Kent BLK 4

[Scissors]

I used my Kent BLK 4 for the first time yesterday with Kent soap (aka Mitchell's Wool Fat, as I've discovered).

It's bristles are by far the softest of the brushes I have, the other two being a Merkur Straight Handle and a Rooney 3/1. Perhaps it's a characteristic of the soap (as its aficionados tell me, MWF is a special creature), but the soap seemed to flow through the brush to my whiskers quite easily. There was little or no whipping up a circle of lather and then painting it over my face; the soap went where I applied it. Also, the feel of the soft bristles was really quite something; a luxurious and relaxing sensation in itself.

In sum, it's a welcome addition to my small collection of gear.

 

[BlueBloodKiller]

I take it the BLK4 is my BK4's ebony cousin?

My MWF seems to like my Rooney 3/1 Pure better cos of the short loft & scrubbiness it provides. I need just a 5-second swirl to produce enuff lather for 3 passes. They go together like Fish and Water. I have been saving the Kent for the weekends instead.

 

[Wingnut]

I take it the BLK4 is my BK4's ebony cousin?

Exactly.

 

[dpmtherrien]

I have the Kent BK4, an excellent brush.

 

[Scissors]

I take it the BLK4 is my BK4's ebony cousin?

Yes indeedy.

My MWF seems to like my Rooney 3/1 Pure better cos of the short loft & scrubbiness it provides. I need just a 5-second swirl to produce enuff lather for 3 passes. They go together like Fish and Water. I have been saving the Kent for the weekends instead.

I'll get a chance to try this, as my Rooney 3/1 (in super, however, not pure—but it's still scrubbier than the Kent) is next up in the rotation and I think I'll be using the Kent/MWF soap again.

 

[English]

That's the thing about a good brush design. It just works and works well.

The BK4 is luxuriously soft and some say a little floppy and some say it isn't filled as well as much more expensive brushes. I find those types of criticisms to be true but they miss the point. The brush make a fine rich lather, it holds the amount that you need for a comfortable shave, it releases it well onto the face and the handle is a delight to use. Forget the packaging it comes in, which adds a bit of glitz, the brush is just a quality act. It's one of those unusual products that does what it says on the label..

I don't work for Kent, but they make great brushes and combs as well and they stand by their products. Having been treated exceptinally well by them in the past and having tried some of the expensive competition, I am pleased you
made a good choice.

 

[FLTiger]

I have the Kent BK4, an excellent brush.

My BK4 is my go-to brush.

 

[Tha Baron]

My BK4 is my go-to brush.

I honestly don't understand why someone would not buy this brush... the quality of the brush for the amazing price of $60-65 shipped from Auravita.com is mind boggling that not everyone would own it. I acutally got mine when the USD/GBP exchange rate was around 1.40, so it was even cheaper!

 

[infotech]

I used a Bk4 every day for about a year before I bought another brush. I agree that it's a very well constructed brush of high quality, very soft, and builds a good lather with soaps and creams. It lost two or three hairs the first time I used it and never shed another. The only reason I went looking looking for another brush is because I think it's just a tad too floppy. Now when I use mine I use a bowl to build the lather instead of face lathering. I also put a clear little rubber band around the base of the knot to help out a bit.

The part that I really like about the brush is the handle. It's one of the most ergonomic handles I've used. I've been holding the brush between my index and middle finger with the base of the handle resting against the inside of my fingers. They fit perfectly in the massive curved part of the handle like a glove. It allows me to completely relax my hand while I build lather.