Is Difference Really in the Brush?

[shawnmaze]

Some details.
I use a DE.
I rotate creams and soaps, but mainly use Truefitt & Hill's Trafalgar shaving cream.
I have a $10 Shea Moisture brush and a $50 Col Conk. They both have served me well.
I have found with creams I prefer to lather on my face.

Of all the parts involved in shaving, I cannot seem to understand why brushes would be that big of a deal when compared to a razor, blades, or creams/soaps. It just seems the nuance of brushes is so minor with a lot of money being spent on something that has less to do with the overall result. It seems like money spent on brush is really for the experience/feel of the brush, quality of materials or craftsmanship, or maybe less effort in lathering or holding water, etc.

So what I am getting at is: Aren't brushes really more about luxury and not so much about getting better shaves?

 

[Drubbing]

To a point. A dense brush can lift more soap easier, hold more water within the brush, make lather quicker from either soap or cream, and produce a better quality of lather.

Beyond that, the luxury factor kicks in.

 

[shawnmaze]

so minor convenience of building the lather then luxury? Still trying to understand the $$$ spent on this part. Not criticizing, just tying to understand the justification and evaluate the payoff

 

[petr]

Get a large Rooney heritage or super and you will understand.

 

[Drubbing]

so minor convenience of building the lather then luxury? Still trying to understand the $$$ spent on this part. Not criticizing, just tying to understand the justification and evaluate the payoff

Brand, materials, bling account for the $$. The luxury in using it is the softness on the face - they feel like pillows full of lather. You pay for that.

 

[shawnmaze]

That's what I gather. From the pragmatic standpoint, it just doesn't seem like something I value enough to pay for the difference in materials, etc. It doesn't seem to actually affect the closeness of the shave, just the enjoyment of applying the lather.

 

[shawnmaze]

Get a large Rooney heritage or super and you will understand.

I will understand what exactly? How it feels?

 

[tchmango]

I just upgraded from an AOS badger to a Duke 3. I had the same feelings as you that a brush is a brush. Honestly wish I had saved some money not buying as many razors and just started with a good brush. If your objective is just to see how close you can get your shave then it may be no factor.

With my new brush it felt like my face was lathered slicker. Just a better feel. Less irritation. In fact it was a nice feeling having the brush move across my face. It was a luxurious feeling. Was it a luxury? Maybe. Would I be happy to go back to my old brush? No. And for me that is the answer. Hope this helps you some.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Once I got a brush I was happy with, BAD disappeared.

 

[petr]

I will understand what exactly? How it feels?

The difference is in the quality of the lather, thus directly effecting the shave.

Secondly, is the ease of creating usable lather.

As an example, I started with a brush that simply did not make good lather. I thought it was the blades, or the razor, or a hundred other things.

A good brush that holds a lot of moisture creates a different class of lather. It's not just about the luxury idea of applying it.

 

[Sparafucile]

It seems like money spent on brush is really for the experience/feel of the brush, quality of materials or craftsmanship, or maybe less effort in lathering or holding water, etc.

So what I am getting at is: Aren't brushes really more about luxury and not so much about getting better shaves?

To a certain extent, yes. My $20 Omega boar produces the same lather as any high end brush. Perhaps not as quickly, nor does it have the same "face-feel". But it does produce a fine lather.

On the other hand, I have a 46 year-old Simpsons that is still in great shape; a well-made brush will last and last.

And too, there is something to be said for a soft, densely-packed knot and a quality handle that is appealing to you; but it's not necessarily proportionate to the price.

Take a look at Rudy Vey's brushes; they're $70 to $80 and worth every penny!

 

[furious1]

Thanks for posting this topic, I'm really interested in this issue too. I'm looking for my first badger brush (am using a $10 Body Shop), but am kinda thinking that brushes are the conspicuous consumption of wet shaving. How much for that Rooney 3 large in finest?

