Best brush at building a lather

Looking to begin the search for a better shave brush. Primarily bowl lather shave soaps at this time. What brush would one recommend for building a great lather quickly. I currently use a Maggard Razor 22mm bulb 2 band badger brush. I think I prefer bulb knots. tried a fan not in an SHD badger and it didn't seem to lather as well. Almost seemed like the SHD was too thick for lathering. Open to all advice or suggestions.

if speed really is your only criteria then hands down a synthetic.

if speed really is your only criteria then hands down a synthetic.

This. If speed really is your only criteria, you can’t do better than a newer synthetic. Badgers are warmer and thicker and I prefer them and have 10+, but if I’m in a hurry or just rushing the shave I’m all about new synths.

I find the Semogue boars to be excellent at lathering in a bowl.  Right now I'm really liking the 2000 but the Owner's Club and the 1305 are excellent too.  They're well broken in at this point which is great - I just picked up the 620 and the resin handle Owners Club and I have a ways to go with those before they're broken in to the point I like.

if speed really is your only criteria then hands down a synthetic.

+2

if speed really is your only criteria then hands down a synthetic.

+2

I've just never been able to warm up to synthetics.

if speed really is your only criteria then hands down a synthetic.

+2

I've just never been able to warm up to synthetics.

I completely concur with you regarding synthetics as I detest them for face-lathering, but they do have their merits. 

if speed really is your only criteria then hands down a synthetic.

+2

I've just never been able to warm up to synthetics.

Mark, I guess it’s time for YMMV. After experiences with early synthetics I thought they would never catch on.  To be honest, they were pretty awful.  However, over the last 5-10 years their improvements have been nothing short of amazing and they have now become my go to brushes.  I still like my badgers, boars, and horsehairs but I probably use my synthetics at least 90% of the time, if not more.  For me, they have much to offer including soft tips (a big failing in earlier synthetics) good backbone, easily built lather, quick drying, and, not least, cost.  Also, the variety of colored fibers one can get amuses me.

Obviously, animal hair is more traditional in the wet shaving world and I can certainly understand why some would prefer them.  I, though, have become a believer in synthetics.  Thank goodness for choices.

The synthetics are certainly worth a try based on what you seem to be looking for. I like variety but if your picky it would help if you knew the type of brushes you like. Some have a lot of backbone and hold there shape while others tend to be painters. A 24mm Tuxedo with say a 51 loft while still nice can tend to be a little springy at least until the soap gets into the hairs. The cashmere knot on the other hand is more of a painter. The Synbad - Mew Brown or even a faux horse is more of an all rounder. If your new to the hobby you really should pay attention to the size of the brush (knot & loft) and maybe even handle shape and length especially if your bowl lathering. The Semogue's as mentioned are a option as well. A few different hair types with different handle options. I'm not sure they make a lather like a synthetic but once broken in they are nice change of pace on the cheap.

There’s no one best brush at building lather, but there are qualities you will find in brushes that lather better. A less dense knot allows for better lather generation, as well as a higher loft usually. Those are the two largest contributors I feel. Next the knot shape, and finally hair type.



Thought I’d show a few different brushes. I just grabbed a few out that to me have exceptional lather generation. 

L to R:

Plisson 18 2-band HMW, 20 2-band HMW, Muhle 25mm STF Gen 1, Plisson Evolution synthetic, VP Leonhardy Silvertip, Omega Silvertip (Forgot number), vulfix 377 Silvertip, Maseto 30mm 3-band Silvertip, Omega 31064. 

I find the best synthetics can generate lather the fastest, but only by seconds when compared to my fastest others, and prefer my badgers better with them being second best. Now if I broke out my Chubby 2 Manchurian I’d have a minute added easily. Those dense brushes with short lifts just take longer. My Chubby 2 synthetic even takes longer as well. Less time than it’s Manchurian brother. Maybe an extra 15 seconds. 

The 4th, 5th, 8th, and 9th brushes I would estimate would all generate an acceptable lather in a minute. They are fast at generating lather. Number 8, the Maseto, may seem strange as large as it is, but it has no where near the density of say a Chubby, however it would blow out any Chubby in terms of how fast it makes lather due to that. Only the synthetic Chubby would stand a chance. 

My favorite out of this bunch and probably my best lather champ is the 5th one, the VP Leonhardy. A 20mm knot with about a 55mm loft if my memory serves me correctly, it’s like a Wee Scot on steroids. That’s another great latherer. The knot is resilient and only splays slightly and holds lather well. 

Even in terms of brushes that are usually known as lather hogs, they do get better with time. Thinking on it I remember my Chubby 2 Best has improved considerably. Still couldn’t beat any synthetic, but could outmatch any other Chubby I have.

For my experience it pans out that way. A less dense knot always helps lather generation, next the lengthening of the loft can help, but short lifts can do just fine too if density is kept in check per my Maseto, a fan knot feels better at generating lather but I would say let your preference be your guide there, and finally hair type can help, but honestly focus on the first two the most.