23mm Shavemac Finest - disappointed

[Kyle Hyde]

I received my 23mm Shavemac Finest in the mail yesterday. After two shaves, I have to say I'm quite disappointed. I still find it prickly on my face, and it seems the lather disappears inside the brush.

Do they have break-in times? I use pre-shave oil. Could that cause the hairs to be prickly?

 

[strat1117]

I can't speak for the prickliness of the finest (mine is silvertip and not at all prickly), but there is definitely a "break in" period. Mine was good right out of the box, but after a couple of weeks it became great.

I suspect yours will soften a bit with a few shaves as well -- I think you'll find most guys around here just love their Shavemacs in finest.

Good luck!

 

[Deftim13]

Give it a few more shaves. I soaked mine a few times and after a few shaves it helped. If you find that it does not and would like to sell, hit me up. I am looking for another one.

 

[Hawkeyeted]

I don't own a Shavemac, but I do have a custom Best that is a little rough if it's not soaked. Try letting it soak on the sink basin with some hot water while you shower. That should loosen it up a bit pre-shave.

 

[vsp]

+1 on the soaking suggestions

Do you use a bowl? or do you face lather? I have found that for dense brushes (I own a 28mm), bowl lathering helps a bit in giving you more control over the consistency of the lather.

 

[millertime150]

I have a Shavemac D01 and it does tend to hog the lather a bit. After I used it maybe 10 times it started releasing the lather easier. I just use a little more pressure when I want to release lather.

 

[ambrose]

More soap/cream and more water it might take a week of shaves to break in. I like to soak a new brush in shampoo water, something that contains panthenol aka vitamin b5 . Its a finest so its not as high a grade as a silver or D01

 

[ZethLent]

Your shaving oil might be 'gumming up' your brush too; especially if you are face lathering. Give it a shampoo a few times and a condition too. Shavemacs are notorious for their ability to hide the lather in the core of the brush. It is something you will either have to figure out or sell it and get a less densly filled brush. If I were you I would make a number of practice lathers to see how much water to product works for you.

Practice lathering is really a true sign of a shaving enthusist. Your family will think you have gone over the deep end. But in the end it will be worth it.

Good luck.

 

[huntmol]

Definitely give it a few more weeks of trying different techniques - if you still don't like it, sell it! Shavemacs are amazing, and although they're my favorite brushes, I'm sure there are some who aren't big fans.

 

[RILEY]

I received my 23mm Shavemac Finest in the mail yesterday. After two shaves, I have to say I'm quite disappointed. I still find it prickly on my face, and it seems the lather disappears inside the brush.

Do they have break-in times? I use pre-shave oil. Could that cause the hairs to be prickly?

I thought the same thing too when I first used mine but happily with time it got broken in & I cant say enough great things about it (come to think of it I should give Speick shave cream a second chance too cause I was blaming it for the lack of lather at the time too). The brush will break in & come around to live up to its billing

Be sure to come back & update us with its progress