Thread: bigger not always better?

As Jimmey says,loft is everything,all my brushes are 24mm knots (I have a seven day set,all are Identical) with lofts set at 48mm.
All will lather anything.

I like the smaller, 20mm badger knots, probably because I usually face-lather. The smaller size with a moderate loft is a nice combination for adequate backbone and softness of the top.

Size + Density + Loft = the right brush for you,

I intentionally left out the type of knot since that is personal too...

I have to agree with many of the gents above though a 24mm High Quality Badger, with a dense knot set at or slightly less then 50mm is a good starting target..

The problem with that description is it is pretty useless to those that are not making brushes

I have liked using a brush as small as 20 mm with a loft of 46 mm.
Right now my favorite is 24 mm very high density best badger with 52 mm loft.
I love the brush but would maybe would like it even more with a loft of 48-50.

Gentlemen,

I have shuffled up and down the knot size spectrum and finally settled with two Thaters at 28mm, one a two-band, and one two-band at 30mm. I also have a 30mm Savile Row silvertip. My other preferred size is the 26mm with about a 55mm loft, but I no longer have any. Anything with a smaller knot is wrong for me. So the four brushes will do fine for a while.

My favourite brush is a Simpsons 55... 18mm knot, and 41mm loft. Pretty small brush!

I like em nice and tight and compact.

Another thing to consider is the knot style, usually bulb or fan but flat can be found too. If I were to order another badger I would be looking to get a 2 band fan knot. I have one fan shaped knot and enjoy it very much for face lathering, more so than the bulb shaped knots.

Bob

I've tried them all and have settled for around 26 mm knots. I like em dense with a loft in the 40s.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I like em dense with a loft in the 40s.

I wouldn't touch that with a 10 foot pole. That's the way I likem too.

Bob

If Quality Silvertip Hair,a shaving brush is a shaving brush if constructed properly.
You can spend alot of money on say a ???????? that has a 99cent extruded plastic handle that anyone can buy.
You can buy a solid Ivory Plisson for 2000+ euros,you can buy a one off custom.
At the end of the day,a well made brush will do what it is supposed to do,Make lather,pretty simple stuff me thinks.