...at least for me. I find a 20mm knot is a large as I like to go, i can get plenty of lather on it for my face and I have always used a smaller brush. I do use a silvertip, which holds more water. But I'm interested in why others prefer larger knots? Am I missing someting? Please explain.
Small brush is good enough.
- Thread starter EngTech
- Start date
It somehow feels more luxurious. Kind of like a big pillow on your face. You don't need a HUGE brush to experience that. I think 24-26 is plenty big in a badger. But everyone is different in preferences.
At one time, I felt the same way about large brushes until I tried one and for the man who head shaves it is great because it reduces the time it takes to lather.
It also feels wonderful.
It also feels wonderful.
I like a big brush because of the face feel. More hairs distributing the force used to lather = more scrub.
When I travel I use a Simpson Major which does a perfectly fine job with a 18mm knot. So my affinity for large knots has little to do with utility but just a personal preference for the face feel and overall experience of all that hair massaging my face. it's quite a luxurious feeling.
I know I post this all the time, but remember, loft is as important as knot size in regards to how big the brush feels. At lower knots a big knot brush feels much smaller, and at high lofts a small knot brush feels much bigger.
Also, OP you have an awesome avatar! I love the Minister of Silly Walks, in fact I had that poster on my wall for many years.
Also, OP you have an awesome avatar! I love the Minister of Silly Walks, in fact I had that poster on my wall for many years.
For me, depending on knot shape and loft, I really don't like bigger than 24.
I do have an old Fuller that is 19 or 20 that I enjoy as well,
I do have an old Fuller that is 19 or 20 that I enjoy as well,
Agreed. For me loft is even more decisive; 50mm max for boars and even less for badger goes best with face lathering for me. My largest knot is around 24/25mm and together with the 50mm loft that still feels like a small brush.
My largest knot is 25mm, but i prefer 23-24 as it covers more area, hold more lather and has better backbone than the smaller knots.
However, use what best suits you!
However, use what best suits you!
24mm SR 3824 is often TOO big for face lathering. Your preferred lather method often influences choice.
Sometimes I use a small travel brush if I want a quick shave and I plan just one or two passes. Somehow I end up with enough lather for 3 passes with plenty left over.
Slash McCoy
I freehand dog rockets
I love a big brush, 28mm or 30mm.
love my wee scot, way more than both my Chubby 2 best, and Shavemac 2 band 26mm
Simpson special! Enough said.
For me, feel, density, better/easier lather building, faster lather application. That said, even the big knot users don't all share the same preferences as evidenced by this very thread. My favorite brush has a 28mm knot (too big for some in this thread) and a 57mm loft (too much for some). Preference is preference and it can and does vary from person to person.
As always, you can read all the opinions you want but it's a matter of preference and to definitively answer for yourself you'd have to try. You can't evaluate that which you haven't experienced. Whatever you're currently using can easily seem "good enough" if you don't know anything else no matter what the topic. My cheapo kitchen knives seemed good enough until I actually bought and used some good knives. My econobox car seemed good enough until I got a sports car that actually handles very well. My favorite BBQ place was good enough until I went to Franklin's. The examples are endless.
It's entirely possible that you're not missing anything and that what you have is perfectly suited to you. You won't know until you try the alternatives.
"Enough said" is never enough said. Always include the why behind your statement so others can at least attempt to determine if their preferences are in line with yours or not. No brush (or anything for that matter) is ever one-size-fits-all no matter how enthusiastic a person may be about the brush.
Last edited:
takeshi, Not my thread, but thanks for your thoughtful response. Of course for many, the problem is the cost involved in trying several options to see what we would really like when what we have on the counter works just fine...
Simpson Berkley for me! I prefer smaller brushes too. My SOC sometimes gets too big for me, but I love it too! 
