I bought a shave stick, do I really need a shaving brush?

[Keith-r]

Hi everyone,

My name is Keith and I am new wet shaver.

I have a vacation next month and I thought it will be a lot if I bring all my shaving gears along. So I purchased a shave stick online yesterday, thought it would save me some space in my luggage.

Then this morning when I was surfing the forums at B&B and I noticed that brushing is needed after the shave stick is applied to the face (to lather up)

I wonder if a shaving brush is really needed ? Couldn't I just shave after the shave stick is applied to my face? If brushing is needed, can anyone recommend me a cheap travel brush or other alternatives?

I'd appreciate it very much for your advices. Thank you very much.

Best regards,
Keith

 

[Danricgro]

Yes, you need a brush. Any of the Omega or Semogue boars would do the trick for not a lot of money.

 

[Marco]

Keith, first of all welcome to B&B - the finest wet shaving community in the World. As about your question, yes a shaving brush is necessary. A shaving stick is a shaving soap that is first applied to a wet face and then lathered up with a brush, in order to create a nice, thick lather that is effective for shaving. You can get a great boar brush to start your new wet shaving experience, since boars are low priced and easily available. I'd consider a good Semogue or Omega. Both brands can be purchased at the on-line shops of our Supporting Vendors. Enjoy!

 

[Acmemfg]

Yeah...a shave stick without a brush is not unlike a sandwich without bread. An Omega Pro 49 is one of the best regarded brushes in shavedom. Cost new is about $9-$11. Looking for smaller? the ridiculously popular B&B Essential (both these brushes are boar by the way) can be had for $20.

 

[the_edski]

Yep, what they said above. A shave stick is purely shave soap in stick form. You wouldn't rub a puck on your face and proceed to shave directly after, would you?

 

[Eeyore]

Yes.

If you want to go brushless, try creams.

Personally I would invest in a good boar brush.

 

[takeshi]

I wonder if a shaving brush is really needed ? Couldn't I just shave after the shave stick is applied to my face?

You can certainly try it but rubbing a shave stick on your face doesn't build lather.

If brushing is needed, can anyone recommend me a cheap travel brush or other alternatives?

As with any brush recommendation request you need to give us something to work with. You mention cheap. Is price all that matters? Have you referred to the brush recommendation thread linked in the sticky at the top of this subforum?

 

[Keith-r]

Thank you everyone for the advices ! Actually I have a shaving brush at home. But I didn't want to damage the bristles if I just put it in a ziplock bag and bring it to travel. That's why I thought a shave stick would be convenient (as I thought a brush would not be needed), now I know it's not the case and I guess I will bring my brush with me and put it in the luggage. As always, thanks for looking at my thread. I appreciated it a lot ! Cheers !

 

[the_edski]

Thank you everyone for the advices ! Actually I have a shaving brush at home. But I didn't want to damage the bristles if I just put it in a ziplock bag and bring it to travel. That's why I thought a shave stick would be convenient (as I thought a brush would not be needed), now I know it's not the case and I guess I will bring my brush with me and put it in the luggage. As always, thanks for looking at my thread. I appreciated it a lot ! Cheers !

Do you have an empty pill bottle large enough to hold your brush? Drill some holes in each end for ventilation and it's much better than a ziploc bag.

 

[Snargle]

Do you have an empty pill bottle large enough to hold your brush? Drill some holes in each end for ventilation and it's much better than a ziploc bag.

In a pinch, even an empty toilet paper roll can work as a temporary brush tube. It won't stand up for many uses, but it'll protect the bristles and handle until you can get something more permanent.

 

[musicman1951]

Keith, first of all welcome to B&B - the finest wet shaving community in the World. As about your question, yes a shaving brush is necessary. A shaving stick is a shaving soap that is first applied to a wet face and then lathered up with a brush, in order to create a nice, thick lather that is effective for shaving. You can get a great boar brush to start your new wet shaving experience, since boars are low priced and easily available. I'd consider a good Semogue or Omega. Both brands can be purchased at the on-line shops of our Supporting Vendors. Enjoy!

+1

 

[mistercitizen]

Even if you didn't buy a shave stick.... you still need a brush .

Ben

 

[Chadao]

Welcome to B&B. Let us know how your trip goes.

I bought a leather brush case from Amazon. I like it because it will hold a pretty big brush but also works with my usual travel brush a Simpsons Special Pure Badger.

 

[Gvanaken]

Hi Keith,
First let me say that the empty pill bottle idea rocks! It's as if, with the addition of a few holes, the pill bottle was designed for shave brushes. The emergency use of the "dir-dir" is also an excellent idea for a pinch.

I did read herein that a not inconsiderable percentage of the members opt for a brush with synthetic bristles for their traveling needs. Apparently, the making of bristles with plastics has come a long way and a really acceptable lather can be had.

I'm to much of a noob to be able to give you any brand advice, but it sounds like an avenue you might want to pursue.

Happy shaving! G.

 

[gus1942]

Hi everyone,

My name is Keith and I am new wet shaver.

I have a vacation next month and I thought it will be a lot if I bring all my shaving gears along. So I purchased a shave stick online yesterday, thought it would save me some space in my luggage.

Then this morning when I was surfing the forums at B&B and I noticed that brushing is needed after the shave stick is applied to the face (to lather up)

I wonder if a shaving brush is really needed ? Couldn't I just shave after the shave stick is applied to my face? If brushing is needed, can anyone recommend me a cheap travel brush or other alternatives?

I'd appreciate it very much for your advices. Thank you very much.

Best regards,
Keith

Yes. You should use a brush

 

[SteveWY]

Welcome to the forum Keith!

Yes, you need a brush! Using a stick w/o a brush would be no different that rubbing a puck on your face and not using a brush to work up the lather. Wet face, apply the stick like a crayon all over, using a medium wet brush face lather until you reach the consistency you want. The brushing action also does wonders for your face and prepares the whiskers to be whacked.

The Brush... a badger will dry faster when traveling. The badger fans here may suggest a good choice. i'm a boar guy so I will say the Badger & Blade Essential Boar for $20 or any Semogue would be a great choice. I have been using an Omega 50014 travel brush:

I put it in a tall pill bottle with a 3-piece Gillette Tech and a blade. A nice tidy travel set up. Usually on my last day of travel I will leave the brush out of the container and I just lay it on top of my clothes in my luggage to dry some. When I get home I take it out and let it finish air drying.

 

[daccpa]

If space is a major concern pick up an Omega Mighty Midget and just use it for travel.

 

[Cornishman]

Hi Keith and welcome!
Here's a good video that shows how to use a shave stick with a brush.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN9lnVxhHQs
I frequently use a La Toja stick from Spain. IMO it has a great smell!

 

[SteveWY]

Hi Keith and welcome!
Here's a good video that shows how to use a shave stick with a brush.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN9lnVxhHQs
I frequently use a La Toja stick from Spain. IMO it has a great smell!

Nice help Cornishman! I should have mentioned that mt stick of choice when traveling these days is also La Toja. There is something about the scent that reminds me of being on vacation at the seashore!

 

[imbored2deth]

I am going to take the other side here in that you don't really need a brush. Provided you have done a decent prep beforehand, if you use the shave stick over your face and then use your fingers as you would a brush, you should be able to create a passable lather for a shave. This method will require adding water to your hands a little a time while you rub it all in your face. It is not the best way to do this as the lather will not be a voluminous as with a brush nor will you get all of the benefits of wetshaving but I would think that it will be good enough in a pinch. Just try a practice run and see what happens. The brush is better for shave sticks but fingers/hands are do-able.