Best artisan brush makers?

[jeffm54321]

Dogwood Handcrafts or Wolf Whiskers.

 

[CCS]

Many do. Declaration Grooming absolutely does not. Declaration Grooming knots are tied in house in the US.

For nearly $400 or more, one would hope...

 

[CJB3]

Shavemac is also hand tied. Varlet is as well—although they are very expensive.

 

[Rudy Vey]

Aren't most "artisan" brushes made by people who make a handle and stick a premade knot from China in it? If I'm wrong, please educate me. The only brushes I own are from the British brush making firms.

Not necessarily true. Unfortunately, I do not tie (or tye for our English friends) my own knots, but I use hand tied knots from either Shavemac for badgers and Muehle for synthetics - yes, Muehle STF knots are tied by hand by German craftsmen/women. There is only a few artisans that tie their own knots, I know of Varlet and Declaration Grooming here in the USA; there might be others, so I am sorry if I do not mention them here. I have dabbled a bit in knot making, but have not been satisfied with the results. Also, one big issue would be a consistent supply of same quality hair. My experience is mainly with Shavemac knots and their two-band silvertip is very consistent over the years I use them - probably more than 10 years, since they came out. Ever wondered why some makers/brush suppliers do have a version or a version code for their hair - this is what I mean with consistency. If I like a certain brush from maker X, and wanted another one a few years later, it might be a total different animal...(still a badger, though).
As far as English brushes go, I think there is only one left that ties their own knots: Simpson. Ed Jagger is using Muehle knots as far as I know (or has their brushes made by them).
Rooney is gone and Kent I think has gone totally to synthetics.

 

[CCS]

Thanks for the additional comments. Now, I know!

 

[Doc Dan]

AP Shave Co blue/clear with G5A 26mm knot.