Brush Help

[Clark]

I have been wet shaving for about 11 months now and am enjoying every minute of it. I am looking to upgrade my brush. My thought was that I wanted a brush that was more stiff than soft. The idea is that a stiffer brush would lift and beard and message the face allowing for the soap or cream to be place better in the whiskers.

Not sure who created this site but it is fantastic and am enjoying all the information.


Thanks!

Clark

[Austin]

Clark, welcome to the forum. I really like the shavemac brushes that some of the members have. Perhaps someone with a shavemac will comment.

[gage0921]

I have only one brush as well so cant really coment on this one but welcome aboard!!

[rtaylor61]

Clark,

Welcome to the forum. It might help if we knew what brush you are currently using.

Randy

[Scotto]

Clark,

Welcome to B&B! The brush experts will chime in if you tell them what you have now. Shavemac was mentioned as a good resource for firmer yet flexible bristles, and I would concur with that.

As for "lifting the whiskers", I think that is pretty much an old wives tale. Choose what feels good on your face and you'll be fine. I have a Savile Row in super badger which is very soft, and a Shavemac which is firmer. I like them both equally.

[Clark]

I just checked my brush and it is a Saville Row Super Badger very soft. I am looking for something that is a little more firm.


Thanks

Clark

[rtaylor61]

Clark,

I have a Saville Row 241 and I agree, they are very soft. My opinion would be to check out the Shavemac options (www.shavemac.com). I have the Shavemac #181 and a custom Shavemac (the SMF brush), and find that they are a bit firmer, yet still very luxurious.

Randy

[drP]

Clark,

If you want to stick with badger brushes then Shavemac is your choice; especially the bigger brushes as f.i. the #436, #220 and #167 are abundantly filled with bristles of a rather stiff kind, yet soft to the skin.
More stiffnes you can find in a boar bristle brush, but....that's another forumsite :wink: let's not even think about it!!!

Peter

[Cliff]

I'm new to the site so forgive me if this has already been answered but, what does everyone like about the Shavemac brushes? I currently have Simpsons and an Jager but I 'hear' a lot about these Shavemac brushes and was wondering what makes them so good?

[Scotto]

I'm new to the site so forgive me if this has already been answered but, what does everyone like about the Shavemac brushes? I currently have Simpsons and an Jager but I 'hear' a lot about these Shavemac brushes and was wondering what makes them so good?

Hi Cliff. Shavemac makes brushes that are incredibly densely packed. Compare these:

Shavemac:
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=147
Savile Row:
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=141
http://www.shavemyface.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10227/normal_IMG_0993_5_1.JPG

The bristles on Shavemac also have a peculiar quality of being very soft on the face, but firm. A very nice sensation when lathering.

Hope this helps

[guenron]

I'm new to the site so forgive me if this has already been answered but, what does everyone like about the Shavemac brushes? I currently have Simpsons and an Jager but I 'hear' a lot about these Shavemac brushes and was wondering what makes them so good?
Greetings Cliff,
The Shavemac brushes have had a combination of price and quality that makes them very attractive. The badger used in the XXL and XL seems to have that extra firmness (I call it the scritchy factor) that some gents find most desireable.

[DoubleE]

Clark, Cliff:
I just received a brush this week made by Shavemac and purchased from Em's place. http://www.emsplace.com/. I also have a Vulfix 2235 which is very soft and has a different feel than the Shavemac. Like someone mentioned earlier, the Shavemac is more densly packed and feels firmer on your skin. I find I must shake more water from my Shavemac or my lather is too runny. I've not found the right combination yet of water to soap. Both brushes are excellent and it comes down to personal preference.

It seems I have a harder time getting the lather out of the Shavemac and onto my face. It builds a great lather but it seems to retreat towards the handle more than my Vulfix. It may be operator error!! :confused:

Jerry

[Cliff]

Thanks to all for the info. Looks like what the Dr. ordered, I like a slightly firmer brush, like my Simpson Harvard 4 (best badger). I have a silvertip Edwin Jager that is too much like a floor mop on my face, looks like Shavemac would be a great addition to the rotation.

Thanks, Cliff