If you're going to own ONE brush, this is it... right?

[itsjreal]

Okay. I know that different brushes excel at different kinds of shaving. Scrubby brushes likes the Simpson Chubby are great for face lathering, boar brushes are especially well suited for soaps, etc etc. But here's a question: is there anyone on B&B who owns a Shavemac #177 who would NOT recommend it? This brush has a 96% rating in the reviews section, and we're not talking about just one or two review. This brush is LOVED. I got a 23mm one a few months back, and I can see what all the hype is about. It's incredibly soft, but not floppy. It's dense, it's attractive, it performs well with both creams and soaps. I've had great success bowl lathering with it, yet THIS is the brush that made me fall in love with face lathering.

Seriously, why WOULDN'T someone want this? Why recommend anything else to a person looking for a brush... unless, of course, they're on a budget or have SBAD?

Oh wait. I'm pretty sure "SBAD" answers all of my questions. But I'd like to hear some criticisms of this seemingly impeccable brush.

 

[gobeavs]

what's the price tag say?

 

[Uncle Erik]

I haven't used a Shavemac, but I have no doubt it's a fine brush. One of the blessings of this hobby is that there are so many excellent products to choose from. As I've accumulated more and more stuff, it's hard to choose which one to use each day. I could live happily with just about any brush, razor or soap that I have.

 

[joshmpdx]

Tulip 2 Two Band Super

 

[Confilo]

Rooney stubby in Finest

 

[ziplepingouin]

Well, I got a Mühle silvertip 23mm, and I can say it's a good multi purpose brush (even if at the beginning I found it to be a little big).
I face lather with it 99% of the time, and the reason why I took this one instead of shavemac for example is the price. At 60,00€ it's really a good deal, and if I had to do it again, I would still take the Mühle, it just fits my needs.

 

[Dharion]

Kent BK4

Though supporting Bernd is quite nice, too.

 

[Don]

I love my Vulfix in Super Badger, I do not recall the model. Great lather with creams and soaps. For the price I paid, I cannot imagine a better deal. I think these Vulfix brushes are underrated, and under-appreciated, at least in some quarters.

I have been enjoying my Omega Pro 48 boar, and it has broken in very nicely these past two months.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

I own a 177 with a 28mm knot. Fantastic brush. Shed like CRAZY up front...so much so, Bernd sent me a replacement. But I'm still using this bad boy and love it very much. The only thing I'm not fond of is the size...naturally I went too large up front. Something a tad smaller would be pefect...

 

[Carolina Kiltman]

I was given a brush when I was also given my first razor in 1949. It went lost sometime in my early days in the US Navy. I bought a "premium pure China boar bristle" brush at the PX, and used it until just last week. (It had worn down to about 7/8" long, I'm not cheap or anything, just a thrifty Scot!).

I now have a "wee Scot" badger brush, and it is truly a pleasure. I rather think I will ask to be buried with it. Providing it lasts as well as the first one. (I'd only be somewhere in my early 120's )

 

[JPDyson]

This is tough; I've become very much accustomed to brushes which really excel in one area or another. I mean, I have brushes with which I face-lather soaps, and brushes with which I bowl-lather creams. For me, THE soap brush, right now, is my Simpson Tulip 2 in two-band Super. It's dang-near perfect. The go-to cream brush is my B&B Essential (v1, natch). I also have an '08 LE which I use for soaps, but it's almost too soft for daily use. Nice weekender, however.

I think the "1 and only" brush, to me, is spelled C-O-M-P-R-O-M-I-S-E. I'd rather have (at least) two. But, if you put a gun to my head, and told me to get a single brush for now and always, I'd actually call Tony at PenWorks.us and have him make me another brush with a TGN 22mm two-band set at around 50mm loft.

 

[siouxsie]

Okay. I know that different brushes excel at different kinds of shaving. Scrubby brushes likes the Simpson Chubby are great for face lathering, boar brushes are especially well suited for soaps, etc etc. But here's a question: is there anyone on B&B who owns a Shavemac #177 who would NOT recommend it? This brush has a 96% rating in the reviews section, and we're not talking about just one or two review. This brush is LOVED. I got a 23mm one a few months back, and I can see what all the hype is about. It's incredibly soft, but not floppy. It's dense, it's attractive, it performs well with both creams and soaps. I've had great success bowl lathering with it, yet THIS is the brush that made me fall in love with face lathering.

Seriously, why WOULDN'T someone want this? Why recommend anything else to a person looking for a brush... unless, of course, they're on a budget or have SBAD?

Oh wait. I'm pretty sure "SBAD" answers all of my questions. But I'd like to hear some criticisms of this seemingly impeccable brush.

I have the Shavemac 25...it is the same except the handle, right? The dimensions of the brush are the same anyway. I find myself reaching for that one most of all so I would say I love it. I am looking for another that's ideally suitable for face-lathering both creams and soaps.

 

[DFrancis]

i have an Omega boar, love it on soaps, creams, face & bowl lathering.

 

[cfriend]

Stubby 1 Super for me...

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

Turkish professional horse brush, love it on soaps, creams, face & bowl lathering.

 

[Sullybob]

Tulip 2 Two Band Super

 

[shaneburns]

Simpson Key Hole 2!!

 

[richmondesi]

I've use the brush referenced in the OP and would not recommend it to anyone. It shed like a mangy dog and was not as good as several brushes I've tried in terms of performance... I would pass given every opportunity.

 

[Marco]

Simpson Duke 3 Best.

 

[Slivovitz]

I looked it up on WCS. $70 is more than I'd pay right now, since I'm already set for brushes, and getting a possibly better one is not critical. I'll definitely make a note of the recommendation, though. Seems to be a well thought of brand.