I recently traded for a Vintage Blades 2-band, 22mm, and there are a lot of things I like about it: super soft tips, nice backbone, efficient lather-maker. But it seems to really hold onto the lather, I'm having a tough time getting it onto my face. Any tips for doing so? I already am well acquainted with slappy paintbrush strokes as a way to so, but that does not seem to be doing the trick with this brush. Is it just a matter of using more product with this brush? Thanks, -Chuck
Some brushes, it seems, are more reticent to release lather once loaded. With these type of brushes, I find a firmer touch than normal is necessary—particularly with face-lathering—in order to get the brush to 'give up' the goods. Downward circular motions working around the chin in a figure 8 motion is a good start, increasing speed as you go. This works especially well with a densely loaded brush. Widen the circles as you go and as the lather is applied. finish with light painting stokes to even out the lather.
Slap it on as you're doing now, then do the "chin roll" - holding the brush horizontal, place the base of the knot against your chin, then roll the brush. This will squeeze out more lather.
Thanks for those tips, lots to try. I do some bowl lathering and some face lathering. I've been led to believe firm pressure with a badger brush can damage it, sounds like maybe that's not necessarily the case?
The brush is a tool, make it work for you, not the other way 'round. That said, don't abuse it, either. "Firm" is subjective. I would say I use firm pressure, but I don't MASH it into my face as hard as I can.
I face lather only and use badger brushes. Splay the brush on your face and make circular swirls with it. Don't be afraid to use it vigorously. Here's a good example of what I mean:
Face lathering just takes a bit of practice to get the soap/water ratio right on your face. Swirling works better for me all the time, though I've read floppy brushes prefer paintbrush strokes so you don't suffocate yourself with something like a BK8. I've used swirling motions for Boar, Badger, Synthetic, Horse, Badger/Horse and it worked every time.
(To clarify, I currently use a combination of swirling and painting. I just mentioned painting because it's been a particularly good way to get the lather out of other brushes I've used.)
One thought that just popped into my dome, are you loading only the tips of the brush or are you doing what I used to and grind that brush into the soap/cream? I found on the tips only and loading a little longer kept the soap from burying itself inside the knots.
I am not mashing it too hard during loading, but it does seem to suck the lather up into itself pretty deep.
Perhaps it needs a bath. In the past when my brushes have "held" the lather, a quick Borax bath has remedied the issue.
OMG what we don't do to get a good shave. Acrobatic contortions, rolling, swirling, slapping, stroking, mashing, loading, sucking, bashing and bathing..all done of course with ever increasing speed..
I wouldn't worry about damaging the brush. As swarden says, "it's a tool, make it work for you." You need to learn its characteristics and the only way to do that is to try different things. I'm not a shaving grand master or anything, but I have learned that each person must learn what works for him/her by trying different tools and methods until a suitable combination is found. I suggest this: Soak the brush in warm water for 2-3 minutes and do a test lather in the bowl with the brush having a ton of water to start. (don't shake the brush at all) Use light pressure on the brush to load the soap and build lather in the bowl. Rinse everything and start over. Leave the brush dripping wet again but this time use moderate pressure while loading the soap and lathering. Do it again, using heavy pressure. Be sure to note your results. Start over, but this time remove the soaked brush and give it one brisk shake. Proceed with the light, medium, and heavy pressure tests again. As you progress using differing levels of moisture and pressure, you WILL find the magic combination. Once the bowl and the badger have become friends, apply the same test methods and lather the face. Just remember, (combination #6) + (badger brush) + (bowl) = (combination #6) + (badger brush) + (face) = Best of luck to you and let us know how it's going! Happy shaving everybody!!
When my badger is full but doesnt want to give up the goods, a nice dip in hot water turn it loose on my face, works every time for me. Nothing too complex, just run it under a trickle of hot water for a sec or two then swirl on mug.
