Thread: Bulb vs Fan

I'm just curious what you guys think is the better knot and the pros and cons of each. I've heard that the fan knot whips up a better lather, does anyone know if this is a myth or fact. Also what everyone's favorite/ideal brush/knot is

It's a style thing. I have both and see no differences. The fan can sometimes be a bit more floppy and some might say it's better for creams.

I have brushes in both styles. I'm leaning towards fan shaped knots in badger and synthetics for future purchases being I face lather exclusively. Either style will lather any soap or cream I have tried but the fan feels better to me. You'd really have to compare the identical knots in the two styles to see what works best for you. You really can't compare two knots that are different in type of badger, knot size, loft and density because all those will also affect how a brush feels.

My ideal knot would be a Simpsons Manchurian badger knot 26mm in size, lower lofted, fairly dense and fan shaped. The other would be a Simpsons Chubby 2 synthetic, as is, in a fan shaped knot. I only say Simpsons because I have a Manchurian that is a fan shape but would like to try it in a larger version and I have a Simpsons Chubby 2 synthetic that I like as is but would like to try it in a fan shaped knot. I am sure other makers may offer similar products but I have not tried them.

Bob

Would hard pressed to see any diff in lather making between a fan and a bulb.
I like the look of them for certain handle shapes,I just ordered 3 of them an hour ago.

Gentlemen,
I have found no difference in the way the bulb and the fan shape brushes lather. I prefer bulb shape knots, however, and over fan.

Just like Obie I find both shapes to work perfectly well for building lather.
As I am an avid scuttle man, the bulb shaped brushes I possess tends to see the most use in my shave-den

I agree with all the points made. You can use any style that you like.

Where I do have preferences is more in the handle length rather than knot type.

The longer handled brushes are used for pucks in mugs and the shorter handled brushes are for the flat jars, pucks in a wooden bowl, etc.

Dave

Lately, I'm a fan of the fan!

But, as the others have said, it doesn't mean diddely in performance.

I love to look and see the Bulb !
I have some Fun but in face lather didn't satisfy me as the others.
I have also a Flat in Boar,so and so........

As dumb as it sounds, it pretty much comes down to what you like the looks of. On paper, I guess if you're trying to use just the tips of the brush, the fan would be better because the tips are more or less all the same length, so more of them hit your face at once. On paper. In actual practice, I've never noticed much difference. The only exception is a very exaggerated bulb I have that is shaped more like a candle flame than a bulb. I should have sent it back when I received it, but it was discontinued, and I really wanted that handle. Even that one splays sort of OK, though.