So, I'm looking for a brush. Help?

[NaplesBaitMan]

New here, to the forum and DE shaving. I have a boar hair van der hagen brush, which I did not enjoy at all, and a cheap badger hair brush from the body shop now. I'm looking to upgrade without breaking the bank.

This is an area I am not familiar with, and I don't know where to start with knots and lofts. I read the stickies up top but still have no idea where to go.

I found this brush that seems to be reasonably priced http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ET1ATU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A262S395NXGG8Z
and dont think I REALLY need to make the jump to silvertip just yet.

Does anyone have any suggestions or can tell me where to start? I don't really know what "knot" or "loft" I need. I'm a bowl mixer too if that helps any.

 

[attime6]

Try the Tweezerman brush, it's great for bowl lathering.

 

[gmgaj]

Get a whipped dog for about the same price as the one linked above.

 

[wagstaff]

In you price range, judging from the Amazon link, I would recommend a Whipped Dog. Silvertip is still in your price range. I'd suggest the knot go a little deeper so it's more versatile (i.e. shorter loft for soaps) , but ymmv a lot on that. It's a bit of a guess until you get something/anything to start forming preferences. If you want something around $25 though, you should ask Larry at Whipped Dog.

 

[Mick]

Not sure what your price range is when you say "not break the bank" as that can be different things to different people.

Tops bowl lathering brushes I have found are:

Da Vinci 290 globe handle

Kent BK8

Both of these are in the $120-130 price range.

Don't get me wrong, there are a LOT of other brushes you can whip a lather up with in a bowl but out of all of the ones I have tried these two are so much better that they are in a class all to their own.

I've always found it more economical to buy the best I can regardless of price as that way I stop looking and don't end up spending a LOT more $$$ on several items that I am not satisfied with.

Di Vinci 290

http://www.promakeupbrush.com/shaving.html

Kent BK8

http://www.feelunique.com/p/Kent-Mens-Large-Shaving-Brush

 

[wagstaff]

...and I took too long to type that. Listen to gmgaj. He's a genius I say!

 

[Samjax]

Sort through the Buy/Sell/Trade section - way bigger bang for your buck that way.

 

[ricardo9505]

i have a variant of this one and have been using it for 6 months and still enjoy it. Building a new TGN finest now.
http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Clearly...=1353016613&sr=1-9&keywords=omega+pure+badger

my opinion, get one of larry's brushes. cheap and affordable. where else can u get a reasonable silvertip for under $40.

http://www.whippeddog.com/
just pick a handle, then the knot. Silvertip or black. Silvertip is softer and less scritchier

 

[NaplesBaitMan]

Wow, thanks for all the advice. Looks like I got some looking to do.

 

[dpmtherrien]

I think the Vulfix line are excellent. All are hand made in England, and the prices are very reasonable.

 

[gmgaj]

...and I took too long to type that. Listen to gmgaj. He's a genius I say!

And I say that is the first time those words have been used with me as the subject. I need to print this out and give it to my wife and boss.

 

[wagstaff]

And I say that is the first time those words have been used with me as the subject. I need to print this out and give it to my wife and boss.

Nah... just AGREE with them more... and they'll think it themselves!

 

[celestino]

Semogue Boars, all the way if you want the best boar brushes! Some great ones are: 830, 820, 620, 610, 1305, SOC. Good luck.

 

[gmgaj]

Nah... just AGREE with them more... and they'll think it themselves!

But where's the fun in that? All of our lives would be so much blander that way.

 

[Harry Snider]

Beginish started a thread on Vintage Blades own house brand brushes that seem to be decent quality. Wet Shaving Products claims to have higher quality badger brushes for less.
IMO, that particular brush will be too scritchy. Whipped Dog brushes also look to be very nice, and many people here love them. As far as knots try anything 20-24mm with a loft
of 48-50mm for an all-purpose brush.

 

[A28]

In you price range, judging from the Amazon link, I would recommend a Whipped Dog. Silvertip is still in your price range. I'd suggest the knot go a little deeper so it's more versatile (i.e. shorter loft for soaps) , but ymmv a lot on that. It's a bit of a guess until you get something/anything to start forming preferences. If you want something around $25 though, you should ask Larry at Whipped Dog.

hahahaha i love your signature

 

[A28]

ive only ever used one brush pretty sure its a badger mix try to buy a brush thats been cleaned of the animal smell not a pleasant experience lol i didnt know any better to wash it first

 

[beginish]

where else can u get a reasonable silvertip for under $40.

Vintage Blades has 2 band badgers with lathe-turned handles for $25-30....and they're very good.

 

[wagstaff]

Beginish started a thread on Vintage Blades own house brand brushes that seem to be decent quality. Wet Shaving Products claims to have higher quality badger brushes for less.
IMO, that particular brush will be too scritchy. Whipped Dog brushes also look to be very nice, and many people here love them. As far as knots try anything 20-24mm with a loft
of 48-50mm for an all-purpose brush.

The new Vintage Blades brushes indeed look good. Have to be an "early adopter" I guess.... I used my Whipped Dog this morning with TFS soap. Really great experience. It's a relatively high loft silvertip, might not do as well on some "tougher" soaps (though I can usually do all right just by pinching the knot).

I am curious about the new Vintage Blades brushes, I admit.

 

[wagstaff]

hahahaha i love your signature

Thanks man.... true story (in case you wondered). The first half is literal.