Is it worth buying a brush?

[bbauer09]

So I have restored 2 brushes but have never actually bought a nice brush. (I did buy a VDH boar brush that is terrible).
Anyways, I was curious if it is even worth it to buy a $100 plus brush. I mean, I can buy a handle for pretty cheap, buy any type of knot, and set it however I want. Isnt that as good as anything else I can buy?! Maybe even better since my time and effort went into making it.
Do any of you that restore brushes ever spend money to buy brushes? Or, do you just stick to restoring them?!

 

[Mick]

If you have never used a "factory" brush you have no way of knowing how your "restores" stack up.

Just saying.......

 

[GDCarrington]

So I have restored 2 brushes but have never actually bought a nice brush. (I did buy a VDH boar brush that is terrible).
Anyways, I was curious if it is even worth it to buy a $100 plus brush. I mean, I can buy a handle for pretty cheap, buy any type of knot, and set it however I want. Isnt that as good as anything else I can buy?! Maybe even better since my time and effort went into making it.
Do any of you that restore brushes ever spend money to buy brushes? Or, do you just stick to restoring them?!

Yes.

 

[PFP_Dad]

I have often wondered the same thing. I have a bunch of restores and a RV but haven't tried any of the popular badgers. I do however think my Semogues might be trying to breed.

 

[Kentos]

My TGN finest is as good as my mid-tiered Shavemac. However I have completely abandoned badger for boar so my advice is suspect

Other than pure density of the hair, a 300.00 brush may not be 270.00 better than a TGN to some people. The sad thing is you need to buy one to fine out.

 

[redhead shaver]

Well that is very much YMMV. I personally like my restores and the restores my brother has done for me far more than any big name brush I have tried. I have used Simpson, Shavemac, Rooney, and Thater, to name a few. And to be perfectly honest they are all nice brushes, but for me, they are simply not worth the cost.
What I like most about restores is you can make it suit you perfectly. By choosing the hair type, loft, and knot size you want. And all this can be done for a fraction of the cost of a big name brush.
I have sold all my big name brushes a long time ago, and I have never missed any of them. YMMV.

 

[bythbook]

well, like Mr. K, I'm (almost) exclusively a bristle brush user now... but I have (and have had) a number of high quality store-bought badger brushes (contemporary and vintage) and I have restored a number my ownself.

In my experience - the knots from TGN don't equal mid-and-high end badger hair from the big houses. I have now and have had a lot of brushes - Plissons, Shavemacs, Simpson's, some exquisite vintage brushes from Kent and Simpson's and some equally exquisite fine old US brushes with original pristine knots - and some great LE shaving forum brushes... and I have a whole bunch of nice restores - (yes, I am and have been a real brush slut.) I've enjoyed 'em all. But honestly? I think the expensive big-house brushes can't be beat - for badger.

BUT - I'm a boar(ing?) guy now, notwithstanding.

[edit] As I was writing this, I see another member snuck a reply in - with the exact opposite opinion as mine, and after very similar experience, it seems! hahahah - what a great life!

 

[catherix]

Yes.

Oh Gary you're a funny guy!

 

[catherix]

I think they both have qualities that are nice about them. I wouldn't trade my Duke 2 or my Semogue 1250 for anything.
Then again, if you tried to take any of my restores away from me I would likely cut your hand off. With a shavette. With a Merkur blade in it.

 

[GDCarrington]

Oh Gary you're a funny guy!

I am glad you caught the hidden meaning to my answer!

Seriously, though. Yes, I have bought and enjoy manufactured brushes and yes, I will make and enjoy my own on top of that.
I even make my own handles, and have at least made one knot (which to me is the hardest part) so it is more than just restoring, or buying.

 

[ThePatrician]

I have three custom brushes (I doubt I'll get into restoring), and as great as the TGN Finest is, and as much as I cherish them, they don't stack up to my Simpson. While "quality" and "enjoyment" are ultimately subjective, without dipping a toe in, you can't know for sure. But bearing YMMV in mind, yes, it is absolutely worth buying a brush.

If you have never used a "factory" brush you have no way of knowing how your "restores" stack up.

Just saying.......

A swimmingly excellent point.

 

[wireburner]

I have owned a lot of brushes in my day from just about every big name out there. And now my rotation consist of 6 Semogue boars, 3 high end badgers and the rest are restores.
For me, if I can sell one of my high end brushes, and bring in enough money for a few restores. I like getting 3-5 for the price of 1.
Don't get me wrong I do think that the high end brushes, for the most part, are of a slightly higher quality knot. But to me it's not that much better. Give me a restore with a TGN finest, Grade A Silvertip, or a Whipped Dog Silvertip any day.
I love brushes of all hair types and grades, be it restore or mass produced.
So to answer your question, buy one and see for yourself if you think it is worth the extra $. For me No the high end brushes aren't worth the extra money, but yes they are slightly better hair and usually have a better packed knot. But not enough for me to justify spending so much more. I haven't bought another mass produced brush since I started restoring a few years back.