First badger brush shave

[humber burns]

I just had my first badger brush shave today. I've been using an Omega boar brush since I started this whole wet shaving thing and thought it's about time I took the plunge and find out what all the fuss is about.

So today I went out to C&E and picked up their best badger brush (the alliteration is quite amusing... to me anyways.) Got home, took a shower and went to work with this new implement .

I have to say I wasn't super impressed. Don't get me wrong it is incredibly soft, and I may just have to get used to it. But I kind of (at this point, which may be a little premature to judge) prefer the the stiffness of the boar hair. I suppose the problem that I have with it is that, I like the feel of the scrubbing sensation I get with my boar... But I'll give it more time, because I can definitely see my self coming to love it... We'll see.

I'll keep you posted.

 

[ari95]

Congrats on the new brush. Any day a new brush comes home is a good day. I don't think your first experience in unusual. I know for myself, I started with a boar, and I wanted to get a badger that acted like a boar. I have found that badger is really different and should be appreciated for its differences. I still have a boar that I like to use for good scrubbing. Continue to use the badger brush, it will break in a bit and your technique will develop to get it's full potential.

 

[NavyShave]

I also had a similar experience. I can say though, that after trying a few Rooney's, there ARE badger brushes out there that excel at both lather generation and face scrubbing. Personal favorite for the $$$: Rooney "special" through Jim at vintage blades (like a 3/1). Have fun with the new brush...variety is key!

 

[Bruce]

For genuinely nastly beasts, they certainly make a fine brush.

 

[ssilcox]

Yep, as stated above, there are some fine badger versions that are just as scrubby. I have a Rooney in super that is great for that.

However, you wont find a better value than boar.

 

[humber burns]

Tried it again today. I think it needs breaking in.

I also noticed that it is a little scrubbier than I originally thought... I forgot to take into consideration the 3 days growth on my face at the time.

I thinks you guys are right, just needs some getting used to and the veriety is nice. I'm sure I'll get more into badgers as I satisfy my AD!

 

[strat1117]

Also remember the C&E BBB is a wonderful brush, but it is very soft, i.e., not extrememly densely packed -- which is how some prefer it -- but a more noticeable difference from the boar. I think that once you get used to it, you will find it creates a fine lather for shaving, and feels great, too.

Are you using it for soap or cream?.

 

[krevo]

Also remember the C&E BBB is a wonderful brush, but it is very soft, i.e., not extrememly densely packed -- which is how some prefer it -- but a more noticeable difference from the boar. I think that once you get used to it, you will find it creates a fine lather for shaving, and feels great, too.

Are you using it for soap or cream?.

Good post.

Typically, badger brushes can be firm and densely packed or floppy and loosely packed. Or anything in between.

I find that I actually prefer my badger to have more backbone and to be dense.

 

[humber burns]

Also remember the C&E BBB is a wonderful brush, but it is very soft, i.e., not extrememly densely packed -- which is how some prefer it -- but a more noticeable difference from the boar. I think that once you get used to it, you will find it creates a fine lather for shaving, and feels great, too.

Are you using it for soap or cream?.

Both but it builds fantastic lather with both, from what I can tell so far. And there is a huge difference in water retention. Which I expected there would be but it's far more than I'd ever imagined!

 

[humber burns]

Can anyone suggest any really densely pack brushes?

 

[FiXXXer]

Rooney and Shavemac are both pretty dense. You can get a Rooney in super silvertip for about 75 bucks from Classic Shaving or Vintage Blades.