Argh! The world of brushes is so confusing! Just when I think I've started to get a handle on what would be a good brush to choose, I read something else that makes me rethink my first choice.
With that said, I've read the sticky thread, and I'll answer all of the questions as best I can.
My Existing Brush
I only have one brush right now. It's an Omega color series brush, which I think is a plain boar brush. Not sure, though. It was a starter brush; not very well researched or thought out.
Likes: I like that it's a brush and that it lathers up. Seriously, that's about it.
Dislikes:I find it really inconsistent. One shave it'll feel like it's whipping up a wonderful lather, and then the next it'll feel way too thin and there's nothing I can do to fix it.
It also often feels really stiff, kinda like it's made of wood -- especially when I can't get it to make a nice lather.
My Equipment and Supplies
I use a Merkur HD with a rotating set of blades. The most consistent performers that I've found, through good lather and bad, are the Derby blades. I've tried a few other brands, but either they feel like they're pulling or I knick myself up too much. Still, I like to experiment with new blades. I really want to love Feather blades.
For pre-shave, I use Proraso pre/post.
For lather, I have one tube of Proraso green, a Tryphon soap, and a Proraso Green Tea soap. I was living in Japan, so getting new supplies was tough. The Tryphon soap isn't good, so the Proraso tube seemed like heaven in comparison. Now that I have the Green Tea soap, I'm trying to use that more often. I like it, but it seems to be highlighting the shortcomings of my brush.
Lately I've been using a combination of Proraso pre/post and Nivea ASB post shave.
Lathering
I used to try and lather in a bowl, but my last couple living spaces have been pretty cramped, so now I mostly face lather. I think that's why I like the soap more than the cream now -- it's easier to add more if you're a little short.
The New Brush
I'm looking for something totally unlike my old brush. I want it to be soft (how soft, I don't know). I want it to kick *** with soap and lather like a champ every time.
I think that part of me wants the new brush to be a definitive style of brush. Maybe it's a classic XYZ brush that I can use as a frame of reference to find my ideal brush type.
I want it to be a quality brush. I don't want to buy garbage just to have something different.
I want a badger brush for sure.
Aesthetics
This is tough. I don't like tall skinny brushes. I'd rather it be short and chubby. I actually don't mind the overall shape of my Omega brush. I want something with a little more pomp, but I think that has more to do with the hair than the handle.
Color is neither here nor there, but so far I seem to like solid coloured handles more than marbles ones. It's gotta look classy, whatever it is.
Budget
This is going to go on my Christmas wishlist, but cost is still a factor. Definitely less than $150CDN shipped to Canada. Around $100 is better; less is gravy.
Size
I really don't know. I think I have a small face, but I don't know how big or how small I want the brush to be. I've only had experience with the one brush.
What I'm Looking at Now
So far two brushes have piqued my interest: the Shavemac 177 and the Edwin Jagger Best Badger. Both seem to have no shortage of glowing praise for them.
Closing Comments
Of course, this will be last brush I ever buy, so I'm looking to make it a good one
Thanks in advance for all your help and advice.
With that said, I've read the sticky thread, and I'll answer all of the questions as best I can.
My Existing Brush
I only have one brush right now. It's an Omega color series brush, which I think is a plain boar brush. Not sure, though. It was a starter brush; not very well researched or thought out.
Likes: I like that it's a brush and that it lathers up. Seriously, that's about it.
Dislikes:I find it really inconsistent. One shave it'll feel like it's whipping up a wonderful lather, and then the next it'll feel way too thin and there's nothing I can do to fix it.
It also often feels really stiff, kinda like it's made of wood -- especially when I can't get it to make a nice lather.
My Equipment and Supplies
I use a Merkur HD with a rotating set of blades. The most consistent performers that I've found, through good lather and bad, are the Derby blades. I've tried a few other brands, but either they feel like they're pulling or I knick myself up too much. Still, I like to experiment with new blades. I really want to love Feather blades.
For pre-shave, I use Proraso pre/post.
For lather, I have one tube of Proraso green, a Tryphon soap, and a Proraso Green Tea soap. I was living in Japan, so getting new supplies was tough. The Tryphon soap isn't good, so the Proraso tube seemed like heaven in comparison. Now that I have the Green Tea soap, I'm trying to use that more often. I like it, but it seems to be highlighting the shortcomings of my brush.
Lately I've been using a combination of Proraso pre/post and Nivea ASB post shave.
Lathering
I used to try and lather in a bowl, but my last couple living spaces have been pretty cramped, so now I mostly face lather. I think that's why I like the soap more than the cream now -- it's easier to add more if you're a little short.
The New Brush
I'm looking for something totally unlike my old brush. I want it to be soft (how soft, I don't know). I want it to kick *** with soap and lather like a champ every time.
I think that part of me wants the new brush to be a definitive style of brush. Maybe it's a classic XYZ brush that I can use as a frame of reference to find my ideal brush type.
I want it to be a quality brush. I don't want to buy garbage just to have something different.
I want a badger brush for sure.
Aesthetics
This is tough. I don't like tall skinny brushes. I'd rather it be short and chubby. I actually don't mind the overall shape of my Omega brush. I want something with a little more pomp, but I think that has more to do with the hair than the handle.
Color is neither here nor there, but so far I seem to like solid coloured handles more than marbles ones. It's gotta look classy, whatever it is.
Budget
This is going to go on my Christmas wishlist, but cost is still a factor. Definitely less than $150CDN shipped to Canada. Around $100 is better; less is gravy.
Size
I really don't know. I think I have a small face, but I don't know how big or how small I want the brush to be. I've only had experience with the one brush.
What I'm Looking at Now
So far two brushes have piqued my interest: the Shavemac 177 and the Edwin Jagger Best Badger. Both seem to have no shortage of glowing praise for them.
Closing Comments
Of course, this will be last brush I ever buy, so I'm looking to make it a good one
Thanks in advance for all your help and advice.
