What's the deal with brushes people? I need to be schooled in the worst way. I don't mind spending the money if the product is right.
Thanks in advance!
~Iz
Thanks in advance!
~Iz
Brush School
- Thread starter ipineiro2k3
- Start date
I'm not sure what you're going for, but welcome to the madness!
- Thread starter
- #3
Thank you brother, i'm looking for a good quality brush something that will last and feel good on the face. I have a tweezerman and EJ Travel brush, i'm looking to expand my horizons a lil bit.
For a cheap intro to the field, there's always WhippedDog.com. You'll get tons of recommendations for the Semogue Owners Club boar brush as well. Both offer great bang for the buck.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks Gingerbread! 
Great tips.
Any love for Parker brushes? I have a pure badger Parker brush and it's alright, but I would really like to step up to a silvertip. $70 for a Parker silvertip, but no one seems to talk about them here, usually not a good sign.
- Thread starter
- #8
Heard of them, never used them but from what I've been checking out for a few bucks more you could get the cheapest Simpson brush which is supposedly top of the line.
~Iz
~Iz
What I would recommend is that you select some threads in the brush forum that contain the names from the following makers in the title:
Da Vinci
Rooney
Simpsons
Muhle
WSP
Vintage Blades
Whipped Dog
Omega
Semogue
Vie-Long
Lijun Shaving
Ace Shaving
Kent
Read some of these and you will begin to learn more about specifics that may meet your needs or questions that come up as to quality, luxury, cost, size, handle materials, knot materials, etc.
Also don't be afraid to look in the Restoration sub-forum that is attached to the main brush forum.
That is the way I learned about brushes.
Good fortune.
Da Vinci
Rooney
Simpsons
Muhle
WSP
Vintage Blades
Whipped Dog
Omega
Semogue
Vie-Long
Lijun Shaving
Ace Shaving
Kent
Read some of these and you will begin to learn more about specifics that may meet your needs or questions that come up as to quality, luxury, cost, size, handle materials, knot materials, etc.
Also don't be afraid to look in the Restoration sub-forum that is attached to the main brush forum.
That is the way I learned about brushes.
Good fortune.
- Thread starter
- #10
GDCarrington you kick butt!! Awesome list!!! Its like as brush directory!
Or if you want to find something unique check out these custom brush makers (gentlemen, all) and the threads about them on the forum:
Rudy Vey
Rod Neep (Pens of the Forest -UK)
Bob Quinn (Elite Razor)
Bob Farvour
DeRuitem
LE Tuft is another UK custom maker who gets lots of props on the British boards, but I haven't (yet) dealt with him.
I love the brushes from PC Woodworking, but they don't get much attention around here.
M&F (Lee Sabini; who is also closely affiliated with Rooney) sells brushes thru a few vendors. Or, you can contact him for a custom made. My own experience with Lee has been great, but many members would say you need nerves of steel to go through the drama of getting one of these. Maybe not for your first high end brush.
Finally two German brands that get a lot of love here:
Thater (consistently cited for the softest hair around)
Shavemac (you can choose between a standard model or a custom built to your specs; their D0-1 hair is the Holy Grail for many members)
Although Plisson is perhaps the Louis Vuitton of brushes, my experience has been disappointing. They're lovely to look at, but you pay a premium for the name, and I don't think they perform as well as others costing far less. Some are bound to disagree with that, which is the YMMV thing about shaving.
Good luck.
Rudy Vey
Rod Neep (Pens of the Forest -UK)
Bob Quinn (Elite Razor)
Bob Farvour
DeRuitem
LE Tuft is another UK custom maker who gets lots of props on the British boards, but I haven't (yet) dealt with him.
I love the brushes from PC Woodworking, but they don't get much attention around here.
M&F (Lee Sabini; who is also closely affiliated with Rooney) sells brushes thru a few vendors. Or, you can contact him for a custom made. My own experience with Lee has been great, but many members would say you need nerves of steel to go through the drama of getting one of these. Maybe not for your first high end brush.
Finally two German brands that get a lot of love here:
Thater (consistently cited for the softest hair around)
Shavemac (you can choose between a standard model or a custom built to your specs; their D0-1 hair is the Holy Grail for many members)
Although Plisson is perhaps the Louis Vuitton of brushes, my experience has been disappointing. They're lovely to look at, but you pay a premium for the name, and I don't think they perform as well as others costing far less. Some are bound to disagree with that, which is the YMMV thing about shaving.
Good luck.
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- Thread starter
- #12
Thanks Amzimbo!! These brushes on your list are definitely works of art!
Yup. Same here!
+1. there are hundreds of threads and thousands of posts on brushes.
all you have to do is a bit of browsing, reading and using the search....it's all there.
you would be better served once you have it narrowed down to a select few, to post an "opinions wanted" on some comparison brushes.
but to ask "what's up with brushes?", is like going on a car forum and asking "what's up with tires? someone tell me all there is to know about tires"
I think the best advice is to find one, or two that you like the looks of and go from there. I'm not sure, but it sounds like the brush AD's are going to set in.
My two cents is a Semogue 830, and one of Whippedog's silvertips. Two great brushes, one fine boar and one excellent badger for (probably) less than $50, incl. shipping. You can compare the types, and then try some others, or you could stop right there and be just fine.
Boy, have you opened up an extremely large can of worms! 
Boy, have you opened up an extremely large can of worms!
... and even the worms are running for cover!
- Thread starter
- #20
You are absolutely right the information is here hundreds if not thousands of posts on brushes. Unfortunately, I do not have all the time in the world to read and sift through it all to find the meat and potatoes of the subject. If you have a direct link or if you could point me in the right direction or thread rather that would be greatly appreciated. I do intend on posting an "opinion" thread at some point like you said once I narrow my choices down. I do appreciate you taking the time to comment on this thread. Thanks!
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