What size knot is best for face lathering (from Shavemac)?

[Mr_Legolas]

Hi Folks,

I am looking to upgrade my shave brush from a pure badger (AOS) to Shavemac silvertip.

Recently I have picked up a liking for face lathering. I was wondering which is the best size knot for face lathering from shavemac brand.

I have a liking to the 102 series. See below.

http://www.shavemac.com/shop/product_info.php?currency=USD&info=1092

The AOS pure badger (the one that came with $100 full size kit) I have is with knot size 23mm I think. I feel it to be big when I face lather.

Expert opinions plzzz


Thanks,

Legolas

 

[Alaskan Eagle]

Currently I have been using a 20 mm and a 22 mm to face lather and I think that they're perfect.

 

[huntmol]

The key is not what size knot, but what size loft

You can have a 30mm brush with a 40mm loft and a 21mm brush with a 60mm loft, and the 21mm brush will feel like the bigger brush!

Loft is what dictates how large the brush "feels", how dense it is, and how much backbone the brush has.

For Shavemacs, I would email Bernd and ask him to make you a custom brush in D01 or Finest hair, depending on your budget. Finest is less expensive, and D01 is very expensive. I would recommend a 21mm knot and a 45-50mm loft, depending on your personal preferences.

P.S. the handle you picked out is my favorite Shavemac handle! I really love that one, feels so good in your hand

 

[Scotchd]

Hi Folks,

I am looking to upgrade my shave brush from a pure badger (AOS) to Shavemac silvertip.

Recently I have picked up a liking for face lathering. I was wondering which is the best size knot for face lathering from shavemac brand.

I have a liking to the 102 series. See below.

http://www.shavemac.com/shop/product_info.php?currency=USD&info=1092

The AOS pure badger (the one that came with $100 full size kit) I have is with knot size 23mm I think. I feel it to be big when I face lather.

Expert opinions plzzz


Thanks,

Legolas

Let me know how that goes - I currently face lather with an AoS Pure badger (I believe they are 21mm or 22mm knots). I'd like to get your opinion on the new brush by comparison.

 

[Hughies_online]

I prefer the bigger knots myself. Say around the 24mm size

 

[Suzuki]

I face-lather almost exclusively and my overwhelming preference is for densely packed brushes with the following dimensions:

Diameter - 20 - 22 mm

Height - under 50mm.

I prefer a fan shape, but a well made bulb (like the Shavemacs) is perfectly fine so long.

I used to have a Rooney style 1 large (26mm) that I face lathered with and it worked just fine, but I found the larger knot unwieldy.

While you haven't asked, I'm going to throw out a recommendation for a great face lathering brush - the Rooney style 1 or 3 (if you get the 3 from vintagebladesllc.com, who has them made a bit shorter) in small super silvertip is probably one of the best face-lathing brushes out there and at $75, you'd be hard pressed to find a better value.

 

[napoleon]

If I were you, I'd choose finest, 22/23mm knot 45mm loft.
I had a butterscotch reknoted in 23 47 and it's my favourite brush (I only face lather). If it were 45, it'd be like rooney 1/1. But I wanted a little bigger knot and higher loft.

 

[huntmol]

I prefer a fan shape, but a well made bulb (like the Shavemacs) is perfectly fine so long.

Actually you can have Shavemac custom make you a brush with a fan shaped knot

 

[vitaman]

the key is not what size knot, but what size loft

you can have a 30mm brush with a 40mm loft and a 21mm brush with a 60mm loft, and the 21mm brush will feel like the bigger brush!

Loft is what dictates how large the brush "feels", how dense it is, and how much backbone the brush has.

For shavemacs, i would email bernd and ask him to make you a custom brush in d01 or finest hair, depending on your budget. Finest is less expensive, and d01 is very expensive. I would recommend a 21mm knot and a 45-50mm loft, depending on your personal preferences.

P.s. The handle you picked out is my favorite shavemac handle! I really love that one, feels so good in your hand

+1

 

[Raffaele]

The key is not what size knot, but what size loft

You can have a 30mm brush with a 40mm loft and a 21mm brush with a 60mm loft, and the 21mm brush will feel like the bigger brush!

Loft is what dictates how large the brush "feels", how dense it is, and how much backbone the brush has.

For Shavemacs, I would email Bernd and ask him to make you a custom brush in D01 or Finest hair, depending on your budget. Finest is less expensive, and D01 is very expensive. I would recommend a 21mm knot and a 45-50mm loft, depending on your personal preferences.

