Shave brush

[frangi]

Im looking in to adding  a shave brush to my routine.  Can it be used to apply headslick and any suggestions on a particular brand/type and where to buy.  Does it have to be an expensive one or do the cheapies do  the same job.

Thanks

[Laser Man]

I use a brush with HeadSlick and it works great.  You don't have to go expensive, but try to find a decent badger brush.  They are softer and smoother than a boar brush.

[frangi]

Sorry one more thing, what is the best way to use the shave brush.
Thanks again!

[Titus13]

I have been using a cheap boar brush from omega it does an excellant job

[Lynchy]

Head slick actually lathers up quite well.

Try Omega, Simpson, The Golden Nib, Whipped Dog. These are all good place to look and buy one that suits your budget.

Both Badger and Boar have their pros and cons, so either would be good IMO. Don't get the cheap drugstore ones as they tend to fall apart.

[Johnny_T]

I started using a Brush for my head a couple of months ago. I am pressed for time in the mornings so now have switched to only using the brush on my days off to save time on work days.  I recently switched to Kiss My Face shave cream but before that I had been using Headslick for the last 5 years.  Once I lathered it with a brush I was amazed. It exploded with great and slick lather. I now think it was meant to be lathered with a brush!! 

I use a cheap Boar brush. The one generally found in Walmart or CVS, Target etc. The Van der Hagen Boar. It works great. Then again I like a stiffer more scrubby brush and have even switched from Badger to Boar on my face shaves. But I think the VDH boar works great on my head.  I shave in the shower and   I hand lather. Just a small amount of cream in my wet hand and I start whipping the the brush.  The Headslick lathers up real nice, you'll like it.  Today I'm going for the Proraso.

[Sir Harry]

Not a shaving brush expert per se, but currently, I am using the shaving brush that was provided with the Bump Patrol shaving bottle for free. Low-end brushes will cost you just south of $10. I use it to mix Shave Secret and a small amount of Headslick and it is very effective. If your scalp shaves easily, the lather should spread similar to a small coat of paint. If the lather is dripping down your head, your lather is too thin. If the lather feels "heavy" on your head, the lather is too thick. Also, if you have thick, hard to shave hair, you may want to apply and shave one side at a time (top first, one side at a time and the back last is what I suggest.) Remember, new brushes need a good dozen uses before they are broken in, so in the beginning your brush may be super hard and may shed, but that's normal. Keep us posted with your experience!

[Mikekoz13]

I have a cheap Wally WWorld brush.... I think it was $6. It works fine BUT.....

I also have a nice Badger hair brush (Vulfix 1001) that was around $30 and it puts the boars hair brush to shame.

[tomcj2]

I own more than 30 brushes and each one is unique.  If you have a limited budget I would suggest that you start with a quality boar brush.  Omega is a well known brand and makes a quality product.  Take a look at http://www.italianbarber.com/.  They are based in Toronto so you won't have a problem wth Canada Customs.  One of my favourite (and least expensive) brushes is the Omega 10049.   If money is not a concern you can go wild with a Simpson 2-band Badger knot.
 Avoid cheap brushes available at your local mega drugstore;  although you may get a great one you do not always know its history of complaints.  

[greatnessinc]

I tend to get most of my stuff on Amazon or eBay. A mid range badger brush is a great start.

[Jay]

Brushes come in different hair types.

Badger
Boar
Horse
Synthetic


Broadly speaking (as break in and source materials vary) badger is softest and can whip up mondo lather. Boar is slightly stiffer, horse is rare in new but can be found used and synthetics are stiffest.

I wouldn't use a stiff brush on the head as it is a bit aggressive.

That said, stiff brushes are great for dislodging ingrown hairs and definitely have a place in your shave den


You can find cheap Chinese badgers and boars on eBay ($10). Warning, the cheapies will shed. Once you are happy with it, then you can investigate more expensive English made brushes.