Anyone else changed how they feel about brush handle sizes ?

I seem to have been undergoing a change in my brush handle size preference lately.

Used to fancy medium to large sized brush handles, but even though my XL sized hands have stayed the same size, I seem to have evolved my handle size preferences in the larger direction.

Back in 2013 I felt a Chubby 2 handle felt almost perfect, though on the shorter side, but the stoutness made it almost ideal. I felt the Chubby 3 was out of control fat.

Today I actually feel like a Chubby 2 handle is almost disappearing in my hands and almost will fall out of my hands, because of its rather petite size.

Used my Chubby 2 Super 3-band yesterday, and the handle almost fell out of my hands.........

Chubby 3 handle size is today my favourite Simpson handle, and soon will I try a Polo 10, which I used to say only felt right for a bowl lather shaver.

I only face lather, and I still feel I get good control with the longer handles.
The Chubby 3 - I feel - could even be a 1 cm taller and still not be too big.

Have my hands secretly grown a size larger, without me knowing it (I still fit the same size XL gloves, so I don't think so)

Has anyone changed their feeling about brush handle size - perhaps now preferring smaller or larger sized handles ?

Once I found brush handle artisans, I knew that the longer and slimmer handles would be my main ones.  I have never gone back. I don't think I could use anything shorter than 65mm in height, now, except for the M&F 3XL that I have since the knot is so luxurious even though I really don't enjoy the handle.

I've been wet shaving since 1962, and haven't had the luxury of even having the choice of a large sized handle until a few years ago. I have XXL hands, and to me, a Chubby 2 handle, even a Chubby 3, is very small. Fortunately, I've been able to have XXL handles custom made for me, and XXL handles are available from Thäter or Shavemac. I've given up on Simpsons, primarily because of their handle and overall knot size, and not the quality of their product.

I prefer an x7-style of handle because of the classic look. Their fit is also the most comfortable as long as the handle is under 65mm tall and the barrel ring is subdued enough that it doesn't cut into my fingers.

I am more on the beginning of my brush journey - but I know for sure that the short Chubby style handles are not what I enjoy. I didn't mind them, but since I discovered the beauty of longer, more rounded handles (my Paladin Chief was the first)...well there is no going back

I think it can fluctuate. I've noticed I have swings in my preference. Right now I've gone from small 22-24mm knots to pretty much the bigger the better philosophy. I'll have days where I want a smaller than normal brush. I just use what strikes my fancy for that day.

A vote for small brushes...really small ones. They are the majority of what I have.
My hands are not large and I don't mind gripping with my fingertips.
Yesterday I got an abundant three passes plus touch-up with my Omega Bambino.

Cheers to the Omega Mixed Midget and Wide Waist Midget, plus the Vie-Long Pony and Wee Scot!

I have large hands and likely a touch of arthritis setting in so I now favour larger diameter and longer handles for face lathering. The handles I have that are 35-40mm in dia. and 75-135mm long seem to be the most comfortable. To go with that I like knots in the 24-28mm range in 2 band silvertip or synthetic set low.

Bob

I I use all shapes and sizes. I will say that I ordered the Brad Sears Fat Arley expecting something like a Chubby 3 and find the brush to feel very large. I don't have small hands rather think it's the ergonomics of that particular brush.

I also have large hands and prefer longer handles with a decent girth.  My favorite handle right now is my Rudy Vey custom Emilion, approx 63mm long with a 26mm knot.

(06-05-2016, 01:30 AM)kooshman7 Wrote: I think it can fluctuate. I've noticed I have swings in my preference. Right now I've gone from small 22-24mm knots to pretty much the bigger the better philosophy. I'll have days where I want a smaller than normal brush. I just use what strikes my fancy for that day.

This for me, mostly. Although I am starting to gravitate to longer handles since exploring artisan handles, as per others in this thread. But they won't be replacing any of my other brushes yet. I will just keep that as a consideration in future purchases.

Average size hands here. I'm ok with CH2 and D3 handles. Nowadays, smaller than those are uncomfortable. I very much enjoy the larger handles on my SOC and Simpson's 59 and CH3.
   I started using shave brushes with a bowl. Then my preference was for barber style handles. When I started face lathering I enjoyed short handled brushes. Now, not so much. Although my CH1 and Semogue 2013 have great knots they're used less frequently in rotation than their larger counterparts. Most likely because of their less comfortable hand-feel.