P.S. the handle you picked out is my favorite Shavemac handle! I really love that one, feels so good in your hand

+2

I have got a 102 -D01

 

[the beav]

I face lather with Tabac and QED shave sticks, and have a custom Shavemac silvertip with a 21 mm knot and a 48mm loft. It's perfect-small and maneuverable, yet builds up a lot of lather, especially with QED soaps.

I also have a custom D01 with a 21mm knot and a 48mm loft. It is much denser and firmer, and feels more like a Shavemac finest instead of a silvertip. I probably could have used a few more mm's on the loft, but am not exactly sure what the difference would have been as far as the feel goes. It does tend to be more of a lather hog than the regular silvertip, and I've run dry a few times if I didn't apply enough soap.

 

[the beav]

Here's a photo of the regular Shavemac (R) and DO1 (L) as described above. As you can see, they are about the same size, but it seems to me that the D01 has twice as much badger hair.

View attachment 70868

 

[beginish]

The 25 mm 177 Shavemac silvertip is a joy to use when face lathering.

 

[Greybeard]

I face lather with a fan shaped 22mm knot and a 47 mm loft that is perfect for me.


- Peter

 

[Mr_Legolas]

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

A BIG thank you to huntmol who has pointed me to look at the loft size. My current brush height is 55mm loft I definitely need something less

I am carefully considering each input here. I am going to inquire Bernd @ Shavemac about the price for the custom I am going to propose.

I will also take a look at Rooney style 3 small as specified by Suzuki.

I will let you guys know what I am going for soon!!!!


Thanks for all the info! You guys are great! B&B is da best

 

[Mr_Legolas]

The key is not what size knot, but what size loft

You can have a 30mm brush with a 40mm loft and a 21mm brush with a 60mm loft, and the 21mm brush will feel like the bigger brush!

Loft is what dictates how large the brush "feels", how dense it is, and how much backbone the brush has.

For Shavemacs, I would email Bernd and ask him to make you a custom brush in D01 or Finest hair, depending on your budget. Finest is less expensive, and D01 is very expensive. I would recommend a 21mm knot and a 45-50mm loft, depending on your personal preferences.

P.S. the handle you picked out is my favorite Shavemac handle! I really love that one, feels so good in your hand

Huntmol - I can inquire bernd about the price before ordering right?

 

[grump]

Great information, Thank you gents!

 

[andrew98]

+1 to everything Hunter said. I advise getting the handle you want with Finest hair, unless you have a biiig shaving brush budget. Finest is an incredible hair grade, especially in a 45 to 50mm loft. I like it every bit as much as my custom Shavemac with D01 Silvertip hair. D01 = approximately double the cost of Finest.

I only use soaps, and I face lather. I like a short loft and small-ish knot, so I recommend a 19 to 21mm knot diameter, especially if you'll be face lathering. A 19mm knot will save you some money too, and I guarantee it won't feel small. Shavemacs punch above their weight, as it were.

See the reviews in my signature to see my custom brushes and read a comparison of Finest vs. D01.

Regarding fan vs. bulb shape, I prefer the bulb shape. The shorter hairs around the outside of the bulb actually help add to the backbone. I've owned a custom short-loft in D01 hair with the fan shape. I sold it before I even used it.

Bernd will give you the price before you order. You'll order through a web page Bernd will set up for you after you nail down your brush details. Ask Bernd anything, including questions about price. He's top notch for customer service.

-Andy

 

[huntmol]

+1 to Andy, Shavemac's Finest hair is really a great value.

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!
A BIG thank you to huntmol who has pointed me to look at the loft size. My current brush height is 55mm loft I definitely need something less
I am carefully considering each input here. I am going to inquire Bernd @ Shavemac about the price for the custom I am going to propose.
I will also take a look at Rooney style 3 small as specified by Suzuki.
I will let you guys know what I am going for soon!!!!
Thanks for all the info! You guys are great! B&B is da best

You are very welcome! Shavmacs are great brushes, but the Rooney 3-1 in Super is also a very good brush. Whichever one you choose, you will not be disappointed.

Huntmol - I can inquire bernd about the price before ordering right?

Yep! Shavemac has simply outstanding customer service. You can ask about different knot sizes, loft, brush head shape, handle, price differences between Finest, Silvertip, and D01, etc. One thing though - it is a small business, and they sometimes take up a few days to reply to your emails.

The Shavemac Custom order page can be found here:
http://www.shavemac.com/dokumente/custom_made.html

 

[domino]

It is very easy to order a custom brush from Shavemac. Bernd, provides excellent service. Happy shopping!