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

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.

Hello Sir, mind if I ask which brush you have ? I've been eyeballing his 28&30mm "chubbies", but am leery of his silvertips. I have one of his cheap, $30 ST's, and it has no backbone. One the other hand, I have one of his chubby best badgers that I absolutely love. Just trying to figure out is the ST ones are worth it. Thanks in advance.

If you are using a hard soap. Preparing it properly beforehand can make a big difference. I use a layer of hot water (the hottest the tap water can get) on top of the soap while I am taking a shower. After the shower I dump off the layer of water and add one more layer while I dump off the excess water from my brush that was soaking in cool water before hand. Dump off the recent hot water on the soap and go to town. You should find it easier to load then.

When I get a new brush I use baby shampoo. I feel dish soap is a lil too rough. JMO