Thread: Problem with qualitiy brush

Shave Brush Photos by rag_18 | Photobucket

I just finished turning a handle for a Silver Tip Std. I used it tonight with my scuttle and Tabac soap.
I had a lot of trouble whipping up a decent lather. When finished shaving one one side, the other side didn't appear to have been lathered.
After finishing up, I tried again to create a lather. Not having any better luck, I used my Amazon cheap $20 brush (pure Badger, I think) and whipped up a great foamy lather like usual. In fact, when the Silver Tip was used back into that foamy lather, I could swear it was killing the lather.
The new one felt much better on the face (cheapie has some scratchy bristles) but can't make a lather.
Is there something I'm doing wrong?
The handle is Olivewood. Not my best work, but passable for a first time at brush making.
Hope the pic comes through. First attempt at posting pics here.

I too get better lathers from the stiffer brushes. I use hard soaps and face lather. Could it be that given the softer backbone it just isn't picking up the soap like your pure badger? I have used pure, two band and Silvertip, and so far I like two band the best.
Maybe some more experienced folks will chime in.

A dirty knot with hair oils will kill lather bigtime,hand lather it several times,rinse, than try again.

Maybe try Borax?

Mmmm interesting, I have a large Silvertip that I got from Frank Shaving used it maybe 20/30 Times and it still has problems with lather. Washed it with dish liquid soap then later with borax still gives me problems. Sorry to be no help I'll watch this thread with interest.

I've used shampoo followed by a hair conditioner. Let the conditioner soak in for 30 minutes or so before rinsing.

Originally Posted by Anthony1954

Mmmm interesting, I have a large Silvertip that I got from Frank Shaving used it maybe 20/30 Times and it still has problems with lather. Washed it with dish liquid soap then later with borax still gives me problems. Sorry to be no help I'll watch this thread with interest.

Same issue here. Does the brush have a weird smell, almost like exhaust? Mine does even after a month or two of use.... tried washing, dish soap, Borax.....
What ever is on it is a serious lather killer

I've given up trying to load soaps with silvertip badger brushes, I use them only for creams and use boar brushes for the soaps.

I had issues with two silver tips from different vendors. I believe it was oil or dirt that was giving me problems. I kept using them for a couple months rinsing very well and now both create great lather.

Badger Brushes will Lather hard soaps no problem if properly constructed,I:E a lower loft.
Vintage Vulfix Brushes are well known for being floppy,(why?) I have re-knotted enough of them to know the lofts were set at close to 60mm.
Thats a lather killer from the gitgo.
Alot of people that make a brush for themselves will bore the knot hole just deep enough to bury the plug,you end up with a high loft brush the bristles of which have no support from the handle,you have to constrict the hair above the plug to a point in order to get a proper bloom,to much you get a very tight scritchy knot that some like,to little you get a knot with a hugh bloom and a big void in the center that will never make a proper lather.
Am not sure it makes a hugh diff as to the type or so called grade of a knot is important.
I do know the loft setting can make or break any knot,JMO