So many brand choices! Where do I go from here?!

[Mike_P]

I promised myself I wouldn't post threads like this and always utilize the search feature and google, but I'm having a heck of a time trying to decide on a new brush. Each manufacturer has a huge following, but what are the true quality differences?

So I guess here I am, asking for some advice on where to go next.

I'm currently in the market for a new brush. I've got 3 brushes at this time:
TGN knotted ever ready restore I did (Finest, 22mm fan w/ extra hair)
Semogue 1305
VDH Pure badger. (Which I cannot stand. Biggest piece of garbage ever!)

With that said I am now looking to purchase my first classy, "luxury" brush in a nice soft silver tip or something similar (Best? Super? Everyone has a different definition). Something softer than I've had before BUT with some good stiff backbone to it. Wide is fine since as you can see above, nothing I've got is that large. I'm primarily a bowl latherer and use both soaps and creams. (I sometimes experiment with face, but it's not a primary concern.)

By luxury I mean well known name brand, maybe even custom. (Shavemac, Simpson, Rooney, etc...) My main thing I'm looking for is quality. I want top notch craftsmanship, minimum shedding, something that'll last. My price range is around $100-150.

I like my brushes to have a little weight and the handle not be terrible small. I was initially looking at a few Simpson's and Shavemacs but since I haven't actually felt them, I figure maybe others can enlighten me and drop a knowledge bomb on me.

Teach me! Help me decide on where to start with the good stuff!

 

[Squidma]

I have been very happy with my M&F. I have a 1/3, which is not listed on the below website. It has shed maybe 4 hairs since I have owned it (I got it off B/S/T around January). Just started breaking in a Vie Long silver tip yesterday, so it is hard to really judge that one yet. It does have great backbone and very soft tips. I have been extremely satisfied with the M&F and considered a 1/1 rather than the Vie Long.

http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=32

 

[rearviewmirror]

M&F.
It's going to be everything you want. My m&f brushes are by far my favorites. Besides the 2012 B&B Keyhole, i've gotten rid of every other brush, including Simpsons and a Caravela.

 

[Dirk-Lerxst-Pratt]

Another M&F fanboi. Just be prepared to wait on a new one, or score one on the B/S/T. Rooney may also satisfy your soft requirement. I'm sure the Simpson cultists will be by soon. I hope to be a member there someday too.

 

[petr]

M&F or simpsons two band. short lofts.

 

[bobfarvour]

The number one "introduction to higher end shaving brushes" brush is Simpsons Colonel X2L.
But be advised, once you are introduced to The Colonel, you will inevitably be hooked into trying everything else there is too. But The Colonel is a great starting point.

 

[edgerunner]

You can buy an average dense, average soft, average priced well known good quality brush as a reference brush which you can use to discover further your personal preferences. There's a good reason why most of the time Simpsons Colonel, Commodore, Duke, Rooney Super, and Shavemac Silvertip are recommended for starters just bit by SBAD. These are very good quality highly praised similar priced brushes of great value. You can't go wrong with any of them. To the ones I mentioned, I'll add the Savile Row which is very similar to Shavemac Silvertip.
Besides, use your TGN Finest as a starting point. I have a TGN Finest 22 mm fan. Tell us what you like or dislike in yours. What differences do you expect from your next more expensive brush?

 

[ziplepingouin]

If you want really top of the line luxurious silvertip brush, imho Thater is very good ( dense and softest tips). D01 3band from shavemac would be even denser but maybe a little bit more "scritchier" tips.
For less money you have shavemac silvertip (which I never tried) and another brand to consider is Da Vinci, crazy soft tips like thater, but a lot better "flow through" because of lesser density. The loft is quite high which might be a problem for you...

 

[Mike_P]

Thanks to all for your suggestions, I will definitely make sure to include them in my research.

