Help me select a brush please

[VT_Hokie]

Hey gents, I've been at this for a few months now and it has been one big learning curve. Just recently I found out that I am much fonder of soaps than I am of creams. The more threads I read, the more talk of "boy this brush sure eats up soaps etc, etc" and I was wondering if maybe you all could point me in the right direction for something better suited to my needs. I'm not saying I don't enjoy my current brush, just exploring to see if there's something I'm really missing out on.

1. Current brush - I only have one brush, and it is a Penworks Silvertip. Not sure of any more specifications than that but I'll include a pic

2. Lathering habits - I use mostly soaps now, the occasional superlater. I've also started to facelather now as opposed to a bowl now that I'm better at it.

3. What I want next - I suppose something "scrubbier" to make loading the brush easier and produce better face lathering? You tell me

4. Brush aesthetics - Couldn't care less what it looks like. As far as the handle goes, I have no idea. The only brush I've ever picked up is the one I own so I don't have anything to go on.

5. Price - Im 24 and in college. Let's not go crazy. the cheaper the better, more bang for my buck. I paid 40 something for my silvertip on sale and was fine with that. Around 50-60 max I suppose, though you could convince me otherwise

6. Size - Again, I dunno. You tell me.

7. Other brushes - Haven't looked at any because I don't know what would make what I'm attempting to accomplish better or worse. I'm at your mercy.

8. SBAD - Got nothing on me! This WILL be my last brush. SBAD is so envious of me, it wears pajamas with my face on them to bed and gets the shivers at the mention of my name

Thanks in advance fellas!

 

[Rudy Vey]

Face lather and soaps, I would go for a brush with a 18-22 mm knot and a loft of 40-50 mm. I think in your price range the best deal would be the Rooney 1/1 Super silvertip from T+H, apply the B+B rebate and it is very affordable - I don't think you cannot find a better deal or brush for this money.

 

[VT_Hokie]

Thanks Rudy, I forgot that you can order brushes directly from T&H and their 20% discount really adds up on a big purchase like this.

 

[Fozz7769]

Semogue 1305 or the new SOC or Omega 10029. They are all boars & all great with soaps.

 

[VT_Hokie]

Interesting, never considered boar....

 

[JPDyson]

Boars take a good bit of effort to break in, but some dudes swear by 'em.

As for the T&H brushes, that code is "BB10" - good for 20% off. I agree that the Style 1 in Small would be a great choice.

 

[VT_Hokie]

Boars take a good bit of effort to break in, but some dudes swear by 'em.

As for the T&H brushes, that code is "BB10" - good for 20% off. I agree that the Style 1 in Small would be a great choice.

Is this the one you're referring to?

http://www.truefittandhill.com/detail_00271__19.html

 

[VT_Hokie]

Semogue 1305 or the new SOC or Omega 10029. They are all boars & all great with soaps.

Pardon my brush ignorance but who makes and carries the Semogue or the SOC? I'm familiar with the Omega brand and where to get that one, the other two might as well be written in chinese. Thanks again!

 

[JPDyson]

Is this the one you're referring to?

http://www.truefittandhill.com/detail_00271__19.html

Yes; I like the faux horn, personally - but they all look great

 

[Joe Edson]

Pardon my brush ignorance but who makes and carries the Semogue or the SOC? I'm familiar with the Omega brand and where to get that one, the other two might as well be written in chinese. Thanks again!

Semogue makes them and you can get them at vintagescent.com

Great brushes

 

[Mr. Igg]

Does T&H also knock off the VAT on top of the discount? I'd assume yes, and if so, that's a steal!

If not, then depending on shipping from UK vs from Eastern US, Vintage Blades could be about the same total cost.

Either way, your OP screamed "Rooney" to me, too. Great brush.

 

[VT_Hokie]

Semogue makes them and you can get them at vintagescent.com

Great brushes

ahh thank you!

 

[VT_Hokie]

Does T&H also knock off the VAT on top of the discount? I'd assume yes, and if so, that's a steal!

If not, then depending on shipping from UK vs from Eastern US, Vintage Blades could be about the same total cost.

Either way, your OP screamed "Rooney" to me, too. Great brush.

I figured someone would throw out Rooney in the first post, just the whole 1/1, 2/1, 1/3, etc. confuses the hell out of me

 

[JPDyson]

I figured someone would throw out Rooney in the first post, just the whole 1/1, 2/1, 1/3, etc. confuses the hell out of me

First number is style, second number is size.

Style 2 large = 2/3

Style 1 medum = 1/2

Style 3 small = 3/1

 

[VT_Hokie]

BTW Mr. Igg, I slapped the discount code on there and it went from 89.00 to 71.20

 

[Mr. Igg]

Me, too, for the longest time.

Surf over to Vintageblades for a pretty good explanation and comparison. Basically, from their website, the first # is the "style" (the shape of the handle mostly) and the second is the size of the brush, which technically refers to the knot size, but handle size increase with brush size.

 

[Royall Lyme]

Omega Pro 49 - boar
Great brush and under $20!

 

[VT_Hokie]

Me, too, for the longest time.

Surf over to Vintageblades for a pretty good explanation and comparison. Basically, from their website, the first # is the "style" (the shape of the handle mostly) and the second is the size of the brush, which technically refers to the knot size, but handle size increase with brush size.

Thanks for clearing that up for me, understood.

I also noticed that they are located in Maryland which is very convenient for me as far as quick shipping goes and are VERY competitively priced. I will bookmark their page for current and future business

 

[VT_Hokie]

First number is style, second number is size.

Style 2 large = 2/3

Style 1 medum = 1/2

Style 3 small = 3/1

Perfect description, thanks again JP

 

[Mr. Igg]

BTW Mr. Igg, I slapped the discount code on there and it went from 89.00 to 71.20

Right. Typically, US buyers also don't pay VAT (18% or so), which is usually incorporated in the price of European products, and is then deducted at some point in the checkout process.

So, if T&H's $89 starting price includes the VAT, then the the discount code basically just eliminates the VAT, and your price is $71.20 + shipping from the UK. In that case, just check to see if the shipping costs make a difference in terms of buying from T&H or Vintageblades (which has a $4 higher price, but shipping could make a difference).

If the T&H discount code is above and beyond the VAT (i.e., a true discount for US buyers), then your T&H price becomes essentially unbeatable.

Either way, a "small" Rooney (size "1") in any style you'd like sure sounds like a great answer for you.