About Shaving Brush Bristles
Shaving brush bristles are what actually come into contact with your face, so they are the largest determining factor of the performance of a shave brush, so it’s important to make sure you can get the best quality that you can afford. The type of material that goes into the bristles is usually referred to as the bristle load, and each different type of bristle load has its own characteristics and price. I’ve gathered the following information to help determine what is best for you.
Synthetic
Many manufacturers these days offer a line of shave brushes made of synthetic materials, and most often synthetic bristles are made from nylon. The advantages of using nylon bristles include less chance of breakage, so that the brush will last longer. Also with synthetic shave brushes, you are not harming any animals, as opposed to the natural bristles that come from animal hair. Synthetic materials are also less expensive. However synthetic bristles tend not to hold water as efficiently as natural bristles. This means the quality of lather is diminished. Also synthetic shave brushes can tend to be stiffer and more “prickly” than natural bristles, which can diminish the enjoyment of your shave. As far as shave brushes go, I would stay away from synthetic materials, they just don’t give you that great of a shave experience, and if money is so tight that you’re forced to buy a synthetic shave brush, I’d recommend just continuing to use your hands and save your money for more important things. However if you are a bit averse to using animal products, a synthetic bristle load is the one for you.
Boar Hair
Boar hair bristles are considered to be on the “lower end” of the natural bristle load. They are considered a bit softer than synthetic bristles, and also hold water better than nylon so they create a better lather. However, the bristles have a tendency to break off more than synthetic bristles, reducing the life of the shave brush, and although they are softer than synthetic brushes, they are still pretty stiff and prickly compared to other natural bristles. Boar hair I think is a good “starter brush”. They are not as expensive as other, nicer shave brushes, but they are a good start to practice on while get the feel for what you like and dislike about the brush without spending a ton of money. Just keep in mind that there are better bristles that boar’s hair, so don’t get discouraged if the bristles feel like they’re scraping your face. Then when you’re ready, replace that brush with a higher quality brush.
Badger Hair
For shave brush bristle load, badger hair is “it”. If you’re looking for the best bristle load materials, the hair from a badger has the best water retention characteristics, as well as the softest bristles, making for a superior lather and the most enjoyable shave experience. Today’s badger hair bristles are used from hair imported predominantly from
There are several grades of badger hair bristle loads depending upon where the bristles are taken from the badger. Hair taken from certain places on the body produces softer bristles and better water retention.
Pure Badger
Pure badger is considered the bottom of the badger hair hierarchy, so pure badger hair shave brushes tend to be the least expensive of the badger hair shave brushes. Pure badger hair is taken from the underbelly of the badger, which is the most common hair on the badger’s body. The bristles of pure badger tend to be coarser than the more expensive badger hair bristle load, making the bristles stiffer than other varieties of brushes. However the bristles are still softer than boar’s hair or synthetic brushes. For many people, the pure badger shave brush is just fine. It has very good water retention characteristics and is very soft when applying shaving cream or soap to your face. Pure badger shave brushes of course cost more than boar’s hair and synthetic, but I think it is worth it. The shaving experience is a much more enjoyable one when you are using the best materials, and whether or not you go with more expensive badger hair or not, a badger hair shave brush is the way to go.
Best Badger
Best badger hair shave brushes are the next step up from pure badger. These brushes contain finer and more pliable hairs that are rarer on the badger’s body. The best badger hair bristle load tends to have more hair in its load than a pure badger shave brush as well, and is meant to create a greater lather. Many find that the difference between best and pure badger hair shave brushes is negligible, but other’s feel that the higher density of bristles and finer grade is worth the extra cost.
Super Badger
The next step up is super badger. The super badger shave brush is actually composed of pure badger hair, however the hairs are actually graded and sorted so exactingly that the brush is considered very soft and of higher quality than either best or pure. Some companies will bleach the ends of super badger bristles so that they resemble the next higher grade of badger hair. As with all the bristle loads, super badger is more expensive than the lower quality brushes.
Silvertip Badger
The pinnacle of shave brush bristle load is the silvertip badger shave brush. Silvertip bristles come from the rarest type of badger hair located on the neck of the badger. The name comes from the fact that the ends of the hair are silvery in color. After they are harvested, the hair is then graded and sorted by hand. The long hair is very soft, and holds a lot of water so that the lather created by a silvertip bristle load is of superior quality. If you want the best shave experience, you’ll want to use a silvertip badger shave brush.
Some companies also advertise things like “extra silvertip” implying that they are producing a bristle load that is superior to ordinary silvertip. These brushes can get very expensive, and can definitely be considered a status symbol. They can sell for as much as $500 or more. If you are using a brush that expensive, you have really “made it”.
My recommendation is to get a silvertip badger shave brush when you can afford one. They have superior quality and craftsmanship, create an exceptional lather, and feel great on your face. If you are using a silvertip badger shave brush you are well on your way to achieving a great shave.