Question for those who face lather.

[shave/brush]

I do not face lather but I have a friend who does. He does not own a brush but I talked him into buying one. He ask me to suggest one to him. I only bowl lather and I own mostly synthetic brushes. I'm afraid to suggest a synthetic since I'm not sure how they work for face lathering. Are synthetic brushes okay for face lathering or should I suggest something else?
If synthetics are okay, what size would be best for face lathering?

 

[SteveWY]

I only face later and use mostly boars. I think any brush will work just fine. When it comes to brush suggestions I am all in on Semogue brushes and the Badger & Blade Essential boar. Many prefer a boar with stiffer bristles and backbone for face lathering but I think any broken in brush will do just fine. As far as size (does "size matter"???) again I think it is just personal preference. I use several brushes that vary from 18mm knot w. 45 loft to 22mm knot and 55mm loft and they all seem to get the job done. I would go with a mid-range rather that a small kot just for good coverage. I can't say how any of this applies to synthetic brushes though.

 

[ShaveYourSoul]

I've used both the Silver and Black fibre brushes for face lathering and they worked just fine for me

 

[Mandina]

+1 on the Muhle HJM black fibre for face lathering. I haven't used the silver fibre, but I can say that the black fibre is soft on the face but dense enough to do well with even hard pucks (if your friend uses shaving soap).

 

[gmgaj]

Omega Pro 49. It's an inexpensive way to get started, and is a terrific brush that doesn't take long to break in. My favorite face lathering tool....

 

[TAM340R]

Omega Pro 49. It's an inexpensive way to get started, and is a terrific brush that doesn't take long to break in. My favorite face lathering tool....

The best +1!

Tam

 

[The Dean]

I was thinking the same thing. I guess he lathers with his hand, or a cloth (perhaps he is a "Method" shaver---year right).

I agree any brush can work for face lathering. I try to avoid my Tweezerman as it is pretty scratchy. But my other badgers are great. I'd recommend a Frank Shaving Finest for the money or even the "defective handle" finest available on ebay for about $10 (maybe $16 with shipping).

The Kent Synthetic is also very affordable and quite soft. While it works fine as a face-latherer I think it is better mixing in a bowl and it really likes wetter/whipped cream lather.

 

[shave/brush]

I'm glad a couple of you mentioned the Omega Pro 49. That is my second favorite brush for bowl lathering but I was afraid the bristles might be too long for face lathering. From what you people are saying I guess if a brush is good for bowl lathering it's probably good for face lathering also.

 

[gus1942]

I always face lather and use a variety of Simpson and Shavemac badgers, with the less expensive Colonel X2L being my choice. However, I probably use Semogue boars more often. These include the SOC, 830, 620, and 1800. You can use almost any decent brush to face lather. I agree with Tommy; it's a personal thing.

 

[Ron Scott]

OK, I'll ask; how does your friend face lather without a brush?

 

[shave/brush]

OK, I'll ask; how does your friend face lather without a brush?

I guess he uses his hands. How about that!

 

[Ron Scott]

I guess he uses his hands. How about that!

Tell him sometimes that's the best you can get.

 

[The Dean]

I guess he uses his hands. How about that!

Tell him sometimes that's the best you can get.

I actually made a similar point in another thread:

We have a saying around here: YMMV (your mileage may vary) meaning what works for some might not work for others. But in general, a brush should only help your face, not harm it. But give your hand a go, you may like it. (Come to think of it, a girl said that to me once.)

 

[JBLA]

I do not face lather but I have a friend who does. He does not own a brush but I talked him into buying one. He ask me to suggest one to him. I only bowl lather and I own mostly synthetic brushes. I'm afraid to suggest a synthetic since I'm not sure how they work for face lathering. Are synthetic brushes okay for face lathering or should I suggest something else?
If synthetics are okay, what size would be best for face lathering?

The Body Shop makes a synthetic brush that sells for $12 and has good bit of backbone. It works quite well for face lathering.

If he's looking for a synthetic that's really soft, the Ecotools Kabuki brush sells for about $8 at Walgreens.

Muhle and some other larger shave companies make some pretty nice ones that cost a bit more.

 

[mistercitizen]

In my opinion, if you can't face lather with a brush, then it isn't a brush worth having. I'd recommend a Semogue 830 or 620 Boar..... or even the SOC Boar. I love face lathering with all of them and they are reasonably priced compared to badger brushes.

Ben

 

[Foyle]

I face lather with my Muhle STF synthetic all the time. It works great.

 

[gmgaj]

I'm glad a couple of you mentioned the Omega Pro 49. That is my second favorite brush for bowl lathering but I was afraid the bristles might be too long for face lathering. From what you people are saying I guess if a brush is good for bowl lathering it's probably good for face lathering also.

The pro 49 is a great face latherer, IMO, because it has a ton of backbone, so that the long loft isn't really an issue. Plus the tips are nice and soft. It feels great on the face, and still can load soap and build lather like a champ. Try it out. You might be converted to face lathering...

There are good bowl lathering brushes that I don't like to face lather with. Usually they are the pure or black badgers, and are just too scratchy for my taste. Ok to spread lather on my face, but I don't want to build lather on my face with them. But then again, some guys like them for exactly the same reasons.

 

[takeshi]

Are synthetic brushes okay for face lathering or should I suggest something else?

Synthetics are fine but that doesn't necessarily mean that your friend will prefer synthetics.

If synthetics are okay, what size would be best for face lathering?

That's a matter of preference. The word "best" is a flag that it's a subjective matter.

I'm glad a couple of you mentioned the Omega Pro 49. That is my second favorite brush for bowl lathering but I was afraid the bristles might be too long for face lathering.

Also a matter of preference. I face lather with a brush that has a 57mm loft.

I guess he uses his hands. How about that!

That's going to make things tricky. Selecting a brush is a matter of fitting the brush to the person. You'd need to inquire with him about matters of preference but if he has no experience then it will be difficult to do so. Check the brush subforum. There's a sticky at the top with a link to a brush recommendation thread that has questions that anyone should consider when asking for recommendations.

 

[Reevers]

I'd recommend a Semogue 830 or 620 Boar..... or even the SOC Boar. I love face lathering with all of them and they are reasonably priced compared to badger brushes.

Ben

+1 on the 830, mine has broken in fantastically. It is currently the cheapest brush in my rotation and it shouldn'd break the bank for most people, it's a champion at soap or creams and face or bowl lathering... if your friend fancies trying bowl lathering in the future too? I've read good things about the SOC Boar too

 

[shave/brush]

As opposed to bowl lathering. (with his hands)

I don't know how you would bowl lather with your hands. For face lathering, I guess he rubs the soap on his face much like a soap stick and works it into a lather. But that's not the subject of this thread.