Time to upgrade my brush. Suggestions?

[Fractionjack]

Hey fellas,
I think it's time for me to purchase a higher quality brush than what I've been using. Up until now, I've been using a Shea Moisture badger brush. I have been happy with the results, but perhaps I could be even happier? I mostly use creams (so far I enjoy c.o. bigelow, KMF, and TOBS Avacodo), but I have some Ogallala soap on the way. I already have an Omega 48 that I think might be better suited for soaps, due to the stiffness.
I'd like to spend less than $50. A nearby barber supply store sells Parker brushes, and AOS brushes are available locally as well. Might these be decent options?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Col Wilburforce Buckshot]

A vintage handle from Ebay: Approx. $12.00

A TGN finest knot: $17.95- $25.95 depending on knot size.

World class performance with style

 

[TonyJ]

As you want to still stay on the medium shelf budget I have to suggest you to look out the Lijun brushes. I have 3 (finest, silvertip and silvertip) and couldn't be happier.
Notice that those metal handle versions are pretty heavy!. If you don't like heaviness...

 

[celestino]

TGN Finest Knot

Semogue 830

 

[ImTheGluestick]

Whipped dog brush. ~$30. You might want to have Larry drill the hole down deeper than standard. Larry's awesome.

 

[SteveWY]

1. Badger - Whipped Dog from Larry (as above)
2. Boar - Any Semogue that meets your fancy. Check out Vintage Scent, shipped right from Portugal.

 

[taco8slo]

The Golden Nib in finest, if my Bob Farvour Black Eagle with a 30mm tgn finest bulb was my only brush I would be perfectly content.

 

[Kostas1]

The Golden Nib in finest, if my Bob Farvour Black Eagle with a 30mm tgn finest bulb was my only brush I would be perfectly content.

+1 I, too, can vouch for Bob's quality. In my opinion, you'd be better served with a custom brush.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/307652-Brush-Sale-Customs-M-amp-F-SR3824

Check out the link. Brush #95 would be a bowl lathering dream.

 

[mcgils]

Simpson Special if you want a name, but Bob makes a great brush of equal or better quality in this price range.

 

[Fractionjack]

That looks like a great option. It seems like the general consensus is that his brushes are top quality, and for that price I am definitely going to give it a shot.

 

[drawonme]

Omega and Semogue boars

 

[Loric]

If you want to go low cost, the Omega Pro 48 is a nice brush, but honestly I'd take a H.I.S. synthetic over it any day of the week. It lathers as well as anything else out there, is very soft, and is only half of your budget.

IMO the best boar for soaps is the Shave Factory XS, it has a 25mm x 50mm knot, that is perfectly scrubby for hard soaps. It has the most stout loft/knot size ratio I can find for a low cost boar, and breaks in as well as any other boar out there. Though for $7 the problem is that the handle is not as nice as some of the options from Semogue or even Omega, and quality can be a touch shotty. However, even having some nicer boars, this is the one I reach for most right now. Plus you could get this AND the HIS on Amazon for less than your total budget for one brush.

After that, a TGN Finest is amazing for soaps and face lathering, but if your mostly going to use creams I'd take the Silvertip Grade A over it. The STA is softer (at the cost of some backbone), and IMO works every bit as good for creams. Plus depending on the size you could get ether of these knots in a beautiful custom handle at your $50 price point.

 

[lt114]

If you want to get a better boar brush I suggest a Semogue SOC.
As for badger brushes, I would look at a Simpsons Colonel or Rooney 3/1 from Vintage Blades. Both of these brushes have handles that are great for creams or soaps.

 

[rockviper]

TGN and Whipped Dog offer excellent value for $. If you want an excellent name brand brush for <$50, my recommendation goes for the Simpsons Berkeley in Best.

 

[Mick]

If you can "stretch" your budget I would recommend this brush.

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

It does stretch your budget but it will keep you from buying a brush, not being satisfied, then buying another, then another, and so on.

I've always found it best to just bite the bullet and get something KILLER the first time. Saves a LOT of money in the long run. The BK4 is one of the best brushes under $100.

 

[Fractionjack]

It's official. After a bit of conversation and advice from Mr. Farvour, we are in talks about a silvertip grade A. I'm pumped! I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[Mick]

You will be very satisfied with any brush from Bob.

You do know that pics are required of any custom you get