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Anyone else not get along too well with stiffer brushes?

Phoenixkh

I shaved a fortune
If want to speed things up a bit, you might try combing your Mistura, after you clean and towel dry it. Mine softened up considerably after quite a few uses.

Then again, you could always sell it on BST. I sold all 4 of my SOC brushes because I found out, I like larger knots. It did take me a while to figure that out.

Once you discover what face feel is the most enjoyable for you, you’ll meet people here who like the same thing you do… They’ll be able to tell you which brushes end up feeling perfect after they’ve broken in. I’m pretty sure most would agree that boars change the most over time, but I’ve found my badgers also improve and by that I mean, the tips get softer. I only have two-bands in a few varieties. The 3-bad Silvertips are softer. I’ve read some of them get floppy. That wouldn’t work for me so I’ve avoided them.
 

gpjoe

Slickness is a sickness
Lots of guys that suffer "brush burn" bowl lather. You can create your finished lather in the bowl and paint it onto your beard, or start the lather in the bowl and finish on your face, both of which reduce scrubbing and may help reduce irritation.

Other than that, the softest natural bristle brush that I've used was a gel tip badger. The tips of the hairs are chemically treated to curl, which gives the brush a very soft face-feel. Some think the gel tips are soft to the point of feeling slimy, and after using one, I get what they mean...still, it was ultra comfy on my face.
 
Agreed!

I often go along with the crowd/forum recommendations and end up buying a brush that doesn’t actually suit my needs. If only there were shops where one could see and feel the brush before buying it online sight unseen!

I now avoid the majority of badger brushes as they are all SHD knots.

I'm considering getting a couple of knots made with standard density.

Even that can be hit or miss. I have badgers that feel a little pokey dry but are great in use, and ones that feel soft dry but scritchy in use.

Interestingly I have a couple of objectively soft synthetics that can give me brush burn if I face lather with them, but boars, which seem scratchier, aren't a problem even only partly broken in.

This is the weird thing I've experienced also... Very soft synth knots somehow causing skin irritation. Bizarre!!
 
I generally prefer Silvertip with Finest coming in at a close second. I can't tolerate the scratchiness of the modern Pure Badger. That said, I recently purchased older but lightly used Casswell & Massey Blond Badger. I have not been able to learn much about what a Blonde Badger really is, but it appears to a version of Best, which is between Pure and Finest. It has a lot of backbone due to large shafted hair and is reasonably dense, so it lathers like a monster. It has a touch of scritch, but no scratch, just enough scritch to feel it, but not enough to be annoying. Because of how nice it lathers, it has become a brush I reach for pretty often.

So it all depends on what your tolerance for scritch / scratch and the true nature of the brush involved.
 
The Mistura is 50% premium boar hair, same as the SOC boar brush. The brush take time to break in, just like the SOC boar. As @helicopter was saying, it takes many cycles of soaking and drying to get the boar hairs to split. My advice is just keep using it and it should get better over time. Make sure you let it dry completely after each use to get the tips to split. My SOC Mistura probably took 40 cycles to break in all the way.

I've got both the SOC Mistura and SOC Finest. They're great in my book.
 
As far as badger brushes go, the majority of my brushes are silvertips or finest, but little over a year ago I added some pure badger brushes. That was a novelty for me, as I had never bought that grade before.

I have not used pure badger brushes exclusively for an extended period of time and my skin seems to be content with that grade. I like the pure grade for the different feel it provides and they seem to work quite well well with hard soaps.

I was sceptical at first, but the Semogue Mistura boar/badger mix is a type of brush that I also quite like.

So, all I can say is that boar, synthetic, Mixturas, or different grades of badger shaving brushes are ‘horses for courses’ to me. It depends on the mood and to a lesser extend on the shaving soap or cream that I intend to use that day.

Speaking about horses, these was the only type of shaving brushes that I could not warm up to. Too much hair loss and too much tangling. But Vie-Long is gone now and the share of horse shaving brushes is rather small these days.



B.
 
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The Mistura is 50% premium boar hair, same as the SOC boar brush. The brush take time to break in, just like the SOC boar. My SOC Mistura probably took 40 cycles to break in all the way.

