Are expensive brushes really worth it?

[guerreit2]

I've been using a tweezerman brush that I got for about ten-fifteen dollars about three years ago.
I think its this one: http://www.amazon.com/Tweezerman-2801-h-Mens-Shaving-Brush/dp/B000G647Y8
I use it about 2-3 times a week and have not even seen one bristle fall out. I don't take the best care of my stuff like I could, but I also don't mess it around either. I know that I am satisfied with its use and for the price who can complain. I guess what I'm asking is are the expensive brushes really worth it? Should I upgrade? I know it's all about preference and I'm very much in the boat of if it's doing a good job I am happy with it, but am i missing out? Any suggestions of higher end stuff? Anything over $200 need not apply.

 

[CFSoto]

I've been using a tweezerman brush that I got for about ten-fifteen dollars about three years ago.
I think its this one: http://www.amazon.com/Tweezerman-2801-h-Mens-Shaving-Brush/dp/B000G647Y8
I use it about 2-3 times a week and have not even seen one bristle fall out. I don't take the best care of my stuff like I could, but I also don't mess it around either. I know that I am satisfied with its use and for the price who can complain. I guess what I'm asking is are the expensive brushes really worth it? Should I upgrade? I know it's all about preference and I'm very much in the boat of if it's doing a good job I am happy with it, but am i missing out? Any suggestions of higher end stuff? Anything over $200 need not apply.

It really depends on what you like in a brush. If you love a lot of backbone and density in a brush,then something like a Simpson Chubby2 in Best Badger may suit you.(I think about $175 price tag). IMO,they are worth the $ for people who like those qualities. However,if that's not important to you and you're just looking for a better general brush than you have now,there are many other cheaper options for you instead of a Simpson Chubby. Rudy Vey can make you a grat brush for lessthan $175 for sure.

Craig

 

[seattleshaver]

I don't get the brush thing either except for the personal preference aspect of course. Can someone explain what a brush can do other than put lather on your face? A $10 brush will do that and mine (VDH boar) doesn't lose bristles (that I can see) and works great with the soap.

Is it just a matter of some liking a powder puff like softness as it touches their face or is the looks that is the appeal?

 

[guerreit2]

Thanks Craig. For me the most important thing is creating a good lather, which I get from my tweezerman. It's badger and while it's not super heavy, it definitely is not delicate or super lightweight. Chances are I will probably use what I have for quite a while longer, just wanted some input on the differences. I can't really justify spending hundreds of dollars on a brush, atleast not until I win the lottery.

 

[Mr_Smartepants]

This is just my opinion, but there are too many good brushes out there to justify spending >$200 on a brush...any brush.
There are several really good silvertip brushes from vendors in China for less than $30. I have two New Forest brushes (http://newforestbrushes.blogspot.co.uk) and they are very, very nice at $30-50 each.
Some of the best TGN knots are around $30 and with custom handles running between $30-50 there's no reason to spend more than $100 on the finest knot brushes.
If I ever win the lottery and end up with more money than sense, I may purchase an expensive brush.
Many will disagree with me and call my views "sacrilege" or "heresy" but that's just my opinion. Take it for what you paid for it.

 

[deruitem]

I started with a tweezerman and though it was good for the money I think something with a whippeddog or thegoldennib knot is a huge up grade without going crazy. If you like the tweezerman and it is still in good shape stick with it. If you want to try something new without spending $100+ try a whippeddog or a TGN Finest. I find that the finer hair in the silvertip works great with creams and is well worth the cost compared to the tweezerman. The finest has just a little scritch with good backbone and is also a huge upgrade

 

[branford]

The value and worth of a item is always in the eye of the beholder. Nevertheless, it's certainly possible to purchase a very fine or even custom brush in the range of $100 or well under, and you will notice a very definite improvement.

My first brush was a Tweezerman. I used it for quite some time. However, I got the itch to upgrade and never looked back. The Tweezerman is certainly serviceable, and compared to using just mass-market fluorescent goo, a Tweezerman and some decent shave soap or cream permits a monumental improvement in one's shaves. However, the quality of badger in the Tweezerman is dismal. You only really become aware about how bad the Tweezerman is once you've tried a decent soft silvertip or comparable brush. If you like your current Tweezerman, the next step-up in quality is often a revelation.

When purchasing many of the fancy brushes costing hundreds of dollars, like many luxury goods, you are often paying for the brand name and more unique or expensive handles, in addition to the increased quality of the knot hair. However, many very fine and attractive brushes are available that are exponentially better that the Tweezerman and its fellow travelers and do not break the bank. If you wish to experiment, I would recommend looking at Whipped Dog, Penworks, Vintage Blades in-house brushes, and Frank Shaving and Liojuny on Ebay. I'm certain that other members will have similar recommendations.

