Advice for first brush

[surfreak]

Hey all,

I'm looking to buy my first "real" brush (or two!) -- I had a cheap $2 off ebay that shed most of its bristles just to see if I was going to stick with straight razor shaving. As such, I'm not really particular about brushes (yet...), since I haven't tried any others. I don't THINK I want a super prickly or super floppy brush, but I'm still wet behind the ears. I DO love the look of black handles, and a weighty brush feels nice in the hand, but those are hardly concerns.

Primarily I'm looking for a quality brush that will last me a few years, at least: I'll develop my tastes as I go and shell out for a top-of-the-line brush somewhere down the road once I get a little more experienced. I'd like to keep each brush under $50. I almost exclusively use soap (mama bear's and tabac mostly), and have been bowl lathering, but would love to try face lathering.


I've been reading some reviews here and elsewhere, and so far, have been looking at these:

The Semogue Owners Club

The Newforest 2201 2 Band

Omega 31064 Banded Boar, just to try boar on for size

Likewise with the Semogue 830

Vie-Long horse hair and 50/50 mix brushes have also piqued my interest (especially the 14160 since its handle looks so cool )

This Muhle brush looks amazing, I really like the handle design, but based on the review and price tag, it's out of the running


Any input on these brushes, suggestions for different brushes, where to buy brushes, or comments in general are all appreciated. Thanks!


To quote the "How-to get good brush advice" sticky: "I want my first brush ... a good introductory [. . .] brush." And of course this is going to be my only brush, ever.

all links WFS

 

[Drubbing]

You really won't go far wrong with any of those, although horse hair isn't very popular it seems. But the SOC is also a boar, so you've listed 3 boars in total.

I know nothing about the Forest, but it gets good press here. I started with a low grade badger, went to a silvertip, and am now impressed by a Semogue 620 (another Acrylic handle) that cost 1/4 of the high end badger.

Go with whatever you like most, but boars will take some time to wear in, where the tips soften and the water retention improves, so they might not produce as much lather to begin with. If so, just use more product (and water) till it does.

 

[surfreak]

Oh, right. Forgot about that. Thanks.

Also, How's the smell on your 620? I've heard that some boars smell terrible for quite a while.

 

[Drubbing]

Oh, right. Forgot about that. Thanks.

Also, How's the smell on your 620? I've heard that some boars smell terrible for quite a while.

Dunno, got mine lightly used. Some brushes may smell when new, some not. A few shampoos and uses and it'll take on the scent of your soap.

 

[Klarion]

My own 620 has almost no scent at the beginning. I wouldn't worry about that at all - dyed boar seems to have less "funk" overall, imo.

 

[andrew98]

I'd go with the Semogue 830 for sure. I really like my 620's acrylic handle, which is basically the same as the 830's handle. The 620 has somewhat scratchy hair, which is off-putting for some, so I would go with the 830.

As said before, you can't go wrong with any of those brushes you listed, except maybe the horse hair. The reviews of that are enough to keep me from ever buying one of those. It sounds like they're floppy.

-Andy

 

[Eclectic]

The Vulfix 404 Boar/Badger has a great reputation as a beginners brush. Just £8.40 here: http://www.diamondedgeltd.com/acatalog/Razors__Shaving_Brushes.html#a760

But the current best value for money must be the Frank Shaving Finest Pure Badger Hair Shaving Brush for $9.99 (£6.57) direct from China on eBay with a choice of handles. The vendor is iantang19821024

I have both of these, they both have enough backbone for a hard soap, though the Vulfix is obviously better at this. For everything else the Frank Shaving wins hands down.

 

[surfreak]

Thanks all, I think I'm going to go with a Semogue for sure, and either one of the Franks shaving brushes off ebay, or the New Forest 2201. I haven't decided between those.

But one last question: What's the difference between the 830 and the SOC/Semogue Owners Club? They're pretty close in price, and I've heard good things about both. Any reasons to go with one over the other?


