Alright gents, I have about 70-80 dollars to spend on a new brush. I currently use a Art of Shaving Pure Badger brush with a 21mm knot. Half the time I face lather and this thing is VERY stiff to the extent that it irritates my face. Two brushes I have been looking at are the Vie Long El Toro Ganso mainly because it seems like a Jack of all trades brush and since it's white badger I'm sure it's super soft while having some back bone for when I face lather soaps. I was also looking at the 16726 but I've read it's a 100% face lathering brush and every once in awhile I bowl lather so I sort of need a brush that can do it all decently over a brush that does one really really great and does the other poorly. I'd love to hear your opinions on the two I listed but I'm also open to suggestions you think might be better.
Time to order a new brush!
- Thread starter TheRuckus13
- Start date
The 16726 looks brilliant, I've got to say. The loft isn't so short that you can't lather in a bowl.
Do you like stiff, scrubby brushes? When broken in, the tips has still be soft and gentle, but keeping a large amount of backbone. If you're tied, may as well pick whichever you like the looks of best.
Do you like stiff, scrubby brushes? When broken in, the tips has still be soft and gentle, but keeping a large amount of backbone. If you're tied, may as well pick whichever you like the looks of best.
I am seriously liking my Toro Ganso. I pretty much only face lather and it does great with soaps and creams alike. Soft with plenty of backbone, but it is not fully broken in yet, though.
I'm in the same boat and keep looking at the custom guys on the forum.
They make some great brushes but I'm also a bit of a sucker for the top brands.
a real dilema for me so I'll watch with interest
tinker
They make some great brushes but I'm also a bit of a sucker for the top brands.
a real dilema for me so I'll watch with interest
tinker
Simpsons Duke 2 in Best! $80 and is one of my favorites. Good backbone & very dense.
- Thread starter
- #6
What makes Simpson's so great if you aren't spending 200 dollars on them? I've always sort of felt that you're buying the brand name with Simpson. I mean best badger, and a 21mm knot for 82 dollars? Is there reasoning behind the massive price?
Simpsons best is a higher grade of hair than you're imagining.
Simpsons best is definitely a notch above others best badger. I know many like the EJ BBB, but it was a bit too scratchy/prickly however you'd like to say it, and I stayed away from it until I got a Simpson Case. Talk about a wake up call! The tips are very soft, not the softest, but soft enough to feel great on the face, with a good backbone. I've got some of all of Simpsons grades but pure, but I would would take the best over the 3-band super, but that's my preference. I like the 2-band, but right now I'm satisfied with what I have there.
The Vie-long brushes would be great as well. The two band hair is extremely soft, and it has a good backbone. Not a stiff backbone, but a springy backbone. It gives just fine to face lather with. You can bowl lather with the 16726 as well. You can use the brush anyway you want. You can make lather with any brush. It's just finding everything to your preference. Some of us just love all the options, and have multiple brushes, and we prefer them to certain things over others. This brush only face lather, this brush only bowl lather, hey this brush does pretty good with it all, I want a vigorous brush to use today, I want ultra soft today. I'm one of them.
I have El Toro Ganso and I am enjoying this very much. I might want a little more hair, but I don't think the handle on the 16726 would be for me, but if you like the handle I'd definitely consider that. I will say the Vie-long 2-band is the softest hair I've come across yet period yet it has good backbone. Not the same as the other 2-bands I've tried, but it's very good in it's own respect.
Having a custom brush made from someone here would be a consideration. A quality boar brush would be something to consider as well. No shortage of choices to consider.
The Vie-long brushes would be great as well. The two band hair is extremely soft, and it has a good backbone. Not a stiff backbone, but a springy backbone. It gives just fine to face lather with. You can bowl lather with the 16726 as well. You can use the brush anyway you want. You can make lather with any brush. It's just finding everything to your preference. Some of us just love all the options, and have multiple brushes, and we prefer them to certain things over others. This brush only face lather, this brush only bowl lather, hey this brush does pretty good with it all, I want a vigorous brush to use today, I want ultra soft today. I'm one of them.
I have El Toro Ganso and I am enjoying this very much. I might want a little more hair, but I don't think the handle on the 16726 would be for me, but if you like the handle I'd definitely consider that. I will say the Vie-long 2-band is the softest hair I've come across yet period yet it has good backbone. Not the same as the other 2-bands I've tried, but it's very good in it's own respect.
Having a custom brush made from someone here would be a consideration. A quality boar brush would be something to consider as well. No shortage of choices to consider.
- Thread starter
- #9
I'm not sure as to who makes custom brushes around here, care to make up a nice list for me? 
I don't remember all, but Rudy Vey is the one that comes up the most. Searching the forum should turn up more, or you can always make a request for anyone that can make brushes.
I will second the suggestion you contact Rudy Vey and have him make a custom handle with your choice of brush....(I recommend a finest knot).
Well within your price zone and you can get it done up exactly to fit your style instead of an off-the-shelf production run that may or may not suit you.
Well within your price zone and you can get it done up exactly to fit your style instead of an off-the-shelf production run that may or may not suit you.
I will third that suggestion. I just bought a brush from Rudy and it was the most pleasant, easy transaction that I have ever done. What a great guy.
