What make a BRUSH Better.......General Question

Large or Small Knott at OPENNG of Brush Hole?

Shorter or Taller Fibres, be the Boar, Synthetic, or Badger?

Now you’re opening up a can of worms. 

Seriously, there is so much in a brush that is subjective YMMV that there is no best or better there is only what you like. There’s also lots of variation in bristle quality within the type families too. Not all boar, badger or synthetic are the same and it doesn’t really matter if a particular grade of badger is very expensive and beautiful if you don’t enjoy using it. It all comes down to you and what you like.

I completely agree with Marko but will add a little more.

This is like asking what is the best car, a sports car or a pick-up truck? They are both good at what they do, but have different customers in mind. I can hear you say, "yeah, well all we are talking about here is shaving a face and everybody's face is the same"! Well, yes and no. If you have no facial hair and want to do four full passes, you might prefer a large knot that holds a lot of lather. If you have a goatee and will only do two passes and touch ups a smaller knot could serve you well. Do you have sensitive skin and like a hot lather shave? A badger brush would be hard to beat. Have a tough beard, use hard puck soaps, love to face lather and give yourself a good scrub? A well broken in boar brush would be hard to beat Want a brush that dries quickly for travel? Nothing is gong to work as well as a synthetic.


Short or tall loft usually (all other things being equal) effects how stiff the brush will be.

The size of the knot at the base is generally related to the size of the knot which controls how much lather the brush can hold. If you do a lot of passes you will want a bigger knot.


Keep in mind, our grandfathers (or for you youngsters your great grandfathers) shaved with one razor, one soap and one brush. None of it was fancy or expensive and there weren't too many brands/types to choose from.

I hope that this helps.

I'll answer.
Soft bristles.
Excellent flow-through.
Not floppy.
Not scritchy.
Well-proportioned knot width and loft.
Untreated tips.
Ergonomic handle.
While I have every type of hair, except horse, I am most fond of Badger.

I own badger, boar, horsehair, and synthetic brushes. They can all get the job done.

If you like using traditional soaps with hard pucks, you might prefer a boar brush. These have stiff bristles and a flat top that works well with harder soaps. If you use your puck in a shaving mug, you can find boar brushes with longer handles. Boar brushes tend to be uncomfortable when new, but can be amazingly soft after they break in.

Badger brushes come in a variety of knot diameters, canopy shapes, and hair types. Some people like brushes with some scrub or scritch to exfoliate their skin. They might choose a black badger, or pure badger, which are lower grades of badger hair. Because I have sensitive skin, I tend to prefer softer hairs found in best badger, finest badger, and silvertip badger. Sometimes you will find "gel knots" that have been bleached to damage the hair and make it softer. The hairs of such brushes will clump together or "gel" when wet. Using this method, a best badger knot might be just as soft as a premium silvertip knot.

Some people like small diameter knots of 18-22 mm. Many people, including me, prefer knots of 24-26mm diameter. Some like even larger diameter brushes. The larger the knot diameter and the higher grade the badger hair, the more expensive the brush.

The canopy of brushes can range from flat to fan shaped to bulb shaped. Those who face lather often prefer fan shaped knots. I like to build my lather in a bowl and apply the lather to my face using the side of the brush; I prefer bulb shaped knots.

Horse hair brushes are not as readily available as they one were as one of the primary manufacturers Vie Long has stopped producing them. They are somewhere between boar and badger in stiffness and softness. As horse hair is similar to human hair, these knots are subject to tangles and require some maintenance.

Synthetic fiber brushes can range the gamut from scritchy to scrubby to soft. Many are inexpensive like boar knots. However, some premium brushes can be more expensive.

As you can see, there is no RIGHT brush for everyone. The only way to find out what you like is to try various brushes until you find your favorite. Hopefully, some of my guidelines will help you narrow in on your favorite quickly. Otherwise, you will end up with shelves full of brushes like many of us have.

Thanks for the input and info.

Now we can discuss the real can of worms: acrylic or wooden handles!

Now we can discuss the real can of worms: acrylic or wooden handles!

or metalic, like brass, coppper, or even stone handles. what with hybrid ones?

So many variations and so many nuts here. Everything is right and yet wrong. It just depends on your own preferences and/or abilities.

That said...Do not forget the pandorra's box about the form of the handles, once we figured out the materials of the knot and handle

Now we can discuss the real can of worms:  acrylic or wooden handles!

My thing on Systemic is they dry fast, and if they made ONE with the good of Boar, and Badger.  The Badger & Boar will live happily for ever.

Wood Handle can be pretty, Artsy, but you got to protect em from Warping, or Damage from Water n Heat.

Marine Grade Resins do that that historic wood boat have ben restored with.

Now we can discuss the real can of worms: acrylic or wooden handles!

or metalic, like brass, coppper, or even stone handles. what with hybrid ones?

So many variations and so many nuts here. Everything is right and yet wrong. It just depends on your own preferences and/or abilities.

That said...Do not forget the pandorra's box about the form of the handles, once we figured out the materials of the knot and handle

Sounds like an issue that needs its own thread!