So this is what a good shaving brush feels like

[Jaybh1974]

Hi Gents
I started wet shaving back in March of this year. For my initial brush I purchased a very small inexpensive very stiff brush. I did not want to spend a lot of money just in case wet shaving was not up my alley.

Well fast forward a few months , and after buying about 6 different creams and soaps, I finally went ahead and purchased a superbadger brush from Vulvix. I purchased the 2235, becuase reviews said it was very soft and floppy, and that is what I was looking for (exact opposite of what I have been using). All I can say is WOW!!! I loved the feel of it on my face, and it whipped up a great later of cream.

I now know why people have different brush preferences. It is a world of difference.

 

[Snargle]

I know how you feel. I restarted wet shaving last month after many years of electrics and cartridge facial abuse. I started with an old, cheap boar bristle brush that felt more like wire than hair! After a week of that, I gave in and ordered a custom-handled silvertip badger brush from Pat Camara of PC Woodcraft and Pens (badgerbrush.net). Not only does it feel like the ultimate luxury on my face and whip up the (shave) cream like Julia Child, but it's a gorgeous work of art that brings me pleasure every time I look at it.

 

[kongjie]

While there are some quality, cheap boar brushes out there, in general I think that most of them end up putting people off wetshaving. I remember decades ago I thought it would be neat to use a brush and soap and tried some set, perhaps from Williams or Old Spice, can't remember, and the brush was such crap that it seemed like a total waste of time to me, so I tossed it.

 

[Zumkopf]

You've probably already figured out that Rooney, Simpson, Shavemac, and Plisson get most of the good press here, along with newcomer New Forest. Vulfix I think is often underrated, and in such good company that may be inevitable. But Vulfix Super Badger is a good quality product. My first good brush was a medium Vulfix 660 in Super, and the only bad thing about it is that it got me started on SBAD.

As a rule, my observation is that the Vulfix brushes are not packed as tightly as the others. That's probably why so many people here call them "floppy." For creams, that's fine; for soaps, tighter is better. [My observation may not apply to the 2235, since it is the top of the Vulfix line.] Since Vulfix owns Simpson, they have an interest in differentiating the brushes, which may be another reason why the Simpson brushes seem more tightly packed.

I'd be interested to see your point-by-point observations added to the Vulfix2235 writeup in the shaving brush review section.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Vulfix makes a very nice brush, any of them, and I believe they are very underrated. I have 3 Vulfix brushes in my rotation, and use them often.

 

[maxman]

Quality brushes make the experience much better.
they cost good money, but it's worth it.

 

[ackvil]

Some think that a brush is a brush. But, as you point out there is a big difference in performance. I have two badger brushes that whip up incredible lather and keep it all on the brush. Two other do a decent job - but there is no comparison with the end product.

As some other pundit said, a car is a car - except when you drive a Ferrari instead of a Hyundai. Both will get you to the same place - it just differs in how you get there!

 

[Jaybh1974]

The brush is definetely what people call "floppy".. This is only the second shaving brush I ever used, and I noticed the floppiness right away. But for me, that is what I was looking for. I love the floppy feel on my face combined with a nice thick lather. And for asthetic purposes, it looks absolutely gorgous while in full bloom.

You've probably already figured out that Rooney, Simpson, Shavemac, and Plisson get most of the good press here, along with newcomer New Forest. Vulfix I think is often underrated, and in such good company that may be inevitable. But Vulfix Super Badger is a good quality product. My first good brush was a medium Vulfix 660 in Super, and the only bad thing about it is that it got me started on SBAD.

As a rule, my observation is that the Vulfix brushes are not packed as tightly as the others. That's probably why so many people here call them "floppy." For creams, that's fine; for soaps, tighter is better. [My observation may not apply to the 2235, since it is the top of the Vulfix line.] Since Vulfix owns Simpson, they have an interest in differentiating the brushes, which may be another reason why the Simpson brushes seem more tightly packed.

I'd be interested to see your point-by-point observations added to the Vulfix2235 writeup in the shaving brush review section.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

You made an excellent choice with your Vulfix indeed. I loved the Vulfix #41 I once owned. As for the "floppy" nature of some brushes in their line of offerings, they are a QUALITY floppy IMO.... I always liked that face feel from my Vulfix as well! Enjoy it in good health!

 

[Jaybh1974]

Thanks. That is exactly what I wanted. A quality floppy.

 

[rodeo]

Thanks. That is exactly what I wanted. A quality floppy.

Just out of curiosity, what "were" you using?

And there's a big difference between a quality brush and a better brush. Quality works for everybody but 'better" is subjective and some may have preferred your initial brush. Glad you found what you like though!

 

[Jaybh1974]

Just out of curiosity, what "were" you using?

And there's a big difference between a quality brush and a better brush. Quality works for everybody but 'better" is subjective and some may have preferred your initial brush. Glad you found what you like though!

Since I am new to wetshaving, I started off with a $20.00 Omega pure badger model 6191
Height: 114 mm
Loft: 55 mm
Knot: 22mm

 

[rodeo]

Since I am new to wetshaving, I started off with a $20.00 Omega pure badger model 6191
Height: 114 mm
Loft: 55 mm
Knot: 22mm

Well you can always sell the old one here in the BST forum down the road. Great that you found a brush (or any shaving item) that you really do like though.

 

[Jaybh1974]

Well you can always sell the old one here in the BST forum down the road. Great that you found a brush (or any shaving item) that you really do like though.

Actually I am going to keep the brush for 2 reasons. One is sentimental value. It is the first brush I ever bought. And also, it works better on soaps than the vulvix, because of the stiffness.