It is and will always be a matter of preference, I suppose. I currently have the C&E BBB which I have been using for soaps. I haven't yet gotten into creams, but I would like to soon and I'm wondering if I might be better off with a silvertip for the creams, while sticking with the C&E BBB for soaps?
Generally people go the opposite. Softer for creams and harder for soaps. Its YMMV with everything. I use a best badger vulfix for everything.
I have owned a BBB from C&E, and I would say it works fine with creams. When you make your first order, use it see what you think, and then go from there. You may find it works splendidly. If, at that point, you would like to make a change, you will find a myriad of choices (and opinions). Good luck. Jeremy
Kent BK4 is my go to cream brush. I also have a custom that is almost identical as well. Supersoft and slightly floppy is the way to go IMO.
I've come around to the "every brush is a soap/cream brush" school of thought, in that any brush can do the job, if you learn the nuances of that brush; but, I do think personal preferences are a big factor, too. For the sake of examples, I have four primary brushes: BK4, Omega 6215, Rooney 3/1 and EJ BBB. My more-often-used-on-cream brushes right now are a BK4 and Omega 6215. That said, I also use the BK4 on soaps and my front-line soap brush, the Rooney 3/1, on creams. The Omega works fine on soaps, too, but does take more soap to get the job done. My BBB also works fine on both; but, it sees less use overall. I think Chargerfan's got the right approach: try out the BBB with creams (it'll work fine) and then decide what you want to do in terms of a brush upgrade based on that experience.
I've used a CE BBB with Proraso and soaps with great results on both. Can't wait till I can get a Penworks though.
You have all the brush you need. I have a C&E BBB and also just had an Ever Ready brush refurbed by Knotty Badger with a Silvertip knot. I love the Silvertip because it is sooooo soft when applying the lather to my face. But the C&E BBB did a good job too just not as luxurious. I would not go out and spend a ton of money on a "name" brand brush unless you really feel it will do better. Instead I would just keep using the C&E BBB and take the money that you would spend on the "name" brush and use it to buy some really great cream to use with it.
I will have to respectfully disagree. I think spending a little extra cash and getting a good brush is worth it. I have the travel version of the C&E best, and I don't think much of it. It will work fine for why I have it; a few trips per year. It's too floppy and too scratchy for daily use however. I spent 80 bucks and picked up a super silvertip Rooney that works great for soaps and creams. It's got a nice, full bloom. Soaks up water perfectly. The bristles are very soft and face-friendly with just a touch of scritchyness for exfoliating. It's also firm for precision lathering. I love this brush and think it was worth every penny. My two cents.
Can't disagree with you that for you the C&E BBB is not so good. Of course what you have is different from what Zen Master and I have. Just like not all Rooney brushes would suit you or me the same could be true with the C&E brushes. In most threads about brushes you will get a wide variety of opinions. I only recommend the C&E BBB because Zen Master already has it. Because it is for most folks a good enough all around brush for both soaps and creams and he likes how is works for him now I see no reason to upgrade at this time just to have a special brush just for creams. Spend the money he would on a second brush to find out more about some other creams or soaps.
I also believe that any brush will work with whatever... That being said my Kent Bk4 is a great brush for creams (even though it'll run circles around my C&E Beset with soaps as well) because it is so soft and luxurious. At the same time, I use a Rooney 3, 1 Super for nearly every shave and I primarily use creams. In the end the only way to find out what you think is a good cream brush is by buying one of every brush out there until you find your favorite
James, Great comment. I particularly like the last sentence. That is the truth, and not just for brushes. It applies to razors (RAD), creams (SCAD), soaps SSAD), aftershaves (ASAD), EDTs (EDTAD), blades (RBAD) and most likely may more shave related items. I guess there really is no true answer to the original question. A guy needs to ask questions like here and then read and digest the answers. I would think reading the brush reviews here and at B&B would be some help too.
