Brush and Brush Stand Advice

I'm going to make the jump and buy my first brush.

I'm looking at the C&E Best Badger Small Brush, since it gets so many good reviews. (Though a local retailer carries Muehle...)

I've been using the Tom's of Maine shave cream, which I like. I presume its okay to use with a brush. What's the instructions? Wet the brush, put a dab of cream on the brush and lather the face?

What about stands? It seems that everyone is pro-stand, but any specific advice for the C&E BB brush?

Thanks in advance.

 

Never used toms of main, nor do I go out of my way to buy a stand. Seems like a waste of money.

 

Any stand that the brush will fit into and looks good to your eyes will suffice.

Tom's Of Maine is great stuff, but I find it too thick to face lather with -- use a mug or bowl.

BTW, welcome to TSD!

 

Welcome to The Shave Den!!

You don't need a stand - unless you simply like the looks of them. EVERYONE, does not advocate stands. Some use them, some don't. At one point, I owned a dozen brushes, no stands. I figure if it's good enough for DrP (who by now owns approximately 200 brushes, not a typo), it's good enough for me. You really don't need one.

The BBB is a very nice brush.

 

Certainly don't need a stand. Many people go without and never have an issue.

I use a stand to dry the brush after using it. Once it's dry, then I move it back to it's spot on the brush rack. This is just mostly out of habit since I started out using a stand with my brushes. Just my routine since I rotate through a number of brushes in regular use.

 

I have actually taken to using my shaving towel to do a few swipes after my flick dry/squeeze treatment. Both of my new brushes dried just fine like that, but the stand works too obviously.

 

Okay, maybe the original question was ambiguous, but I thought this was the only reason to use a stand. Once the brush is dry, I don't think it cares which way it is pointed. Yes, no, maybe?

Okay, not to start an argument, but Dr P says, "The way i dry my brushes is this: after rinsing very thoroughly under streaming warm water i squeeze the loft gently. Then i shake the brush gently in the sink a few times. I dry my hands and give the brush about 20-30shakes in the bath tub. Finally, i rub the loft gently over a towel about 6-8 times".

Do that, or give it a few quick shakes and place it upside down in a stand -- your choice.

 

Correct, unless you lay it on it's side. Then it cares.

But you still don't need a stand.

 

Buy one of these instead of a Mule or C & E.

He's local and good.

Cream, well opinions vary. Bigelow is a good starter, find that at Bath and Body.

 

Seriosly Michael, my understanding was that water getting down into the knot was a bad thing, ergo the use of stands. Can a brush safely be stored (after use) on its base pointed up?

 

If you shake out the brush properly and squeeze it gently and shake again.. the water amount left in the brush will not cause any issue. Whatever is left will just evaporate off.

 

Since I don't own a stand...I sure HOPE so. Read Peter's comments (see link above); he should know. Besides...water evaporates UP.

 

Aha! I knew I should have paid closer attention in my physics class!

Nonetheless, I really like my chrome-plated razor and brush stand. It's good aesthetics!

 

That's what I said in the first place.

 

So, what, do you want a cookie?

 

No thanks. A nice razor, maybe.

 

Perhaps I misread the stand issue. But, I did read somewhere that using a stand will help the brush last longer. Not true?

It sounds like most of you just turn the brush upside down and have it sit on its handle. Is that right?

 

Some people think a stand helps. Lots of other guys, myself included, don't. Sit it on it's handle.