Lastly, I do not wish to denigrate those who spend sizable sum on their shaving equipment. Many of the very expensive or custom brushes have well-deserved reputations, exceptional quality and aesthetic appeal. Many members certainly feel that these brushes are worth their cost and more. As always, YMMV.

 

[dushea]

Whether the answer is yes or no, this question was exactly the one that started my BAD.

Good luck and Godspeed.

 

[Icebear]

If something is worth anything is a typical YMMV thing.
If you used an inexpensive brush for a long time and were happy with it, then spending 10x the amount on some brush that also gets you some lather into the face, seems rather silly and a waste of money. After you experienced a better quality brush, you'll be able to judge the differences. Of course the law of diminishing returns always applies and a nicer handle material which sometimes makes up a lot of the cost, will not directly effect the feel of the knot in the face. Genuine horn of wood just feels different, some folks appreciate that, some are OK with plastic. You can always try a brush and sell it on B/S/T if you feel, this is not for you. You will only have a small loss but always gain knowledge and experience.

 

[Jarick]

My Tweezerman was my second brush and completely fell apart within about 2-3 months of use. I would have never known what I was missing out on. There are a ton of great, great brushes out there in the $20-40 range that are quite a bit better than the TM.

 

[Attila]

You can buy a very cheap car or a much more expensive car. Both will get you from A to B. But with a very different experience along the way. Most of those that say there is no difference between a $20 brush and a $200 one have not tried a higher level brush.

After a point of course, there is the law of diminishing returns that will start to kick in. Spending more will not equal a better brush necessarily, only a different experience (perhaps.) You can only discover this for yourself. I started off with the cheaper brushes and gradually tried the more expensive ones. The more expensive ones had softer tips in general and better performance overall, in all respects for me.

You don't however have to spend in the neighborhood of $200 to get a great brush. I have some great brushes in the $50-80 range that one could very well be satisfied with forever. But my very best brushes are in the price point of around $150 but below $200. I found that was the sweet spot, for me.

 

[teeitup418holes]

The brush part of a traditional wet shave is definitely my favorite part. But with that said, I know it's not everybody's favorite. I personally enjoy great shaving brushes and am willing to spend the extra money to get an excellent brush.

Some folks are into exotic sports cars...my wife and I tend to think practically and skip over the exotic sports cars and instead find something within our budget that's practical for us and our two kids.

So, this is really a question that's relative to what people value when it comes to shaving.

And to answer your question...I would say yes. They are worth it.

 

[Teddyboy]

Yes. I love the feel of good badger hair (preferably 2-band) brushes.

 

[bosseb]

I guess what I'm asking is are the expensive brushes really worth it?

I can honestly say after eight years of DE shaving that I don't know. For me they are worth it. For anybody else I don't know.

​

 

[NSmalls]

If you are open minded then yes. If you don't care then no.

 

[Austin]

No real answer to this question. It is subjective and dependent on your budget. I have tried a lot of different brushes from a $20 brush to a Plisson $400 brush. I have pared down my brushes to 7 badger brushes.

Buy a shavemac or Simpsons and try it. Sell it here if it is not to your liking.

 

[Jut]

YMMV. REALLY THOUGH, it will only be worth it if you enjoy it. if you can afford it, you should try one. i don't think you will stop thinking about it if you don't try. You may really enjoy it, and if so, money well spent. if you don't enjoy you could sell it as mentioned above; then you probably won't be out to much money, and if you loose money, then it will probably be worth it anyway because you will have gotten it out of your system.

 

[Teppanyaki]

I guess . . . it depends.

If you like boar brushes, which I do (soft tips and nice backbone), a Semogue SOC is around $30-40. Boars tend to be quite cheap.

If you like synthetic brushes, which I also do, the Muhle silvertip fiber feels luxuriously soft and works well. Well worth it, and markedly better than other synthetics I have tried (Omega synthetic badger, Body Shoppe synthetic, a makeup brush - Ecotools kabuki).

Badger - this is far less clear to me. For a good yet affordable badger, I have heard Whipped dog mentioned a lot. Beyond that, I'm going to defer to the previous posters.

 

[SilentTuba]

I used a Tweezerman exclusively for about 4 years. Then it broke.

I now now have a B&B Essential Boar, and a Whipped Dog Silvertip. Total cost for both was about $55. The WD is my favorite, and is much, much better than my Tweezerman.

I've never used a high end brush, but I can't imagine a $200 brush being 5x better than my WD.

 

[RichieRich3902]

I was very happy with my Vintage Blades 2-band ever since they came out, it displaced my nice Simpsons Commodore X2. Then I happened into one of the M&F Chiefs and it blew me away, it is head and shoulders above my VB brush. I'm not sure how to put it, but the experience and feel is exactly what I think of when I imagine luxury.