New Brush Musings

[Blaser0217]

So, I'm shopping around for a new brush, and I came across this Shavemac #25 at WCS:

http://westcoastshaving.3dcartstores.com/Shavemac-177-23mm-Finest-Badger-Shaving-Brush-Faux-Ivory_p_347.html

Didn't see this particular brush reviewed in the review forum, so I wanted some expert opinions. What are the thoughts on this brush?

FWIW, I'm currently using an AOS pure badger brush, but it's their "trial size" version that comes in their small starter kit. I've been using it for about 8 months now, and it's losing a couple hairs a day on me at this point.

P.S. I'm using exclusively soaps at this point, and anticipate I will be for the near future. Frankly, good lather comes almost too easily for me with the creams. I like a challenge. I primarily bowl lather now, but I'm thinking a better brush with a less scritchiness will compel me to do more face lathering. Again for whatever that's worth.

 

[JPDyson]

Generally positive of most anything Shavemac; known for good backbone and soft tips. Nice density.

If you have another $20, check out the Savile Row 3722 (QEDusa.com). These are widely rumored to be made by Shavemac, yet anything sold by Charles meets rigid quality standards. Also, the upgrade to Silvertip won't be regretted. Pick up some soap while you're there.

Of course, back on topic, I highly doubt you'd regret that Shavemac.

 

[Blaser0217]

How do the quality boar brushes compare to badgers? I'm curious given all the boar users on this site. What makes them better, worse, different? I used the low-end VDH board brush when I first started wet shaving, which is probably of little comparative worth.

 

[JPDyson]

A quality boar brush (such as Omega and Semogue, the only ones I have experienced and can call "quality") will have a few distinct differences.

1 - Break-in period. During the first month of use, the brush may start out kind-of "meh" but begin to mature as it breaks in. It probably takes three months for most any brush to be about as good as you can expect. Badger gets there a lot quicker, maybe a week or two.

2 - Bristle stiffness. I've yet to find a badger brush as stiff as a boar. Boar hair is coarser, so it bends and flops a lot less. Before it's broken in well, this can make it feel a bit scritchy. Good boars will feel fairly soft at the tips from the start, and only get better as the ends split (a good thing for boar).

3 - Water retention. Badger brushes do absorb a little water into the hair, but more or less, hold a lot of water between the hairs. Boars tend to absorb more water, and hold a bit less between the hairs. This means you need to soak your boar brush a little more, and shake/squeeze a bit less before you start lathering.

4 - Cost. This one should be fairly obvious. Boar brushes are everywhere from about $10 to $40 regularly. The Semogue Owner's Club brush is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best boar brush yet. $35 shipped. Badgers can be found for $10, though most of those aren't that great (exceptions: Shea Moisture Shave Brush is pretty good for the money, and Tweezerman is alright). However, they rapidly soar upward of $150 for common, excellent specimen. More rare and illustrious makes (such as Plisson) ask as much as $400+ for their finest and largest brushes.

I'll let others add more.

 

[huntmol]

That Shavemac you linked is a great brush, but unfortunately I just can't recommend that anyone buy one of their brushes from anywhere except shavemac.com.

The ability to customize every single part of your brush for no extra charge is just too great of an opportunity to pass up!

For instance, that brush you linked would be pretty good, but shorten the loft to 48mm and you've got a brush that could hold its own with the top of the line from any brushmaker.

 

[Blaser0217]

That Shavemac you linked is a great brush, but unfortunately I just can't recommend that anyone buy one of their brushes from anywhere except shavemac.com.

The ability to customize every single part of your brush for no extra charge is just too great of an opportunity to pass up!

For instance, that brush you linked would be pretty good, but shorten the loft to 48mm and you've got a brush that could hold its own with the top of the line from any brushmaker.

Excellent advice!! This is why I love this forum. Thanks, again.

 

[tachi1247]

Talk to Bernd and see what he thinks about a more fan shaped knot.

 

[Blaser0217]

Talk to Bernd and see what he thinks about a more fan shaped knot.

Displaying my ignorance here, but who's Bernd?

 

[huntmol]

Here ya go! Drop him an email with the brush specs that you'd like (be specific) and you'll be lathering in no time!

http://www.shavemac.com/documents/custom_made.html