I've got both the SOC Mistura and SOC Finest. They're great in my book.

To expand on Semogue Misturas:

Yes, Semogue Misturas are quite nice brushes.
Half of the brush (Please don’t ask me whether the top or bottom half 🤭) consists of boar and boar needs time to break in. Once broken in, boar bristles will still feel stiff when dry but once they’re wet boar brushes can become very supple.

I should add that in case of Semogue Misturas, the Torga C5 Mistura will always feel less soft than the SOC Mistura because of its shorter loft, so if you should have a Torga C5 Mistura you need to expect a little more scritchiness.

In the meantime, you could use some shaving soaps and creams that provide a nice lubrication and cushion (e.g. ones that contain lanolin), so you won’t feel the scritchiness as much.


Hope this helps…


B.
 
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musicman1951

three-tu-tu, three-tu-tu
Well, I'm a complicated man with elitist tastes and the ability to complain about almost anything - so short answers don't come easily. I very much dislike scritchy tips and therefore any mention of scrub gets my hackles up. However, I also hate floppy brushes.

My favorite badger has outstanding backbone, but very soft tips. My SOC 2 band (second favorite) has very good backbone and soft tips. My Wald synthetic has very good backbone and soft tips. Just so you know that there are good choices for you out there.

I have a Mistura - mixed breed similar to your description - and it's a fine brush. It took a very, very long time to fully break in, and it's not as soft in the tips as the others, but is way more comfortable than after 12 shaves.

Two suggestions:

It's less scrubby when splayed a bit, using back and forth motions as opposed to circles.

If it's really irritating you can do the break in with palm lathering ever other day after your shave with left over lather (or just load a bit of soap with the offending brush).
 
A low density brush with easy splay is my preference. I don't mind a bit of scrub from a lofty boar but the scritch from a prickly badger is a no-no. The latter tends to make me spotty which as a 52 year old is a little irksome....
 
The dilemma’s in the title. I purchased a well-recommended brush not long ago, one known for its stiffness and gentle ‘scrubbiness,’ with the intended purpose of lathering a hard soap that I had been having trouble with. That brush has been excellent for lathering the soap, but I have found it a notch or two too stiff for my taste. While it’s only been a dozen shaves and it’s likely it that it hasn’t fully broken in yet, I’m not sure if it will ever become as soft as the other brushes that I use. The stiff brush in question is the well liked mixed bristle brush, and is remarkable in every other way. It should be noted that I face lather, have medium growth, as well as moderately sensitive skin. Finally, ‘stiff’ is a subjective descriptor, so I am aware of my subjective or user bias.

Let’s open this up to general discussion:
Does anyone else not get along too well with stiffer brushes?

Recommendations, tips, and advice are welcome, too.
First speeding the lathering process for a hard soap is a great reason for having a stiffer brush. I compliment my two synthetics with a bleached boar for that reason. Over time I've figured out how to lather even my hardest soaps with the synthetics. I still use the boar periodically because it does provide a very different shaving experience from a face feel perspective. Preferences here will vary due to your skin sensitivity and YMMV.

In my case I enjoy the occasional variety so the boar stays in rotation. It's broken in (bleached so didn't take long) and comfortable but I never expect it to ever be nearly as soft or luxurious as my synthetics.

My recommendation is, since your brush is a blended badger/boar Mistura, to give it more time to fully break in. At that point you can decide if you like it and if the extra stiffness is an acceptable trade off for a more efficient lathering process. It's possible this brush just isn't a good fit for you. Good luck!

P.S. @gpjoe 's suggestion above is excellent. If you bowl lather you can reap the lathering speed benefits of the stiffer brush and avoid any discomfort from excessive face lathering.
 
After reading this thread multiple times, I have a few thoughts to share, especially since I have experienced a great deal of problems with sensitive skin. These thoughts may not apply to you, but for some, they might.


A well broken in boar brush, properly lathered and used gently on wet or oiled skin, should not irritate the skin. So, why might it be causing irritation?

