Help me decide knot and brush handle design

[shamful7]

Im about to have commissioned a set of brushes 2 for me and for my dad, Im gonna use african blackwood for mine and and olive burl for my dads but what knot sizes and typed do you guys recommend. Im using a pair of Whipped Dog 30mm Black Badger and they works fine but i wanna get something a bit softer with backbone.

Im looking through the TGN and I like either finest, super, or silvertip but then i seen super silvertip, grade A silvertip and this bulb and fan stuff and now im confused. Can you guys explain the difference between them and how they feel and recommend a good size I face lather so keep that in mind and my dad is barely a week or so into wet shaving and is using a slim i gave him.

I also want recommendation on what brush handle design to get for my dad for me ive decided i wanna make a honey comb with my blackwood and a chubbyish one as well but for my dad i dont know what style is good for him.

also if anyone is selling knots let me know id be happy to buy or trade it off you.

 

[Graeme F]

I'm far from being an expert but the finest 2 band knots have good backbone as the hairs seem to be thicker yet the tops are quite soft. I have a 24mm TGN finest 2 band 34mm knot awaiting fitting into a butterscotch Rooney and although its not been used yet, it certainly feels soft on the face yet with good backbone. I can't speak for the other types though. As to size of knot and loft, it will depend if you face or bowl lather and even then it is a YMMV thing. Black badger in 30mm must be huge! I'd love to see some pics of the brushes. Handle wise, what about something like a Persian Jar shape as they are elegant, popular and comfortable to hold. Or what about this stunning shape - one of CooncatBob's (RIP). I hope it is ok to post a picture but if not I will remove it:



Although I am very new here and haven't been DE shaving long, I have spent a bit of time looking around the internet and looking at various designs of brushes, razors, handles, etc. Bob was evidently a master craftsman and designer at the very pinnacle of his trade.

Best wishes.

 

[shave~extacy]

I own TGN finest, grade a, and super. I am happiest with my 24mm super bulb. They all work nicely the only thing the super has over the others is density and its a bit softer (this may be just this particular knot). Fans bloom a little more than bulbs.

 

[shaverjoe]

I have used TGN Finest and Grade A Silvertip knots. Of the two, I prefer the Finest. It has a little scritch and has nice backbone. Neither seem to hog lather. Either would likely feel far softer than your black badger knot.



Here are three brushes I have made using the TGN Finest 2 band knots. The middle handle I like for bowl lathering, the right most handle is my favorite handle design for face lathering. Very comfortable to hold. It, too, is made of Olivewood.

 

[taco8slo]

I have used TGN Finest and Grade A Silvertip knots. Of the two, I prefer the Finest. It has a little scritch and has nice backbone. Neither seem to hog lather. Either would likely feel far softer than your black badger knot.

View attachment 275270

Here are three brushes I have made using the TGN Finest 2 band knots. The middle handle I like for bowl lathering, the right most handle is my favorite handle design for face lathering. Very comfortable to hold. It, too, is made of Olivewood.

I agree with this (nice brushes Joe), I really enjoy the TGN finest knots and think the Eagle handle is the most comfortable (I have used thus far).

 

[Loric]

+1 for a TGN Finest at 24mm x 53mm for your dads first brush. I strongly prefer an Eagle shape too, but I only face lather. If you wanted a nice all around shape (so he can try out different techniques) I like the Simpson M7 style handle.

This is the best one I'v seen (its the one in black and white)

Photo borrowed from Htownmmm

As for you, if you like your 30mm knot, go with a 30mm TGN Finest. The bloom is small on that brush so it will likely feel slightly smaller than your black badger. I have mine set at 56mm loft, as an all around brush. However I tested it all the way down to 50mm loft and it was still comfortable there.

 

[brucered]

Like Loric above, I find the "7" style handle the best overall brush handle....be it Simpson, M&F, RV, Bob Farvor or any of the other brush makers, the handles always look great.

 

[Loric]

Like Loric above, I find the "7" style handle the best overall brush handle....be it Simpson, M&F, RV, Bob Farvor or any of the other brush makers, the handles always look great.

I like that it still has the Eagle ball at the bottom, but it also has the top part to give you some knuckle clearance for bowl lathering. Another option with the same qualities is the Flask (my own personal design if I can toot my own horn).

Its incredibly comfortable in the hand no matter what you do with it, and easily my favorite handle for both aesthetic and utilitarian reasons.

 

[deezyrocks]

I don't know a whole lot about brushes but in my limited experience that my tgn finest xh whips up lather from the soaps I use much better then my silver tip does. The only trade off I've noticed is that it isnt quite as soft on my face. I like them both and they both have their place depending on what I'm doing.

 

[shamful7]

im sorry but I love the design of the brush im gonna see if i can get the guy to make it in the blackwood with gold inlay.