Well-made Badger Brushes: Help me find one!

[Big_Tex]

Hello all. I have a lovely Semogue boar brush to go along with my somewhat less-lovely Van der Hagen badger brush. I need a new badger brush but don’t want to spend money carelessly or foolishly. Let me give you a little background on my way of shopping first, if you will.

When possible, I like to buy products that are well made, and made to last, but not necessarily the “fanciest” item in their class. An example would be Toyota versus Lexus. Both are made by the same company, and both will last a loooong time. Same engine, same chassis, same everything. But the Lexus costs a lot more because it has leather seats and fancy goodies.

So, dear B&B, what is the “Toyota” badger brush for me? Which is a good brush that won’t break my bank but will last a good long while? I won’t list a price point on here…I just want to hear your suggestions.

 

[BigBull]

SOC 2-Band. Sounds like you love your Semogue, the 2-Band is, imho, the best value in badger brushes when ordered from vintagescent.com.

 

[Big_Tex]

I was thinking about one of those. The thing is...I have never handled any other brush aside from my Van der Hagen and the Semogue, so I don't want to limit myself to just that brand. Nonetheless...if their SOC is as awesome as the 820, then I am in.

 

[edgerunner]

If you don't mention your preferences and expectations from the brush, you're going to get too many, some of them useless for you, suggestions - big or small knots, soft or scrubby, dense or floppy, face or bowl lathering?

 

[Big_Tex]

If you don't mention your preferences and expectations from the brush, you're going to get too many, some of them useless for you, suggestions - big or small knots, soft or scrubby, dense or floppy, face or bowl lathering?

Good point.

I would want this brush to be exclusively for creams (bowl lathered), since the Semogue boar would be on soap duty. As far as big or small knots...frankly, I'm too inexperienced to really even answer that or even know the difference. Soft and dense would be nice. Something that could whip up a gigantic fluffy lather.

 

[edgerunner]

SOC 2-band was a good suggestion IMO. I also would look at Savile Row at QED (which are like Shavemac Silvertip) - http://www.qedusa.com/shaving-brushes-silvertip-badger-brushes-c-33_47.html , and Rooney Silvertip which are also sold rebranded by T&H - http://www.truefittandhill.com/items_19.html or http://www.classicshaving.com/Rooney_Shaving_Brushes.html or http://vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/home.php?cat=164

 

[Attila]

I would suggest looking into Whipped Dog Silvertip brushes. Larry's deals are known to be excellent and he makes great brushes. Can't beat his prices.

 

[Kostas1]

For bowl lathering, i think it would be tough to go wrong with something from Bob Farvour or Rudy Vey. 24 or 26mm knot (grade A silver tip or finest), 52-55mm loft. Best bang-for-the-buck I've seen.

 

[andrestole]

The simpsons colonel X2L best badger is really nice.

 

[Alum of Potash]

In the $50-$75 range, I like a Vie-Long 16735 black badger for creams. I've had it over a year and never lost a hair. If you want to keep it Semogue, a 730HD silvertip badger is also nice.

 

[j_fro]

Maybe RV or BF can make a Colonel ish brush for ya. That is what I would do.

 

[Ski-Patroller]

Hello all. I have a lovely Semogue boar brush to go along with my somewhat less-lovely Van der Hagen badger brush. I need a new badger brush but don’t want to spend money carelessly or foolishly. Let me give you a little background on my way of shopping first, if you will.

When possible, I like to buy products that are well made, and made to last, but not necessarily the “fanciest” item in their class. An example would be Toyota versus Lexus. Both are made by the same company, and both will last a loooong time. Same engine, same chassis, same everything. But the Lexus costs a lot more because it has leather seats and fancy goodies.



So, dear B&B, what is the “Toyota” badger brush for me? Which is a good brush that won’t break my bank but will last a good long while? I won’t list a price point on here…I just want to hear your suggestions.

A Simpson Col X2L is hard to beat. IMHO Simpson's Best Badger is always a good choice for face or bowl latherers who use soap or shave sticks. Plenty of back bone, but not overly skritchy.

 

[shyrlock]

Although they are not currently in vogue with the B&B members, I have always found Shavemac brushes to deliver first rate performance and longevity.
Jim at West Coast shaving has a nice selection. I like my brushes on the scrubby side, so the Shavemac pure badger is my favorite. The last time I looked you could get a 22 or 23mm pure badger for around 80.00. That is a bargain.

 

[njpaddy]

Hard to argue with a Simpson Colonel for bowl lathering creams. A Rooney 3/1 (T&H) Silvertip would also work, but cost about $10 more.

 

[Raithskar]

Any H.L. Thater. Paramount performance IMO.

 

[Gigster]

What kind of price range are you looking at for your “Toyota?”

 

[andrestole]

View attachment 278046
Can you say no??

 

[edgerunner]

The $5 more expensive SOC 2-band is a much better brush as per my taste.

 

[andrestole]

the logical thing to do is to get both.. or more...

 

[Loric]

I say get a TGN custom from one of the brush makers. The finest is amazing for face lathering, and the silvertip grade A are nicely soft and dense. Plus, any of them would help you tune the brush size, loft, and handle to your shaving style.