Fan vs Bulb

Ok guys let's hear some feedback. Tell me in your opinions the differences between the two and what method of lathering you use the two for. I would like to hear about preferences on backbone how much bloom you like and so on.. I have both now and I gravitate to the fan, it seams to splay out on my face better.
And go....

Thanks,

Tappan

I face lather exclusively.   I use primarily creams, but also some soaps.  I've tried both fans and bulbs over the years, and have developed a strong preference for bulbs.  I prefer the way the bulb knots look and feel.

I have both and I 'think' I prefer fans, but I am very comfortable with either. I am realizing that I prefer a higher loft with both depending on the knots/hairs. 
I have a few fan knots from WSP, Manchurians and Stubby 2-Bands, 26/28 x 53-56mm and two original WSP Stubby 2-Band Bulb knots 26 x 55mm and all are very nice. 

This is really a subjective perspective and you will have to try both to find out which you prefer as our views on them can differ significantly to yours. Good luck. 

I have and use both. Unquestionably I prefer a fan shape. I like bulbs on a case by case basis.

As a face latherer who loves larger brushes (24mm is a small brush in my collection) I find that the face of a bulb feel is just to small for a comparable size knot. 
In a side by side comparison my fan shaped 24 mm Duke "feels" the close to my 27mm bulb shaped Chubby 2.

There is one brush that my wife uses that has a pointy bulb and it did not work for me, it felt like it was poking me in the face. There are other bulb shaped ones
that I love and will never sell.  

Try as many as you can, everything shaving related is a question of what works best for you. Good luck and happy shaving.

I own 2 fans and like them both. Most of my brushes are bulbs and Simpson hybrid bulb/fan. I look forward to using each of my 15 brushes except my one boar.  I use the Semogue when it's turn is up and I am always pleasantly surprised. Yet I still dread its turn missing my badgers. 

I've always preferred the look and feel of a fan over a bulb. But I do keep a few bulbs around for varieties sake. 

I've only had one bulb. It was a tiny entry level Thater. Awful brush. It had way too much backbone and was a lower grade badger. It felt like a wire brush. Much pricklier than a tweezerman or boar.

I'm a face latherer, and I own several brushes that has both fan and bulb shape and in between that (hybrids)

I think I prefer bulb shape for added precision, but fan shape for the softer feel.

I like the looks of a bulb shaped knot far better.......no contest

Bulb demands higher loft and softer tips
Fans demands lower loft and somewhat stiffer tips (to avoid too much splay)

YMMV

My fans are my workhorses...the shorter loft & larger splay makes for slightly more backbone and lathers up even my hard soaps with ease.

But....my bulbs are my luxury brushes...for when I take my time & want some pampering, that the longer loft & softer tips provide.  I primarily use Thater 2 band and Savile Row 3 band bulbs with 30mm knots.  They are both glorious.

Fan - Yes
Bulb - Yes
Pointy bulb - NO!

I'm not too fussy. As long as it's not a pointy bulb I'm happy.

I face lather only and find that bulbs and fans work just fine.  The only caveat is over the size of the knot: because fan-shaped knots splay more than bulb-shaped knots I like my fans to be smaller, e.g. a 22mm fan vs a 24mm bulb.

I hit the bathroom switch and the light bulb goes on with the ceiling fan.

(05-15-2015, 09:10 AM):Dkav Wrote: I hit the bathroom switch and the light bulb goes on with the ceiling fan.

I both face and bowl lather and find no difference in performance in regards to that from either one, loft and overall length matters much more when it comes to choosing which to use for that. But personally, I prefer fans. For aesthetic reasons among others, at least until you get over 26mm in size. Under that I strongly prefer fans. At 26mm it's a wash and over that size fans just cover too much area. But that may be the underlying reason I prefer Rooney over Simpsons. One of them anyways.

(05-15-2015, 09:10 AM)kav Wrote: I hit the bathroom switch and the light bulb goes on with the ceiling fan.

A yuk yuk yuk!

Fans will feel fuller on the face when face lathering and I do that exclusively. I have one badger fan, and many Simpson hybrid fan/bulb shapes in both badger and synthetic. I have absolutely no problem with their knot shapes. The one fan I do have works great as do the Simpsons. I have no pure bulb shapes and see no reason for them for face lathering. Maybe if I bowl lathered I would. IMO that's where they would be worthwhile. Or maybe I read that somewhere...probably the latter.

My only fan brush is a Rooney.  It's the favorite brush in my collection.  It splays easily and has wonderful flow through for creams as well as soaps.   

(05-14-2015, 10:22 PM)Dipesh Wrote: Fan - Yes
Bulb - Yes
Pointy bulb - NO!

I'm not too fussy. As long as it's not a pointy bulb I'm happy.

Quick and to the point.... I like it! 
Well done Sir!

(05-14-2015, 10:22 PM)Dipesh Wrote: Pointy bulb - NO!

I'm not too fussy. As long as it's not a pointy bulb I'm happy.

Exactly, I had to sell a Custom Duke 3 2-band for that reason, I had one of the best knots I've ever seen.

I prefer Fan Shape.

(05-14-2015, 06:13 PM)CHSeifert Wrote: ..,Bulb demands higher loft and softer tips
Fans demands lower loft and somewhat stiffer tips (to avoid too much splay)

YMMV

I also have both and in between, and I agree with Claus.


Andrew