these brushes are too expensive,you can just lather with your hand. Don't give me the line about "closest shave",I dont use one & my shaves are too dang close. I guess in the end it's just preferences.
There are lots of solutions. Some people use their hands. It's your shave. Enjoy it the way you want. Personally, I use "inexpensive" brushes (read: less than $15) all of the time and I love them. I've had others that are far more expensive and thought they were junk. But, don't use one if you don't want to. There will be a difference in the lather that you produce, but whatever, it's your shave.
I guess I'm not sure where you are coming from when an excellently performing brush can be had for $10. You are correct though, it is preference. Do what you want. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Since the days when the only choice was a straight razor with a mug and brush the number of choices are huge. Some today have never changed the a thing, from the way they learned how to shave. Others want to try everything to find what works best for them.
Welcome to the Den. You should go over to the Newbie thread and introduce yourself for a proper welcome. Glad you are here. I have been making shaving brushes for almost two years now. It is a Shaving Brush Fabrication Disorder. The shaving brush is not necessary if you use the canned stuff. I actually started using a brush years ago to apply Edge gel. I found it easier to apply with the brush than by hand. http://theshaveden.com/forums/forums/newbies.28/
Your shave sir. As for me, I started with a kit that contained a badger brush which sells for around $30 with soap and a great mug. One of the more pleasurable aspects of traditional shaving is the brush.
The brush makes it less messy, more comfortable, and easier. They also help get soap in better on the hairs allowing for better glide and cushion. You find get fewer ingrown hairs and irritation over time with using a brush. You can actually get really great brushes for $10-15...easily. I have several high dollar brushes, but the one I use most is a stirling soaps synthetic that i gave $12 for. As it has been said, "it's your shave, enjoy it your way," but at such a low cost...why not try at least?
Maybe I've just had good luck, but I'm coming up on a year with a Van derHagen Boar brush from the $10.00 Premium shave set (the one at Walgreens). You get a decent Boar brush, a handy bowl, and a puck of their very nice Deluxe Shave Soap.
As you note...it is a matter of personal preference. Years ago I didn't always have a brush available so I would either rub the puck on my face and work up a lather or I would rub the puck in my hands and work up a lather and apply it to my face. I have used shave soap, cheap soap, hand soap, hair conditioner, shampoo or just plain warm water. In the end they all produced a fine shave. I agree it is a matter of preference....and today my preference is to use a fine soap and a brush...even an inexpensive one. Welcome to TSD @kanos.
Brushes can be costly. Soaps can be expensive too. Canned cream costs just as much over time. A modern razor's price is about the same. Gillette Pro-glide are inexpensive but the carts will cost you plenty in the long run.
A $10 synthetic will rival a badger brush in the hands of a new DE shaver. Grab one next time you pick up some soap and let us know how it goes, I think you will be a convert. BTW, doesn't this belong in the brush forum and not the soap forum?
There are plenty of people who use shaving oil, or just water (for those who shave in the shower). You can also use creams like Cremo or Kiss my Face, which specifically recommend hand lathering and get great results. However, in the case of Kiss my Face, using a brush improves the final product going on your face, and uses half as much cream as the hand lathering technique.
What do you define as "too expensive"? You can get a righteous Omega boar brush that will lather like crazy for $15. Some really great Vie-Long horse hair brushes can be had for around $50. Seabiscut is a born and bred lathermeister. Sure, a $200 brush will be great, or at least it had better be, but it is by no means required. Much more affordable brushes will work just fine. Soaps and some creams require a brush to lather properly. Otherwise the lather karma just isn't right. Some creams can be lathered with a brush or by hand. Still other creams are for applying by hand only, and don't work well with a brush. So in the end, it is what soap or cream you are using that determines whether or not a brush is needed. People who say a brush is absolutely needed have never tried Kiss My Face, Burt's Bees or Cremo shaving creams. All of those and more will work sans brush.
