A Good Brush for Soaps to Complement My Collection

[mistercitizen]

Okay guys (especially all you brush gurus), let's start with what I've got:

Rooney Heritage Stubby 1XL
Loft = 46, Handle height = 40, Knot = 25

Simpson Emperor 3 Super 2 Band
Loft = 52, Handle height = 61, Knot = 23

Edwin Jagger Chrome Bulbous Super 3 Band
Loft = 53, Handle height = 49, Knot = 21

I love the Rooney and the Simpson Emperor. I'm just not using the EJ because it's a bit floppy and doesn't have the soft tips of the other two... really has no backbone compared to the other two. Doesn't matter whether I'm using creams or soaps, I just about always grab my Rooney for face lathering and my Simpson for bowl/scutter lathering. I use creams and soaps about equally (although I've been using soaps alot more lately) and I face lather and bowl lather about equally. I guess really I'm looking for something that will work very well for soaps (I like good backbone). I want it to be able to bowl lather and face lather easily. My Emperor 3 isn't much of a face latherer IMO and my Rooney has too short of a handle for bowl lathering. Maybe something that will work for both. I've never used a boar brush so I don't know how one would feel on my skin. Is it common to face lather with a boar?... or does it just tear up your face? I'm a big guy with big hands. I don't think I want anything huge and pillowly though.... I kind of like the bulb shape of my Emperor... it allows a cleaner application IMO of the lather.

I was thinking along the lines of a Savile Row 3824, or a Rooney Heritage Stubby 2 or 3 (not the XL's), or a Thater 4125 model. I'm open to anything though.... Shavemac, Simpson, Semouge (if you think I need a boar in my life). Price isn't really an issue but I wouldn't go crazy (less than $200 should do the trick). I buy something with the intention of keeping it so I try to buy what I think I'm going to be happy with rather than settle for something cheaper.

Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks guys.

Ben

 

[brucered]

get ready for the backlash, but I'd say a Kent 8.

I put off buying one for 2years, because of all the floppy, no backbone talk and chatter. I recently bought one and use for face and bowl lathering. No it does not have much backbone (and I see you like that), but it is unlike any other brush in terms of feel and luxury. The handle shape is unique and original and it is ultra soft and a face lathering beauty in my collection now.

I also picked up a SR 3824 last week and it is also a very, very nice face and bowl lathering brush. This is probably more of what you are looking in terms of what I have used and your descriptions. It has a nicer handle for bowl lathering then say the Thater 2 that I have, which the handle is more geared towards face lather, or at least that's what I use mine for. It is also ultra soft and has decent backbone though.

The stubbys may be too short in the handle department for bowl lathering, as you like to do both.

Probably can't go wrong with a Shavemac D01 3 band either. Although I do not own one, I have heard nothing but praise for them and you can customize it to your needs in terms of loft, shape and handle.

 

[mistercitizen]

get ready for the backlash, but I'd say a Kent 8.

It's funny you say that because a Kent 8 is actually one I would consider. I've always thought that the Kent 12 would be way to big and that the 8 would be just the right size. As you say though, I would not exactly think of using it for face lathering soaps.... I was always of the opinion that it would be the ultimate brush for bowl lathering creams.... based on the reviews I've read I could not imagine any other brush being better than for bowl lathering creams. But, my collection is small and right now I'm interested in brushes that are somewhat versatile.... it's interesting that you find the Kent versatile in that way though. I'll keep that in mind. I love the look of the Kent 8.... great handle... you know it when you see it just by the shape.

Thanks for the reply!

Ben

 

[Mick]

I am one of the larger Kent BK8 "fan boys" on B&B but as much as I like mine I would steer you to a Duke 2 for soaps (especially if you plan on face lathering).

If you have not had one or do not have one you need one... It's as simple as that. I put my Duke 2 up against a Chubby 1 and the Chubby has a new owner now

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/285366-Duke-2-vs-Chubby-1-Face-lathering-title-bout

If you DO NOT plan on face lathering you may want to look into a Da Vinci 293 as it has a bit more body than the BK8 but is similar in performance

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/297253-Da-Vinci-293-Bead-Handle-Brush-Review

 

[SEnSE]

I just saw a brush from someone else that looked like a Kent handle but was actually a 2-band brush. I'll try to find it again for ya.

 

[wagstaff]

I don't have the experience across a wide range of brushes that some do, but from what I've used, I almost second a Duke2... that is, you want a longer handle, it sounds like (it's not "small" but it's not a brush I think of for someone who is concerned about big hands and a longer handle, maybe). And I got a Farvour in TGN two-band, 50mm loft, which is a great brush for both bowl and face lathering, and inexpensive for what it is. You have to pick your handle (which is another way of saying... you can pick your handle!). That's probably my most versatile brush, really -- or after a week it was. I don't know if it's the brush "breaking in" or just me getting used to loading it, but after several shaves it seems better able to hold onto lather for multiple passes. While it's different in terms of density and backbone, I don't like it better than the Duke2 -- but I can't say I like it less, either. And the handle is really great.

