My Top Three brushes: Vintage Stanley, AoS and Vie-Long

[bluesbishop]

I've had my Fathers Vintage Stanley brush for over 27 yrs now...after he passed away. All I know is that it is from the 50's ( or so I've been told) I remeber my Father using as Kid back in the 60's....so the actual date of his purchase is unknown to me. I'm shocked at how will it has held up and is a great performer still.....I love the color, and wish I can find a modern brush with the same style and color knot.

The Aos has changed little in the 6months I've owned and used it. The Vie-Long Horse hair has bloomed pretty nicely...and I've read others say there has bloomed little...but mine is used about 50% for face lathering..and I do tend to push hard on my brushes.

My three daily rotation brushes

pic 2 of the daily three

Stanley and AOS

The Vie-Long

 

[retrolike]

Very cool...only thing I have is a Rubberset brush from my Great Grandfather. He was born in 1908 and was a barber in WW2 and the Korean War (Navy). Unfortunately this is the only thing I have from his shaving collection. His wife threw out his entire collection after he died in the mid 90's. Does anyone know approximate dating of this brush?

 

[Predict]

That Stanley is sweet!

 

[Mike'sWorld]

@Bluesbishop - That vintage Stanley is a looker, use it in good health. Is it dyed boar or badger?
@retrolike - Dating brushes is difficult. For example,I use material. If catalin or bakelite 20's or 30's, if more modern plastics, 50's or later. Beginning in the 50's brushes began to have space age styling with sharp edges. Some look like little flying saucers. Earlier brushes had more gothic font for the lettering. As I said, it's difficult.
To both, congrats. Most of use would give anything for a heirloom piece of shaving equipment.

 

[celestino]

Wow, Ken, that Stanley looks great for its age!

 

[bluesbishop]

@Bluesbishop - That vintage Stanley is a looker, use it in good health. Is it dyed boar or badger?
@retrolike - Dating brushes is difficult. For example,I use material. If catalin or bakelite 20's or 30's, if more modern plastics, 50's or later. Beginning in the 50's brushes began to have space age styling with sharp edges. Some look like little flying saucers. Earlier brushes had more gothic font for the lettering. As I said, it's difficult.
To both, congrats. Most of use would give anything for a heirloom piece of shaving equipment.

The bottom of the brush say Badger....it is as soft as my silver tip.....I love the color...wish i could find a modern not that had the same look for some of my restores....I'm just shocked that this is a 60 yr old knot and still looks and performs well.....and cool to use your Dad's old brush....if Dad was still alive would be 92 now.....he loved his brush and Gillette Flare tip and slim....

 

[bluesbishop]

Wow, Ken, that Stanley looks great for its age!

Thanks Brother.....for years I used it the way I remember my father using it...my Dad used it to "paint" on Barbasol ....never seen him use anything else....he loved the stuff... I try to use it at least once or twice a week....

 

[Docd]

I have a feeling you frequently visit the AoS store at the St. John's Town center, Ken. The Stanley is great, a testament to old time quality. Makes you wonder how long all our brushes will hold out.

 

[bluesbishop]

I have a feeling you frequently visit the AoS store at the St. John's Town center, Ken. The Stanley is great, a testament to old time quality. Makes you wonder how long all our brushes will hold out.

I do love my Aos sandalwood cream!! And then I may just have to stop in at Maggiano's Little Italy while I'm there....I only live minutes away from the town center...so i do kind of live there! I'm sure they staff there is like "oh god...here's the fat guy again that like to talk razors to all of our customers again...."....LOL actually, the staff there is very nice...I'm a big fan of the Sandalwood, Lemon and Ocean Kelp