Premium Badger/Brush Upgrades

[Well_Groomed_Yeti]

Hey all,

Have a few questions about premium brush offerings after I have upgraded my razors dramatically. Recently I picked u a Blackbird Ti, Vector SS and a Wolfman WR2 SS on some great deals in some BST groups. The razors exposed me to a whole new level of shave and it has sme wondering about how much of a step up my brush arsenal could experience.

Currently, I have exclusively Chisel & Hound and Grizzly Bay handles, two with v23 fanchurian knots and one with a v22. Additonally, I have a Muhle STF XL and G5C in a few handles. Recently, I have really been enjoying my badger knots and have heard a ton about Declaration Grooming, Leonidam, Paladin and the Varlet.

My question to those who have experienced any of these, how premium are the knots I already have and how dramatic would the step up to the premium offerings be from what I have?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ShmittyTheLoverboy]

I've tried a few different brands but I just keep coming back to my Simpsons.

 

[jesseix]

Hey all,

Have a few questions about premium brush offerings after I have upgraded my razors dramatically. Recently I picked u a Blackbird Ti, Vector SS and a Wolfman WR2 SS on some great deals in some BST groups. The razors exposed me to a whole new level of shave and it has sme wondering about how much of a step up my brush arsenal could experience.

Currently, I have exclusively Chisel & Hound and Grizzly Bay handles, two with v23 fanchurian knots and one with a v22. Additonally, I have a Muhle STF XL and G5C in a few handles. Recently, I have really been enjoying my badger knots and have heard a ton about Declaration Grooming, Leonidam, Paladin and the Varlet.

My question to those who have experienced any of these, how premium are the knots I already have and how dramatic would the step up to the premium offerings be from what I have?

Thanks in advance!

Are there any particular characteristics that you feel like you’re looking for that your current brushes don’t offer?
I haven’t used any of the Fanchurian knots and I’ve never been able to get a sense of how different all the different batches are, but my understanding is that they are very soft and gel-ly. Declaration knots vary from batch to batch but are very dense. There are some good comparison threads here and on DFS that talk about the differences so that might be helpful if there’s a certain style of knot you like. I would consider Paladin knots not as dense as DG, and most batches (at least that I’ve used) have more tip presence on your face so you’re not going to be getting an uber-soft or gel feeling. I have one Varlet and it’s a really nice knot, but in all honesty I would never see myself paying full retail for what they’re going for nowadays.
In the end it’s always fun to try out new brushes, and you’ll probably like them all in some capacity. It’s mostly a matter of if you have the pocketbook to buy them all

 

[wldecker]

I've got a few of the higher end brushes. All are a little different. Simpson super badger is VERY soft. My personal favorite is the Turn n Shave H5. Good medium ground between soft and backbone. Not a huge fan of my DG B17, seems to shed more than anything else I've got and denser than I prefer. Mozingo zt3 is another that I enjoy a lot, close to TnS.

I think there is a fair amount of difference in each company's hair batches so it may be tough to know which one is going to work best for you until you've tried a few.

 

[Well_Groomed_Yeti]

Are there any particular characteristics that you feel like you’re looking for that your current brushes don’t offer?
I haven’t used any of the Fanchurian knots and I’ve never been able to get a sense of how different all the different batches are, but my understanding is that they are very soft and gel-ly. Declaration knots vary from batch to batch but are very dense. There are some good comparison threads here and on DFS that talk about the differences so that might be helpful if there’s a certain style of knot you like. I would consider Paladin knots not as dense as DG, and most batches (at least that I’ve used) have more tip presence on your face so you’re not going to be getting an uber-soft or gel feeling. I have one Varlet and it’s a really nice knot, but in all honesty I would never see myself paying full retail for what they’re going for nowadays.
In the end it’s always fun to try out new brushes, and you’ll probably like them all in some capacity. It’s mostly a matter of if you have the pocketbook to buy them all

I guess this is what I am not sure of. The v23s are incredible to me, great splay, super soft, medium backbone. Great knits, but they’re also my only experience with badger.

