What's the best affordable Vulfix brush for face lathering?

[K.T.]

Hi,

Great to be here. I'm fairly new to wet shaving; I just started at the end of December 2009, but I've learned a lot reading through the forums.

I'm ready to upgrade from my current brush, an Omega 49 (which I love), to a badger brush.

I'm a face latherer, and hear that Vulfix brushes are a great value. I'm looking for an affordable one that's good for face lathering. I'm looking to spend in the $40 - $60 range, (value is important, so good performance and good price is key) and one that I won't feel the need to upgrade for a number of years. Which Vulfix would you recommend in my case?

I'm also open to other makes of brushes and hear that the Edwin Jagger Best Badger is a good brush, but maybe not the best for face lathering. Any other brands and models to recommend?

Thanks,
K.T.

 

[jchennav]

Are you face lathering cream or soap?

Vulfix brushes tend to be a bit too floppy for effective face lathering with soaps. A stiffer/denser brush makes it easier to generate lather from shaving soaps.

If you face lather and want a badger brush, you might want to consider a Rooney 3/1 in pure badger for $40.

 

[K.T.]

I use both soaps and creams. Since the Omega is a nice soap brush, I guess I'd be looking for a badger to use with creams, primarily.

I'll look into the Roony. Thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks!
K.T.

 

[Anton von Tripp]

Try the Vulfix 404 Boar/Badger mix.
There is an excellent review of this brush here:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?ltr=V&t=64442

Cordially, AvT.

 

[Mack]

I agree on the Vulfix 404 combination Boar/Badger mix brush. I've had one for a while and it is a good brush.

 

[skateblade]

why don't you try a Vulfix 2233 boar for just 23 $ , It's a great face latherer and as soft as a badger . It's a classic design with a ivory solid resin handle . It's a steal for the money ! Check it out at shoeboxshaving

 

[SHarris]

The 404 mix is available for £8.40 - VAT + Shipping from Diamond Edge.

So about $15.00.

http://www.diamondedgeltd.com/acatalog/Razors__Shaving_Brushes.html

Actually having read your post properly I'd get a Finest Knotted brush from Penworks...forget Vulfix.

 

[demaro]

I got my Vulfix 374 from pennworks for 46$ plus shipping and I love it!!!

 

[LU02]

I have a Vulfix London series Piccadilly which is excellent and not very expensive either.

 

[andrew98]

why don't you try a Vulfix 2233 boar for just 23 $ , It's a great face latherer and as soft as a badger . It's a classic design with a ivory solid resin handle . It's a steal for the money ! Check it out at shoeboxshaving

I have this brush, and it's floppy. I wouldn't buy it for face lathering. It will work, and it is soft. However, there are better options, imo.

In the $40 to $60 range (or less), the hands down, absolute best face lathering brush I've ever owned is the Semogue 620 Boar (I paid $25 or so shipped... look in the reviews section). The handle is great looking too. It is a tad scrubby, but mine isn't broken in yet. I expect it to get softer, and it's the only boar I would endorse for face lathering. I've only tried a few boars to be fair, though.

Otherwise, pony up some extra cash and get a Rooney 1/1 Super Silvertip or a Custom Shavemac Finest. You can get the Truefitt and Hill (rebranded Rooney) for about $65 or $70 shipped if you call in your order and tell them you're a B&B member. If you call in the order, I believe they'll give you free shipping.

Right at the $70 (before shipping) point are some nice Shavemacs in Finest (West Coast Shaving). As long as they have a 50mm loft, they would be excellent for face lathering. Same goes for a Savile Row with the same loft.

-Andy

 

[K.T.]

Thanks for the great suggestions. Wow, so many decent choices. Right now I'm leaning towards the Vulfix 404 because that sound like a good brush at a really nice price, and the Semogue 620 (or what about the 1520, 1305, or 2000?), which I've read a lot of great reviews of. I'm intrigued by the Penworks finest knot, however, and know next to nothing about Rooneys, Shavemacs, or Saville Rows, so I have some more research to do.

Is 50mm the general recommended loft for face lathering, or does it vary by bristle type and make? Also, it seems like boar is just as legitimate as badger for face lathering. Is this the case? It seems that the finer grades of badger are more coveted generally.

Thanks for your advice!

K.T.

 

[andrew98]

The reason I brought up Rooney and Shavemac is because it's easy to get either of those with a short loft (40mm to 50mm), which is preferred by most for face lathering. Those are also 2 of the most highly regarded brands available in terms of quality and performance. Simpson is another heavy hitter (now made by Vulfix). Savile Row is made by an un-named maker for QED, but it's likely they're either Shavemac or H.L. Thater (also excellent). Penworks have a following, so I would assume good quality, although I don't own one.

