I've been shaving with these two gems for a couple of weeks or so and I've got to report that I've never used anything quite like them. Insofar as backbone goes, you could use these for jack stands. Still the tips are very soft. Regarding their scrub, well they're not for the faint of heart.
Satellite image of the copper. Still damp from this morning.
Satellite image of the blue. (Special thanks to Google earth)
The blue handled knot measures approximately 26 mm with 55 mm loft. Still very scrubby it offers enough flex to be a good painter. The copper handled knot measures 28 mm with 50 mm loft. It paints well but not as well as its higher lofted sibling. Both brushes can dig lather from the hardest of soaps and release it willingly to the face. Surprisingly, I believe the copper is the softer of the two, in spite of its shorter loft. Both provide a very satisfying scrub but are very soft when painting. With respect to looks, the photos don't do them justice; they are each lookers. I'm especially fond of the blue handle with the gold trim. Each handle though, feels great in the hand and each is a pleasure to use. I find the longer handled, higher lofted, blue brush to be ideal for bowl lathering.
Now for the break in. As I said, these brushes are not for the faint of heart. Initially the scritch was flat out painful. I could not imagine anyone enjoying either one. I had read many reviews of Shavemac D01 2-bands that sounded similar. Some folks dumped those brushes immediately, while others noted that they do soften up with use. I've read those brushes described as "an acquired taste." I was determined to see it through.
I noticed that the brushes softened noticeably with each use and that the scritch rather quickly morphed into scrub - a very invigorating scrub. In short, I love these brushes. They are an interesting departure from the run-of-the mill uber soft badger.
Summary
Tip softness - 4/5
Knot softness - 1/5
Scrub - 6/5
Flow through - 5/5
Lather making - 5/5
Ergonomics - 5/5
Enjoy your shaves!
Satellite image of the copper. Still damp from this morning.
Satellite image of the blue. (Special thanks to Google earth)
The blue handled knot measures approximately 26 mm with 55 mm loft. Still very scrubby it offers enough flex to be a good painter. The copper handled knot measures 28 mm with 50 mm loft. It paints well but not as well as its higher lofted sibling. Both brushes can dig lather from the hardest of soaps and release it willingly to the face. Surprisingly, I believe the copper is the softer of the two, in spite of its shorter loft. Both provide a very satisfying scrub but are very soft when painting. With respect to looks, the photos don't do them justice; they are each lookers. I'm especially fond of the blue handle with the gold trim. Each handle though, feels great in the hand and each is a pleasure to use. I find the longer handled, higher lofted, blue brush to be ideal for bowl lathering.
Now for the break in. As I said, these brushes are not for the faint of heart. Initially the scritch was flat out painful. I could not imagine anyone enjoying either one. I had read many reviews of Shavemac D01 2-bands that sounded similar. Some folks dumped those brushes immediately, while others noted that they do soften up with use. I've read those brushes described as "an acquired taste." I was determined to see it through.
I noticed that the brushes softened noticeably with each use and that the scritch rather quickly morphed into scrub - a very invigorating scrub. In short, I love these brushes. They are an interesting departure from the run-of-the mill uber soft badger.
Summary
Tip softness - 4/5
Knot softness - 1/5
Scrub - 6/5
Flow through - 5/5
Lather making - 5/5
Ergonomics - 5/5
Enjoy your shaves!
