Thread: Need help choosing a brush and soap...

So like everything else, everyone has their own opinion. However the consensus is Vulfix. Consistantly recommended, consistantly cheaper. Now my only question is, between the two I linked to two posts back, which is better? I like the idea of the Best badger, but its a few mm longer, and shorter is better for puck soap I guess. Do you think the best badger, longer bristles will still hold up? If so I think thats what I'm settling on.

Originally Posted by khaos

So like everything else, everyone has their own opinion. However the consensus is Vulfix. Consistantly recommended, consistantly cheaper. Now my only question is, between the two I linked to two posts back, which is better? I like the idea of the Best badger, but its a few mm longer, and shorter is better for puck soap I guess. Do you think the best badger, longer bristles will still hold up? If so I think thats what I'm settling on.

You're only talking about a 1 mm difference, right? I tend to think that this stuff about some brushes better for creams and others for soaps is a bit overblown. I have a Kent BK12. Yes, twelve! and it's huuuuge. Love it, for both creams and soaps. I also have a Vulfix "Burlington" (other end of spectrum) and .... Love it, for both creams and soaps. The Omega Classic boar sold by Proraso works well for... soaps and creams.

Now, face lathering vs. bowl lathering can make a difference. For making lather on face, a softer brush is nice, and the Omega works well for whipping lather in a bowl, but would be a bit skritchy on the face.

The knot sizes are both 22's. However the best badger is a 52mm loft and the pure badger one is a 45 mm loft. Is 7mm loft difference a lot is I guess what I'm asking? The way I lather is I start it in the bowl, whip it a little in my hand and let the watery thin stuff flow through my fingers, then finish whipping it into creamy foam peaks on my face. Which is why I'm moving to badger. I can use the VDH just fine. However, someone said long brushes and super badger is too soft to really work well with soaps.

Originally Posted by khaos

The knot sizes are both 22's. However the best badger is a 52mm loft and the pure badger one is a 45 mm loft. Is 7mm loft difference a lot is I guess what I'm asking? The way I lather is I start it in the bowl, whip it a little in my hand and let the watery thin stuff flow through my fingers, then finish whipping it into creamy foam peaks on my face. Which is why I'm moving to badger. I can use the VDH just fine. However, someone said long brushes and super badger is too soft to really work well with soaps.

This is the measurments of the two brushes from the Vulfix site:

#2198

Handle height: 49mm
Overall brush height: 100mm
Knot diameter (At base): 20mm

#405

Handle height: 46mm
Overall brush height: 90mm
Knot diameter (At base): 22mm

Since Vulfix lists both as pure badger brushes I would choose the #405 since it has a IMHO better shaped handle for facelathering, a shorter loft and a slightly bigger knotsize

Wow. That means the specs on classic shaving were wrong...

That actually changes quite a bit IMO...

You ought to check out the Pre de Provence soap. It's got a clean, subtle scent, and what a lather. I can actually buy it locally at Central Market (HEB upper end grocery). I recommend it very highly.
Good luck