Item Description
Since this review is for a custom Shavemac, it will vary a lot based on knot size and loft. That said, I have seen a number of Shavemac "Guile" brushes on the boards and thought I would throw up a review based on the specs of my brush.
My Custom Specs:
24mm Knot
43mm Loft
Cocobolo/Nickel handle
Price: 8 - This was at the time of my purchase the most expensive brush I had received. My price was $230 shipped (when the euro was pretty high), but most of that was from the handle. I think a basic acrylic handle would have dropped the brush to the $160 range.
Quality: 10 - I've had this brush for about 3 months and it hasn't shed a single hair. The quality shines through in the handle and completely custom knot size and shape that sets Shavemac in a class of it's own.
Density: 9 - This thing is plenty dense and one of my most dense brushes. However, compared to a Rooney Finest it is less dense so it can't get a perfect rating (then again what is as dense as a Rooney Finest?).
Stiffness: 10 - this is probably going to depend on what loft you set yours at, but the Shavemac D01 2-band hair has plenty of backbone. Mine probably has a lot more because I set the knot extremely low for a super scrubby brush.
Softness: 10 - The tips of the D01 2-band hair are the silkiest and softest tips of any brush I've ever used. Kind of like how there is nothing out there like Rooney Finest hair - I would also say there is nothing out there like Shavemac D01 2-band hair either. This is not a comparison between the two as they are totally different beasts and unique in their own ways.
Ergonomic: NA - This will totally depend on the handle you choose. I absolutely love the wood/nickel handle as it has a lot of heft to it and fits well in my hand (I would rate this handle a 10).
Latherability: 10 - Frankly any brush when properly loaded should have no issues lathering up enough lather for a 3 pass shave. Sure this brush is dense so I just load more product and have no issues.
Overall: There is nothing out there quite like Shavemac's 2-band hair and if you are on the fence, I would get one now before it somehow becomes extinct like Rooney's Finest apparently has. This brush and my Rooney 1/2 Finest are my best overall brushes and probably see 80% of my use. Do yourself a favor if you have the coin and shoot Bernd an email about a custom brush. You won't have any regrets.
Also, since these are custom made let's see your brushes in all their glory!
My Custom Specs:
24mm Knot
43mm Loft
Cocobolo/Nickel handle
Price: 8 - This was at the time of my purchase the most expensive brush I had received. My price was $230 shipped (when the euro was pretty high), but most of that was from the handle. I think a basic acrylic handle would have dropped the brush to the $160 range.
Quality: 10 - I've had this brush for about 3 months and it hasn't shed a single hair. The quality shines through in the handle and completely custom knot size and shape that sets Shavemac in a class of it's own.
Density: 9 - This thing is plenty dense and one of my most dense brushes. However, compared to a Rooney Finest it is less dense so it can't get a perfect rating (then again what is as dense as a Rooney Finest?).
Stiffness: 10 - this is probably going to depend on what loft you set yours at, but the Shavemac D01 2-band hair has plenty of backbone. Mine probably has a lot more because I set the knot extremely low for a super scrubby brush.
Softness: 10 - The tips of the D01 2-band hair are the silkiest and softest tips of any brush I've ever used. Kind of like how there is nothing out there like Rooney Finest hair - I would also say there is nothing out there like Shavemac D01 2-band hair either. This is not a comparison between the two as they are totally different beasts and unique in their own ways.
Ergonomic: NA - This will totally depend on the handle you choose. I absolutely love the wood/nickel handle as it has a lot of heft to it and fits well in my hand (I would rate this handle a 10).
Latherability: 10 - Frankly any brush when properly loaded should have no issues lathering up enough lather for a 3 pass shave. Sure this brush is dense so I just load more product and have no issues.
Overall: There is nothing out there quite like Shavemac's 2-band hair and if you are on the fence, I would get one now before it somehow becomes extinct like Rooney's Finest apparently has. This brush and my Rooney 1/2 Finest are my best overall brushes and probably see 80% of my use. Do yourself a favor if you have the coin and shoot Bernd an email about a custom brush. You won't have any regrets.
Also, since these are custom made let's see your brushes in all their glory!
