loading badger versus boar

[nav1]

I've been using boar brushes exclusively for a few years now and find that I need to shake most water out, load the soap and add water as I'm face lathering.

I have a Simpson Commodore best badger and I find if I flick most of the water out, it just doesn't create a lather slick enough to provide a great shave like I get with my boar brushes. I always tend to find the shave just isn't close with no other variables but the brush.

Should I be leaving more water in the badger brush and load for longer in order to emulsify the soap and water on the puck itself??

 

[alfredus]

In my opinion you need to load a badger the same way (shake/squeeze out water, load, slowly add water) - but I assume, that you have to load your badger (much) longer due to the denser and thinner hair...

 

[Psmith]

Boar hair absorbs water. Badger doesn't, it holds it between the hairs. When I squeeze out most of the water I find that to load enough soap (I mostly have larger brushes) I have to add a little water 2 or 3 times during the loading process. This will help enormously with creating a slick lather, and took my lather to another level.
If you attempt to do this by leaving more water in from the start you run the risk of introducing too much water too soon, which will lead to foamy, airy lather.

 

[nav1]

Thanks gents.
I'll give it a go with both more water in the brush and also a dry brush and add water whilst loading on the puck.

 

[todras]

In my opinion you need to load a badger the same way (shake/squeeze out water, load, slowly add water) - but I assume, that you have to load your badger (much) longer due to the denser and thinner hair...

A little longer perhaps, but I find this is overcome by applying a slightly greater pressure while loading. For most soaps I load for around 30-40 seconds tops I would say using the damp brush technique.