Bowl Lathering with a Simpson Berkeley

[Mr_Spiffy]

I just recently received my first quality brush in the mail, a Simpson Berkeley. My first brush was a Tweezerman, which I started out with just around a month ago. And, while it was a good starter brush to see if I'd enjoy DE shaving, it's quite prickly on my face. Hence, the switch to the Simpson. However, I've found that lathering with the Berkeley can be a little challenging. It's smaller than the Tweezerman, so you really have to move it around the bowl to get it lathering well. I also found that, unless I press the brush into the bowl a bit and splay the bristles somewhat, it won't lather quite right. It just swirls and swirls. But when I splay the bristles, it foams and lathers quickly.

I guess my question is this: is this normal? Is it because the brush is denser? Is it because it's smaller? Or is my cream or technique just poor? Or maybe I'm just too impatient..?

If anyone else has used the Simpson and thought it was too small, what did you switch to for a larger brush? I'm considering a larger brush because the handle is a little small for me, and I feel that a larger brush would fit my bowl better. (Plus, who doesn't like buying more stuff, right?!?)

 

[njpaddy]

Try using more cream with the Berkeley or get a Simpson Colonel. I've owned both. The Colonel is the better bowl lathering brush. I did bowl lather with the Berkeley at times, but admit that it's a much better face lathering brush.

 

[cxg231]

I just recently received my first quality brush in the mail, a Simpson Berkeley. My first brush was a Tweezerman, which I started out with just around a month ago. And, while it was a good starter brush to see if I'd enjoy DE shaving, it's quite prickly on my face. Hence, the switch to the Simpson. However, I've found that lathering with the Berkeley can be a little challenging. It's smaller than the Tweezerman, so you really have to move it around the bowl to get it lathering well. I also found that, unless I press the brush into the bowl a bit and splay the bristles somewhat, it won't lather quite right. It just swirls and swirls. But when I splay the bristles, it foams and lathers quickly.

Your experience with the Berkeley seems about the same as mine. It's a bit small for bowl lathering IMO, but it works just fine with a little bit of effort. And, maybe I use too much pressure, but I have no idea how you would lather *without* splaying out the bristles a bit.

 

[Brent]

I "pump" my brushes a bit while bowl lathering all the time. For me, that's pretty normal. I'm gentle about it but I have found that if I don't, it won't mix with the water in the middle and can make a mess as I get to later passes on my face.

I don't have a Berkley but I do have a Colonel. It picked it specifically for the larger handle for bowl lathering. Works well and isn't a ton more than the more afforbaly priced brushes like the Berkley. I think I paid around $60 or so for it?

 

[Manning]

Having to push down lightly is normal. You may need more product because the Berk is more dense than the Tweezerman.

I bowl lather with a Berkeley on most days and it performs admirably.

 

[Mr_Spiffy]

Having to push down lightly is normal. You may need more product because the Berk is more dense than the Tweezerman.

I bowl lather with a Berkeley on most days and it performs admirably.

From the week or two of experience with it, I'd say you're all correct. I've noticed I need a little more cream than with the Tweezerman, and if I press down just a bit to open up those bristles it really lathers a lot better. I just don't want to damage the brush. Then again, maybe my gentleness is why it hasn't quite bloomed like I expected it to, yet.

 

[Vlad]

Face lather--problem solved!

 

[Mr_Spiffy]

I'd give it a try, but I hear that face lathering is more for soaps than creams. I haven't bought any soaps, yet. But they're on my list of things to try!

 

[RichieRich3902]

I'd give it a try, but I hear that face lathering is more for soaps than creams. I haven't bought any soaps, yet. But they're on my list of things to try!

Not at all, in fact it's easier if you face lather with creams. You can either apply the cream to the brush, rub it on your face, or squeeze it right on your face.

 

[Mr_Spiffy]

Not at all, in fact it's easier if you face lather with creams. You can either apply the cream to the brush, rub it on your face, or squeeze it right on your face.

Hmm... maybe I'll give that a try for my next shave. Thanks!

 

[Bobtrumpet]

I just received my Berkeley yesterday and used it this morning with Speick SC. No problems bowl lathering, although splaying is a normal part of my lathering technique. My Chubby 2 brush in best requires splaying as well.

I don't know how anyone can get a good lather by just swirling, unless you have very soft water, and perhaps a very large brush.

 

[Joe Edson]

Face lather--problem solved!

+1

My Berkeley is a little face lathering beast. I would never try to use it for bowl lathering (though that can be said for all my brushes....)