Help ,e understand the reason for using a brush?

[Daven]

My granddad used a brush and double sided razor. My dad uses heated foam but no brush.  I see a lot of you guys use a brush to apply the foam. Why? What does it do that just applying by hand doesn't do?

Thanks for helping me understand.

[sailor61]

The brush helps to work the lather around the whiskers and seems to stand them up a bit more = plus it just feels really good.   If you go with a brush, go to Amazon and get a  cheap bdger brush, about  15 bucks.  Yes, you can get a boar bristle one for about  5 or 6 bucks but the badger is worth the difference.  Of course you can spend over a 100 bucks on a badger brush but the 15 dollar one is a great starting point.

[Titus13]

like sialor61 said it helps lift the whisker up an I think helps mousterise the skin too

[Oracle]

Daven, a brush helps to lift the stubble.  Also, I've found shaving soaps provide a better shave than canned creams and gels, are more economical, and are more environmentally friendly!

[IK]

I actually use cheap hair conditioner to shave my head with. I wonder if you could use a brush with that?

[Daven]

Ok, that makes sence.  Does a brush work well with headslick? I'm going to go get one. I appreciate the help.

[sailor61]

yes - it works great with 'slick or any other cream product.  it's much more effective than just your hand - plus after you master loading up the brush it allows you to keep a ready supply of lather for a second pass or touching up a spot you may miss.  Most likely all you'll find in stock at local retailers are the cheap boar bristle brushes - if you go that route see if you can get a small stand so it can be stored/dried with the bristles down.  Boar tends to spread/distort a bit more than badger.  As a dedicated bowl and brush guy I suggest Amazon for an entry level badger brush and a Marvey hard rubber cup. (it's the dark one and being rubber is vwery forgiving of being dropped etc)  the mug should be around 10 bucks.  And if you;re into menthol aftershaves for the summer I suggest Osage Rub - my facwe/head is about numb from the "cold" after I use it.