Brush sizes

Are there any rules of thumb when to comes to brush sizes? Just personal preference?

Preference, but also based on bowl of face lather. Typically a face lathering person will prefer a smaller brush, probably not more than 22 mm or so. If you face lather you would probably also prefer to use a brush with a little less loft, making the brush less floppy.

Sent from my Android

Personal preference is key. I used to prefer 28mm-30mm knots and now I find my sweet spot is for 24mm-26mm brushes. I like them to be firm and feel fairly soft on the face. I really do not like floppy brushes. for the most part, I am a face latherer.

Have fun,

Lynn

Gentlemen,
My preferred brush size is in the 20 to 24 mm. range. Like the noble Lynn, I prefer my brush soft but densely packed and with a good backbone. Since I use mostly soaps and that I have returned to face-lathering, I don't care for floppy soft brushes more than ever.
Stay well.

I guess it's all personal preference.
Some like big handles,some like small handles, some like particularly shaped handles over others.,
Some like huge amounts or hair, some like small amounts and some in-between.
Some like coarse hair some like light as a feather and some like scrubby.
Some like floppy and some like backbone.
Some prefer tall loft and some prefer short loft.
Some prefer boar or horse to badger.

There's something for everybody. You just have to decide what's for you.
Now if Obie can put this to a jingle we'll be all set.

Indeed, my dear thebigspendur, think of all the money I'll make as the wet shaving jingle guru. I'll come work for you and become a millionaire.

Now is see why so many guys here have more than one brush. Well, I'm thinking about getting my second. The first one I purchased feels very nice on the face (super badger) but it's heavy as heck, having a porcelain base with a silver cap. I want something lighter but didn't know what size might work best for me. Given there doesn't seem to be no rule of thumb on brush sizes, I'll probably do for something in between.

Thus far into my straight razor shaving experience (about 40 shaves now), I'm making lather in a bowl. My routine is as follows:
1) I put a peanut size dollop of cream (Castle Forbes from Scotland) into my mixing bowl and float that in a sink of hot water
2) Then I put some hot water over the soap in its mug (Muhle) and float that in the sink of hot water as well
3) Then I put the brush in the hot water as well...while I shower
4) Afterwards, I pour a touch of the soapy water into the mixing bowl with the cream and return it to floating in the hot water while I work up a soap lather on the brush
5) Then I mix that with the warm cream and work up a nice thick lather

As I'm still new to all this, perhaps my routine will change but that's what I'm doing so far. If that suggests one size or type of brush over another, please let me know. Thanks guys!