Advice on Vie-Long horse hair brush...loft and knot size

[Cadinsor]

Hello everybody! Yes, it is happening to me, slowly but steadily...I need a new brush. I have decided, for a number of reasons, to go for a Vie-Long horse hair brush, but really need some expert advice. I have read over the lengthy and informative threads on these brushes, but need advice on loft and knot size.

I face lather now, but might on occasion bowl lather, so assume the brush is for face lathering. I use mostly creams or croaps...Queen Charlotte creams being my current favorite...but I also like to use a shave stick.

My current brush is a badger from Sabi, with a 50mm loft and a 23mm knot. The brush I am looking at has a knot of 23mm, but a loft of 57mm. I like the idea of a taller and thinner brush, but I wonder if the loft on this brush, the 13071, is too high to remain firm when lathering. Backbone is key, I like a firm brush, and the fact that the horse hair brushes are sometimes described as feeling like a thick paint brush has me a bit concerned.

So, with all that: would you recommend this brush for me? Is the brush still going to be firm and "hold" at that loft or will it be floppy and too soft?

Thanks in advance, I look forward to reading your feedback and advice.

 

[Acmemfg]

Don't know about the 13071 but the Zurito (13061) has proven to be one of my best all-around brushes. Not floppy, not scratchy, not too firm or too soft. It's a good example of a fine "desert island" brush.

 

[malocchio]

Don't know about the 13071 but the Zurito (13061) has proven to be one of my best all-around brushes. Not floppy, not scratchy, not too firm or too soft. It's a good example of a fine "desert island" brush.

this is a good description...the vie-long horses are,literally,work horses ! They whip up anything,just remember horse hairs are not densely packed like a chubby or duke,therefore if you want maximum workability,get one of the handles you like with a 23mm knot.

 

[mftoms59]

Unless you're purchasing the Brush from Gifts& Care, you'll have to accept the Factory set loft. Secondly, is the Hair Banded 50/50 Mane/Tail or the Natural Brown 35/65 Mane/Tail, the 50/50 will initially be a bit softer in the tips and have less backbone than the 35/65 mix.

With the 35/65 you may find the 57mm loft o.k., the Vie-Long knots aren't dense but moderately full, does your Sabi have the backbone you desire? If so, I'd estimate a loft of ~50 for the Natural Brown 35/65 or ~48 for the 50/50 Banded.

 

[Cadinsor]

According to the description on the site, it would be the following mix: Hair mix: 35% mane hair; 65% tail hair

I had been thinking about ordering the brush direct, so that I could in fact specify a shorter loft, just to stick with the same loft I have now from the Sabi. I would think that would help the brush keep the right backbone.

So hard to know what to do with no actual hands on experience with the brush, and naturally the one I am looking at is one of the most expensive in the list due to the wooden handle. Shorter loft may just be the best way to go, feels like I might be over thinking this a bit...

 

[Icebear]

Hi Cadinsor,

just in case you have not seen this thread :
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/291364-Custom-fan-Vie-Long-nat-Horse
I'm not sure about you shape preference fan or bulb, just to point out that you can also get a fan shape version upon request.

 

[mftoms59]

Most of the V-L Brushes have that Hybrid Fan/Bulb shape and having it customized to a Fan would reduce the stiffness/backbone, you could compensate for this by lowering the loft ~3-5mm.

malocchio is correct, the 23mm knot is better suited for those wanting to Bowl Lather in addition to Face Lathering. Personally I prefer the < 50mm lofts & 20mm knot on my V-L Brushes which I use strictly for Face Lathering, and use the V-L BGS 2012 Beehive Badger/Horse Brush for my occasional Bowl Lather.

 

[duck dive steve]

I have a Simpson chubby at roughly 52mm which face lathers very nicely. I also have a Vie-Long at 57mm, which also face lathers nice and I use it occasionally for bowl lathering. Due to the natural stiffness of the horse hair you can get away with a higher loft. I have a feeling (but I'm no expert) that if you went with a shorter loft you would get a very scritchy brush. I think you'll be fine with a higher loft .

 

[Cadinsor]

Excellent advice, everybody, sort of leaning toward living large and going tall! Really, until I get it and put it to use, it's all academic, but so much fun to ponder and wonder. I really like the look of the olive wood handle, that's my one "must have" feature

 

[jazzguy]

I would not describe my 13061 as having a lot of backbone but for some reason I can't imagine that it would have much more if the loft was shorter. It certainly has plenty to lather all of my favorite soaps.It's a 23X57 brush.