Now that I am finally taking the plunge, I wanted to find a good brush for 30-50$. I have a Tweezerman coming to hold me over, but I want something better. I plan to lather in a bowl, and I plan to experiment with different soaps and creams. So what would you fellas suggest is the best all-around everyday brush in this price range?
Looking for the best brush on a budget
- Thread starter csice
- Start date
You might give the Simpsons Special a try. It can be found for around $50 most places and will handle anything you can throw at it.
20mm Xtra stuffed bulb TGN Finest in whatever affordable handle you like. (Knot is $19 + shipping).
TGN has several knots you shouldn't miss. The UK black and the Synth are cheap gems, but the best middle of the road starter knot I've gotten from them so far is still the finest with extra hair. And 20mm is a nice medium for size.
TGN has several knots you shouldn't miss. The UK black and the Synth are cheap gems, but the best middle of the road starter knot I've gotten from them so far is still the finest with extra hair. And 20mm is a nice medium for size.
- Thread starter
- #4
I'm quite keen to get a TGN knot and make a brush (source a handle from somewhere, not make one myself.)
Is there a good guide on the process (such as the best way to remove and old knot, what kind of adhesive to use)?
Is there a good guide on the process (such as the best way to remove and old knot, what kind of adhesive to use)?
I'm working on my first one at the moment. First I cut off the hair. Then I got a pair of thin nosed pliers and just started pulling out the hairs from the middle of the knot. It was hard going at first but once I'd gotten the middle 20% out the rest came out pretty easily.
I'm just going to use two part araldite epoxy to put the new knot in when it arrives. While I'm waiting I'll be getting the handle nice and shiny. It is hard to get 2000 grit wet + dry paper here, though.
If you have a drillpress, drilling the original knot out takes about 1 min versus 15-20 minutes to pluck it out with pliers.
Start with a 1/4" then do a 1/2" then dremel that 1/2" open with a grinding barrel.
If the brush is undamaged I can do a clean restore in about ten minutes start to finish using this method.
Start with a 1/4" then do a 1/2" then dremel that 1/2" open with a grinding barrel.
If the brush is undamaged I can do a clean restore in about ten minutes start to finish using this method.
I'm looking for a low-cost option for restoring a brush using a TGN knot...It seems you have a lot of experience...how much will cost approx a regular brush restore? I don't want to mess up, I like the handle a lot...
I don't really have that much experience. I've done about a dozen these past couple of weeks. I believe there are a couple guys who do restores to order.
I wanna say prophetic_joe and jack-in-the-green do. Maybe others too.
I wanna say prophetic_joe and jack-in-the-green do. Maybe others too.
You can't mess with the Wee Scot. I just didn't mention it because most people like a larger brush. I love mine though, used it yesterday with great results, as usual.
In Oz mate, use 5 minute two part Araldite ( or equivalent, mines the $2 stuff from the local Chicken Feed/Peanuts/$2 type discount shop ) . Roughen up the knot holder a bit with sandpaper for better grip. I'm a minimalist and just use a small dob on the bottom and around the sides of the knot holder. This makes it neat , reduces the changes of glue getting on the bristles or riding up the knot hole and oozing out the top. All my brushes have survived so far, and if they fall out, they should be in good enough condition just to reglue again. Makes it easy too if I ever want to reknot ( I really am not liking the scritchy Silvertip on my Everyready 200 and considering reknotting with and A Grade Silvertip )
Which one you doing first mate ?? The Simpson or the Plymouth ???
I don't got no fancy tools.
I use:
Scissors
Pliers
Knife
Standard Rechargeable Drill ( if required )
That's about it.
Cut the bristles down with scissors as low as you can.
Tape the top of the knot hole so that if you slip then you've got some protection on the handle.
Dig the knife into the centre of the knot and twist it around to loosen the bristles in the middle.
As Legion says, just start ripping the loosened bristle with the pliers. As the hole in the middle gets bigger, the easier it is to get the bristles out. Use a combination of knife twisting and pliers to get them old stinky bristles out. Rather than just pull them straight up, pull them upwards and towards the middle.
Depending on the brush and how the old knot is set in this might be enough to get the whole knot out.
If not you might have to drill the rest of the knot out. Rather than drill straight down, I drill at an angle from middle to bottom of edges ( does that make sense ? Umm at about a 45 degree angle ). Then use pliers again to pull the bristles inwards and up.
Once all the bristles are out you then need to work out knot diameter and then the depth and if you need to drill the base out to get the loft you want. The options you have here will depend on the brush material and design ( wood, acrylic, one piece, two piece ).........
Does that help ??
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I'll second the vote for an Edwin Jagger best badger. I have one, it's very good and cost me I think about $39.
If you're open to trying a boar brush, I would suggest the Omega 31064.
http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28_39_63&products_id=478
http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28_39_63&products_id=478
- Thread starter
- #15
I use both brushes and like them both. Both have done everything I have asked of them. IMHO I would have to go with the EJ because I like the way it feels on my face. Don't get me wrong, the Special does not feel bad. I guess I just like them a bit more floppy.
Burt
Burt
- Thread starter
- #17
As research always does with me, I believe I have elevated my expectations. I guess I am now trying to decide between a Simpson's Special and a Rooney 3/1 small silvertip. I definitely don't care to have a stumpey brush, thus my elimination of the Wee Scott and the Case amongst others....Not sure which one to eventually purchase however.
I love my Rooney 3/1 Super. Loooooove it.
I've used it for bowl and face lathering, creams and soaps, and it hasn't failed me. It can be a bit of a lather hog, but at the end of the shave, when you have a few spots to "touch up", you can summon thick, hydrated lather from the Rooney and be assured of a quality pass
I would go with the Edwin Jagger best badger brush. I have the C&E version and it's the work horse in my shave den. It works great with soaps and creams. Just a great all-a-round brush IMHO. If there is a C&E in your area they might have one around still. The one in my area did last time I was there. If your interested I could check and have it shipped if they still have it.
- Thread starter
- #20
Now, is the EJ the same as the CE? I know it has been asked here somewhere before....cause I am not a fan of the look of the EJ, not that it matters or is that much different than the CE, but I guess I am that kind of guy. I'm still not quite sure which I would prefer, but I may take a while before I have decided/renewed my shaving budget. However, I really appreciate the kind offer.
