Fan or Bulb preference

i_shaved_something · Post by **i_shaved_something** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:55 am

Thought I'd bring up this old chestnut..
Which loft shape do you prefer and why? Feel free to use a spare sheet of paper if you run out of room.

I'm finding myself more of a 'fan man' although the bulb shape does have its merits. The recent discussion on the Shavemac group brush offered in both styles has me thinking this over and really asking myself these deep meaningful questions

fallingwickets · Post by **fallingwickets** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:00 am

I voted neither.

Give me a super flexible, super soft brush and I am uber happy.....the shape is meaningless to me.

Clive

i_shaved_something · Post by **i_shaved_something** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:03 am

fallingwickets wrote:I voted neither.

Give me a super flexible, super soft brush and I am uber happy.....the shape is meaningless to me.

Clive

Thanks Clive, which brush(s) of choice that you use fit this description?

fallingwickets · Post by **fallingwickets** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:11 am

The vulfix line, especially the 2234......my brush of choice

I would say that the shavemac's follow and that's where flexiblity ends for me.

Both lines as far as I know are considered bulb.

Clive

bernards66 · Post by **bernards66** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:23 am

Clive, Although there's always some degree of variation, Vulfixes are generally classic English fan shaped brushes, whilst Shavemacs are in the European mode, and are bulb shaped. Personally, I've always preferred the the fan style. To me, it holds more lather and distributes it more effectively. I have a very bulbed shaped Plisson EW of around 23mm. and there is no question but that it does not hold as much lather as other similiar sized fan shaped brushes that I have. The only possible advantage to the bulb shape that I can see is for added firmness. But I would prefer to get that firmness via a denser knot, shorter loft, etc. and retain the fan shape. The Emillion I have is both VERY firm, but also strikingly fan shaped....almost flat-topped.
Regards,
Gordon

fallingwickets · Post by **fallingwickets** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:27 am

Gordon, as always you are 100% correct. I guess I'm looking at the brushes through becks tinted glasses HAHA. Except for the 2234 my vulfix brushes are big and look more bulbish than the other brushes I have, but when compared to the shavemacs I see exactly what you are talking about. It's only taken about 2 years to realize the difference

Clive

notthesharpest · Post by **notthesharpest** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:33 am

I have much the same answer as Clive, except the opposite feel. I like a stiff, springy brush - the shape is not the important part.

drP · Post by **drP** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:12 am

I'm a bit of a bulbous type i'm afraid....

...but frankly i don't really care: what is important to me is a densely filled, resilient loft with relative soft bristle tips; and i do happen to like shorter lofts more than long lofts...

Did i just describe an Emillion or a Simpsons Polo 8 in best btw...?

bernards66 · Post by **bernards66** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:20 am

Oh, good heavens! Of course the shape is hardly the most important factor in my preferences either. But the poll is simply asking us our druthers in this one area....if we have any. Personally, I do; other things being more or less equal.
Regards,
Gordon

nteeman · Post by **nteeman** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:21 am

I like both so I didn't vote.

Amyn · Post by **Amyn** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:09 pm

I have a strange preference here
if the loft is high I prefer the bulb shape
if the loft is low I prefer fan shaped brushes.

M6Classic · Post by **M6Classic** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:14 pm

It is not so much that I love a bulb shaped brush...its that I love a brush that has a bulb shape. I once tried to love a brush that had a fan shape...really, I did...but it didn't work out.

Buzz

msandoval858 · Post by **msandoval858** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:41 pm

Fan shape, hands down.

Not only to I find it more functional for me, but I don't like the look of the bulb at all either.

Good thing we have choices!

Nitrox · Post by **Nitrox** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:47 pm

A fan of the fan here. I do like the bulb type but not as much as the fan type.

DavidB · Post by **DavidB** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:57 pm

Bulb shape for me. Easier to paint the lather where I want it and not where I don't.

Dave

Squire · Post by **Squire** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:41 pm

I use both, promiscuously.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:04 pm

I also use both, and I don't have any particular preference. As long as my brush is quite small, densely packed and with plenty of back bone then I am happy.

AFG · Post by **AFG** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:39 pm

I have both and both work fine for me. On appearance alone I like the looks of the bulb shape

jww · Post by **jww** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:53 pm

Ditto - both work the same to me.

woodsrider · Post by **woodsrider** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:24 pm

I prefer a fan shape, but I've been using some fine bulbs for a long time. Not that big of a deal for me...they both get the job done quite well.

SMF

Fan or Bulb preference

Which brush loft shape do you prefer?

Fan or Bulb preference