Badger Upgrade: Simpsons Berkley, Omega 620 or Custom?

[azrichter]

SBAD has got me bad. Could use your vote/help.

I'm looking for a somewhat luxurious brush at an economical price. $60-ish. I've sort of narrowed it down to...

A Simpson's Berkley B2 in Best, an Omega 620, or a custom handle fit with a TGN or Whipped Dog silvertip.
The Berkley has a 20mm knot set at 47mm. The Omega a 23mm knot at 55mm. The illustrations are not in proportion...the Omega is actually a bit bigger (110mm overall compared to 97)

I really love the handle and larger size of the Omega 620...might like to have something turned that is similar in shape and put a nice soft badger into it.

Any thoughts? Can anyone just talk me out of shopping for a brush right now???

 

[blzrfn]

I own/have owned all of those brushes and you really can't go wrong. The Simpson won't be as soft as the Omega or Whipped Dog but the Berkeley isn't uncomfortable on the face by any means. If you want one recommendation I would go with the Whipped Dog made to your specification with the handle of your choice that way you will have exactly what you want.

 

[Ron Scott]

I only own 5 brushes including 2 Simpson badgers so take that into consideration but I really don't think it's helpful to assume one "trades up" to a badger or has a more luxurious experience with one. They're different from boars a bit in feel--they have less backbone in general--but they're not better. All decent quality brushes do about the same job and ultimately don't affect the quality of the shave much.

 

[azrichter]

I only own 5 brushes including 2 Simpson badgers so take that into consideration but I really don't think it's helpful to assume one "trades up" to a badger or has a more luxurious experience with one. They're different from boars a bit in feel--they have less backbone in general--but they're not better. All decent quality brushes do about the same job and ultimately don't affect the quality of the shave much.

You're right. My favorite brushes are Omega boars. I use them and wonder why I ever need anything else...

"Luxurious" is probably the wrong word. Sometimes its nice to have something that's just a little different---a change.

I have a Truefitt & Hill turn back travel brush in Super Badger that has a softer feel and creates a bigger mass of lather than my daily brushes. I love how it feels---its a little moppy, which is fine. The loft is 20mm wide and 50mm tall. I'm looking for something like that, but a little bigger brush, with a denser knot and a nicer handle.

 

[graysonhenryrussell]

For about 20 dollars more you can get Rudy Vey to make you one & I think it would be a better brush than the ones you listed, plus you can choose the handle shape.