Custom brush vs. Production brush

[bakerbk73]

So I received a brush from the B/S/T boards today. It was a steal IMO at $25 and it got me to wondering, with all the customization and restorations that people are doing on here, why spend $200+ on a high end brush? I'm just wondering what the difference is in the end product. Good handles aren't very expensive and TGN knots are very reasonably priced, so what am I missing from not spending more? My experience with brushes are limited to mostly boar and a horrible Tweezerman Badger (the thing sheds like my dog). So besides YMMV, what are Simpson customers getting that I'm not?




(Picture from the B/S/T ad)

 

[neilz4]

I've never had the privilege of using a higher-end badger or boar, but I do have a couple TGN knots (including a Super Silvertip, their highest grade badger) and I think they are phenomenal for the price. All you have to do is put in a little legwork, whether it be restoring a handle, custom ordering one, or even buying one from Larry at WhippedDog for like $6. Definitely worth it, but from what I read and hear nothing really beats the superb quality that comes out of Thaeter, Shavemac, Simpson, M&F, etc. etc. etc.

 

[bakerbk73]

I certainly don't want to take anything away from the great brush makers out there, I honestly do not know enough about the different ones to say that custom brushes are just as good... I really don't know. I guess I just wonder what can one expect from a high end brush that couldn't be achieved from a well done custom job. As far as I can tell, the knot is one half of the equation, the handle is the other half, if both items are quality items then the rest is preference issues (type of hair, handle shape, loft of knot, size of knot... etc) I just can't see spending $200 if I can request a custom job with the same specs for less than $75.

What I'm asking is, am I missing something? Is there something that you get from the $200 brushes that cannot be achieved in a custom brush?

I've never had the privilege of using a higher-end badger or boar, but I do have a couple TGN knots (including a Super Silvertip, their highest grade badger) and I think they are phenomenal for the price. All you have to do is put in a little legwork, whether it be restoring a handle, custom ordering one, or even buying one from Larry at WhippedDog for like $6. Definitely worth it, but from what I read and hear nothing really beats the superb quality that comes out of Thaeter, Shavemac, Simpson, M&F, etc. etc. etc.

 

[Cochese2323]

I have a few custom brushes and I think they are an outstanding value. I really like the TGN finest knots. I also think it is pretty cool to have a brush that is truly one of a kind, and I like supporting our artisan vendors here too. Little eye candy for your pleasure

Newest acquisition, Rudy Vey custom

And a couple from bobfavour

 

[bakerbk73]

Those are very nice brushes. I'm leaning toward custom for my money right now. If I spend $200 on a brush it would honestly have to be THE brush for me, I can't experiment with that kind of money. I guess I'm surprised that the custom work is so very reasonable compared to some pricey factory made brushes. The difference leaves me wondering what I'm missing.

 

[brucered]

I have both and am glad I have a variet of handles, knots, shapes, lofts, colours and sizes. Nothing against either, they both work great.

They also work great together Here is a production handle with a TGN knot I put in.

A lot of RV's high end brushes are the other way around, RV handles with production (special ordered) Shavemac knots.

 

[Cochese2323]

Thats a sweet brush Brucered. I considered doing that to my Vulfix 2235S, but I ended up selling it. Your pic makes me wish I would have reconsidered. I loved the shape of the handle, but the knot was really floppy and didn't really work for me.

 

[bakerbk73]

I definitely see the advantage to a great brush with a great reputation right out of the box. Custom prices just seem low while quality seems high.

 

[ricardo9505]

and shavemac customers. many here have ordered custom brushes from them. I'm saving to place my order soon for two custom brushes with named engraved from shavemac. me andmy brother. it's excellent craftsmanshiop, yours, new, and an heirloom u can pass on like a watch, razor, pen, etc. but whatever works for you. I'm currently restoring an old vintage brush with a silvertip. my first.
ps- nice brush

 

[ricardo9505]

isn't this St. Peter's shaving setup? lol. sweet

 

[ronwell]

That white one by bobfavour is really nice.

 

[bakerbk73]

The man does good work. I can't wait to try it out tomorrow. (He was who I bought mine from)

 

[Loric]

what am I missing from not spending more?

IMO you can get a denser knot from a high end brush, or a fancy grade of hair with some unique quality. Though to be honest IMO only the most high end are noticeably better, and even then that is mostly limited to the two bands. Not everyone wants or needs a uber dense brush, but for some face latherers its well worth the money for a face feel more to their liking. As for the two band hair, Rooney Finest had lots of extra backbone and some skritcy. M&F Blond and Theater are as soft as any brush out there, while keeping the impressive two band back bone.

I have, and love, several high end brushes, but really for the most part, a well tuned custom will perform as good as all but the best of them. Plus I'm much more attached to my customs as I had a hand in them (I like to set my own knots and designing the handles). Even then, most of my high ends are custom M&F's or Shavemacs

 

[bakerbk73]

Thank you Loric, so at the top end of the scale is where the difference will be seen. I guess I'll keep figuring out what sorts of things I like and I can maybe invest in "THE BRUSH" for me one day (way down the road a bit). I'd hate to make a mistake at that price range.

 

[goatee]

i have not tried any high end brushes. but i do have several custom handles with nice knots. see my pics.

 

[GDCarrington]

Well there is also the feeling of satisfaction you have if you build the custom.

With that said, the extreme high end brushes also use the higher grades of hairs that have been custom selected. That also makes a big difference.

 

[Loric]

Thank you Loric, so at the top end of the scale is where the difference will be seen. I guess I'll keep figuring out what sorts of things I like and I can maybe invest in "THE BRUSH" for me one day (way down the road a bit). I'd hate to make a mistake at that price range.

For sure, get to know each of your brushes, and what you do and dont like about them. Ask some questions, and when you have an idea about what you might like then figure out if you need something more. As for buying the wrong brush, there is always BST so its only a minor loss if you want to try again.

 

[bakerbk73]

Well, thank you gentlemen. I asked, you answered... and we got some nice brush pics to boot. Thank you all for your insights.

 

[takeshi]

So I received a brush from the B/S/T boards today. It was a steal IMO at $25 and it got me to wondering, with all the customization and restorations that people are doing on here, why spend $200+ on a high end brush?

Haven't bought a $200 brush but the specifics really don't matter. One could ask "Why?" for any price range, or anything else that could be used to categorize the options out there.

If you want to know why then try whatever it is you're asking about. Always remember, YMMV. One person's why isn't necessarily the next's.

So besides YMMV, what are Simpson customers getting that I'm not?

YMMV is everything. It's not just some word that people use when they can't think to explain why. It's all about preference. It's all highly subjective. You can't assess that which you haven't experienced and you can't determine your preference solely by reading about other people's preferences.

Just to name one preference, not everyone wants to deal with a restore. There are many other preferences which people can have differing opinions on as well when it comes to brushes.

You may be missing something. You may be missing a lot. You may be missing nothing. Again, it all comes down to preference and no one can tell you whether you're missing anything or not. That's something that you'll have to find out through first hand experience.

I'd hate to make a mistake at that price range.

While you aren't guaranteed to recoup what you paid you can always BST to help mitigate losses on whatever you don't like.

 

[shave~extacy]

I am a Simpson fan ( I have owned a few of there brushes ) I recently got a custom Duke clone with tgn super silvertip , and I must say I havent touched my SImpson Duke since. I got the grade I wanted with the handle I wanted . All this without a sacrifice in performance, what more could you ask for. I agree with the two band comment you would be hard pressed to find a nicer brush than a Rooney or Thater two band. You can however get a custom two band shavemac D01.