How much of an improvement do you see with a better brush?

[AEIOU9]

I currently have a Edwin Jagger best badger brush. I got it before I became familiar with this site and based my selection off of Amazon reviews. So far it seems to be doing the job pretty well. However, while I've been browsing through the boards here I've seen some people buy some pretty expensive brushes (Duke, Chubby, etc.).

What are the benefits of buying something like a Duke or Chubby vs. what I have?

 

[VT_Hokie]

The jump in performance from your average, run of the mill brush to something really great was only marginal at best in my case.

Where it pays off for me is the enjoyment factor. I like having my cake and eating it too. Instead of creating great lather with something that I just like, I get to use a few brushes that I really love.

Having the color, shape, knot characteristics, etc. make my shaves that much more enjoyable.

I really liked my Simpson Duke 3 in Best. I really LOVE my M&F L7 because the handle and knot are beautiful and the knot is from old stock and feels like Heritage.

I really liked my Shavemac D01. I really LOVE my Rudy Very 2XL in Jade because Rudy made it just for me. The handle, material, and knot are all things that I hand selected to meet my specifications.

See where I'm going with this?

Find what speaks to you, and use what you love.

 

[Le Buzz]

The EJ BBB will make great lather. I still get great shaves when I use mine. As with anything, a higher end product will give you a more luxurious experience. Higher end brushes have softer tips and more dense knots which give you a nicer face feel.

 

[shavefreak]

Face and bowl/hand lather scritch is a concern as is size and softeness. Lucky to have all the opinions you read can here to help you pick. For me the cheaper brushes shed a lot and I can't stand badger hair strands in my soaps. Got me a Rooney and put a stop to that. I would rather have a $200.00 razor than a $200.00 brush so $80.00 for a brush is as much as I wanted to go I have never used a $200.00 brush but I am getting great shaves.

 

[Mick]

Brushes are all personal reference. Most people who hang around here have a LOT of brushes. They seem to multiply when you are not looking.

What works best for you will depend mostly on how you build your later, on your face, or in a lathering bowl.

 

[seanusa]

Brushes are all personal reference. Most people who hang around here have a LOT of brushes. They seem to multiply when you are not looking.

What works best for you will depend mostly on how you build your later, on your face, or in a lathering bowl.

+1 I started with a VDH Boar and now have 6 others