Newbie question

[Rowdi]

Hi

After my last question about a new brush i got even more confused because of so many great opinions, and options

It will be my first decent brush and i am relatively new to it all so i probably don't know what i want to be honest
I may face lather or I may bowl lather
i would want to try soaps and creams
What size knot and handle would be best

I am specifically looking at these ones. They are in my price range and I want a badger

1. Edwin Jagger 1EJ946SDS Traditional English Best Badger

2. Whipped Dog Silvertip
3.New Forest 1901 Super Badger Two Band
4. New Forest 2031 Super Badger
5. New Forest 2041 Best Badger


Thank you in advance for your help

 

[branford]

Brush preferences are VERY personal, with variables including hair type (badger, boar, horse and synthetic), hair quality (e.g., silvertip, two-band, Semogue boar grades, horse mane/tail ratio, synthetic generation, etc.), knot size, knot loft, and handle shape and size. Additionally, since there is absolutely no standardization of hair grades among the various manufacturers, comparison shopping is very difficult without significant experience. Your confusion is certainly warranted and is something most of us have experienced.

All the brushes you listed are fine products. You're definitely off to a good start.

Since this will be your first "good" brush, I would recommend paying as little money as possible until you've established you preferences both as to brushes generally, and your preferred usage (i.e., face or bowl lathering, using hard soaps, croaps or creams, etc.).

I personally own two Whipped Dog silvertips with resin handles, and I can wholeheartedly recommend them as a brush suitable for both beginners and experienced wet shavers. Larry, the proprietor of WD, is very friendly and professional, and I would encourage you to email or call him with your questions and concerns, and he will take care of you. I also own a EJ best badger which is certainly good brush. Although I do not possess any New Forest brushes, their reputation is excellent.

If you decide to go with a WD (or any other badger brush), my personal recommendation would be a mid-size silvertip knot (22 to 24 mm) with a set loft of between 48 and 52mm (Larry will drill down the handle up to an additional 10mm for a very small fee in order to set the loft lower than the default 55mm). WD handles are also solid, quality resin and quite comfortable.

I'm sure other members with offer numerous additional and wise recommendations and insights.

Good luck!

 

[Rowdi]

Thank you

 

[The Accountant]

At this point in your shave journey I think a Whipped Dog Silvertip would be an excellent choice. Follow the advice of member branford (above) and you should be all set. you can (and will most certainly!) try other brushes along the way.

 

[branford]

Your might also want to check-out The English Shaving Company if you wish to purchase Edwin Jagger products. It is factory direct, no tax or VAT if shipped to the USA, and they'll likely have a free or reduced shipping promotion for the upcoming holidays.

 

[Rowdi]

Thank you

 

[JPodL16]

I also have a whipped dog, 24mm, drilled down as mentioned above, and it's great. I only have 4 brushes so not much to compare it to, but it's great and works well for soap or cream, face or bowl.

 

[RVshave]

I only have Larry's WD Synthetic and really like, I've heard nothing but good things about his silvertips. The main idea is finding out what size you prefer.

 

[Teppanyaki]

I agree wholeheartedly with starting out with a more affordable brush and figuring out what you like.

Boar options - a Semogue or Omega

Badger options - Whipped Dog silvertip

Synthetic options - Muhle silvertip fiber version 2.0 for silvertip badger emulation, or maybe the black fiber.

For starting out, since synthetics dry very quickly and are nice for travel, trying a Muhle silvertip fiber strikes me as a great way to get started. By the way, order those from Connaught or shaving.ie, as even with shipping you save money ordering from Europe as you avoid Muhle's US distributor markup.

 

[Dave Colangelo]

You may also want to check out some of the offerings from Simpson they make a few great brushes in the sub $50 mark.

The key take away in this case is that a brush is a very very very personal thing and chances are it will take you a few brushes before you find one you really like. You may get lucky on the first try but you may also go through 10 brushes before you find what you want. You will also find that many brushes in similar price points are, well, similar. Many of the $50 brushes out there are pure or best hair and will behave similarly if you dont have much to compare it to. That being said if this is your first nice brush purchase you will be very happy with what ever you buy. Think of it like buying a new car. Lets say you drive a '91 Civic and you are going to buy either a Ferrari 458 or A Porsche 911GT3. Both cars have their merrits but coming from a '91 civic they will both be amazingly fast and handle infinitely better.

Regards
Dave

 

[Rowdi]

thanks guys

 

[spar10]

my first, and only brush, is a whipped dog. i like it, but then again, have nothing to compare it to.