I'm going to order a custom Shavemac with silvertip hair. I just don't know how long I should make the loft. I have 6 soaps 1 cream and only bowl lather when I use the cream the rest of the time I face lather. From searching the board a good loft length for face lathering seems to be 45-50mm. Is there any real difference between a loft of 45mm or 50mm?
Shavemac Loft Length
- Thread starter MikeC
- Start date
Are we talking about the standard bulb shape ?
i was doing a bit of research i have heard the 45mm is ideal
It is only 5mm, right? The difference is bigger than you would think. 45mm is approaching too short for my tastes, while 50mm is closer to my comfort zone. There really is no right or ideal length - only personal preference. A shorter/stouter brush may work a tad better with soaps, while a longer bristled brush may whip up creams a bit better.
One must also think about the hair grade and density of the knot when choosing a loft height. A densely packed high grade hair (two-band or D01) with a 50mm loft will feel quite differently than a more sparsely packed lower grade hair of the same loft height.
What brush(es) do you currently own. What do you or don't you like about them?
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5mm makes a big difference. I'd recommend 45mm for face lathering soaps. It'll also work just fine for bowl lathering anything.
-Andy
-Andy
- Thread starter
- #7
Semogue 1800 & Omega 31025. Both of these brushes are similar to me. What I like best about them is the backbone of the loft it's stiff and not floppy.
Edwin Jagger BBB. After using the boars for most of my shaves I find the EJ to be too floppy and the tips are prickly. I find the handle to be to small for my hands.
I'm looking for the tips to be really soft which the silvertip hairs of the Shavemac should be but I want the brush to have the same backbone or similar as my boars.
- Thread starter
- #8
Yes I'm looking at getting the standard bulb shape.
Sounds like 45mm is right up your alley.
I would go with a 45mm loft with a fan-shaped knot.
Go for the new Two-band D01! It's expensive, but it will definitely rival your boars for backbone. If that's too much, go for Finest. It's a great deal.
Go for the new Two-band D01! It's expensive, but it will definitely rival your boars for backbone. If that's too much, go for Finest. It's a great deal.
+1. Finest is an excellent hair grade, and, for the money, I'd take it over Silvertip.
-Andy
You saved me some typing, Hunter.
For face lathering, I would not go any higher than 48 mm. I have a 50 mm loft on my Shavemac, but I bowl lather.
I use a shavemac 45mm loft, fan style. I think its... 19mm across??? I'm not sure, but I use it every day. Its smaller than most brushes, but I appreciate the softness of the tips, with plenty of backbone to really work that lather in. I got the D01 hair grade. Its really top notch.
My other brushes seethe with jealousy because they see NO action. I found my ideal brush and this is it.
My other brushes seethe with jealousy because they see NO action. I found my ideal brush and this is it.
A bulb shaped knot can stand a taller loft, ie 50mm.
A fan shaped knot would be better having a shorter loft as it will bloom more than a bulb.
That is assuming the same density of knots.
I have a Shavemac 2Band with a 25mm knot by 49mm loft. It is a standard fan shape & i personally would knot like a shorter loft in this hair type, it would be too scrubby for my liking. This brush is excellent with hard soap.
A shorter loft, 45mm might be the way to go with a silvertip. I have not used this so cannot really comment.
These questions are easy to answer but difficult for you to decide on.
As a comparison. My shavemac 2 band at 49mm loft feels like Simpsons best at 46/47mm loft. Both of my brushes have a very similar density, springy feel to them wet & dry & the tips softness is similar.
A fan shaped knot would be better having a shorter loft as it will bloom more than a bulb.
That is assuming the same density of knots.
I have a Shavemac 2Band with a 25mm knot by 49mm loft. It is a standard fan shape & i personally would knot like a shorter loft in this hair type, it would be too scrubby for my liking. This brush is excellent with hard soap.
A shorter loft, 45mm might be the way to go with a silvertip. I have not used this so cannot really comment.
These questions are easy to answer but difficult for you to decide on.
As a comparison. My shavemac 2 band at 49mm loft feels like Simpsons best at 46/47mm loft. Both of my brushes have a very similar density, springy feel to them wet & dry & the tips softness is similar.
