Is that really necessary, such a shaving brush? To make your own shaving foam from a shaving soap or shaving cream, you indeed need a shaving brush. Such a shaving foam ensures that your beard hairs absorb moisture and become softer. They also stand more upright, making the hairs easier to shaving. The foam ensures that a protective layer forms on the skin, allowing the blade to glide more easily over the skin. This altogether results in a better shaving outcome. Shaving Brushes feel very comfortable and distribute the moisture and foam well between the beard hairs.
Hairs used in a shaving brush
The hairs used in a shaving brush can be divided into three types:
- Boar bristles
- Synthetic hairs
- Badger hairs
These are generally the three most important types of hairs used for shaving brushes. Boar bristles are the cheapest and badger hairs the most expensive. The difference mainly lies in the softness and thickness of the hairs and how much moisture the hairs retain. The amount of moisture affects how rich the foam is that you whip up with a shaving brush.
Shaving Brushes of boar bristles
Shaving Brushes with boar bristles are much cheaper than badger hair. In terms of price, much cheaper than other brushes. Boar bristles are much stronger, thicker, and harder than badger hairs. It gives a harder feel with shaving but absorbs hard shaving soap more easily because the hairs are much harder. Some men actually like those hard massaging movements. With frequent use of the shaving brush, the boar bristles will become somewhat softer as the tips split. The boar bristles retain enough moisture to create a rich foam. The brushes are often yellow to white and available at an affordable price.
Shaving Brushes of synthetic hairs
Those who do not want to use animal products can use a shaving brush with synthetic hairs. These shaving brushes are priced between badger hair and boar hair, but nowadays have the same softness as badger hairs. They retain enough moisture for a good shaving foam. Another advantage is that the hairs dry faster, which is convenient when traveling. The synthetic hairs are ideal for people with acne or allergies due to the hygiene of the brush.
Shaving Brushes of badger hairs
Badger hairs are generally the most popular among men who wet shaving. The hairs retain a lot of moisture, making it easy to create a rich lather, and they are incredibly soft. This makes the shaving very comfortable, and the brushes also last a very long time. The hairs are harder to obtain and therefore more expensive than boar bristles and synthetic hairs. Badger hairs can be divided into different categories.
Silvertip
The Silvertip is the best quality badger hair. The selection of these hairs is very strict, and only a small number of badger hairs meet this quality. The silvertip owes its name to the white tips that the hairs have. These badger hairs provide the most comfortable shaving result thanks to the softness of the hairs and the great ability to retain moisture. Shop a Silvertip at, for example, Mühle or Merkur!
Super Badger
Top-quality hairs that are just slightly thicker than the silvertip. The hairs come from the back of the badger. Shop a Super Badger at Simpsons or Taylor of Old Bond Street!
Best Badger
Originating from the belly of the badger and still top quality. Just slightly thicker than the hairs of the super badger and the silvertip. Also produces a rich lather. Shop a Best Badger at, for example, Captain Fawcett or NOM!
Tips for shaving brushes
Boar Bristle
The goodfellas' Smile - The Wild Hog
Synthetic Hairs
Rockwell Synthetic Shave Brush
Badger Hair
Captain Fawcett Badger Shaving Brush
Taylor of Old Bondstreet shaving brush - Superbadger