Brushes I've tried so far...

[BryanD]

I've been DE shaving for five months and so far I have used:

1. Shea Moisture (the Target one) -- lightweight badger
2. Parker "100% Pure Badger Bristle" (from Amazon.com)
3. Omega Pro 49 boar

I definitely like #2 the best of those. It is a nice badger brush with a somewhat heavy handle. #3 comes in second. I'm finding I'm not a big fan of boar, but it is perfectly functional. #1 is "just OK" -- it is way too limp for my preference but can be made to work with creams, I find it hard to load on soaps.

I'm getting more into soaps now, and I'd like to try one more "not too expensive" brush somewhat like #2 but maybe with even a bit more backbone.

I'm considering a Simpsons Wee Scot -- would that be a good choice or would something else more closely suit my preferences?

 

[global_dev]

Shea Moisture (the Target one) -- lightweight badger
... is way too limp for my preference but can be made to work with creams, I find it hard to load on soaps.

Shea Moisture is too limp? I don't think I would have ever come to that conclusion. odd.. it's almost the strongest backbone of all my brushes and i have to rotate it in hand a bit to get it splaying the best. i also find it the one of the easiest to load soaps on...even lathers new Williams for me... wow talk about YMMV..

 

[BryanD]

Shea Moisture is too limp? I don't think I would have ever come to that conclusion. odd.. it's almost the strongest backbone of all my brushes and i have to rotate it in hand a bit to get it splaying the best. i also find it the one of the easiest to load soaps on...even lathers new Williams for me... wow talk about YMMV..

Well, the one I have is definitely "floppy" and is also not very "dense" at all. To load on soaps, I need to hold the bristles up near the handle to keep them from just "flexing" over the surface of the soap. For comparison, the Parker is really dense and the tips "drag" nicely over the soap, loading up very effectively.

 

[beginish]

I know that some use the Wee Scot regularly, but I would probably go with a more conventionally sized brush such as the Berkeley, Case or Special.

 

[global_dev]

Well, the one I have is definitely "floppy" and is also not very "dense" at all. To load on soaps, I need to hold the bristles up near the handle to keep them from just "flexing" over the surface of the soap. For comparison, the Parker is really dense and the tips "drag" nicely over the soap, loading up very effectively.

My suggestion with the Shea Moisture, and other brushes similar, may be to just use the first 1/5 length from the tips of the bristles. I am not trying to keep you on this brush, so take my suggestion for what its worth. I don't love the brush for other reasons, a bit too skritchy for regular use for me, but I find it's my easiest brush to lather soaps.

good luck finding a brush you enjoy.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Take a look at the Vulfix line of brushes from any of the vendors. Classic Shaving has good photo's and descriptions of them, but their prices are way out of line. Check them out here: www.classicshaving.com, and then look for a better price.

I've found the Vulfix line to be great brushes, and the price won't break you.

 

[BryanD]

I know that some use the Wee Scot regularly, but I would probably go with a more conventionally sized brush such as the Berkeley, Case or Special.

Thanks. That's a good point -- I knew the Wee Scot was small, but I measured my current favorite Parker and the overall height is 108mm and that seems 'fine'. a little smaller would still be fine, but the Wee Scot is 67mm and that is quite a LOT smaller The three that you mention look very nice at a size closer to what I'm liking now, and the prices are still reasonable. I'll give those a serious thought.

Take a look at the Vulfix line of brushes from any of the vendors. Classic Shaving has good photo's and descriptions of them, but their prices are way out of line. Check them out here: www.classicshaving.com, and then look for a better price.

I've found the Vulfix line to be great brushes, and the price won't break you.

Thanks. For some reason I really want to try a Simpson. I'm no expert and I've never even actually seen a Simpson, but somehow all of the Simpson users have convinced me that they are worth a try.

 

[Shavely Manden]

Thanks. For some reason I really want to try a Simpson. I'm no expert and I've never even actually seen a Simpson, but somehow all of the Simpson users have convinced me that they are worth a try.

I've got my first Simpson, and love it to pieces. I would think that the Wee would be dreadfully wee to make a fair conclusion about Simpsons, though...why not go for a more normal-sized brush in Best? Maybe a Duke...I hear they're similar to the (in)famous Chubby, but not as ridiculously expensive.

 

[kooshman7]

I don't think you would want to try a Vulfix if you're looking for something with more backbone. They aren't known for backbone or density. They function very well don't get me wrong there.

Among the best latherers you will find. Less density and more loft gives the brush an easier time to mix the soap or cream with the air and water.

The Simpson line would be the place I would look in the pure and best badger lines. I don't know if you want a hair with a bit softer tips, but the best is excellent. It has great backbone and soft tips, but no so soft you can't feel it working on the face. I can't comment on the pure but see what others might say.

Like said the Wee Scot might be too small. Good sugestions from beginish to consider. I like bigger knots for the most part so if I had to choose from those 3 I'd get the Berkeley, but the Case is a great little brush with excellent backbone and density. As long as you like the handle and feel it will work well for you you'll find something you'll like!

 

[andrew98]

Hows about a Semogue Boar? The blue one on this page. I'd wait for this brush to be made. It will be soft and have tons of backbone. It shouldn't cost the world either ($30-ish?).

-Andy

 

[BryanD]

Hows about a Semogue Boar? The blue one on this page. I'd wait for this brush to be made. It will be soft and have tons of backbone. It shouldn't cost the world either ($30-ish?).

-Andy

I prefer badger. Based on the feedback here, I'm probably going to go with a Simpson Berkley or Special when I have some spare funds next month.

 

[woodfluter]

Hey there BryanD -

Everything Kooshman said is right on target from my limited experience, but I favor smaller brushes mostly...the Wee Scot is great but not what you're looking for I think. I have a Duke 1 in "best", which has plenty of backbone and works better with soaps than larger brushes but isn't tiny. You might consider that if you're hankering after a Simpson.

I have a two-band Simpson Tulip 2, and it is wonderful, but with soaps it takes a while to load despite the stiffer spine of the hairs. All good stuff, but if I had to pick one badger to work with creams and soaps it would be something like the Duke 1.

Also I'm wondering if you've given the boar a fair trial? Don't know how much you've used yours but they take longer to break in and reach optimal performance. Also the Omega you have is sort of big...27mm knot with a 65mm loft. For comparison, I have an Omega 81052 (23 knot x 56 loft) and Semogue 830 (23 knot x 55 loft) and they work brilliantly with soaps. By way of contrast, I got an Acca Kappa boar years ago, good quality but about the size of yours, and I also thought it was "just OK". Size matters more than I would have previously thought.

All the best,
- Bill

 

[krevo]

I've been DE shaving for five months and so far I have used:

1. Shea Moisture (the Target one) -- lightweight badger
2. Parker "100% Pure Badger Bristle" (from Amazon.com)
3. Omega Pro 49 boar

I definitely like #2 the best of those. It is a nice badger brush with a somewhat heavy handle. #3 comes in second. I'm finding I'm not a big fan of boar, but it is perfectly functional. #1 is "just OK" -- it is way too limp for my preference but can be made to work with creams, I find it hard to load on soaps.

I'm getting more into soaps now, and I'd like to try one more "not too expensive" brush somewhat like #2 but maybe with even a bit more backbone.

I'm considering a Simpsons Wee Scot -- would that be a good choice or would something else more closely suit my preferences?

I would not recommend the Wee Scot, especially for soaps. If you want a good brush for soaps, Omega makes a number of boars that are much softer at the tips with good firm backbones.

I'd also recommend a well packed, short loft Shavemac or Rooney brush, or even a less expensive RV built on a finest knot.