The Badger Hair Shaving Brush
Here is something dad may have not taught you when it comes to shaving: A high-quality badger hair shaving brush is the single most important component in getting the absolute smoothest shave possible. Dad may not be completely at fault - blame it on his generation. Men have been using shaving brushes for over 150 years. However, during the late 1960s, when social and political issues took center stage and nearly everyone had a cause to champion, men did away with the traditional brush and women threw out their bras. In my opinion, this became the "de- volution" of grooming. Shortly thereafter, disposable razors and foam aerosol shave cream replaced high quality shaving soaps, double -edge razors, and the shave brush.
Thankfully, during the past 15 years, there has been a major shift regarding the use of grooming tools in the US. Guys as young as 17 are now using a shaving brush on a daily basis. It is no longer viewed as something your grandpa shaves with; instead it has become a modern man's essential grooming tool.
A high-quality shaving brush is the most effective way to guarantee a smooth, painless shave. The bristles gently exfoliates the skin, which removes anything coming between your whiskers and the razor. As you sweep the brush in a circular motion over your face, the bristles lift the hair up and away from the skin allowing for the closest shave possible without common shaving issues such as razor burns and bumps.
However, not all shaving brushes are created equal. After spending over 25 years in the industry, I've come to rely exclusively on brushes made of badger hair. Yes, there are less expensive, synthetic versions available, but badger hair is the only type of hair that retains water and using warm water is the professional barber's secret to a great shave. The combination of hot water mixing with the shave cream and the brush, results in a thicker, richer, more emollient lather that's impossible to get with your fingers alone.
In order to obtain the best results from using a Shaving Brush, it's important to fully understand the differences in the grade of bristles that are available. The following are the three best types of badger hair from which to choose from:
