Brush Chronicles #18: Apshaveco 2BED Synthetic by Abe’s Brush Works

[Guido75]

Alright, B&B Community, we’re are not done with the Manchurian yet, but giving that brush a week’s rest we can have some additional fun in the meantime! I therefore proudly present B&B’s next Brush Chronicle. Brush Chronicles are B&B's in depth examination of shaving brushes that puts them through their paces in all manner of uses. We hope to show what a brush can do and how well it can do it. The format is designed for one to two people to lead the discussion, posting regularly over the course of two weeks and recounting their experiences using the brush in question. The best Chronicles are those where many members join in the discussion and share their experiences. And the more pictures the better (even though I am a lousy photographer which is probably why I don’t post much photos to begin with).

Abe’s Brush Works Slim Oak 2BED

• Guido75
• Jan 7, 2025

This is the Two Band Extra Dense knot by @apshaveco set in an Oak handle turned by my dad, hence the name of the brush Abe’s Brush Works.

It measured 30mm and was a snug fit in the 30mm handle, but in Apshaveco’s website it appears the knot is 28mm. The difference to me is negligible. It is a fan synthetic knot that appears to be emulating a badger brush.

The knot was super generously and kindly provided by @MaineYooper.

There are not that many reviews around I noticed. I found this thread by Jim @Chan Eil Whiskers with favourable opinions by most, as was this case also this thread by @Leverspro. I have also seen an unfavourable experience, but it seemed an isolated case. Recent usages were by @nicked78 - so maybe he can chime in this week as well!

I will put it through the motions of different soaps and techniques to make see how it performs. So far I have used it once for a head shave and it was amazingly soft and - yes, go figure - dense! Nice backbone that shave. Let’s see how it does on the face!

 

[jesseix]

I think you don’t see/hear as much about them nowadays because they haven’t been been offered by AP for a little while. I have one and really like it though, it’s pretty much my go-to travel brush and gets regular usage in my daily shaves at home.

 

[Guido75]

For my first shave I used Hampshire Wool Fat for a nice and gentle face lathering. I loaded my brush for the usual 15 counts.

Loaded brush ready for lathering

• Guido75
• Jan 7, 2025

I then proceeded to face lather. At first nothing much was happening although backbone and dampness were certainly present. One dunk into water (I shave with cold water) hydrated the soap more and away we were for a gentle scrub and fantastic feeling during face lathering. The ensuing brush was fully loaded after applying and finalising that first pass.

After building the lather

• Guido75
• Jan 7, 2025

This stayed so during the next pass as well with enough available for touch’s ups, but not for a third pass.

The brush might want to emulate a badger, but in feel and application it is not. It behaves like a synthetic does and it much softer than a badger brush. The density of the knot at 30mm and firmly set kind of traps the soap between the bristles, but it is better manageable than I experienced with the Manchurian badger I used last week.

My beard felt well prepared and the shave results were fantastic. Very nice!

 

[MaineYooper]

Hello @Guido75,

Back a few years ago, before the G5 knots hit the market, the 2BED was AP Shave Company's newest release. Originally, I think Andrew offered the Syn(thetic)Bad(ger), the Cashmere, and maybe the Silk Smoke and/or the Timberwolf? Then the 2BED appeared. It was originally available in 26mm, 28mm, and 30mm knots. I don't recall if 24mm was available. I have a friend who really enjoyed them and I think most of mine went to him eventually or were sold off. When the G5 knots came out, I tried them but preferred the SynBad and the 2BED. Sales were stronger for the varius G5s and the 2BEDs were discontinued. I don't know what fibers were sourced for it or how it differs from the G5s, but finding one can be a challenge!

I am very glad it is working out for you and it looks great in that handle!

 

[Guido75]

I did not know that Eric @MaineYooper - thanks for the background story on this one. And with that in mind I now feel it’s even more special that it already was.

I don't know what fibers were sourced for it or how it differs from the G5s

I have two G5Cs. Never crossed my mind to compare them as such. Interesting! Mission accepted!

 

[Guido75]

I loaded a little heavier for this morning's shave and also backed down a little on the water intake upfront. I only dipped the tips of the brush and subsequently loaded soap for about 15 counts. I then started to face lather being caucious to only dip the tips. My theory was that because of the density of the brush soaking it up and pushing that soap in will only get the soap caught between the hairs rather than lathered up on my face. So light motion in applying it to my face.

And before I knew it I had lather for three wonderful passes and some residual soap for a closing face wash.

The brush is soft with a hint of scrubby sensations to get the bristles in the beard nice and up while preparing them for the shave ahead.

Compared to the G5C knot the 2BED is less fatty / oily / gelly - no idea what to call it, but the G5C knot has that fatty glow over it where the 2BED does not. My dad's handle - actually one of his earlier study models - is wonderful. Good grip, solid and a width fitting for the brush and its usage.

 

[Guido75]

Shaved with Proraso Green this morning. Using Proraso with the Zenith Manchurian was not the best match, so I decided to use it with the 2BED and check differences. And there are. The 2BED is much better at lathering Proraso up.

Proraso fully lathered

• Guido75
• Jan 9, 2025

Still very airy and bubbly lather and I should have build it up even better, but it was very doable from here and I also continued on my face. What is similar to the Manchurian is that the 2BED preferred a painting on motion rather than circular or splaying like I normally do when face lathering. I think the cream and the fact I bowl lathered have something to do with that.

Lucious lathered and plenty of it. I had so much of it I proceeded with a nice and comfy head shave as well. Two passes of lather were at my disposal.

