EB Newfarm
Cane? I'm Able!
I received my Alpha T-400 brush today and took it for a spin. I really like it. It is a tribute made from the Rubberset 400 brush design and it is very faithful to the original. I have bought a some Rubberset 400s and shined a few of them up and that is a fun project. I also have replaced the knots out of a couple of RR 400s, and have purchased a PAA Switchback 400. Here is a pic of the Alpha handle and ferrules:
(24 Badger, 26 badger just-bloomed, boar, and horse, both test lathered)
Other than the originals, I think the T-400 is the best. It has just hit the market, and is available with extra ferrules and choice of knots. I bought a handle and 4 ferrules and knots - a 24 badger, 26 badger, a boar, and a horse. I have not used a horse knot up to this point and was surprised at its softness.
The knots are very nice, and it is nice to be able to switch them out. The badgers are very soft, without a ton backbone- kind of like most of the badger brushes I have used (TGN, Maggards, Sheng). Obviously they are not as dense as my Simpson Chubby, but then again, what else is? The badger had no stink at all, and only shed 1 hair in the first lathering. The boar will take some time to break in and is stiff and scratchy, like boars are at first. The horse is very soft. The boar and horse both had a little animal odor, but very little. I bet it will be gone in two or three more uses.
My collection:
(Left to Right: Black RR badger, T-400 ferrule w/24 badger, NOS Rubberset 400 with tag, PAA ferrule w/TGN badger, Silver RR400 w/Maggards mixed badger, Rubberset w/original boar, PAA switchback w/Maggards mixed badger, T-400 ferrule in boar, Rubberset 400 w/TGN badger, T-400 ferrule in horse, Rubberset 400 w/TGN boar, and the T-400 with 26 badger in front.)
The CNC machining, polishing, and anodizing is well done. The handle and ferrule screw together really smoothly, taking a few complete turns. The ferrules are not interchangeable with a Rubberset 400 or the PAA. There is plenty of thread to add a gasket, which was supplied. (Original Rubbersets do not have many threads on the handle and it can be hard to add a gasket.) The handle is solid rather than hollow like the original, and this adds weight and heft. An original Rubberset is noticeably lighter. I think the added weight in the handle might make it less tippy when the brush is loaded.
I think the price is very reasonable and the additional ferrules were a bargain. The brush maker was prompt in emails and easy to work with. It came in a nice box, well packaged, and shipped quickly from Hong Kong. I'm very satisfied!
(24 Badger, 26 badger just-bloomed, boar, and horse, both test lathered)
Other than the originals, I think the T-400 is the best. It has just hit the market, and is available with extra ferrules and choice of knots. I bought a handle and 4 ferrules and knots - a 24 badger, 26 badger, a boar, and a horse. I have not used a horse knot up to this point and was surprised at its softness.
The knots are very nice, and it is nice to be able to switch them out. The badgers are very soft, without a ton backbone- kind of like most of the badger brushes I have used (TGN, Maggards, Sheng). Obviously they are not as dense as my Simpson Chubby, but then again, what else is? The badger had no stink at all, and only shed 1 hair in the first lathering. The boar will take some time to break in and is stiff and scratchy, like boars are at first. The horse is very soft. The boar and horse both had a little animal odor, but very little. I bet it will be gone in two or three more uses.
My collection:
(Left to Right: Black RR badger, T-400 ferrule w/24 badger, NOS Rubberset 400 with tag, PAA ferrule w/TGN badger, Silver RR400 w/Maggards mixed badger, Rubberset w/original boar, PAA switchback w/Maggards mixed badger, T-400 ferrule in boar, Rubberset 400 w/TGN badger, T-400 ferrule in horse, Rubberset 400 w/TGN boar, and the T-400 with 26 badger in front.)
The CNC machining, polishing, and anodizing is well done. The handle and ferrule screw together really smoothly, taking a few complete turns. The ferrules are not interchangeable with a Rubberset 400 or the PAA. There is plenty of thread to add a gasket, which was supplied. (Original Rubbersets do not have many threads on the handle and it can be hard to add a gasket.) The handle is solid rather than hollow like the original, and this adds weight and heft. An original Rubberset is noticeably lighter. I think the added weight in the handle might make it less tippy when the brush is loaded.
I think the price is very reasonable and the additional ferrules were a bargain. The brush maker was prompt in emails and easy to work with. It came in a nice box, well packaged, and shipped quickly from Hong Kong. I'm very satisfied!