Thank you for the input on the DG knots and the Varlet. The Varlet is the one I am most worried about me giving into right now with its price tag, even aftermarket. Kinda what inspired this post because i would hate to spend that kind of money only to be kinda “meh” over what I currently have.

I guess there is only one way to find out…

 

[Well_Groomed_Yeti]

I've got a few of the higher end brushes. All are a little different. Simpson super badger is VERY soft. My personal favorite is the Turn n Shave H5. Good medium ground between soft and backbone. Not a huge fan of my DG B17, seems to shed more than anything else I've got and denser than I prefer. Mozingo zt3 is another that I enjoy a lot, close to TnS.

I think there is a fair amount of difference in each company's hair batches so it may be tough to know which one is going to work best for you until you've tried a few.

Interesting, this is good to know about DG. Did it have too much backbone from the density?
The Turn N Shave H5, is that one of the tip knots he has available right now? Have been very curious about his and the AKA Brushworx Badger knots

 

[wldecker]

To me the DG just doesn't want to splay the way I like.

I'm not sure about which knots TnS has available. Just send him a note on etsy. I bought that brush almost 2 years ago.

 

[coldcoffee]

Also curious about the fanchurian knots. Some say super softs, others call it slimy.

Hard to figure out

 

[Well_Groomed_Yeti]

Also curious about the fanchurian knots. Some say super softs, others call it slimy.

Hard to figure out

Not sure about previous versions, I only have v22 and v23. Neither get what I would call slimy I guess, but they are both very soft. I am not sure if it is the v22 or the way that Rob mounted it, but it does not splay nearly as easily as the v23 and definitely is more backbone. Both of my v23s were from John at Grizzly Bay, so that is why I say it may just be that Rob mounted deeper. The v23s are incredible to me though, very dense, but not too much backbone, just enough, splay very easily and they have great flow through to release lather. The v22 is a little more of a lather hog to me. These are my only experience with badger knots outside of a terrible $9 one from Amazon early on when I started so I don't even count that it was so terrible... but just my experience with them

 

[SwamperWI]

In my opinion, you have a good selection of brushes to have enjoyable shaves.

I went down the rabbit hole of shave brushes, and I have really enjoyed it. I can’t say that my Paladin and DG badger knots perform significantly better than the Chisel and Hound or Grizzly Bay. They do perform differently. Some you may like and some you may not. I’ve had mixed experiences with Simpson brushes, but many people really like them. I picked up a DG B3, which didn’t get the best reviews. I really like mine.

I’m not sure if this helps, but thought I would try my best to share some thoughts. Enjoy the adventure!

 

[Well_Groomed_Yeti]

In my opinion, you have a good selection of brushes to have enjoyable shaves.

I went down the rabbit hole of shave brushes, and I have really enjoyed it. I can’t say that my Paladin and DG badger knots perform significantly better than the Chisel and Hound or Grizzly Bay. They do perform differently. Some you may like and some you may not. I’ve had mixed experiences with Simpson brushes, but many people really like them. I picked up a DG B3, which didn’t get the best reviews. I really like mine.

I’m not sure if this helps, but thought I would try my best to share some thoughts. Enjoy the adventure!

Yes sir, this helps a lot actually. Was looking for somebody with relativity. I guess when I first got them,
I just assumed they were premium Badger knots and it couldn’t get much better…

Recently I have gotten some incredible razors, a Wolfman and BB Ti. Prior to those, I figured I was set with the quality of shaves I got from my Old Type and Muhle R41… those new razors have transformed my shaving world to a new level of enjoyment and quality of shave.. so it has forced me to start thinking about what premium premium Badger knots could do.

You may have just saved me money saying it’s not a huge step up… but we also all know how this game goes, I say that now and could end up sending my favorite handle to DG by the end of the week… stupid hobby this one is, almost as stupid as golf.

