Thread: Best Silvertip seems to SUCK at making lather from soap

I had a C&E best badger brush that was pretty stiff, and held some good water, and I could always whip up a thick lather from soap with that brush. Now I'm using a Finest Silvertip Badger brush and it is super soft, but also a little flimsy I guess. It holds a ton of water, and my lather always comes out thin (if too much water is used) or not at all (if too much water is shaken out).
Is my technique just bad, or are Finest Silvertips reserved for shaving creams?

Some folks do switch brushes depending on whether they are using creams or soaps.

I have but one brush, and can lather almost anything with enough practice. You will always have thin lather with too much water; similarly it will be too thick and dry with too little water. That said, better to err on the dry side, then add water to your lathering mug/scuttle a couple of drops at a time. You will eventually find the perfect mix. Just remember that the perfect mix changes depending on cream vs. soap, among brands, and time of the year (yes, relative humidity will affect lathering).

Just another data point,
Ed

I use my Super Silvertip for creams exclusively and keep my Edwin Jagger Best Badger for soaps.

X

I use my silvertip for all lathers....just takes a bit of time with soap but it gets there in the end

Originally Posted by Bradford Si

I use my silvertip for all lathers....just takes a bit of time with soap but it gets there in the end

Exactly my experience.

I also think it depends on the loft of the brush. I have a stout Rooney Finest Silvertip with a short loft and its superb for soaps. The Simpson Chubby line is another example. Longer bristles can be floppier and not so great with soaps - in my experience....

Jordan

You can specialize with different brushes for different media but quite honestly you should be able to get a good lather with any silvertip no matter the brand. You just need to experiment with the amount of water in your brush and maybe the pressure you use to create the lather.

Just found this thread from Rick on TSD. He uses the same brush as me, AND the same soap. His method is a little different from mine, but his pictures speak all the truth I need to know you CAN whip up some NICE lather from soap pucks with finest silvertip.

My method - soak brush in cup of hot water while showering. Shake brush out of excess water, swirl/pump brush on soap.

His method - Soak soap in hot water for a few minutes (less for glycerine soaps), pour soapy water into a scuttle/cup/bowl. Swirl DRY brush on soap until tips are loaded, swirl brush in soapy water of scuttle/cup/bowl until lather is built. He also suggests pre-heating the scuttle by filling it with hot water while the soap soaks in some water.

Tried just now the method Rick told. The only difference is that I soaked the brush in hot water but, before lathering, I shaked like hell: in this way the brush was nearly-dry but warm and softer. I used the moss scuttle to lather up.

It was the best lather I've ever done.
F

Fred,
I use all three of my brushes with different kinds of soaps and creams. It just takes some practice and experimentation! BTW I have an Omega Boar, a Simpson Best and a Vulfix Silvertip - three very different bristles and lofts.