Shavemac Extreme Flat Tops

[jrowen]

Gents,

ever since JPDyson pointed me at Ambrose/Kooshman's extreme flat top brush from Shavemac (not sure where the idea originated, but I've seen posts from both), I can't stop thinking about the possibility of getting one, obviously for face lathering. Not sure about handle, but I'm thinking 22mm/(48-50mm).

I recently picked up a Rooney 1/2, and its way more bulbous than I was hoping for, and more dense than I could have ever imagined. I love the knot quality, but I'm seriously having trouble "liking" this brush for face lathering mostly becuase of the knot shape (i.e. bulb), and its a total lather hog. I wanted to try something different, and I have, and now I'm certain I'm not a bulb fan. I forsee the Rooney going to the BST in the near future.

So, those of you that have them (EDIT: an Extreme Flat Top from Shavemac), I have to know... is it the best face lathering brush you've ever tried, or could you take it or leave it? Comments on your experience with it are appreciated.

Regards,
Jason

 

[Rudy Vey]

Gents,

ever since JPDyson pointed me at Ambrose/Kooshman's extreme flat top brush from Shavemac (not sure where the idea originated, but I've seen posts from both), I can't stop thinking about the possibility of getting one, obviously for face lathering. Not sure about handle, but I'm thinking 22mm/(48-50mm).

I recently picked up a Rooney 1/2, and its way more bulbous than I was hoping for, and more dense than I could have ever imagined. I love the knot quality, but I'm seriously having trouble "liking" this brush for face lathering mostly becuase of the knot shape (i.e. bulb), and its a total lather hog. I wanted to try something different, and I have, and now I'm certain I'm not a bulb fan. I forsee the Rooney going to the BST in the near future.

So, those of you that have them, I have to know... is it the best face lathering brush you've ever tried, or could you take it or leave it? Comments on your experience with it are appreciated.

Regards,
Jason

Do you mean something like this??
It is one of the extreme flat-tops, I actually know only of two, Ambrose has one and this one is mine. Its a 19 mm knot that Bernd custom made for me, I put it in a Sambar Stag antler which I turned myself.

 

[jrowen]

Yup, just like that one, Rudy! Comments on it?

Here's Kooshman's post that I was referring to. But who knows who he got it from on the BST (per the link). And then, we all heard about Ambrose'.

- Jason

 

[kooshman7]

Robert Paulson would be the one in question. I know with my brush this thing has a good bloom that you wouldn't imagine being set at 45mm. Nothing to keep the 3-band D01 in place. The 2-band D01 does a better job at it, but when I saw ambrose's pic it was a little more than I expected still so having it at 48mm might be a bit more of a bloom than you would like.

I wouldn't call my brush the absolute end all of face lathering, but it is a brush I enjoy very much in my collection! Can't beat feeling all those hairs working at the same time, but because of the knot shape it does bloom outwards more than a bulb or even a fan would. I'm interested in getting a 2-band D01 eventually, and might have it with the extreme flat top. I haven't tried one yet with just a regular fan shape so that's there too, but I can spend a good amount of time thinking about it.

 

[ssultan]

Rudy, why do you keep tormenting me with that brush of yours...and I don't even like smaller knots

Do you mean something like this??
It is one of the extreme flat-tops, I actually know only of two, Ambrose has one and this one is mine. Its a 19 mm knot that Bernd custom made for me, I put it in a Sambar Stag antler which I turned myself.

 

[ambrose]

its the only brush I own now, what ever that means

22,42,49 extreme top 2 band

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=146419

Rudy you made that in to a sweet brush

 

[jrowen]

Robert Paulson would be the one in question. I know with my brush this thing has a good bloom that you wouldn't imagine being set at 45mm. Nothing to keep the 3-band D01 in place. The 2-band D01 does a better job at it, but when I saw ambrose's pic it was a little more than I expected still so having it at 48mm might be a bit more of a bloom than you would like.

I wouldn't call my brush the absolute end all of face lathering, but it is a brush I enjoy very much in my collection! Can't beat feeling all those hairs working at the same time, but because of the knot shape it does bloom outwards more than a bulb or even a fan would. I'm interested in getting a 2-band D01 eventually, and might have it with the extreme flat top. I haven't tried one yet with just a regular fan shape so that's there too, but I can spend a good amount of time thinking about it.

Thats interesting. I appreciate you taking the time to give your thoughts. I am concerned about getting too short on the loft... like... 46mm scares me. Do all you face latherers like short lofts because of the "scrubby" factor, or because the brush gets better flow through, or some other charactheristic? I'm not super duper into scrubby, though I really enjoy face lathering.

its the only brush I own now, what ever that means
22,42,49 extreme top 2 band

Rudy you made that in to a sweet brush

Wow. That's an endorsement, Ambrose!

I appreciate all the feedback, guys!

- Jason

BTW - All really handsome brushes!

 

[huntmol]

Flat top brushes really take the performance up a notch when face lathering or using soaps. I have yet to try Shavemac's two-band, but it looks fantastc!

