Different Brush Different Experience!

[DBdL]

Hi fellow shavers,

When I got my first brush it was a simple pure badger brush (Art of Shaving) which I ended up handing down to my brother with various creams after I upgraded to the kent BK4. Now I have been using my BK4 for some time now and when I first used it I definitely noticed a much nicer feel (very soft) as well as improved lather but nothing to write home about. However, I stayed at my brothers house and forgot to bring my BK4 so I had to use my old pure badger this morning and holy cow what a difference! It felt as if I was using steel wool (ok not that bad but you get the idea). Also the lather took a little more time to get to how I like it. Absolutely incredible the difference which I never really realized until going back. I truly and utterly recommend that if you have not already used a better brush that at some point in your shave journey you get an upgraded brush. I highly vouch for the BK4. Soft, holds plenty of water/lather and lather creation is a breeze not to mention it's a good price. Some people complain of it being too floppy but I myself never noticed this even when using soaps. That being said I am primarily (as in 99.9% of the time) a cream guy (CF, XPEC and AdP soft soap).

Happy shaving everyone,

D

 

[takeshi]

Definitely keep in mind that you can't evaluate something without trying. Also keep in mind that what someone is looking for in a brush can differ from person to person.

 

[Big Jim]

So do you feel guilty about what you gave your brother yet?

Guilt led me to replace the brush I gifted my son (a very cheap 100% badger) with a silvertip.

 

[Jeff_H]

I understand your emotion exactly. I used a cheap Walgreens Boar brush for 2 years, along with only 1 razor and 1 type of blade. Then I joined here. My first new brush was a Kent BK8. The biggest difference for me was how easily it created lather from the creams I use. I also use creams almost exclusively. It was also very soft and luxurious. But the lather was so much easier. I still love my Kent very much. The issue I have is that I shave in the shower and rarely at the sink. It is harder to have a bowl in the shower, mix the lather, where to set the bowl and brush while shaving.

After dropping and breaking 2 shaving bowls in the shower due to wet hands and slippery lather I decided to purchase a slightly smaller and stiffer brush so I could try face lathering in the shower. Most of the time now in the shower I use brushless cream, Cremo Creme. I get very good shaves this way, but part of the luxury of this hobby and style of shaving is the feel of a brush on your face and the lather from a great Italian or English soap or cream. Without it shaving feels like a bit more of a chore again as opposed to a luxury.

I would love to shave at the sink more, but the height of the counter top and the amount of bending over and leaning over I have to do wreaks havoc on my back injury. By the time I am done my back, legs and feet hurt so much the experience was hardly worth it. Plus, I get so many more weepers and nicks and irritation shaving at the sink, no matter how long I hold hot, moist washcloths on my face. It doesn't matter if I shave directly after my shower. Something with my skin type reacts so much better to shaving in the shower.

So, having a better brush; the right type of brush makes a huge difference. I also recommend that once you have decided shaving with a DE is the way you want to shave moving forward, invest in a better brush. That doesn't mean spending $100 or more. It can if you want, but doesn't have to. There are many great brushes being made with luxurious silvertip knots that can be had for under $60. Whipped Dog is just one of the many. Restore an old handle you love with a new knot. Watch the B/S/T and pick up a great deal on a gently used brush that would have cost you much more new. It's worth the effort.

 

[redrako]

This is how it begins...

Boy decides to switch to wet shaving.
Boy buys budget shave brush and learns make lather.
Boy is happy for many weeks/months/years.

Boy joins Badger and Blade.
Boy reads ecstatic reviews about brush brand Z.
Boy eventually decides to treat himself.

Boy realizes that he loves his new brush.
Boy dreams of softness of new brush.
Boy starts imagining different shave brushes and eyes children's college fund.​

Congratulations DBdl on your BK4.

 

[DBdL]

That's the odd thing I was using my AoS pure badger well before reading B&B and even switched to my BK4 a little before joining. But this morning was an eye opener. I told my brother he really should try mine just to see if he prefers it. He's not too interested but we'll see...after all he says he likes a little scruffiness while applying his lather.

BTW Jeff I solely face lather with my BK4 with no problems...works great in my opinion. When I first started with the whole brush/creams I used a bowl but as I became more experienced I started to try more and more face lathering. I realized my shaves improved and have not looked back. Oh before forget I started using a brush/lather approximately 10 years ago now.

Thanks redrako.

Cheers everyone.

 

[Ashley Rosser]

I have a friend down under who swore blind his raggedy old, cheap boar brush was lovely and soft until he got a silvertip brush for his birthday.
He'll never go back to it, a good brush makes shaving a pleasure.
I love my two Kent brushes, a BLK4 and a BK8; wonderfully soft and good for creams or soaps and no I don't find them floppy.