A shaving brush or shave brush is a small brush with a handle parallel to the bristles used to make lather from shaving soap or shaving cream and apply it to the face when shaving. Shave brushes are often decorative; antique handles are often made from materials such as ivory or even gold, though the bristle load may be composed of any number of natural or synthetic materials. The shave brush is used most often today by "wet shavers" in tandem with a single- or double-edged safety razor or a straight razor. However, this is not always the case, as shavers of all varieties may employ the tool.
Shaving brush
Shaving brushes in a barber supply shop in London.
Soft soap is worked into a foam by vigorously working the soap with a wet brush and then applied to the face or other area to be shaved.
Super badger
Shaving soap is a hard soap that is used to produce lather with a shaving brush. The lather it produces is used to coat the face during shaving, softening the hair in preparation for shaving.
A puck of shaving soap in a ceramic bowl
Colgate shaving soap stick container from the 1930s
Shave sticks packaged in foil and paper.