Thread: Synthetic not working for me

I bought a nice Tuxedo knot a couple months back but have not had much luck lathering with it.

I can't figure out how to add water to the soap on the brush. I have tried adding just a few drops, tried gingerly dunking the tips in water, but in any event it just throws water all over my mirror when I try to lather rather than incorporating the water into the lather. The bristles themselves don't absorb water, so it is really dry when face lathering without the ability to add some water.

Any suggestions?

Which brush do you have? I have two synthetic brushes, one off of Amazon and one APShave 30mm tuxedo (it is large). I have no issues with either. Are you face lathering, bowl or scuttle?

I have an APShave tuxedo -- I think it is the 24 MM one.

I am face lathering.

Soap? Have you been successful with another brush with the soap using the same soap?

After you just barely dip the tips in water give the brush a shake and start loading from the puck. Repeat that a few times till you have a pasty lather on the brush. Then start lathering on your wet face and adding a very little water as you go by dipping just the tips and giving the brush a shake. Repeat that till you have the lather you want. Synthetics are just way different from boar or badger brushes and can take a lot of getting used to.

Bob

Originally Posted by Robini

Soap? Have you been successful with another brush with the soap using the same soap?

Mostly CF, which I've had no trouble lathering with my Simpson badger.

Originally Posted by BobH

After you just barely dip the tips in water give the brush a shake and start loading from the puck. Repeat that a few times till you have a pasty lather on the brush. Then start lathering on your wet face and adding a very little water as you go by dipping just the tips and giving the brush a shake. Repeat that till you have the lather you want. Synthetics are just way different from boar or badger brushes and can take a lot of getting used to.

Bob

Good info -- will give this technique a try.
thanks

Originally Posted by 400E

Good info -- will give this technique a try.
thanks

Hope it works for you. Let us know either way.

Bob

One thing I havr found with my synthetics is that they can whip water off if you go too aggressive on the face too quickly. To remedy this, i usually add a couple drops after initial lather, then rotate the brush with the bristles up or horizontal to let the water settle into the lather. For the first few passes, you may want to do a couple paint brush strokes, that seems to calm the spraying effect.

Originally Posted by BobH

Hope it works for you. Let us know either way.

Bob

The dipping technique did seem to work pretty well compared to trying to gently wet the soap under the faucet.

"Dipping is better than dripping" -- my new motto.

Thanks!