Silvertip question and lathering technique

Good day to all you gentleman

I have recently upgraded to a silvertip brush from Frank Shaving, it is a 21mm knot and I find it quite soft which is just perfect. Although, I have seen a bit of a change in the brush since the first lathering, which I shall point out in pictures by the end of the post. Also, I am having some trouble adjusting with the silvertip, as I am not familiar with the silvertip technique, it produces a nice and creamy lather but the amount produced is significantly less than the on produced by the boar with the same amount of cream, which I am sure is supposed to be the other way round and I am supposed to get more lather than the boar. I don't think it is the brush, I find its floppiness texture just perfect and it feels good to the face, it must definitely be my technique and I would appreciate all help and suggestions.

Here are pictures when I received the brush and after the first lathering. Is the change normal?

I dont have a picture of the brush when I received it so here it is as portrayed by the seller, the brush looked exactly the same when it arrived.

Attachment 117590

And here it is after the first lathering, it has stayed such since then

Attachment 117591

I am just curious about this particular matter of change not paranoid, should I be paranoid?

Again, I would be grateful for any and all the help :)

Normal.

Badger brushes fan out a bit after use.

They also eat a good bit of cream, keeping a lot of lather in the brush.

Michael

Gentlemen:
In my experience, the Frank silvertip, which is extremely soft and floppy, works better with creams than soaps. Because it is so soft and floppy, it does not load as well with soaps. I prefer the Frank finest grade — I think it's called finest badger, or something like that — because it has more backbone, and it works well with soaps and creams. I no longer have any of my Frank brushes, but they are good brushes for the money. Incidentally, the blooming is natural with some brushes.

Yea, no problems there it just "bloomed" a bit after use, normal. Badger brushes hold more water than boar brushes do so it may take some time to get the water to soap mix adjust properly. You could try shaking the brush out more and slowly add more water as you build the lather. Let us know how you are making out.

Bob

Thanks for the clarity gentlemen
Any suggestions on how to lather with it? I use a tub of TOBS sandalwood scent.

I would shake the brush well out, load the tips with cream from the tub and start applying it to my water whetted face. Adding small amounts of water as I go by dipping the tips of the brush every so often slightly in the water till I get the lather I want. You can do the same with a bowl if you lather that way. If you have trouble picking up the cream on the tips of your brush you could choke the knot at the base between your thumb and forefinger to reduce the loft and make it stiffer. Hope that helps.

Bob

Nobody should ever be paranoid.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by moehal

Thanks for the clarity gentlemen
Any suggestions on how to lather with it? I use a tub of TOBS sandalwood scent.

---

Give the brush a gentle squeeze to eliminate much of the water. Then with your moist brush give the cream about a dozen swirls to load. Now start making lather, drizzling in a little water at a time as you make lather. That should do it.

Thank you gentlemen, I tried face lathering as mentioned and followed your advice of shaking the brush and loading it well, I also abandoned my usual bowl lathering and tried face lathering and I must say it produced quite the lather.
Bob, I apologize for asking about lathering techniques after you had suggested me one. Truth is I did not see your post until now. Thank you for your help.
Obie, I tried about a dozen swirls and it worked well, a well loaded brush and a soft cloud of lather. Thank you.

Once again thank you all and enjoy your shaves :)
Hal.

Face lathering is the bomb! Any excess water falls out and you get a perfect lather every time.

It's been a long time since I've used a cream. I like dipping the brush in the tub and just giving a light twist. That coats the tips just right.

Michael

I

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mjsorkin

Face lathering is the bomb! Any excess water falls out and you get a perfect lather every time.

It's been a long time since I've used a cream. I like dipping the brush in the tub and just giving a light twist. That coats the tips just right.

Michael

I

---

Indeed it is! I found that the skin constantly provided feedback regarding the texture of the lather and its hydration. It also made the addition of water more precise. Besides, in the end everyone has to face lather. I salute the men who can lather up in a mug or scuttle with a soft silvertip. Upgrading to silvertip was quite the change, hopefully I will get used to it.

Hal.

Hal

That is good to know it worked out for you and you now have 2 ways to lather that work for you. The brush will change a little more as it breaks in, maybe getting even softer. I find that if I bowl lather with a floppy type silver tip brush I tip the bowl slightly and use the brush like a whisk beating up egg yokes. Anyway you are well on your way to enjoying that new brush.

Bob

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BobH

Hal

That is good to know it worked out for you and you now have 2 ways to lather that work for you. The brush will change a little more as it breaks in, maybe getting even softer. I find that if I bowl lather with a floppy type silver tip brush I tip the bowl slightly and use the brush like a whisk beating up egg yokes. Anyway you are well on your way to enjoying that new brush.

Bob

---

Bob

I was just experimenting with different techniques on one of my lower end soaps, it was a shave stick by Arko which I pressed into a ceramic mug of some sort that allows for easy loading. the bowl-tilting method also produced an exceptional lather, it is good to know the several methods exists to have any piece of equipment work. Although I do believe this could be attributed more to Arko itself than the technique or brush. For years I have used it with a boar and shavette and for years it has been my favorite. The soft badger did not prove to be much of an inconvenience, but I do plan on purchasing a stiffer badger for relative ease, perhaps a good Thater will do.

Hal.

Hal

I won't knock Arko soap one bit. I love the stuff and have pressed it into a bowl also. That Arko just plain works no matter what you do to it. If you are looking for a badger with more backbone check out the reviews on some of the 2 band badgers. I have a Semogue SOC 2 band badger and once broke in is soft on the face but with enough backbone not to be intimidated by hard soaps. Thater 2 bands have been getting good reviews. You can never have too many brushes and they are all a bit different.

Bob

In addition to face lathering I find that only soaking the first inch or less of the brush tips helps some of the super soft badger brushes to eat a bit less cream. The water will still wick up and keep the rest of the knot soft while you lather.

I'd also like to add that sometimes I don't soak my brush at all. I just rinse with warm water, shake lightly, then load with soap.

Done that way the brush (Simpson two band) retains more backbone. The lather is a little different too. Thicker.

Michael

I know you already got a lot of great information but I found these videos today and thought you might like them as well.

Lynn lathering in bowl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngJ76...e_gdata_player

Lynn face lathering: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYhXt...e_gdata_player

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dfafs

I know you already got a lot of great information but I found these videos today and thought you might like them as well.

Lynn lathering in bowl: Shaving Lather-Using Lather Bowl - YouTube

Lynn face lathering: Shaving Lather with Badger Brush - YouTube

---

Dfafs, these are priceless and i thank you for sharing them here. Yes, i did recieve alot from these fine gentlemen but i am always open for more information and that which you provided will surely help alot since my face lathering is fine but still
questionable.

Thankyou and happy shaving
Hal.