Best brush for shaving sticks
- Thread starter SirArthur
- Start date
Pretty much anything that you'd use to face-lather, so that tends to be a little bit smaller and with shorter lofts than a typical bowl-lathering oriented brush.
I think you can get away with most of the Semogue boars around 55mm, though 50mm is superb. Try the 1470, 620, 830, or wait for the new one to come out (the Custom, whatever it will be named, which is a shorter denser 830).
As for badgers, I think you're best bet is <50mm loft. The Simpson Colonel is my current favorite, but most any Simpson in Best is suitable, as are the two-band Supers. Also, check out a Rooney size 1 (either style, though style 1 is probably best suited, but style 3 is great).
I think you can get away with most of the Semogue boars around 55mm, though 50mm is superb. Try the 1470, 620, 830, or wait for the new one to come out (the Custom, whatever it will be named, which is a shorter denser 830).
As for badgers, I think you're best bet is <50mm loft. The Simpson Colonel is my current favorite, but most any Simpson in Best is suitable, as are the two-band Supers. Also, check out a Rooney size 1 (either style, though style 1 is probably best suited, but style 3 is great).
Right now my Simpson Polo 8 is my favorite face lathering brush but I have other ones that fit the bill too. It really doesn't matter if you've rubbed on a stick, rubbed on some cream, or loaded your brush with soap from a puck, a good face lathering brush is a pleasure to use.
I find that floppy brushes make it a little more difficult to do but ultimately are the softest on the face. A brush with a little backbone and mostly soft tips is a pleasure to use.
I hate to say YMMV but really that's what it all comes down to because it really is personal preference.
I have a Simpson Eagle G3 in Best that is great for face lathering.
I'll echo JP and say 620, 1470, or the one thats being developed currently.
I agree with the others, and like you i find staicks a joy to use. Simple, convenient and easy to control distribution. All of my brushes work well for face lathering but the smaller ones make it easier to keep lather out of my nose and ears. The exception is an old Floppy Pure that is a 53.
I just got a puck of MWF and immediately grated it. Half went in a small mug and half in a twist up stick deodorant container. Works great as a stick. The small travel size deodorant containers seem to be a perfect size.
I just got a puck of MWF and immediately grated it. Half went in a small mug and half in a twist up stick deodorant container. Works great as a stick. The small travel size deodorant containers seem to be a perfect size.
Semogue 620 is an amazing brush when she's broken in. So is the Omega 10029. These are 22 & 23mm knots respectively. you may prefer more or less brush.
I only use shave sticks for travel use, as they are much more easier to pack in Dopp Kit. I also, have a dedicated razor, and brush for travel. My travel brush is a grocery store $15.00 Tweezerman Pure Badger. It works great with shave sticks, better than silvertips as the pure is stiffer.
Good question.
I find soft - not overly dense - badger brushes are best suited for sticks.
I find soft - not overly dense - badger brushes are best suited for sticks.
This sounds about right. I have a Savile Row 3226 and it's way too dense for sticks (All I use now). An Omega 31064 doesn't make a lot of lather, but it gives me the best shaves with sticks.
Simpson's case
Agreed. I recommend the C&E BBB, BaBE, Kent BK4, B&B LE 2009, Savile Row SR208 in finest. I also have a couple of NOS EverReady's (175 and 1500) in Badger that work exceptionally well with shave sticks. A lot of guys have re-knotted the old EverReady's and RubberSets with Badger knots and they seem to work well for them.
-- John Gehman
I agree. The Savile Row 3318 is my exclusive shave stick brush. Small and very soft.
I agree--the diminutive Case is a superb face latherer: compact, dense, soft in the tips, plenty of backbone, and precise control. It's my favorite to use with my Valobra and La Toja shave sticks.
