Collection: Shaving Brushes

A shaving brush serves a straightforward purpose: to lift facial hair, hydrate stubble, and work shaving cream or soap into a protective lather. The brush does this more effectively than hands alone, building warmth and cushion while gently exfoliating the skin. For traditional wet shaving, a good brush transforms the ritual from functional routine into something genuinely enjoyable.

Brushes are defined primarily by their fibre type. Badger hair remains the traditional choice, prized for its softness, water retention and natural taper. Boar bristle offers firmer backbone and is often preferred by those who enjoy face lathering with hard soaps. Synthetic fibres have advanced considerably in recent years, now offering performance that rivals natural hair while drying faster and requiring no break-in period.

Beyond fibre type, brushes vary by knot size, loft height and handle material. Smaller knots suit face lathering and offer precision, while larger knots hold more product and work well for bowl lathering. Loft affects splay and backbone: shorter lofts feel firmer, longer lofts feel softer. Handle materials range from resin and acrylic to natural woods like ash, beech and olive.

Badger hair is graded by quality and softness. Silvertip badger represents the finest grade, with naturally soft tips that require no break-in. Super badger and pure badger grades offer good performance at lower price points, though the tips are slightly firmer. Badger brushes excel at creating rich, warm lathers and provide a gentle face feel once broken in.

Boar bristle starts firm and becomes softer with use as the tips split and develop flags. This break-in period typically takes several weeks of regular use. Boar brushes offer excellent backbone for working hard soaps and provide mild exfoliation. They are particularly popular among wet shavers who prefer a firmer, more stimulating lather application.

Synthetic fibres are engineered to replicate the performance of natural hair without the break-in period or drying time. Modern synthetics like Mühle's Silvertip Fibre and Semogue's Alchemy1 offer softness comparable to silvertip badger. Synthetic brushes are vegan-friendly, hygienic, and ready to use straight from the box.

Semogue produces handmade brushes in Portugal, specialising in boar bristle and offering some of the finest Portuguese boar knots available. Their Hereditas range provides exceptional value, while their SOC and Owners Club series deliver premium performance with both natural and synthetic options.

Mühle manufactures in Germany with a focus on precision engineering and contemporary design. Their synthetic Silvertip Fibre and Black Fibre knots are highly regarded, and they offer badger brushes across multiple grades. Mühle brushes suit those who appreciate clean aesthetics and reliable performance.

Simpson represents British brushmaking heritage, producing handmade brushes on the Isle of Man since 1919. Their badger brushes are considered among the finest available, with dense knots and traditional shapes favoured by wet shaving enthusiasts worldwide.

Omega offers Italian-made brushes at accessible prices. Their boar and synthetic ranges provide solid entry points for those new to traditional shaving, while their Hi-Brush synthetic line delivers more refined performance.

Badger brushes offer natural softness, excellent water retention, and a luxurious face feel. Higher grades like silvertip are softest, while pure badger is firmer and more affordable. Boar brushes start firm but soften with use, providing good backbone for hard soaps and mild exfoliation. Synthetic brushes require no break-in, dry quickly, and offer consistent performance from first use. The choice depends on personal preference for face feel, lathering style, and whether quick drying or vegan materials matter to you.

Synthetic brushes make excellent first brushes because they work well immediately without break-in, dry quickly between shaves, and forgive technique mistakes. The Semogue Pharos-C3 or Omega Hi-Brush offer quality construction at accessible prices. If you prefer natural fibres, a boar brush from Semogue's Hereditas range provides good value and will soften nicely with regular use.

Boar brushes require the longest break-in, typically two to four weeks of regular use before the tips split and soften. Some shavers speed this up by soaking and palm lathering. Pure and super badger brushes benefit from a shorter break-in of a week or two. Silvertip badger and synthetic brushes are ready to use immediately with no break-in required.

Knot sizes typically range from 20mm to 28mm. Smaller knots (20-22mm) suit face lathering and offer precision around the moustache and jawline. Medium knots (23-24mm) balance versatility with good lather capacity. Larger knots (25mm and above) hold more product and are often preferred for bowl lathering or covering larger areas quickly. Most shavers find a 22-24mm knot works well for general use.

After each shave, rinse the brush thoroughly under warm water to remove all soap residue. Shake out excess water and gently reshape the knot. Store bristles-down in a brush stand or bristles-up on a flat surface, allowing full air circulation for drying. Avoid storing wet brushes in enclosed spaces. Natural hair brushes occasionally benefit from a gentle wash with mild shampoo to remove product build-up.

Modern synthetic fibres have closed the gap considerably. Premium synthetics like Mühle Silvertip Fibre and Semogue Alchemy1 offer softness and flow-through comparable to natural silvertip badger. Synthetics also dry faster, require no break-in, and maintain consistent performance over time. Many experienced wet shavers now use both, choosing synthetic for daily convenience and badger for the traditional experience. The decision often comes down to personal preference rather than objective performance differences.

Silvertip is the highest grade, taken from the neck area where hair is finest. It offers the softest tips, best water retention, and most luxurious feel. Super badger is a mid-grade with good softness but slightly firmer tips than silvertip. Pure badger is the entry-level grade with firmer bristles that provide more backbone and exfoliation. All grades produce excellent lather; the difference lies primarily in face feel and price.

A stand is not essential but helps with drying and prolongs brush life. Hanging bristles-down allows water to drip away from the knot and handle, preventing moisture from loosening the glue or degrading the handle material. However, many shavers successfully store brushes bristles-up on a flat surface. The key is ensuring adequate airflow around the knot. We stock brush stands from Semogue and Mühle in various sizes to fit different knot diameters.

Shaving brushes work best with traditional shaving soaps and creams designed for brush application. Canned foams and gels are formulated to work without a brush and will not benefit from one. If you want to use a brush, we recommend switching to a shaving cream or shaving soap that allows the brush to build proper lather and lift the beard effectively.

With proper care, a quality shaving brush can last many years. Badger and synthetic brushes often provide a decade or more of regular use. Boar brushes may have a shorter lifespan as the bristles eventually wear down, though well-made boar brushes from makers like Semogue still offer several years of service. Signs of wear include significant bristle loss, splaying that does not recover, or a musty smell that persists after cleaning.

Face lathering involves building lather directly on your face by loading the brush with product and working it across your stubble. This warms the skin, lifts the beard, and allows you to feel when the lather consistency is right. Bowl lathering means building lather in a shaving bowl or mug before applying to the face. Bowl lathering offers more control over consistency and works well with smaller brushes. Many shavers enjoy both methods depending on time and preference.

Yes, several options suit travel. Mühle produces dedicated travel brushes with protective cases, while compact brushes with shorter handles pack easily in wash bags. Synthetic brushes are particularly practical for travel as they dry quickly between uses. Look for brushes with smaller knots (20-22mm) and consider a protective tube or case to prevent damage in transit.