An earlier thread sparked my question. What is the difference? I'm assuming a bulb brush would have the tips closer together and not "fanned out". I have grown to face lathering. Which is better for that? I have an EJ brush that seems to be fan shaped. I say that because the bristles are very flimsy and it doesn't have the scrub effect when face lathering. Any input would be appreciated.
Bulb vs. Fan shaped brush?
- Thread starter 76GTfan
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I have both & face lather. I cannot tell any difference. I think its more a matter of personal preference.
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What is that difference though? What pros and cons are present in both. I bough a short loft WD brush. I like that feel, but it had it drilled too low due to my lack of knowledge at the time.
bulbs don't open up as much, so may display more backbone.
fans open up more in general, so feel bigger on the face because they splay wider.
many use bulb for bowl lathering and fan for face lathering, but both can be used for whatever.
I have not noticed any advance or disadvantage to either but prefer the look of BULB or HYBRID (not quite bulb, not quite fan)
fans open up more in general, so feel bigger on the face because they splay wider.
many use bulb for bowl lathering and fan for face lathering, but both can be used for whatever.
I have not noticed any advance or disadvantage to either but prefer the look of BULB or HYBRID (not quite bulb, not quite fan)
I face lather and prefer fan shaped brushes, but as in all things shaving, it is all down to personal preference.
I think that I like fan shaped more because I also like brushes with short lofts and stiff hair, and those qualities in a bulb shaped brush could make it too scrubby.
I think that I like fan shaped more because I also like brushes with short lofts and stiff hair, and those qualities in a bulb shaped brush could make it too scrubby.
+1 on what's been said. Bulbs tend to splay less and therefore the same size knot feels smaller and stiffer on your face than a fan of equal dimensions would, all other things equal. Of course loft, hair quality, brand variations, etc. etc. can throw this all out of whack. But generally this is true, I'd say. Personally I prefer larger bulbs.... bulbs on the small side (<22mm) don't do too much for me.... but then again others love them!!! I guess I like a little more badger on my face, so if I'm going to go with a smaller knot, I'd prefer a fan or hybrid. This all really comes down to the need to try many different brushes to see what you like best.
Refer to Jeff_h's recent thread about enabling.
- Badger Bill
Refer to Jeff_h's recent thread about enabling.
- Badger Bill
The fan brushes do splay out more and because of that it feels like it has less backbone. I prefer the bulbs for this reason.
Just from the shape of it (provided exactly same hair type) you will have a larger number of hair tips touching your skin with a fan shaped brush than with a bulb shaped one. The middle of the bulb, the longest loft area, will be a smaller pointy zone. To have the outer, lower loft hairs also touch your skin, you will have to use more pressure. As the loft height for a fan is more equal the pressure distribution is different from a bulb. Consequently the feel on the skin is different.
I face lather and most of my favorite brushes are fans. YMMV
I face lather and most of my favorite brushes are fans. YMMV
Bulbs: shorter hairs around the edge of the knot, longer hairs in the middle. Brush feels less floppy as there is more support for the middle hairs. Brush can be used at nearly any angle because the tips are lower on the sides. Visually you see more tips as well. Tends to work better at medium to higher lofts and well with soft hairs like silvertip.
Fans: relatively consistent length hairs all around. More tips in contact with the face head on. Seems to work better at lower lofts due to less backbone and with stiffer hairs like finest or boar.
Fans: relatively consistent length hairs all around. More tips in contact with the face head on. Seems to work better at lower lofts due to less backbone and with stiffer hairs like finest or boar.
Thanks I have always wondered. I'll stick with bulb for now.
I like the fan shape better in general, especially when facelathering creams in a TUB because the whole "top" of the brush will be covered in cream instead of a little pointy part of the loft and the rest of the sides. I hope that made sense =)
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