What is the best type of brush for face lathering?

Hi I am thinking investing in slightly better brush. At the moment I am using a cheap boar brush. Would I be better off getting a better quality boar brush, or a badger brush?
I was thinking of getting a Simpsons Wee Scot. Would that be any good for face lathering with soap?

 

Define 'better.' The nice thing about shaving brushes, so long as they are not shedding hairs at an alarming rate, MOST will do a fine job making lather either on the face or in a bowl. No 'best' for either purpose since we have different preferences in how we use our brushes. That said, many do like the stiffness of boars brushes when using hard soaps; others enjoy the softness and fullness of a good badger brush for face lathering. Some use boars for face-lathering and others bowl lather with their badgers. Point being: try a variety and see what works best for you. Reading about others experiences with types and styles of brushes can be helpful in identifying what a particular brand offers, and see how it fits into your routine.
The Wee Scot is a fine little brush that does just fine in a bowl or on your face—but it IS on the small side. I'd recommend picking up a decent boar (new Omega or used Semogue) since the cost is reasonable and you'll have a better feel what a good boar brush can do. One of the better values in badgers are the Whipped Dog brushes. For less than $50, you could easily wind up with one of each (boar & badger) to use and compare.

 

I agree with what Kevin says. Lots of people like shorter lofts for face lathering and Simpson's brushes usually have those shorter lofts. But you can use just about any brush and it'll work. The only distinction is how well you like it. This past week I was travelling for work and I took a tiny AOS pure badger that's very floppy with me. It's not really the brush most people would pick for face lathering I think. Yet I face lathered Palmolive shave stick with it and had no problems.

 

Plenty to think about, thanks guys

 

It's hard to convey how small the Wee Scot really is. Here is a photo that illustrates it well:



(Not my photo, I found it elsewhere.)

By all accounts it's a good brush, but wow, it's really small.

My favorite brush for face lathering is a 22mm Vintage Blades Finest. Really soft tips, but plenty of backbone for soaps. It goes for just $35.

 

The Wee Scott is great for precision when face lathering but may be a bit tiny to load from pucks for some. I do not have this problem, but it is to be considered. Wee Scott is my goto. I don't think you can go wrong with the heavy artillery of an Omega Pro 48 or 49 for face lathering. Also, the Wee Scott may not hold enough lather for 3 and 4 pass shavers without requiring reloading. Another thing to consider.

 

Wee Scot: small in size, but BIG on performance. The Wee guy really does a wonderful job lathering, and the only real downside to me is my big mitt gets covered substantially in lather when using the brush. But the performance is top-notch.
They do come for sale occasionally on forums ($25-$30).

Another 'brush in hand' shot (mine)…

and next to the Omega 48:

 

I have a Wee Scot I occasionally take for travelling, my daily face lather brush is a Duke 3 though which I find to be absolutely perfect for it. Nearly the same feel on the face as a Chubby 1 but a much more comfortable handle. Relatively inexpensive ($100-$115) as well, for a Simpson brush.

 

A simple answer to the question in your title:

There is no such thing as a "soap" brush, or a "cream" brush, or a "face lathering" brush, or a "bowl lathering" brush, only a "Personal Preference" brush.

Read back down through those posts above - some great advice.

 

I have a Simpson emperor and also an ever ready I reknotted with a TGN silvertip. I must say as luxurious as the Simpson brush is (very densely knotted), I prefer the TGN knot. Only 18mm but holds water well and makes a rich lather quickly.

 

Well I decided that it would be between the Simpson and the omega. So I am doing the nly logical thing, getting both. I am getting the Simpson first and then in the future I will get the omega. Other than the handles of the Omega boar brushes are there any differences between them? Think for the helps gents.

 

What a great photo! I face lather with all my brushes, boar and badger. They are all great. Unless it is shedding like crazy, you could be happy with many without spending a lot of money.

 

A true TSDer! :wave:

 

Any Simpson brush is the best for face lathering. . . . (personal opinion does not reflect actual fact, YMMV).

 

My preference is a brush with a short bristle and a fairly firm backbone. I have a Semogue 1438, an Omega Mighty Midget, a Barbear Classico Cerda and a Barbear Classico Mistura which I use just about exclusively for face lathering with soft soaps such as 3P, Proraso Red/White, ABCBA. A wonderful shaving experience.

 

I find myself gravitating to my Vulfix 2234 when I face lather. Its a super badger brush and has plenty of backbone but nice soft tips. i have used many of my brushes but when I saw your post and thought about it I tend to find myself leaning twords this one more often than others. Not really conscious of that till now. I really like the brush btw. Its a great brush and at around $50 a good value for a super badger knot.

 

I have a Grade A badger brush that is very similar to that. It works amazingly with shave sticks and creams. I should use that brush more often when I go traveling.

 

I am sold on face lathering. My first quality brush was a "Frank" silver tip badger at $27, including shipping from China, via Ebay. I couldn't ask for more from the brush or the stick.

 

Well you gents have opened my eyes to the multitude of different brushes out there. If only I had the money to try them all, but I opted to get the wee scot which turned up today, so I am excited to try it tomorrow. However, this is my first badger brush, is there anything I should do before I use it?

 

Try a Turkish #6.