I get what I think is good lather from my synthetic, when I'm finished it looks like what I've seen in the tutorials. I do see water retention as a place where a natural brush may be better, and I suppose that if you have a big face, you may want a bigger brush. So I do want to get a badger, plus I'd like a "lifetime" brush (the Body Shops are disintegrating) But beyond that?

On the other side of the coin, I'm sure there is a connoisseurship aspect to this. I might pay $$$ for a bourbon for example, while others may see no difference between Basil Hayden and Jim Beam.

 

[DougK]

I think the biggest single improvement in my wetshaving came from switching to a quality badger brush because I was finally able to build good lather consistently. I don't believe in spending crazy amounts of money on wetshaving stuff, but it's worth spending a little bit extra to get good quality tools that will do the job well and last a long time.

 

[SliceOfLife]

When I shave the most important thing is a good edge
Second is a good soap
Good brush comes in last. It's still important, but it doesn't turn a good shave into a bad one like a dull razor or crappy soap can.


Funny thing is that's exactly how I approached shaving. I got busy with hones until I was satisfied with my edges, then I got busy with soaps until I was satisfied with my lathers. Lately I've been amassing brushes and finding just what I like best.

 

[mdunn]

there is a big difference in lather quality and how good it feels between different brushes. sure you can get perfectly servicable lather from a cheapie brush, but there is a difference.

pick one up on the BST, try it, and then if you dont like it sell it for whatever you bought it at. that way you are not out any cash.

you could wear hessian pants every day, and they would cover your gentlemans region and keep your legs warm just as well as comfy jeans or nice slacks. Functionally the same, but very different in application.

 

[BladeDE40]

I agree that after a certain point your paying for luxury...there is a difference between a "cheap" brush and a quality low cost brush though. I think that if the brush feels good and makes quality lather that is about all you need...the rest is just nice to have....I have to admit I've been eyeing that Simpson Colonel XL though...

 

[Ski-Patroller]

To me, it's mostly about the enjoyment. I have a small collection of brushes, including three I made with different TGN knots. They are all badger and they all will make a decent lather but they feel different. The Simpson Col. X2L is my favorite closely followed by a TGN Finest. The most expensive and best looking is the Kent B&B 2009 SE, but it is not my favorite to use.

To me it is about the right combination of stiffness, softness and scritchyness all at the same time

 

[Crag]

I think that the quality of lather you can make with a quality brush is what makes the difference between a good shave and a great shave. I have had quite a few brushes, and it seems that my Rooney Finest and my Shavemac are the most used of my collection because they produce the best shaves when I use them. I use a Merkur 25C with a Feather blade every time, so I know it's the brush/lather combo that changes the shave.

I also like how quickly they produce a quality lather with stiff peaks but that is well hydrated, and doesn't evaporate between passes. My forearms thank me every time I use those brushes, too because they make lather so quickly. I should add that I started with a Tweezerman brush that I used for a year before I even found BadgerandBlade. I paid a whopping $4 for it at the Drug Rite store, and used it with Kiss My Face liquid shave soap.

My second brush, a Plisson with a broken handle, and a funky smell I found at a Pawn Shop for $40, and talked the owner down to $34. I didn't even know it was a quality brush, the handle was cracked and it STUNK the first time I used it...made me want to VOMIT. That's when I did my first search and saw how much they cost new...Google Plisson High Mountain White to see what I mean. BUT, I called Plisson and they replaced the brush, even though I was NOT the original owner. That is a sign of a true High Quality company.

If you are lucky like me you can find a High Quality brush on the cheap and see the difference...Then you will be more inclined to spend that hard-earned cash on a high quality shave brush.

 

[TAM340R]

Perso I m always using a Simpson Scott Vee.
I like it is really small, but wondering what would be a good choice ....
I mainly face lathering with creme AND soaps....
What would be a good buy, I mean something I would really feel an improvement with?

Thanks for the expert s advice

Tam

 

[kap49]

I went from a Tweezerman to a cheap Muhle and finally to a Simpson Duke 2. The Duke lathers better, holds more water, produces a denser lather and feels oh so good on my face. I also enjoy using a tool that has a lot of history behind it.