There are 3 main types of shaving brushes to chose from. The differences between these brushes are hair type. We will go over some minor differences between the options and types.
The first type we will discuss is the traditional Boar’s Hair shaving brush. This is a very classic type of brush. It will be one that is portrayed in media in traditional shaving situations. It is a very common type of brush because it is easy to produce and cheap to make. Boar is a decent material that will last a long time if properly cared for. The boar brush is a stiffer option and is great for shaving soaps. It does not retain as much water as other options so depending on how you prepare your brush, you may have to soak longer to achieve your desired lather thickness.
The second type will be the Badger Brush. This is arguably the highest quality brush depending on the grade of badger hair. There is pure badger, fine badger, super badger, and silvertip badger. This is the traditional range that most brands use. Some brands do use other designations so be careful when doing research to buy a grade of brush that meets your requirements and is in your price range. Don’t buy something based on the name alone. These brushes can be quite expensive but well worth the shave depending on what your needs are. These brushes retain a ton of water compared to the other options which is nice for your lather. Although, every advantage can have a disadvantage. It may be hard to travel with due to its water retention. Proper care is important to ensure that the brush is properly cleaned and dry. Remember, this brush is expensive: ensure a quality shave by taking care of your brush and protecting your investment.
The third type of brush is synthetic. This is a broad spectrum due to what kind of animal hair they are trying to emulate. With this in mind some synthetic brushes will compete well with other real animal hair products. These are a great option if you want to guarantee the ethical creation of the product as no animal products are used to produce them. Synthetic brushes can be great options if you do proper research into fibers that will do what you want. These brushes make great options because they are very low maintenance, long lasting, and cheaper than some real animal hair alternatives. They also have the least water retention of the brushes meaning that they are great for travel because they will dry quickly before storage.
Something that is as important as the type of brush you pick is the care you take of your brush. First we will talk about the prep of a new brush. The first trick is to BE PATIENT! Like everything else, it will need a break in period. With this in mind proper care can lead to faster break in without damaging your new brush. A lot of people wash or soak in detergent to get rid of the smell. I do not prep any of my brushes this way, but you can if you would prefer. I take warm water and let the brush soak for 10 min keeping the handle out of the water. I will then remove the brush and rinse then let dry completely. I will do this until the brush softens up which in my experience has been 3-4 times before I start shaving with it. After this, be patient and let it break in with your regular shaving schedule. Ensure your brush has time to dry. Every two months or so I will wash my brushes with hypoallergenic pet shampoo to ensure they are clean. I prep my brush like I would for a shave with a soak in warm water. Then I add the soap to the mug and let the brush soak up the mixture for 5 minutes. Right before I take the brush out I will stir it around softly in the mug to ensure the mixture has worked its way into all of the bristles. After this, rinse the brush thoroughly and let dry.
I have three brushes in my rotation; currently I have a Boar, a Silvertip Badger, and a Synthetic. All three are in different price ranges and get the job done. Like anything else they all have different profiles and strengths that make each of them unique. If you are not looking to spend a lot of money I would highly recommend boar brushes. They can be harder to break in but will do everything you need it to do. If you would like a luxury feel, both silvertip and synthetic can be an option. With this in mind, do your research to see which brush gives you the loft and the sizing you want based on what products you are using. Some brushes have more backbone as well and can be better for soaps. Some brushes are softer and better suited to creams. So if you are considering a brush remember, it is a purpose based tool to give you the lather you want. Make sure you are getting a brush that is compatible with products you are using to ensure you get the best shave you can.
Below are the links to the different brushes that I’m using.
Happy Shaving!
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