Vie Long 16750 White Badger arrived today.

[SliceOfLife]

First observations:

1. Nice packaging. Plastic sleeve, heavy duty cardboard box, Acrylic stand included.

2. Nice faux horn material, handle shape is a bit small/awkward for me.

3. Most potent smelling hair I've ever encountered.

4. Very soft.

5. A bit lofty. Makes me wish It had ~44mm loft instead of 49.

I'll use it a bit, then try a temporary mod to shorten the loft, and very possibly I'll cut out the knot for another brush and set it deeper.


It shed a single hair on my first use.

 

[Joe Edson]

That's the one thing I worry about vie-longs is too much loft. I've got my eye on the 16726 which has a 48mm loft, but 23mm knot. Maybe a bigger knot and slightly shorter loft will be on the better side.

 

[SliceOfLife]

Well, I tried it with a tried and true soap tonight, and it made some wickedly good lather. It felt like a soft breeze on my face. I can see why this is compared to the extremely soft Plisson hairs (though I have no experience with those). I'd guess that the main thing you sacrifice between these Vie Long Whites and Plisson European Whites is density. This brush falls pretty dead center for density. It's not loose and it blooms nicely but it's far from my densest brush. I think if they gave it maybe 15-20% more hair or dropped the loft down another 5-8mm that this would be an astonishingly good brush. As it is, it's a very good brush that is stunningly soft and a very good latherer. Just don't expect to feel any sort of scrubbing action, unless you start rubbing the handle against your face.

 

[Joe Edson]

Good to hear. If I succumb to another case of SBAD the Vie-long 16726 is at the top of my list (ok the rooney 1/1 is up there to....). I also like the Vie-long 16910, but bullgoose doesn't have it. I think it is the same knot and loft as your 16750. I just like the handle a little better.