New Brush Recommendation

[Gerbs]

I am looking to add a new brush to add to/create a rotation so my brushes fully dry between uses. I am currently using an EJ Silvertip Loxley. It's a pretty big brush and is incredibly soft. It has performed well for both bowl and face lathering creams and soaps. It seems to outperform in bowl lathering vs. face lathering. However, two things I do not like; 1) it is a bit too floppy. 2) it's a lather hog. While I'm not necessarily looking for the most flow through possible, I am looking for decent flow through. Overall, my most important characteristics are below:

1. Softness:
I have sensitive skin and am looking for a soft brush devoid of scritch, scratch, etc. I'd like a gentle face massage.

2. Lather
I want to be able to generate the "lather explosion"

3. Not floppy

4. Complement to the EJ...less floppy, less splay, more flow through

5. Decent flow through


I'm currently leaning toward the Rooney Heritage 2XL or 3XL (not sure I want to drop the coin for the 3XL). All recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeremy

 

[Monkeyboy]

Rooney XL would be a good choice. It's the polar opposite of floppy, lots of backbone. Tips are about as pillowy soft as anything out there. I found the 2XL to be a bit of a lather hog.

I've never tried one but also the Shavemac D01 2-band brushes are supposed to have the combination of stiff backbone and soft tips as well.

 

[Face&Head]

I agree with Monkeyboy on the Rooney but not the Shavemac. The D01 2-band (depending on loft height) can be quite scrubby & have a fair amount of scritch. The 3-band D01 is a better choice to meet your criteria and is one of the finest brushes available. Another excellent choice would be a Thater, either 2 or 3 band bulb. Plenty of backbone with the bulb shape and the softest tips imaginable. Be aware that their published knot sizes are smaller than the actual brush; so expect a 25mm brush to be 27 or 28.

 

[Mike'sWorld]

Another vote for Thater. Soft tips, gel like has been used to describe the face feel.

 

[Absolute Mustard]

Another vote for Thater

The 2 band that I just picked up fits all of your criteria

 

[beginish]

Jeremy-Check out the Savile Row silver tips at QED. They have incredibly soft tips, nice backbone and can lather anything. They are also an excellent value.

 

[dreadpirate]

Rooney 1/2 silvertip.

 

[breadstick]

This is going to sound crazy, but you're describing a Semogue 620. Once it's broken in, it's softer than any silvertip badger I've tried with amazing backbone. I love this brush so much it's almost all I use.

It'll take a bit to break in, but if you use it (even just to make a lather you don't use) and let it dry for a full day, then keep this up for a few weeks it'll reward you for a very long time.

 

[Cochese2323]

I have a Semogue 620 and it is not softer than my Thater. It does have more backbone, but I can lather pretty much any hard soap easily with my Thater too. It is my favorite brush. I will say the Semogue is my second favorite brush though.

I have never tried a Rooney Heritage. It was between one of those and my Thater and I do not regret purchasing my Thater for a second. Worth every penny IMHO.

 

[Gerbs]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for the recommendations. I'm looking at the Thater 4125 bulb with a black handle. The reported flow through of the Thater and softest tips tipped the scale If I had unlimited funds, I'd get the Rooney, a custom D01 3 band, and a Saville Row while I'm at it. I must say the Semogue love has me intrigued, particularly regarding the lower price points. Having purchased my first and only brush 4 years ago, I can't believe I don't have 10 brushes by now.

Thank you,

Jeremy

 

[shave~extacy]

+1 Rooney