Thread: Best brush for creams and soaps

Originally Posted by Sargon

In general a brush with more backbone will be a bit easier to use on hard soaps ( boar, horse, black badger, etc), but as people have said, anything will get the job done.

Agree...

While softer, floppier brushes that lack backbone may be better suited to creams, the badger silvertip and synthetic Silvertip Fibre brushes in my rotation work equally well with soaps and creams.

Originally Posted by beluga

Agree...

While softer, floppier brushes that lack backbone may be better suited to creams, the badger silvertip and synthetic Silvertip Fibre brushes in my rotation work equally well with soaps and creams.

This makes sense I think. When I started straight razor shaving (less than a year ago) I ended up with two brushes. Both inexpensive on ebay. One is really soft and the other one is stiffer and that's the one I like. I only used the soft brush once. I hated it. It just felt mushy for lack of a better word. I've been using a soap all along until I got a cream recently. The brush I use wants to dig into the softer cream and I can easily dig into the cream and end up with far too much on the brush. I'm going to try the soft brush and the cream. That may solve the problem of the stiff brush getting more cream than necessary but I don't know how it will feel on my face. I'll know tomorrow.

I'm reading this thread because I will continue this way of shaving and would like another brush to try. However I had no idea there were so many different types. I think my main concern is the stiffness of the bristles. I didn't like the soft one but I've never tried a really stiff brush. I don't thing I'd like it but you never know. I mix the lather in a bowl or scuttle. Someone mentioned liking a stiffer brush for face lathering.

Can anyone tell me reasons you prefer face lathering over creating the lather in a bowl? Face lathering seems like it would simplify the process. I tried it once and made a big mess. I had more soap on the sink and counter than on my face. Maybe just too much water.

I just bought a Simpson Manchurian Badger and it is a great brush for soaps and face lathering. It has a very firm backbone but the tips are super soft.

This is the Simpson.

That TSN brush looks very nice. I'd have to agree with you about Simpsons Manchurian knots having firm back bone and soft tips. The Manchurian knot is very good for face lathering.

Bob

Originally Posted by Alex7

Do I need a different brush for soaps and creams?

There is no one answer to that,nobody can say "buy only the A brush for soaps and only the B for creams"
The companies do not have a description under any photo of the brush
I have never read in a store "this brush is for soaps only" but the fact is that some tough brushes work better generally speaking with hard soaps.
Everything is in your skin,your preference and experience.
I have sensitive skin with tough beard,i am Open Comb lover so soft brushes are not good for me
I don't say that they are bad but won't reach the level of a Black Badger or a Boar.

I think the question here just involves individual tastes & results from different brushes & soaps. Some may want to use one brush only while others might use different brushes for different soaps. It is a simple question but can have many different answers!

Try Vie-Long horse. It makes great lather with different texture compared to fibre brushes. Creams, soaps it is a hungry one.

a silvertip is just fine for all

I use a silver tip badger for creams, soaps, bowl, and face lathering. All a matter of preference because my boat brush works just as well for all.