Burma Shave vs Ever Ready C40

[Allegrabene]

I picked up a NOS Ever Ready C40 at a flea market and noticed its almost identical to the Burma Shave brush my mom got me a few weeks back. After a but of research I realized why. Both made by American Safety Razor Company although the Burma Shave is much newer of course.

they both seem to have boar bristles but the Burma shave seems to have a higher loft and a band around the knot similar to an omega. I would guess that would mean it has less backbone but I guess we'll find out. Interestingly, the C40 feels a bit heavier. I guess the fact that I've got a couple of shaves in with it so far might effect that. Again we'll see. A lot of guessing going on here.

What I'm thinking is that I'll use them interchangeably over the next few weeks and figure out the differences and similarities and do some detective work on what if anything has changed

 

[Allegrabene]

I've shaved with the ever ready twice and the Burma shave once. Both lather pretty well after a soak of a couple minutes. They also both shed about 10 hairs a piece which I expected. The Burma shave brush wats to bloom much quicker but I guess I can't blame the Everready too much since its been in a box for 40 years. The ever ready is beyond scratchy as well. It's flat out scratchy. Wondering if it'll soften up over time. Burma shave seems no different than my omega 10066. They both seems to have equivalent backbone and density so far. The comparison goes on.

 

[blzrfn]

Interesting observations so far. I notice the Burma Shave has a black plastic cup that the knot sets in, I wonder if they source(d) these from Omega or from the same supplier used by Omega.

 

[Allegrabene]

Interesting observations so far. I notice the Burma Shave has a black plastic cup that the knot sets in, I wonder if they source(d) these from Omega or from the same supplier used by Omega.

Cant believe I left that out of the original description. The bristles in the knot look the same as my omega 10066 and has that black ring around the knot as well. It's not broken in yet but it's blooming similarly to how the Omega first did. If that were to be the case, the Burma brush would be outstanding value

 

[Allegrabene]

Both brushes have been used twice and seem to be done shedding hairs. They're both still pretty scratchy with an edge to the ever ready in terms of scratchiness. I guess I can't complain too much since its been in a box for 40 years. Decent backbone to both and each can whip up some serious lather. I may only use them for bowl lathering for the next month or so to limit the abuse to my face. The Burma Shave brush has really bloomed already whereas the Ever ready is still slow to come out of its shell but again, it's been cooped up for a long while. I also find that I've had to let the ever ready soak a little longer before it absorbs water. Maybe some natural oils have put a protective layer on the hairs that's stronger than normal. I'm pretty sure it'll get there. In spite of the scritch, the bristles aren't brittle so I have faith.

 

[TheVez2]

The boar will soften up. Stiff ones like that take a while, but eventually the ends split and the tips get really soft. I even think some of my boar brushes have softer tips than some of my badgers.

 

[Allegrabene]

I've got a couple of omegas that are amongst the softest I have but they were never as scratchy as these guys. It'll make it worth it once they do finally break in

 

[Dave_D]

NOS Evereadys are my go-to brushes, they work great and I like the back bone without the bloom. Didn't know Burma was almost exact, are those made in the US?

 

[Allegrabene]

NOS Evereadys are my go-to brushes, they work great and I like the back bone without the bloom. Didn't know Burma was almost exact, are those made in the US?

It says it is on the box but who knows. The parent company is the same though. American Safety Razor Co. In Staunton, Va