Best option in the $30-40 range?

[rickshah]

Hey Folks,

My buddy is interested in getting involved in the wonderful world of wet shaving and asked me for a couple solid products to get started with. Back in the day when I started the go to beginner brush was the Edwin Jagger Best sold at Crabtree and Evelyn, but after checking out their website it appears as though they stopped caring the brush.

I think I have located the same brush on Amazon, but before I tell him to pull the trigger I wanted to see what you guys thought- what is the best option in the $30-40 range?

 

[AJMiami]

I really like the Simpson special. Is somewhat small 19mm, but not too small. You get simpson best badger hair which is amazing. This will run you in the low 40s with shipping.

 

[JPDyson]

Good advice on the Special. I would affirm the Edwin Jagger Best Badger Brush. Favorable conversion rate lately puts even the Medium safely under $40 from here:

http://www.theenglishshavingcompany...in%20Jagger Best badger shaving brushes@b

That faux horn looks great!

 

[JPDyson]

I really like the Simpson special. Is somewhat small 19mm, but not too small. You get simpson best badger hair which is amazing. This will run you in the low 40s with shipping.

Seen here for $42; where else?
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Simpson-Special-1-Best-Badger-Shaving-Brush-S1_p_556.html

 

[AJMiami]

Seen here for $42; where else?
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Simpson-Special-1-Best-Badger-Shaving-Brush-S1_p_556.html

I bought it from penworks at 37, but is no longer in stock..also out of stock in West Coast...it is such a good brush, and excellent value

 

[maj3289]

a little over a year ago i bought a brush from Crab Tree and Evelyn for about 35 dollars. it's pure badger

 

[Hil's Lee]

I got my Edwin Jagger Best Badger Brush (Medium) for $38 shipped last month. You can choose faux ebony/ivory handle. It's a good deal.

 

[JPDyson]

a little over a year ago i bought a brush from Crab Tree and Evelyn for about 35 dollars. it's pure badger

That's the C&E BBB, which is sourced from Edwin Jagger. It's discontinued from C&E, but EJ still sells it - that's what I linked above.

 

[aimsport]

How about $19 for a Badger in Fine. I have one from Star Shaving Supplies on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-100-Badger-...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c12d7cef7

They sell stands too:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Shaving-Sha...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c12d7b7ab

The Fine seems to be the right stiffness for a basic brush while still feeling luxurious. Best $20 I've spent on shaving in a long long while. Only Cella tops it in delight factor for me.

 

[AJMiami]

A quality boar is a good 1st brush as well. And he could have some money left for a decent soap and potentially a cream.

 

[joshmpdx]

How about a Rooney 3/1 in pure?

 

[Mr. Imperial]

I really like the Simpson special. Is somewhat small 19mm, but not too small. You get simpson best badger hair which is amazing. This will run you in the low 40s with shipping.

I'm a big fan of the Special, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for a beginner. The small size could ruin him for larger, more expensive brushes when his AD's set in .

The Rooney 3/1, on the other hand, is a fantastic all-around brush, and could well satisfy him for a long time.

 

[norton]

A quality boar is a good 1st brush as well. And he could have some money left for a decent soap and potentially a cream.

Good call.

Pick one:
Semogue 620, 830 or 1305. Get some 444 from Leon while you're there.

 

[huntmol]

Edwin Jagger in Best.
Great starter/midrange brush

 

[dalecooper51]

I really like the Vulfix 404 Grosvenor.

Mixed badger and boar for $26 plus shipping from shoebox shaving.

Another good boar is the Omega 31064.

 

[AJMiami]

I really like the Vulfix 404 Grosvenor.

Mixed badger and boar for $26 plus shipping from shoebox shaving.

Another good boar is the Omega 31064.

excellent suggestion, I love that Grosvenor handle. a great deal at 26

 

[Joe Edson]

Good call.

Pick one:
Semogue 620, 830 or 1305. Get some 444 from Leon while you're there.

Another vote for a semogue boar. I own the 620 and 830 and love them both so much that I recently ordered the 2000 (I have a feeling that the 1305 is going to be purchased sometime later as well....)

I also own the Edwin Jagger Medium Super badger and all I'll say is that when I'm able to, it is going in the BST.

 

[devil24]

I also own the Edwin Jagger Medium Super badger and all I'll say is that when I'm able to, it is going in the BST.

Why? just curious (I'm considering ordering one).

 

[SliceOfLife]

Being bad with names sucks. I just had to dig through ten pages of BST to find this guys ID....

I'd PM Prophetic_Joe. He does a LOT of vintage brush restores with TGN knots, which if you aren't particular about the handle are a little bit cheaper than getting a hand-turned one (a hair out of your price range unfortunately). The two band finest or grade A silvertip knots seem to be the most well regarded.

 

[Joe Edson]

Why? just curious (I'm considering ordering one).

It just doesn't have enough backbone for me. I also like smaller brushes, so maybe a small is better for me. Not too keen on the big brushes.