I use a bestshave #6 horse(?) hair I think its a fan, but it may be kind of a mix in shape. At least it's more fan than bulb. I do like it better than the true bulbs I've used.
That goes under "other." There's always somebody out there that wants to take the joy away from a poll or post a smart comment. That's the reason I left B & B after 4 years... I even served as a steward there. Hopefully, that wasn't your intention and I'm just being overly sensitive.
No, wasn't trying to be smart or obnoxious. Sorry if it came across that way. Honestly I do not have a preference to bulb or fan.
I just recieved two fan vie long horse brushes so after a few weeks of using I can rate more fairly but I really don't notice a difference just rubbing them on my face
A Fan shape will "paint" a wider swath across your face. Perhaps that shape releases the lather better, but I am guessing (no expert here) that the knot thickness will determine that. IMO, it's an aesthetic thing.
I would vote for a little over sensitive as a result of your treatment at B&B. I didn't spend much time there after finding TSD. Remember, we are all in this together.
Personally I love that mushroomy sort of look certain Badger brushes have. That effect might possibly be closer to a fan shape...
This is my Frank Shaving Finest Badger. I love its softness and the way it lathers. My favorite store bought. This is my home-made Jayaruh WC1 silver tip badger. It is a great latherer also, and it is soft as well. I got the knot from Virginia Sheng. So, that puts me in the other category.
I like both, the specs are probably more critical for me on a fan. However that is just me, I can live with a bulb that is not set to my liking, but a fan has to be set low before it gets five stars from me. if I had to choose one it would be bulb. Where is the flat option for those flat Shavemac guys.
I'm a fan of fan type brushes more so than bulb types. Love having more bristles in contact with my face. They also seems to load better on harder soaps IMHO.
I have one fan shaped knot, a TGN Finest I put in a Made Rite handle. Based on a sample of one I gotta say, I'm not a fan of fan shaped knots.