Recommend a new brush for a hard soap and face latherer guy.

[newboy]

Hi, currently I have two brushes, a cheap and small omega boar and EJ BBB.
The omega was my first brush, and like anyone starting out, I blamed my poor lather on the brush and then bought the EJ BBB and haven't looked back.

After reading and seeing the great videos here on how to load up a boar, I've retried the omega and now get OK results (I did use it for 2 months before buying the EJ BBB, so it's well and truly broken in). I find it a bit hard to judge the amount of water that should be left in the brush, I think drip dry and no shakes still makes it too wet.

But I'm after a bigger brush than the two I have right now, something that can accommodate me if I feel like doing a 4 pass shave, so a bigger boar maybe?
Part of it is that I know I'm never going to spend $$$ on a large badger, and it wouldn't suit me anyway as I don't use creams and don't bowl lather. So if I'm going to buy a large brush just to have one, probably be boar.
I was looking at the semogue 2000, but anything similar size or better than that for hard soaps and face lathering. How does horse hair go?

 

[milesandcoltrane]

I've used the Omega 100098 also known as the Big Bruiser on shoeboxshaveshop: http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/omega-10098--the-big-br10098.html

Although its mightly large 27mm knot in a 60mm loft I love it for face lathering hard soaps. Granted I've had 0 experience with badger brushes and am looking to purchase 1, maybe the Frank Shaving cuz its cheap, but the 98 is plenty good for what I want.

I've used a Omega babyPro 100059 before but the 50mm loft was too short and the backbone too much for me.

The 98 is relatively floppy but I think that's my preference so YMMV.

I usually start by lathering in circular motions, though the knot is large and the loft long I still have room to lather on my face. Then I finish it off with nice paint brush strokes.

The handle is exceptional for a man with large hands so you might want to look at it if you're like me!

 

[Trendkill]

A Rooney 1/1 Super would fit the bill. Also check out WCS and take a look at John's extensive line of Simpsons brushes. Plenty of short lofts to choose from there.

 

[spindlecone]

Just finished this badboy for a really big guy, at least 6.5 300 lbs, head shaver.
Ebony handle, 30MM silvertip, will be a lather hog for sure

 

[JPDyson]

Cool handle, spindlecone! i think that would be big enough

A bigger, nicer Omega like the 31064 would be cool. I think a badger might be more suited to what you're after, though. I love my boars, but for long jobs (FOUR PASSES!) I might go w/badger as it holds heat and lather a bit better. If you had deep pockets, I would recommend a bigger Savile Row or Shavemac Silvertip. Some folks speak highly of the Kent BK12 (namely that it's not as floppy as it's baby brother, the BK4) so that's another option to consider.

Edit: There are nice, big Semogue boars that would probably be very suitable as well (the aforementioned 2000, or the slightly smaller but better Semogue Owner's Club).

 

[spindlecone]

Thx, if he do's not pick it up, I may use it to paint the house

 

[Rivguy]

I face lather almost exclusively and use a variety of soaps and creams. I use hard triple milled soaps and a few soft soaps. I have a variety of brushes ranging from boar to badger. My all time favorite brush is the Simpson Ehsan brush from Bullgoose Shaving. I can't say enough about that brush. While it is not and inexpensive brush, it is a great value in my view, and a brush that will serve you well for many years.

I own a Semogue 2000 and I have tried to like it but it is just is too floppy for my taste. I like the looks and the handle but in the end, it just does not perform for me. I may part with it in the future.

Good luck on your search,

Doug

 

[40boy]

A Simpsons in Best Badger.

I have used an Omega 81052, EJ BBB, Rooney 3/1 Super, and B&BE to face lather hard soaps, and my Eagle 3 in Best (23mm) is the best face lathering brush I have used, by a W I D E margin.
The Eagle was a special from the group buy, but I would imagine any of the denser Simpsons Best brushes would be similar. Duke, Chubby ,57, etc. Pick your favorite handle.