Nicely loaded brush

• Guido75
• Jan 9, 2025

So far so good. Liking this brush. Very nice qualities and soft to my skin.

 

[Guido75]

Used a hard soap today: Tabarko. Harder than Hampshire Wool Fat. It is easy to lather. Only 10 counts of loading and a subsequent lucious face lathering. The brush had no trouble at all in lathering up, but also not in loading up. It was clear I was able to pick up more product in comparison.

Great job by the 2BED today.

 

[Guido75]

Worked with Razorock Mudder Focker today. I scooped out a small almond with my mini tea spoon into the magical Captain’s Choice Bowl (Bill’s Bowl) and away we went.

Loading Razorock MF

• Guido75
• Jan 11, 2025

It became very apparent soon that I had used way too much soap. MF is similar to Goodfellas in its base meaning - for me - that the soap takes time to dissolve into lather. So I already had a good amount going, but I saw soap residual pieces still stuck to the bottom of the bowl. Adding more water was the solution while the brush gave an excellent performance.

A gazillion passes

• Guido75
• Jan 11, 2025

Full lather after bowl lathering

• Guido75
• Jan 11, 2025

I had tons of lather, although I will admit that the lather got much better during the second and third pass. The first pass application was a bit more dabbing it on rather than painting or splaying. What I might refer to as the Sig Solo method.

Having such amounts of lather made me continue my shave to extent it to a head shave. And enough lather for two full passes. I even had enough lather for a nice face and head wash post shave. Insane.

Residual lather post shaves

• Guido75
• Jan 11, 2025

Excellent performance of the brush.

 

[Guido75]

I had a small residual piece of Mike’s left when I put all my refills into the large container I 3017-ed last year. So I thought why not take that for a spin for a couple of shaves. I loaded for 25 counts, which was too much and plenty for a soft wonderful and enjoyable face lathering. Mike’s is a thirsty soap, but the 2BED handled it with flair. A really enjoyable brush!

Solid lather, thick and rich, and the brush dispensed the lather in a good way without hogging or clogging. I like it!

This was the 7th use of this brush. I will return to the Zenith Manchurian for a week and then come back of the final week with the 2BED. Stay tuned!

 

[Guido75]

I bowl lathered Mike’s Natural Barbershop with the 2BED brush to verify if bowl lathering and Mike’s wasn’t a match or that the Zenith Manchurian and the bowl weren’t a match.

My conclusion is that the Zenith and the bowl aren’t best of friends (at least not with my technique).

However, I also must say that while the lather was much and much better than yesterday, it wasn’t perfect either.

Matt’s lathered with 2BED

• Guido75
• Jan 16, 2025

 

[Guido75]

I used a shave stick today (the marvellous BSS#1 by B&B very own Boris @blethenstrom) and took the 2BED to the face for a very nice and rich face lather.

2BED meets BSS#1

• Guido75
• Jan 20, 2025

Cushion was good and protective against the positive exposure of the Karve CB I used today. Very nice!

Solid protective lather

• Guido75
• Jan 20, 2025

Water retention was low today as I sprayed it around on my first couple of swirls on the face. No knock on the brush regarding its performance. Just an observation.

 

[Guido75]

Bowl lathered with Mudder Focker today. I used very little soap, but wow lather explosion!

Superfluous lather

• Guido75
• Jan 21, 2025

I had enough lather for three face passes and two head passes and still had plenty left:

Remaining lather after face and head shave

• Guido75
• Jan 21, 2025

I noticed upon finding than the brush did not even lather up all the soap as I had a minor sliver of soap left in the bowl.

Super performance today. Wonderfully soft and a joy to use.

 

[Guido75]

Bowl lathering with Proraso Green today and had tons of lathering using only a gentle circular motion. Applying lather was relatively easy using painting strokes. Lather did creep up the knot - or into the knot to be more precise. The volume of the lather was so much that it had no effect on the thickness of the lather on my face, but in the end the lather was simply on the wrong side of the brush.

It was a great performance as far as I am concerned and so the 2BED passed the bowl lathering with soft soaps test!

 

[Guido75]

Turned to a harder soap again today for a nice face lather with Hampshire Wool Fat. No problems whatsoever lathering up. Feel was soft and gentle while the density of the brush provided enough scritch to work up the bristles. I loaded for about 15 counts and had plenty of lather available.

Tomorrow is the last day already with this brush. So far it has been splendid.

 

[Guido75]

Excellent final performance from the 2BED knot and brush. Used the same soap as yesterday and loaded for 15 counts. Minimal water dipping and a nice thick lather emerged. The brush felt smooth and comfortable while still having that backbone ability to work up the hairs and prepare them for the shave.

Where does this leave us? Well, for one with a fantastic knot. This is a great brush for sure. The 30mm does take getting used to as the sheer size and density of the brush required me to adapt my loading and lathering techniques somewhat. There is a small tendency for soap to be sucked up into the knot and it only comes back out again when I squeeze the knot from base to top. All fine, just something to be aware of.

The knot itself is currently unavailable (maybe Andrew @apshaveco can be convinced to restock it??) unfortunately, because this is a nice one to have in the collection. So I am very grateful for the opportunity @MaineYooper Eric provided to use this knot in this 18th Brush Chronicle. It will definitely see more usage throughout this year!

 

[Guido75]

Easy lather

• Guido75
• Jan 26, 2025

Turns out that today is the final shave! Three times is a charm so I used HWF again. This is a very dependable soap for this brush and the brush is very dependable with this soap.

Superb lather with even just 10 counts of loading (I had light stubble) therefore and everything I said yesterday still holds true for this brush. Wonderful!