Custom versus brand-name brushes

[inspectoring]

I am trying to figure out what's the main difference between the two. I spent so much more money on Simpsons brush and I'm wondering for the same size knot If there's any difference.

Are the handles the same .? Are They made of different material?
Is the quality of the Hair the same?
I'm thinking of going with Simpsons polo And I'm wondering if I shouldst paid the money for Simpsons or should I save money and go the custom route?

 

[Brooksie967]

From reading and having one of each, actually 2 customs and one Rooney Heritage, I can say IMHO that the custom brushes are just as good and a WAY better value.

 

[dushea]

This is a great question. I'm potentially in the market for a third (and god willing last) brush; I'm tempted by the chubby 2, but RV's brushes are killer looking. I'd love to hear more thoughts of those that have had both.

 

[bassopotamus]

It's a little hard to generalize since customs are, well, custom. I own one custom (Rudy Vey), two brand name
brushes (one a tad obscure ) and recently sold a brand name (which shall remain nameless) that I found disappointing.

1. In my limited experience, the ffit and finish and such was ssimilar between the keeper brand name
Brushes and the custom. Actually, the custom was a tad higher as it did not shed a sinle hair, even during break in.
2. The brand name I sold shed quite a bit during break in. It's real problem though was that it really seemed like there was some grade inflation with thir knots. It was a middle grade, but ddidn't feel nice at all.
3. Fit and finish was comparable across all the handles
4. Custom has the advantage that you can get pretty much whatever you want. I was able to pick knot size, loft, grade of hair, handle style, and handle material. Of course this is only an advantage if you want something non standard and know enog
to spec it right (though Rudy wwas a huge hhelp on specs)

Bottom line, I would not hesitate to get a brush ffrom a custom maker. You can get exactly what you want, the quality is there, and in many cases, they are actually cheaper than a comparable brush from a big name

 

[inspectoring]

From reading and having one of each, actually 2 customs and one Rooney Heritage, I can say IMHO that the custom brushes are just as good and a WAY better value.

Did you think your Rooney Heritage was as dense as the custom brushes?

 

[Brooksie967]

Did you think your Rooney Heritage was as dense as the custom brushes?

I haven't counted HPSQ (hairs per square inch lol) but it is denser than one, not as dense as the other. The loft chosen for the size of the knot has a lot to do with that.

 

[inspectoring]

I haven't counted HPSQ (hairs per square inch lol) but it is denser than one, not as dense as the other. The loft chosen for the size of the knot has a lot to do with that.

so in other words - if I wanted a chubby 1 loft - on a bigger - much bigger handle - its possible?

 

[vocalistbob]

The real key, IMHO, is the knot, not the brushmaker. You have to start with a first-class knot to get a first-class brush.

 

[Lamb Root]

I am emotionally connected with my custom made brushes more strongly than with my brand-name brushes.

 

[blzrfn]

There are all sorts of ways to get a fantastic brush, it all comes down to what you want and how much you are willing to pay. If you are unsure of what you prefer then buying a name brand like Rooney, Simpson or Shavemac comes will make it a little easier to resell and probably recover more of your initial investment than a custom made brush, but even that scenario is not absolute. If you have plenty of experience and know exactly what you want then I would get a brush made to your specifications.

 

[MaxP]

Because a name brand brush is a standard item, it makes reselling one an easier thing to do. Additionally, name brand brushed typically are sold at a price that minimizes the economic impact on the seller.

Full custom brushes, though having many advantages to the owner, typically suffer in the re-sale process.

IMHO, the determinant is "What do you want in a brush?" and "Are you planning to keep it?"
The answers to those questions should help you decide.

My reply to the OP question about handles being the same, is, "It depends" Most handles are turned acrylic. And, as with many things, quality can vary based on the material itself and the craftsmanship applied. Some custom brushmakers craftsmanship exceeds that of the named brushmakers. Some, not so.

As Vocalistbob pointed out, THE thing to give most consideration to is the knot. Hair type, size, shape, etc.

Me, I have, three classes of brushes. Name brands, custom made and vintage handles that I've re-knotted myself.