A Vulfix can certainly be used for face lathering, but it's not considered ideal by most folks because they tend to be floppy brushes, compared to, say, a Rooney 1/1. That said, you might love it. I like a lot more backbone, personally. My favorite brushes are my Rooney 1/1 Super Silvertip, Semogue 620, and Custom Shavemacs. I'm pretty sure the Savile Row brushes now come with a 50mm loft, but I'm not certain about that. The best thing to do is call a vendor and ask about the loft if it's not listed on their website.

-Andy

p.s. - Shavemac's Finest hair grade is one of the most underrated hairs out there. It's actually a grade of silvertip and an excellent value.

 

[tm3]

Otherwise, pony up some extra cash and get a Rooney 1/1 Super Silvertip or a Custom Shavemac Finest. You can get the Truefitt and Hill (rebranded Rooney) for about $65 or $70 shipped if you call in your order and tell them you're a B&B member. If you call in the order, I believe they'll give you free shipping.

-Andy

andy is this the equivalent to the rooney that you are recommending?

http://www.truefittandhill.com/detail_00277__19.html

 

[Red Horn]

Good selection of Rooney's;

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/2053630/2183978.htm

I was under the impression that for face lathering soaps the Rooney Best or Pure was more productive at generating lather than the Silvertip's. Is this valid? If so then the Silvertip is advisable for both cream and soap I assume.

 

[Crixus]

K.T., I alternate between these two short lofted Vulfix pure badger brushes. They are both less than $40 if you look around. They are both completely hand made, including the high quality pure hair that is hand picked and sorted and then hand formed with the old molds. The handles are lathe-turned ivory resin that is hand polished.

The shorter Piccadilly is a 19-20mm knot with a 40-43mm loft. The taller Mayfair is slightly bigger, with a similar knot size and 44-47mm loft. I only face lather, and these two brushes let me build all the lather I need for three passes. I'm usually a two-passer with trouble spot touch up, so after my initial 2-3 minute circular and paint face workout, I can set the brush down on its flat end and it has lather waiting for my next pass.

I know longer Vulfix hair is floppy, which is why I really had to hunt to find these short-haired beauties (especially the Piccadilly). I have owned Simpsons, and although the current crop of best badger hair is wonderful stuff, Simpson makes these brushes so dense that it can be a real dilemma trying to get your lather back out of the brush. Not so with these short loft and slightly less dense Vulfix brushes. For me, they maintain some backbone and slight scritchiness for my initial face lather. They tend to soften a little while I'm shaving my first pass, but I only paint on lather for my second/third passes so I don't irritate my face AFTER I have run the blade across. But the lather I need is right there when I want it.

Although I soak my brushes before shaving, I shake out almost all of it and go after my hard soaps with a nearly dry brush. I have yet to have a problem loading Trumpers soap or PdP. I paint my face with a rather dry soap mixture and then dip the brush ends in hot water periodically as I build my lather. These are incredible mix masters for that. The good pure badger and relatively short loft have let me get my business done without succumbing to the "infamous" Vulfix flop.

I see no reason why these quality Vulfix brushes from their London series should not last me years and years. I lost two hairs on each brush on opening day and haven't seen another one leave yet. The Piccadilly is only sold at one place that I have found in the US. It can also be ordered directly from Progress Vulfix. The Mayfair is widely available and a very handsome brush. I noticed that over in England the London series had some boar and boar/badger mix (I think--I'm running on old man memory), so if you decide to ever go this route, be specific when you order. Hope this gives you another option to consider--it's off the beaten path so gets very little mention here on B&B. Good luck and happy shaving.

 

[Crixus]

I forgot the photos of the Vulfix brushes.

 

[goby]

I have this brush, and it's floppy. I wouldn't buy it for face lathering. It will work, and it is soft. However, there are better options, imo.

In the $40 to $60 range (or less), the hands down, absolute best face lathering brush I've ever owned is the Semogue 620 Boar (I paid $25 or so shipped... look in the reviews section). The handle is great looking too. It is a tad scrubby, but mine isn't broken in yet. I expect it to get softer, and it's the only boar I would endorse for face lathering. I've only tried a few boars to be fair, though.

Otherwise, pony up some extra cash and get a Rooney 1/1 Super Silvertip or a Custom Shavemac Finest. You can get the Truefitt and Hill (rebranded Rooney) for about $65 or $70 shipped if you call in your order and tell them you're a B&B member. If you call in the order, I believe they'll give you free shipping.

Right at the $70 (before shipping) point are some nice Shavemacs in Finest (West Coast Shaving). As long as they have a 50mm loft, they would be excellent for face lathering. Same goes for a Savile Row with the same loft.

-Andy

I had the 2234 (just a little bigger) and it was great with creams, but NOT with face lathering. Definitely do not get a 2234.

I'm a Semogue 620 fan too. Great face latherer. BTW, I also love the 830 for face lathering, but the 620 is firmer and smaller. I love both.