If there's not much of a difference, then I'll go with the SOC -- that red handle on the 830 kinda makes me cringe.

 

[wimbouman]

Great choices!
Well done.

I don't know about the Vie-long, maybe a bit too risky.

Semogue - great boars.
New Forest 2201 - A very good, not-too-pricey badger (I just bought one, getting used to it, it seems great)

Muehle - hors categorie. I love 'm.

.

 

[andrew98]

Thanks all, I think I'm going to go with a Semogue for sure, and either one of the Franks shaving brushes off ebay, or the New Forest 2201. I haven't decided between those.

I just read a post by another member stating that the 2201 has sold out.

-Andy

 

[surfreak]

So after all this, and being unable to find any comparisons between the 830 and the SOC, I made an executive decision.

I didn't just go with the SOC.

I didn't just get the SOC and the 830.

I picked up an SOC, an 830, AND a 1305 (plus a stick of La Toja).


I'll compare them as best I'm able and post my (admittedly novice) insights and pictures. Somewhere down the line I'll probably pick up a badger brush, but for now, I think I'm covered.


EDIT: whoops, La Toja, not La Troja

 

[Klarion]

Good choice. Please, though, give them all about 15-30 lather/dry cycles before fully forming an opinion on them. The brushes need to be conditioned to retain water, and allowed for the tips to soften.

 

[rodeo]

If you enjoy the Semogue Boars (which I'm confident you will) be then prepared to be slightly disappointed in a Badger, especially a softer more expensive one. Two different animals, literally!

Not a "good" choice you made, but a GREAT one!

 

[rodeo]

Oh, right. Forgot about that. Thanks.

Also, How's the smell on your 620? I've heard that some boars smell terrible for quite a while.

I actually LIKED the smell of mine right out of the box. The Owners Club brush smelled a bit like an industrial solvent but the 620 had a more natural smell that was not at all offensive. I know you have purchased already, but wanted to mention this reply anyway. Both are very mild and will dissipate quickly I feel.

 

[JPDyson]

If you enjoy the Semogue Boars (which I'm confident you will) be then prepared to be slightly disappointed in a Badger, especially a softer more expensive one. Two different animals, literally!

Not a "good" choice you made, but a GREAT one!

Odd; I'm nothing but disappointed in Boar thus far. The best lather I can get from even the SOC is more labor-intensive and of less quality than what I can get from a brand new, out of the box Badger - even the likes of the Shea Moisture Shave Brush. I'm giving it a month of daily use (either in shaving or simply lathering and rinsing) before I throw in the towel, but two weeks in, I'm not impressed.

YMMV at its finest.

 

[rodeo]

Odd; I'm nothing but disappointed in Boar thus far. The best lather I can get from even the SOC is more labor-intensive and of less quality than what I can get from a brand new, out of the box Badger - even the likes of the Shea Moisture Shave Brush. I'm giving it a month of daily use (either in shaving or simply lathering and rinsing) before I throw in the towel, but two weeks in, I'm not impressed.

YMMV at its finest.

You're supposed to hold onto the "other end!" Let go of the bristles and try it the other way.
-
-
-

j/k of course.

 

[JPDyson]

You're supposed to hold onto the "other end!" Let go of the bristles and try it the other way.
-
-
-

j/k of course.

 

[wimbouman]

So after all this, and being unable to find any comparisons between the 830 and the SOC, I made an executive decision.

I didn't just go with the SOC.

I didn't just get the SOC and the 830.

I picked up an SOC, an 830, AND a 1305 (plus a stick of La Troja).


I'll compare them as best I'm able and post my (admittedly novice) insights and pictures. Somewhere down the line I'll probably pick up a badger brush, but for now, I think I'm covered.

The Stuff Real B&Bers Are Made Off....

 

[rodeo]

It was a JOKE my friend!!
nothing more.

 

[Ski-Patroller]

Take a look at the Simpson Col. 2XL It is my favorite brush, and by no means my most expensive.