I face lather with big knots and small. Badger and boar both on soaps or Proraso work well and while the smaller knots make less mess of flying lather my favorite is a larger Omega 049 Pro. This brush has plenty of backbone and the tips have developed into wonderfully soft luxurious brushy goodness. I have a short stiff horse hair brush which doesn't do so well face lathering but it excels when used in the palm. The premium horse hair brush I have works well with everything I have put to it.