Savile Row 3824 vs Thater?

[Jlb2287]

Hello all,

Brand new to the forum and relatively new to wet shaving. I am searching for a silvertip brush that is a "jack of all trades". I'm so new to wet shaving I don't know if I prefer face or bowl lathering, a soft or scritchy brush. I have done a TON of research and have gathered that I can get a premium brush in the $100-$130 range. I am split between the Savile Row 3824 ($125), Thater 4292/5 ($125), Thater 4125/1 ($122), and the Kent BK8 ($105). Any other brand suggestions would help. Only requirements are silvertip badger, jack of all trades, range is $100-$150.


Thanks

 

[wagstaff]

I'm going to go off your list completely. Like "off" as in not "on", not "from your list" but away from your list. So stop reading right here if you don't like me breaking your rules ;-)

I've known several people who bought brushes based on descriptions and didn't end up with what they like. For you, as a beginner, the situation is such that you don't even know if you want scritch or soft, bowl or face... I'd recommend spending a bunch less than you're thinking for starters.

And that would be getting a Whipped Dog silvertip, with the knot drilled deeper (only because Whipped Dog's default loft is high for most folks; and it would be more 'jack of all trades' set 5mm or 10mm deeper). Around 1/3 the price you're thinking of, the brush itself may well be the equal of any brush you're thinking of, and you can sort of figure out what you like a bit better after starting with something like that.

So I'm recommending below your lower end of the range.

 

[Jlb2287]

Thanks, I've actually looked at whipped dog brushes. I hear they are really high quality. definitely one to consider.

 

[wagstaff]

By way of orientation... I have a couple of artisan brushes with TGN 2-band knots, and I have Simpsons brushes (Duke 2, Colonel X2L, Wee Scott) all in Best, which have about the same softness in the tips as the Whipped Dog. The Whipped Dog is not quite as dense as the Duke 2, but close; a little denser maybe than the Colonel. I like it 95% as much as those brushes, I'd say. Really, it functions very well as an all-rounder. Mine is the default loft, however, and I wish I knew enough to get the knot drilled deeper.

Still, I don't know the specific brushes you're looking at. Wish I could help more.

 

[Nick Danger]

Listen to Wagstaff: he knows that of which he speaks.

I'm one of those guys who bought a Thater based on the description. It was a 4292/4 and it was supposed to have terrific backbone. It didn't, at least not for my taste. It's a super soft brush, but if you're planning to bowl lather hard soaps, like I was trying to do, it might not be your best choice.

I also had a T&H silvertip that I just sold. Again, very soft brush but it wasn't the best for me when I was learning to lather soaps.

For the price, you can't go wrong with a Whipped Dog brush. I haven't used one, but many people like them and it's not a huge investment.

My jack-of-all-trades brush isn't what you're looking for: it's a $30 SOC boar. Soft tips, great backbone, can lather anything, big enough to work comfortably in a bowl. And for the price of a big name silvertip you could get BOTH a Whipped Dog brush and an SOC boar. Just something to consider.

Nick

 

[Jlb2287]

I am still pretty torn between the three. Would anyone who owns any of them like to endorse one over the other?

 

[Scritchnscrub]

I've owned a 3824, 4292/4, 4125/1 and a 2009 B&B LE Kent. For my money you can't beat the Savile Rows, unless you prefer a fan shaped knot. I've also owned a 3324, 3124 and I have a 3722 I'm about to sell (feel free to send me a PM if you're interested). Whatever you decide, good luck with your purchase.

