GUYS HELP! need advice on my new brush- TGN finest. not lathering sufficently

[ricardo9505]

Just assembled a 22mm TGN finest -fan on a penworks handle. drilled the hole deeper to attain a 49-50mm loft.
My old brush is a pure black badger by omega, 54mm loft, floppy but lathers easily, NOT as dense as this finest.
I am having issues face lathering. I think I may not be loading enough but the lather does not build as easily as with the omega. I'm only 7 months in to DE shaving and wanted to see what the "regulars" and vets had to say about switching to a new brush.
I also received some Mikes (Orange pepper) soap and it lathered easily with my omega but again, issues with the tgn finest. gotta admit, I forgot how dense they were. I built one previously as a gift for a friend whom now is mad with his brush
Thoughts?

 

[ricardo9505]

maybe its still too new and I'm being too greedy. hence the "break-in" time like a car engine or audio speaker.

 

[mblakele]

What does "not lathering sufficiently" mean, exactly? Not enough lather? Poor lather quality?

A dense knot can feel very closed-up at first. It may take a few shaves to open up. You might try http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/139297-How-To-Break-In-A-Brush-amp-Get-The-Funk-Out to speed that up.

Try loading more, too. A denser brush has more surface area, so it needs more product.

 

[CB1]

Give it a little time maybe. I love the TGN knots. I have 2 24 mm knots, one fan and one bulb and a 28 mm. The density will need a little more product. Depending on what soap you're using it may just take a little practice and possibly a little more loading.

 

[Dirk-Lerxst-Pratt]

Try lathering it up a few times with a cream or soap that is notoriously easy to make lather with, like VDH. Mikes may have a little more of a learning curve with a new brush. If all else fails load more and use a wetter brush. I have a TGN knot in a restore and it lathers very well.

 

[ricardo9505]

thanks for the feedback guys. I'll try the recommendations as well as aerating the brush a bit by pumping it and loading more. I'll judge it again in a few weeks

 

[tezza]

Yes, definitely try loading more soap!

 

[ricardo9505]

a great thanks to Dirk. thanks for the advice. Switched to TOBS and I discovered the unique qualities of the bush. I built one before as a gift and forgot how soft the tips were. and the way it builds lather in a denser knot.
much different than the floppy omega which I still like. It pcks up soap much easier and is pricklier , the tgn is so soft and I have to spend more time loading. I need to exert more force to mop the brush but I'm moving away from that and appreciating the way this feels and the size.
Man I love how detailed I can get with my lather build, no more all over my nose. I also have to spend more time woking the brush.
I truly now understand and can appreciate why folks have 3 or more brushes now that I've offically moved onto 2. so it begins. already eyeing a super badger from TGN

 

[Dirk-Lerxst-Pratt]

Glad to be of some service. Those knots really excel for face lathering once they break in. I love my little restore. Makes a great travel brush.

Edit. Number of the beast post. Yes!

 

[coolbus18]

​Glad you were successful! Yup, the brush thing.. I have 2... been looking at choices for my 3rd and a build is in my plans , so thanks for the positive about TGN. Enjoy!!

 

[ricardo9505]

great service. my second TGN build, my first with a new handle and I gotta say, I really like the penworks handles. Easy to work with and drill, was able to do it on my study desk.
Anthony over at TGN also said if a brush didn't feel right (a silvertip build for my brother's birthday) I could send it back before setting.
What surprised me most was the adjustments. Once I shaved with some TOBS I realized I had to adjust on everything else. Day 4 and already loving this brush. Will try again next week on my Mikes Natural. Had issues. With D.R. Harris soap it was spectacular. a true beauty to accompany me in my morning ritual. I'm already contemplating a name for her.

 

[Mad Man]

Load heavy. My TGN Finest in 24mm takes as much product to "drive" as does my Simpsons Chubby; dense knots are like Cadillacs- big, heavy and need a LOT of gas to get you somewhere but do it comfortably and in luxury. Instead of gas you're using MORE soap for the same experience.

Load heavy.

 

[ricardo9505]

If anyone is still reading this thread for educational purposes it's 5 months later and I must say I LOVE this brush and already planning on building myself a 24mm TGN silvertip A or best for something new. READ the advice above, everyone shared great points. Dirk-Lerxst-Pratt and Mad Man were dead on as well. They are superb knots and need to be broken in, very dense. And I did need to load more. I was not loading adequately at first as the denser brush means more hairs and that means more soap. BUT oh the feeling!!