How do you get your brush to spread like that??

[Jobol]

Hey folks,

I was looking at the video clip from mantic59 about "How to build and apply lather" and the building part I am getting somehow good at it, but the "applying" part is escaping me.

Looking at his video, he seems to apply the lather with the brush spread out like a fan on his face, and I am unable to do so. Every time I put pressure on my brush, it never spreads out from the middle like that, it rather spreads out unevenly and is more "mashed" against my face, than spread out on my face.

So what are the tricks & tips to spread the brush like him?

I have a custom designed brush with a 20mm Golden Nib two tone super badger knot.

Here is the video (look starting at 5:20)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd7Aj9vwrtc[/youtube]

 

[Dpflaum]

You have to start swirling it around. It should kind of fan out on its own that way. I suppose it depends on the loft too... A short loft might not splay out as much... (but I haven't had that problem)

 

[Jobol]

You have to start swirling it around. It should kind of fan out on its own that way. I suppose it depends on the loft too... A short loft might not splay out as much... (but I haven't had that problem)

My loft is 46mm IIRC. I tried "spinning it" on my face, but it just crushes against it instead of fanning out.

 

[nwman]

My loft is 46mm IIRC. I tried "spinning it" on my face, but it just crushes against it instead of fanning out.

i may be misunderstanding you but you don't twirl it between your fingers... rather hold it firmly with your fingers then move your whole hand/forearm in circular motions. as you press the bristles closer to your face it will naturally fan out...to the extent the length of the bristles allow. it won't damage your brush, you don't need to be especially gentle or anything.

when your lather's warm, it's especially nice. it fact it kind of feels like...
wait a minute this is the Lord' day.

 

[Jobol]

I don't need to worry about pressing it too hard against my face and damaging it?

I was using it more like a paint brush on my face to be honest at the beginning because I was concerned not to damage it.

 

[shmeegs]

You don't have to worry about damaging it. Most good brushes come with a great warranty. You should grip the brush by the base of the bristles (this gives you a better grips plus will help with the lather). Swirl over your face in circular motions with enough pressure on the brush so that the bristles spread out a little bit. Keep doing this until you get a nice lather on your face. I finish with a painting motion to even out the thickness (you need a light glide on it, not the look of Santa Claus.)

Don't forget to use the super lather within the brush, it's super slick. Squeeze it out of your brush and use it or scrape it into your bowl and save it for later.

 

[dpm802]

Take a closer look at how mantic holds the brush against his face ... he puts the bottom of the handle flat against his palm, and then grips the base of the knot with his fingers. You can catch this in the video at around 5:30.

This effectively shortens the loft, and may help it to splay out the way you want it to.

 

[mindpurge]

Hey,


The way I do it is like this:

Get a nice good thick lather worked right into the brush. Start circular and don't press too too hard. You will notice that you'll create almost a "suction" with the brush on your face. This is what you want.

You don't press down too hard, don't press down too soft, just try to maintain that suction type feeling you get with the brush. Once your face is covered in lather, this is what I call the "slappy". Slap the brush (gently) like as if you were applying paint to your face, this I find "pushes" the lather in deeper, you get like a "pok pok" sound when you do this, and I personally find it works good.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Some nice tips everyone. Should be very helpful. I don't have problems using my brushes, but these posts should help with the splay of the brush, something that at times gives me trouble. Thanks.

 

[Jobol]

What is the "splay"? is that the fan-like spread of the bristles on the face?

I am getting a bit better, but not quite mantic yet. The trick is not to be afraid to apply pressure on the brush.

Maybe also my shorter loft is not helping me with that. I notice as well that mantic's brush is quite much larger in diameter when it spreads.

 

[dpm802]

What is the "splay"? is that the fan-like spread of the bristles on the face?

I am getting a bit better, but not quite mantic yet. The trick is not to be afraid to apply pressure on the brush.

Maybe also my shorter loft is not helping me with that. I notice as well that mantic's brush is quite much larger in diameter when it spreads.

Splay: a verb meaning slant, slope, or spread outwards.

Even a short loft, small knot will look much larger when it is splayed out, as compared to its normal size and shape.

 

[Drubbing]

Does it matter?

Is your lather decent? Does it stay on your face? Does it give a good shave?

If, yes, the brush is doing it's job.

 

[Jobol]

Does it matter?

Is your lather decent? Does it stay on your face? Does it give a good shave?

If, yes, the brush is doing it's job.

I just thought it mattered as the bristles will do a better job in this fashion to raise the facial hair as opposed to using the brush as a paint brush like I was doing before.

 

[Drubbing]

It's a brush - it's not rocket surgery...

 

[Jobol]

It's a brush - it's not rocket surgery...

Yeah, and it's just shaving, not quantum science...but a ton of questions is being asked regularly on this forum and a lot of points and techniques are debated daily.

 

[Drubbing]

Yeah, and it's just shaving, not quantum science...but a ton of questions is being asked regularly on this forum and a lot of points and techniques are debated daily.

Does it matter?
Is your lather decent? Does it stay on your face? Does it give a good shave?
If, yes, the brush is doing it's job.

Beyond that, debate is moot.

Yes, forums debate. But there comes a point where plain common sense should prevail.

 

[KWyKJJ]

Beyond that, debate is moot.

Yes, forums debate. But there comes a point where plain common sense should prevail.

You should also realize that this is an example of a forum where no question is stupid. Your commentary is not needed. Either help with the question or keep silent. Your mockery of a serious question disturbs the gentlemen like atmosphere here and I find it offensive. This is a situation where you should go back to basics. If you don't have anything nice or helpful to say, say nothing at all. I hope you understand...

Best regards,

-JJ

 

[KWyKJJ]

To answer the original question:

I too wondered why my brush did not look like that. The answer I found is that each brush has its own characteristics and depending on the brush will function differently. I personally like the feel of my EJ super badger brush. Why? Because when splayed out like Mantic's it doesn't feel prickly on my face. This is the only brush I found that is comfortable to face lather and I use it exclusively as such. Push only as hard as is comfortable for you to build a great lather on your face. If the brush doesn't look the same in the video do not be concerned. I thought everything had to be as I was taught for it to function properly, this is not the case. If you can build a fine lather pushing softly then by all means proceed in that fashion. Which ever method works best for you is THE BEST method to use. Enjoy your shave, sir.

Kindest Regards,

-JJ

 

[Drubbing]

Your mockery of a serious question disturbs the gentlemen like atmosphere here and I find it offensive. This is a situation where you should go back to basics. If you don't have anything nice or helpful to say, say nothing at all. I hope you understand...

Well I think it's just an example of cultural differences. We Australians call a spade a spade and speak plainly. I should be the one offended by your condescension and suggestions I censor myself. Luckily we're also known for not taking offence easily. You should try it. There was no mockery, and I really can't see how I've caused offence by making a common sense contribution.

Looking at your post, while taking longer to say it, you said exactly the same thing as me.

 

[andrewinman]

Everyone relax, there are no shaving related questions that should not be asked it needed.