Hi all, been DE shaving for the past 6 weeks or so, and been getting quite decent at getting a workable lather using some of the tips/techniques found on here, smooth, rich and no skipping issues. Started out with an EJ BBB and moved on to a Frank Shaving Finest after that, preferring the ergonomics on the handle and the stiffer backbone.
Recently I've acquired a Shavemac D01 (thanks Bob!) and it definitely takes more product and effort to load properly, spending maybe 40% more time loading the brush compared to the EJ BBB / FS Finest. The issue I'm having is that my first two brushes would (with less loading) provide lather enough for 4-5 passes and perhaps even more, and that lather would be just as usable in the 4th pass as it was in the 1st. My first attempt with the D01 netted lather that was too thin due to the brush being insufficiently loaded and not being able to release properly, loaded it up further and whipped up a thicker more usable batch but even so by the 3rd pass the lather was causing more skipping, and had to load up yet again!
Now the thing is in the last few weeks of reading, there have been a myriad of adjectives thrown around for the more premium brushes, basically explaining how much more luxurious it is etc. Here's my question: when held in my hand and running my fingers through the hairs the D01 is undeniably the most dense, and has the softest tips by far. However when the brushes are in use and saturated by thick lather - it honestly feels by and large the same, especially when utilising a painting stroke. There is a minor difference in feel when applied initially in a circular fashion, but otherwise I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. The denser brush also needs far more product in order to generate usable lather and release it properly, lather quality is similar when done properly.
Is there a crucial step I'm missing somewhere? some hidden technique I need in order to utilize the brush to its full potential? The D01 seems to be able to generate lather quicker when loaded properly, but it doesn't seem to hold its quality from pass to pass. Even with the proper technique, is the denser brush worth the extra time loading etc. if the lather quality in the end is similar and the feel on the face (to me) isn't all that different? Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks everyone!
Recently I've acquired a Shavemac D01 (thanks Bob!) and it definitely takes more product and effort to load properly, spending maybe 40% more time loading the brush compared to the EJ BBB / FS Finest. The issue I'm having is that my first two brushes would (with less loading) provide lather enough for 4-5 passes and perhaps even more, and that lather would be just as usable in the 4th pass as it was in the 1st. My first attempt with the D01 netted lather that was too thin due to the brush being insufficiently loaded and not being able to release properly, loaded it up further and whipped up a thicker more usable batch but even so by the 3rd pass the lather was causing more skipping, and had to load up yet again!
Now the thing is in the last few weeks of reading, there have been a myriad of adjectives thrown around for the more premium brushes, basically explaining how much more luxurious it is etc. Here's my question: when held in my hand and running my fingers through the hairs the D01 is undeniably the most dense, and has the softest tips by far. However when the brushes are in use and saturated by thick lather - it honestly feels by and large the same, especially when utilising a painting stroke. There is a minor difference in feel when applied initially in a circular fashion, but otherwise I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. The denser brush also needs far more product in order to generate usable lather and release it properly, lather quality is similar when done properly.
Is there a crucial step I'm missing somewhere? some hidden technique I need in order to utilize the brush to its full potential? The D01 seems to be able to generate lather quicker when loaded properly, but it doesn't seem to hold its quality from pass to pass. Even with the proper technique, is the denser brush worth the extra time loading etc. if the lather quality in the end is similar and the feel on the face (to me) isn't all that different? Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks everyone!