face lathering, fan or bulb?

[jrowen]

I really enjoy face lathering as my method of choice, though I think I'm in the minority since I've been using what I believe to be comparatively very high loft brushes for this (57mm, vs. <50mm).... but I digress. I noticed that all of my brushes in rotation (and all the ones I've tried) have a fan shaped knot.

I've been considering buying an "upgraded" brush to my current single badger in rotation (though I'm quite pleased with it, more for the experience of using something different). I am also noticing that many of the "higher end" badger brush vendors seem to produce more of a bulb shaped knot.

Face latherer's of the world:

• Do you prefer bulb shaped or fan shaped knots?... and why?
• Have you noticed any difference WRT face lathering between the two?

Thanks for your input,

Jason

 

[Klarion]

I really prefer the fan shape. I'm a big boar user and, fortunately, they're generally pretty fan shaped themselves. Face lathering, I like the coverage a fan can provide without having to place any pressure if you really want to be gentle on your skin.

I think my next brush will likely be a custom, with a two-band fan shaped knot.

 

[huntmol]

I'm a full-time face latherer and I prefer fan shaped knots, but as long as they're not too pointy, bulb shaped knots work fine for face lathering. I should note that even though I prefer fans, 4 of my 6 brushes are more bulb than fan.

 

[Ignatius]

Its worth remembering that its really only Rooney that make fan shaped brushes anymore. Simpson brushes are traditionally a sort of hybrid, but under Vulfix have become more bulbous. Most of the European brushes are very bulbous.

 

[JPDyson]

Shavemac turns out custom fan-shaped brushes, or even "extremely flat top" brushes (check out Ambrose and RudyVey customs posted recently for examples).

The conventional wisdom is that fan-shaped knots are preferred for face lathering, however my favorite brush right now is an SR3722, which is bulbous, and lovely.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

I use my fan shaped brushes to face lather creams and my bulb shaped brushes with soaps.

 

[nEver-Ready]

I use my fan shaped brushes to face lather creams and my bulb shaped brushes with soaps.

I also prefer fan shaped knots for face lathering. I can get more hairs on the face without mashing the knot. I have a Penworks (TGN) 20mm 2-band finest fan shaped knot set at 41mm loft that I particularly love for face lathering. My Rooney 1/1 Super Silvertip and Wee Scot are also great.

 

[andrew98]

I only face lather soaps and I have no preference. I have two fan-shaped brushes and several bulb-shaped brushes.

-Andy

 

[Scott0079]

I only face lather soaps and I have no preference. I have two fan-shaped brushes and several bulb-shaped brushes.

-Andy

Ditto....eerily exactly ditto.

 

[ScYcS]

I'm a fan of itself.

 

[Rudy Vey]

I prefer fan shape for face lather with soaps, what I mostly do, but use a bulb shape with creams and a bowl.

 

[Fozz7769]

I used to be a fan fan. i am 50/50 now.

 

[VT_Hokie]

Fan

 

[drumana]

I prefer more of a fan shaped loft with a small to medium knot, but a bulb shaped loft isn't a deal breaker.

 

[jgkeegan]

I am a full-time face latherer and the quality/size of the brush seems more important to me than the shape. Perhaps i am ignorant. I never paid much attention to the shape but lots to the size and feel.

 

[mkc1mjb]

Either one works well for me.

 

[jrowen]

Thank you for all of the responses, Gents. All comments are well received.

I really prefer the fan shape. I'm a big boar user and, fortunately, they're generally pretty fan shaped themselves. Face lathering, I like the coverage a fan can provide without having to place any pressure if you really want to be gentle on your skin.

I think my next brush will likely be a custom, with a two-band fan shaped knot.

It seems to me that the fan shape would intuitively be better for face lathering, as the flat surface would more easily make contact with your whole face.

I've given a custom brush some thought... especially an "Ambrose" style since posted below. Just a little nervous since I'm not really sure which loft/knot sizes I really want in a custom yet. But the idea seems like a winner.

Its worth remembering that its really only Rooney that make fan shaped brushes anymore. Simpson brushes are traditionally a sort of hybrid, but under Vulfix have become more bulbous. Most of the European brushes are very bulbous.

I have been considering a Rooney or Simpson as a next purchase... this whole comment is helpful. I'm thinking of trying a Rooney 1/2 in super. Thoughts???

Shavemac turns out custom fan-shaped brushes, or even "extremely flat top" brushes (check out Ambrose and RudyVey customs posted recently for examples).

The conventional wisdom is that fan-shaped knots are preferred for face lathering, however my favorite brush right now is an SR3722, which is bulbous, and lovely.

Great pointer! I missed that. Checked it out, looks great! I'm now giving that some VERY serious thought when I have more of my preferences figured out.

I also prefer fan shaped knots for face lathering. I can get more hairs on the face without mashing the knot. I have a Penworks (TGN) 20mm 2-band finest fan shaped knot set at 41mm loft that I particularly love for face lathering. My Rooney 1/1 Super Silvertip and Wee Scot are also great.

This is what I had envisioned would be the case/issue with a bulb shaped knot. But it sounds like plenty of us get on fine with a bulb.

- Jason

 

[nav]

I am a huge fan of the Fan for face lathering. I use a 20mm super badger brush. It is so soft on the face and the coverage is so even without having to press down on the brush. I am glad I didn't get any bigger than 20mm knot size because a fan will always feel much bigger on the face compared to a bulb knot.

 

[antoine1]

I prefer the variation in texture and feel that a bulb shaped knot seems to give. I have not taken to my Rooney fans at all.