 

[hedonist222]

Other than a pure Crabtree and Evelyn , a wee Scott and a chubby 3 Manchurian I have no experience.

But the chubby 3 face lather superbly.
It even loads soap (super hard 3rice milled TF&H) soap nicely.

 

[edgerunner]

I don't think there's a more versatile brush than a custom made D01 3-band. You can pick the right handle for your needs. The tips are soft with the right amount of scrub. The knot is densely packed with great backbone which doesn't sacrifice the flowthrough. I think it fits your description and will complement your other brushes.

 

[Edinburgh]

Simpsons Duke 2 or 3 in Best.

 

[attime6]

I'd reccommend the Simpson Colonel, works great with soaps.

 

[CyberJCM]

How about a Semogue Owners Club 2-Band?

 

[mistercitizen]

Thanks guys! I've been out all afternoon so I finally had a chance to check back on this thread. I'll be looking into all of these more carefully.

Ben

 

[dreadpirate]

Maybe it's time to try a boar's hair brush? A Semogue 830? Semogue SOC?

 

[mistercitizen]

Maybe it's time to try a boar's hair brush? A Semogue 830? Semogue SOC?

Maybe. What are the real advantages of a boar brush? I imagine that they tear into the hard milled soaps to build lather with ease.... but what else is there to a boar brush? I've no experience with a boar brush so I really have no idea.

Ben

 

[Mick]

Maybe. What are the real advantages of a boar brush? I imagine that they tear into the hard milled soaps to build lather with ease.... but what else is there to a boar brush? I've no experience with a boar brush so I really have no idea.

Ben

With good boar brushes selling around $20 +/- there is no excuse NOT to have tried a few of them

 

[mistercitizen]

With good boar brushes selling around $20 +/- there is no excuse NOT to have tried a few of them

Good point . I have no excuses.... except that I bought a bottle of aftershave, or a Super Speed, or a tub of GFT, or a ...... instead. Probably the most likely explanation is the SBAD has not hit me yet.

Ben

 

[djh]

You seem to know what you are looking for and have quite a bit of experience with brushes. Why not contact one of our artisan brushmakers and discuss your needs with him? A longer handle (for ease of use in a bowl or scuttle) coupled with a dense, quality knot sounds like what you need.

Good luck!

 

[dreadpirate]

Maybe. What are the real advantages of a boar brush? I imagine that they tear into the hard milled soaps to build lather with ease.... but what else is there to a boar brush? I've no experience with a boar brush so I really have no idea.

Ben

I love boars because; (1) exfoliates the skin and makes your beard stand up for a closer shave, (2) whips up a REALLY superior lather. Down side; (1) not as soft as a badger (although my Semogue 830 is as soft as pure badger, IMHO), (2) requires more soap, (3) requires a bit of a break-in period

And because they are so cheap, you can try three or four boars for the price of one or two badgers. So it will be easier to find the best fit for you.

 

[CyberJCM]

...Down side; (1) not as soft as a badger...

You know, I hear this alot, but I honestly don't understand it. I'm not saying you're wrong, we're all different and YMMV of course. But for me this isn't the case at all. I've owned a range of badger grades over time, and I've now gone almost exclusively boar. I have never encountered a quality boar brush, new or broken in, that I found to be scritchy, scratchy, rough etc. In contrast, there are quite a few grades of badger which do feel this way (not all of them) to some degree, be it a little or alot.

As this is a subjective feel kinda thing, I suggest that if you decide to give a boar a try, that you don't go into it concerned that it will feel this way before you've tried it. Give it a fair shake and comparison against badger.

Since you have to disclaimer everything you say around here, this is all my own opinion and feelings, take them or leave them and obligatory YMMV thrown in.

Best of luck in your search!

 

[mistercitizen]

I've looked into the specs on some of the Simpson brushes mentioned above (Duke 2, Duke 3, Colonel X2L) and there seems to be a common thread in these. Knots around 21 to 23mm, loft of 46mm, and best badger hair. The major differences are handle length between these... and even then we're not talking a major difference (41mm to 54mm range). These dimensions seem about right. The loft on my Rooney Stubby 1XL is 46mm and I am starting to think that what I want in this brush is basically my 1XL with a slightly longer handle.... but not as long as my Emperor 3. Something more or less in between the two, but that has the backbone for hard soaps that my EJ brush lacks. This is my question pertaining to boar vs. badger hair..... what's the biggest difference between Simpson's best badger and say a Semouge boar as far as the hair itself. Any strong feelings one way or the other?

Ben