Are brushes really that different?

[Toucan]

I've always been using an Art of Shaving standard badger brush.
Up to this point, I always thought there was a simple hierarchy: Synthetic -> Boar -> Standard Badger -> Best Badger -> Silvertip, with silvertip being the best.
I've always thought brand was negligible in the lather the brush creates. Now reading into this brush section of B&B I notice there are really varied opinions on all these different brushes.

Are brushes really so far worlds apart?

If so, is an AoS standard badger a decent brush? If not, what is one that you recommend?

 

[RobW]

No, they're not really wildly different, but between the handle material/craftsmanship and the grade/type of animal hair you put on top of the brush, there is plenty to differentiate the brushes. There is no standard between manufacturers though...and some of the "unicorn-grade" badger brushes are completely independent from one manufacturer to another. Rooney's Super Silvertip is completely different from WSP's High Mountain White which is completely different from Simpson's Manchurian line. Try not to get too caught up in what's "better" or "worse" necessarily, just "different"...big-time YMMV disclaimer for brushes.

To know what's a good brush (for you) you need to know how you like to shave. Creams vs hard soaps vs soap sticks is a good place to start...or simply bowl lathering vs face lathering...and there are plenty of threads about which brush to use based on your answer to those questions.

 

[mblakele]

What is the AoS "standard badger", exactly? I looked at http://www.theartofshaving.com/shaving-brushes/shaving-brushes,default,sc.html but I do not see it. Do you mean their $180 silvertip?

Yes, brushes are different. Even two brushes that are supposed to be the same can feel very different. At the same time, any decent brush is capable of making good lather. So you may be happy with a brush that costs anywhere from about $10 to... well, there may not be any upper limit.

My all-purpose badger brush recommendations are the Simpson Colonel and the Rooney 3/1 super. Between the two you will probably find the Colonel scrubbier and the 3/1 softer. For a boar, try the Omega 10066 or Semogue Owners Club. You might be able to buy all four for about the same as that AoS silvertip.

 

[brother cavefish]

just because they are exspensive does not make them better,

 

[Mick]

Are brushes different? well sort of

 

[ChiefBroom]

I'd say the difference between an entry level AoS badger brush and a Simpson, or a Rooney, or a Morris & Forndran (the brushes I have most experience with) in high quality 2-band is a lot like that between run-of-the-mill Johnny Walker blended Scotch and a 16-year-old Lagaluvin. They'll both get the basic job done just about as well, but the distinction is not one without an appreciable difference.

 

[Absolute Mustard]

Many people on here, myself included, would call synthetic the best

You cant lump all types into one category

 

[Toucan]

What is the AoS "standard badger", exactly? I looked at http://www.theartofshaving.com/shaving-brushes/shaving-brushes,default,sc.html but I do not see it. Do you mean their $180 silvertip?

Yes, brushes are different. Even two brushes that are supposed to be the same can feel very different. At the same time, any decent brush is capable of making good lather. So you may be happy with a brush that costs anywhere from about $10 to... well, there may not be any upper limit.

My all-purpose badger brush recommendations are the Simpson Colonel and the Rooney 3/1 super. Between the two you will probably find the Colonel scrubbier and the 3/1 softer. For a boar, try the Omega 10066 or Semogue Owners Club. You might be able to buy all four for about the same as that AoS silvertip.

No haha I wish. The standard one - y'know, the black cheap one ($55)

 

[73mountaineer]

Yes, they are definitely different. You've got the most widely accepted "hierarchy" correct, but things get a little fuzzy in reality because what one maker classifies as best may be equivalent to what another classifies as pure. Super for one may be the what another classifies as silvertip, and so on and so on. Beyond hair classification, there are many differences in density, quality of handle materials, etc. Type of hair (boar, badger, synthetic, horse), knot specs (diameter and loft), and density will likely be the biggest factors in how the brush makes lather. Hair quality means more in face feel than lather making ability.

Many consider boars to be below badger, but boar brushes have a large fan base too. And I can say that in my own experience, they take a bit more to break in, but a quality boar brush can be exceptional.

Synthetics are almost universally thought of as inferior to all natural brushes, and many people won't even consider one, but they have their fans as well.

