Fellas,
For the "Brush War" I plan on taking daily notes, and posting them after each go with a brush. As a result, after a few weeks/months, I think this would probably clog up this forum something wicked... how would you guys feel about a sub forum within the shaving brush forum for the "Brush War?"
Method:
Basically I plan to use each brush, under the same (within reason) conditions for AT LEAST 6X each (Ideally 10-15X, but with 10-12 brushes in the "war" it could take up to 6 months, so in order to keep the amount of data reasonable - I am thinking around 6 uses each should prove to be reasonable, but if I feel any one of the brushes has not fully "bloomed" and is performing at its optimal capacity, I will run the who line until every brush has been "broken in" and sufficiently tested.
Basically each brush will be tested in the same manner, with the same product, at the brushes same "point in life" as many of us have been comparing brushes we have owned/used/mastered for years, versus a new brush we have used just a few times. Whether or not a new brush performs different from an older, used brush is moot, but what is important is that it will be a variable that is extinguished in this comparo, by having all of the brushes in their new form.
My ultimate goal is to finally put an end to all this "jibber jabber" about hair grades, and other nonsense and focus JUST on performance, feel, and efficacy. When the rubber hits the road.... it is all about performance, sure packaging, presentation, ergonomics, overall look, etc will be factors... but when it is all said and done, I hope to classify the different manufactures by key/distinct performance qualities which will allow readers to choose which qualities THEY want, and will work best for THEM, not which hair grade is rarest. Rarity has nothing to do with performance and unless the brush is being used for display purposes or status there is simply no need for it unless it provides a distinct benefit.
Just a few questions I hope to shed light on ..
What brush/brand offers the best value?
Which brush is most luxurious?
Which brush is most versatile?
Which brush is most effective for shaving creams?
Which brush is most effective for shaving soaps?
Which brush offers the softest feel?
Which brush offers the greatest scrubbing action?
Which brush(s) is/are built the sturdiest?
Which bristle head shape is most effective?
What knot size is most effective?
What is the benefit of the high grades/rare badger hair?
What are the brushes truly worth?
Which brushes have justifiably high price tags and why?
Out of the bunch if there could be only one choice for an every day use brush, which one would it be?
Also, I plan on taking days off every few days or so, I will use one of my other shaving brushes I have in my staple to use as a sort of gauge. They will not be in the brush wars per se, but I will refer to them occasionally, and use them as reference, for example XYZ brush feels much like my relatively new Edwin Jagger best badger or XYZ brush has a knot density very similar to that of my Shavemaster etc.
The goal is to document each brush with pictures and notation, and truly cut through the hyperbole, speculation, assumptions, trends, and b/s to truly find out what the hell is the difference between all these things?
For the "Brush War" I plan on taking daily notes, and posting them after each go with a brush. As a result, after a few weeks/months, I think this would probably clog up this forum something wicked... how would you guys feel about a sub forum within the shaving brush forum for the "Brush War?"
Method:
Basically I plan to use each brush, under the same (within reason) conditions for AT LEAST 6X each (Ideally 10-15X, but with 10-12 brushes in the "war" it could take up to 6 months, so in order to keep the amount of data reasonable - I am thinking around 6 uses each should prove to be reasonable, but if I feel any one of the brushes has not fully "bloomed" and is performing at its optimal capacity, I will run the who line until every brush has been "broken in" and sufficiently tested.
Basically each brush will be tested in the same manner, with the same product, at the brushes same "point in life" as many of us have been comparing brushes we have owned/used/mastered for years, versus a new brush we have used just a few times. Whether or not a new brush performs different from an older, used brush is moot, but what is important is that it will be a variable that is extinguished in this comparo, by having all of the brushes in their new form.
My ultimate goal is to finally put an end to all this "jibber jabber" about hair grades, and other nonsense and focus JUST on performance, feel, and efficacy. When the rubber hits the road.... it is all about performance, sure packaging, presentation, ergonomics, overall look, etc will be factors... but when it is all said and done, I hope to classify the different manufactures by key/distinct performance qualities which will allow readers to choose which qualities THEY want, and will work best for THEM, not which hair grade is rarest. Rarity has nothing to do with performance and unless the brush is being used for display purposes or status there is simply no need for it unless it provides a distinct benefit.
Just a few questions I hope to shed light on ..
What brush/brand offers the best value?
Which brush is most luxurious?
Which brush is most versatile?
Which brush is most effective for shaving creams?
Which brush is most effective for shaving soaps?
Which brush offers the softest feel?
Which brush offers the greatest scrubbing action?
Which brush(s) is/are built the sturdiest?
Which bristle head shape is most effective?
What knot size is most effective?
What is the benefit of the high grades/rare badger hair?
What are the brushes truly worth?
Which brushes have justifiably high price tags and why?
Out of the bunch if there could be only one choice for an every day use brush, which one would it be?
Also, I plan on taking days off every few days or so, I will use one of my other shaving brushes I have in my staple to use as a sort of gauge. They will not be in the brush wars per se, but I will refer to them occasionally, and use them as reference, for example XYZ brush feels much like my relatively new Edwin Jagger best badger or XYZ brush has a knot density very similar to that of my Shavemaster etc.
The goal is to document each brush with pictures and notation, and truly cut through the hyperbole, speculation, assumptions, trends, and b/s to truly find out what the hell is the difference between all these things?