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Advice for a brush FOR LIFE

Helloo!

I'm currently using a Muhle pure badger (21mm base), i think i don't like it very much because of the "scratchyness" and the fact that i can't get enough lather for 2 or 3 passes (the water is "hard" though)...
I'm considering a Muhle/edwin jagger best or silvertip, but don't know if it is worth to pay extra for the sivertip as I really (i mean really) want to keep it for a long time (don't want to start a collection)...
I'm face lathering, mostly using soaps but want the brush to be "multi-tasking"...

And do you think 21mm base is enough?

Thanks in advance for your help! :001_smile

EDIT: I can get a Muhle silvertip 21mm for 50€ new (good price?)
 
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There's no reason to think that a silvertip brush won't last as long as anything else, assuming you give it proper care with rinsing, drying out, occasional bath, etc.

If you're looking for a good all-around, lifetime brush, the EJ medium in Best is a great choice. This is the OEM version of Crabtree & Evelyn's Best Badger Brush, which was one of the best beginner's brushes of all time. It's specifications are right in the middle of the bell curves for stiffness, softness, density, size, etc ... with the bonus that the price point is on the low side for all that you're getting.

Do you primarily use soap or cream? Or is it too soon to tell? If you lean more towards one than the other, then that would be a factor in choosing which grade of badger to choose.
 
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Thanks for the comment!
I'm not saying that silvertip is less solid than others, but regarding the fact that it is more expensive, i just want to be sure to not make a wrong choice...

Regarding soaps/creams, I am currently using soaps (proraso, tabac stick, palmolive stick), but I want the brush to be good also with creams...
 
My choice would be silvertip.

21mm knot should be sufficient unless you shave in more than 3 passes. It does take a bit more practice in loading it for full 3 pass (and some touchup) but I find 21mm better "controllable" on my face than bigger knots.

I personally have 4 brushes, 2 in silvertip (both 21mm one Muehle other Shavemac), one in best (23mm Muehle) and one in pure badger (21mm travel brush Muehle).

I use soap maybe 70% and creams 30% of the time.

Hope this helps.
 
Regarding soaps/creams, I am currently using soaps (proraso, tabac stick, palmolive stick), but I want the brush to be good also with creams...
If that's the case, a Best grade brush would be a good choice, it is softer than Pure, and stiffer than Silvertip.

Whatever brush you get, I've found that a few test lathers with Musgo Real cream (or any lanolin rich product like MWF) is a good way to break it in, whether its a brand new brush or one that has recently emerged from a bath in borax / vinegar / shampoo / or any of the other recommended methods for cleaning a shave brush.

To hasten the break in, some have suggested cleaning the brush, making a test lather (or 2 or 3) and letting the lather-filled brush sit overnight instead of rinsing it. I haven't tried it this way yet, but I intend to give a go next time I clean my brushes.
 
I have the 21mm C&E best and a 22mm Golden Nib silvertip custom brush. I mostly prefer the 22mm GN, but the C&E was my daily for well over a year and is plenty good. Either would last me for years with daily use, but the GN does shed a little while the C&E doesn't shed at all. I use soap about 90% of the time.
 
I would recommend a Shavemac 177 in SilverTip, it is a brush for a lifetime. You may want a shorter loft at about 45mm, or get the standard one and throw a few "O" rings on it. It is soft and luxurious and with the shorter loft, should give you great backbone for face lathering. "Scratchyness" will never enter into your vocabulary again. Darjeeling
 
Thanks for your replies everybody! I'll confess that i really want to buy a silvertip, but not sure it is really for me, so I'm trying to justify it:001_rolle...
I would recommend a Shavemac 177 in SilverTip, it is a brush for a lifetime. You may want a shorter loft at about 45mm, or get the standard one and throw a few "O" rings on it. It is soft and luxurious and with the shorter loft, should give you great backbone for face lathering. "Scratchyness" will never enter into your vocabulary again. Darjeeling
When I bought my pure in a local shaving store, the seller advised me to hold the brush by the base of the knot, and not by the handle: do you think this can simulate the effect of a shorter "loft", because it appears i can get a muhle silvertip cheaper than the shavemac?
(if I'm correct, both are high end german manufacturers, major difference is the personnalisation at shavemac)
 
My choice would be silvertip.

21mm knot should be sufficient unless you shave in more than 3 passes. It does take a bit more practice in loading it for full 3 pass (and some touchup) but I find 21mm better "controllable" on my face than bigger knots.

I personally have 4 brushes, 2 in silvertip (both 21mm one Muehle other Shavemac), one in best (23mm Muehle) and one in pure badger (21mm travel brush Muehle).
I use soap maybe 70% and creams 30% of the time.
Hope this helps.
Do you mostly face lather?
 
If that's the case, a Best grade brush would be a good choice, it is softer than Pure, and stiffer than Silvertip.

