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Kim Son Horn Handle Silvertip Brush

Price: I got this off the B/S/T for a lower price, but I'd say it'd be a good deal even at full price. For ~$50 for black horn, it's solid competition for the New Forest 2211 (as soft, mid-range silvertips go), and you can get other neat horn patterns for prices up to about $100 (~$70 for the normal, yellow-black pattern, which is what I have).

Quality: I don't have any problems. As I say, mine came to me in used condition, so I can't comment on initial shedding and the like, but it's been a solid, wonderful brush for me. The handle is the real selling point -- real horn for a price that won't break the bank -- and, surprisingly, the knot doesn't disappoint. Though, of course, you could always just get the handle and supply your own knot from TGN or the like.

Density: Not bad at all. Not as dense as my Simpson's Eagle, of course, but much denser than my Fendrihan silvertip. It's about on part with the New Forest. I got it for bowl-lathering creams, so I haven't really tried face lathering with it, but it'd certainly work. It wouldn't be a face-lathering beast like the Simpson, but it certainly would be serviceable for a face lather.

Stiffness of tips: This isn't a scrubby brush, and doesn't pretend to be. It's soft and pillowy, and the stiffness of the tips is nothing to write home about. However, I haven't experienced any problems with it either, and I didn't buy a silvertip to be a scrubbing monster. Is it "floppy"? A little...depends on what you're looking for. It's got its niche, and stiffness isn't it.

Softness of tips: It's soft. Really, really soft. I haven't used a Kent or Rooney, so I haven't really felt the benchmark of soft brushes, but it's soft enough that I can't feel any scritching, which is enough for me.

Ergonomic: Aside from the horn handle, this is the Kimson's real triumph over the New Forest in the realm of midrange silvertips. Whereas the New Forest feels cheap and is kind of uncomfortable to palm, the Kimson feels great no matter how you hold it, and the handle works perfectly for me. It's a great, classic design.

Latherability: No complaints here!

Overall: It's soft, it's luxurious, and it feels like a quality item. Similarly priced brushes (like the New Forest I keep comparing it to) feel like they've cut corners to get to their price point, whereas the KimSon feels like the real deal. Highly recommended.
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^ You are messing up the average, try pm'ing someone
D
where do i get these from??/\
and in how much $$$$$$$$???
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This brush is a surprise for me, not only for the handle that is perfect and nice , but the knot is excellent too, very soft tips with the needed backbone.

The tips are very soft, but the brush performs very well, the handle look luxurious. I don't have used it with hard soap, but with creams and soft soaps is superb.

The kimson at work
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The brush compared vs a superbadger and a Plisson pure badger
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The handle have the perfect shape and I like the bulb shape of the knot. Is a dense brush and requires more cream or soap and water than other brushes that I have but it gives a large amount of lather,
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After using this brush for six weeks I must say I'm VERY satisfied and impressed - particularly for the price.

The handle is beautifully crafted from real horn and polishes right back up to its original shine with ease.

The price can't be beat, especially considering a natural horn brush from any of the brand names easily runs at least $225 and this brush can, in my opinion give many of them a good run for their money.

Lather making ability really surprised me, although I didn't realize its full potential at first. The first time or two using the brush I noticed that just a bit less lather forming in my bowl than I was used to. But the moment I stopped pussyfooting around and started to actually work the lather into my beard I instantly noticed why - the brush was holding onto in it's bristles and quickly began to let go of it while I worked on my cheeks.

This was very pleasant surprise. I thought it's slightly larger size and moderate backbone meant it would be relegated to bowl lathering and wouldn't do well with face lathering. Was I ever wrong. It did a great job of face lathering for me as well. So I'd say this baby is good to go in either the bowl or on your cheeks.

As far as tip softness and stiffness go, I find it VERY luxurious. Soft enough to leave you with absolutely no doubt you're lathering with a silvertip. Stiff enough (in terms of backbone) for a good face lather yet no hint of scratchiness at the tips whatsoever.

All in all, I'm quite impressed and very happy. I find both the craftsmanship of the handle and the quality of knot to be very good - and, if I had need of a second brush, would pick up another one in a heartbeat. As for the price, in my opinion this puppy can easily run with the big dogs, and yet for less than half the cost.

