Is there such a thing as an optimum size?

[RWMerengue]

I'm currently using a Dovo, gold-handled silvertip brush. I want to acquire a Shavemac brush and was considering the 177. Then I started using Hr. Blos' custom brush generator to put together various configurations.

It raised the question of what is the best size. Brushes obviously come in a very wide range of size; is there any consensus on what is a "normal" or optimum brush size? Is 21mm considered "average"? I don't want to order a relatively expensive brush which I'll then find to be too large to comfortably use.

Thanks for your insights,
Randy

[drP]

Nothing more personal than the knot diameter of a shaving brush...i like 26-28mm fi... You might as well take a look here...

[Broogiedad]

I have a 23mm Shavemac and it is a great size, but for my tastes, it's probably at the upper limit. I shave my cheeks and neck to maintain my trimmed beard and moustache, so I like a brush that gives more control.

[Suzuki]

In my view, the "average" size is between 20mm and 23mm (I actually think 20mm - 22mm is right, but that would exclude most of the Shavemacs, which come in at 23mm).

This size is good for everything - creams, soaps, face-lathering.

Smaller is not a huge issue, but once you go much bigger than 24mm, you're definitely into "big brush" territory and, in my view can be a little awkward to use with soaps (make a bit of a mess when loading up the brush from the puck) and face lathering.

Its really a personal preference/YMMV type of thing, but I see more big brushes sold because the owner finds them too big than the other way 'round.

Also, from a cost perspective, a bigger brush costs quite a bit more than its smaller siblings, so that is another factor to consider.

Hope this helps.

[Maximilian]

Exactly like Chris just explained.

The real advantage of a very small brush with a 18 or 20mm knot is controllability and maneuverability. When you have a goatee, a mustache or any special custom beard design going on it's very easy to put the lather where you want it with a smaller sized brush. The bigger you will go with a brush the more water it will hold. I would say that 24mm is really as far as you should go. I talked to several vendors about this and they all gave me the exact same answer. But YMMV and there are lots of die hards out there that love a big sized brush. It's what you feel most comfortable with. Trial and error. You'll probably end up selling or trading several brushes until you find your nirvana. I personally seem to find my sweet spot between 22mm - 24mm (depending the mood I'm in and if I'm using a soap or cream) and also a 55-60mm hair loft. A higher hair loft has the advantage of being able to face paint much easier with your brush compared to a smaller 50mm hair height. I hate floppy brushes, that's why it's important to invest in a brush that is known for its performance. So the ideal knot size is one thing to consider but hair height, density, resilience and quality badger hair are another very important factor. You can't judge the ideal brush only by knot size.

[RWMerengue]

Fellas,

Great Intel, thanks for taking the time!

Randy

[krayziehustler]

I'm currently using a Dovo, gold-handled silvertip brush. I want to acquire a Shavemac brush and was considering the 177. Then I started using Hr. Blos' custom brush generator to put together various configurations.

It raised the question of what is the best size. Brushes obviously come in a very wide range of size; is there any consensus on what is a "normal" or optimum brush size? Is 21mm considered "average"? I don't want to order a relatively expensive brush which I'll then find to be too large to comfortably use.

Thanks for your insights,
Randy

to answer your question there is an optimal size......but for YOUR FACE SIZE not performance wise, just for comparison sake, Shaquile O'neal's optimal size would probably be like a 30 mm knot while Nate Robinson's optimal size could be like 21-23mm...............but then again Shaq can prefer a 19mm know

[Doc4]

Yeah, it's a personal preference thing.

One thing to remember, though, is that you need to consider the brush's loft and/or floppiness as well. Some brushes (let's say a Simpson Chubby before all the hairs fall out) and a Vulfix of the same knot diameter would perform a lot differently, and the Vulfix would splay out a lot more on your face, making it 'seem' even bigger in comparison.