How to load a gelly brush ?

Hi guys I recently acquired the declaration grooming B10 knot and it's super gelly and struggling to get a great lather from it I find it hard to load the soap and the brush doesn't seem to easily pick up soap. Just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to lather with a gelly brush

With B10, I avoid a typical pre-soak. I dip the knot in warm water for about 10 seconds and start loading.

Additionally, the ease of loading improved after several uses.

Ok I see interesting I normally pre soak all my badger brushes for around 7 minutes, I will try this method out thanks

You'll have to load for longer than usually depending on the consistency of the soap that you are using. Some harder soaps require more time and a bit more 'pressure' with the brush to get the soap onto the brush.
You could always rub the soap on your face and face-lather if the soap can accommodate this. Best way to face lather, in my opinion, as you spend more time with the brush on your face.
Good luck.

Thanks alot yes I do find harder soaps are very hard to load and softer bases work better for gelly brushes. Yes I am a face lather very good point couldn't agree more

... I find it hard to load the soap and the brush doesn't seem to easily pick up soap. ...

I don't have any experience with gelled knots exactly, but something I've been doing recently is to take out a measured amount (a rounded 1/4 teaspoon, about 1.5 ml) of soap (or croap) and smearing it around the bottom of the lather bowl. I don't usually try to load the brush from the puck or tub, except for Williams Mug or a Godrej Shaving Round in an antique scuttle.

If it's a stick soap, then I just "scribble" with it inside the bowl. It helps to have a bumpy-textured bowl.

I also do not often pre-soak the brush (badger, boar, or synthetic). I dip the tip in water and shake it out, then add water to the bowl a few drops at a time while I work it with the brush.

Been using soft and gel knots since my foray back into wet shaving a decade ago. 

1, ALWAYS soak a badger knot, be it DG, Simpson, Mozingo, Kent or any other badger knot.  One exception are synthetics which only require running water

2, When removing excess water from the knot, use the forefinger and thumb to create a circle around the knot gently squeezing out water

3, GENTLY dance the TIPS ONLY across the top of the puck or bowled smeared soap/croap/creme (Do NOT pressure the tips!!)

4, AFTER picking up sufficient soap to appear creamy on the knot (about 60 seconds typically) dip the loaded tips in water continuing to bowl lather for about 2-3 minutes between bouts of adding water by dipping the tips  Repeat the hydration cycle about 3-4 times total until the lather literally exploding akin to yogurt

I use the above lathering technique employing a smooth interiour Baccarat crystal bowl with outstanding results every time irrespective of soap type and brand

It is critical to never pressure a brush, all it does is to deteriorate efficiency and destroy the knot.  It might be in your interest to purchase an inexpensive badger brush until learning how to lather properly; concerned you are destroying an incredible knot

Using the above technique, everything from MWF to MdC to GD to B&M to whatever lathers easily.  Truth told, if one can't lather with a soft knot then there seriously an issue with technique.  Soft knots are far easier to lather than stiff.  Finally, distilled water will help lathering as it eliminates inconsistency of chemical additives in tap water.

Not trying to be snarky, just advising candidly in your best interest

Hi mate thanks alot for the advice, I am a face lather but will definitely take your advice about using light pressure when loading a brush

at least try using distilled water

Using absolutely no pressure is NOT going to help you load enough soap unless you want to be loading for 10 minutes, especially with a super gelly knot like B10. I'm not saying to mash it to the handle, but I don't see how not splaying the brush at all is going to help you build a lather in a reasonable amount of time. I've seen zero evidence that putting any amount of pressure on the knot can "destroy" it.