This page intends to document the different shapes of the shaving brush. The hair can be bulb shaped or fan shaped and cause different results. This page intends to be part of the Interactive Guide to the Shaving Brushes.

There are currently 2 different shapes used for a shaving brush. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

• Bulb Shaped
• Fan Shaped

Regardless of which shape is recommended for either bowl lathering or face lathering, keep in mind that a bulb shape or fan shape is a preference. Also, keep in mind that the knot and loft will influence the performance of the brush... Finally, some use both styles (Fan/Bulb) with the same size knot/loft and find the difference to be subjective in terms of feel with no real difference in efficacy. So, keep in mind that a Bulb or Fan shaped shaving brush is not a guaranteed success.

The Bulb shaped brush is rounder and has shorter hair around the knot. According to some, a bulb shaped brush gives more precision when applying lather. A bulb shape can add more backbone to a shaving brush.

The Fan shaped brush is more of a triangle shape where hairs are the same length. According to some, fan shaped brushes are better for face lathering. This type of shape will load better on a shaving soap as more bristles are kept in contact with the soap. Some will find it too floppy and dense (depending how high the loft is, of course).

Interactive Guide to the Shaving Brushes
Loft
Knot

1. ^B&B Source - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...hort-loft-Shavemac-users.?p=960946#post960946
2. ^B&B Thread: Bulb shaped vs. fan shaped--which and why? - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/112724
3. ^B&B Thread: Difference in Bulb vs. Fan shaped brush - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/196220
4. ^B&B Thread: bulb vs. fan shape for face lathering? - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/138981
5. ^B&B Thread: Bulb v. Fan - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/170935
6. ^B&B Thread: Bulb vs fan shaped brushes - what's the difference? - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/145487