Thread: does knot size matter!!

Originally Posted by Legman

Thater 4125 has without question the most dense knot I’ve ever seen on a brush.

Chubby 3 Super Badger is one of the densest knots you'll encounter.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

There are several having really dense knots. The Simpson Chubby 3 Manchurian and the Morris and Forndran chubby type are in a class by themselves as far as density goes.

Oh yea, agree with you and Celestino.....the Simpson's Manchurians are incredibly dense, and I have a couple of Morris & Forndran knots that you could suck a pint of water and not spill a drop....LOL!

The Simpson Chubby's are incredible, especially in the Manchurian, don't really get much better IMO.

The Shavemac D01-2's I'd put on par with either though, and the one thing in their favour, they are uber consistent.

Some of Lee Sabini's earlier M&F knots were incredible dense. I used to have this one and it was a superb brush with an incredibly dense knot (31 x 52mm) with gel-tips.
Unfortunately, the handle was a bit too small/uncomfortable for me, so I sold it. However, I do miss it.

Originally Posted by nessmuck

I mostly bowl lather but also have an assorted pile of soaps.

With bowl lathering, longer loft with bigger knot is better.

I was a big fan of 2-band super badger.
Now I'm full in love with new gen synth.
I found them more efficient.

My fav set is 26x52mm.
Good too for me is 24x50mm with softer fibres.

Originally Posted by Legman

Thater 4125 has without question the most dense knot I’ve ever seen on a brush.

have you tried the Simpsons? or the Shavemac? I had 2 Thaters, and my Shavemacs were as dense as ive tried,, along with my Manchurian Simpson Tc

Wow ! ...I started this thread 8 years ago ! And size does matter....loving my Simpson Polo 8... my tulip Thater looks pretty on the Shelf....it gets wet once in a while

I have a 30 mm Thater and a 35 mm. They are both 4125 and I’ve never seen a knot as dense as these brushes. I’m enjoying both very much.

Originally Posted by nessmuck

Wow ! ...I started this thread 8 years ago ! And size does matter....loving my Simpson Polo 8... my tulip Thater looks pretty on the Shelf....it gets wet once in a while

I bought a Polo 10a couple years ago. I don’t want anything smaller or larger.....for now. It’s been my favorite for a while.

Brushes are really defined by several factors, each of which affects the performance of the brush. Knot size is only one of the factors. The others are hair/bristle/fiber type, knot loft, packing density, and knot shape. Some performance characteristics are face feel, backbone, splay, loading capability, lather holding capability, and lather release capability.

I like loading a brush once, bowl lathering and having sufficient lather for a three pass shave. For me, a brush smaller than 23 mm may not hold sufficient soap for three passes and I have to go back for more soap. Most fan shape knots in the 24-25 mm range work for me, but I have a 24 mm Savile Row brush with bulb shape and it won't hold quite enough soap for three passes. I prefer 26mm knots for bulb shaped brushes. Also, a low loft brush does not hold as much soap as one with a higher loft, so you might want one with a bigger diameter. That is why they make the Chubby III with a 30 mm knot if you have a fat wallet.

Currently, I do not have a brush with anything over 26mm, but have my eye on a 30mm Tuxedo knot brush.

I like a big brush. I have three Thater 4125/B in 30, 32, and 35mm
Love them