GDMG japanese G5 or Oumo ST1 for my first shaving brush?

[Tombo]

Hey everyone!

I am new to this forum, and I hope it's fine if I ask for some beginner advice.

I am new to wet shaving with a vintage Gilette slim adjustable, and I am really enjoying it.

I would also like to lather up with a nice brush, and after doing lots of searching, I found a beautiful handle from Oumo that is also currently discounted. As for knots, I've narrowed it down to synthetic fibers, specifically either Oumo ST1 or Japanese G5 from a Chinese brand called GDMG.

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004349762947.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller.1.4241j9Jjj9Jjff&gps-id=pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40050.354490.0&scm_id=1007.40050.354490.0&scm-url=1007.40050.354490.0&pvid=00f47bad-2f5f-4ae6-8709-d674a83f8413&_t=gps-id:pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40050.354490.0,pvid:00f47bad-2f5f-4ae6-8709-d674a83f8413,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238111%231996&utparam-url=scene%3ApcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller%7Cquery_from%3A

I am on a tight budget, and I am already "overspending" for the handle, but it's by far the most beautiful handle that I managed to find, so I decided to buy it anyway. So for knots, the natural choice is obviously the ST1 from Oumo because I can combine shipping and I have a 10% discount, or the G5 from GDMG because it's only $10 and shipping is free.

Nevertheless, the ST1 is $20-25 depending if I buy the normal one or EX density. Which one would you guys recommend? And do you think the ST1 is the smarter choice?

I like my brush to have soft tips, but I don't like excessively "springy" hair that doesn't feel natural either.
I don't think that I want to go much further down the rabbit hole and just keep this one brush for the rest of my shaving days (hopefully).

Thanks very much and kind regards

Tombo

 

[Whiterook]

Welcome to the forum. I haven't tried either of those brushes but I have several with the G5 knot and they are very good.

 

[DesertIguana]

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[Kix]

I have a 24mm G5A from AP Shave Co. and it's a top brush, for me.
I have a 29mm Oumo Compass with a 29mm ST-1 knot. The 29mm is bigger than I like, but it's a great knot. I would like to try the ST-1 in a 24mm size.
You really can't go wrong with the G5 or ST-1 knots. Both are good, IMO.

 

[m949]

If your budget allows, go for the ST-2 knot from OUMO. It was just put on their website today. They mention that the smaller knot diameters have less backbone, so if you like a bit more they recommend going for the 27mm and up sizes.

 

[Stikeyoda]

I was one of the testers for the Oumo ST-2. I would recommend it without question as a knot. Add in all of the handle choices you get from Oumo, and it is a no-brainer for your first.

 

[nav]

I liked the G5A better than ST1 and ST2.

 

[albsat]

I liked the G5A better than ST1 and ST2.

Who makes G5a knots in Alix?

Bthw what is your impression on Oumo St2 knot?

 

[nav]

Who makes G5a knots in Alix?

Bthw what is your impression on Oumo St2 knot?

Oumo's G5 is the G5A knot.

The ST2 i recently tried was just far, far too soft. No face feel, tactile feedback and i found it more like kitten fur.

I'm sure many will love it but it's just not my thing.

 

[The Coffee Bandit]

Oumo's G5 is the G5A knot.

The ST2 i recently tried was just far, far too soft. No face feel, tactile feedback and i found it more like kitten fur.

I'm sure many will love it but it's just not my thing.

Interesting, how was the splay.on the ST2? Less backbone than the g5, I hope?

 

[nav]

Interesting, how was the splay.on the ST2? Less backbone than the g5, I hope?

Easy splay and less backbone.
The bottom half felt dense but the top half has basically no backbone and would flop over.