Help me complete my WCS order! Best badger under $50 and more

[bmilcs]

I put a lot of thought into my thread over in the brush section and its not getting any attention. Sorry for the repost in advance!

Help me complete my order @ WCS! Best Badger under $50 and other tips.
I am a head and face latherer and was about to pull the trigger on a Semogue 620 with some Osage over at West Coast. Then, I looked at the shipping cost and thought to myself... WELL, I am so close to $80 for the free shipping, WHY NOT get some more goodies!

Right now, my go to and only quality brush is the B&B Essentials. With a loft of 54mm and knot of 22mm, I feel it's a good size for my needs. However, I want to test out different sizes and hair qualities. I enjoy a brush with some back bone and I am not a fan of floppiness (Col. Conk Pure Brush is ridiculous. The thing is a freaking mop.)

After reading past posts such as this (one made by Warhawk), the Simpson Berkeley was highly regarded as a steal for the price. The dimensions on it are quite smaller than my B&B Essentials, yet people claim it is quite large. It's loft is 45mm and it's knot is 20mm. So, relative to what I'm used to, it seems smaller.

I'm dying for your input. So far, my order is as follows:

- Semogue 620 -- (maybe 830? soc? others?)
- Osage Rub
- WCS Shaving Stick Tube
- Palmolive Shave Stick
- Gillette Guard + 5 Cartridges (want to see what the hype is for headshaving) -- don't worry, head wet shaver for life here.

I've been eyeing the Simpson Berkeley and the EJ Best Badger Medium as well. Any other suggestions?

What do you guys think? What is your personal preference? Yes YMMV. I want to know what YOU prefer =]

EDIT:

My Needs
- Primarily use SOAP at the moment: MWF, Col Conk Almond, Mike's Natural (soon), and more to come
However, my Proraso Green Cream is getting lonely
- Good for face and head lathering -- I start off each shave with a head lather, let it sit and build additional lather in a bowl for the rest of my head/face.

 

[ClintO]

I personally love Proraso Blue for a cream but I primarily like soaps so far. I think a couple good fillers at WCS for your order are a blade bank or two and a B&B essentials boar brush although I believe the current color is sold out. I'm far from an expert(I've been at this maybe six weeks) but as far as something you don't have I like the Speick stick. Tabac is one of the next soaps on my list to try as well.

 

[bmilcs]

I don't mind trying a smaller brush. Quality is probably my main concern. I want an excellent value for my money.

 

[Oscroft]

WELL, I am so close to $80 for the free shipping, WHY NOT get some more goodies!

I like the way you think

 

[jzuzphreek]

I use the Semogue 620 everyday. It's a highly capable brush that won't let you down. But I've been getting bored with it lately. Pairing it with a good Badger is the same thing I'm hoping to do soon. No advice on which one to get, although I've heard good things about the Berkeley as well.

 

[bmilcs]

Thanks for the input guys!

On a whim, I ordered the Semogue 620 and the Omega Mighty Midget... in addittiionnnnn to my Osage, Tabac Stick (random), and Gillette Guard. OH not to mention my first STRAIGHTEDGE for HEADSHAVING​ MUAHAHA.

I will eventually pick up Simpsons BB and more I'm sure.

 

[Raven312]

LOL You done good.

 

[bmilcs]

My man raven. Any tips for me?

 

[Raven312]

You know the biggest one. Take your time. Never approach your head with the razor at a 90 deg angle from your head or face. Don't put it down where there's no lather. Short strokes. Approach your head with the razor in motion.

 

[bmilcs]

So a sawing motion is generally regarded as incorrect?

 

[Raven312]

A little bit.