Choosing a brush for a Newbie

[johnnyyt]

i'm assembling my starter kit and i don't know what brush to get
some are telling me to just buy a cheaper synthetic brush for now and then upgrade to a badger later on
others tell me to spend the extra cash now for a badger brush and not have to replace it down the road

what should i do?

btw, whats the importance of silver tip?

 

[wagstaff]

Different grades of badger hair have different stiffness, or scratchiness particularly at the tip. Silvertip is softer than lower grades of hair. It's more comfortable against your face.

Of course there are so many different gradations, and grading systems used by different manufacturers, that this is all very general. But that IS the general idea for its "importance". Boar bristle can get very soft too, but that generally takes a long (sometimes very long) break-in period. Badger holds a lot more water, and therefore a lot more lather, too. (Again, in general). Some people like this more than others.

There are lots of options, and I don't know what's best for you -- but one to think about is getting a Silvertip from Whipped Dog. (There are other bang-for-your-buck options, too, but this is the one I have experience with). I'd ask for a deeper knot than standard, just to give a bit more backbone to brush, but these things vary a lot according to user.

 

[Mick]

A "good" synthetic is not a "cheap brush" and will outperform most brushes until you get to the over $150 price range.

If you want a good brush that won't rip the wallet out of your pants, empty it, then throw it back in your face get one of these:

http://connaughtshaving.com/31k257.html

I believe that is the lowest price you can find on that model brush.

I have the next size smaller and use it as a travel brush but it blows away most "reasonably priced" badger brushes

 

[johnnyyt]

A "good" synthetic is not a "cheap brush" and will outperform most brushes until you get to the over $150 price range.

If you want a good brush that won't rip the wallet out of your pants, empty it, then throw it back in your face get one of these:

http://connaughtshaving.com/31k257.html

I believe that is the lowest price you can find on that model brush.

I have the next size smaller and use it as a travel brush but it blows away most "reasonably priced" badger brushes

sorry, i didn't mean to say a synthetic was cheap in quality, i meant cheaper in price
thats a pretty good deal for a silver tip badger, considering all the other brushes i've been looking at.
i'm not on a budget but i don't want to shell out too much money on my first kit without knowing if i'll stay with traditional wet shaving or not

a brush i've been looking at is the parker owst. a shop in my city carries them for 65.


i'm in toronto btw

 

[John Von Wuggz]

Buy the "cheaper" brush first. I still keep my $9 Omega boar in my rotation. The silvertips are great, especially since I face lather, but you'll enjoy the differences more if you have something to compare it to.

 

[ChiefBroom]

Buy the "cheaper" brush first. I still keep my $9 Omega boar in my rotation. The silvertips are great, especially since I face lather, but you'll enjoy the differences more if you have something to compare it to.

+1

Good advice. B&B Essential Boar is a great brush. Omega Pro is a great brush. I'm pretty much a badger guy. I I started with an Omega Pro that I still have and occasionally use. Great place to start.

Welcome to B&B and the Shaving Brushes Forum!

 

[johnnyyt]

+1

Good advice. B&B Essential Boar is a great brush. Omega Pro is a great brush. I'm pretty much a badger guy. I I started with an Omega Pro that I still have and occasionally use. Great place to start.

Welcome to B&B and the Shaving Brushes Forum!

how do you guys feel about synthetic brushes?
how do they feel on your face and what are the pros and cons of them?

 

[Kostas1]

Turtle, I'm shocked you didn't recommend the davinci 293. With the 30% off at promakeupbrush.com, that brings the price to 83. I haven't received mine yet (anxiously awaiting), but that price on a hand made in Germany brush is pretty ridiculous.

i don't have any of my first 4 brushes. Nothing wrong with any of them, just took me a while to figure out what's right for me. Personally, I'd recommend the davinci 293 based on its reputation of being the best all around brush regardless of price.

another strong option would be a finest knot from the golden nib, set in a custom handle by Rudy Vey or Bob Quinn at Elite Razor. Great quality and feel, and if you keep the loft/knot ratio around 2.1/1, you'll have a great combo brush.

 

[Mick]

The ONLY think to consider when seleecting a brush is....

How do you build your lather?

Do you make it in a shaving bowl then apply the made lather to your face?

To you build the lather on your face, loading the brush (or your face) with soap then bringing the soap filled brush to your face to create your lather?

Each method will have a "best for this type of use" brush that you can pick.

There are VERY FEW Swiss army knife / one size fits all shaving brushes that can do everything and do it reasonably well.

SO.....

How do you make your lather and do you intend on continuing making it in that manner?

 

[ChiefBroom]

how do you guys feel about synthetic brushes?
how do they feel on your face and what are the pros and cons of them?

Sorry, but I'm completely ignorant with regard to synthetics. I need to rectify that. Plenty of others here will be able to offer good advice, though.

Good luck!

 

[johnnyyt]

The ONLY think to consider when seleecting a brush is....

How do you build your lather?

Do you make it in a shaving bowl then apply the made lather to your face?

To you build the lather on your face, loading the brush (or your face) with soap then bringing the soap filled brush to your face to create your lather?

