Recommendations for face-lathering brush

[woosorio]

So, after much internal debate I've decided to give face-lathering a go and I was curious what brushes people have found suited for this technique.

Since I haven't yet committed to this style I don't want to sink too much $ into a brush at this point but I definitely want one that won't hinder my efforts so I can honestly assess whether face-lathering is for me.

If it makes a difference I plan on using a shave stick and/or a glycerin based shave soap.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

[thadoggfather]

i would suggest a good boar brush, for exc. from semogue or omega,
i face lather hard soaps every day and they work really good. After some time the tips get really soft

 

[Dennis]

Saville Row 3118, Il Bambino.

 

[ChrisG]

Rooney 1/1 or 3/1.

Edit: Or any Rooney for that matter ,but the 1/1 seems to be the preference for soap users who face lather. The 3/1 I have works great for both creams and soaps.

 

[zoom]

The 3/1 I have works great for both creams and soaps.

Ditto here!

 

[Spivey]

Rooney 1/1 or 3/1.

Edit: Or any Rooney for that matter ,but the 1/1 seems to be the preference for soap users who face lather. The 3/1 I have works great for both creams and soaps.

Yeah. I face lather with a Rooney 1/2 Super, a Semogue 1305 and a Boreal 976. All of them do an exceptional job!

 

[mmack66]

I face lather with a C&E BBB and a recently acquired Omega boar.

 

[infotech]

I've used brushes 23mm and lower and they all work nicely face lathering. They include the Rooney 3, 1, Kent Bk4, C&E Best (a bit scricthy, though), and Shavemac 177 Silvertip. I think 23mm would be the largest knot I'd use for face lathering. Out of those brushes it's a toss up between the Rooney 3, 1 and Shavemac. They are both excellent...

 

[woosorio]

If I'm not mistaken it would appear that the C&E is no longer available.

I face lather with a C&E BBB and a recently acquired Omega boar.

 

[Mr. Igg]

If I'm not mistaken it would appear that the C&E is no longer available.

You're not mistaken; but, the good news is that the OEM for that brush is Edwin Jagger. Browse over to the English Shaving Company. I'm pretty sure--someone else, please confirm--you want the medium. It should be about the same price ($35ish) after you subtract the VAT, which thouse outside the EU do not pay.

 

[Kevan]

If I'm not mistaken it would appear that the C&E is no longer available.

It is available; you just have to get the EJ version (which I believe is their Medium-size Best Badger). The C&E brushes were made by EJ.

 

[Mr. Igg]

I've used brushes 23mm and lower and they all work nicely face lathering. They include the Rooney 3, 1, Kent Bk4, C&E Best (a bit scricthy, though), and Shavemac 177 Silvertip. I think 23mm would be the largest knot I'd use for face lathering. Out of those brushes it's a toss up between the Rooney 3, 1 and Shavemac. They are both excellent...

Good list! I've used all of those brushes, too and I recommend every single one of them. My only active board is a VDH brush I picked up on a whim for a trip; it works surprisingly well, especially for $5. I'd say it works OK, but for $15-20, you can get a very well-respected boar. The brushes above will run you $35-100, depending on your choice (C&E = Edwin Jagger = $35ish; Shavemac = $100ish).

I know some gents who say any brush can face lather, and while I don't actually argue with that assessment (hey, it's their faces and it works for them, so...), I think the weight of the evidence is massively in favor of brushes no larger than a 23mm knot. I've also see arguments that make sense that loft matters--longer = potentially less helpful for face lathering.

To close, I'll suggest one more to suggest: QED's brushes, both Saville Row (as mentioned) and Select at a more modest price. If you're looking for a budget badger, I'd actually suggest you consider skipping the C&E and going to the QED select best brush in a knot either 20mm or 22mm. I find them denser and softer, which matches my preference. But, you can't miss with the C&E, and if you're willing to spend more, you can get a fantastic brush in the Rooney, Kent or Shavemac.

Good luck!

 

[woosorio]

Hmmm well, as an FYI, the QED Select are not currently available and their return is questionable.

 

[strat1117]

Simpsons PJ2 or Rooney 1/1, 1/2 or 3/1.

You would not go wrong with any of them.

 

[fidjit]

Omega 21047

Nice mixed bristle brush, not too expensive. Works bewdifully with soaps or creams......

NOT just a travel brush !!!!

Looks like Gary @ Shoebox has put in a large order to obtain the mixed bristle before Omega changes to 100% boar....

Don't forget if they don't make them anymore it'll become collectible

 

[Ookla The Mok]

No love for the Simpson Chubby 1?

What is this world coming to?

 

[Cmaster03]

I've really taken to face lathering and my preferred brush out of my small stash is a Rooney 1/1 in super. Works just fine for me.


I recently started using a restored vintage handle with a smallish Nib 18mm super knot, and that is also cool for face lathering.

 

[karzbi]

No love for the Simpson Chubby 1?

What is this world coming to?

Plenty of love for Ookla and all moks though! I didn't realize how much I missed Ookla til I saw your avatar.

For the uninitiated, I have lazily cut and pasted the following from Wikipedia:

Ookla is a member of the mok species, a leonine humanoid with fangs and yellow eyes. In Thundarr the Barbarian's back-story, Ookla and Thundarr were enslaved in the court of the wizard Sabian until Sabian's stepdaughter Princess Ariel helped them escape.

As a mok, Ookla has great strength, usually fighting by ripping up a nearby sapling or piece of wreckage to club his enemies. Although on a few occasions he has been shown to use a longbow that fires a type of paralyzing arrow. However, he is also the most likely of the heroes to charge right into an enemy attack or to be enraged by unusual nuisances or threats. Moks also have a fear of water.

Thundarr knows more about mok culture than most humans of his era; both Thundarr and Ariel generally understand the howls that make up Ookla's speech. Whereas Thundarr and Ariel ride horses for transport, Ookla's steed is another quadrapedal species called an equort.

The name Ookla is a phonetic spelling of the initialism UCLA.

Much love also to the Internet in general.

Karl

 

[Slade xTekno]

If you choose to go boar, I recommend the Semogue 1520 or http://vintagescent.com/shaving-brushes-c-5/semogue-620-shaving-brush-p-63 (the same knot with a different handle). It's my second second face lathering brush.

My first is the Vulfix 2233 in boar, but usually only holds enough lather for two passes. If I want a third, I have to either lather in a bowl with cream or return to the puck to recharge. It's my go-to brush for quick shaves, though.

 

[huntmol]

Great small brushes
Savile Row 3120
Custom D01 Shavemac
Rooney 3/1
Simpsons Chubby 1

Although personally, I have found that larger brushes work just as well for face-lathering