Item Description
I apologize in advance for not having any pics of this brush. If I had a digicam, you guys would've gotten a full run-down of the lathering fun I had upon receiving it.
These are the new brushes that Charles has had in the making for about two years now. They are finally available to the public, and are available at very low prices in a variety of hair grades (Pure, Best and Silvertip), knot sizes (20mm, 22mm and 24mm). This review is for the 24mm brush, which the stock photo shows for the review.
More information concerning prices, hair grade, sizing and handle type can be viewed here: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=740166#post740166
Let me start by saying that I am by no means a brush connoisseur that many of you gentlemen are, so take this with as many grains of salt as you see fit. However, I don't think anyone needs to use thousands of dollars worth of brushes to see that this is a high quality piece of shaving equipment.
The dimensions of the brush may be found in the thread linked previously, and the diameter of the brush in full bloom is about 85mm. This is not what I'd call a huge brush, but it's certainly not a small brush either. At first, I thought I wanted a small brush but I've been very happy with my decision this far and the brush is not too big at all. The ONLY issue that I see with this is that if you're lathering from a bowl of soap, you may get some spill-over. But that's pretty obvious, isn't it?
Price - Easy 10 here. Take a look at the prices. You'd be very hard-pressed to find a high quality brush for any less than that. Everyone knows Charles is very picky, and he doesn't compromise quality at any expense. The cost of my brush was a mere $51. I could see myself spending much more than that and still being perfectly happy with my purchase. Prices start at a mere $27 for a Pure 20mm, all the way to $65 for a 24mm Silvertip. Very, very reasonable, and for the money I feel it blows a C&E BBB or comparable brush out of the water.
Quality - No skimping. The handle has a very nice hefty feel to it, and it just feels like you're holding a high-quality piece of equipment. The knot is very tight. The brush is just beautiful fully bloomed, and though these are intended in no way to be a replacement for the Savile Row brushes they have a similar profile. I also would like to add that it seems the "Best" quality hair in this brush is superior to that of the "Best" hair in the C&E.
Density - Again, I don't have a whole lot to compare it to but density is not lacking. Not overly dense at all, mind you.
Stiffness - The tips have a fair amount of stiffness and spring to them. It's certainly not floppy, and works just as well with soaps as with creams.
Softness - Despite the "Best" grade, these tips are pretty damned soft. The C&E Best is quite a bit pricklier, IMO. Feels amazing on the face, yet the stiffness keeps it from being overly soft.
Ergonomic - I find this brush extremely comfortable and efficient for loading soaps. I have rather large hands, and the handle isn't too small at all.
Latherability - My favorite part
. Despite the handle being especially ergonomic for soaps, this brush whips up creams just as well. This brush holds quite a bit of water, but I can create superfluous amounts of rich, thick lather with conservative amounts of product. This is not what I normally do 
, I am normally quite generous with product, this was just to give her a go. Loads up on soaps quick as lightning, and transforms that pre-lather into gorgeous shave-able goodness quickly as it hits your face or your bowl.
I hope I've given you a decent rundown of the new QED Select from Charles. Again, it is obvious that Charles really put his heart and soul into offering an affordable yet highly effective and high-quality brush at a very affordable price.
I've lost probably a dozen hairs overall in the first couple days, but none since. Mind you I whipped up probably 20 bowls of redundant lather the first day. I told myself I was going to purchase an SR3824 after this, but if the brush keeps performing the way it does I will see no need. No, I'm probably lying, I'll probably end up with one anyway .
Charles is apparently getting a new site with these brushes on there, but it's one of those things I'd have to see to believe 
. You may have to contact him via phone or e-mail in the meantime.
Here's the discussion thread: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=748081#post748081
These are the new brushes that Charles has had in the making for about two years now. They are finally available to the public, and are available at very low prices in a variety of hair grades (Pure, Best and Silvertip), knot sizes (20mm, 22mm and 24mm). This review is for the 24mm brush, which the stock photo shows for the review.
More information concerning prices, hair grade, sizing and handle type can be viewed here: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=740166#post740166
Let me start by saying that I am by no means a brush connoisseur that many of you gentlemen are, so take this with as many grains of salt as you see fit. However, I don't think anyone needs to use thousands of dollars worth of brushes to see that this is a high quality piece of shaving equipment.
The dimensions of the brush may be found in the thread linked previously, and the diameter of the brush in full bloom is about 85mm. This is not what I'd call a huge brush, but it's certainly not a small brush either. At first, I thought I wanted a small brush but I've been very happy with my decision this far and the brush is not too big at all. The ONLY issue that I see with this is that if you're lathering from a bowl of soap, you may get some spill-over. But that's pretty obvious, isn't it?
Price - Easy 10 here. Take a look at the prices. You'd be very hard-pressed to find a high quality brush for any less than that. Everyone knows Charles is very picky, and he doesn't compromise quality at any expense. The cost of my brush was a mere $51. I could see myself spending much more than that and still being perfectly happy with my purchase. Prices start at a mere $27 for a Pure 20mm, all the way to $65 for a 24mm Silvertip. Very, very reasonable, and for the money I feel it blows a C&E BBB or comparable brush out of the water.
Quality - No skimping. The handle has a very nice hefty feel to it, and it just feels like you're holding a high-quality piece of equipment. The knot is very tight. The brush is just beautiful fully bloomed, and though these are intended in no way to be a replacement for the Savile Row brushes they have a similar profile. I also would like to add that it seems the "Best" quality hair in this brush is superior to that of the "Best" hair in the C&E.
Density - Again, I don't have a whole lot to compare it to but density is not lacking. Not overly dense at all, mind you.
Stiffness - The tips have a fair amount of stiffness and spring to them. It's certainly not floppy, and works just as well with soaps as with creams.
Softness - Despite the "Best" grade, these tips are pretty damned soft. The C&E Best is quite a bit pricklier, IMO. Feels amazing on the face, yet the stiffness keeps it from being overly soft.
Ergonomic - I find this brush extremely comfortable and efficient for loading soaps. I have rather large hands, and the handle isn't too small at all.
Latherability - My favorite part
. Despite the handle being especially ergonomic for soaps, this brush whips up creams just as well. This brush holds quite a bit of water, but I can create superfluous amounts of rich, thick lather with conservative amounts of product. This is not what I normally do , I am normally quite generous with product, this was just to give her a go. Loads up on soaps quick as lightning, and transforms that pre-lather into gorgeous shave-able goodness quickly as it hits your face or your bowl. I hope I've given you a decent rundown of the new QED Select from Charles. Again, it is obvious that Charles really put his heart and soul into offering an affordable yet highly effective and high-quality brush at a very affordable price.
I've lost probably a dozen hairs overall in the first couple days, but none since. Mind you I whipped up probably 20 bowls of redundant lather the first day
. I told myself I was going to purchase an SR3824 after this, but if the brush keeps performing the way it does I will see no need. No, I'm probably lying, I'll probably end up with one anyway . Charles is apparently getting a new site with these brushes on there
, but it's one of those things I'd have to see to believe . You may have to contact him via phone or e-mail in the meantime.Here's the discussion thread: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=748081#post748081