Each method will have a "best for this type of use" brush that you can pick.

There are VERY FEW Swiss army knife / one size fits all shaving brushes that can do everything and do it reasonably well.

SO.....

How do you make your lather and do you intend on continuing making it in that manner?

i plan on using a cream and lathering it in a bowl or mug before applying it to my face.

 

[Mick]

i plan on using a cream and lathering it in a bowl or mug before applying it to my face.

There are 2 magic brushes for you then.

Da Vinci 290 (which is on sale for 30% off right now)

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/297106-Da-Vinci-290-Globe-Handle-Brush-Review

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/348873-ProMakeupBrush-com-Sale-da-Vinci-Brushes

Kent BK8

http://www.feelunique.com/p/Kent-Mens-Large-Shaving-Brush

I've found both of these brushes to be tops at bowl lathering creams.

 

[cooltide]

finest in a shavemac well worth a look

 

[Moondoggie]

There are 2 magic brushes for you then.

Da Vinci 290 (which is on sale for 30% off right now)

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/297106-Da-Vinci-290-Globe-Handle-Brush-Review

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/348873-ProMakeupBrush-com-Sale-da-Vinci-Brushes

Kent BK8

http://www.feelunique.com/p/Kent-Mens-Large-Shaving-Brush

I've found both of these brushes to be tops at bowl lathering creams.

+1 on the Kent BK8! I love that brush!!! Works well for both bowl and face lathering and feels like a magic pillow on your skin! I can't imagine ever replacing this brush. I do have other brushes that I use, and you probably will too now that you have found this forum of addiction. The BK8 gets the most regular usage from me and gives me the biggest smile each time I use it!

Good luck with your decision. The good thing is that almost any brush you decide on will work better than a can of goo.

 

[musicman1951]

There are 2 magic brushes for you then.

Da Vinci 290 (which is on sale for 30% off right now)

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/297106-Da-Vinci-290-Globe-Handle-Brush-Review

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/348873-ProMakeupBrush-com-Sale-da-Vinci-Brushes

Kent BK8

http://www.feelunique.com/p/Kent-Mens-Large-Shaving-Brush

I've found both of these brushes to be tops at bowl lathering creams.

+1 These are excellent choices. I personally think you may find the Parker too much of a lather hog (I do). It's a nice, huge, soft brush, but it holds enough lather for a pass and a half - and you have to work to get it out.

I personally like purchasing a quality product to start - especially as you know you will bowl lather. You'll get to use a nice brush and you won't have a brush on your shelf that you don't like and never use. YMMV

 

[hawklet00]

A whipped dog silvertip is a solid choice, you will just have to decide between a resin or firehouse handle. Otherwise, the b&b essential up fpr sale at wcs is a really good brush if your looking for a boar. Dont know anything about synthetics though

 

[Ron Scott]

An expensive badger brush is not something one "upgrades" to. It is simply an expensive alternative to a $12 boar of equal quality. It feels different but does not improve lathering or the shave.

 

[ChiefBroom]

An expensive badger brush is not something one "upgrades" to. It is simply an expensive alternative to a $12 boar of equal quality. It feels different but does not improve lathering or the shave.

I'd say it differently. Most shaving brushes will get the basic job of a brush done well enough. But brushes are qualitatively different in many ways. Those qualitative differences are experienced (and cared about) differently by different users. And what those differences are worth is something every user gets to decide for himself.

I'm positively certain that different brushes I own can contribute significantly to different shaving results. That said, my $12.49 Omega delivers results on a par with any other brush I have. Nonetheless, I've gladly paid much more for brushes and not regretted it.

 

[Kostas1]

An expensive badger brush is not something one "upgrades" to. It is simply an expensive alternative to a $12 boar of equal quality. It feels different but does not improve lathering or the shave.

In all fairness, in comparison to expensive brushes, I've read a lot more posts about "cheap" brushes where they shed excessively, handle cracks, or knot falls out completely.

To Chief's point, it's the details that matter. Honda vs BMW vs Bentley...all do the same job (essentially), but all appeal to different people. Also, depending on loft, handle shape/size, and knot width/density, they don't all make lather the same.

For me,I like the subtleties and options that make this chore enjoyable (a daily ritual I now look forward to), and am willing to splurge on certain luxuries. At the same time, I can see how it's still a chore for some and, since they already are, no longer ask the question "this is going to save me money, right?".

 

[johnnyyt]

I'd say it differently. Most shaving brushes will get the basic job of a brush done well enough. But brushes are qualitatively different in many ways. Those qualitative differences are experienced (and cared about) differently by different users. And what those differences are worth is something every user gets to decide for himself.

I'm positively certain that different brushes I own can contribute significantly to different shaving results. That said, my $12.49 Omega delivers results on a par with any other brush I have. Nonetheless, I've gladly paid much more for brushes and not regretted it.

i havent bought anything yet and its already looking like its going to be a hobby

i guess i'll just save some money at first and use a less expensive brush. if i feel the need to, i'll pick up another brush of some sort. i wont be able to really appreciate the quality of a good brush unless i go through some bad ones first