Looking to buy a brush...Not sure which one!

[Solidus]

I'm looking into buying a new brush, I currently use the Tweezerman Brush. I'm considering the Rooney Style 2 Size Med (2/2) Silvertip from Classic Shaving or the Vulfix 41. I would like something I can use for creams and soaps. The soaps I'm going to be using will be the Col. Conk and Van Der Hagen. The creams I will be using will be the Proraso and the HeadBlade HeadSlick. I'm considering sticking to the HeadSlick as my primary shave cream.

I will be using a straight razor and also a DE Razor (Merkur Progress & 38C). I'm stumped and not sure what do. Any brush recommendations easily available online will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[callmesubtle]

Hi Solidus,

Here's my two cents...

I was in the same exact position as you about a month ago but have since purchased a Shavemac 21mm Fine badger hair brush for around $60.

Since I'm new to wetshaving I needed brush suitable with soaps and creams and it definitely delivers - plus the quality of the shavemac is amazing. Holds water better than the C&E Best Badger IMHO and lathers easier.

westcoastshaving sells it here http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28_30_33&products_id=205

 

[ambrose]

Anything in a rooney super would be great. Here is my vote

http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=490&cat=157&page=1

 

[deshaveman]

You have gotten two excellent recommendations. Shavemac and Rooney are the two brush makers I would think of first. Both have first-rate quality and are a great value based on the price. The quality bump between the C&E BBB price range (~$30-$35) and the Shavemac/Rooney price range ($60-$100) is well worth it.

With Shavemac I would look in the Finest range for the best price-to-value ratio. With Rooney I would go 3/1 instead of 3/2. Partly because the $75 price point is attractive and partly because I just like brush knots that are smaller and denser.

Now there is always to world of boar. I have recently started exploring these brushes and they are a joy to use and very unique and different than badger. For less than $20 you can pick a nice Omega Pro 48 and take it for a spin. If you are a bit squeamish about plunking down a C-note on a brush I would start with a boar brush by Omega, Boreal, or Semogue.

 

[miner]

And your budget is ??

Here's what I have..

From the left

Shavemac DO1 21mm knot, current favourite, firm and soft and just wonderful

EJ BBB Large - Very soft and the knot seems to be huge but only 23mm, feels like I'm putting on the lather with a big soft flannel.

Simpson PJ - Looks like my son trimmed it with the garden shears but it lathers beautifully - looks are not everything! It is soft with just the right amount of scritch. Works well when I have a couple of days growth and I really have to work in the lather.

If I had to pick one of the three I would go with the Shavemac. But the Simpson comes a very close second because of the "scritchy" bit.

Hope this helps

Cheers

 

[Solidus]

Thank you guys for the quick turnaround. My budget is under $100. I was making an exception for the Vulifix. But it looks like the Shavemac is going to the one to buy, it has a very nice price tag. I noticeed there is a $10 price difference between the Finest and Silver, is there a significant difference between the two?

Any other recommendations would be great, I'm sure later down the road I will want to buy another. So I would like to keep some brushes in mind.

I've noticed that small brushes are popular, I though large brushes provided more lather...are the small brushes easier to produce lather?

 

[deshaveman]

I've noticed that small brushes are popular, I though large brushes provided more lather...are the small brushes easier to produce lather?

I am not sure if you mean knot size or loft. I face lather (as opposed to using a bowl for lather creation) so I prefer a shorter loft (50-55mm) because the badger doesn't splay out as much on my face. Some even prefer a slightly shorter loft.

Knot size is personal preference. My Shavemac is 23mm and I find it just right and maybe even a little bit big. I've used larger brushes and smaller brushes in the past. 22-24mm seems to be about the middle of the road in terms of knot size. The smallest brushes seem to be at least 18mm and go up from there. One notable exception is the Wee Scot at a tiny 14mm I believe.

If you have used any brushes in the past you may have a preference, otherwise I would go with a 21mm or 23mm, 60mm loft and used it for a while to see if you like it. Once you gain some experience with the brush you will get a sense of whether you like longer or shorter lofts and larger or smaller knots. If, however, you think you know what you want and you don't see it on Shavemac's site, email Bernd as he can do custom lofts and such.

P.S. Thanks for making me go to the Shavemac site. Now I am drooling over this. I am never going to get my Rooney if I keep buying Shavemacs!

 

[closer]

Just wondering, the brushes you are considering have quite different size characteristics. Vulfix 41 is a 30mm super badger knot, whereas the others you are considering are much smaller. I use a Vulfix 377, which is a 26mm super badger - certainly holds a lot of lather, sufficient for 3 passes. At times I feel its too big, but then I use my smaller travel size brush and realize how long it takes to whip up sufficient lather. I find the larger handle of the 377 comfortable to hold as well. Even so, I would consider a 30mm brush to be too big, especially if this is your first brush. Since you seem to be looking for a larger brush, I would recommend something in a 22-24mm knot size as a starting point.

 

[strat1117]

Don't forget about the venerable Rooneys. My Rooney 1/2 is probably my favorite brush overall, although I tend to use it only with tallow soaps, and many people consider the 3/1 to be one of the best "all around" brushes.

Not to be too presumptuous but, for another option, still within your budget, you could become a contributor to B&B and then get a B&B Essential -- a fantastic go anywhere, do anything brush!

Welcome to B&B -- Enjoy the site!

 

[silentorpheus]

Not to be too presumptuous but, for another option, still within your budget, you could become a contributor to B&B and then get a B&B Essential -- a fantastic go anywhere, do anything brush!

Aren't they all out of these?