I pump my brushes, been doing it 7-8 years. I even have a couple of vintage brushes with the original knot. I do the same with them. No broken hairs yet. When you pump the brush you're not trying to drive the handle into the bottom of the bowl. And I agree with you - the brush is a tool to be used. I don't baby it, but I don't abuse it, either.
I use dog/cat steel bowl. No1 on sales on my Amazon for "shaving bowl". Internal diameter 9cm, 5cm high, becomes a bit narrower towards the bottom. Dirt cheap. I ordered a 2nd one, just in case. Taken from Amazon reviewer: You can't imagine how easily the brush turns in there. Minimal friction. You can hold it in one hand easily and the brush glides.
So when applying cream from a tube, you don't need more than about a half inch to an inch worth of cream to create a good lather that's sufficient to cover the face?
Start with half an inch. If that's not enough, add more. If you start with an inch, it may be too much. Easier to add than take away.
i have always used a bowl and my shave creams are in tubs.scoop out a bit into the bowl, add wet brush and bang. boars included.
I run my brush bristles under warm water to get it wet, or fill the sink and soak the bristles. Otherwise I've been doing this method, but haven't gotten lather of that volume.
Go PHILLIES!!! I’m from South Jersey Camden County and I remember 2008 when we won it all the parade was fun as hell
Jim, I'm glad to see that there's this kind of option for "tube-shaving". I'm bringing out a tube this week and will try it the Jayaruh way. In fact, it just might be exactly a year after you did this . Make that 2 years.
I never use warm water, and I never soak my brush. Well, I do use hot water to clean up my gear, but that's it. I am a cold water face-lathering convert. But that's just me.
I use creams just like @Jayaruh except I prefer lukewarm water. I use a similar amount of cream applied to my face, and with a synthetic brush, get a ton of lather.
I tried the Pacific Natural. I like the smell- light citrus that doesn’t linger- and the texture. I used some under my arms today, with good result. More, once I have tried it on my legs.
You sound like you got used to not having hot water back in the Nam. I'm spoiled now and use HOT water but I do rinse my alum off with cold water rinse. I mostly use a combination of hard soaps and a tube of Proraso or whatever I have laying around. Oh, and face lathering is where it's at, my opinion anyway.