Does anyone know of a thread (and its' URL) telling how to properly use a synthetic brush?
Using a synthetic shaving brush
- Thread starter phule
- Start date
Just use it like any other brush. Be aware that synthetics purge water....this makes them absolutely the BEST at making lather. They outperform badger in this regard. They make lather quickly and it becomes thick and dense before you know it. Dip the tips often like with boar brushes if you face lather.
- Thread starter
- #3
Again, many thanks!
Phule,
I don't know of any threads. I think I will start one today here on B&B.
There are differences between synthetic brushes and naturals. I first became aware of it last year when I worked with Mantic59 and three others to test 19 new-generation synths. He was having trouble with water dumping from his brushes and I was not. We found I was doing something different that made the difference.
Because synthetic fibers are solid, rather than hollow, they do not absorb water. The newest generation's fibers are treated to help them retain water and increase the softness of the tips, and a slight adjustment in technique helps to avoid water shedding:
When you are satisfied with the quality of your lather (assuming you bowl or mug lather), load it normally. Apply it gently with small swirling motions until the lather is worked into the brush thoroughly. This only takes a few seconds. Then apply enough pressure to gently splay the fibers. Once you've done that, the application process from that point on is exactly like any other brush.
The entire process of distributing the lather evenly among the fibers takes less than 10 seconds. With practice, only about 5 seconds. It will help with water retention, splaying and overall performance.
Another tip, whether face- or bowl/mug lathering is to gently squeeze the brush to remove most of the water before beginning. These brushes need less water than naturals because none of the water is absorbed into the fibers. They use surprisingly little water, and there is no benefit at all to soaking them, although soaking will not harm them.
I don't know of any threads. I think I will start one today here on B&B.
There are differences between synthetic brushes and naturals. I first became aware of it last year when I worked with Mantic59 and three others to test 19 new-generation synths. He was having trouble with water dumping from his brushes and I was not. We found I was doing something different that made the difference.
Because synthetic fibers are solid, rather than hollow, they do not absorb water. The newest generation's fibers are treated to help them retain water and increase the softness of the tips, and a slight adjustment in technique helps to avoid water shedding:
When you are satisfied with the quality of your lather (assuming you bowl or mug lather), load it normally. Apply it gently with small swirling motions until the lather is worked into the brush thoroughly. This only takes a few seconds. Then apply enough pressure to gently splay the fibers. Once you've done that, the application process from that point on is exactly like any other brush.
The entire process of distributing the lather evenly among the fibers takes less than 10 seconds. With practice, only about 5 seconds. It will help with water retention, splaying and overall performance.
Another tip, whether face- or bowl/mug lathering is to gently squeeze the brush to remove most of the water before beginning. These brushes need less water than naturals because none of the water is absorbed into the fibers. They use surprisingly little water, and there is no benefit at all to soaking them, although soaking will not harm them.
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I face lather with a Muhle HJM synthetic. I just dip the brush in water (no need to soak it) and proceed as with any other brush: either the wetter method (maybe give it a shake or two or three or four) or the drier method (give it a squeeze and a couple of shakes). When face lathering I either occasionally dip the brush tips in water and shake out the excess or put a drop or two of water in the breach--but these are standard options for any brush. At the end I rinse, squeeze, and shake a few times--again, like any other brush.
i have been using my Frank Shaving custom synthetics and the just might be the best overall brush that i have tried for the price and performance!
Use it as any other brush, really. i just wet mine under running cold water for 10 seconds or so, then shake out most of the water as i prefer to start with a drier brush and go at my soaps. Good luck.
Use it as any other brush, really. i just wet mine under running cold water for 10 seconds or so, then shake out most of the water as i prefer to start with a drier brush and go at my soaps. Good luck.
Looking to tweak the use of my syn - hence trying to understand your method:
1st sentence: If I am already satisfied with the quality of the lather, why am I loading again? The next step would be to apply it to face.
2nd sentence: If I am applying it to face, why do I want to work the lather into the brush instead of my face?
Finally: what is the purpose of pressure to splay the fibers?
I've only used mine to face lather with shave sticks as that is what I intend to do with it most. Use it as a travel brush and when I travel I take shave sticks. So far it has worked out excellently in this capacity
+1 I have a Franks faux ivory 24mm synthetic knot Richmond - a great brush! I've got an ebony one on its way also. they make a great lather whether it's done in a bowl or on the face. they dry quickly. they are a LOT cheaper than badger (and animal friendly too if that's important to you).
I've tried a few synthetics, an Omega with the white bristles - Franks is definitely the best so far. I won't be trying any others.
I use my synthetics as a part of my rotation, no 4,5 and 6 from left. They have helped me in building better lather both from soaps and sticks. I only use cream when superlathering while testing new blades.
Lately (the last few years) I have been facelathering 100%. I initially had the same problem as Mantic59, but I changed my technique and now they work very well!
I also use the Muhle travelbrush, not in picture. It is different - the backbone is more pronounced and the travelcontainer is top notch.
I am a firm believer in using many different tools in order to build a solid technique! The more tools, the better
. This is not AD (despite of the rolling eyes of SWMBO), this is a scientific approach on the path to shaving nirvana!
Bosse
I enjoy all types of brushes and find that the synthetics will perform as good, if not better, than the more traditional brushes. I use them the same as any other brush, there are nuances but most brushes have them. Jump in and start using them and you'll figure them out in short order.
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Maybe it was too complicated for you. Maybe I should have said "Pick up enough lather to shave with and start slowly." Clear enough?
Woah. Sounds like some hugs are in order.
My travel setup is the Muhle synthetic travel brush and a shave stick. Do you have any recommendations for face lathering? I find it to be messy if the brush isn't almost dry when starting.
This is how I face lather:
Make sure your face is moist/wet before you start
Dip the end of the stick in the sink to moisten it
Rub the stick all around and apply a thick even coating making sure you get a lot of soap (no such thing as too much)
Remove your brush from the water and give it a gentle squeeze to remove most of the water
Take the brush to your face and make a thick paste out of the soap all over your face.
Bring the brush to the sink and quickly dip it in the water touching just the tips of the bristles
Go back to your face on one side and turn the paste into a lather
Back into the sink for another quick dip
Go to the other side of your face to make a lather on the other side of your face
If you feel you have enough water in your brush turn the paste on the throat and chin into lather otherwise dip again first.
Your lather should be thick and shiny on your first building. If it does not look like this, dip again and go over your entire face.
Finish by painting your face in a back and forth motion to even out the lather
This should create a thick creamy heavy lather on your face and place enough lather in your brush for several more applications.
This method may go against what most will recommend but I find it a fail safe method for getting a perfect lather out of any shave stick
+1--Thats EXACTLY how I build lather with a stick
Thanks for the tutprial, Turtle. I have an Arko stick that I've never used because I didn't have a clue how to. I'll try to dig it up and give it a whirl.
My face lathering challenge is specifically with the Muhle Synthetic Travel brush. I've been face lathering daily for a couple of years with a variety of boar and badger brushes. For the most part I do exactly what Turtle suggests.
I take it that when you tested rhe 19 synths you didn' test with any shave sticks at all?
