I want to upgrade my Omega Boar...

[Compaq]

..., and have some alternatives here from Elite Razor and Penworks:

Spalted Tamarind (one of the Tamatinds) | http://www.penworks.us//index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25_72&sort=20a&page=3
Amber Resin | http://www.penworks.us//index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_71&products_id=51
Blue/Black/Gold Resin | http://www.penworks.us//index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_71&products_id=52
Cream 24mm | http://www.penworks.us//index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_71&products_id=241
Red Gum Burl 28 | http://www.penworks.us//index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_74&products_id=206
ST1-24E Silvertip Badge | http://www.penworks.us//index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_73&products_id=219
ST1R-22 Silvertip Badger | http://www.penworks.us//index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_73&products_id=215
ST2-24HR SIlvertip Badger | http://www.penworks.us//index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_73&products_id=403
STR1-22 Silvertip Badger | http://www.penworks.us//index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_73&products_id=216
=============================================================================================================
Coolibah Burl | http://eliterazor.com/index.php?pag...ategory_id=15&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=66
Tiger Wood | http://eliterazor.com/index.php?pag...ategory_id=15&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=66

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I've set a max price at 80 USD. I have a few questions that I hope some will spent their precious time to answer:

- What qualities do big brushes have? I imagine they're good for creams, not so much soaps..
- What makes these brushes so much less expensive than the Merkur Vision brush?

-Compaq-

EDIT: btw, the reason I've chosen these ones, are mainly because of hair quality, knot size and handle design, though that 28 mm might be a little too big

 

[FiveOhNine]

A dizzying array....

There is certainly a ton of info on the forum available at the tip of your....mouse click. The choice is mostly personal, but I prefer smaller, stiffer brushes for soaps and larger (24mm-ish) softer brushes for creams.

 

[dreadpirate]

That Tigerwood brush looks nice - actually all of them look nice. How about considering a Rooney 3/1? They are like $75.

http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=487&cat=156&page=1

I like the Rooney 1/1:

http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=471&cat=153&page=1

 

[Compaq]

If I had to choose one of the rooney's, it would be the tallest one. I like a good handle. They looked very nice. I'm a little confused, though, by the term "super" Silvertip.. I saw that on the brush it said "Super Badger".. is it a silvertip or is it a super badger?

Can people call all brushes with lighter tips "silvertip".

I'm glad for every input here. Let's not hope my choice gets too difficult Hard to choose between these hairy goodnesses

-Compaq-

 

[FiveOhNine]

If I had to choose one of the rooney's, it would be the tallest one. I like a good handle. They looked very nice. I'm a little confused, though, by the term "super" Silvertip.. I saw that on the brush it said "Super Badger".. is it a silvertip or is it a super badger?

Can people call all brushes with lighter tips "silvertip".

I'm glad for every input here. Let's not hope my choice gets too difficult Hard to choose between these hairy goodnesses

-Compaq-

Check out the sticky for a little more in depth look http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=46429

In general, Silvertip comes from the neck area, IIRC, and tends to be softer at the tip and a bit floppier - though, from what I hear, you can find nice stiff silvertips as well.

 

[Sueto]

Compaq,

As mentioned above, there are some good threads here listing out the different properties of the knots and such.

From my personal experience The Penworks brushes are a great value, although I found the silvertips knots used in those brushes are kind of floppy, or at least the one I tried was. It lathered up amazingly with creams. Didn't do so well with soap. So depends on what you are looking for in a brush.

I have no experience with the other vendor.

 

[mark3d]

I recently upgraded an Omega Boar to a Penworks 22m silvertip. It was well worth the < $50, as it is a great brush - about as large as I would want - and I am really happy with the purchase. I haven't used the boar since. I'd recommend you try one.

I am still curious about a premium boar brush, maybe that will be next.

.