Interesting Brush Theory - Robert Johnston of The Gentlemen's Shop

[Newfie]

He says the brush should always be used in a "paintbrush" motion. Never in a circular motion as this will loosen the bristles in the knot.

Thoughts? This should make for an interesting discussion.

 

[Baloosh]

My theory is that his theory is wrong.

/thread

 

[Antique Hoosier]

He has a YouTube video demonstrating this w/ a Simpson Duke.

 

[Newfie]

He has a YouTube video demonstrating this w/ a Simpson Duke.

That's where I heard him say it.

Same video where he says "You should never shave "Against The Grain", unless you are very familiar with your face".

 

[Dpflaum]

I'm really S.O.L. then.

I swirl my brush on my face AND I shave ATG.

Woe is me.

 

[wilsondude]

I swirl like a madman, and like it....

 

[jkh]

The instructions that used to come with Simpson brushes also illustrate that you should use paint brush strokes instead of vigorous circles.

For me, I want to be sure to destroy my brush, so I alternate between brush strokes and circular stokes and alternate between drying bristle up and bristle down. Oddly enough, my brushes are fine

 

[LinuxMintyFresh]

Not shaving againts the grain is pretty statndard advice from most shave shops. It's easy to get too zealous or to create ingrown hairs. As far as not being too aggressive with your brush, I can see why one would reccommend this, but it does seem a little over cautious.

 

[DFrancis]

I'm really S.O.L. then.

I swirl my brush on my face AND I shave ATG.

Woe is me.

I think that may mean that we are all screwed then.

 

[Greybeard]

Just another reason to buy more brushes and rotate them. That way you're not overly stressing any one and they'll last.



- Peter

 

[huntmol]

I face-lather, how do you propose I do that with painting strokes only?

 

[Confilo]

Just another reason to buy more brushes and rotate them. That way you're not overly stressing any one and they'll last.



- Peter

 

[ziplepingouin]

Ok here I'll add another "theory": to keep the brush as long as possible without loosing too much hairs, one should hold the brush by the base of the knot and not by the handle. What do you think?
This "theory" is coming from the seller where I bought my first badger brush...

 

[Marco]

He says the brush should always be used in a "paintbrush" motion. Never in a circular motion as this will loosen the bristles in the knot.

Thoughts? This should make for an interesting discussion.

I saw that video and find it really interesting.
I have to agree on everything, with the exception of two things:

1. I do not think that moving the brush in circles damages it or causes loss of hair.
I've been building lather for years with my brushes using circular motion and all of them are still in perfect shape.

2. I do not believe that you cannot shave against the grain, since, the video says, "this causes skin irritation and ingrown hair".
I never got redness or ingrown hair with a second pass ATG.

 

[luvmysuper]

That's where I heard him say it.

Same video where he says "You should never shave "Against The Grain", unless you are very familiar with your face".

Well, most folks who need to shave have been looking at that face every day for about 17 years, so it's my guess that they are pretty familiar with it.

It's been quite a while since I ran screaming from the bathroom that a stranger was looking at me from inside the medicine cabinet.

Oh, and if you just leave your brush sitting on the shelf and don't use circular OR paint brush strokes - it will last even LONGER!!!

 

[Klopstick]

I believe I was behind Mr. Johnston on the highway today. He had an "old guy" hat on and was driving 45MPH to make his tires last longer or to save his synapses from wear by firing them less or something.

Ye gods, folks, use your equipment - and if it's decent it will last a very long time indeed. No need to baby it. And I shave ATG every single day, although I too am rather familiar with my face and beard, having been shaving it since disco was king.

 

[Dpflaum]

I face-lather, how do you propose I do that with painting strokes only?

I propose you paint in a circle, using slightly more pressure than your average paint stroke.

But no swirling

 

[luvmysuper]

I believe I was behind Mr. Johnston on the highway today. He had an "old guy" hat on and was driving 45MPH to make his tires last longer or to save his synapses from wear by firing them less or something.

Ye gods, folks, use your equipment - and if it's decent it will last a very long time indeed. No need to baby it. And I shave ATG every single day, although I too am rather familiar with my face and beard, having been shaving it since disco was king.

What's an "old guy" hat?

Don't get me started whippersnapper!!

 

[Darjeeling Express]

For me, I want to be sure to destroy my brush:

I share this sentiment with JKH. Schmoosh em, swirl em, give 'em hell g--d--nit ---- Where's the fun if you don't?

 

[Omnichron]

this thread has copious amounts of awesome!