Portuguese Badgers + "upgrade"

[jrowen]

I have been using a Semogue 730 silvertip badger brush as the only badger brush in my rotation since I started wet shaving about 10 months ago. It's a 22mm knot with a 57mm loft. I primarily face lather with this brush, 3 passes easily, and I have REALLY enjoyed using this brush, though Semogue gets much more press for their excellent boar brushes, of which I own a few examples myself. I have also bowl lathered, and used creams as well as soaps with this brush, and I'm very pleased with it, though I have nothing to compare it to.

I am thinking of expanding my badger brush experience.

A few topics for discussion:

• Does anyone else use a Semogue 730? Can you compare its performance to any other brushes in your roatation?
• Has anyone tried the HD version of the Semo 730? kinda off point, but curious what the difference in performance is compared to the regular version.
• As I mentioned, I'm ready to try a "big name" badger brush. Simpson, Kent, Rooney, Vulfix, Saville Row, Shavemac, etc. I'm looking for something with "as luxurious as I can get" in the sub $150 range for a face lathering soap user.

Thanks for your invaluable input,

Jason

 

[Joe Edson]

I personally am going to look at the SR 3722 and the Vie-Long 16726 as my next brushes. Both in your price range. I face lather and these ones seem right in line with that. If you don't like the wood handle on the 16726, phil just made a custom in the red/acrylic handle that is roughly the same knot.

Rooney 1/1 would seem like another ideal choice or a shavemac Finest. All of these ones get high reviews and are definitely on my list. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

Personal experience wise, I have a simpsons in best (chubby 2) and simfix in two band (grosvenor). While the simpsons best is a very good knot, the CH2 is a little big for my tastes. I really love the grosvenor and a good entry into the 2-band simpsons hair would be the 'Ehsan' from bullgoose as well. Supposedly he is getting more grosvenors made sometime in the next couple of months and it might be worth waiting on that.

 

[jrowen]

Thanks for the response, Joe (even though it looks like you're on vacation).

I think I'm going to try to stick with fan-shaped knots, based on a different thread. I was hoping for a "luxurious" brush, and SR fits that bill from what I hear, but they don't really make any fan-shaped knots that I can tell.

I'm thinking a Rooney 1/2 in super. I'm concerned about going to a such a short loft on the 1/1, so I'm leaning towards a 1/2. Any comments regarding the 1/2 as a face lathering brush?

Shavemac is sitting in #2 right now. I'll probably want to order a custom from Shavemac, something along the lines of an "Ambrose" custom, but want to understand my preferences better first.

- Jason