Advice on a good brush for face lathering

[ArNav]

The title more or less says it all.
I'm looking for an advice on a quality brush for face lathering. I prefer brushes that are not too big. The budget is up to 150$ (doesn't have to be that high).
I considered this Thater, but someone said it doesn't have enough backbone. So I'd love to hear different opinions.

http://www.straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1509

Thank you

 

[Batman]

Any Semogue boar - 1305 and 620 I like...

 

[mblakele]

What brushes do you already have? What do you like or dislike about them, especially for face-lathering?

Any preference on handle style?

 

[ArNav]

I have no real experience with brushes.
Preference on handle style? Not too long, kind of chubby.

 

[Mike H]

Some highly regarded brushes include:
Rooney Heritage 2XL
Shavemac 167 D01 Two band
A Rudy Vey custom with TGN Finest
Simpson Duke 3

 

[ShaveYourSoul]

I've tried a lot of high end brushes, but I personally prefer the TGN Finest (not F2) 24mm knot set around 48-50mm. You'd be able to get a nice custom handle of your choice fit with a TGN Finest knot for $100 or less. It's a heck of a deal for sure. I also like the B&B Essentials boar as a face latherer.

 

[Mitty]

Duke 2 Best

Someone mentioned the Duke 3 already, I just like the more manageable size when it comes to face lathering.

 

[ArNav]

I've tried a lot of high end brushes, but I personally prefer the TGN Finest (not F2) 24mm knot set around 48-50mm. You'd be able to get a nice custom handle of your choice fit with a TGN Finest knot for $100 or less.

Who's selling them? Where?

 

[ShaveYourSoul]

Who's selling them? Where?

I would look at the examples of some of our fine brush vendors on here. Pick your favorite vendor (Rudy Vey, deruitem, Wolf Whiskers, Bob Farvour, etc) and contact them about what you are looking for. They can help you with shape, size, colors...everything. Brushes are highly customizable and they will set any knot you would like.

Here are the knots:
http://thegoldennib.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=9_43&sort=20a&page=2

 

[RVshave]

Personally I prefer the smaller brushes, 22-24 knot with boars set at 50, badgers set at 48-45, my VL horse is set at 49 and performs great.

 

[jodypress]

There's some lovely Vie Long brushes Phil is selling at Bullgoose. Particularly the densely packed Beehive.

 

[Icebear]

Some highly regarded brushes include:
Rooney Heritage 2XL
Shavemac 167 D01 Two band
A Rudy Vey custom with TGN Finest
Simpson Duke 3

The first one might be slightly out of budget, the second does have quite a bit of scratch and tons, not to say ueber backbone. For me the regular D01 (3-band silvertip) is better.
+1 for RV custom with TGN finest , I have 2 myself and PIF'd 5 more to friends and family .
No experience with the Duke though but it has a stellar reputation.
I'd throw in Semogue SOC boar as well as 2-band badger. And also from Spain: VieLong white horse.

 

[Kooze]

I would look at the examples of some of our fine brush vendors on here. Pick your favorite vendor (Rudy Vey, deruitem, Wolf Whiskers, Bob Farvour, etc) and contact them about what you are looking for. They can help you with shape, size, colors...everything. Brushes are highly customizable and they will set any knot you would like.

Here are the knots:
http://thegoldennib.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=9_43&sort=20a&page=2

This. Rudy plus shavemac is a win win. I really like the rooney style 1 size 2 handle. Couple that with a shavemac finest and you are in good shape.

rooney heritage stubby 2 is nice as is the soc 2-band, which is a steal when Bruno offers his occasional 20% off sales.

 

[Jarick]

For half of your budget, you could get a good badger AND a good boar and see what you prefer. $30 gets you a Whipped Dog silvertip (I'd recommend the 24mm set to 48mm loft). Another $25 for a Semogue 830. My favorite brush right now is a TGN Finest in a Whipped Dog handle, so if you do go the route of a custom brush with that knot, it should be excellent. Again, I'd go either a 22mm fan set to 45mm or a 24mm bulb set to 48-50mm.

 

[ArNav]

Thank you all for your responses, I will probably go with TGN Finest from some hobbyist vendor here on B&B.

 

[dushea]

Backbone is such a personal preference that it's hard to really know what you want until you've tried a couple brushes. That said, the Thater 4125/1 2 band bulb I have is my favorite brush: super soft tips and not too much or too little backbone. The SR 3824 is a close second.

 

[striker6]

Badger & Blade Omega Blonde Boar Shaving Brush from West Coast Shaving...

 

[Doryferon]

Pure-Black badgers work fine on me in face lathering
I know the thread title says about brushes but as i fan of re-knoting i speak mainly about knots.

 

[redrako]

I have a TGN 24 mm /49 Finest bulb glued into a surplus Rudy Vey handle and it's hands down my favorite brush.

I know that it will always feel wonderfully soft against my face. It's density is thick enough to easily pick up soap and not open the brushes breech. It has perfect flow through and excels building lather against the face or in the bowl.

I have much more expensive brushes, which I enjoy very much. Yet I know when I go to try a new soap, or choose a brush to bring on vacation, I know which brush I'm reaching for.

 

[MaxP]

Thank you all for your responses, I will probably go with TGN Finest from some hobbyist vendor here on B&B.

May I suggest you inquire of Shavejoe. He is a remarkable artisan who has recently started offering his creations. I believe he does bespoke work as well.