Tgn knots vs name brand brushes

[D/E Bob]

Good evening Gents:
I am at the computer at 2:45 am suffering with a passing (hopefully) Kidney stone, so I figured I would keep my self busy to help ease he pain.

I recently restored a 28 year old shaving brush with a TGN Grade -A Silvertip 22mm knot and I have been absolutely thrilled with it. I did post the photo's here a few months ago. My question this........

I was thinking of getting another brush to work into my rotation, and I was wondering if I should buy one of the name brand ones like a Simpson, Kent, Rooney, etc, or just order a knot and handle of my choice from Tony and assemble it myself. Never having owned one of the expensive brushes from one of these Company's, I really do not know how it compares with my restored brush (from TGN). If anybody has done a restoration and knows how it compares to a "store bought" brush, I would appreciate some advise. There is obviously a huge monetary difference between the two, and I would be willing to spend the difference if there is really a major difference in the performance. Thanks in advance!

Regards,
D/ Bob

 

[Joe Edson]

If you go the TGN route I would suggest one of there finest to complement the Silvertip grade A. It's a much different knot.

In terms of name brand - you can get some reasonable prices on simpson's best hair (which is really good stuff) in the Colonel X2L, Berkeley or special that won't set you back too much.

I owned a Kent BK4 and though the softest brush I've ever owned, it was far too floppy for me. Only suited for bowl lathering creams.

No experience with the rooney (yet...), but they get universal praise.

My suggestion, sounds like you need a good boar to work in. Boars can take several months to break in and reach their full potential, but when they do they are really great brushes. Super soft tips (softer than many silvertips) and great backbone for loading soaps. I have many Semogue boars and like them all, but the best values for your money are the semogue SOC and 830. You just have to be sure and soak the bristles for a good 5-10 minutes before use.

They can be found at vintagescent.com and won't set you back much at all even with shipping from portugal.

 

[Eclectic]

Good evening Gents:


I was thinking of getting another brush to work into my rotation, and I was wondering if I should buy one of the name brand ones like a Simpson, Kent, Rooney, etc, or just order a knot and handle of my choice from Tony and assemble it myself. Never having owned one of the expensive brushes from one of these Company's, I really do not know how it compares with my restored brush (from TGN). If anybody has done a restoration and knows how it compares to a "store bought" brush, I would appreciate some advise. There is obviously a huge monetary difference between the two, and I would be willing to spend the difference if there is really a major difference in the performance. Thanks in advance!

Regards,
D/ Bob

As far as I know TGN knots are Chinese except for their English knots which are Vulfix. There are actually very few workshops in the West that still make knots, most of the big name brushes use Chinese knots very similar to what TGN supply.

Plisson make very expensive knots in France from European badger hair. I have one and whilst it is a thing of beauty it is nothing special to use.

Simpson's to me are a world apart. So much tradition and so much craftsmanship. You will find a lot of people on here raving about them. And you will find a lot of people with collections from across their sizeable range. It is very difficult not to buy a Simpson's a month!

 

[Bit2]

Most of my brushes are either made or re-fit with TGN knots by myself or had them made by Rudy Vey at Ultimate Pen Designs & Cooncatbob at Bob's Razor Works.

The brand names are not worth the extra cost to me.

I also prefer the Silver-tip grade A or the Black Badger knots.

John

 

[solar]

Most of my brushes are either made or re-fit with TGN knots by myself or had them made by Rudy Vey at Ultimate Pen Designs & Cooncatbob at Bob's Razor Works.

The brand names are not worth the extra cost to me.

I also prefer the Silver-tip grade A or the Black Badger knots.

John

X 2. And hope you get past the stones soon. I had that thrill a few years ago, then again a few months ago. IV ringer with Fentanyl, Driminate and Toredal took the edge off, but then you have to go home and wait for a rock to come out where rocks should never come out of......

 

[SliceOfLife]

TGN knots are good. Their finest hair is reasonably comparable to big name two bands especially for the price.The tips aren't QUITE as soft as my plisson. But considering the cost is 10-15%... I can live with that. Their higher grades (silvertips) aren't in the same league as Vulfix/Simpson/Kent/Shavemac hairs, but are definitely nice knots for the price. The loss of the UK Silvertip knot sucks. That was one of the best deals on brushes while it lasted. I'm hoping that their new Super Silvertip grade hair is comparable to the UK (and Shavemac) ones, but I don't think anyone has tried them yet.

For black badger? Since there really isn't a high end maker choice out there for it, I think TGN is the way to go. Pure I can't really comment on (little experience). Best? Go with Simpson. TGN aren't bad, but modern Simpson best is really impressive.

 

[D/E Bob]

Thanks Fella's!
I think I will try a Simpson. Now I just have to decide which one as there are sooooo many to choose from. Reco's are gladly appreciated.

The stones are slowly and painfully moving. I hope they see daylight soon!

Regards,
D/E Bob

 

[Derty]

I'm actually having the same problem right now. I cant make up my mind if I want to buy another TGN Penworks finest or try a Simpsons. I have a TGN 2 band extra stuffed finest 22mm @ 48mm. Its very dense, soft tips and lots of back. How does the TGN 2 band finest compare to Simpsons in terms of density and back? Sorry to thread jack!

 

[Gamma]

Hi - I'm not sure if it's SOP for someone new to the board to jump in on a thread like this but here goes..
Presently - I own a mid-range Vulfix and the Jack Black synthetic 'travel' brush. They both have their assets and liabilities for sure - and they both get the job done. I'm not sold on the JB's bristles but I do love the handle. The Vulfix is nice enough - it just seems, uhm... sort of pedestrian in most regards. I like it - it's just not special in any particular way.
In the past I've owned a number of brushes - brand names, no-name, cheapos and higher-end ones too. Brand names and model numbers escape me at this point, but none really sparked me as being particularly special. I did have a Muhle turnback that I loved for a while - but I lost it in a move back about 5 years ago. I particularly liked the long handled aspect of that one. The knot was good - not great - but it got the job done fine.
These days - neither of my store-bought brushes sees much use. I prefer the ones I made or refurbished. I feel more in touch with the shaving ritual - this is something I can't buy in any store at any price.
Rather than prattle on about the brushes I've built/designed/restored - I think my best point is that when I use one of 'my' brushes - the feeling of accomplishment that I feel when I finish one is prolonged. When any brush I built performs in my hand as I imainged it would - I feel a greater sense of control and involvement.
Having said all of the above - this doesn't mean I don't covet the 300.00 Rooney medium stubby! While I would never ever plunk down that kind of coin for a brush - I do admire it along with some other high-end brushes.
If I can find a big fat knot like that I will build a replica of it. :0)
If it were up to me - there would be a place to try these high-end brushes out. Not just to touch and feel - I mean to try them out for real - making lather, lathering the face, etc. I guess I can dream eh?
As I type this - I'm working on/refurbishing an old butterscotch bakelite handle. I just finished the lettering and earlier today I chased the threads on the top and bottom sections so they mesh correctly. I'm not sure exactly which way to go with the knot yet... I have to think about it.
Will the brushes I fabricate or refurbish stand up to the performance of any current high-end brush? Hmm... I say yes. I would go so far as to claim that I doubt that any brush made today would out-do my number one brush. But - that's just me and ymmv.
Now I'm going to go stare at the photo of the stubby Rooney some more! Hah! Boys and their toys... it's a curse... :0).