I'm looking to settle down with one badger brush. Several current residents of my den are contenders, but I am going to have Rudy Vey make me a handle for a TGN knot to vie for the honored spot, too. I have read through many old threads here regarding TGN and other knots, and I'm trying to make sure I make the right selection. TGN, ACE, Whipped Dog...I'm open to all of 'em. Here are the contenders at present:
T&H Rooney 1/2 - great size (24/48), fan shape, and lathers like a dream. Gel-like tips, good flow-through, but I sometimes feel like it's not giving me quite enough feedback
Shavemac D01 3-band fan (24/48)- tried to sell this, actually, as it's a bit scritchy at the tips, but I'm told this will subside in a few lathers (it has ten on it now). The scrub, backbone, and flow-through feel really nice, maybe just this much too dense?
Shavemac Finest fan 22/48 (measured 24/47) - the scritch is not as pronounced as the D01, the flow-through is better, but like the T&H Rooney, I'm not getting precisely the feedback I am after
Savile Row 3122 (25/50 measured) - perfect density, flow-through, firmness...but it's a bulb and I don't love the handle
So, I guess I'm looking for the midpoint of a D01 3-band and a Finest from Shavemac, or maybe halfway between a T&H 1/2 and a Simpson Duke 3, which was too dense and scrubby by half but otherwise so ideal. I'm thinking a TGN Finest fan is the way to go (no XH? I don't love super-dense...), but I'm open to other suggestions, even other knot vendors. Also, should I go for a 22mm so that it's around 24 where it exits the handle, assuming I want it set around 48-50mm?
Again, I have read through old threads, but I'm trying to avoid having to go through multiple knots to get the one I am after. Your expertise is welcome, gents.
T&H Rooney 1/2 - great size (24/48), fan shape, and lathers like a dream. Gel-like tips, good flow-through, but I sometimes feel like it's not giving me quite enough feedback
Shavemac D01 3-band fan (24/48)- tried to sell this, actually, as it's a bit scritchy at the tips, but I'm told this will subside in a few lathers (it has ten on it now). The scrub, backbone, and flow-through feel really nice, maybe just this much too dense?
Shavemac Finest fan 22/48 (measured 24/47) - the scritch is not as pronounced as the D01, the flow-through is better, but like the T&H Rooney, I'm not getting precisely the feedback I am after
Savile Row 3122 (25/50 measured) - perfect density, flow-through, firmness...but it's a bulb and I don't love the handle
So, I guess I'm looking for the midpoint of a D01 3-band and a Finest from Shavemac, or maybe halfway between a T&H 1/2 and a Simpson Duke 3, which was too dense and scrubby by half but otherwise so ideal. I'm thinking a TGN Finest fan is the way to go (no XH? I don't love super-dense...), but I'm open to other suggestions, even other knot vendors. Also, should I go for a 22mm so that it's around 24 where it exits the handle, assuming I want it set around 48-50mm?
Again, I have read through old threads, but I'm trying to avoid having to go through multiple knots to get the one I am after. Your expertise is welcome, gents.