Knot size

Here's one more thought. When you ask about knot size, know that it may not be a good measure of the shaving experience with a brush.  Knot size is measured as the knot comes out of the handle but that is not the part that touches your face. Two 26 mm knots can have very different shaving experiences.  One could have a bulb shape with high density and feel kind of small and the other could have a fan shape with a lot of splay and feel huge. You really have to take the shape of the knot and how it splays into consideration. In other words,  there is far more that goes into how the knot will feel than just the knot size.

So so so TRUE ! Thanks for pointing this out

28mm, but 26mm is just fine for me.

A good synthetic should be 28 mm whereas silver tips work well at 26 mm for me. I have used different fibers and sizes of 24 mm and 30 mm with variable success.

1. 28mm bulb
2. 26mm fan
3. 26mm bulb
4. 28mm synthetic
5. 26mm-28mm boar

Lather hogs I hate.
I like diversity, gel, scrubby - all hair types.

One woman, unlimited brushes, razors, cars, whiskies. Cheaper that way

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26mm without a doubt.  

I have a couple over that and one under, but 26 is definitely my sweet size

26mm fan in badger
28mm bulb in badger
26mm - 28mm boar

If you asked me this a decade ago when I was really broke (still broke fyi) I would have said “the free one” from Pops or G-Pa! 

23-31 is what I have and enjoy……..no sweet spot as of this writing.  If it hits my criteria in performance than it’s my sweet spot for that day!

Like a few of the Gents mentioned, knot size is truly subjective.  As my skill set of the sport refines I look for density, flow through and “total relief” of the knot head. That is to say the variance on top of the knot’s loft from lowest hairs to those in center furthest from handle

I don’t use any rule in terms of bowl or face lather.  I have bulbs, hybrids and fans.  They’re all SOOOOO very different and all of them have seen a bowl and all have speed (face) lathered

The handle is NOT the reason for purchasing a brush, right? The knot is the reason, right? 

I love a handle that fits my hand and has the shape and colour aesthetic pleasing to my eye……HOWEVER,  I would destroy a TOP LEVEL handle to pluck out an incredible knot.  Conversely I’ve destroyed rubbish knots to marry MY perfect knot and handle

A custom brush doesn’t always mean you’ll get what you want, right? 

26mm Fan Synthetic is my go to! Really been digging the premium synthetic offerings from ApShaveCo. The G5A is getting close to that plush SHD badger from Maggards type feel

The Simpson CH2 is my ideal brush.  It's 27mm.  I can deal with 26mm also.  I thought I would really love the Declaration Jefferson, but it just feels too big to me.  I face lather, so maybe that has something to do with it.

When I started getting into wet shaving I preferred the 28mm because it was more common to see the brushes I liked in this size. These days, and after a few years experience, I find myself preferring 26mm.

When I start using a new soap, I actually prefer smaller brushes to get to know how the soap will lather and how much it will take to load.

In terms of shape, I prefer fan by far.