Buying my first high quality brush

[Russian Bear]

I just read up stickies.

So what I want from brush:
1. Till now I've seen and used only 3$ brushes.
2. I'm going to use soaps AND creams, because I'm just getting into trad. wetshaving and want to try everything!
3. I want my brush be just overall good and all purpose brush for face. I would say good introductory badger brush for beginner.
4. Brush aesthetics - VERY IMPORTANT! I want it to be gorgeous and be luxury looking. I don't really want just black or white handle, what I saw looking amazing at the moment is - EJ horn color.
5. Budget - under 150$, just don't think spending more would be good idea yet.
6. Size - I just don't know which size I want, but I'll be using mostly for face (sometimes underarms).
7. What I picked for now and can buy from manufacturer is Edwin Jagger Silver-tip in light horn medium size with dip stand. Look amazing for me, but I haven't seen much yet.
8. I guess I would buy Best Badger some day, but for now I want to feel luxurious feel of silver-tip and when I have guests they should wonder what an amazing brush I have
So is there any aethetic alternatives to EJ Silvertip in Faux Horn? I know aesthetic factor as everything else is very individual, but most people admire how it look like in their reviews.

 

[Mick]

Either of these should rock your world

 

[mistercitizen]

If you like the look of horn I'd suggest a Rooney (faux horn handle):

Overall, I like Rooney knots better than EJ. They are more densely packed and have soft tips. The Rooney comes in three different styles and three different sizes.... so you have plenty of options. Check out Truefitt & Hill brushes as well. I believe they are the same as Rooney, just rebranded. You can get T&H stuff 15% off with the B&B discount (I assume it's BB13 now.... used to be BB12 before New Year's).

Ben

 

[facetime]

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/160924-Rudy-Vey-Custom-Shaving-Brushes-and-Restorations
Rudy Vey - one of our very own and a great craftsman and true gentleman; green jade, amber jade, horn, and a variety of knots to choose, you name it;
you will find pages of pics of Rudy's work at the above link

 

[Russian Bear]

As for now I really like Da Vinci Uomo 290, but it is so pricey.
I didn't like Rooney over EJ and Da Vinci because it doesn't have that amazing Bulb form.

So I'm getting Da Vinci Uomo 290 as my first shaving brush for which I pay more then 3$ anybody stop me?

 

[celestino]

Good luck and let us know how you like it.

 

[Throwaway]

As for now I really like Da Vinci Uomo 290, but it is so pricey.
I didn't like Rooney over EJ and Da Vinci because it doesn't have that amazing Bulb form.

So I'm getting Da Vinci Uomo 290 as my first shaving brush for which I pay more then 3$ anybody stop me?

It is a nice looking brush. But for its price you could have 4 different brushes.

Semogue 620 boar brush that has good backbone for face lathering http://www.shaving.ie/products/Semogue-620-Boar-Brush.html $16.36
Semogue Owners Club (SOC) to get a "soft" feeling boar brush http://www.shaving.ie/products/Semogue-Owners-Club-2-Boar-Cherry.html $25.59
Whippeddog custom silvertip (maybe 24/50) badger brush http://www.whippeddog.com/products/view/silvertip-badger the custom fit will cost little extra so around ~$31
Vie-Long horse hair brush to see how you like it http://www.bullgooseshaving.net/vishbr.html ~$40

Two different kinds of boar brushes, a silvertip badger brush and finally a horse hair brush. If you have only ever used a cheap brush, then this is the best way to do it. You get to experience different kinds of brushes, which allows you to find your own preference.

 

[Snuff-Belgium]

3. I want my brush be just overall good and all purpose brush for face. I would say good introductory badger brush for beginner.
4. Brush aesthetics - VERY IMPORTANT!

You limit yourself a lot by going for aesthetics IMHO, I've had a EJ Silvertip brush (not in horn btw) and it was a good soft brush but there are many other brushes out there that cost less and perform better.

 

[mistercitizen]

You limit yourself a lot by going for aesthetics IMHO, I've had a EJ Silvertip brush (not in horn btw) and it was a good soft brush but there are many other brushes out there that cost less and perform better.

+1 My EJ Super Badger with the chrome bulbous handle is a very pretty brush. It is also my first brush and I went for the aesthetics aspect the first time as well. I almost never use that brush now. Since then I have experienced better performing brushes and all of a sudden aesthetically THOSE brushes look better to me now. Maybe my tastes have changed a bit since I first started out as well.... but regardless.... there are many great brushes out there and most of them have just plain old ivory colored handles.

Ben

 

[Russian Bear]

You limit yourself a lot by going for aesthetics IMHO, I've had a EJ Silvertip brush (not in horn btw) and it was a good soft brush but there are many other brushes out there that cost less and perform better.

Examples please?

 

[goby]

Just know that you won't get the perfect brush. The longer you do this, the more you'll understand what you really like.

I've been doing this for 15+ years, and for me, the Semogue 620 is perfect. Just get your brush, enjoy it, and see if it's too big, too small, too firm, or too soft. Have fun!

My suggestion would be a $50-$75 brush from Simpson.

 

[takeshi]

I want my brush be just overall good and all purpose brush for face. I would say good introductory badger brush for beginner.

I want it to be gorgeous and be luxury looking.

Be aware that these are highly subjective and don't mean much unless you can clarify and provide examples. You did say that you like the EJ horn color but more examples will help other to provide recommendations. Examples of what you don't like are also helpful. Don't just assume that your notions of "good" and "gorgeous" are universal. People generally don't have "ugly" and "terrible" as shopping list items. What do you specifically mean by "good"? Are you looking for soft tips? Something with a bit more scritch? Backbone? Density? Knot size? Loft? Are you looking for certain handle materials? Certain colors? The more info you provide on what you're looking for the better the recommendations you'll get. Other questions to ponder can be found at:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/98887-How-to-get-good-brush-picking-amp-buying-advice

 

[Coler]

I'll just add my tuppence worth, which is shaving brush should really be function over form.

Then I'll tell you to buy a Semogue Owners Club Two Band in Cherry and be done with it. If it doesn't look like what you have in your mind close your eyes while ya use it

 

[Dalejr]

It's a stab in the dark, go with what look you like and if it doesn't perform to your standards, the bst will find it a new home. I just ordered an EJ Silvertip for $109 shipped which compared to some other brands is a great deal.

 

[rearviewmirror]

Morris & Forndran

 

[Badgerfat]

Either of these should rock your world

+1 These are very nice!!!