How To Choose The Right Shaving Brush For You

Jan. 15, 2024

“DO I NEED A SHAVING BRUSH?”

This is a question we often hear from those new to wet shaving, and we're here to help! The short answer is "yes". The long answer is "yes, probably". The main job of a shaving brush is to whip a shaving cream or shaving soap into a thick, cushioning lather that will make your shave a whole lot less scratchy, with a whole lot more glide. Shaving brushes pull double duty by helping to coax the hairs away from the skin, preparing them for being trimmed by the razor and lessening the need for pre-shave prep work.

Sure, you could spread some shaving cream across your cheeks with just your hands, but you won't be getting the most of your cream, and your shave will suffer. With great options to suit all budgets, a shaving brush is a must-have item for all wet shavers.

SYNTHETIC BRISTLES

Synthetic bristles are a more recent development that replaces the natural badger hair fibres with nylon fibres. These nylon fibres are produced to closely resemble the finest silver tip badger hair in both appearance and feel, with densely-packed knots and incredibly soft tips.

Synthetic bristles come with a slew of benefits - the most obvious being it's cruelty free. But one of the best perks is the gentler feel it has on skin, as nylon fibres are quite soft and less abrasive overall - pairing perfectly with sensitive skin or if you're new to shaving in general.

Synthetic shaving brushes don't hold quite as much water as a badger brush, but with some slight lathering adjustments, they are able to produce similarly thick lathers. However, because they don't hold as much water, the brushes dry much quicker. This can come in handy especially if you're a frequent traveller or somebody who shaves on a daily basis.

As a bonus, synthetic brushes are usually slightly more affordable than a similar silver tip badger hair brush. Due to their synthetic nature, they are much less prone to mould and fraying over time and as such, boasts better long term use and cost-saving measures.

BADGER HAIR BRISTLES

Please note that we have since moved away from stocking Badger Hair Shaving Brushes.

Traditionally, shaving brushes are made from badger hair bristles. Being a natural product, badger hair varies from quite stiff and dark, to very soft and light-coloured. As we covered in our Wet Shaving Basics article, these hairs are graded according to a standard scale which is explained below. As a rule of thumb, Pure Badger brushes are the least expensive, while Silver Tip Badger brushes are the most expensive.

BOAR HAIR BRISTLES

Although badger hair bristles and synthetic hair bristles are more common in the grooming market, boar hair brushes still have their fans.

If you enjoy the feeling of a more coarse brush on your skin, you’ll enjoy boar hair bristles. However, if abrasiveness is a concern, fret not as these bristles actually become softer over time when they begin to split (like human hairs) with regular use.

It may not feel as luxurious as badger hair bristles or synthetic bristles, however like its siblings, these brushes still a good job of exfoliating dead skin and coaxing the hair away from the skin, both of which are essential to achieving the closest shave possible.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

We've covered the most important considerations when it comes to choosing which shaving brush might suit you best. However, you should also consider:

· Knot Size and Loft Height - These are typically shown in millimetres. The knot size is diameter of the bristles where they enter the handle. Meanwhile, the loft height is the length of the hair bristles from the top of the handle to the tip of the hair. Personal preference will dictate the ideal brush size, particularly the larger handles associated with a larger knot.

· Using a shaving bowl - To get the best lather possible, consider pairing your shaving brush with a shaving bowl or mug. While using the palm of your hand is acceptable, lathering a shaving cream or soap into a shaving bowl produces a fluffier lather that feels luxurious when applied, making your shaving routine that much more enjoyable. Not to mention, less mess on your bathroom sink.

What Is Shaving Soap? How Is It Different From Regular Soap?

Why Use a Shaving Brush?

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