 

[SliceOfLife]

Handles? They can be the same. Simpsons for instance uses hand turned plastic handles (acrylic? I don't know my plastic terminology), which most custom makers will make you. Me personally? I've only had a couple handle's made for me. I've made DOZENS of custom brushes and 95-99% of them were made with restored vintage handles, some bone, some ivory, some turned plastics, some molded plastics, a silver, a steel, a ceramic, a glass. In the end, Handles DEFINITELY goes to customs. Anything Simpson or Rooney or Kent or etc makes, a custom maker can do for you, plus the vintage brushes gives you a huge pool of style and affordability (sometimes both) to pull from.


Hair? Don't believe the BS. It's different. I love TGN two-band, but it's not the same as Rooney finest. Now will you LIKE the name-brand brushes hair better? That's a better question. I like TGN finest better than some two bands I've tried. In the end the main advantage for me of the Simpson and Rooney knots I own over TGN is density. TGN knots just don't get as dense as a Simpson Chubby. If you're one of those guys who believes a knot can be too dense, then you should definitely look at TGN knots, as that's really the only area the Finest are lacking in my opinion.


The polo specifically; I don't know the density. If I were in your position, I'd ask someone with both to compare it to the TGN of that size (what would it be? 24mm or 28mm? for 8/10?). If they found a noticeable difference in density, I'd go for the Simpson, if not, I'd get a custom made. Hell you could even keep your eyes on eBay hoping a vintage butterscotch polo showed up you could restore. Be forewarned though, vintage simpson handles can get pretty pricey.

 

[brucered]

Why not a brand-name custom? M&F does them. Shavemac does them. RV can put in Shavemac knots.

I have custom Shavemac & M&F brushes are both are great.

 

[auk1124]

You will drive your self nuts wondering which way to go. No matter which you end up with, you will wonder how green that grass is on the other side of the fence. Get both.

Just about any custom brush maker should be able to glue you a 24mm Finest knot at about 48-50 loft in a generic handle for what, forty-fifty bucks? Haven't bought one in a good while, but I suspect a run of the mill 24mm Finest probably isn't going for much more than that. I'd suggest starting there and then saving up for the Simpson/Shavemac/Rooney of your choice while you use your custom.

 

[Teddyboy]

As far as named brands I would stick with Shavemac and Rooney. I think that Simpsons prices have gotten nutty, i.e., high.

 

[edgerunner]

Any custom Shavemac or M&F is a most desirable top choice for me.

 

[teeitup418holes]

For me, it's all about the knot. If it's got a wonderful knot, the handle is just the icing on the cake. Or the silver on the tip

 

[TheLegalRazor]

I have brushes by Simpsons, Shavemac, Thater, and Rooney. I also have a custom Rudy Vey in a "Chubby" style handle with a WSP 28mm 2 band knot. The quality of the Rudy Vey handle and WSP knot are comparable to any of the name brands I've owned. The total cost of my RV custom was $130.00, of which $80.00 was for the knot and $50 for the handle. I'm going to have a brush built with a TSN 2 band knot, which costs around $28.00, further bringing down the cost of a custom brush.

 

[Fidem Scit]

I agree with this statement, but I am biased a bit now that I've been making a handful of brushes. You can always find a reasonably priced custom with a high end knot and often they are one of a kind. Knot, uniqueness, the handle feel and size being the most important features for me.
But, there is something to be said in having a company brush too. Their reputation will carry their product a long way. Their process in creation may be a company secret, but you know you are getting a quality brush from most of the reputable companies.
All that being said, Some people view the whole subject as a utilitarian and look for function and price as the most important features. Those people might buy a Tweezerman or Franks Shaving "second" off of the bay.
Bottom line, determine the most important aspect you prefer to help narrow down your choices. Custom made ones many times fall in between the high and low end and the brush makers will almost always make it work for you.

The real key, IMHO, is the knot, not the brushmaker. You have to start with a first-class knot to get a first-class brush.

 

[dpmtherrien]

All of my brushes,5 of them, are name brand ones. I checked them out on the vendor sites and just picked the one that I felt looked the best, and would suit me best. I've never even considered having a custom brush made as I'm very satisfied with the ones I have and use.