Edge, I appreciate the questions, that'll also help me in my decision. As for my opinion of my TGN Finest? I absolutely LOVE that knot. It's got great back bone, soft tips, the XH has excellent density, it is in fact what I love in a brush, I couldn't ask for better qualities. The only complaint I have? It's a bit small. I'd like a bit more surface area, if that makes sense. If that knot were bigger I wouldn't even be looking to add to my collection. (Well maybe I would. I've got horrible AD's, lol.)

 

[little Big feather]

I'm fairly new too...I got a KENT BK-8 for $126.53 complete...PM if you're interested, I don't know if I can say where on the forum. It's a real good one. Lots of people like them.
It only took 6 days for delivery.

 

[Mick]

I'm fairly new too...I got a KENT BK-8 for $126.53 complete...PM if you're interested, I don't know if I can say where on the forum. It's a real good one. Lots of people like them.
It only took 6 days for delivery.

Yes, you can say where

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

I would have to say that the Kent BK8 is one of (if not THE) top brush in my shave den and I have a "fair" selection to choose from

Although the 2 Da Vinci brushes I recently acquired might be tied in that top spot. It's going to take a while for me to make the ultimate decision on which one I like the best (I hate it when I find different items that are that great.....)

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

 

[German]

Thaeter 2 Band bulb shape is the answer....

 

[GrandeVT]

I have 4 TGN Finests and 2 M&F Blondes, among others. I love them all.

Interestingly, all of the TGNs vary greatly even though they are of the same hair. The knots are of varying diameters, shape (bulb and fan) and set at different heights. This changes the characteristics of the brush hugely. For a bigger "faceprint," use a larger diameter fan set a little higher. A favorite is a TGN finest fan, 24 mm, set at 51 mm (see photo).



I don't love the overly soft "cloud-like" brushes. I find a hint of scritch essential. Many silvertips don't work for me.

And to confuse myself even more, one of my latest favorites is my SOC boar!

That said, I can't imagine a brush nicer than an M&F.

The answer is; there is no answer! Any choice is a good one. It's all part of the process.

 

[edgerunner]

Thanks to all for your suggestions, I will definitely make sure to include them in my research.

Edge, I appreciate the questions, that'll also help me in my decision. As for my opinion of my TGN Finest? I absolutely LOVE that knot. It's got great back bone, soft tips, the XH has excellent density, it is in fact what I love in a brush, I couldn't ask for better qualities. The only complaint I have? It's a bit small. I'd like a bit more surface area, if that makes sense. If that knot were bigger I wouldn't even be looking to add to my collection. (Well maybe I would. I've got horrible AD's, lol.)

Then my vote is for 24 mm knot custom Shavemac D01, M&F Blonde, or Simpsons 58.

 

[beginish]

Take a long hard look at the Savile Row silver tips from QED. They are really outstanding brushes at great prices, and deliver on the combination of soft tips but dense and with backbone. I have a 3118, 3322 and 3824 and all are excellent.

 

[ricardo9505]

wow, your bathroom tiles are amazing. reminds me of southern spain when I lived there. cordoba

 

[Watasha]

All fantastic suggestions so far. The M&F brushes look fantastic, I've yet to try one yet though. Anyway, as it's been so aptly described earlier in this thread by Dirk-Lerxst-Pratt, I'm a "Simpsons cultist" & the Duke 2 is really hard to beat if you like a slightly denser brush. It really depends on what you're looking for regarding backbone, scritch, flow-through & such. There really are a whole host of wonderful options out there at a wide variety of prices.

 

[mftoms59]

Custom Shavemac, Menu #1; http://www.shavemac.com/products/Ex...SELECT.html?XTCsid=k6oms6gvl8ge204la0prgoe834
Custom Shavemac, Menu #2; http://www.shavemac.com/selfmade.html

 

[Mike_P]

Thank you all very much. The information many have given me is helping quite a bit.

Most of the brushes you've all mentioned are great, seems I just need to locate some of them now.

 

[Face&Head]

The Rooney 2XL is fantastic.