Thread: bigger not always better?

Originally Posted by BobH

Personally I don't want a badger knot smaller than 22mm and not larger than 28mm. Something in the middle ground is just about right for me.

Bob

Similar to Bob, I am most comfortable in the 23-25 mm range, but the way you hold the brush also has a lot to do how much lather ends up on your face and how much elsewhere.

B.

You are all so sensible.
Me, I tend to enjoy a bit of variation in my brushes. Much like with my razors.
Big or small, floppy or stiff, I find myself enjoying them all if properly made.
Simpsons, Plissons or Rooneys in anything between 20mm and 30mm works just fine for me.

What does concern me though is build-quality.
Shedders, like one of my custom brushes and a couple of others from various smaller outlets that I have had, gets thrown out pretty quickly from my shave den.

I like a smaller brush, myself, but I've only had the opportunity to try out 2 different brushes. As a couple other have said, the loft has been a bigger difference that I've noticed than the knot size. But again, I don't have a whole lot of experience.

Yikes, I recognize this talk of knot size and loft but can't use the language intelligently. All I know is I recently acquired this model, I think it is, of Parker brush and find it suits me well--kind of stiff, bigger than the poor tired wisp I'd been using but not too big. But then I have a goatee (or Van Dyke if you will) and shave around it, so a smaller brush is more suitable for that.

Rich

I am a 2 band kind of guy, 23-25mm with 24mm being optimum works best for me. Everyone has there own sweet spot, but I am a goldilocks kind of person. Not too big, not too small.

I believe that when it comes to brushes also YMMV. They all serve a different purpose.
To be specific with badgers, I have and enjoy from 22mm to a deep seated 30mm WD. They are amazing when I chose to use them.
Also, it will depend if you are going to face lather or bowl lather. Either way you will find the sweet spot on each brush's character.

24mm for Badgers
Boars and Synthetics at least 27mm.

I forgot to post this in my first reply...

A small Simpson Vee Scot and a 38mm Vulfix



Most anything will do

24-26mm knots for me. I really like firmer knots with soft tips so that I can use for both soaps and creams. I have used 28mm and 30mm, but just too much suds flying all over da place.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by Birnando

I forgot to post this in my first reply...

A small Simpson Vee Scot and a 38mm Vulfix



Most anything will do

Birnando, these brushes look like a Mother brush nurturing her offspring!

I started with a Wilkinson Sword synthetic, which to be honest, was perfectly fine for years. It did its job! I recently treated myself to a Edwin Jagger XL best badger! It's a beauty and I love it. I may get the same brush as a small for travelling.