Whatever brush you get, I've found that a few test lathers with Musgo Real cream (or any lanolin rich product like MWF) is a good way to break it in, whether its a brand new brush or one that has recently emerged from a bath in borax / vinegar / shampoo / or any of the other recommended methods for cleaning a shave brush.

To hasten the break in, some have suggested cleaning the brush, making a test lather (or 2 or 3) and letting the lather-filled brush sit overnight instead of rinsing it. I haven't tried it this way yet, but I intend to give a go next time I clean my brushes.

Thanks for advices! What about the knot: 21 or 23?

So shortened my choices to the following, i think: a best 23mm or a silvertip 21...both Muhle
 
Personally, I've found the grade of hair will affect the softness of the tips more than anything else. The lower grades tend to be a little stiffer, but not all that much.

I'd go for the silvertip. The difference in softness is noticeable. Unless you prefer a scrubbier brush.

In terms of soaps/creams, a good balanced knot will make all the difference in the world.

I have a Rooney 3/1, that works great with both soaps and creams, and I've used to bowl lather and face lather. Just a remarkable brush. The tips are soft, but its dense enough to have real backbone.

I've tried Shavemac, and they're great brushes. But they just didn't have the density of the Rooneys. Of course, I didn't try one of their overstuffed knots. That may make all the difference. I'm sure others have them and can chime in.

As for size, it doesn't matter! :thumbup1: Seriously, I've had large knots that wouldn't hold lather as well as some smaller knots. I prefer smaller knots just because they fit my face better. Again, knot size is a matter of some contention. I'm sure others will post their opinions, also. But, I don't think the size of the knot directly translates to ability to hold lather. I'd suggest you go with what you enjoy using more.

But that's just my opinion(s).
 
I've been pretty happy with "The Duke" from Simpson, but I feel I'm still a little shy on knowing if it's a "lifetimer." However, bookmark this thread and hit me in about 50 years and I'll let you know!
 
That's one of the things about brush selection: its very personal, and there are so many variables.

I'm glad I went through a number of brushes before settling in to my current rotation. I got a feel for what floppy and firm were, what dense and less dense were, etc. Its kind of like that line in Weird Science: You were everything I wanted in a girl before I knew what I wanted.

Its a tough decision, to be sure.
 
That it is. I have had: EJ Pure Badger, EJ Best Badger, Rooney Super, Simpsons 2-Band, Simpsons Super, Simpsons Best. Knots ranging from 14mm to 26mm. So pretty much everything before deciding on what I really like.

Now I have a Wee Scot and a Duke 1 and couldn't be happier.
 
Thanks guys! I think I'll stick to Silvertip 21mm, my first idea...Mühle normally

I've been pretty happy with "The Duke" from Simpson, but I feel I'm still a little shy on knowing if it's a "lifetimer." However, bookmark this thread and hit me in about 50 years and I'll let you know!
Well "for life" is kinda a figure of speech, I just want to keep it for a long time, and don't want to start collecting them. Anyway thanks for the advice! :001_smile
 
Asking Advice as for which brush I should buy for a life time is so subjective. I've read most of the posting and everybody is right. First of all, you have a decent brand name brush with a decent size knot to get the job done. If you are having trouble getting a lather, you probably will have trouble getting a lather with other quality brushes, even the best rated. Not getting three passes is not the end of the world. If you are feeling scratches, I suggest to ease off on the pressure. A quality pure badger brush should not be giving a scatching sensation. My first brush was a pure badger that lasted me 25yrs of abuse; I didn't know this till I moved out, my dad also used it, so for a while it got double duty; he wanted to keep it.

This is how I dial in my water/soap ratio to perfection; every soap/water/brush/skin type and personal preference is different and the ratio combinations varies to personal taste.

1st step is to submerge and soak your brush in mug of clean extra warm water for about 3-5 minutes; this will allow the brush sufficient amount of water absorption.

Step 2, gently squeeze out water with your hand, leaving the brush wet, not loaded with water.

Step 3 apply a top rated shaving soap to the brush in the usual manner thus leaving a thick paste.

Step 4 apply water by placing the tip of brush onto the dish, thus soaking up a little bit of hot water, then lather up either on a separated bowl or on your face; keep adding small increments of water till the lather is perfect

At first the lather will be dry which is ok; the objective to this method is a step by step procedure to add water to a dry paste until you reach that perfect ratio. If you add to much water, that ok too; just keep lathering on your face till it dries out to that perfect lather. Your senses will tell you when you get it right. Might need to take a couple of shaves before you hit that Zen we all strive for.

If you are still not happy after experimenting to your perfect lather, then another brush may be in order.

I personally prefer lathering on my face because my senses tells me exactly when I get it perfect.

My perfect brush is the B&B LE08 Kent brush- read my brush review if your interested in a full explanation. I have two postings on the B&B LE08 Kent brush.

I hope this helps, best regards and good luck

rudy
 
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