Penworks suggestions

[Kyle Hyde]

I'm looking for a brush now. I exclusively use soaps. Having used several badger brushes, and I found that I like my VDH boar the best. I want a badger that has similar characteristics.

Is penworks finest grade very prickly? My vdh is very soft (because it's old) yet is still very stiff. I don't like prickly because my face is too sensitive.

I can't decide between penworks/penchetta silvertip or finest (which looks better imo). I also can't decide between 20mm 21mm or 22mm (I like the size of C&E BBB). Also for you soap users, is 45mm loft perfect or is smaller even better?

 

[luvmysuper]

Because a quality badger brush has hair that is very soft, a shorter loft will give you a little more "backbone" than a taller loft.

 

[huracan]

Hey man, I've been using a 20mm finest on a restored brush I put together. Even with a loft set over 50mm, this thing rocks enough backbone for me and the tips are very soft.
A loft set at 45-50 would probably be ideal.

I just ordered one of his old school brushes with finest hair on it too, I can't wait to check it out.

 

[Jack-in-the-Green]

IMO, the Finest is actually less prickly than the regular Silvertip. When you first feel the Finest dry it seems quite rough, but once you get it wet is becomes super-soft at the tips, while still maintaining backbone. I highly recommend the Finest knot, set ~45mm.

 

[Dpflaum]

IMO, the Finest is actually less prickly than the regular Silvertip. When you first feel the Finest dry it seems quite rough, but once you get it wet is becomes super-soft at the tips, while still maintaining backbone. I highly recommend the Finest knot, set ~45mm.

Could there be a more perfect answer to a question I was planning on asking today? I have a 20mm finest that I am going to do something with. Here's hoping it works well.

 

[KenR]

Recently bought a Penchetta 24mm in Finest with a black pearl handle. I do not consider it prickly but YMMV.

 

[Sueto]

IMO, the Finest is actually less prickly than the regular Silvertip. When you first feel the Finest dry it seems quite rough, but once you get it wet is becomes super-soft at the tips, while still maintaining backbone. I highly recommend the Finest knot, set ~45mm.

Going to give this a +1 and then some. Fidjit suggested these for a reknot that I did on a brush. With the brushes I own I felt that the finest knot(20mm in my case) is similar in feel to the Rooney super I had, but a tad less dense. I really like the knot. and for the price, what a huge bargain for quality.

For what it is worth, I did get a Penworks brush awhile back that was silvertip, not the grade A though. It was soft but floppy. It wasn't bad, but if I had to pick one of the Penworks with a Finest versus the Silvertip, I'd go with finest without a doubt.

 

[azmark]

I have a gorgeous Penchetta from Tony at Penworks in a silver tip. Only "top shelf" brush I have and will get.

If your using soaps try a boar or something with a larger loft if it's a badger (24+). I have a 22 finest and has a poor time with hard soaps like MWF. Larger knots seem to work better for that matter, IMHO.