Thread: Brush Type

Hello everyone.. Ive been shaving since OCT. and still not sure on brushes.. I have two badger brushes, one silver tip and the basic.. I feel that the silver tip is way to soft, is that normal?

Hello and Welcome.

It depends on the quality in the hair. also the amount of hairs. also how deep mounted the knot is.

For me to enjoy a silvertip as a face lather brush. i want it to be extra stuffed with hairs and mounted no higher then a loft at 48 to 50mm. on a knot around 24 to 26mm.

If your looking for more backbone you should get a quality 2-band finest IMO.

Jimbeam,

I prefer a silvertip badger hair brush that is medium dense, with medium backbone, silky soft tips, and with 24-26mm knot, 52-55mm loft. I abhor the "pure" grade badger, because it is scratchy, and dislike horse hair and boar bristle brushes. All my brushes are silvertips.

You see, with brushes, it is a matter of personal preference. For the most part, all silvertips will have soft tips. Experiment and see what type of knot, loft and hair feel you prefer — and go with it.

Thank you Magnus.... Being new to shaving, what is a 2-band finest IMO???

Thanks Obie

Jim,

Some of your brush questions may be answered by this FAQ page...

Shaving Info : Men's Shaving Supplies : Shaving Accessories : Badger Shaving Razor Brush : Shaving With A Straight Razor : VintageBladesllc.com

I agree with MrMagnus. You should definitely try a two band brush. They tend to be a little more scritchy than a Silvertip. Two bands are considered a lower grade than Silvertip, but many many guys like them, and they're still a quality knot.



Finest 2 band on the left, Silvertip on the right

Hello, and welcome aboard!! You will notice in wet wet shaving that everything has to do with personal preference.

Originally Posted by Jimbeam

I feel that the silver tip is way to soft, is that normal?

If by soft you mean floppy and not stiff enough (backbone) then the answer is a yes and no for silver tip brushes. If a three band sliver tip is not densely packed with hair and the loft (height of hair exposed above the handle) is long then it can be very soft/floppy. The same sized knot more densely packed and with a lower loft will have more backbone and feel less floppy.

I face lather and am preferring a shorter loft with medium density and soft tips for that purpose. There are so many variables including personal likes and dislikes that you really have to try a few out to get an idea of what you like.

Bob

If you can find one used the old and now unavailable two banders are THE premium brushes. They are thick, luxurious and not floppy and yet not scratchy. The best substitute are the Manchurian Badgers Simpson sells and some of the Thater brushes. What is sold as two band these days are inferior brushes.

In general Silvertips are very soft and floppy. That is their nature. Like the others have said you can ameliorate the floppiness by lowering the loft and/or increasing the density. Many do like the floppiness and marshmallow like sensation though.

There is also an intermediate grade between silvertip and pure many call best badger. It has some of the qualities of silvertip and some of pure.

You just have to watch the grades because there are no standards and many retailers call their brushes whatever they want.