Fan or flat topped brush

Has anyone used a fan shaped or flattop brush? What do you think of it? Source for such brushes? My reason for asking is that I saw a shaving video where the guy said that because he mashes his brush on soaps that this shaped brush may be better. I used to stroke the tips over soaps and creams but find that I am a little rougher on my brushes these days....more mashing on the soap and in the scuttle.

Thanks,

Jim

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Originally Posted by jleeg

Has anyone used a fan shaped or flattop brush? What do you think of it? Source for such brushes? My reason for asking is that I saw a shaving video where the guy said that because he mashes his brush on soaps that this shaped brush may be better. I used to stroke the tips over soaps and creams but find that I am a little rougher on my brushes these days....more mashing on the soap and in the scuttle.

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I think a fan-shaped brush is generally better for soaps, especially if you face lather. The flatter top gets better contact with the face of the soap, and better contact with your face when you lather. I've never had to "mash" or "pump" any soap with my Rooney 1/1/F brush, not even MWF where it's supposedly a near requirement.

The bulb shape brushes probably do better with lathering bowls though, since they're lathering against a concave curved surface instead of a convex or flat surface.

If you're bowl lathering with a soap then the brush shape may be a wash.

FWIT, I trimmed a $5 boar brush to a flattop with scissors and hair clippers - being so stiff, it almost felt like it came to a point. It feels better on my face now but I don't see any difference in performance. I wouldn't do that to my badger, I like it fine just as it is.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jleeg

Has anyone used a fan shaped or flattop brush? What do you think of it? Source for such brushes? My reason for asking is that I saw a shaving video where the guy said that because he mashes his brush on soaps that this shaped brush may be better. I used to stroke the tips over soaps and creams but find that I am a little rougher on my brushes these days....more mashing on the soap and in the scuttle.

Thanks,

Jim

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I have the three brushes shown in the attachment. That's a flat-top Shavemac on the left.

Both the Rooney and the Shavemac are firm enough for a good session on the puck. The Rooney being firmer but the Shavemac is firm enough and has softer tips. The Shavemac uses the recent D01 silvertip Shavmac has available. It costs half again as much as the Rooney.

The bulb shape is from Rasurpur and is not quite as firm, although it is no Vulfix. It is reasonably firm. I think it is best suited for bowl lathering. I like the other two for face lathering.

I have also seen the video you mention and in my experience the three brushes I have match the results in the video perfectly.

Thanks for posting the pic Bob. I couldn't think what a flat top brush looked like. That might be the first I can remember seeing.