Plisson hair differences
- Thread starter SHarris
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The Plisson HMW brushes come in two-band and three-band varieties. The HMW three-band tend to have super soft tips with surprising firmness, given the softness of the bristles. The knots are dense, but no so much that it wants to hold lather. The tips tend to very white. I will call this brush a luxurious lathering machine.
The HMW two-band tend to have similar white tips but more backbone than the three-band HMW variety. There is a slight "scritch" with the two-band that I don't notice with the three-band. I expect that this will soften up with use. These are very nice brushes but not quite the luxury feel as the three-band.
The EWs that I have are both two-band. They are not as white on the tips as the HMW and there is definitely more scritch. However, I have had one for several months and it has begun to soften up. I expect that in a few more months it will be very similar to my two-band HMW.
All the brushes are dense but not overly so. They have a bulb shape and work well without any problems with hair loss.
Plissons tend to have a slightly longer loft than some of the other brushes at the same price point. They are more flexible in the larger sizes given the extra loft. The surprising thing is that I don't find them floppy. They are at the top of the industry with a knot that works exceptionally well without holding onto your lather.
The HMW two-band tend to have similar white tips but more backbone than the three-band HMW variety. There is a slight "scritch" with the two-band that I don't notice with the three-band. I expect that this will soften up with use. These are very nice brushes but not quite the luxury feel as the three-band.
The EWs that I have are both two-band. They are not as white on the tips as the HMW and there is definitely more scritch. However, I have had one for several months and it has begun to soften up. I expect that in a few more months it will be very similar to my two-band HMW.
All the brushes are dense but not overly so. They have a bulb shape and work well without any problems with hair loss.
Plissons tend to have a slightly longer loft than some of the other brushes at the same price point. They are more flexible in the larger sizes given the extra loft. The surprising thing is that I don't find them floppy. They are at the top of the industry with a knot that works exceptionally well without holding onto your lather.
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Chris pretty much covered it all, and I agree with his comments. Great post, Chris.
I agree as well.
I have the same feeling about the plisson being stiff despite of the long loft, in EW and HMW.
It's very surprising and that's something that makes Plisson's brushes different from any other brands. It really gives the lather this way
It's very surprising and that's something that makes Plisson's brushes different from any other brands. It really gives the lather this way
I find it curious that Plisson manufactures HMW in 2 and 3 band versions but does not distinguish between them by price or label. I have owned size 12 HMWs in both 2 and 3 band and found them to be distinctly different brushes. The 3-band had softer tips, a larger bloom, and seemed a little more densely packed. The 2-band had a slight amount of scritch, was a little more bulb shaped, and had more backbone.
I have read that before 2-band badger came into vogue in the last 5-10 years, it was considered an inferior hair grade and cost less from the suppliers/sorters. Looking through old forum posts back in the 2006-2007 timeframe, Plisson was using 2-band hair labeled HMW. I may be mistaken, but I think this was before 2-band came into vogue.
So what's the deal with this hair? Is there something special about the 2-band that Plisson uses? And to confuse things even more, how different is 2-band HMW from 2-band EW (European White)?
Here is an interesting photo of two size 20 Plisson HMW brushes (from a vendor, not mine):
Notice the taller loft of the 2-band and the different shape of each knot. I entertained the thought that all of this hair is technically 3-band of the same grade, and that one specimen has a broader dark middle band, giving it a 2-band appearance. But the different form of the knots suggests the craftsmen that tied them perceived the hair to be different and shaped them differently to suit the characteristics of the hair. As mentioned above, my size 12 brushes had differently shaped knots.
Here's an old photo of my two size 12s next to each other:
I have read that before 2-band badger came into vogue in the last 5-10 years, it was considered an inferior hair grade and cost less from the suppliers/sorters. Looking through old forum posts back in the 2006-2007 timeframe, Plisson was using 2-band hair labeled HMW. I may be mistaken, but I think this was before 2-band came into vogue.
So what's the deal with this hair? Is there something special about the 2-band that Plisson uses? And to confuse things even more, how different is 2-band HMW from 2-band EW (European White)?
Here is an interesting photo of two size 20 Plisson HMW brushes (from a vendor, not mine):
Notice the taller loft of the 2-band and the different shape of each knot. I entertained the thought that all of this hair is technically 3-band of the same grade, and that one specimen has a broader dark middle band, giving it a 2-band appearance. But the different form of the knots suggests the craftsmen that tied them perceived the hair to be different and shaped them differently to suit the characteristics of the hair. As mentioned above, my size 12 brushes had differently shaped knots.
Here's an old photo of my two size 12s next to each other:
I'm thinking of but a Plisson. The handles are beautiful. Can the knots be replaced in all of them if down the line I want a new one?
I've had the hots for a Plisson for a few years now but the price has put me off. This shape and colour do it for me,
I may just order in the new year as a little bit of inheritence has come my way, we'll see though. By the way whats the specs on size twelve?
I agree this handle looks really nice. However, I read somewhere it is hollow plastic and doesn't feel substantial. May want to investigate this first before buying.
I read the same in the review section, but I've also read on another forum that the base can be 'popped' off. So it may be possuble to add weight to the handle in some form.
Here is a size 18 HMW that has a narrow dark band that is more brown than black:
A different, similar HMW knot:
Compare these to samples of HMW with a broader, darker middle band:
On the right:
Between these, there is even some variability in the width and tint of the dark middle band.
And then there is the 2-banded HMW, as seen above.
The differences in use between 2-band and 3-band HMW are fairly pronounced. But what about the differences between the HMW with a narrow, lighter middle band and that with a broader, darker middle band?
Andrew
A different, similar HMW knot:
Compare these to samples of HMW with a broader, darker middle band:
On the right:
Between these, there is even some variability in the width and tint of the dark middle band.
And then there is the 2-banded HMW, as seen above.
The differences in use between 2-band and 3-band HMW are fairly pronounced. But what about the differences between the HMW with a narrow, lighter middle band and that with a broader, darker middle band?
Andrew
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