Who Else Smashes Their Brushes?

Smashing doesn't make one an evil guy. Shoot Primotenore, you seem like a pleasant sort. Smash that Simpson all you wish. You do make an interesting point though. When I first got a synth (Plisson) it seemed to want to splay and be a bit mashed. As other synths came along it seems they almost demand splaying deeply until sufficient lather is made and retained to keep,them "open". So I guess upon further reflection that I do in fact use synthetics differently than badger and boar. I will mash them about half way until they fill with lather.

Smashing doesn't make one an evil guy.  Shoot Primotenore, you seem like a pleasant sort.  Smash that Simpson all you wish.  You do make an interesting point though.  When I first got a synth (Plisson) it seemed to want to splay and be a bit mashed.  As other synths came along it seems they almost demand splaying deeply until sufficient lather is made and retained to keep,them "open".  So I guess upon further reflection that I do in fact use synthetics differently than badger and boar.  I will mash them about half way until they fill with lather.

Excellent analysis. I concur. I can switch to paintbrush strokes once the knot is loaded.

I feel the density of a knot directly correlates to how much pressure is needed. A thin, floppy knot like a Kent brush or pretty much anything labeled High Mountain White (or even more simplistically a 3-band knot) hardly needs any pressure. Whereas a denser knot with more backbone, your Declarations, Machurians, SHD etc. (A.k.a. 2-band) there should be little worry about causing a permanent crater. They need a bit more pressure or else you're going to take an hour to build up a good lather. Now I'm certainty not advocating for smooshing that handle down until you can feel the resin on your face, but pushing it down 1/3rd to 1/2 of the way and baby, you got a lather goin!

No smasher, here, either. Like others have said, I'll use the required amount of pressure (1/4 - 1/2) on the knot, depending on the thickness of the knot, as well, initially, using circular movements, then finishing mostly with painting ones.

Back in maybe 2007 there was a pictorial (not video) brush review on the biggest shaving forum at that time (and maybe still) where a guy terribly abused a brush. If I remember correctly he practically boiled it. Beat it, smashed it and what not. I don't remember what his point was, but I thought it was bizarre. 

I have only lathered with badgers, and a few boars. I treat my brushes with respect. Gently. I swirl on the puck, and on my face. I do some painting strokes, but prefer the face feeling of swirling. I suspect people who use great pressure on a badger or boar, when lathering will end up with broken bristles before too long.

I'm not saying smashing a brush is evil, per se...unless its done with malicious intent   Kidding, I'm a firm believer in each to his own and if brush smashing works for you then by all means, smash away.  Maybe that's why synthetics haven't really worked for me, not enough smashing.  I definitely splay a little in loading and initial lathering on my face then finish with the painting strokes which I find to be good for me. Brush smashing may also be the reason for those horrific trashed brush pictures I've seen where the bristles are splayed and matted beyond repair.  I've wondered what on earth could have caused such devastation...

There is no doubt that using scuttles/lather bowls with aggressive ridges can damage the bristles - I've posted before about how I stopped using my Dirty Bird and Moss (Sarah Bonnyman I think) scuttles for that reason and how they did, however, accelerate the break in of boar brushes - that in itself is evidence that the aggressive ridges are hard on the bristle tips.  Fine on cheap boars but not so good for "heirloom" badgers.

Funny that Ruds was mentioned as I have often thought the same thing while watching his videos. With that being said, I am not a face smasher either. In fact, I don't smash my brushes into the soaps either; just mild swirling. If I am not picking up enough soap, I add a little more water and problem solved.

I have a second generation Simpson CH2 Synthetic Badger. It refuses to splay unless I give it a good coaxing, i.e. smashing. While I don't smash the brush to the point which the handle touches my skin...it's pretty close. I would never do this with my badgers, because it's simply not necessary. Does this make me a "smasher"? 

Oh and by the way, Primotenore is a most awesome fellow!

There's a weird smash point, especially with bulbs, where the soap and tips work in some kind of suction dance on your face to produce and deposit lather in a lovely massage.

It's < or = the 1/3 Tester28 referenced so I suppose it's 'safe'. In addition I run the brush CCW on the right side and CW on the left in a probably lame effort to untwist any twisting going on.