Price differentials on brushes

[cobainngc]

This is perhaps a dumb question and maybe I could find the answer if I read a little more, but why is there such a disparity in the price of brushes, even those with the same grade of badger? As an example, I have noticed that some silvertip brushes are in excess of $100 while others are significantly lower. Makes me wonder about possible quality of the different makers of the brushes. Anyway, I am searching for a new brush and this confuses me. The only two that I currently own are pure badger brushes.

 

[SliceOfLife]

There isn't a standard grading system for badger hair. One makers silvertip can be very different from another makers. Then there are other aspects. Some brushes have hand turned handles, others are molded plastic. Then with some makers you are paying for reputation, quality of assembly (such as hand tied knots vs knots held together with some kind of adhesive/sealant), and other factors. For me, the reason I paid more for the high end brushes I've bought was usually because no one offered a brush enough like that particular brush which I wanted except that maker. (Rooney Finest, Simpson Chubby). I'm of the opinion that you can roughly approximate something like a colonel with a cheaper knot, but I've yet to find anything from any other maker that adequately replicates certain high end brushes. In particularly the "Chubby" knockoff offerings from many chinese makers are very deceiving. They typically just put a rather ordinary knot in a "chubby-style" handle, ignoring the fact that the density of the hair packed into the knot is much more (at least in my opinion) the iconic part of the Chubby line.

 

[Mick]

Quality of hair. Type of hair. Hand tied. Density of hair. and mostly what the market will bear.

There are differences. subtle differences but they are there.

You should stick within what you feel comfortable spending and not let other's opinions sway you into getting something over your comfort level.

SO.....

what are you looking for?.......

 

[Myosin]

Just like all "luxury" products, you get extreme diminishing returns as the price goes up. You eventually reach a point where you're paying for nothing more than just a name brand.

I have an Omega 599 silvertip and it performs amazing. It only cost $39 too. I also have The Prince silvertip brush and it is another amazing brush and it cost $60.

Whenever you're buying a product, whether it be a car, shaving brushes, or clothing, ask yourself what you're really paying for. Are you paying for a name and image or for the actual product. Name brands alone and an image mean absolutely nothing to an intelligent man.

 

[dushea]

This sounds like the beginning of a SBAD.

 

[jdmatthew]

I have to doubt that one badger has better hair than another. I would guess the price differs in relation to the cost and quality of workmanship and (probably more) with the cachet of the brand.

 

[Jeff_H]

Plenty of good responses. My best advice is do your research, read reviews, look at pictures, watch prices. Decide what handle style you think you like, what grade of badger hair you want, etc. Through your research you will naturally be drawn to a couple of brands/makers/styles over the others. Narrow it down as best you can. Ultimately, your first brush will be a bit of a leap of faith, based on your research and what you "think" you like.

I waited nearly 2 years to buy a premium brush. I decided fairly early on that I liked the shape of the Kent handle. Moreover, I was somehow drawn to them over some of the other very highly regarded English brush makers. I did decide that I wanted a classic, handmade English brush and Kent struck my fancy. However, $150+ for the size I wanted seemed excessive for me and my comfort level. I waited and waited and finally a deal presented itself for $90, only used twice. That I could live with, and I couldn't be happier.

I hope you can find what you want and find something that makes you happy.

 

[The Dean]

You get what you pay for!





Sorry, couldn't help myself.

 

[SliceOfLife]

I have to doubt that one badger has better hair than another. I would guess the price differs in relation to the cost and quality of workmanship and (probably more) with the cachet of the brand.

Badger hair varies a lot. It seems to have more to do with the season (and I'd assume the climate of the region/ where) the badger was harvested and the part of the animal it comes from than badger to badger, but I've never plucked a badger, so take that for what it's worth. There is badger hair out there that can quite literally cut you. And there's some out there that is comparable in softness to the softest synthetics.

 

[Eeyore]

Marketing, and product positioning? The same reason why a Skoda Fabia is cheaper than a Volkswagen Polo (guess which one we bought )

In luxury goods, there is no direct relation between price and quality. A name brand usually has more non-manufacturing costs to keep the brand name on the radar of the consumer. You pay for that when you buy the brand.



Btw, the way that fur and hair animals are killed in China, makes me doubt that I will ever buy a badger brush, but that is a different discussion.

 

[jdmatthew]

Badger hair varies a lot. It seems to have more to do with the season (and I'd assume the climate of the region/ where) the badger was harvested and the part of the animal it comes from than badger to badger, but I've never plucked a badger, so take that for what it's worth. There is badger hair out there that can quite literally cut you. And there's some out there that is comparable in softness to the softest synthetics.

