Christmas shaving brush advice

[Frowzy]

Hello all,

After fierce inner turmoil, I managed to defeat all acquisition disorders, and become content with my initial shaving set up for quite some time. Well, Christmas is coming, and I'm looking to pick up another shaving brush.

Right now I have one shaving brush: a Kent BK4.

I'm pretty much set on a Shavemac, and I'm looking to drop between 100$ and 150$.

Right now I'm looking at a silver tip 177. I'm also not planning on picking up another brush after this one for a WHILE, so it want to put some serious thought into the decision.

a 23mm knot sounds like a good compromise for me -- my Kent BK4 is possibly slightly too small, although I wouldn't want to go much bigger.

My Kent BK4 is also a touch too soft / floppy, but a shavemac sounds just right.

Is this the shavemac for me? Is there a higher quality shavemac in about my price range I should go for, since this will probably be my only shavemac brush / shaving brush for a while? Did I hear something about a D01 or something a while ago on the boards which would be a better investment? (I can't find such a thing on the website).

Thanks in advance for any and all opinions / advice!

-Frowzy

P.S. I love christmas

 

[Mr. Igg]

D01 was a higher grade of hair as I recall. Gents were ordering custom brushes, extra-stuffed, with a shorter loft. If the hair is available, I'd guess Bernd can still do this for you (his customer service is very well-regarded, as I can personally attest); shoot him an email to inquire, and surf the reviews to see a couple of examples of these custom brushes.

On the other hand, I can't imagine you being disappointed in a 177 in silvertip, which will come in just around $100 with shipping if you order the stock handle domestically (e.g., West Coast Shaving). The reviews on this brush do it justice. Coming from a Kent BK4, as I did, I think you'll enjoy it (a lot).

You're truly in a no-lose situation, so pick what sounds best to and buy (request) fearlessly.

Enjoy!

 

[Ru4scuba?]

I have the 177 in Silver and its AMAZING! Highly recommended!

but, are you SURE you dont want the B&B LE 09? For the amount of coin you want to drop, its right in the ballpark!

 

[andrew98]

I have the 177 in Silver and its AMAZING! Highly recommended!

but, are you SURE you dont want the B&B LE 09? For the amount of coin you want to drop, its right in the ballpark!

+1 on the B&B LE.

Although, I can heartily recommend a Custom Shavemac with D01, which with shipping would be beyond your $150 budget, unless you went with a 19 or 20mm knot. Also, a 23mm Shavemac knot will feel quite large. I recommend a 21mm knot, unless you want something substantially larger than your BK4.

I can also heartily recommend the Shavemac Finest hair grade. My favorite brush is a custom Shavemac (19mm knot, 45mm loft) in Finest. A 21mm/45mm Finest brush would probably cost less than $100 shipped. Shavemac Finest is as nice as a lot of makers' Silvertip. You won't be disappointed with how soft it is, and a 45mm (or 50mm) loft will make it a nice firm brush.

Also, see my signature for some more info on Shavemac Finest and D01. I find a Finest knot releases the lather more readily than a super-dense D01 knot. Custom Shavemacs are great. You get to select the handle shape you like best out of everything on the Shavemac website, and you can choose a unique color, too.

Don't get too hung up with Silvertip. An off the shelf Shavemac with, say a 55 or 60mm loft, can be a little on the floppy side. Firm+Soft+Excellent Value=Shavemac Finest (as long as it has a short loft).

Good luck with it.

-Andy

 

[Frowzy]

After intense deliberation, I have finally settled on the "Serie 102" imitation horn handle, because for me it has the most "wow" value (and looks distinctly "shavemac"), and I have read reviews that say its flat, angled sides make it easier to hold. I also humbly accepted your advice, Andrew98 (thank you!!), and went with a 21mm knot (not TOO big), and 50mm loft.

So a custom shavemac D01 is on its way.

Meaning I am all anticipation. (Which is a very good thing).

Thanks for all the advice, guys!

-Frowzy