Thread: Circular vs straight brush strokes

Just got my replacement Simpson Colonel brush direct from the UK (thanks to excellent customer service from Simpsons -- see separate thread titled "Shedding Simpsons").

The directions that come with every Simpsons brush say to use back-and-forth strokes rather than circular strokes for brush longevity. I've read this elsewhere too, that circular brush strokes are hard on the brush hairs.

I want to do the best I can to preserve a nice brush, but find it very difficult to load the brush with a hard soap with back-and-forth strokes on the soap. It's no easier face lathering with the same back-and-forth stroke either. And virtually every video I've watched, including Lynn's DVD, shows experienced shavers using circular brush strokes, both for loading the brush with product and for face lathering.

So --- what's the truth here? Does anyone actually use exclusively back-and-forth brush strokes to load and lather? Does it matter, for brush longevity, or can I just forget about this and do what seems most natural and use circular strokes?

This is just a guess at why Simpsons have that warning not to use circular strokes with their brushes so take it for what it's worth. I would think that there are people out there that just mash the knot flat when using circular strokes and I am sure that qualifies as abuse to the brush and causes premature wear.

I do not mash the knot flat to load or face lather with but use just enough pressure to lightly splay the knot. I have not seen any ill effects using shave brushes this way. I am not recommending it in the face of Simpsons warnings but just saying that is what I do. Yes, I do have a few Simpsons brushes in my rotation.

Bob

It will probably last longer but that's because you're not really using it imo, wear and tear is natural for almost any tool that gets used and I think the direction is just some BS that manufacturers write to cover their a**es for when someone damages their brush by using too much pressure or when someone is disappointed that they need a new brush after 20-30 years.

I exclusively face lather so back and forth strokes would get me nowhere when shaving and my brush is still going strong after 4 years of bi-daily use.

I think it's easier to tangle the hairs in a circular motion causing clumping which may lead to shedding. I use circular motions and painting strokes. Don't mash the brush. Just use the tips. My Colonel shed on its first two used and has not shed since nor have any of my other quality brushes.

I start out doing circular strokes to spread the cream around and whip it up real good, but then go to a painting stroke to even out the stuff on my face.

Dont really see any issues with my brushes.

Gentlemen,

I use both strokes about the same amount with some variations thrown in for good measure. No, no, mashing the brush onto the soap puck or the face is cause for shortening the brush's life. I load the brush using the tips, lather in the bowl using the tips and then apply the lather using the tips. After all, the shaving brush is not like a potato masher.

I only use circular motions both for loading and applying- can't imagine doing it another way! I have no idea what the expected lifespan of a brush is, but mine is about to turn 2 and it is still going strong

If I only get a few years out of a brush and have to purchase another one, that's OK with me. Don't think I could do just back and forth strokes but might give it a shot just to see where I get with it. Looking to buy my first quality brush so I'm off to browse the forum.

There are two things that can, eventually, kill a badger brush: dryness, and friction.

Dryness is typically caused by a lack of removal of soap residue. A shampoo and conditioner every so often can remedy that issue. Failure to remove soap residue will make the badger hair become brittle and, again eventually, break. The often recommended method of "mushing and swirling" is something that should be avoided by all means. Lather is produced by driving air into the suds, and the only part of the brush which can do that is the tip area. Therefore, soap and lather in the core of the knot serve no purpose, but jeopardise the integrity of the knot.

Friction is something that affects the tips. If you own a high quality badger brush, it will have very fine tips. These can develop spliss if you apply too much pressure against something sturdier than the tips itself. For example, bristles.

Or so the story goes. Call me biased, but if a seasoned brush maker (knots, not handles) tells me that is how it works, I tend to believe him.

I'm not a seasoned brush maker - but I am a seasoned user of over 50 years and I really can't believe anyone could contemplate not using circular motions when soap loading or when face lathering. I have used badger brushes for a big part of those 50 years and, apart from the odd one which shed because of a poor knot construction, I've never experienced broken tips or any other signs of undue wear.

It was said earlier, it's a tool for use. Let's not be too precious with our tools.