I can definitely tell the difference between a cheap drugstore brush and a decent badger brush. But the most I've ever spent on a brush is $50. Does a silvertip really perform that much better to warrant paying 3-6 times as much? 
$300 for a shaving brush?
- Thread starter bogey97
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I have little experience with a variety of brushes, but the difference is really the feel of the hair on your face. My pure badger brush is very prickly on my skin, much more so than my boar. But my silvertip is soft, very soft on my face. So soft that I didn't like it at first. But it also lathers up soap a little better too. It grew on me and now I love it.
$300 is a pretty expensive brush and it would be hard to justify the increase in cost over a brush costing a third as much, however:- for a little morning luxury that will last you for many years........
I can definitely tell the difference between a cheap drugstore brush and a decent badger brush. But the most I've ever spent on a brush is $50. Does a silvertip really perform that much better to warrant paying 3-6 times as much?
Chances are, no. It's all about materials and the "brand name" at that point. I would be curious to know as well, though.
You can get Silvertips for $50. You can even get some decent silvertips in that ballpark. My choice would be a custom brush with 24mm TGN finest Bulb @ 44ish loft.
$300 brushes are stuff like the Size 2 and 3 Rooney Finests, Chubby 3's in Super, the bigger Plissons, Maybe some really large (28mm?) D01 Shavemacs (Just a guess at the price on those).
The difference is a really nice $6 burger and a dry aged Ribeye at a $70 steakhouse. Is the Ribeye better? Not if you prefer the burger, but obviously it's worth the difference for some people.
$300 brushes are stuff like the Size 2 and 3 Rooney Finests, Chubby 3's in Super, the bigger Plissons, Maybe some really large (28mm?) D01 Shavemacs (Just a guess at the price on those).
The difference is a really nice $6 burger and a dry aged Ribeye at a $70 steakhouse. Is the Ribeye better? Not if you prefer the burger, but obviously it's worth the difference for some people.
This would fall under the YMMV category. I personally thing there is diminishing marginal return on the increase in hair quality. It is completely up to your view of the brush and how much you want it. Here is a perfect example of opulence. A real ivory (legal) brush for about $1,700. Worth it? Depends who you ask. To some that might be a month of in come for their family; for others it could just be 'walking around' money.
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Yeah, I can understand the opulence factor.. if you've got that kind of money to toss around, have at it (you're probably making some hard-working brush maker very happy). Putting aside ivory handles and whatnot and focusing on price performance.. where do you think is the point of diminishing returns? I definitely think a $50 badger is twice as good as a $25 boar brush. The badger hair holds water better and just lathers up better. But is a $100 silvertip twice as good as a $50 pure badger? Is there a performance difference other than the softness of the brush on your face?
When a customer demands a brush made with some of the rarest,expensive, hard to get natural materials on earth,they pay for it. remember these are one off pces, do they work any better? no.
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When a customer demands a brush made with some of the rarest,expensive, hard to get natural materials on earth,remember these are one off pces, do they work any better? no.
Those are gorgeous!
Thank You,L/R,Musk ox horn (from the Boss of the head) Musk ox Horn and ivory inlay,Ivory (made from an old british Q ball)
What are those made of? they look awesome!
See above post.
Once you reach that price level, it's more about materials and brand name IMO.
I have Plisson HMW's, Shavemac 2 band customs, Rooney's finest among others that reached that price point and beyond. They are fine brushes, but not worth the money, if you compare it to lower priced silver-tips from other brands.
That is, if getting a good shave is the only criteria.
But for beauty, feel, exclusivity and craftsmanship, they are a real treat. IMO.
Of course, YMMV
I have Plisson HMW's, Shavemac 2 band customs, Rooney's finest among others that reached that price point and beyond. They are fine brushes, but not worth the money, if you compare it to lower priced silver-tips from other brands.
That is, if getting a good shave is the only criteria.
But for beauty, feel, exclusivity and craftsmanship, they are a real treat. IMO.
Of course, YMMV
Getting back to the OP's question...
The break point is really of personal opinion. Personally, I feel like once you get to best (or whatever the manufacturer is calling their middle grade between pure and silvertip), the increase in cost of silvertip compared to the increase in performance isn't proportional. That is, if you are looking at the equation strictly as a function to cost ratio. I get much more enjoyment from my CH2 3 band super than I do from the CH2 best. That doesn't mean it lathers any better (its actually lathers almost the same, YMMV) for the ~42% increase in price, it just means I enjoy using the brush more.
The break point is really of personal opinion. Personally, I feel like once you get to best (or whatever the manufacturer is calling their middle grade between pure and silvertip), the increase in cost of silvertip compared to the increase in performance isn't proportional. That is, if you are looking at the equation strictly as a function to cost ratio. I get much more enjoyment from my CH2 3 band super than I do from the CH2 best. That doesn't mean it lathers any better (its actually lathers almost the same, YMMV) for the ~42% increase in price, it just means I enjoy using the brush more.
"YMMV" for more info refer to the Plissons worth the cost thread. IMHO yes $300 was a reasonable price to pay for my Rooney Finest as it was one of the last made and I enjoy it greatly every time I use it. However from a purely functional non-collectible POV it would have not been much better than my $200 Simpsons super.
Regards Grant
Regards Grant
This is the exact point YMMV kicks in there are many members here who would say a decent boar wipes the floor with a $50 badger. Now I agree with you I have a semogue 830 and IMHO my EJ BBB whoops it better than Ali whooped Liston but some would reverse that statement and say the semogue shakes up the world instead. Really you have to find your own way here and decide what works for you mate, for some softness alone would warrant a massive splurge of cash either due to tastes or sensitive skin others find softness a superfluous trait.
Regards Grant
When a customer demands a brush made with some of the rarest,expensive, hard to get natural materials on earth,they pay for it. remember these are one off pces, do they work any better? no.
Why why why did you have to show me these? Why man you have just single handedly convinced me my life is not complete without an Ivory and a Horn Plisson!!!
You will never in your lifetime see a musk ox Horn plisson
Now, that's brutal! Ha!
