Innovative Shaving Brushes

[TheMrFrontera]

you said that synthetic hair requires a different technique to create lather.

can you please elaborate on that?

are you just saying that because of water retention? please let me know either on here or a pm, thanks!

[salazch12]

Where did you buy the shavemac vlb? how much does it run?

[mantic59]

@salazch12 you can check it out at shavemac(dot)com.

[joshpettry]

LOL, the guy at the end sounded like Carl Sagan.

[soicuw]

you own anything by Semogue?

[mantic59]

soicuw- Never tried a Semogue myself but the comments I've read about them have been positive.

[hrmarinkovic]

what brush boar, synthetic or a badger brush?

[mantic59]

google for vulfix, simpsons, shavemac, rooney, omega

[hrmarinkovic]

thx

[slapstickity76]

Alright, Mantic...so how many brushes in total do YOU own? =)

[mantic59]

slapstickity76- Last I counted I had 15. :)

[damaband41]

Do you hold the Enchente Shavemaster 200 by the base of the bristles or by the handle? Because it seems a bit too unwieldly to hold by the bristles.

[mantic59]

damaband41- By the handle. The bristle knot is denser than other brushes so holding by the bristles isn't necessary.

[PolieCat]

Thank you for showing the Men-U shaving brush. I'm waiting to get it in the mail. I've wanted to buy a shaving brush, but I've read that badger hair brushes come from China where they skin the badgers alive. I'm not a vegetarian but that's just wrong.

[nbelt1919]

whats the best way to dry your brush after shaving whilst still retaining its natural shape?

[mantic59]

nbelt1919- Rinse it well with warm water, give it a couple shakes, then gently wipe on a dry towel. You may need to gently "fluff" it with your fingers. Then store it some place that gets air flow (not inside a closed cabinet!).

[BirdmanHT07]

How do you know all this stuff are you a professional barber or something or just really into the hobby

[mantic59]

BirdmanHT07- No, I'm not a barber, just into the hobby (some have called me an "aficiando."

[rmfarwell]

Im new to the whole wet shaving world. Im still in the process of picking out a shaving brush, because I know its so crucial to a good shave. Is the men-U a good choice for a novice such as myself?

Nice videos by the way. Very helpful!

[mantic59]

rmfarwell- Yes, the Men-U brush is a good brush. The Crabtree & Evelyn "best badger brush" is also a popular choice among novices.

[mantic59]

M1245456- I find it very difficult to use the "massaging" or circular motion that is common with badger hair brushes, flaring the tips out; I have to use a side-to-side "painting" motion.

[avtargill]

@mantic59 Why is it difficult to use a circular motion with a Men-U brush? Is it just as effective at lifting hair and exfoliating skin using the painting technique as a badger brush would be with the circular? I'm curious because I'm thinking about ordering it (my first brush) for the same reason as PolieCat's.

[mantic59]

avtargill- I find the bristles on the Men-U synthetic are much stiffer than other shaving brushes. Perhaps with regular use they would soften up. But yes, you would still get an exfoliating effect even with a painting motion (just maybe not as thorough).

[M1245456]

Hi mantic, I've got the men-u premier brush and I was wondering what u mean in the vid when u say it needs a different lathering technique?

[DemonWolf915]

Another great video. I will certainly keep those sites in mind if/when I decide to upgrade my current brush.

[TheFamousStacie]

You have quite a fabulous shaving brush collection.  Very interesing.

[kbrinks]

mantic59- sorry i didn't connect the big blue bar at the top saying Men-U Premier Synthetic haha. I didn't know they came with the stand. I'll stick to my C&E brush and my coat hanger stand :)

[kbrinks]

@ 1:18 in the video, where would i get a brush holder like that? right now im just using bent hanger wire lol

[mantic59]

kbrinks- That particular holder came with the Men-U brush. Check out some of the websites I reference in my "Intro To Single Blade Shaving, Part 2" video for other brush holders.

[drmossca]

Thank you, Mark, for introducing the VLB to an unsuspecting world!

For BigMilan: use hot water, it won't blunt the blade.

Chris

[theuppercut]

how much would that last one cost?

[mantic59]

You'll have to check the price over at shavemac(dot)com

[twalker294]

It's $200 -- yes, two HUNDRED bucks...

[theuppercut]

haha man baddasssss!

[BigMilan]

1st commnet! yay. your videos are a great help. keep them coming. one question i have (and it might or might not be worth a video in itself)- as you shave does it matter whether you wash the razor in cold or hot water? what's better. i've heard that hot water makes it blunt quicker. :S

[mantic59]

BigMilan- Wow, didn't realize I hadn't answered this question yet, sorry. I haven't heard that hot water makes the razor blunt quicker, though I have read where some people believe rinsing in cold water keeps the blade more stable in the razor. I rinse in hot water and never had a problem with it. *shrug**

[BigMilan]

lol thanx!