Help me settle on new knots

[Kent Kimmons]

I have learned much about blades and razors, but must admit, my knowledge of brushes is limited. I have tried a silvertip and a best badger brush and ended up settling on a pure.

I have 3 brushes that I want to get new knots for. One is a long handle with a 15mm knot, one is a StanHome with a 30mm knot and the third is the brush from my starter kit. It is simple sturdy wood with what appears to be a 25mm knot.

Boar is simply out. If I get a badger knot, I will look at black or pure, maybe best, but my beard is sparse with coarse hair. I have tried silvertip and get a better beard loft using a firmer brush. The other options are synthetic and horse hair but I know very little about these.

My criteria are these: 1) Shave comfort. While it isn't the softest in the world, my pure badger brush does a good job lofting my beard for a BBS shave. 2) Life expectancy 3) Cost.

What are your suggestions?

 

[sgtd]

TGN finest.

 

[Fidem Scit]

I have a TGN two band finest and love it. Found it here on the classifieds for only $30 in a refurbished handle.

 

[mattdenicola]

Tritto on the TGN finest.

 

[blzrfn]

The boar knots and Finest badger knots from TGN would be excellent choices for your criteria.

 

[redrako]

I have learned much about blades and razors, but must admit, my knowledge of brushes is limited. I have tried a silvertip and a best badger brush and ended up settling on a pure.

Which silvertip, best and pure badger brushes? These are really not cast in concrete terms and vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. What were the knot diameters and lofts of these brushes? If you liked the pure badger brush, is it because it had more backbone than the other two or you like the greater scritch associated with pure badger?

My criteria are these: 1) Shave comfort. While it isn't the softest in the world, my pure badger brush does a good job lofting my beard for a BBS shave. 2) Life expectancy 3) Cost.

What is comfortable for you? Not to be snide, but comfortable as opposed to uncomfortable? Are you looking for no scritch? some scritch? or I really like to feel the brush against my face when I shave?

Along the same line, do you exclusively face lather? bowl lather? both face lather and bowl lather?

 

[rand77]

+1 on the TGN finest, I just received my custom Rudy Vey with a TGN finest knot. I was blown away with the soft tips and strong backbone, especially for the price paid.

 

[Kent Kimmons]

What is comfortable for you? Not to be snide, but comfortable as opposed to uncomfortable? Are you looking for no scritch? some scritch? or I really like to feel the brush against my face when I shave?

Along the same line, do you exclusively face lather? bowl lather? both face lather and bowl lather?

I like some scritch but my starter kit boar brush is entirely too much. When it comes to the brush, I am perfectly willing to put up with a slightly stronger brush to loft the hair, what I want is one that does the best job for me to get a comfortable pas with the blade. I exclusively bowl (cup) lather.

 

[Kent Kimmons]

Thanks to all, it looks like TGN is an overwhelming theme.