Small brush, what to like about them?

[ziplepingouin]

Hello!

I was wondering how do small brushes perform against bigger brush of the same type (same brand and same hair type)? Will it (face)-lather the same way as the bigger brush? Will it be stiffer? Will it hold less water/lather?

What do you think about a 19mm silvertip against a 23mm silvertip?

Thanks for your opinions!

 

[SliceOfLife]

Lather faster, use less soap and don't whisk away a ton of lather to the center of the brush never to be seen again like bigger knots do. Also due to less loft typically, with the same hair assuming similar density of hair packing, they'll have more backbone.

 

[ziplepingouin]

Thanks for the reply! Only qualities then!
I was really hesitating to get a small brush (19mm) instead of my 23mm which appeared to be too big...
I even checked the wee scot review, if this thing can work great why not a 19mm!

Other feedbacks/experiences are welcome!

 

[insomniac]

I find smaller brushes better for face lathering. Not just for the reasons SliceOfLife mentioned, but because it's easier to target (say) your sideburn area without getting soap all over your ears.

 

[Fozz7769]

If 23mm is too big, go for it, get a smaller brush. Sliceoflife put it perfectly.

 

[Dave Deluxe]

This a case were "smaller is better', to a point anyhow.

I have found that there is a definite difference between the optimum size for a badger vs. a boar brush.

I have a boar brush with a 55mm loft & 24mm knot and it is just about perfect. Not floppy and with plenty of backbone for both creams and soaps. I also have a badger brush which has the same dimensions and it is on the verge of being too big, once you account for the bloom of the brush when it is wet and full of lather. It is on the edge of being floppy and it absorbs plenty of product. I like both brushes, but I can see that if the badger brush was somewhat smaller it might be more effective.

Of course this is a hobby of preferences so everyone will have different take on it.

DD

 

[Iakona]

I find smaller brushes better for face lathering. Not just for the reasons SliceOfLife mentioned, but because it's easier to target (say) your sideburn area without getting soap all over your ears.

When I try not to get soap all over my ears, I actually have to clean them later with a q-tip, so I figure it's just more efficient to slather the lather all over

 

[moonshine44]

I had a 24 mm best badger that I made. Then I made a short loft 20 mm silvertip. I thought I liked the big brush until I started using the small brush. Then I ordered a short loft 20 mm silvertip from Martinez Customs, and now the big brush lives at somebody else's house. A small knot, short loft silvertip is the best of all worlds. You get the backbone of a short loft with the softness of the silvertip's tips (so to speak)...

 

[nav]

I use a finest in 18mm and also have a finest in 16mm for travel (not that im travelling anywhere at the moment).

Both brushes hold enough lather for my 3 passes. At first I didn't think the 16mm would hold enough but it does. They are both great for face lathering and very precise in getting lather on the beard area and not in my ears, up my nose etc.

 

[Dharion]

Big brushes are better for the ones with SCAD and SSAD to get through their products faster. Rarely it's the sice of the face or their scuttle/mug.

 

[NavyHopeful]

Simpson Wee Scot! 14mm knot, but this brush lathers like a champ. Give it a look.

 

[wimbouman]

Simpson Wee Scot! 14mm knot, but this brush lathers like a champ. Give it a look.

That is true.
Wonderful brush.


Aart and I are now working on a 18mm brush.
It is in this thread.
The other option being a small beehive.

I think that one will work very nice, very sophisticated also!



Wim

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

This a case were "smaller is better', to a point anyhow.

I have found that there is a definite difference between the optimum size for a badger vs. a boar brush.

I have a boar brush with a 55mm loft & 24mm knot and it is just about perfect. Not floppy and with plenty of backbone for both creams and soaps. I also have a badger brush which has the same dimensions and it is on the verge of being too big, once you account for the bloom of the brush when it is wet and full of lather. It is on the edge of being floppy and it absorbs plenty of product. I like both brushes, but I can see that if the badger brush was somewhat smaller it might be more effective.

Of course this is a hobby of preferences so everyone will have different take on it.

DD

Indeed; I like the bigger brushes better. I only use horse now, btw.

 

[ziplepingouin]

Thanks guys for your replies! I think finally I prefer small brushes... I decided to put my brand new 23mm Muhle for sale...in the same time i ordered a 19mm Mühle! (SBAD is coooming! LOL)

Of course I'll give a feedback of the new 19mm on this board!

 

[Matt S]

Good thread here. I've been considering the same move (I have a small face) and now I've been pushed closer to the brink of buying a new badger brush. Just need to pick one out, which could take a while.

 

[johnmrson]

I've got a little Rooney (16mm knot I think). It's packed nice and densely and is a great brush to use.

 

[denim]

I have a Simpson Colonel. I see that the Wee Scot is marginally smaller. Does it really make that much of a difference, given that the badger hair is the same?

 

[dalecooper51]

I like my Wee Scot. It's a good performer for such a little brush.

 

[huntmol]

I love smaller brushes, but I also love to use my Two-band CH2. It's a monster, but tons of fun to use.

 

[Schwert]

I find that the 18-20mm knots with low lofts are my sweet spot brushes.

The Wee is an amazing performer for such a tiny brush, one that works into my rotation at least once a week....but for most days I favor the larger 18-20mm brushes.

Anything bigger than 20mm for me is too much of a brush....takes too much loading, holds and wastes loads of soap, and applies it with the precision of a 2000lb bomb.