I never imagined soft SHD brushes would cause so much skin sensitivity!

[nav]

I recently got a few SHD badger knots (HMW, silvertip, two-band).

When soaked in warm water, they are super soft at the tips and no way would anyone think they'll cause skin issues with such levels of softness.

In use, they feel gorgeous! Soft and luxurious.
However, such high density is generating a level of friction that is too much for my skin, which is left irritated and sensitive for the following day's shave.
I don't think these SHD knots are for me.

Anyone else have similar experiences?

 

[anoop]

How much pressure are you using? Perhaps for your skin type, you may need to back off on pressure. I don't have experience with that knot, but even with my soft Plisson synthetic, I cannot lather like some folks on YouTube with aggressive pressure and fast motion. I need to go slow and gentle.

 

[nav]

How much pressure are you using? Perhaps for your skin type, you may need to back off on pressure. I don't have experience with that knot, but even with my soft Plisson synthetic, I cannot lather like some folks on YouTube with aggressive pressure and fast motion. I need to go slow and gentle.

I don't apply much pressure with any brush as i don't like to fully splay the knot open.

But just due to the density, the scrub is too much, even with the soft silvertip badger.

In contrast, even a scrubby boar brush doesn't impact my skin as boars are in general, not densely packed and splay without pressure.

 

[bmiller3230]

Splaying and scrubbing is much more gentle than scrubbing just using the tips and scrubbing. The tips are where all the sharp pointy things are.

 

[Phoenix997]

What is SHD?

 

[Goblin]

I am going to guess: "Super High Density".

 

[musicman1951]

My favorite badger is fairly dense, but we're all different. You may want to consider bowl lathering those brushes and only using painting strokes to transfer the lather to your face. You can test the theory with any bowl in the kitchen that looks like a good candidate.

 

[Mustard Seed]

nav..... tell me when you want me to send you my address for you to donate those brushes to me. haha

wow.. that was a long sentence!

 

[Trollky]

Like you @nav I find overly dense knots are prone to giving me a bit of brush burn.

In the interests of full disclosure I only face lather and for most of that time I splay the brush and use a swirling motion. This undoubtedly contributes to the problem (but I'm just not a fan of using painting strokes when lathering).

Synthetics are the worst offenders (particularly the Muhle 25mm STF) but I have a Simpson Chubby 1 in Super which is very soft and very dense and that too produces a bit of irritation.

The ironic thing is that a boar brush with a tall loft is totally fine.... despite having more backbone (relatively speaking).

 

[anoop]

Synthetics are the worst offenders (particularly the Muhle 25mm STF) but I have a Simpson Chubby 1 in Super which is very soft and very dense and that too produces a bit of irritation.

Would a Wald brush solve this problem?

Synthetic knots

Why did I decide to make synthetic knots available that I tie myself? I personally have never used a synthetic knot I’m really 100% happy with. No doubt, there are some nice ones out there, but I was curious to see, if I can come up with something that is able to separate itself from knots being...

waldshaving.com

 

[DesertIguana]

What is SHD?

Great Question?

 

[Alex Jr]

I got that with all my Simpsons best.

No major redness but I could tell that damn brush was exfoliating my skin more than it should have. The aftershave burn was noticeable with it.

As the years go by you start noticing that great shaves are the ones where the least amount of exfoliation occurs while stubble is still effectively eliminated.

That’s why I’m a boar fan. Higher loft, less dense and ultra soft tips when broken in.

No badgers or plastic synthetics here. YMMV.

 

[nlife]

Have you changed soaps recently? Perhaps it's something in the soap you're using?

Great Question?

SHD stands for Super High Density.

 

[Big Jim]

Although I have not had skin sensitivity issues with high density brushes, I tend to not care for them. I have given away ones I have had because I just find them awkward to use. Actually, I do still have one, but I keep it just to say I have a massive brush. It is a Frank Shaving 38 mm Silvertip. It is so dense that it seems like trying to lather with a fuzzy tennis ball.

 

[DesertIguana]

Have you changed soaps recently? Perhaps it's something in the soap you're using?



SHD stands for Super High Density.

Thanks.

 

[nav]

Splaying and scrubbing is much more gentle than scrubbing just using the tips and scrubbing. The tips are where all the sharp pointy things are.

Agreed.
I splay top 1/3rd of the knot. I like when it kind of splays itself without much effort.
I have a very old synth that is a little prickly right at the tips but it's also not very dense so splays itself and feels wonderful.