Allergies are more common today than ever. After a hot shower or splashing warm water on your face, your skin opens up, making it more prone to irritation or an allergic reaction. A cold splash can help soothe this. Maby trying other products could help.

Fungal infections are also common. I've seen many people struggle with shaving, only to discover they have a fungal infection.

Are you being too rough on your skin? Chasing DFS or BBS with two or three passes isn’t for everyone. One pass can be enough. Find a razor that suits you and your skill level. If you've been too harsh on your skin, give it time to heal. A WTG pass can give a great shave! XTG or ATG isn't necessary for everyone. Be honest with yourself: are you doing the proper prep? Are you using the right blade and razor? This may be why the second pass with the brush hurts.

Skin care routine—are you using skincare products? If so, you might be irritating your skin. Washing your face with water every morning and evening is often sufficient for clean, healthy skin. Also, changing your pillowcase at least once a week can work wonders

Disclaimer: I write this with nothing but care and concern.

Feeling pain or "irritation" from a good-quality badger brush or a even a well broken in boar, or in other words, a soft brush, is not normal for most people.
Shaving can be a quiet, meditative time; it can also force you to connect with yourself. Using a brush with thousands of soft hairs on your face is quite stimulating. You may even come into contact with your body in an overwhelming way. Physical contact can hurt, even the gentlest touch. The reasons can vary, and I won’t pretend to know you. It may even change from day to day, but we all know what it's like to be human. Being in contact with your own body and emotions is a good and healthy way of life. It hurts less—it really does hurt less.
 
I've seen many people struggle with shaving, only to discover they have a fungal infection.
Are you a dermatologist?
Honest question. I’m asking only because i am not and I rarely have people talking to me about their issues with shaving or sensitive skin.
 
After reading this thread multiple times, I have a few thoughts to share, especially since I have experienced a great deal of problems with sensitive skin. These thoughts may not apply to you, but for some, they might.


A well broken in boar brush, properly lathered and used gently on wet or oiled skin, should not irritate the skin. So, why might it be causing irritation?

Allergies are more common today than ever. After a hot shower or splashing warm water on your face, your skin opens up, making it more prone to irritation or an allergic reaction. A cold splash can help soothe this. Maby trying other products could help.

Fungal infections are also common. I've seen many people struggle with shaving, only to discover they have a fungal infection.

Are you being too rough on your skin? Chasing DFS or BBS with two or three passes isn’t for everyone. One pass can be enough. Find a razor that suits you and your skill level. If you've been too harsh on your skin, give it time to heal. A WTG pass can give a great shave! XTG or ATG isn't necessary for everyone. Be honest with yourself: are you doing the proper prep? Are you using the right blade and razor? This may be why the second pass with the brush hurts.

Skin care routine—are you using skincare products? If so, you might be irritating your skin. Washing your face with water every morning and evening is often sufficient for clean, healthy skin. Also, changing your pillowcase at least once a week can work wonders

Disclaimer: I write this with nothing but care and concern.

Feeling pain or "irritation" from a good-quality badger brush or a even a well broken in boar, or in other words, a soft brush, is not normal for most people.
Shaving can be a quiet, meditative time; it can also force you to connect with yourself. Using a brush with thousands of soft hairs on your face is quite stimulating. You may even come into contact with your body in an overwhelming way. Physical contact can hurt, even the gentlest touch. The reasons can vary, and I won’t pretend to know you. It may even change from day to day, but we all know what it's like to be human. Being in contact with your own body and emotions is a good and healthy way of life. It hurts less—it really does hurt less.
Great post. I’ll add one if you allow me.

There’s an easy way to see if a brush is too exfoliating to your skin. (I’ve done it)

Face lather the normal way, splay, swirl, go for it… wipe the lather away with water. Apply aftershave or alum.

There’s your answer. If it burns even without a blade touching your face it’s your scrubbing that’s causing the issue.

I have to be real careful with face lathering. Soft boar, painting motion only. Anything else and my skin is raw.

Brush scrubbing is not so inoffensive as people may think. Shaving is already exfoliating, the last thing I want is a pre exfoliation before the actual one.

