Thread: Anyone else feel that badger brushes are too soft?

I know the general consensus is that badger brushes are the best out there, and I do not necessarily disagree. I do not have a good reference point because I have only used the Van Der Hagen badger brush. Compared to a synthetic brush I have of the same brand I find the badger to feel a little too soft where the synthetic is stout enough to where it can really massage my skin when I apply my lather. When I use my badger it is so soft that if I put much pressure on it I can almost feel the handle on my face. I just ordered a nicer and better quality silver tipped badger brush and maybe that will make a difference. Anyone else experience this?

Sometimes, I like to use my black Badger brush because it is nice and scritchey, but when I use a nice cream, I prefer my silvertip (soft and holds a LOT of moisture).

I usually scrub my face with a hot towel prior to shave, so a scratchy brush is not really needed. But when I am using a hard soap, I agree with you completely (I love a firm brush for that)

You should give a boar bristle brush a try.

Yep, just got one of those boar bristles and it is NOT as soft as badger. Still trying to decide when to try it. Just can't think of anything that needs the paint stripped off it right now.

No I don't.
I'm not slapping on a coat of Sherwin-Williams.
It's all in the stroke.

....................The stiffer brushes can massage, I guess, & are great for the soap pucks, but I don't apply the cream with pressure, just my method.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Yep, just got one of those boar bristles and it is NOT as soft as badger. Still trying to decide when to try it. Just can't think of anything that needs the paint stripped off it right now.

They take time to break in.

Funny thing I found about brushes is that they feel different on your face dry or wet. I have a boar and a super silver tip and both are soft on the face when lathering, not the least bit scratchy. They are well broken in too. There are many types of badger and in my very limited experience if you want a good face massage while lathering a 2 band badger will do that for you without being rough on the face. There is a big difference between my Vulfix 660 med super badger and my SOC 2 band badger as far as backbone goes but both are soft on the face. The SOC 2 band will massage your face the Vulfix won't.some much. So no I would not say badger brushes are too soft but it is a matter of choosing the right type of badger with due consideration to loft and knot size. You can try a lot of brushes before you find on that really hits the spot, at least that is what I am finding out.

Bob

Honestly I find a badger to be just fine. If I have a good amount of stubble I opt to my boar just cause she can handle my beard in full glory.

Okay so I had to try it now that you made me. It wasn't so bad. It picked soap off the puck like a vacuum and instant lather on the face. When wet it was not near as prickly and if it breaks in and gets softer it may be a nice change once in awhile. Another thing is I could probably wear a shirt and shave using this type of brush. I have an el cheapo badger and in 3 months have yet to learn how much to shake it to keep water from running down my chest when lathering up. The boar is longer and narrow compared to my badger and it seemed hard to make circles on my face with it. I also have a DD brush that is very long and thin with a silver colored handle. It feels more like horse hair. Is it for applying shave soap ? I am afraid to use it because it says " for professional use only". You could say I am knot sure. Knot sure what is best but that's what I observed so far.

Originally Posted by robellison01

They take time to break in.

If the boar is a new brush give it 2 to 3 weeks of regular use to break in and it will get softer yet and it will be easier to make circles on your face with it then too. Boar brushes don't hold anywhere near the amount of water that a badger does. Try shaking the badger till no more water is released, load the brush and lather. If you need more water just touch the tips slightly in the water and go back to face lathering. Repeat as necessary till you get the lather you want. Should not be all that messy. I would not let the "for professional use only" keep you from trying that DD brush. A brush is a brush whether you or a barber use it.

Bob