I don't use big brushes because the hold more leather. That may be an added benefit. The fact is that there is nothing better than a big brush and a good soap to pamper my face before and while shaving.
I tend to overload on purpose, to the point of having enough loaded for myself and the entire street on which I live.New shaver here, I’m trying to figure out what the appeal to large brushes is?
In looking at the shapes & sizes of brushes, I’m shocked at how large some of them are. Large in diameter, large knot, heavy, etc.
Are you trying to put on as much lather as possible? Or just like the feel of a large handle?
Coming from the art & painting world where brushes are designed to be as light, slim and svelte as possible, It seems really foreign to want a big chunky heavy handle.
Looking at something like a Simpsons Chubby 3 with its short fat handle.. I don’t understand it at all.
Is the disconnect of me not understanding the fat size and stubby shapes in the grip?
I don’t understand why’d you’d want to have the butt pressed into your palm and hold it by your finger tips, rather than holding it like a paint brush (as that’s essentially what these are- brushes to paint lather on your face).
Maybe it’s just me not being used to holding it that way.
Here’s a picture of the first 3 brushes I‘ve bought. I had no idea how chunky they were until seeing them in person. If I’m being honest, none of these fat round handles are what I’d call comfortable to hold and use.
View attachment 1794366
In looking around the interwebs at all the different brush handle designs- to my painter‘s brain, these style handles seem like they’d be the most comfortable to hold and use:
View attachment 1794367
View attachment 1794368
Essentially a longer thinner handle that you’d hold like a paintbrush, rather than having the butt pressed into your palm and holding with your finger tips.
What am I missing here?
New shaver here, I’m trying to figure out what the appeal to large brushes is?
In looking at the shapes & sizes of brushes, I’m shocked at how large some of them are. Large in diameter, large knot, heavy, etc.
Are you trying to put on as much lather as possible? Or just like the feel of a large handle?
Coming from the art & painting world where brushes are designed to be as light, slim and svelte as possible, It seems really foreign to want a big chunky heavy handle.
Looking at something like a Simpsons Chubby 3 with its short fat handle.. I don’t understand it at all.
Is the disconnect of me not understanding the fat size and stubby shapes in the grip?
I don’t understand why’d you’d want to have the butt pressed into your palm and hold it by your finger tips, rather than holding it like a paint brush (as that’s essentially what these are- brushes to paint lather on your face).
Maybe it’s just me not being used to holding it that way.
Here’s a picture of the first 3 brushes I‘ve bought. I had no idea how chunky they were until seeing them in person. If I’m being honest, none of these fat round handles are what I’d call comfortable to hold and use.
View attachment 1794366
In looking around the interwebs at all the different brush handle designs- to my painter‘s brain, these style handles seem like they’d be the most comfortable to hold and use:
View attachment 1794367
View attachment 1794368
Essentially a longer thinner handle that you’d hold like a paintbrush, rather than having the butt pressed into your palm and holding with your finger tips.
What am I missing here?
......Coming from the art & painting world where brushes are designed to be as light, slim and svelte as possible, It seems really foreign to want a big chunky heavy handle.
...
Looking at something like a Simpsons Chubby 3 with its short fat handle... I don’t understand it at all.
...
What am I missing here?
@Proper Irish found my painted mess that’s still flaking under the seal… you have this to look forward to. The bristles are a bit wonky from being stored outside a case and smushed a bit:
View attachment 1795920
I've got a 2000 CXE-whatever... comfortable handle for me, it's like a better, unbleached version of the SOC. 2-3 wet cycle break in. it's a "big" 24I think I’m starting to understand the larger brush thing.
Now that I have a number of wet shaves under my belt, I find myself wanting to use the large 28mm Zenith every time. That big ol knot of hair is a treat.
That said, I don’t particularly enjoy the big chonky handle. There‘s just no ergonomics to speak of.
My Simpsons T2, same story- I like the knot & fibers but I don’t enjoy the handle. It’s built like a shower knob.
Going forward, I’ll be keying in on brushes with slimmer, more ergonomic handles. Handles like the Zenith 507, the vintage slim handle shapes like Rubberset 200, C-mon, Dubl Ducks, etc.
But larger knots? I’m okay with larger knots, though I can’t see going over 28mm. 24-26mm seems like it’ll be the sweet spot for me.
2 shaves in with my Semogue and the finish is already splitting in 3 places.
I guess there’s a reason they cost $14.
Don’t know that I’ll buy another.