Opinions Needed : Art of Shaving brush

[grendel]

Hey folks. Today, I saw an Art of Shaving kit at Sephora (the "4 Elements of the Perfect Shave" kit) containing products and a brush. The brush is labelled as "genuine badger".

To the point: is this brush any good? I'd be buying this kit simply to get a badger brush, and the product would just be a bonus as far as I'm concerned. Just don't want to bother spending good cash on a so-so brush.

Anyone used it and can comment?

TIA!

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

I have one that is "genuine badger." It isn't too bad. I think I only lost one hair in the week that I used it. I just switched it out for a Baxter Pure Badger which I'll be using from now on. Don't quote me but I read somewhere the brush along was $50.

 

[Go West Young Man]

It's a nice handle, but Pure bristles. I wouldn't buy the set JUST for the brush, you can pick up a similar brush for $20 pretty much anywhere.

 

[Nomad1600]

LOL my kids got me an AOS kit from Ultra and I was thinking the reverse... nice soft products, especially for travel but I was less sure about the small brush. I will use it as a travel bush, especially if I can find a prescription bottle that fits.

 

[Mythrol]

Which kit is it? If its the full size kit that runs around $120 then that's the exact brush I have. It's a pure badger brush and its been my daily user for months. Are there better brushes out there? Possibly. Have I noticed ny lack of performance from this brush? Nope. It lathers great, it has softened up nicely with use, and it comes with some Really good products. AOS sandalwood and Unscented are just great creams.

 

[grendel]

Which kit is it? If its the full size kit that runs around $120 then that's the exact brush I have. It's a pure badger brush and its been my daily user for months. Are there better brushes out there? Possibly. Have I noticed ny lack of performance from this brush? Nope. It lathers great, it has softened up nicely with use, and it comes with some Really good products. AOS sandalwood and Unscented are just great creams.

The kit I was looking at was the smaller sized one (local store didn't have any large kits in stock). Not sure, but I think bristle-wise, it'd be the same brush (handle might be a bit different).

 

[Mythrol]

The kit I was looking at was the smaller sized one (local store didn't have any large kits in stock). Not sure, but I think bristle-wise, it'd be the same brush (handle might be a bit different).

If I'm not mistaken that's the $60 travel kit. Personally I would not buy it for the brush. Awhile back they changed which brush came with the travel kit, it used to be pretty much the same as the larger kit but with a smaller handle, now it comes with an even smaller brush that they consider "temporary". You can definitely get a brush online that you can 2nd day ship to you for far cheaper.

 

[sarimento1]

Here is my overall favorable experience with AOS brushes.
i have their travel badger (not to be confused with their sample brush). It's an excellent small brush. Soft, no shedding.
i once had their regular fine badger brush. After two years of happy use, it began shedding. To my surprise, the store where I bought it, took it back in replacement for a new one. I could not expect more.
i sold the new one on eBay and bought, also on eBay, AOS' top of the line silvertip in chrome handle, at a bargain price. This is one marvelous brush and I'm enjoying it now for five months. Just my experience.

 

[Nomad1600]

If I'm not mistaken that's the $60 travel kit. Personally I would not buy it for the brush. Awhile back they changed which brush came with the travel kit, it used to be pretty much the same as the larger kit but with a smaller handle, now it comes with an even smaller brush that they consider "temporary". You can definitely get a brush online that you can 2nd day ship to you for far cheaper.

Wow, so its less than a "travel brush" and instead its a "temporary brush". AOS is really designing things to set up future selling. I just soaked and gave it an initial hand lather after I shaved with my VDH brush. The thing shed a few (not a shock) but sure feels "floppy". It will be even better as a travel brush... as I won't really care if I forget it somewhere. Hopefully the lavender soft products are good.

 

[Rasage_Perfecto]

I have that kit (travel kit) and the brush is working great!, is my daily brush.

 

[plato]

The travel kit brush is smaller? I thought only the brush that comes with the smaller "tester" set is smaller. AoS stuff is awesome.

 

[Big Jim]

Keep in mind that "pure" badger is pretty much the bottom level of badger. "Black" badger is in the "pure" badger category.

If you think you want black badger, either get a Whipped Dog Black Badger or spend some time on ebay and get an at least as good brush for a lot less.

Better yet, just get a Whipped Dog Silvertip and be happy.

 

[takeshi]

To the point: is this brush any good? I'd be buying this kit simply to get a badger brush, and the product would just be a bonus as far as I'm concerned. Just don't want to bother spending good cash on a so-so brush.

Whether a brush is any good or not depends on how well it fits the individual. Rather than putting the cart before the horse, tell us what you need/want/expect out of a brush and we can tell you if this one is a good fit or if another brush sounds like a better fit. No single brush is best for everyone.

 

[grendel]

^ good point.

Basically, I've been using a boar brush since I started wet shaving (almost 2 months ago), and after reading more about brushes, I'm anxious to try this fabled badger hair. Just don't want to break the bank or risk an intervention by my wife (read: has to be introductory pricing).

 

[Mythrol]

If that's your requirements then Whipped Dog brushes are just what you're looking for. They have an extremely good reputation on here and you can get a silvertip with handle for $26.

 

[Go West Young Man]

^ good point.

Basically, I've been using a boar brush since I started wet shaving (almost 2 months ago), and after reading more about brushes, I'm anxious to try this fabled badger hair. Just don't want to break the bank or risk an intervention by my wife (read: has to be introductory pricing).

The AoS brush is a bad intro to badgers, unless you particularly like them rough and scratchy