 

[kooshman7]

I have a wide range of brushes that I enjoy face lathering with, and it definitely isn't kept just to short loft brushes. I began off being very partial to very dense, short brushes that you could feel work into your face, but I've gotten to liking longer loft brushes with less density as well.

I don't find short loft brushes that are dense to promote flow through. Just not their department. That's better reserved for brushes that aren't as dense, then the loft comes into play. I like the short lofts because it keeps more of the brush typically on the face, but other factors can come into play here like the knot shape. I was surprised just how much of a difference this could make like I was talking about my extreme flat top having a good bloom.

I have another D01 brush that is the same size and that in another handle, like ambrose chose for his brush, that is at 54mm and in a bulb shape, and the two have a very similar bloom. The only thing different is just the bulb shape, and 10mm more. Couldn't imagine what the flat top would be like at 55mm... But then that is with the 3-band D01 too. The 2-band keeps it together much nicer, but from seeing ambrose's pics it bloomed more than I thought it would still especially at the loft size.

There are all sorts of different factors that come into play, and there is a bit of a science to this which I still have much to learn of, but to me it's much more of an art, and you learn your tastes with time and experimentation, and talking with others with what they like and why. We have varying views on the same thing.

You won't have to go with a short loft on a 2-band D01. You'll be fine with a longer loft I feel. The D01 brushes are already dense as it is, and then the 2-band is more resilient to splaying so definitely go up on the loft. Bernd can definitely help on finding a loft that would work for you! It's all the preference of the individual.

 

[Rudy Vey]

Yup, just like that one, Rudy! Comments on it?

Here's Kooshman's post that I was referring to. But who knows who he got it from on the BST (per the link). And then, we all heard about Ambrose'.

- Jason

Well, to begin, it was a total different feeling, but now I like it more and more.
It took me some uses to get used to the large amount of hair that is on your face compared to any other shape. Now, after some 7-8 uses, I love it.

 

[tachi1247]

I am interested in a flat top brush like this as well. I'd be very interested to see what people think about this brush.

I know most people use these brushes for face lathering soaps, but I'd like to know how well they work for creams as well. Or at least why they wouldn't be just as good on creams.

 

[ambrose]

Well, to begin, it was a total different feeling, but now I like it more and more.
It took me some uses to get used to the large amount of hair that is on your face compared to any other shape. Now, after some 7-8 uses, I love it.

Good point Rudy, this has been a brush that takes an extra long time to break in for me. Ive been using mine non-stop since Ive got it. I think that was around May, a good soaking in water helps before use.

That is true about the amount of hair, even small knots feel bigger because more contact on the skin with the tips.

I am interested in a flat top brush like this as well. I'd be very interested to see what people think about this brush.

I know most people use these brushes for face lathering soaps, but I'd like to know how well they work for creams as well. Or at least why they wouldn't be just as good on creams.

It works just as well with creams, in fact all ive been using recently is creams. Either creams or soaps, its that small scrubby face feel is what we seem to crave as face latherers.

 

[ambrose]

Just to add to the thread, kooshman7 aka Joe showed his shavemacs in the show your custom shavemac thread and that made me very interested in the extreme flat top. I was then poking around shavemacs site while I was customizing my brush with Bernd through emails. I saw that a 2 band was available, and my brush was born.

 

[mretzloff]

Do you mean something like this??
It is one of the extreme flat-tops, I actually know only of two, Ambrose has one and this one is mine. Its a 19 mm knot that Bernd custom made for me, I put it in a Sambar Stag antler which I turned myself.

Rudy, this is a beautiful brush. You did an excellent job with that handle.

its the only brush I own now, what ever that means

No more Stubby in finest? Wow, this new D01 must be good

 

[ambrose]

No more bud, she belongs to Hunter now

 

[huntmol]

Don't worry Jose - I'm taking good care of her.

 

[ambrose]

a good man she is still looking brand new, such a soft beast

 

[Rudy Vey]

Good point Rudy, this has been a brush that takes an extra long time to break in for me. Ive been using mine non-stop since Ive got it. I think that was around May, a good soaking in water helps before use.

That is true about the amount of hair, even small knots feel bigger because more contact on the skin with the tips.



It works just as well with creams, in fact all ive been using recently is creams. Either creams or soaps, its that small scrubby face feel is what we seem to crave as face latherers.

Used mine today with cream, and it works as expected, superb!

 

[jrowen]

Yeah... you guys are definitely making me want this for my next brush. I think I'm going to try to contact Shavemac after they return from vacation. The flat top just seems like such a good match for face lathering. I don't know if it was Robert Paulson's idea, or Shavemac's idea, or if someone else came up with it or what... but it seems like such an intuitive design for face lathering. It seems like it would make even better contact with the face if it were even just slightly a little bit concave, though it wouldn't pick up soap as well. Not that I'm suggesting that... just an interesting thought.

- Jason

 

[huntmol]

The flat top just seems like such a good match for face lathering. I don't know if it was Robert Paulson's idea, or Shavemac's idea, or if someone else came up with it or what... but it seems like such an intuitive design for face lathering.
- Jason

If I remember correctly, I believe it was Charles Roberts of Enchante in Austin. He had a line of flat-top brushes called the Shavemaster.