Whats your ideal...

Right now, I'm using an Omega boar bristle brush. Holding a ruler against it, I'd say it's bout a 22mm knot. Eventually, I'd like to upgrade to a badger brush. So now I'd like some input on what others like in a brush.

I mostly use soaps, so what's at good knot size and loft to look for?

I'm thinking that the bigger the brush, the more water it will hold, which may or may not be a good thing. So whats a good compromise size?

I'd particularly like to hear from soap users and what they have to say about there brushes (too big? too small? needs more loft? needs less loft?) and what they think would be just right.

Also, which shape is prefered for soaps? (lightbulb vs fan)

I have but one brush and I yearn for no other. I have a Saville Row SR3118, also known as Il Bambino on B&B. It's a short little brush, silvertip badger in a lightbulb shape. They're in the $75 or so dollar range, which makes them an outstanding performer for a silvertip brush.

I use all manner of soaps (both glycerin and triple-milled) and creams and I've had no issue with building lather and having more than enough for 3 or 4 passes. I prefer a smaller brush because I build the lather on my face and prefer the control of the smaller brush.

Brushes are very much a personal preference thing, the metrics do not necessarily define performance. A good brush to start with is the C&E best badger for $35, but I'm not sure if they're making that one. I started with that one and enjoyed until I decided to get a silvertip brush (definitely more luxurious).

So... I've been down all manner of acquisition roads, but not for brushes. My next brush will be another SR3118 for travel.

I vote Rooney Size 1 Style 1, you will love it for soaps.....out of the 6-7 brushes I have, I have been reaching for the Rooney the most lately :)

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Originally Posted by Padron

I vote Rooney Size 1 Style 1, you will love it for soaps.....out of the 6-7 brushes I have, I have been reaching for the Rooney the most lately :)

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+1 on the Rooney sm style 1. I use soaps 75-80% of the time and this brush rocks. Its a 22mm knot but with a shorter loft (42mm? I'm not sure). I like to build the lather on my face and like to use the tips of the brush. I don't like brushes that flatten out. I have this brush in Finest, and while it is expensive, its worth it to me. Its a great stiff little brush with super soft tips. I do use different brushes for creams though.

I've also used a couple of "Best" badger brushes with soaps and creams - a Vulfix 405 and an AOS Fine and they work well too.

I tried the B&B 2006 special edition brushes, but with a 23mm knot and a 60mm loft, they were too big for my tastes (I don't need lather up my nose :nono: :nono: ). Of course, you'll need to try some and see what you like. Thats half the fun!:D

Jordan

EDIT: Oh, and another reason I like smaller brushes for soaps is that it can be a PIA to work with a big brush in the soap container.

i'm kind of surprised that -such- a small knot size is prefered so far, but this is confirming what i've been looking at

saves me some money:D

I have an Altesse Silver tip, I have yet to messure it but I love that puppy, so I have not even looked at others yet. I supose I will at some point to see if I'm missing anything that I just never noticed before. Most likely whats going to get me, is the handle. Finding a fantastic handle most likely cause me to get another brush.

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Originally Posted by jnich67

I tried the B&B 2006 special edition brushes, but with a 23mm knot and a 60mm loft, they were too big for my tastes (I don't need lather up my nose :nono: :nono: ). Of course, you'll need to try some and see what you like. Thats half the fun!:D

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I have the B&B Finest, and yeah, it's huge. I take it out occasionally, and enjoy it very much, but for daily shaving I prefer something smaller as well. I think the main reason it feels so big is the loft, 6cm is quite a bit.

I think you should consider what you like when it comes to the tips of the brush as well. If you really like the scrubbiness of the boar bristle (I've never had a boar brush, but I understand that they are quite scrubby) or would like something really soft.

I like the one I made myslef witha 24mm Knot. I think that lather production has more to do with the handle length than the size of the bristles, especially with the mug I have been using. I think there is more physics behind it than mechanics...

I have not tried nearly as many brushes as others, but I also think that you would be VERY happy with a Rooney Small Style 1, especially for soaps. I use mine with both soaps and creams, and it works equally well. Mine is a finest, but I am sure that the other grades of hair would work almost if not equally well. The one thing that I would warn you about is that I had to return 2 different Rooney Super Silvertip brushes because they both had problems with shedding hairs. My current brush has never lost a hair though, and it seems that I was one of the only one that had a problem with a Rooney brush shedding :shrug:. The small C&E brush for $35 also always gets amazing reviews and would probably be the best bang for your buck. I think that this is sergiobruna's favorate brush and he has a nice selection of very nice high end brushes. More expensive is not always better, just more rare and sought after.