My regular brush is a Col Conk in Pure Badger, used 100's of times. I did a brush restore with a TGN Silvertip, and I am about 6 shaves in with it.
I was noticing that I just couldn't get awesome lather with it, so I decided to do a side by side comparison between the two-
The conditions-
Shower and shampoo beard. My normal prep. Meanwhile, both brushes soaked in moderately hot tap water, each in their own bowl.
Speick stick, applied directly to my face evenly. An excellent performer that I am very used to getting marvelous lather from.
Each brush squeezed equally to start. Dribbling water onto the breech to hydrate each equally during use, then later in an attempt to get the Silvertip to keep up, even more.
Left side face lathered with the Conk, Right side with the Silvertip (edge to the Silvertip because I am right handed).
Results-
The Conk produced copious amounts of great lather, enough for 4+ passes.
The Silvertip produced less lather, but it was decent, enough for 2+ passes.
Analysis-
Holding every condition constant made the results dramatic and unquestionable. As to why, I have some speculations.
A) It could be that the coarser hair of the Pure Badger allows for more aeration of the soap, while the thinness of the Silvertip gives a softer feel on the skin
B) It could be that there are still animal skin oils in the Silvertip that is killing the lather. It does still give off a mingy odor. In order to compensate for this possibility, I am going to shampoo it twice and use conditioner everyday for a week. Then retest.
Does anyone have any other ideas? Comments?
I was noticing that I just couldn't get awesome lather with it, so I decided to do a side by side comparison between the two-
The conditions-
Shower and shampoo beard. My normal prep. Meanwhile, both brushes soaked in moderately hot tap water, each in their own bowl.
Speick stick, applied directly to my face evenly. An excellent performer that I am very used to getting marvelous lather from.
Each brush squeezed equally to start. Dribbling water onto the breech to hydrate each equally during use, then later in an attempt to get the Silvertip to keep up, even more.
Left side face lathered with the Conk, Right side with the Silvertip (edge to the Silvertip because I am right handed).
Results-
The Conk produced copious amounts of great lather, enough for 4+ passes.
The Silvertip produced less lather, but it was decent, enough for 2+ passes.
Analysis-
Holding every condition constant made the results dramatic and unquestionable. As to why, I have some speculations.
A) It could be that the coarser hair of the Pure Badger allows for more aeration of the soap, while the thinness of the Silvertip gives a softer feel on the skin
B) It could be that there are still animal skin oils in the Silvertip that is killing the lather. It does still give off a mingy odor. In order to compensate for this possibility, I am going to shampoo it twice and use conditioner everyday for a week. Then retest.
Does anyone have any other ideas? Comments?