I have been watching a lot of shaving videos. I see that some people like to use circular motions. That technique seems to work well with a less dense brush, as the brush bristles splay to allow the lathering. Do people with dense brushes use circular motions as well? I find that the dense brushes work well at getting the product loaded. However, I find that painting strokes seem to work better than circular motions. If I use circular motions, I feel like I am just wearing down the tips. What are your thoughts on this?
Using a dense brush
- Thread starter altshaver
- Start date
Good question. I've been wondering the same thing. I have a very dense and very nice badger silvertip. However, it does hog a lot of the lather. It's not been a major issue but I do notice the difference when I use other less dense brushes. I use my badger in circular motions with no problems. I often place 2 fingers and thumb at the base of the knot when face lathering - this seems to help getting the lather onto the face.
Use a vigorous circular motion to help prep your beard and a painting motion to make the final coat of lather. This what you own the brush for, you will not harm it.
Lather hog = inadequately loaded brush.
Bigger denser brushes require more product, sometimes a lot more. Try doubling the amount of product you use and then adjust from there.
If you use creams the dip and twist is a good way to get the product proportioned correctly. Dip a shaken out brush into the cream until most of the tips are in contact with the cream then twist and pull the brush out.
Create lather in a bowl or your face.
Have fun!
Lather hog = inadequately loaded brush.
Bigger denser brushes require more product, sometimes a lot more. Try doubling the amount of product you use and then adjust from there.
If you use creams the dip and twist is a good way to get the product proportioned correctly. Dip a shaken out brush into the cream until most of the tips are in contact with the cream then twist and pull the brush out.
Create lather in a bowl or your face.
Have fun!
As Jim says, use the brush for the purpose for which it was intended.
Swirling creates lather and distributes it within the brush and on the face. Painting just makes things neat for the finish, and by itself isn't the best way to work your lather up.
Swirling creates lather and distributes it within the brush and on the face. Painting just makes things neat for the finish, and by itself isn't the best way to work your lather up.
Spring-boarding off of Jim's wise statements, I will add that it seems easier to figure out a new brush (amount of water and product to use) by using too much product at first. You can always add water pretty easily. So, over-load it, add water, and you might be surprised how much lather your new dense brush can hog.
You're not going to "wear the tips down" in under a decade, and if you do you need to send that brush back for a replacement.
And to be extra safe, make sure you buy half a dozen or so brushes. You know, to make sure they dry adequately between each use.
-Andy
The best thing about these 'hogs' is their ability to reduce cream populations 
My CH2 starts seeing regular service when I find I need to 'put-to-rest' a particular cream or soap as fast as I possibly can
My CH2 starts seeing regular service when I find I need to 'put-to-rest' a particular cream or soap as fast as I possibly can
I always use circular motions - don't worry, badger hair can take it
