Review of the Yaqi Moka Express (24mm Mew Brown knot)
- Thread starter Cristobal
- Start date
The brush is here. 2 pieces left.
I forgot to add the link. The brush is now in the starting price. 23$
Great looking handle, and they have it on Amazon, May just get it
The context
I have been waiting for this brush with impatience for several months, as soon as I saw it on Yaqi’s Facebook page. As far as I know, the idea of this brush came from an Italian client designer by trade and the handle of the brush is inspired by the Moka express coffee maker invented in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti. After producing a certain number of prototypes, Yaqi was able to present it among their novelties at the Cosmoprof fair in Milan in March of this year.
Les moustaches de Renato Bialetti | La tentation du regard par françois chevret
The knot
Its color in English is "mew brown", which is still hard to understand for me (mew + brown do not really make sense if literally translated). Anyway, the fibres that form it are the same (BASF type) as those used in other knots produced by Yaqi (Tuxedo and the like, with the exception of the Black Fibre). Its diameter is 24 mm for a height of 53 mm (manufacturer data); I have not checked the measurements, but they seem accurate in regard with the stocky aspect of the knot.
The handle
This is the piece de résistance: the homage to Bialetti and his coffee maker of which shapes and proportions were scrupulously respected. However, what triggered the impulse buy is the resin used, which imitates horn perfectly. The amber color and the transparency give a vintage touch of the most beautiful effect, giving off simplicity and sophistication.
Performance
These are just first impressions, but overall, the brush behaves like any other Yaqi brushes that I have tested (Tuxedo and Black Fibre): easy lathering and abundant lather without much effort. Important note: the glue bump is much lower than in Tuxedo knots, resulting in too much stiffness; it is also the reason why I sold all my Tuxedos for a Black Fibre brush, whose the backbone is much more acceptable. In conclusion, the behavior of the Mew Brown knot is very similar to the Black Fibre.
Downsides (for now)
The knots does lose some hairs; I only built two lathers, but the knot lost two to three fibres each time. No big deal, but if the shedding persists, I will contact Yaqi.
Conclusion
Despite the slight price increases of the beginning of the year, the purchase of this Yaqi brush still remains (for how long?) an excellent value for money (£18.50 shipped, about €20, delivered in 10 days with tracking and signature).
Moreover, Yaqi does not fail to stand out (diversification with razors), as much by the price as the originality of their brushes, always renewing their range regularly. Definitely a brush that makes you want to use it and shave.
To be continued ...
On West Coast Shaving it says the 2 band is 26mm, is the Synthetic 24mm?
The context
I have been waiting for this brush with impatience for several months, as soon as I saw it on Yaqi’s Facebook page. As far as I know, the idea of this brush came from an Italian client designer by trade and the handle of the brush is inspired by the Moka express coffee maker invented in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti. After producing a certain number of prototypes, Yaqi was able to present it among their novelties at the Cosmoprof fair in Milan in March of this year.
Les moustaches de Renato Bialetti | La tentation du regard par françois chevret
The knot
Its color in English is "mew brown", which is still hard to understand for me (mew + brown do not really make sense if literally translated). Anyway, the fibres that form it are the same (BASF type) as those used in other knots produced by Yaqi (Tuxedo and the like, with the exception of the Black Fibre). Its diameter is 24 mm for a height of 53 mm (manufacturer data); I have not checked the measurements, but they seem accurate in regard with the stocky aspect of the knot.
The handle
This is the piece de résistance: the homage to Bialetti and his coffee maker of which shapes and proportions were scrupulously respected. However, what triggered the impulse buy is the resin used, which imitates horn perfectly. The amber color and the transparency give a vintage touch of the most beautiful effect, giving off simplicity and sophistication.
Performance
These are just first impressions, but overall, the brush behaves like any other Yaqi brushes that I have tested (Tuxedo and Black Fibre): easy lathering and abundant lather without much effort. Important note: the glue bump is much lower than in Tuxedo knots, resulting in too much stiffness; it is also the reason why I sold all my Tuxedos for a Black Fibre brush, whose the backbone is much more acceptable. In conclusion, the behavior of the Mew Brown knot is very similar to the Black Fibre.
Downsides (for now)
The knots does lose some hairs; I only built two lathers, but the knot lost two to three fibres each time. No big deal, but if the shedding persists, I will contact Yaqi.
Conclusion
Despite the slight price increases of the beginning of the year, the purchase of this Yaqi brush still remains (for how long?) an excellent value for money (£18.50 shipped, about €20, delivered in 10 days with tracking and signature).
Moreover, Yaqi does not fail to stand out (diversification with razors), as much by the price as the originality of their brushes, always renewing their range regularly. Definitely a brush that makes you want to use it and shave.
To be continued ...
Cool brush!
Yes.
I have it about two years. Great backbone, tips were scrubby for the first 5 shaves. Then they became very soft.
can you please post the amazon link? I can’t find it
My friend, don't bother, get it directly from Yaqi, 20 euros with free shipping.
€ 20,05 20%OFF | Yaqi 26mm Moka Express Two Band Badger Hair Men's Beard Shaving Brush
35.8US $ |Yaqi 26mm Moka Express Two Band Badger Hair Men's Beard Shaving Brush - Shaving Brushes - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
Just hurry up, the discount lasts for 1 more day.
My friend, don't bother, get it directly from Yaqi, 20 euros with free shipping.
€ 20,05 20%OFF | Yaqi 26mm Moka Express Two Band Badger Hair Men's Beard Shaving Brush
35.8US $ |Yaqi 26mm Moka Express Two Band Badger Hair Men's Beard Shaving Brush - Shaving Brushes - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.coma.aliexpress.com
Just hurry up, the discount lasts for 1 more day.
Done! Thanks! my first order from aliexpres, let’s see how it goes. What’s the difference between $6 and $20 yaqi synthetic? What’s their flagship model?
14.86US $ |26mm Yaqi Timber Wolf Color Synthetic Hair Shaving Brush - Shaving Brushes - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
20.86US $ |Yaqi 26mm Mysterious Space Color Handle Tuxedo Shaving Brush For Mens - Shaving Brushes - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
Great news. Well done! You won't regret it.Done! Thanks! my first order from aliexpres, let’s see how it goes. What’s the difference between $6 and $20 yaqi synthetic? What’s their flagship model?
14.86US $ |26mm Yaqi Timber Wolf Color Synthetic Hair Shaving Brush - Shaving Brushes - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.comwww.aliexpress.com
20.86US $ |Yaqi 26mm Mysterious Space Color Handle Tuxedo Shaving Brush For Mens - Shaving Brushes - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.comwww.aliexpress.com
Their flagship is the Tuxedo knot, but the Timberwolf is better in my opinion. Most of my brushes are Tuxedos but I strongly believe that the Timberwolf 26mm is an overall better knot. Probably the best from Yaqi.
As for the badger Moka, you won't find something better in this price. Believe me.
The price difference you see means nothing. It is just a discount. Between these two I would choose the first one, the Timberwolf.
thanks I ordered the Timberwolf too!
I have both the 24mm synth and the 26mm two-band - and the Synth blows the badger brush (pardon the pun) out of the water performance wise. I have owned both for about 18 months, and I use the synth nearly every day.
So, did I make a good choice getting the Moka Synthetic as well?
Is it the same as the Synbad right?Yes You did
The Moka Mew Brown is one of my favorite synths.
Yes and maybe not. Same fibers but I've read APShaveCo get custom denser knots from Yaqi. It may be true or not, i'm not sure.
