Shavemac: Finest or Silvertip?

[Doric]

I will, in the near future be ordering a semi-custom brush from Shavemac.
It will be faux horn with a 23mm knot. I always face lather, mostly use soaps and have very hard water. Just wondering which would be a better choice for my circumstances. Thanks in advance!

 

[galopede]

I have a Shavemac in Finest and it's my best face latherer. Never tried their silvertip.

Gareth

 

[andrew98]

For the money difference, I think you're better off with Finest. I have a custom Finest and custom D01 (silvertip), and I really like the Finest hair grade. It's the best value out there, imo.

Make sure you specify a short loft (around 45mm). I only face lather soaps, and short-loft Shavemac Finest is great for that. Just email Bernd, and he'll take care of you.

-Andy

 

[Doric]

Thanks! Is 23mm a good size knot, or should I go smaller or bigger?

 

[DanOK]

I have a Shavemac 26mm silvertip I got from John at westcoastshaving. Since I have all the AD's you can catch around here I like everything and I use it with soaps and creams. If I was going to only use soaps and face lather I would also suggest a Shavemac in Finest. In fact my favorite soap brush is a Pure.

Size of a brush is highly personal. I don't really care for anything smaller than 24mm.

Best of luck with your new brush.

 

[BladeRunner001]

If money is not an option or a constraint, I would go with Silvertip. For me, all my brushes are Silvertip. I have a 25mm Shavemac D01 and just ordered two more (regular Silvertip - 23mm and 24mm). I love the softness of the tips (compared to Best or Super or Finest that I have seen)...Although people do not see much difference between the two.

I think the 22mm to 23mm are the sizes most people use (I could be wrong)

For me, 23-25mm is a perfect range

Cheers,
Robert

 

[andrew98]

Thanks! Is 23mm a good size knot, or should I go smaller or bigger?

Shavemacs always feel larger than their diameter dimension to me for some reason. My 21mm diameter D01 is as big a brush as I'd ever want. I had my Finest made with a 21mm diameter knot, and it's perfect. I'd go with 21mm or thereabouts. It'll save you some cash, and if you're face lathering, it'll be a great size.

If money is not an option or a constraint, I would go with Silvertip. For me, all my brushes are Silvertip. I have a 25mm Shavemac D01 and just ordered two more (regular Silvertip - 23mm and 24mm). I love the softness of the tips (compared to Best or Super or Finest that I have seen)...Although people do not see much difference between the two.

I think the 22mm to 23mm are the sizes most people use (I could be wrong)

For me, 23-25mm is a perfect range

Cheers,
Robert

Do you own a Shavemac Finest brush, Robert? Think of Shavemac's Finest as a grade of Silvertip because that's exactly what it is. The tips are nice and white. See here (note that my photo skills aren't that great, so the tips don't look as white as they are in person). I am just as happy with my D01 as I am with my Finest. I bought my D01 several months before my Finest, and I wish I'd just gone with Finest in the firs place. Money aside, Shavemac's Finest is the bee's knees. It actually releases lather more easily than D01 because it's not as densely packed. I always tell people that if money isn't an issue at all, go D01. If you'd like to save some money, get Finest. You'll likely be just as happy with it.

-Andy

 

[Doric]

Just made the order and I decided to get it in finest.
Loft:50mm(I occasionally use creams)
Knot: 23mm

Now to play the waiting game.

 

[BladeRunner001]

Do you own a Shavemac Finest brush, Robert? Think of Shavemac's Finest as a grade of Silvertip because that's exactly what it is. The tips are nice and white. See here (note that my photo skills aren't that great, so the tips don't look as white as they are in person). I am just as happy with my D01 as I am with my Finest. I bought my D01 several months before my Finest, and I wish I'd just gone with Finest in the firs place. Money aside, Shavemac's Finest is the bee's knees. It actually releases lather more easily than D01 because it's not as densely packed. I always tell people that if money isn't an issue at all, go D01. If you'd like to save some money, get Finest. You'll likely be just as happy with it.

-Andy

Hi Andy,
I am not sure if I have or not...I ordered two, but from the Shavemac site, I got the following definition:
The finest, bright badger hair – machine made or handmade

**This quality lies only just below the Silver Tip badger hair**

The fine badger hair combines the very high quality for a close and comfortable shave with an outstanding price-performance ratio.
Hand produced heads of this quality are very soft and are evidence of the high capability of the brush maker.

Pure Badger ECO and Fienst Badger ECO ( Economy)
These knots are machine made and therefore lower in price. They are not as dense as the handmade ones.
Special quality: Hand produced Silver Tip badger hair

Only the finest Silver Tip badger hair is used for the production of this brush.

The silver tip badger hair from the back of the badger is especially smooth and robust. The unique sample can be clearly distinguished from the simple gray badger hair: Slight coloring, surrounded by a dark band and with bright tips.
The brush making master binds the hair using handiwork into a totally symmetrical shape, in this way he avoids the cutting otherwise absolutely necessary in a later step. This brush is not just of a high quality that can be felt, it also distinguishes itself through its high durability.

Extra Silvertip D01
D01 is an extra strong badger hair for extra dense knots. Very soft to the skin and with lots of backbone.

So, given this and my reading in between the lines, I think that finest is not exactly Silvertip...close, but not exactly! but, I had also read your great review before purchasing my first D01.

Anyways, not having a Finest, I can't be a good judge of it (as I did state in my post), but love the D01 silvertip...We'll see what the ones I ordered have in store. I am sure they will be great. Given your take and experience on the non-D01, I can't wait to get my new brushes now .

Thanks Andy,
You da man

Robert

 

[solar]

Outstanding brushes I would say. I have recently received the two I ordered, and they are absolutely outstanding value for the money. These are great brushes, and the dealing with them is a pleasure.

Knot size and brush size and shape are very personal, so I wouldn't offer an opinion on that to your question and in any event, I read that you've made your order.

You're going to be very happy with your choice to buy a Shavemac.

Best,

Chris