Vulfix 404 Bristle/Badger

I feel this is quite a unique brush, and I will explain why. The boar/badger mixed knot is not popular commercially, and so far I feel is not popular among the B&B community. This is a tragedy to a very versatile brush. The 404 Grosvenor has, quite possibly, the best handle shape in the history of human civilization. It does not have the drama and grace of the Morris & Forndran, or the elegant simplicity of the famous VDH boar that comes with the beginner's starter kit, but it fits easily in the hand and the double-ring provides an easy spot for the fingers to grip. It is large, chunky, and heavy, providing heft and a comfortable weight.

Right out of the box the badger/bristle knot is stiff enough to paint a fence, but the boar tips quickly split and soften nicely. Once the knot breaks in and blooms, the tips are surprisingly soft. The backbone is comparable to a stiff boar, but with tips as soft as a badger brush.

This brush has a lot of scritch, but surprisingly no scratch. There is a LOT of backbone though. The knot isn't that dense, and doesn't hold that much water. I have found that once it is broken in, it doesn't take that much longer to whip up lather than with a full-badger brush.

To me, this brush is too large to be a regular choice for a travel brush but still fits into the Simpson travel tube, so I suppose it would still work for that purpose.

I find myself hard-pressed to find negative points about this brush, but I will do what I can. It isn't as luxuriously soft as other, more expensive brushes, but it mills through soaps like a buzz-saw. I have tried tilting the handle every which way I can, and it stubbornly refuses to dispense whiskey, no matter how much I curse and yell at it. Neither does it courteously greet me each time I enter the bathroom, and bid me a good day each time I leave. What a terrible brush!

I pulled it out of the box & fell in love with the handle immediately. It's heavy & large. Weighted well with the knot. My 1st brush was a synthetic which held more water, but was very floppy. I wanted something with more backbone but not the stiff scratch of a boar. Sure the badger will be softer & hold more water, but hey, I want to attack that hard soap.

I bowl lather with a Dirty Bird Scuttle (great purchase) & this brush produces more lather than I can ever use. A very nice backbone & after the 30 day break in................ it's very soft.

Believe what you read, everyone's review here is right on! I was not going to spend $100 on a brush & I already tried the $9 bust. This is a worthwhile compromise.

I purchased this brush from Bullgoose approximatly 4 months ago. It shortly became the only brush I use.

Cella and Tabac are my two favorite soaps, and it handles them both equally well. I face lather almost exclusivly, and this brush fits the bill perfectly.

Stiff but not scratchy. The tips softened up quite a bit in a short time. While certinly not as soft as my Shavemac silvertip, it blows the doors off the tweezerman or even the Omega 49.

The loft I found to be the perfect size for face lathering, yet still tall enough to whip up a generous bowl of lather if desired.

The lathe turned faux ivory handle is very ergonomic and beautiful.

Overall, I believe the Vulfix Grosvenor is a great all around brush at a budget price.

Knot: 21mm
Loft: 53mm
Overall Height: 100mm