Does anyone use a Shaving Brush for head shaving?

[werewolfen]

I just bought a cheap Boar bristle Van Der Hagen brand shaving brush at WalGreens just to try something new. I bought  shaving soap too, same brand. I can tell that the closeness was somewhat smoother as most write ups on shaving brushes say that a shaving brush works a lather in better than because a bare hand flattens the stubble down where as a shaving brush keeps the stubble up.

The write ups on quality shaving brushes all say that shaving brushes made from Badger hair gives the best lather and shave, but they cost more...rightly so because I've seen the prices on them online run all the way up over $100, I'm hoping someone here can tell me of a good quality Badger hair shaving brush  that's not over $50. I use a lot of cream to shave with and I waste a lot, I'm hoping a good shaving brush will decrease the amount of shaving cream I use.

[rcg5227]

I've never used a shaving brush and I'm too afraid to buy shaving soap, because of my extremely sensitive skin. I have seen brushes and shaving soap in stores before, but again too afraid to try the soap.
I do wonder how they would work with shaving gel and if there would be any benefits to use one.

[lordmage]

ironically i tried the brush and bowl set form rite-aid same brand but i think the hair is synthetic no matter what i did it lost it's hair faster then i shaved it off. always had to pick off hairs so i chucked it after one face shave. as per closeness my routine can reproduce the same results just takes longer.

[Mikekoz13]

I use a brush.... a $4 special from Wally World. I've been using it for over a year and it's just starting to show some wear.

For those that don't use a brush.... you can't even imagine what you're missing.

[against_the_grain]

I always use a Shaving Brush and Shaving Cream, not that crap out of a Can. A Brush softens the stubbles much more and the result is much more smoother than without. It's worth to buy a Brush out of Badger Hair!!

[Gambrinus]

I use a brush every day.  The VDH brushes are hit or miss.  They are notorious for shedding.  But for a 5 dollar brush they are great.  I really like the VDH deluxe soap.  It is one of my favorites and by far the cheapest.  I have a Art of Shaving badger hair brush that I use on a regular basis.  Badger hair is a lot more absorbent and softer to boot.  If you want a good inexpensive boar bristle brush, you should check out Omega.  One can be had for less than 10 dollars plus shipping, and will hold up a thousand times better.  My go to set up is my badger brush and CO Bigalow from Bath & Body Works.  Kiss My Face is also a good natural cream.  I have also been told that Headblade's cream works well with a brush too.  

Oh yeah, if your in the US, try here.  Great guy to deal with. http://www.westcoastshaving.com/

[D.A.L.U.I.]

More support for the brush here.  I got one for less than $10, and it works fine w/ Headslick--works up a tremendous lather to soften the stubble and help the blade do the work.  When traveling, to minimize my "liquids" to the one quart plastic bag, I use a cake of shave soap in a hotel room coffee cup. 
Brushes do a great job of preparing the grape for the scrape, but as an added attraction the brush feels good and makes the clean up that more enjoyable. How can you go wrong?  Try a economy brush, and then when you are a little flush, go for the higher price.  Caution though, travel w/ a cheap one so you don't chance leaving a really nice one in some hotel room and they toss it after you're gone.

[FightFan]

I use a badger hair brush and a Muhle safety razor best shave ever. Having a quick look online i managed to find these

http://nyshavingcompany.com/shop/index.php/shaving-brushes.html

[rcg5227]

I think I am going to invest in a shaving brush myself eventually. I heard alot of great reviews about them.

[timetobeme]

I couldn't imagine shaving without my brush.  It is just a cheap Walmart boar hair brush.  I too, have been looking to purchase a quality badger hair brush, buy my God, there are soooo many choices and price ranges and there seems to be no standdard to judge them by.  It really seems like just taking a chance.  The brushes I am looking at are 50 to 100 bucks, so that seems like a BIG chance, but what do you do?  Anyway, for everyone who has never tried a brush do it.  It will improve your shave!  Now, I have tried Headslick, and it didn't do it for me.  For now my go to item is Proraso sensitive shaving soap.  I love the smell, love the shave.  I look forward every morning to shaving with my soap and brush.  And this is a man who, presly hated shaving!  I am longing to try Tabac soap as well.  Has anyone here tried it?

[D.A.L.U.I.]

And this is a man who, presly hated shaving! 

That is so true, pre-sly the thought of shaving the scalp was daunting.  That was a negative in the balance of the concept and it turns out to be one of my greatest pleasures of my day--it's sort of my "Zen" time.  Now, I don't shave my face at all anymore, and part of my neck once or twice a week, but not to shave and clean up the dome is unthinkable--the brush just pushes the pleasure meter to the top. 

[BillOnBass]

I use a VDH brush from Wal-Mart.  It does shed a little bit, but not very noticeably.  I've used it for a few months now, and I could see it lasting about another year.  I used VDH soap pucks (with a dab of HeadSlick) for a while.  They have a very pleasant scent and the shave is nice, but I found that the pucks didn't last very long and a small dab of HeadSlick alone produced a great lather.

I recommend a coat of Shave Secret on the dome followed by lathered-up HeadSlick on a brush.  The brush is the way.

[clipped]

I have used a shaving brush on my face for the past 21+ years.  I also use it for the occassional head shave, as I am generally a 0 blade clipper shave guy. It's a good one that I paid $100+/- for 21 years ago and it's in good shape. It's proved to have been well worth the initial high cost. I started using it because I was nicking my neck repeatedly when I did not use it.  Using the brush solved that problem.  I still have the much cheaper starter brush and use it occassionally. While it works well, the bristles are a lot rougher or coaser than the bristles on the more expensive brush. The softer bristles are easier on the skin.  I recommend using a brush, whatever you can afford.

[Baldman]

Interesting, I am going to have to try that! I was actually looking at that earlier today, i hope it is as good as everyone is saying for me too.

[Jack21]

I used a plain army shoe polish brush - not a used one. That would be a disaster. It worked great for me, but I'm a noob so what do I know?