Need an inexpensive brush

[jwhitwo]

I'm in the market for an inexpensive brush and found a few on Amazon and wanted to see if anyone had any experiance with any of them. Some of the brands I have heard of and others I haven't, but I'm fairly new to this. I currently have an Art of Shaving brush that is falling apart. I shave with cream and don't mind a little pricklyness. I'm trying to stay in the <$40 all said and done (I know, that doesn't go a long way).

Col. conk Progress 1001

Omega Stripey

Parker 100&#37; Pure Badger

Swissco Brush

Any thoughts/recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[michael.scheller]

A couple of things...

The Tweezerman badger on Amazon

Or, if you're handy you could buy your own knot at Golden Nib and make your own.

 

[Mink]

The Omega Stripey is the only brush you have listed that I have experience with. It's not exactly like the one in your link. It's black badger and has a black/clear acrylic handle. That said, it's a great brush. It's stiff enough for making lather, yet it softens enough to make applying the lather very nice.

 

[40boy]

The Conk is a re-branded Vulfix and should be OK.

I haven't used that Omega, but the 2 I do use are good brushes at a great value.

The other 2 I know nothing about.

When I was looking for my 1st badger hair brush I bought a Edwin Jagger Medium Best and it has served me well, but if I was had it to do over again I would buy This Rooney in Pure from Vintage Blades for 39.99 + shipping.

 

[cvac]

The Conk is indeed a re-badged Vulfix brush and is pretty good. It was my first shaving brush and served me well for a few months before I decided to upgrade. Like all "pure" grade badger brushes, its not the softest brush on earth but gets the job done.

Omega is a good brand. I only have experience with a boar hair brush made by them and I can say it seems to be very well made. I'd probably go with the Omega badger just because it's probably just as good as the Conk/Vulfix and is a few bucks cheaper.

Honestly, you're probably going to want a nicer brush within a couple months so I wouldn't spend too much money. If you want to save a few more bucks, I might go for an Omega boar brush but keep in mind it'll be pretty stiff until you break it in.

This looks like a good deal, for $17 you get a Omega Pro Boar and tube of Omega Shave cream (they call it soap but it comes in a tube and is cream). Omega cream is very similar to Proraso and a dependable performer. Might want to check it out:

http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Profess...=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1262661220&sr=1-17



I'd stay away from the Swissco and Parker brushes. You really don't know what you're getting with those.

 

[Sueto]

Don't count out the boars for the under $40 range. Check out the Semogue 1305 thread (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=119161) going on right now. A few of us went nuts and bought one, results are pretty good. $18 and some change shipped. It's a good brush, some say great. Does great with soap or creams that I have tried.

Omega has some pretty good brushes either way. Penworks can get you a lot for the money as well. Vulfix have something in your price range. Check out some of the vendors associated with the boards. Good values to be hand for sure.

 

[jwhitwo]

Thanks for all the advice. I ordered the Omega Stripey to try. It was only $25 with free shipping and seemed to get some good reviews from here and amazon. I'll let you know.

Thanks!