 07-18-2012, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by Leon

Strange that Cella has given you some trouble.

I took mine out of the original microscopical red tub, put it in a wider and shorter tub and it lathers much better.

This!

**ouch** · 07-18-2012, 11:56 PM

You could lather Cella in a thimble.

**Mad Man** · 07-20-2012, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by ouch

You could lather Cella in a thimble.

Oh wise one - only now, that my eyes are opened to the mystery of the crimson tub, and that the wonders of the porcine bristle have been revealed to me, have I achieved nirvana.

**Watasha** · 07-21-2012, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Neognosis

there is no reason a brush has to hold enough lather for more than one pass. THE SOAP IS RIGHT THERE. Right there... sitting on the sink or vanity. You just used, it, it's sitting right there. I have a boar/badger combo that doesn't hold enough lather or a third pass, so I just whip it around on the soap a few times and POW! More lather appears on my face.

Ok, the snarkiness is in jest, but I do think I have a point.

I think you do too.