I am getting a Free Brush, but which one?

[wwp512]

I want to start looking for my next brush, birthday coming up and its time to make my wish list... I know it is a bit pre-mature because I actually don't know what I want...

From the brush recommendation stickies:

1. Existing of badgery beauties-
-ShaveMac 177 23mm SilverTip and Vulfix 405 Best
I have these two for comparison, I like the 177 because it feels much softer and fuller, but I go back to the 405 and I can get used to that brush also.

2. Your lathery leanings .
-mainly in a bowl, using cream or soap, have experienced with face lather, but bowl is it for now.

3. What you want from your next brush ...
- well, here is where I feel dumb. I don't really NEED one, just maybe have an opportunity to get a free one... maybe one for travel? one to show off? one to ???

4. Brush aesthetics ...
-something different than the two I already have

5. Budget
- $80-100

6. Size matters ....
- I find the 22 and 23mm that I have seemed to be perfect, but ...?

7. Brushes that have already piqued your interest ....
-just browsing through the brush threads.. something "next step up" for a newbie?

8. Please don't forget to tell us that this will be your last or only brush, and that "SBAD hasn't really gotten ahold of me." We need a good laugh.

- go ahead and laugh, here's a guy with $100 to burn!! but I do want one to keep and treasure, because my kids are buying it.

 

[dreadpirate]

Rooney style 3 size 1 in super for bowl and the knot size.

 

[huntmol]

Yep, Rooney 3-1 in Super. GREAT brush

 

[Dpflaum]

I like the Rooney 1/1 in Super, but the style is personal preference. If you can squeeze out another $10 I recommend the Simpsons Ehsan, it completely out performs my Rooney in every way.

But really you need a Rooney and a Simpsons. You know you want them.

 

[wwp512]

thanks for the suggestions, Rooney 3/1 and 1/1, seems to read about them a lot in threads, and in BST. (but I have not look into the thread since I wasn't interested, but NOW I am)

thanks also for the Simpson suggestion. However, I will keep it under $100 this time around.. maybe I'll buy that on my own comes SBAD.

Any others??

 

[Prince]

B&B Essential - from time to time they are on the BST.

 

[cfriend]

No input here, but thanks for using the brush info-request template

 

[Walter Sobchak]

What about one of the Saville Row brushes from Charles at QED?

I'm not sure who manufactures them, but their quality/price/value quotient seems to be very solid from what I've been reading.

 

[njpaddy]

Yep, Rooney 3-1 in Super. GREAT brush

Yep, yet again.

 

[Futur]

Why not get two?
My favourite is the Simpson Colonel X2L in Best Badger, this hair grade works much better than silvertip for me. It has a great backbone for soaps, it's densly packed and works very well for creams too. It's small enough to travel with and when you try to face lather with this brush, I think you'll love it just as much as I do. It's nice and soft, yet still feels like you're actually using a brush on your face.
Btw. I used to be a bowl latherer too, but switched when the Simpson came my way
http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/simpsons-colonel-x2l--best-badger-shaving-brus2.html

For the rest of the money I recommend you try a good Boar, take a look at the Semogue 830 or Omega 31064.

 

[wwp512]

thanks people, now I got a few to research on...

boar brush huh......

 

[zclake]

If I had money, or were going to get a free brush, I'd check out these: http://www.badgerbrush.net/catalog.php/badgerbrush/ct26341/24mm_Silvertip_Badger_Brushes
They have good reviews in the review section, and look awesome. and if you buy the koa, I'll track you down and steal it from you (I have two guitars in koa and it always looks sweet).

 

[zclake]

This one is at the upper end of your range, and the knot is also much larger than you stated, but look at the wood: http://www.badgerbrush.net/catalog....lvertip_Badger_Shaving_Brush_handmade_#IMAGES

 

[Walter Sobchak]

If I had money, or were going to get a free brush, I'd check out these: http://www.badgerbrush.net/catalog.php/badgerbrush/ct26341/24mm_Silvertip_Badger_Brushes
They have good reviews in the review section, and look awesome. and if you buy the koa, I'll track you down and steal it from you (I have two guitars in koa and it always looks sweet).

Good Choice!

I have one of Pat's brushes. A 24mm with a blue box elder burl handle. It's a very fine brush. Excellent craftsmanship, very nice handle, very luxurious knot. He definitely does nice work. This brush is strictly a bowl lathering brush for me. It's too big and soft to face scrub or face lather with.

 

[summit_4000]

Simpson Duke 3 in best badger. I have many brushes (Simpson and Rooney) and this is one of my favorites. It works well with both soaps and creams.

 

[wwp512]

wow, pcwoodcraft does have some nice looking handles. They look perfect as a "gift" for someone, since it looked custom, apart from the "standard" ivory.

thanks for all the recommendations

 

[wwp512]

After switching back and forth between the 2 brushes I have, a ShaveMac 177 in Silver tip and a Vulfix 403 Best, I have decided what my birthday brush should NOT have... too much water/ lather absorbency..

The Silvertip is nice, tight, and soft, but it just sucks up all the lather inside the brush, I find that I can't get the "good stuff" on to my face. I resort to squeezing the rich lather out from the bottom of the knot to the tip of the brush, then lather my face.

So which of the Rooney / Simpson will do that least?

 

[Walter Sobchak]

How about a Simpson Colonel X2L?

www.bullgooseshaving.net/sicox2linbeb.html

It's at the lower end of your budget and the knot dimensions are very close to the Chubby 1, which is is much more expensive.

Not sure how the density of the Colonel X2L compares to the density of the Chubby 1...anyone out there have experience using the two? How do they stack up?

 

[wwp512]

for what its' worth, I've decided on a Rooney 2/1 for $75 plus s/h.

if anyone knows: is Vulfix cheaper than Rooney, ShaveMac, Simpson because???

Am I paying for a particular name or you get what you pay for? (with the above 4 brands)

 

[Dpflaum]

for what its' worth, I've decided on a Rooney 2/1 for $75 plus s/h.

if anyone knows: is Vulfix cheaper than Rooney, ShaveMac, Simpson because???

Am I paying for a particular name or you get what you pay for? (with the above 4 brands)

The Vulfix brushes are the floppiest things on earth. Which isn't necessarily bad, I had one and enjoyed it immensely. Then I got my hands on a Rooney and then a Simpsons, so out the Vulfix went.