Face lathering, what's your favorite brush?

[DavidN88]

I don't have a lot of brushes, but my Yaqi 26mm Timber Wolf synthetic does a great job.

Yaqi Timberwolf is on my wishlist on AliExpress. I'm gonna wait until March promos, to get it for a bargain, just like I did with a 2BB brush that I got from Yaqi as well.
Next will I will receive the Yaqi black marble Silvertip badger.

 

[Cal]

"Face lathering, what's your favorite brush?"

My all-time favorite little lather monster is my custom "Shavemac 'Kleiner Bayer' 14/42 Silvertip D01 2-Band":

A single five second load gives me more than enough luxurious lather for a three pass shave (and I don't get lather in my ears or up my nose [or on my fingers] — I love accuracy).

I like my slightly smaller knotted (13/39) Wee Scot too, but it hasn't seen much action since the Kleiner Bayer arrived.

 

[BanjoCowboyMartaTobes]

I've face lathered exclusively for the last ten-ish years, not counting a brief experiment with a scuttle, that ended with a BST post. And for about 90% of that time it's been with a Wee Scot. I had a B&B LE boar for a little while, but a fire took it and my first Wee Scot away from me. It's only very recently (November) that I've once again gone exploring in brushes a little bit. I picked up a 18mm travel synthetic from Maggards with their Timberwolf knot, and boy is that thing a BEAST for lather. Makes a little bit more lather than my Wee Scot, but the Wee Scot still has the edge, if only just, in terms of lather luxuriousness. For only $8 in the black friday sale, it's easily some of the best value per dollar I've ever spent.

I also picked up an Omega 10086 "Bigger Bambino", an 18mm boar, just to have one of each, and it's a very distant third place to the other two.

View attachment 1407978

I have read reviews that say the Wee Scot is the size of a thumb. I haven’t pulled out the mm ruler but how large is it? Would it be a good 50’s Old Spice mug brush?

 

[Cal]

I have read reviews that say the Wee Scot is the size of a thumb. I haven’t pulled out the mm ruler but how large is it?

^ That's copied from Simpson's Wee Scot page.

 

[BanjoCowboyMartaTobes]

View attachment 1408531

^ That's copied from Simpson's Wee Scot page.

Thank you, just ordered this little guy.

 

[KW Driver]

All of mine. But in order of use over the last year, Omega 10065, SOC boar, M&F blonde badger.

 

[KW Driver]

I have read reviews that say the Wee Scot is the size of a thumb. I haven’t pulled out the mm ruler but how large is it? Would it be a good 50’s Old Spice mug brush?

If you mean to soak in, a shot glass would be better.

I had one and it’s ok for a shave or two, but for me it’s a barely big enough knot and easy to overload with a shave stick on the face then lathered. The handle’s too small for my taste and hands too.

but plenty of guys like it. I hope you do too.

 

[BanjoCowboyMartaTobes]

If you mean to soak in, a shot glass would be better.

I had one and it’s ok for a shave or two, but for me it’s a barely big enough knot and easy to overload with a shave stick on the face then lathered. The handle’s too small for my taste and hands too.

but plenty of guys like it. I hope you do too.

Can I interpret this as “glad you just ordered this, it’s the best single brush ever made”? I’m joshing of course and thank you for you words. Honestly if it isn’t a win for myself, I have no doubt my daughter will claim it. I’m rather excited for the other items I had to add for free shipping as well.

 

[EclipseRedRing]

Can I interpret this as “glad you just ordered this, it’s the best single brush ever made”? I’m joshing of course and thank you for you words. Honestly if it isn’t a win for myself, I have no doubt my daughter will claim it. I’m rather excited for the other items I had to add for free shipping as well.

I had a Chubby 2 and 3 in Super and sold them both but my Wee Scot remains in my regular rotation. For me it is a superb precision lathering tool that I could happily use every day. I hope you enjoy your new brush, let us know how it goes.

 

[Tanuki]

In boar I say: Omega > Semogue > Zenith

I prefer narrow knots (20mm) lofted in the mid 40s, so my favorite boars are brushes I've lofted myself. Using handles I made, others made, or vintage brushes re-knotted.

You can try Omegas for very little cost, then get a fancier handled Omega if that is important to you.

 

[Yuritau]

I could not imagine going larger than the knot of the Classic 1. I’ve heard it called a “Chubby 0”. If there was something marginally smaller than the Classic 1, like a Chubby -1, I’d likely give it a try!

They told me they could make a Classic 1 in Manchurian, hehe. Smallest brush they can make with Manchurian, apparently. I asked if they could do a Wee Scot in Manchurian and sadly no.

 

[Yuritau]

View attachment 1408531

^ That's copied from Simpson's Wee Scot page.

I measured mine with my calipers not too long ago, and it's only slightly different form the official spec.

Overall brush height: 70mm
Handle height: 30.8mm
Knot loft: 39.2mm
Knot diameter: 13mm
Weight: 19.4g

The height variances are easily within the tolerances of hand made, and the extra 0.4g is likely water scale and soap scum buildup in the base of the knot.

 

[Hms123]

Semogue Torga C-3.

 

[rbscebu]

ZY (Chinese) Pure Badger - Synthetic

A Chinese generic brush sold under different Chinese brand names. An economical brush that pulls its weight far beyond its cost.

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[og556]

Declaration Grooming 28mm b14 has been incredible. Best balance of backbone and softness I’ve felt in a brush for face lather.

 

[Test4echo]

Simpson Classic 2

 

[Tirvine]

I find the Kent BK4 and BKB4 ideal for face lathering.

 

[CaptainGreybeard]

I do own a mug, but have hardly ever used it. In 99.99 % of my shaves I face-lather and always use synthetic-fibre brushes. (In fact I don't even own badger or boar brushes anymore and will never buy them again.)

My favourite brush when it comes to lathering up creams is my trusted Mühle Silvertip Fibre M (21 mm knot size). It's also my go-to travel brush:

When I lather up soaps, I use the Simpson Trafalgar T2 (24 mm knot size):

 

[BanjoCowboyMartaTobes]

I received the Wee Scot very quickly from Maggards and used it tonight. First impression is, dang, it’s small. I scooped an almond of Declaration Weinstrasse and quickly lathered up in my Captains cooper standard bowl. It lathered so quickly, I was amazed although I should have scooped an almond and a half. Excellent shave and yes this guy is tiny. My daughter has laid claim and that’s just fine. I haven’t used a decent badger brush in years , going all synth but even this little thing let me know I need big badgers in my life.

 

[steveclarkus]