 

[SwamperWI]

Yes sir, this helps a lot actually. Was looking for somebody with relativity. I guess when I first got them,
I just assumed they were premium Badger knots and it couldn’t get much better…

Recently I have gotten some incredible razors, a Wolfman and BB Ti. Prior to those, I figured I was set with the quality of shaves I got from my Old Type and Muhle R41… those new razors have transformed my shaving world to a new level of enjoyment and quality of shave.. so it has forced me to start thinking about what premium premium Badger knots could do.

You may have just saved me money saying it’s not a huge step up… but we also all know how this game goes, I say that now and could end up sending my favorite handle to DG by the end of the week… stupid hobby this one is, almost as stupid as golf.

BST is great for finding good deals on brushes too.

 

[bk200006]

Paging @Sascoman. Not sure if he’ll chime in or not but if there’s anyone on this forum with a stable of beautiful high end brushes it’s him. Beyond killer lineup.

 

[Well_Groomed_Yeti]

BST is great for finding good deals on brushes too.

Yessir, that’s where I got the Wolfman… been scouring them for a Varlet… the curiosity is killing me haha

 

[bk200006]

The Varlet brushes may be my favorite aesthetically as well. So classy

 

[Arsene_Wenger1]

I have 2 DG B8's, a B3 and 3 V&C brushes (2 with the VC02 knot and 1 with the VC03). My favourtite brushes out of all of these are the brushes made by Alessandro Marzolo of Voight & Cop, these are handmade brushes that are very different to most. I have never tried a Varlet or Wilhborg brush, but I understand that they are also both exceptional brushes, with exceptional knots. I would recommend looking at the V&C brushes over on IG, but that's just my view.

 

[Arsene_Wenger1]

Over on another US Shaving Forum, there's an interesting thread about the DG knots by a user by the name of "Dan Law". It covers all of the DG knots through the most recent one's B16-17, and although most people may not agree with it - it makes for an interesting read and gives some "food for thought". I would post the link, but I'm not sure that I'm allowed too.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I'd like to put in a plug for SV 2.0 brushes....I have or will have when the one I have on order gets here... 5 SV brushes I rotate for soap/croap/cream lathering. I rotate 3 other badger brushes for applying pre-shave.

SV 2.0 brushes are nowhere near the very top of badger brushes, but they are excellent. They are very consistent brush to brush. They are spec'd @ 26mm but where the knot exits the pewter crown, it's closer to 28mm. In fact, I have a Rudy Vey installed ShaveMac 28mm Two-band Silvertip in an Elite Razor handle and the SV is about that diameter.. though a bit more dense than the ShaveMac, which I also love, btw... It's one of the three I use to apply pre-shaves.

 

[Well_Groomed_Yeti]

I have 2 DG B8's, a B3 and 3 V&C brushes (2 with the VC02 knot and 1 with the VC03). My favourtite brushes out of all of these are the brushes made by Alessandro Marzolo of Voight & Cop, these are handmade brushes that are very different to most. I have never tried a Varlet or Wilhborg brush, but I understand that they are also both exceptional brushes, with exceptional knots. I would recommend looking at the V&C brushes over on IG, but that's just my view.

Ohh great, just what I needed.. another quality artisan to look into! Haha, it at least looks like I am saved for now because their etsy store is taking a break.. I will definitely check out their IG though, thanks for sharing!

Over on another US Shaving Forum, there's an interesting thread about the DG knots by a user by the name of "Dan Law". It covers all of the DG knots through the most recent one's B16-17, and although most people may not agree with it - it makes for an interesting read and gives some "food for thought". I would post the link, but I'm not sure that I'm allowed too.

Mmm, I believe I have read through that article, or a similar one before. I will have to google it again when I get a chance though, probably have way more perspective now. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Arsene_Wenger1]

Alessandro doesn’t use his Etsy store that much anymore and can be contacted over on IG by chat or messenger. I can also provide you with his contact details, if required. He’s a pleasure to work with and is easy to deal with, as well.

Edit: I believe that @Sascoman, may also have a couple of Alessandro’s brushes, and I know that he has both DG & Varlet brushes as well.