I'm looking to purchase a new Thater bulb-shaped brush, but can't decide on the size. The two I'm considering are the 4292 silver tip 110 mm overall height with a 23 mm knot, or the 4292 silver tip overall height 112 mm with a 25 mm knot. My favourite brushes right now are a Rooney Finest s2/s1 and a Simpsons Colonel. I lather on my face exclusively and use shaving cream 95% of the time. I want to diversify my brush collection, which currently consists of the aforementioned two brushes, a Simpsons Wee Scot and a Kent B&B 2008 LE. I use all these brushes regularly and find each of them suit my lathering style. The Thater will be my first bulb-shaped brush and my concern is that the one with the 25 mm knot may just be too big. On the other hand, I could just purchase a Simpsons Chubby 1 in Super, but I think the Thater would meet my desire to diversify better. I'd appreciate your thoughts and comments.
Thater brush; which size?
- Thread starter Rufus
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Bulb shaped knots don't bloom much and don't feel too big on the face. OTOH the actual knot diameters of Thäter brushes are 1-2 mm bigger than the specified. If you buy a Thãter, order one size bigger than what you'd normally consider.
Based on the brushes you currently have and like, I'm afraid you'd be disappointed from the backbone of the 3-banded Thäter. 2-banded shorter lofted 4125 model should be better suited. If I may, I'd suggest you look at 4125/2 2-band.
Based on the brushes you currently have and like, I'm afraid you'd be disappointed from the backbone of the 3-banded Thäter. 2-banded shorter lofted 4125 model should be better suited. If I may, I'd suggest you look at 4125/2 2-band.
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I have 2, but not a big fan. The better of the two is a 4125/2 2-band. The size is good. The 49125/0 3-band actually feels much smaller than a 22mm knot. With creams they should be fine. If I used T&H cream every shave, they'd be perfect. I just don't like them with soaps which unfortunately is most days. For soaps I prefer my basic Rooneys and Simpsons over the Thaters.
Actually, didn't you mean buy one size smaller?
Not really. What I meant was, if you're used to fan shaped brushes like 22 mm Colonel, one size up 24 mm bulb Thäter should feel similar size on the face.
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- #6
Thanks for the advice guys. After much dithering over which model and which size to buy I decided to go with the 4292 with a 23mm knot. I placed my order with Fendrihans first thing this morning and should receive it later this week or early next week. Along with the Thater I also ordered a bottle of Captain's Choice Bay Rum, a bottle of Captain's Choice Lime aftershave and two bars of Mitchell's Wool Fat bath soap. I'll follow-up with my thoughts on the Thater brush in due course.
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- #7
Much to my surprise my brush arrived in this morning's mail; I ordered it on Tuesday, 21 May, and here it is two days later; hats off to Fendrihan and Canada Post. Not bad for free shipping, eh.
The brush is gorgeous and looks to be the right size for me, but more on that later when I've used it a few times. With respect to size, my measurements differ from those advertised by Thater: the advertised knot diameter is 23mm, but I measure it at 25mm; the advertised loft is 56mm whereas I measure it at 53mm; the advertised handle length is 50mm compared with my measurement of 51mm. As this is a handmade knot I'm not surprised by this.
One thing that puzzles me though is that in the accompanying instructions Thater strongly recommends against face lathering in order to prolong badger life. I've been a face latherer for 45 years and have yet to experience any degradation in my brushes because of this. I understand that you can't scrub, mash or pump the brush when lathering, but I've never come across a brush manufacturer recommending against face lathering per se. Ironically, Thater goes on to say that after making lather in a bowl to apply it to your face by using little pressure, and circular and sweeping motions massaging the lather into the skin for one or two minutes; sounds like what I do when I face lather.
The brush is gorgeous and looks to be the right size for me, but more on that later when I've used it a few times. With respect to size, my measurements differ from those advertised by Thater: the advertised knot diameter is 23mm, but I measure it at 25mm; the advertised loft is 56mm whereas I measure it at 53mm; the advertised handle length is 50mm compared with my measurement of 51mm. As this is a handmade knot I'm not surprised by this.
One thing that puzzles me though is that in the accompanying instructions Thater strongly recommends against face lathering in order to prolong badger life. I've been a face latherer for 45 years and have yet to experience any degradation in my brushes because of this. I understand that you can't scrub, mash or pump the brush when lathering, but I've never come across a brush manufacturer recommending against face lathering per se. Ironically, Thater goes on to say that after making lather in a bowl to apply it to your face by using little pressure, and circular and sweeping motions massaging the lather into the skin for one or two minutes; sounds like what I do when I face lather.
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I am guessing that the anti face lathering instructions are just a CYA deal for them.
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- #10
Just to let you know that I'm thoroughly enjoying my Thater 4292. It's a very well put together brush and I find its size and ergonomics perfect. I'm strictly a face-lather and use creams predominantly, and this brush performs magnificently. Its face feel is just what I like: soft tips and springy shafts. Although it is fairly dense, the badger gives up the lather with no coaxing for each of my three passes. I rate its performance more highly than that of my Simpsons Tulip 2, three band super. This brush lathers well, but I have to coax lather from it for my second and third passes. Also, the face feel of the T 2 lacks the springiness of the Thater, feeling "mushy" if not floppy. I'd rate the Thater on a par with Simpsons best badger.
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