Anything but "small" is cool with me. I too am still sort of feeling my way in the brush collecting world. I have something of a variety, and couldn't say if I really prefer one over the other.

I have three that I would say are smaller than I would choose for every day use: A Classic 2, a Duke 1 and a Classic 1 synthetic. The Classic 2 is such a great brush, I live with the handle, and it only comes around once every few weeks anyway. I would likely not keep it if it needed to get daily use.

The Duke and the Classic 1 I have because they fit nicely in travel tubes and take up very little space in my dopp. It sort of allows me a little variety when I am bouncing around for work. The Duke is a keeper, the Classic 1 may go up for sale. I am finding myself bringing other synthetics with me anyway, so what is the point?


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A brush is inanimate, but not without lifeforce. I am animate, but lacking self control. If it has a well made knot the overriding criteria is 'that's a handsome brush' and adapt, improvise and all that .

I have always preferred 26 to 28mm brushes in medium to large handles.  My only small brush is a Duke 3 Manchurian, and I've adapted to it despite its size becasue it has a great knot.  I like the Chubby 2 handle a lot. Years ago I sold my Chubby 3 because I thought the handle was too fat.

I've never had an interest in another Chubby 3 until a recent event.  That event was my acquisition of an xl handle from Bob Quinn to accommodate one of the new 28mm knots he is sourcing directly from a Chinese vendor who builds them to spec.  These knots are well stuffed, and the 28mm version measures 32mm at the top of the handle.  This knot called for a Chubby 3 size handle, and the handle Bob turned for me is actually just slightly fatter and taller than a Chubby 3.  I don't have a Chubby 3, but here is a picture of Bob's handle next to a Chubby 2.  This gives you an idea of how large this handle is.

 

This xl handle is a pleasure to use and has changed my perspective on the Chubby 3.  Despite my prior view that it was too fat, I now know that I can enjoy a Chubby 3.  It's likely that I'll be adding a Chubby 3 Manchurian to my rotation.  It just shows how preferences can change over time.

(06-05-2016, 03:56 PM)TheLegalRazor Wrote: I have always preferred 26 to 28mm brushes in medium to large handles.  My only small brush is a Duke 3 Manchurian, and I've adapted to it despite its size becasue it has a great knot.  I like the Chubby 2 handle a lot. Years ago I sold my Chubby 3 because I thought the handle was too fat.

I've never had an interest in another Chubby 3 until a recent event.  That event was my acquisition of an xl handle from Bob Quinn to accommodate one of the new 28mm knots he is sourcing directly from a Chinese vendor who builds them to spec.  These knots are well stuffed, and the 28mm version measures 32mm at the top of the handle.  This knot called for a Chubby 3 size handle, and the handle Bob turned for me is actually just slightly fatter and taller than a Chubby 3.  I don't have a Chubby 3, but here is a picture of Bob's handle next to a Chubby 2.  This gives you an idea of how large this handle is.

 

This xl handle is a pleasure to use and has changed my perspective on the Chubby 3.  Despite my prior view that it was too fat, I now know that I can enjoy a Chubby 3.  It's likely that I'll be adding a Chubby 3 Manchurian to my rotation.  It just shows how preferences can change over time.

I'm actually thinking of selling all my Chubby 2's and only focus on Chubby 3's from Simpson from now on (perhaps also add 4-5 Polo 10's later on)
Only thing holding me back is that the 29-30 mm Chubby 3 knot is too large for some of my smaller soap and cream pots, so I almost have to squeeze the knot together to load from the smaller pots with a Chubby 3.

My handle shape preference has definitely changed over time. I once preferred longer handles like the Polo, but now my preference is for Chubby style handles.

While transitioning the Duke 3 handle became my favourite, but now its definitely the CH3.

I've gravitated to short, fat handles that seem to work best for my face lathering style. I love beehives and Shavemac's 173 octagon style (also commonly seen on Thater brushes). Another great fit for my hand is The Varlet Orion. I can't stand fiddling with a handle that doesn't rest well in my hand, so I'll either get the knot transferred to another handle or sell the brush.

Yes.  When I first started, I gravitated towards taller handles.  Over time I abandoned bowl lathering and moved to short, stubby handles.  The last few months, I've found myself moving back towards taller handles to avoid getting lather all over my fingers.

I was a fan of small brushes at first. A Wee Scott was my only brush for 9+ months until I picked up a Duke 2 and that was the daily driver for a year until I got a deal on a Chubby2. 

Now the Chubby 2 is my favourite brush and represents the bulk of my collection.