Miscellaneous notes:
  • When I purchased mine, postal shipping ran about $8 and reached Virginia in 10 days. Expedited shipping was also available - via DHL I believe (but I'm not certain).
  • Email communication with the vendor was very good both in terms of order status, shipment notification, and response to a pre-order question.
  • Loft: 51 mm
  • Knot: 24 mm
  • Handle height: 49 mm

All in all, when it comes to a natural horn handle silvertip brush that's classy, sumptuous, and affordable, I think a Kimson brush is WELL worth the money.

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How long did it take to get these brushes?

Thanks, olefolks
Just in from Viet Nam, my new Kim Son silvertip badger brushes with abalone and pearl inlays on the base of the handles. One is black (water buffalo) horn and the other is a lighter brown marble horn with colors that swirl with a semi-translucent effect. The quality of the brush is very solid. The knot is hand-tied from a top Asian company. These are medium sized brushes measuring 25mm in diameter with a tall 58 mm loft. The handle is well-polished and the bristles are very beautiful and bushy. Water retention is perfect making them able to handle soaps and creams equally well. The backbone of the well packed knot is enough to keep it from being floppy with luxurious softness in the silvertip head. I purchased the black horn brush and paid $50 plus $8 shipping from Viet Nam. You would expect to pay over 3 times that amount for this quality. Mr. Kim Son was very generous and included the second marble horn brush because I said I was going to write a review on B&B. Mr. Kim Son is a pleasure to do business with and will do any customizations you might want with the inlay process. All brushes are custom made. Here are pictures of my beautiful new brushes:
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I just received my Kimson black horn handle brush with silvertip badger bristles. It is at least the equal of my Crabtree and Evelyn super badger brush with stainless steel handle (for which I spent about $100) in every respect. I paid $50 plus $8 shipping from Viet Nam. It is wonderfully soft and lathers very well. The handle is well-polished, and the brush is very beautiful. In size it is nearly the same as Edwin Jagger medium brush. It is a great value for the money and I highly recommend this company.
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Specs:

Handle:50mm
Loft:58mm
Knot: 25mm

It is a well packed knot. The hair isn't as firm as a Rooney, but it isn't floppy either. After using the brush about half a dozen times, it seems closest to a Kent T12 I had except the tips were much softer. The hair also has a bit of a velvety draw similar to my B&B Essential. No glue channel that can be felt, btw. The brush has only shed 3 hairs and those were from the first and second use.

A very nice brush for $80.

Kim Son also has some other styles of horn available for ~$50-$100.

If you are looking for a genuine horn handled brush for under $100 this is a great offer (and possibly the only way) to get one.

Mr. Kim Son was very generous and included a horn hair comb in my order. I shave my head so I was not able to use the gift but instead passed on the generosity to my Dad who really appreciated it.
This Brush, from Kim Son Handicrafts in Viet Nam, is new on the market. Up to now, Kim Son has only supplied horn handles, but now they've decided to go whole hog and supply a finished brush.

The handles are, of course, hand carved and polished Water Buffalo horn. The quality on this handle is lovely--deep colors swirl in the semi-translucent material. The handle is one piece except for an inset plate on the base, which I think is standard as the horn itself is hollow.

The knot is, according to Vu Kim Son, hand-tied from and Indian company. The knot is quite large--I measure it at around 25mm, with a tall 52 mm. loft. This is a big brush, and the knot is fairly dense. It has good backbone, and was able to handle soaps and creams equally well. The water retention is just right and the tips are smooth and soft--no trimming here. I would have preferred a bit more backbone, but then I am a boar fan, so I have yet to meet a badger that satisfied in this regard.

The quality of the brush is very solid. I can't compare it to the top end brushes, but it is every bit as well made as the Simpsons Duke 3 I tried, and was more satisfactory to use than the Shavemac finest I tried.

It shed a total of 5 hairs in the 10 times I used it, shaving and test lathering. It hasn't shed any for the last three tries, so I don't think shedding will be a problem.

Overall, I have no hesitation recommending this brush for those looking for something a little more aesthetically pleasing in a new brush, especially at this price point ($79 for a horn handled silvertip!).

Give Kim Son Handicrafts a try!
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