NEED HELP - Best brush for bowl lathering ??

HELP...I've learned so much from this forum. I have finally figured out that I prefer bowl lathering, and that I now need a proper brush and bowl do make it in.

I've tried to find out on here, but would like to ask your opinions.

I realize that in general this is suppose to be personal and a somewhat subjective choice, but it does seem that there is a certain shape, knot and loft size that lends itself to better lather making technically for bowl lathering - creams mostly.

I'm thinking it would be the smaller knots (20-25mm) with a shorter loft (45-50mm) and a longer handle that works best when for lather in a bowl ???
What do you think?

Simpsons Emperor 2 (or maybe 3). Not cheap, but brilliant!

I mostly face lather, but occasionally I'll use a bowl so I'm not sure how valid my comments will be but...

I have a T&H/Rooney 3/1 which seems to perfectly fit your parameters. Excellent handle shape, perfect for bowl lathering (IMO), and ultra soft hair that is perfect for creams (I use with soaps too with excellent results) .

Others that come to mind: Kent Bk4, Simpson 57, and I have been on a roll with my Vie-Long Lord Randal Silvertip, which I used with a bowl two days ago.

Best of luck to you in your search !

(05-02-2014, 10:20 PM)P.B Wrote: Simpsons Emperor 2 (or maybe 3). Not cheap, but brilliant!

Amen

The main thing to look for would be a tall and thin handle, with good ergonomics, something like the Simpson Emperor 3, M7 and even 58, or Morris & Forndran Chief or L7.

The knot dimensions are more of a personal preference, but please keep in mind that a lower loft will also impact on the overall height of the brush (I know this sounds obvious, but some forget to consider it).

I personally don't usually enjoy knots under 24mm, the loft for me depends on the type of hair, but usually nothing below 48mm.

I have and Simpson 58. It's perfect!

(05-03-2014, 03:46 AM)Grande Wrote: I have and Simpson 58. It's perfect!

Throw a 56 or 57 into consideration too.

I'll second the BK4 from Kent. While I didn't end up keeping mine I mostly face lather. While I did have it though I found it to be an amazing bowl latherer and pillow soft on the face.

Any of the Bestshave.net horse hair brushes. Cheap and half way between a great boar and a good badger.
~Richard

To add to the confusion - I'll throw my weight behind a synthetic brush. A 28mm knot x 62 mm loft Beauty Strokes/HIS 1794 synthetic shave brush is ~$32 shipped on amazon. It is tremendously versatile (face or bowl lathering), resilient (doesn't lose hair & doesn't need baby-ing), travel friendly (dries *very* quickly) & value-for-money option. It was GDCarrington's review of the brush that got me to try it - and I have been very pleased with my purchase.

Just another option to consider.

Some good suggestions above. My favorite bowl lathering brush is a Kent BK8.

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Don't disregard the boars. The SOC has a nice handle that is long and comfortable, and the best boar knot you can find. An excellent bowl lathering option.

(05-03-2014, 08:56 AM)taborcarn Wrote: Don't disregard the boars. The SOC has a nice handle that is long and comfortable, and the best boar knot you can find. An excellent bowl lathering option.

+2!

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(05-03-2014, 02:18 AM)TheMonk Wrote: The main thing to look for would be a tall and thin handle, with good ergonomics, something like the Simpson Emperor 3, M7 and even 58, or Morris & Forndran Chief or L7.

The knot dimensions are more of a personal preference, but please keep in mind that a lower loft will also impact on the overall height of the brush (I know this sounds obvious, but some forget to consider it).

I personally don't usually enjoy knots under 24mm, the loft for me depends on the type of hair, but usually nothing below 48mm.

You could always get a custom brush with the style of handle you prefer with a knot of your choice.

Best of luck.

Proper bowl to mean means one I can fit in my hand easily - 10 to 12 cm across and not too deep.

A proper brush would to me be one on the smallish side - 50 to 60 mm loft and 20 to 25 mm knot.

YMMV off course, but that is what works for me

I would echo some of the above comments that a tall (probably long-handled) brush works best for bowl (or scuttle) lathering because you don't bang it against the sides as much as you do with a shorter brush.

I have a Simpson emperor 3 manchurian. It was born for bowl lathering.

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You need the Muhle that was just listed on the BST!!!! Jump on it!

Actually, any decent brush will work well for lathering in a bowl. HOWEVER, having lathered exclusively in a bowl for over eight years, I have developed definite preferences. These preferences are generally the opposite of what one wants for face-lathering.

First of all, I want a fan-shaped brush. This helps to keep the lather in the bottom of the bowl and to work it more evenly. It also enables me to park the brush upright in the mound of lather.

Next, the brush should have a taller, more flexible loft that is not very dense. The flex allows more lathering action. The lower density also allows more flex and it prevents the lather being drawn into the knot ("lather hogging"). These two factors contribute significantly to efficiency of lathering.

I prefer a knot of 20 - 22mm and a loft of more than 50mm. If the knot is denser, the loft must be taller to allow flex.

A tall handle would be an advantage, but I haven't found a brush with the characteristics I seek in a tall handle. The main reason I would want a tall handle is so that it would extend over the lip of the bowl and not slide down into the lather. On the other hand, with a shorter handle that isn't too heavy, I am able to park the brush vertically (loft-down) in the mound of lather, effectively sidestepping any such problem.

I think the Vulfix badger brushes are perfectly optimized for lathering in a bowl. I have a Vulfix brush in Super Badger that works beautifully. Such Vulfix models would be the 2233S, 2234S, 374S, and 375S. Though I haven't tried them, I have no doubt that Vulfix brushes in pure badger would also work very well.

I also like Semogue brushes. Their silvertip brushes in the standard line with standard density (not the HD versions) are great for bowl-lathering. These are the 730 (albeit with a short acrylic handle), 2015 (tall wooden handle), and 2040 (tall acrylic handle). Note that the 2040 has a fairly tall handle and it has a sharply enough defined pedestal bottom that will hook over the edge of the lathering bowl to prevent it sliding into the lather. My Semogue 740 is made of a fine-gauge, flexible pure badger that also lathers very efficiently.

I agree that boar brushes can also serve well for bowl-lathering. I expecially like the Semogue 1305 and the 830, once they are broken in.

I just ordered and received the HJM brush with synthetic black fiber (only $35.00), which has been recommended for bowl-lathering. I will be trying it soon.

As for a bowl, I use an "ice cream" bowl that is of smaller diameter with vertical sides that is held easily in the hand. Mine is smooth on the inside, though some advocate lathering bowls and scuttles with ridges for added lathering efficiency. I haven't ever used a lathering bowl with ridges, so I can't speak to that.

Good luck -

- Murray