I do know that most animals have better pelts in the winter (longer and thicker fur) from my days of coon hunting as a youth. I would also guess that badger belly hair is softer and finer than back hair. I don't like to think too much about how they get the hair for badger brushes, but I also don't dwell on where bacon comes from either.

I would have to guess that cost of labor is a huge factor, which is why just about everything at Wal-Mart is made in China. Not that Chinese workers aren't skilled, they just work cheaper.

 

[Eeyore]

I would have to guess that cost of labor is a huge factor, which is why just about everything at Wal-Mart is made in China. Not that Chinese workers aren't skilled, they just work cheaper.

It's the story of the Polish truck drivers, in a way ...

When Poland joined the European labor market, transporting companies took advantage by hiring Polish truck drivers instead of Western Europeans. As a consequence, many western truck drivers lost their job (or were forced to work for considerable worse conditions than they were used to).

Since a few years, transporting companies displace the Polish drivers by truck drivers from low wage Asian countries, because the Polish works have become "too expensive". As a consequence, now Polish truck drivers are losing their jobs.

And why? Because we, as a society, don't want to pay a fair price for labor anymore.

 

[Face&Head]

Just like all "luxury" products, you get extreme diminishing returns as the price goes up. You eventually reach a point where you're paying for nothing more than just a name brand.

I think there should be some distinction made between true luxury goods and items that simply have a highly visible & promoted brand. When you get into the world of custom made shoes, suits or even shirts, the materials, workmanship and fit are often far beyond what can generally be found in your local department store. These items usually have no recognized brand. However, if you're talking about paying twice as much for a sport shirt because it has a little pony or alligator on it, you're right.

 

[Eeyore]

I think there should be some distinction made between true luxury goods and items that simply have a highly visible & promoted brand. When you get into the world of custom made shoes, suits or even shirts, the materials, workmanship and fit are often far beyond what can generally be found in your local department store. These items usually have no recognized brand. However, if you're talking about paying twice as much for a sport shirt because it has a little pony or alligator on it, you're right.

I think that is true! Real luxury is characterised by high quality workmanship. And you can see and feel that. For instance in all the attention to details, and the use of precious materials.

Status brands are often just that; brands.

 

[global_dev]

Of the really expensive brushes i have bought, there have been zero inexpensive brushes that replicate the exact feel of the brush qualities.if there was, i would buy the inexpensive ones no doubt.

 

[jdmatthew]

The best brush I have was handmade by a guy on eBay. Better quality and looks than most of what I see priced at $150. It was approx. $70. Has a burl maple handle inlaid with bands of turquoise and topped with silvertip. No name brand but a superb quality instrument.

 

[ChiefBroom]

And why? Because we, as a society, don't want to pay a fair price for labor anymore.

Another way of interpreting it is that we, as a society, prefer having freedom to choose.

And there is choice involved on both sides.

Some choose to sell what they have to offer (not everyone can be best at what they do) at the price what they have to offer will command in the market. Or they choose to offer a product at a level of quality and a corresponding price point that is within their means and represents what they perceive as opportunity.

Others choose to buy what is available at quality and corresponding price points that suit their tastes and budgets.

Of course, our choices may not always be prudent or meet with others' approval. But I'd rather live with that (certain exceptions granted) than have someone else making those choices for me as either a buyer or seller.

 

[Eeyore]

Of course, our choices may not always be prudent or meet with others' approval. But I'd rather live with that (certain exceptions granted) than have someone else making those choices for me as either a buyer or seller.

I am not opposed to minimum product prices, when these would guarantee a minimum standard of living for the workers. But that would also mean having to introduce a system of minimum wages all over the world, and that will never happen. Even within Europe, not all countries have a minimum wage.

 

[ChiefBroom]

I am not opposed to minimum product prices, when these would guarantee a minimum standard of living for the workers. But that would also mean having to introduce a system of minimum wages all over the world, and that will never happen. Even within Europe, not all countries have a minimum wage.

This is a discussion about brush pricing. Do you mean that you would support a system whereunder I would be deprived latitude to price brushes I made (if I were to make brushes) as and however I might see fit without gaining anyone's approval other than that of my buyers in the exercise of their sole discretion (excepting, of course, SWIMBO influence)?

 

[slim62]

Price isn't the best indicator of what will be your favorite brushes...my personal top tier of brushes includes brushes as low as $10 all the way up to over $125. The hair type, backbone, loft, handle shape, brand name and vintage-ness all can affect the price. I would think the Badger hair type would account for the most differences in price with everything else being the same. In the end though its demand vs supply that sets the price...no way around that no matter what.