Space_Cadet
I don't have a funny description.
One of the high-end Simpsons or Paladin. Definitely two of my favorites.
So as my wet shaving journey has reached a couple year's old I have come to some definite conclusions. One, my rad is pretty much dead and because of that I am going to have some spare change to spend. However my sbrad is quite alive. My question to you all is if money was no object (up to $400) what brush would you purchase? I am asking because thats what I am going to do. I almost face lather exclusively and I love some backbone with a soft feel. No scritchy please. I figure instead of having tons of brushes I will have one that is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately there are so many brushes and I do not know all of them so I am counting on B&B's extensive experience to help me out. Thanks
I agree completely with @Chaucer Morris & Forndran Finest would be exactly what you are looking for.As others are saying, Simpsons Manchurians are just excellent in the backbone and ever-so-slightly scritchy category. Alternatives in the same category are Morris & Forndran (as far as I know, now available new only through Brad Sears) and shavemac 2-band silvertip (available new, of course, from shavemac but also from Rudy Vey).
If you want a softer knot, Simpsons in Super, or even in Best, Paladin, and shavemac 2-band silvertip (especially DO-1) are excellent.
Even softer are the Plisson brushes in High Mountain White. Some folks find them floppy, but I say they're unique and hard to describe. The smaller ones may be within your price range.
I have given it much thought and I am not going to buy an expensive brush. Many comments in this thread have said what you said and I am going to use the advice wisely. My next brush will be a Zenith Manchurian in olive wood. I thank every one for their advice.Have you decided on anything?
In my opinion yours is an impossible question and quest. I could also say it's exceeding easy to accomplish with a little luck.
I have a few brushes that are generally considered to be very good. My most expensive brush is, out of that group, the one I like the least. One of my brushes which costs about $70 is one of my favorites, and the absolute favorite of some gentlemen who have extensive and expensive collections.
In my opinion most of us are collectors and hobbyists. Many of us have a good many brushes any civilian, and most of us, would be extremely happy to use were it the only brush in the shave den. There are excellent brushes with great backbone and soft tips available for less than $20 and at any other price point you might name. You can spend hundreds and hundreds to get a brush you won't like but that doesn't mean someone else wouldn't love it.
I wish you the best of luck with your endeavor and will look forward to hearing what you think of the brush you buy. Please don't think I'm trying to talk you out of buying a $400 brush; plenty of them are very very good brushes. Just don't expect that spending more money on a brush guarantees you'll love it.
Happy shaves,
Jim
I have given it much thought and I am not going to buy an expensive brush. Many comments in this thread have said what you said and I am going to use the advice wisely. My next brush will be a Zenith Manchurian in olive wood. I thank every one for their advice.
If I was going to buy I would have purchased a The Varlet in the Ranger handle.