And we haven't even mentioned horse hair brushes.

If you want a badger brush, stick with a well respected maker, buy the nicest of their brushes in your price range and you won't likely be disappointed. For me, that wouldn't be a store-branded brush, but everyone is different.

 

[Toucan]

You've got the most widely accepted "hierarchy" correct, but things get a little fuzzy in reality because what one maker classifies as best may be equivalent to what another classifies as pure.

...Are you mocking my use of the word "hierarchy"?

 

[catherix]

It seems that the general hierarchy (not mocking you ) really is more about price point than what is better. Personally I like best and 2-band much more than silvertip and would rather spend my money one of those than a fancy silvertip any day. I also think that I'll end up liking pure once I get around to trying it. Same goes for synthetic. It's on my list to try and I think, based on what I've read, that it will find a place in my den as well. Point is, YMMV is the ultimate answer here. Not trying to enable but you'll never know what you like until you try it for yourself. You can read everyone's opinions all day long but until it hits your face you just never know.

 

[Absolute Mustard]

Synthetics are almost universally thought of as inferior to all natural brushes, and many people won't even consider one, but they have their fans as well.

People are very prejudice towards synthetic, but try a good one and you will be turned.

 

[attime6]

Yes, certain brushes will be better lathering in different scenarios. For example for using a soap I want a stiff brush with lots of backbone.

 

[73mountaineer]

People are very prejudice towards synthetic, but try a good one and you will be turned.

Like I said, they have their fans.

 

[73mountaineer]

...Are you mocking my use of the word "hierarchy"?

Nope, not at all, only quoting your use of it.

 

[GarrettReid]

I picked up a rather expensive synthetic yesterday. I can now unfortunately vouch for your positioning them at the bottom of your hierarchical scheme.

 

[Absolute Mustard]

Like I said, they have their fans.

You said they are universally thought as inferior

Implying that only a few weirdos that didnt know any better would be a fan of them

 

[musicman1951]

Yes, brushes are that different (unless you think a Ferrari and a Honda are the same because they're both cars). That is, unfortunately, the end of the easy answers.

I have an SOC that I think is simply a wonderful brush. It was only $39. - which isn't that cheap for a boar, but is pretty cheap for a brush in general. I think it's a great brush for both bowl and face lathering. You might think the handle is too big. You might think wood is a stupid handle material. You might think it's just a bit too floppy for face lathering. Just because I think it's a great brush doesn't mean it's a great brush for you.

I have two fairly big silvertips. The Parker is wonderfully soft, but has little backbone and loves to eat lather. The Kent has (IMHO) just the right amount of backbone and is not a lather eater. They both look very similar.

Since you probably don't have enough money to "audition" $2,000 worth of brushes my advice is to spend some quality time reading reviews. I personally find the "favorite brush" or "3 favorite brushes" threads the most help. If you see the same brush surfacing on multiple threads you have some safety in it's purchase.

 

[73mountaineer]

You said they are universally thought as inferior

Implying that only a few weirdos that didnt know any better would be a fan of them

Wrong, I said they are almost universally thought of as inferior to natural brushes, which they are. It implies nothing, the rest is in your head. Most people, if they have no ethical qualms with natural brushes, would choose a natural brush over a synthetic brush because they feel that it is a better brush. I also said that they too have their fans, which they do.

Case in point:

I picked up a rather expensive synthetic yesterday. I can now unfortunately vouch for your positioning them at the bottom of your hierarchical scheme.

 

[Alacrity59]

Too funny. Some would think Absolute Mustard's use of the term "Many" as in Many people here would . . . .and 73mountaineer's use of "Almost Universal" as in almost universally thought of as inferior would be at opposite ends of the spectrum. But given the user base here there probably are a fair number of synthetic brush users but I think the relative rareness of synthetic brushes in the real world would be a better indicator of perception.

In any case. The debate on synthetic vs. natural is not the purpose this thread . . .and these last few messages have not contributed to the topic of "Are brushes really that different".

Let's keep it on topic. If Absolute Mustard feels strongly about promoting synthetic he should perhaps start a new thread and give examples of some prime synthetic brushes that he would recommend our users to try.