Breaking in pics of my new Rudy Vey brush

[Starkicker]

Hey Guys,

I'm the lucky owner of a Rudy Vey BEB with 24mm knot. I'm not sure what kind of knot it is specifically, I will update this post when I get the specifics from Rudy.

I'm a stickler for breaking in new things in my own home; I bought the RV brush while I was travelling and waited about 3 weeks until I got back home to put the brush in water and make it's first lather.

I've typically only used WD brushes; my brushes of choice are a 24mm silvertip, a 22mm synthetic for use when I travel and now the RV for Sunday shaves and special days.

Here is a pic of the RV as sent from Rudy:


Here it is after one test lather using Klar Kabinett as the break in soap to get rid of the badger funk. I have it beside my WD 24mm for comparison:



I think the RV brush is more dense than the WD (the WD is a shedder); but the WD blooms out more. The WD is softer; when I face lather with it, it's like i'm lathering with a cloud. The RV has a little more backbone to it which is nice. I will keep them both and I think I will sell the WD synthetic.

I have some questions for you brush gurus; will the RV soften up as it breaks in? From the brush overhead shots, is a denser brush better?

I can't seem to make mounds and mounds of lather with either of the badger brushes whereas I could easily make 6 pass lathers with the synthetic. I'll have to refine my technique a little more, but my Sunday shaves are going to consist of the RV and PannaCrema Namaste; the ultimate combination for me.

 

[shaverjoe]

Beautiful brush. RV does some beautiful work. Enjoy it!

 

[GDCarrington]

Hey Guys,

I'm the lucky owner of a Rudy Vey BEB with 24mm knot. I'm not sure what kind of knot it is specifically, I will update this post when I get the specifics from Rudy.

I'm a stickler for breaking in new things in my own home; I bought the RV brush while I was travelling and waited about 3 weeks until I got back home to put the brush in water and make it's first lather.

I've typically only used WD brushes; my brushes of choice are a 24mm silvertip, a 22mm synthetic for use when I travel and now the RV for Sunday shaves and special days.

Here is a pic of the RV as sent from Rudy:
View attachment 339037

Here it is after one test lather using Klar Kabinett as the break in soap to get rid of the badger funk. I have it beside my WD 24mm for comparison:
View attachment 339038
View attachment 339039

I think the RV brush is more dense than the WD (the WD is a shedder); but the WD blooms out more. The WD is softer; when I face lather with it, it's like i'm lathering with a cloud. The RV has a little more backbone to it which is nice. I will keep them both and I think I will sell the WD synthetic.

I have some questions for you brush gurus; will the RV soften up as it breaks in? From the brush overhead shots, is a denser brush better?

I can't seem to make mounds and mounds of lather with either of the badger brushes whereas I could easily make 6 pass lathers with the synthetic. I'll have to refine my technique a little more, but my Sunday shaves are going to consist of the RV and PannaCrema Namaste; the ultimate combination for me.

Great looking brush. Rudy does great work. The knot looks like a 2 band, maybe TGN Finest or similar.

As to density. I prefer and medium to thicker density brush. More of a preference than dogmatic reasons.

The WD would be floppier for many reasons, softer/reduced backbone in knot (Silvertips tend to have less backbone than 2 bands), longer loft placement, etc.

As to synthetics, since the fibers are solid, they will not absorb product like natural hairs do.
Remember to use less product with synthetics and more product with naturals.

Enjoy that brush!

 

[franz]

Interesting rod stock. Love that handle shape, too.

 

[Starkicker]

I just got confirmation from Rudy, it's a 24mm 2 band finest. Is that part of the silvertip variety or the black/pure badger variety?

I just did a test face lather, it lathers great - it holds it's shape and doesn't fan out and has enough backbone to be firm yet soft. I thought I got a hint of stingers, but it wasn't too rough on my face.

All in all, i'm very happy with this new brush!

 

[Larsson_Power]

I just got confirmation from Rudy, it's a 24mm 2 band finest. Is that part of the silvertip variety or the black/pure badger variety?

I just did a test face lather, it lathers great - it holds it's shape and doesn't fan out and has enough backbone to be firm yet soft. I thought I got a hint of stingers, but it wasn't too rough on my face.

All in all, i'm very happy with this new brush!

This is the beauty of two band knots! Have a TGN 26mm 2-band myself, behaves the same way =)

 

[celestino]

That is fine looking brush and congratulations!

 

[Big Jim]

The common two band, and I believe as Rudy uses, is the top tier of Finest. That usually ranks just below Silvertip, however many will argue that it is superior to Silvertip. It tends to have more backbone while still being very soft on the face.

That's a really nice looking brush.

 

[Starkicker]

Thanks guys. I'm loving this brush! So far so good with regard to shedding. Only one or two small hairs after 2-3 uses. My WD which I love sheds 2-3 hairs per use