Thread: My First Badger

Got my first badger brush today; a Windsor Pure Badger. Handsome fellow he must be, Mr Badger, and judging by my test a quick shake of the bottom would have left him perfectly dry after a bracing early morning dip in the moat.

They do just pluck them gently with tweezers as they canter around England's mountains green, don't they?

I decided to experiment in the kitchen to decide what my new shave bowl should be; currently it's a small mortar from a mortar and pestle set; for grinding spices, a little less than 3" in diameter (yes, I know this forum is about brushes not bowls, I'll get there...). The current BRUSH is a supermarket thing, maybe five bucks?

A diminutive, scraggly, poor little thing; quite sad.

I haven't posted a 'Shave of the Day' picture yet because I'm ashamed of this supermarket brush.

Thing is, this supermarket brush makes a bloody nice lather, good enough to post in that lather/brush forum thing...

So, I decided to try the smart quite distinctive gentlemanly looking new badger brush. It's VERY fluffy (the supermarket brush is always wet and scaggly...).
I wanted to see if it fits OK in the small 3" diameter mortar. The mortar has nice thick sides; and I fill it with hot water and sit it in hot water in the sink while I'm showering; with the brush sitting in it to soak. The new brush was maybe JUST a tad too large for the mortar, and maybe it wasn't a fair test, and maybe I need to get used to how much water Lord Badger doesn't hold, but...
(a) Is it possible that my new badger brush doesn't make lather as good as the supermarket brush?
(b) What, might you say, is a good size bowl for a badger brush? The supermarket brush was also undernourished; a skinny little thing she was...
(c) Do we shake or flick Lord Badger before we use him to agitate the cream, or do we use him sodden; or what in between? Supermarket brush needed to be flicked; water just clung to her matted, course hair...
(d) What interesting non purpose made shave bowls do you have; I've considered using a French coffee bowl, and an antique tea cup, I need something suitable, interesting and preferably vintage and European, any ideas?

Pics would help with size comparison.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I decided to experiment in the kitchen to decide what my new shave bowl should be; currently it's a small mortar from a mortar and pestle set; for grinding spices, a little less than 3" in diameter

Ha! I've done the same thing with a little porceline set my girlfriend used to use. Perfect size and has a small lip too. Still havn't been bothered to buy a proper scuttle.

If you go to http://straightrazorpalace.com/misce...wl-ridges.html post #10 you can see my non purpose made bowl but it's not exactly vintage or European. For size comparison the brush is a Frank's Best badger with a 24mm knot.

I've used small cereal/soup/dessert bowls, coffee mugs (large and small) and coffee cups (non-expresso).

If it can hold water and shaving soap or cream, it's ok with me.

? (a) Is it possible that my new badger brush doesn't make lather as good as the supermarket brush?

It may take some time to adjust your technique for your new badger. With practice your lather will be as good. Lather is just H2o, air and cream, the brush is just a tool. Nothing more.

Originally Posted by bharner

If you go to http://straightrazorpalace.com/misce...wl-ridges.html post #10 you can see my non purpose made bowl but it's not exactly vintage or European. For size comparison the brush is a Frank's Best badger with a 24mm knot.

Thanks for this. I just read this after posting my last post about the slightly textured surface of my last bowl and see now why I shouldn't use a bowl with a textured surface. I'm trying really, really hard not to use the pair to my vintage hand painted French coffee bowl...

Hello Carlmaloschneider,

You are right your brush will get better after a few shaves and you will get to know the right amount of water in it by the feel of it's weight, I usually give it two flicks and that is about right, and it looks like you have a good sized bowl for your brush so until you find just the right one you are set. The porus texture can damage a brush but I am looking at some designs for lather bowls at the moment, with the plan to fine tune a design and made locally (QLD).

Now you know you should keep the French vintage coffee bowl away from your shaving gear right? Can you post a pic?

I know it's not vintage but there is a thing about the Ikea Cereal bowl for those that want to make a statement and not use a designed lather bowl.

All the Best
Sam

Actually, after reading a post the other night about lathering on the face; I've reverted back to the mortar, with the slightly textured surface. It does work well. As I've decided to try face lathering, I'm guessing the brush with make less contact with the bowl; more with the face. It worked well this morning.

Of course I can post the photo; if just to give the wife something to shake her head at.
Below is the Vintage French Coffee bowl DANGEROUSLY close to the shaving equipment...

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

(a) Is it possible that my new badger brush doesn't make lather as good as the supermarket brush?

carlmaloschneider,

You'll need to give your new badger brush a little time to get "broken in." Once that happens and you perfect your lather making technique, you should have no problem at all creating lather.

Keep in mind too that some shaving creams or soaps such as Castle Forbes, Al's "Bomb" or Martin De Candre are easier to make lather with than other shaving creams or soaps.