1. anyone tried using straight coconut oil as preshave? 2. What brush should I try next?

I started with the VDH boar hair... I found I had to work it pretty hard to get a good lather. I now have a tweezerman... It lathers well but it rather scritchy. I'm considering the Omega pro 49 or a horse hair brush. I lather both on my face and in the bowl. Extra points if you use a link for your suggestion.