This may not apply to everyone. I shave daily so brush irritation builds up. If I shaved every 2 or 3 days maybe I could tolerate it more, who knows.

Bottom line is, experiment and try to figure out how your skin reacts to things and adapt your routine accordingly.
 
Are you a dermatologist?
Honest question. I’m asking only because i am not and I rarely have people talking to me about their issues with shaving or sensitive skin.
know this is going to sound weird, but during my first year at boarding school, I read a medical book that had a picture of a fungal infection. I saw it and showed it to the teacher, he was sure that it was caused by shaving... He was sure I was wrong, but I kept insisting that he was mistaken, more than a few times. Since then, I've kept seeing similar infections—it’s like a pattern you can't unsee once you've noticed it. I’m also gifted with absolutely no filter, and I can’t stand when people are wrong, so I keep pointing it out. It makes for some weird dinner conversations. At least I’m not boring! 😌
 
Great advice. People need to shave in a way that suits their needs!
Great post. I’ll add one if you allow me.

There’s an easy way to see if a brush is too exfoliating to your skin. (I’ve done it)

Face lather the normal way, splay, swirl, go for it… wipe the lather away with water. Apply aftershave or alum.

There’s your answer. If it burns even without a blade touching your face it’s your scrubbing that’s causing the issue.

I have to be real careful with face lathering. Soft boar, painting motion only. Anything else and my skin is raw.

Brush scrubbing is not so inoffensive as people may think. Shaving is already exfoliating, the last thing I want is a pre exfoliation before the actual one.

This may not apply to everyone. I shave daily so brush irritation builds up. If I shaved every 2 or 3 days maybe I could tolerate it more, who knows.

Bottom line is, experiment and try to figure out how your skin reacts to things and adapt your routine accordingly
 
After reading this thread multiple times, I have a few thoughts to share, especially since I have experienced a great deal of problems with sensitive skin. These thoughts may not apply to you, but for some, they might.


A well broken in boar brush, properly lathered and used gently on wet or oiled skin, should not irritate the skin. So, why might it be causing irritation?

Allergies are more common today than ever. After a hot shower or splashing warm water on your face, your skin opens up, making it more prone to irritation or an allergic reaction. A cold splash can help soothe this. Maby trying other products could help.

Fungal infections are also common. I've seen many people struggle with shaving, only to discover they have a fungal infection.

Are you being too rough on your skin? Chasing DFS or BBS with two or three passes isn’t for everyone. One pass can be enough. Find a razor that suits you and your skill level. If you've been too harsh on your skin, give it time to heal. A WTG pass can give a great shave! XTG or ATG isn't necessary for everyone. Be honest with yourself: are you doing the proper prep? Are you using the right blade and razor? This may be why the second pass with the brush hurts.

Skin care routine—are you using skincare products? If so, you might be irritating your skin. Washing your face with water every morning and evening is often sufficient for clean, healthy skin. Also, changing your pillowcase at least once a week can work wonders

Disclaimer: I write this with nothing but care and concern.

Feeling pain or "irritation" from a good-quality badger brush or a even a well broken in boar, or in other words, a soft brush, is not normal for most people.
Shaving can be a quiet, meditative time; it can also force you to connect with yourself. Using a brush with thousands of soft hairs on your face is quite stimulating. You may even come into contact with your body in an overwhelming way. Physical contact can hurt, even the gentlest touch. The reasons can vary, and I won’t pretend to know you. It may even change from day to day, but we all know what it's like to be human. Being in contact with your own body and emotions is a good and healthy way of life. It hurts less—it really does hurt less.
Wouldn't have understood the merits of self-care in the past, but now I do. It's not worth shaving a certain way if it causes discomfort.
 
My daily driver is Omega Proraso boar which is not floppy at all. What I do when I want more control over its stiffness is that I hold it in the "italian barber way". This is when you hold the brush with three fingers, like a painting brush, but you hold it in the base of the bristles. This way you spread the knot and control the stiffness. It also gives you more control over the painting of the lather over the contour of the face as the brush knot is flattened.
See the holding technique here: How To Hold A Shave Brush? - Sharpologist - https://sharpologist.com/hold-shave-brush/
 
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