 

[deruitem]

A TGN or whipped dog are both great for a brush to start with. You can get an idea of what you like in a brush without spending a ton of cash. The B&B boar is a good option as well. I would save a little more cash and get more soaps or creams to play with. If you are getting into DE shaving dont forget the sample blades. A semogue brush is also a less expensive option if you want to try a boar. Good luck and welcome to the forum

 

[mistercitizen]

This is kind of a tough one since you don't really know what you prefer. Right out of the gate, I would not recommend a Kent BK8 as a first brush. It's a great brush and a very great value at around $100..... but it's a very large knot with a unique handle that not everyone likes. The Savile Row 3824 or the Thater 4125/1 would be great "all around" brushes that in my opinion would be hard to go wrong with. The SR 3824 is what it is..... it's a silvertip badger with a bulb knot. It is of medium density with great flow through and lather release. The tips are soft and the backbone is average. The Thater equivalent would be the 4125/1 silvertip (3 band) with a bulb knot. The only Thater I have experience with using is a 4125/2 two band bulb. I can only speculate on the difference between the silvertip (3 band) hair versus the two band hair on the Thaters, but I chose the two band hair because the two band hair is a bit more resilient and provide slightly more backbone..... and Thater knots are of medium density so I figured that a little help in the backbone department would be welcome by going with the two band hair. The bulb shape of the knot helps add a little backbone as well. The two band hair costs more on the Thaters however and really would put the brush at the top end of your price range. Another thing to consider is that a 4125/1 bulb shape will feel smaller than a 4125/1 fan shape. This is just me, but I would think that the 4125/1 bulb would feel too small, while a 4125/1 fan would potentially feel too big since it would probably splay quite a bit. That's the tough thing about Thaters, they offer so may combinations of knot shapes, sizes, and grades of hair..... that it makes it a little hard to decide which one. The one thing you know about Thaters is that the tips will be very soft and that most likely one of the combinations will be ideal for you..... it's just a matter of figuring out which one.

I guess I'll leave it at that. I think you're on the right track. I like the brushes you are considering for a nice all around brush that would be good for bowl lathering, face lathering, creams, soaps, etc. I can't imagine the SR 3824 being a disappointment and it's a great value for $125. The Thaters are great as well. If you are one that finds out that he likes a very dense brush..... then these are not for you.... but you won't know that until you try some out. That's were some of the cheaper options that the guys have listed above may fit in better. I've never used a Whipped Dog brush, so I can't speak to the density of those. Boars are great, but they really are a completely different experience to a badger. I have both and enjoy both, but I prefer badgers..... that's just me. I wouldn't be afraid to start out with a boar though to get some of the lathering technique down, with the knowledge that eventually you will more than likely get a badger brush down the road. Who knows though, you may find that the boar "scratches your itch" and is all you really need. Good luck.

Ben

 

[intotheforge]

Get the savile row and an omega 49. This will give you a good experience in both realms within your budget.

 

[jwilock]

Read these and you should have enough info to make your call:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=203513

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/209719-Brush-Chronicles-8-H.L.-Thäter-4125-1

 

[oldtrout]

The Thater 4125/1 3-band and 2-band are, in my opinion, World Class. You would be hard pressed to find a higher quality brush. When I thin my brush collection, the THATERS will remain in my den.

 

[dushea]

IMHO, the Thater and SR are both similar enough to not be that discernible if you haven't tried a couple other brushes. That said, they're both GREAT brushes, so you can't go wrong with either. I'd echo Ben and stay away from the BK8 at first since its on the big and floppy side, and in the end probably second the WD as a starter brush. If you want to skip that step, flip a coin between the SR and Thater and you'll have a winner either way.

Let us know what you decide and make sure to take a pic when she arrives!

 

[Jlb2287]

Thanks for all the guidance. I ordered the SR 3824 this morning. Can't wait for it to arrive, I'll be posting pics soon!

 

[dushea]

Excellent choice. You'll love it!

 

[yellafella321]

Good choice. I have a Thater 4125/2 and an SR3824 and prefer the Savile Row.

 

[brucered]

Thanks for all the guidance. I ordered the SR 3824 this morning. Can't wait for it to arrive, I'll be posting pics soon!

one of the best handles out there, knot too. the engraving on it is a touch of class too.

it's perfectly made and does everything well, it's one of the favourites in my den.

 

[sgtd]

Thanks for all the guidance. I ordered the SR 3824 this morning. Can't wait for it to arrive, I'll be posting pics soon!

The SR3824 is an awesome brush. Hope you enjoy it!

 

[mistercitizen]

YES. Good move.

Ben

 

[rucnok]

My 3824 is my favorite. I still wonder about thater though