My favorite badger is fairly dense, but we're all different. You may want to consider bowl lathering those brushes and only using painting strokes to transfer the lather to your face. You can test the theory with any bowl in the kitchen that looks like a good candidate.

I personally don't like bowl lathering at all. I really enjoy face lather and it also works better to soften the stubble.

nav..... tell me when you want me to send you my address for you to donate those brushes to me. haha

wow.. that was a long sentence!

Hehe
That may have worked but my cousin brother got to them already. My cousin's are like vultures with my shaving gear!

Like you @nav I find overly dense knots are prone to giving me a bit of brush burn.

In the interests of full disclosure I only face lather and for most of that time I splay the brush and use a swirling motion. This undoubtedly contributes to the problem (but I'm just not a fan of using painting strokes when lathering).

Synthetics are the worst offenders (particularly the Muhle 25mm STF) but I have a Simpson Chubby 1 in Super which is very soft and very dense and that too produces a bit of irritation.

The ironic thing is that a boar brush with a tall loft is totally fine.... despite having more backbone (relatively speaking).

Yeah, boar brushes are superb!
I don't get any skin irritation/burn from any of my Semogue, omega, oumo boars. And i really enjoy their scrub.

I got that with all my Simpsons best.

No major redness but I could tell that damn brush was exfoliating my skin more than it should have. The aftershave burn was noticeable with it.

As the years go by you start noticing that great shaves are the ones where the least amount of exfoliation occurs while stubble is still effectively eliminated.

That’s why I’m a boar fan. Higher loft, less dense and ultra soft tips when broken in.

No badgers or plastic synthetics here. YMMV.

Yup, boars are spectacular.
I have a Simpson Commodore in best but for whatever reason, i can use it without any issue. It's very comfortable so i guess i got lucky with it because I've used other Simpson best brushes that were horrible!

Have you changed soaps recently? Perhaps it's something in the soap you're using?

I only use one soap, my own unscented soap.
It loves my skin as i formulated it as such.
I only get the skin issue with the SHD badger knots.

Although I have not had skin sensitivity issues with high density brushes, I tend to not care for them. I have given away ones I have had because I just find them awkward to use. Actually, I do still have one, but I keep it just to say I have a massive brush. It is a Frank Shaving 38 mm Silvertip. It is so dense that it seems like trying to lather with a fuzzy tennis ball.

Wow 38mm knot... You could just dunk your face into it and be lathered up!!

I'm guessing you like brushes that splay and envelope the face a little?
That's my preference over SHD badger knots which never give the face enveloping feel.

 

[dmshaver]

Part of the pleasure of diving into this pastime of ours is to try different products. It's too bad the SHD brushes don't work for you, but good for you to give them a try. And I'm sure your cousins don't mind!

 

[nav]

Part of the pleasure of diving into this pastime of ours is to try different products. It's too bad the SHD brushes don't work for you, but good for you to give them a try. And I'm sure your cousins don't mind!

I've also noticed that as i get a little older, my skin is getting more sensitive.

I can no longer handle any scented soaps so use my own handmade unscented high butter soap. For whatever reason, tallow MWF and tallow speick still do suit my skin perfectly fine. I don't have a huge stash now so i don't use them very often.

I must admit, i was shocked that such a beautifully soft silvertip knot caused such intense brush burn, all due to the density of the knot.

You are absolutely right though, there are so many options that i can still enjoy a variety of brushes to quench my shaving hobbyist needs.

 

[Big Jim]

Wow 38mm knot... You could just dunk your face into it and be lathered up!!

I'm guessing you like brushes that splay and envelope the face a little?
That's my preference over SHD badger knots which never give the face enveloping feel.

I like a brush that can splay at least somewhat, although I mostly paint. That brush is so dense there is no way to dunk my face in it.

 

[bmiller3230]

I've also noticed that as i get a little older, my skin is getting more sensitive.

I can no longer handle any scented soaps so use my own handmade unscented high butter soap. For whatever reason, tallow MWF and tallow speick still do suit my skin perfectly fine. I don't have a huge stash now so i don't use them very often.

I must admit, i was shocked that such a beautifully soft silvertip knot caused such intense brush burn, all due to the density of the knot.

You are absolutely right though, there are so many options that i can still enjoy a variety of brushes to quench my shaving hobbyist needs.

Maybe its treated with something you are allergic to? I understand some are treated...