Brush loft preferences

[Dr Jekyll]

What is your preferred loft height for a shaving brush and why?

I want to understand better the significance of variations in the lofts of different brushes.

 

[Emmett]

18-21mm knot and 45-50mm loft. I have one brush that's larger than those dimensions, and while I love it, I don't think I would have gotten it had I had more experience with my several smaller brushes.

My considerations for a knot is that it be soft (sensitive skin), minimal splay (small face), and stiff enough to face lather. Small, short silvertip knots fit my needs perfectly.

 

[Leche]

I use soaps only. Boar doesn't matter on the loft. It's gonna work great. Badger less than 50, closer to 45 preferred. I only face lather also.

 

[Mink]

Badger: 20mm knot, 45-50mm loft Bigger knots just get huge when all the lather is built up in my bowl. They can actually take up too much room in the bowl. Also, the bigger brushes make applying the lather messy (in the nose and ears, on the collar, etc). My favorite badger brush is a 20mm best with a 50mm loft.

Boar: 22-24mm knot, 50-55 loft The boars don't bloom as much after the lather is built so I can use a bigger brush. The longer loft allows me to swirl in the lather bowl without banging into the sides. My favorite boar brush has a 22+mm knot and 55mm loft.

 

[Schwert]

18-20mm knots with 40-44mm lofts.

Anything above 44mm is too tall for my face-lathering needs. I want a small diameter dense firm brush. Flop or massive bloom has zero appeal to me.

 

[redbike]

My preferred soap brush, exclusively face lathered is the Rooney 3/1 in finest. The knot size is 22mm, and the loft is 48mm. It is considered a dense, firm brush.

My preferred cream brush, mostly lathered in a bowl, is the B&BE. The knot size is either 22 or 23, and the loft is 52 or 53. It is firm, but does not have the density of the Rooney.

A shorter loft seems to work better for soaps and a taller loft for creams, at least in my experience.

 

[huntmol]

20-22mm knot, 45-50mm loft

why? I prefer brushes that are more dense, with more backbone

 

[andrew98]

...why? I prefer brushes that are more dense, with more backbone

+1. 45mm loft is great (50mm if you're talking Semogue 620). 19-21mm knot.

-Andy

 

[dpmtherrien]

For a knot size I wouldn't go above 21mm if you want a denser brush, but I also think that its a matter of personal preference.

The greater the loft the floppier the brush is going to be.

 

[dreadpirate]

I'm glad there's someone out there that agrees with me on this. The last time I suggested that some brushes were better for soaps than creams, I had my head handed to me.

A shorter loft seems to work better for soaps and a taller loft for creams, at least in my experience.

 

[riooso]

A shorter loft seems to work better for soaps and a taller loft for creams, at least in my experience.

I would agree with you in most brushes, and I have found it so in all the brushes that I had...... till a month ago. I got a Simpson Chubby 1 in two-banded Super and the loft is so short that I can't really use it in a bowl like I usually like to do because it his the sides..bad, bad, bad in my book. I start lather in a bowl but end up on my face building lather. I have to do that with both creams and soaps so I don't see the difference really. It is a fantastic brush but I need a brush that will hold 4 solid passes and I like my lather thick, well you know. So is it better for creams or soaps? Just different but nice with both because the brush is awesome.

Take Care,
Richard

 

[ofelas]

20-22mm knot, 45-50mm loft

why? I prefer brushes that are more dense, with more backbone

+2. Simspon Chubby-1

 

[Dr Jekyll]

I'm thinking of getting a Golden Nib knot of 22mm x 65mm

Is there any reason why this should not work well set at a loft height of 48mm?

 

[SJBFIRE]

I think the ideal loft has to do with a fan vs. bulb shape also. From my experiences and what I have read here on the B&B a 45-48 loft works well for a fan shaped knot such as Rooneys and Simpsons brushes. And 48-52 for the bulb shaped knots such as Shavemac, Savile Row, and even the B&B Essential brush. The two shapes are two different beast's really. I think most prefer to have multiple brushes in different shapes and sizes.... find out what works best for you. Good luck.

Not sure what you're price range is but the The Rooney "Special" is a great all around brush at a great price. Works great for soaps/creams, bowl and face lathering. Check them out at vintageblades.com

 

[redbike]

I'm thinking of getting a Golden Nib knot of 22mm x 65mm

Is there any reason why this should not work well set at a loft height of 48mm?

Depends by what you mean by work well: as a shaving brush for you, or whether the knot will fit into the handle you have.

My advice is to figure out what you want the loft to be, ascertain that the knot will fit in the handle you have, and then set to work on your handle. It's critical that the handle be able to accommodate the inset depth of the knot - the 17mm difference between the knot height and your preferred loft.

As long as the handle can accommodate the knot, you should be fine.

Good luck and post pictures.

jim

 

[Klopstick]

I'm thinking of getting a Golden Nib knot of 22mm x 65mm

Is there any reason why this should not work well set at a loft height of 48mm?

I did a restoration of an Ever-Ready handle with exactly that and it is a fantastic brush! I used the Finest knot and set it to about 48mm. Not too stiff, not too floppy.

 

[cfriend]

I use soaps only. Boar doesn't matter on the loft. It's gonna work great. Badger less than 50, closer to 45 preferred. I only face lather also.

+1. A man after my own heart. 22mm knot, 45mm loft. Basically, anything Rooney Size 1.

 

[JCD]

I made my brush from a 20mm Silvertip A from the golden nib and I set it at 50mm loft. I couldn't be happier with it, I feel pampered every time I use it
It's like the baby bear's porridge, just right.

 

[cristobal41]

Hi you all, gents,

How about a 28 mm knot and 45 mm loft silvertip brush for face lathering only?

Is is too stiff?

Best regards and thanks.

 

[talibeard]

Boar: max 50mm but rather 45mm.

Badger: max 45mm but rather even less.

For face-lathering I prefer shorter brushes; more backbone, more precise lathering and more economical (you need less product).