Confused about "backbone"

[Razorthin]

I am not sure if I understand the term backbone. From what I've read, some backbone seems to be a desirable feature of a good brush. Yet, silvertip brushes are softer (less backbone?) than pure badger, yet are considered better brushes. Aren't silvertip brushes better for creating lather?

[gssixgun]

Backbone is separate from "Softness"

Softness at least in my mind is how the tips feel on the face. Backbone is the density of the knot in relation to the loft,, ie: how easily the brush bends

That is just my opinion

[Razorthin]

Ok. So, if I understand this correctly, a brush that has more hair, has more "backbone" (?).

[gssixgun]

Yes

But also you could create backbone by sinking the knot lower

Backbone is a equation of Density (amount of hair in a given knot size) and Loft (height of knot above the handle) so it can be variable..


I swear Nothing in this hobby is easy to explain hehehehe

[thebigspendur]

You can also create more backbone by cutting the hairs lower too.

What was so great about the old two banders was they had great backbone but also had soft tips which I think is the perfect combo.

Usually you get one or the other. You can get a pure badger with backbone in spades but is so scratchy, well its scratchy or a Silvertip that is like a marshmallow but is way floppy in use.

The best way to think about backbone is take the dry brush and push down on it (the hair side of course) with your hand and see how much resistance there is. I guess you could use some instrument and get a numerical value.

[Razorthin]

Wow, thanks to both senior moderators for this explanation. I feel like I learned something new now.

[Doryferon]

The best way to think about backbone is take the dry brush and push down on it (the hair side of course) with your hand and see how much resistance there is.

I do a similar test: i bent the Dry brush to the side
I push it a little bit to my palm and make some swirling moves
If the knot resists for some seconds it's OK for me
Some knots immediately break and create a gap in the centre
That brush latter won't work for me in lathering except for painting moves which i don't like
Unfortunately when i buy a brush from an e-store or from ebay and i do the test some times "i step on it"
Happened with WD knots,the best thing is to see the brush in a store and touch it to check the backbone.