TGN knot or new brush

[KindestCutofAll]

I'm looking for advice from those experienced with TGN knots and other popular (reasonably priced) shaving brushes.

My main brush just self destructed. It's a badger I got in December 2011 (yup, less than a year old).

It has been shedding a few hairs every time I used it, but a few days ago I looked and saw several hars sticking out. I swirled the dry brush on my hand and ended up with about 30 hairs on the bathroom counter. It is still shedding so heavily that I can't lather with it.

For $25 or less should I pick up a TGN knot or purchase a new brush.

Normally a Bowl Latherer, but occasionally I face lather. I am looking what most everyone is looking for what most everyone else is.

Preferable Pure Badger
Good backbone
Not too Scritchy

Please feel free to compare and contrast with all suggestions that are posted.

 

[goatee]

i vote knot, and make it yourself. i do it all the time. see photos. some handles i have purchased, some i have made.

 

[taco8slo]

Go with the finest hair (2-band) from tgn, it has good backbone, tiny scritch, soft tips when wet (just get the loft right before you glue it).

 

[goatee]

i have one. not my favorite. but erik's description is pretty spot on.

 

[KindestCutofAll]

i have one. not my favorite. but erik's description is pretty spot on.

Which one would you recommend, and why. What would be your comparison with Erik's recommendation?

 

[Squidma]

I also like the TGN finest knots...I have 2 and just got another knot in the mail today to put in a vintage handle as a birthday gift for my brother. I also have a super silver tip which is pillowy soft. If you like the handle you have, I would just put one of these knots in there.

 

[RaiserLiebe]

I have two from Rudy Vey. Both TGN 2-band 22mm knots set at 48 mm for face lathering. They are so soft . Now I see why everyone raves about silvertips. My poor old boar and Best badger brushes don't hold a candle to them.

I also have a silvertip from Whipped Dog, I think 24 mm set deeper for face lathering in a Persian Jar shape. This is also a wonderful brush and the price was unbelievable. It is on the left in the picture, small Vulfix in Best from Lee's Razors on the right.

 

[deruitem]

I would go with a Finest from TGN. They have plenty of back bone and just a touch of scritch. I also bowl and face lather and they work great.

 

[shave~extacy]

+1 TGN finest , I got rid of all my other extremly expensive two bands and kept this

 

[Tulsa77]

i vote knot, and make it yourself. i do it all the time. see photos. some handles i have purchased, some i have made.

+1

 

[GrandeVT]

I've restored over a dozen brushes with TGN Finest knots, bulb (my preference) and fan. It is by far my favorite knot. I like it better than any I've used. An excellent choice. I love the backbone.

For slightly softer, their A Grade or Super silvertip.

The only brushes I've encountered that I like better are my M&F Blondes.

 

[RonV]

reknot if you like the handle-- if it is your first reknot I will state the obvious at the risk of insulting your intelligence because this seems like a no brainer but it was not for me--- "mind the loft!"- your tendency might be to go high for appearance but lower less lofty (as in the pictures provided by others in this thread) will provide the backbone you are seeking.

Also, I recommend putting in the largest (fattest) diameter knot that handle can hold even if you have to enlarge the opening a bit. (These are my recommendations as a novice at reknotting others may add or correct my advice to you.)

 

[j_fro]

I'm gonna tell ya knot it, TGN, Finest, Bulb. Got one of those knots in a Bob Farvour brush. I love it.

 

[Kostas1]

I guess my post will be +12 for a TGN Finest. Since you bowl lather, I'd recommend the fan shaped knot. I've noticed with the 2-band hair, your loft can be a touch higher while still maintaining good backbone.

What knot diameter will you need? That might give us all a better idea on what loft to recommend. Even then, its still a ymmv type deal. I will say that the TGN finest knots give more expensive brushes a run for their money though.

 

[KindestCutofAll]

Current diameter is about 20 mm. I'll browse the knots and prices.

Thanks

 

[P Funk]

I have a few brushes with TGN Finest knots of different sizes. Love them! Great quality hair with good backbone and you can put them into a restored handle. Or better yet, have one of our local artisans make you a custom brush for a fraction of the price of the big name brands.

I'll second the Bob Farvour recommendation. Sweet handles, good to deal with and great value.

 

[vpayne]

I have 6 or 7 TGN finest knots. You will not go wrong with a TGN knot, fan or bulb. Your challenge now is to determine best loft for your taste. I have some 24mm, 22mm, 1 28mm knot and recently got a 20mm TGN finest fan & found 46-47mm to give the best results for me. I like it the most. FWIW.

Vic

 

[BigWill]

+1 on the TGN knots. I have two custom brushes, both with TGN knots. The first is a 28 mm Silvertip Grade A in a custom aluminum handle. Great for bowl lathering with creams. The second is a 22 mm black badger in a aluminum rubberset handle (restore). Love 'em both. The grade A is super soft, probably too soft for hard soaps. The black badger is excellent with bowl lathering creams and has much more scritch than the grade A.

If you like the handle, my recommendation is a new knot from TGN.

 

[SteveWY]

Depending on what you deem a "reasonable" price... Look at brushes by Whipped Dog, http://www.whippeddog.com/. You can get a pure badger silvertip for $25-30 with several choices of knot sise or handles. Or look at the Sabi silvertip/resin handle brushes for $25 at Shaveabuck, www.shaveabuck.com.

If you like to DIY, then you can't go wrong with the TGN knot.

 

[Loric]

TGN knots rock. The finest is as stated above excellent, but if your looking for some skritch I always had a soft spot for the black badger knots.