Item Description
I have been using this custom made brush from Shavemac for over a week now since I wanted to make sure to give the right review.
I've noticed that when receiving a new brush one is so ecstatic that there's never ever anything wrong to tell about the new brush. After several uses and some more shaves it's easier to analyze a new brush imo.
The silvertip badger hair used for this brush is a special higher grade hair only available through special request.
I did receive news from Bernd about this special grade hair. He is trying really hard to be able to deliver the higher grade badger hair to some of his customers. Apparently it's a very rare quality hair and not easy to get on a regular basis. It's mostly going to be available in limited editions. Bernd is able to get another small batch of the same quality hair from his supplier pretty soon but prices will rise because of the rarity and changing currency values. I paid a 20% premium over his regular sold silvertip brushes so I expect the new brushes to have a premium of 25-30%.
At first I was having difficulties to get the water/cream/soap ratio going. The brush is very dense with very thick hair and a knot size of 23mm. The hair height is about 50mm-52mm. As you can see the brush hasn't bloomed very much. The handle is faux horn and is really beautiful. I wished it was a little taller since I like handles to be above 50mm in height to feel really comfortable. The handle stands 45mm high.
The hair and tips are the softest I've ever encountered in close to 3 decades of shaving. Extremely luxurious. Not scritchy or scratchy at all. Pure decadence. This feels like driving a Rolls Royce. The brush is stiff enough but not as stiff as a Rooney 3/1. It has plenty of backbone, isn't floppy at all partly because the shorter loft and density.
I tried the brush with several creams and brushes and I would say it works equally well with both but it excels at creams. Since I really had a hard time figuring out the perfect water/cream/soap ratio with this brush I spend literally trying out dozens of different ways. First let me say that I have tremendous hard water. I also used distilled water. It could be that you are going to have a different experience with this brush so take it for what it's worth.
The trick for me for using this brush is to soak it in water (It can really hold a LOT of water). When I'm done soaking the brush I squeeze the base of the hair shaft with my thumb and forefinger to remove all water, lightly flick the remainder of the brush and try to keep some water at the very top of the hair tips. I then start lathering but I make sure not to use to much pressure. By using not to much pressure the lather beautifully stays on the brush and slowly works its way into the brush. When using to much pressure the lather actually gets to deep into the brush and you constantly need to squeeze it out. By applying light pressure the brush works wonders.
If you're into real face brushing and like the feel of a scrubbing toothbrush then this is not the brush for you. If you like the feel of a very LUXURIOUS brush, able to gently face lather or paint brush then this is your brush. I don't consider this a pure soap brush like some of the Rooney's or Simpson's which are chosen for their stiffer hair, scritchy and scrubbing characteristics. This brush is designed to enjoy the softest most luxurious shave with the option to face or bowl lather and truly feel the luxury.
It's a wonderful brush and the premium you pay is for the hair quality. No doubt. It takes a while to find the right combination to make this brush work. Some might have it easier and some will maybe struggle a bit.
Once you find the right combination you can truly enjoy the characteristics that this brush gives. A very soft, luxurious feeling and a limited edition brush that makes it somewhat special to own.
The discussion thread for this brush is here
The shavemac next to my SR 3722
The shavemac used with MWF
Shavemac pics.
Shavemac compared to SR3120
I've noticed that when receiving a new brush one is so ecstatic that there's never ever anything wrong to tell about the new brush. After several uses and some more shaves it's easier to analyze a new brush imo.
The silvertip badger hair used for this brush is a special higher grade hair only available through special request.
I did receive news from Bernd about this special grade hair. He is trying really hard to be able to deliver the higher grade badger hair to some of his customers. Apparently it's a very rare quality hair and not easy to get on a regular basis. It's mostly going to be available in limited editions. Bernd is able to get another small batch of the same quality hair from his supplier pretty soon but prices will rise because of the rarity and changing currency values. I paid a 20% premium over his regular sold silvertip brushes so I expect the new brushes to have a premium of 25-30%.
At first I was having difficulties to get the water/cream/soap ratio going. The brush is very dense with very thick hair and a knot size of 23mm. The hair height is about 50mm-52mm. As you can see the brush hasn't bloomed very much. The handle is faux horn and is really beautiful. I wished it was a little taller since I like handles to be above 50mm in height to feel really comfortable. The handle stands 45mm high.
The hair and tips are the softest I've ever encountered in close to 3 decades of shaving. Extremely luxurious. Not scritchy or scratchy at all. Pure decadence. This feels like driving a Rolls Royce. The brush is stiff enough but not as stiff as a Rooney 3/1. It has plenty of backbone, isn't floppy at all partly because the shorter loft and density.
I tried the brush with several creams and brushes and I would say it works equally well with both but it excels at creams. Since I really had a hard time figuring out the perfect water/cream/soap ratio with this brush I spend literally trying out dozens of different ways. First let me say that I have tremendous hard water. I also used distilled water. It could be that you are going to have a different experience with this brush so take it for what it's worth.
The trick for me for using this brush is to soak it in water (It can really hold a LOT of water). When I'm done soaking the brush I squeeze the base of the hair shaft with my thumb and forefinger to remove all water, lightly flick the remainder of the brush and try to keep some water at the very top of the hair tips. I then start lathering but I make sure not to use to much pressure. By using not to much pressure the lather beautifully stays on the brush and slowly works its way into the brush. When using to much pressure the lather actually gets to deep into the brush and you constantly need to squeeze it out. By applying light pressure the brush works wonders.
If you're into real face brushing and like the feel of a scrubbing toothbrush then this is not the brush for you. If you like the feel of a very LUXURIOUS brush, able to gently face lather or paint brush then this is your brush. I don't consider this a pure soap brush like some of the Rooney's or Simpson's which are chosen for their stiffer hair, scritchy and scrubbing characteristics. This brush is designed to enjoy the softest most luxurious shave with the option to face or bowl lather and truly feel the luxury.
It's a wonderful brush and the premium you pay is for the hair quality. No doubt. It takes a while to find the right combination to make this brush work. Some might have it easier and some will maybe struggle a bit.
Once you find the right combination you can truly enjoy the characteristics that this brush gives. A very soft, luxurious feeling and a limited edition brush that makes it somewhat special to own.
The discussion thread for this brush is here
The shavemac next to my SR 3722
The shavemac used with MWF
Shavemac pics.
Shavemac compared to SR3120
