New Guy, Need First Brush

[Kenho21]

Been driving me crazy looking for a brush. The razor seems to be the easy part, but the brush, there are just too many options! I want something around $100. I have very sensitive skin and medium beard, any suggestions?

Been looking at the Vulfix 2234S which is less than I wanted to spend, but I just want something soft and good quality... or so I think. Also been looking at Simpsons and one other I seem to have lost.

Also, is a $100 best badger better than a $80 silvertip? This is kind of overwhelming me, as I am very picky about my hobbies and the quality of the products I buy...

 

[Luminose]

I guess first you need to decide if you plan on using soaps or creams and bowl or face lather. I'm sure the guys here can recommend the perfect brush for what you plan on using it for. Some larger softer brushes are best with bowls while if you plan on face lathering with a soap puck then you'll probably want something with more backbone to it. There are also brushes that are good at both.

 

[purrrley]

Simpson Berkeley 46 Best Badger. Amazing brush

 

[duckdown]

My first brush was a Kent BLK4 silver tipped badger brush and I love it

 

[GarrettReid]

My first brush was a Kent BLK4 silver tipped badger brush and I love it

I can not find anywhere quoting the knot size of the BLK4. Any idea?

 

[Kenho21]

I figured there would be some more variables. Still waiting for my soaps and creams to come in the mail, ordering some to tomorrow actually. So, I guess my only answer is: I have no clue hahaha. Should I just get a cheap brush until I figure out what I will be using for lather?

 

[Kenho21]

I'm definitely going to look into both of this brushes though.

 

[duckdown]

I can not find anywhere quoting the knot size of the BLK4. Any idea?

I believe it comes in small, medium, or large. I've got the medium and it's 21mm according to Fendrihan:

http://www.fendrihan.com/kent-blk4-medium-silvertip-shaving-brush-p-397.html

 

[JDTTO]

For the mentioned budget, there is a lot to choose from and you certainly do not need to spend it all.

If you insist on spending it all you could also go for both a badger and a boar. $100 is more than enough for a great one of each breed.

Both have their own advantages. From my own experience, there is nothing that prepares my relatively sensitive skin as good as the mild scrub of a boar.

 

[ThePatrician]

There are some gents here who will say a moderately good starting brush is the Tweezerman badger. It isn't a top-tier brush. A Simpson Duke 2 will turn the Tweezerman into a sobbing six-year-old girl with a skinned knee. However, it will give you an idea of what you are looking for. Once it breaks in, you can get an idea of what you are looking for: higher or shorter loft, more or less scritch, more or less backbone, fatter or skinner knot, etc.

Simpson Berkeley 46 Best Badger. Amazing brush

I have a Persian Jar 2 and idiotically sold a Duke 2 to a friend, so I think I can get an idea of where the Berkeley stands, and am forced to agree. Plus, the Berkeley comes in well under your budget in addition to coming from a distinguished pedigree. That, and a Semogue 1520 and/or 1305, which boar users swear buy and light incense to celebrate, should give you a good idea of what you are looking for. If you decide boar, you have two outstanding brushes, and if you decide badger you have a great badger brush that will give you years of stellar service. If you decide to sell either one, they will go like hotcakes on the BST.

 

[genghishahn]

My suggestion: get a brush from Larry at Whipped Dog. He can set you up with a silvertip badger brush on the cheap, less than $40. He'll also set the loft at the height you specify for a little extra. I got my second brush from him and am VERY happy with it. It's a really good way to experiment with knot sizes and loft without spending too much.

Best,
Scott

 

[Luminose]

I face lather and started out with the Semogue 620, I can't imagine there being a better brush at double it's $23. It's a boar brush though and while it seems soft to me I'm sure it's not in the Badger league.

You could start out with a good quality low cost brush then once you use it some you'd know if you want a larger softer brush or just a higher quality one for your next brush?

 

[njpaddy]

My best all-around soft brush, for bowl or face lathering either creams or soaps, is a Rooney 3/1 "Super" Silvertip. I have brushes with more backbone that are good with hard soaps, but not so good with creams and other brushes that are great with creams but not good with soaps. The Rooney is my one brush that does it all.

 

[Songwind]

Been driving me crazy looking for a brush. The razor seems to be the easy part, but the brush, there are just too many options! I want something around $100. I have very sensitive skin and medium beard, any suggestions?

Been looking at the Vulfix 2234S which is less than I wanted to spend, but I just want something soft and good quality... or so I think. Also been looking at Simpsons and one other I seem to have lost.

Part of the "problem" with a big brush budget for your first brush is that you don't really know what kind of brush you like, yet. For example, I have a Vulfix super, and it's a nice brush. Soft and well made. But it's not as dense or stiff as I'd like. I paid $35 for it, and will probably resell it, so I'm not crabby about it. But if I'd paid a C-note for a brush and didn't like it I think I'd be miffed.

$100 will get you a really nice brush. Or even two nice brushes, if you shop carefully.

Wet Shaving Products "Monarch" brushes are nice, and around your price point. I got the smaller "Prince" in finest and it's a great brush.

It's hard to go wrong with a Simpson. I got a Commodore X2 (about $80) for Christmas and it's a great performing brush. Simpson's best is as nice as Vulfix super and TGN Silvertip, for my money.

I think the suggestion to get a nice badger and also a nice boar brush so you can try both is a good one.

Also, is a $100 best badger better than a $80 silvertip? This is kind of overwhelming me, as I am very picky about my hobbies and the quality of the products I buy...

This is an extremely subjective question. Badger hair grades aren't standardized, for one thing. Edwin Jagger's best badger may not be as nice as Simpson's, for example. Also, different brush makers focus on different aspects of the brush. My daughter uses a relatively inexpensive brush ($30) that has a very nice knot but just an injection molded plastic handle.

And that doesn't even touch the fact that your tastes will take you toward one hair grade or another. I personally like the stiffer Best, Finest or 2-Band Super hair better than silvertip, but they are less expensive.

 

[petr]

For a hundred bucks I'd get a small knot two band in either simpsons or rooney. or a rooney 1 heritage small. good luck.

 

[bladebuff]

A Vulfix 2234 in Super is a good place to start, this brush will be soft but will have enough density to work on soaps as well. Vulfix builds a quality brush that will be a great way to introduce you to using one while shaving. I have one and while I prefer the smaller Vulfix 374 Super I will not part with my 2234.

Brushes are very subjective and your tastes will no doubt develop the more you use one and the variables are endless as you have discovered.

 

[Kenho21]

Thanks for such detailed answers! I feel a little better equipped now to make my decision.

 

[NCJack]

Don't overlook Semogue boars: my 830 is great for bowl or face lathering.

 

[MaxP]

I would recommend against the hundred dollar brush until you've had opportunity to experiment some.

Both the Tweezerman and Whipped Dog brushes would be a great next step, IMHO

 

[sgtd]

I'd recommend a Vintage Blades 22mm or 24mm badger and a SOC boar. Together they come in at under $100 and both are great brushes.