When first starting to build up a collection, should you focus on soaps, Razors, or Brushes?

[Phoenix997]

I'll make a suggestion you try a boar brush from Omega, Semogue or Zenith.

It will be relatively inexpensive and something different for you in the shaving brush arena.

Also you will experience and enjoy breaking it in, which takes a good amount of shaves.

I have a good range of decent badger brushes including a Chubby 2 in best, the same SV as you, a limited edition Muhle Silvertip from 10 years ago, a couple of Semogue Owners' Club 2 band badgers.

Still, two of my favourites are a Zenith boar (506se) and the classic Omega 48 in a couple of different lofts/handles.

The Semogue Owners' Club boar/badger mix is also a super brush.

Don't sleep on boar! A good boar brush is really quite something.

Interesting. I've never considered one but you're right. It would be interesting to try something new. I will have a search tonight to see which one I fancy

 

[Phoenix997]

In the meantime, this has been my result from scouring PLisson's site:

I am fond of the little gold or palladium ones. They different. The white and silver brush looks good too.

 

[Coler]

Ok, so my Plisson brush is on the way finally and not even here yet and I'm already scanning their website for a new brush

They have some interesting options and I found they are very accommodating and will put high mountain white in a different handle if it's not an option on their website.

If you love Plisson go for it.

There are so many other options though. I would at least wait until you receive your first Plisson before ordering another.

For the money they are looking for, I would try a Simpsons Chubby 2 in Best over any of their supposed high mountain white.

 

[Phoenix997]

If you love Plisson go for it.

There are so many other options though. I would at least wait until you receive your first Plisson before ordering another.

For the money they are looking for, I would try a Simpsons Chubby 2 in Best over any of their supposed high mountain white.

Absolutely, I want to get a few shaves in with the one that's arriving before getting another one. I get on really well with my acca kappas so another one is also an option

 

[Phoenixkh]

I love my SV 2.0 brushes, as you know.... My final one showed up this past week.. with a Bois de Rose handle, gold crown....

That said, I'm really enjoying my Semogue Pegasus Mistura... That extra 2mm in diameter from the SOC Misturas made a huge difference for me. I tend to like 26mm to 28mm badgers.... I don't really know why.

I do quite like Zenith boar brushes... I have 4 of them. As I've mentioned before, I only use them for DecemBOAR here on B&B.... They are excellent, so why don't I use them throughout the year? That's another one of those: I don't always know why I do things this way...

 

[Phoenix997]

I love my SV 2.0 brushes, as you know.... My final one showed up this past week.. with a Bois de Rose handle, gold crown....

That said, I'm really enjoying my Semogue Pegasus Mistura... That extra 2mm in diameter from the SOC Misturas made a huge difference for me. I tend to like 26mm to 28mm badgers.... I don't really know why.

I do quite like Zenith boar brushes... I have 4 of them. As I've mentioned before, I only use them for DecemBOAR here on B&B.... They are excellent, so why don't I use them throughout the year? That's another one of those: I don't always know why I do things this way...

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That is amazing looking wood. I’m not that familiar with bois de rose but it looks epic

 

[Phoenixkh]

That is amazing looking wood. I’m not that familiar with bois de rose but it looks epic

Bois de Rose is in the rosewood family and is only found on Madagascar.... It has that warm rosewood color but has its own distinctive grain.

 

[Phoenix997]

Plisson arrived but I’ve had such a full on day I didn’t have time to open it. Will do it tomorrow

 

[Rusty Blade]

So I've been wet shaving for a couples years but only properly starting getting into artisan soaps, brushes and razors about 4 months ago.

I've been experimenting with what I like and don't. Soaps and AS's have been the easiest to try as I either get samples or try them and shift them on if I don't like them.

I now have a good amount of soaps and AS's (9) and I've also acquired some nice brushes. I currently have one SV 2.0, two Acca Kappas, one plisson on the way, and a PAA synthetic.

I have one straight razor only.

Going forward I feel covered for soaps unless some new releases come out. Brushes I have enough but am still tempted to buy more. Razors are clearly behind.

Should I keep focusing on brushes or would I be better off now to add some more razors to balance it out a bit?

I think it really depends on your interests. For me I was smitten with the vintage Gillette razors, so I started to build my collection there. I had a couple of boar brushes and I was quite content for a long time before the hunt for brushes spiralled out of control. Same with soaps and straight razors, and blades, and other barbershop memorabilia. Eventually it all spirals out of control and I have found it is better to not resist and just enjoy the journey. Have fun!

 

[Phoenix997]

So I wasn’t sure to expect but I love this brush. The handle just feels so comfortable to hold and it is a thing a beauty. It is very small compared to my other brushes but high lofted.
I can’t wait to have my first shave with it. It really brightened up my day.
The brush stand I could do without. It’s quite fiddly to put it in and out and I’m concerned all that rubbing and friction where the knot inserts into the handle is not the best thing for the brush

 

[Phoenix997]

If you love Plisson go for it.

There are so many other options though. I would at least wait until you receive your first Plisson before ordering another.

For the money they are looking for, I would try a Simpsons Chubby 2 in Best over any of their supposed high mountain white.

I was interested in the chubby 3 in super but the price on the Simpsons website was heavy. at £350. It's almost double what the plisson cost me.

 

[DesertIguana]

So I've been wet shaving for a couples years but only properly starting getting into artisan soaps, brushes and razors about 4 months ago.

I've been experimenting with what I like and don't. Soaps and AS's have been the easiest to try as I either get samples or try them and shift them on if I don't like them.

I now have a good amount of soaps and AS's (9) and I've also acquired some nice brushes. I currently have one SV 2.0, two Acca Kappas, one plisson on the way, and a PAA synthetic.

I have one straight razor only.

Going forward I feel covered for soaps unless some new releases come out. Brushes I have enough but am still tempted to buy more. Razors are clearly behind.

Should I keep focusing on brushes or would I be better off now to add some more razors to balance it out a bit?

Your question has not right or wrong answer, Vintage Razor IK assume are steady in price, or one rise depending on condition. Personally if I was build collection I would collet best condition, to get item that should increase in value.

Brushs & Soaps are available, changing in what for sale, new or in vogue.

JMHO. What do I know zero, just have opinion.

 

[Phoenix997]

I was interested in the chubby 3 in super but the price on the Simpsons website was heavy. at £350. It's almost double what the plisson cost me.

My mistake. The knot is much larger on the chubby 3. The Plisson is the around the same price and size as a chubby 1. So they do seem about equal on price

 

[Phoenix997]

I'd get this acca kappa in an instant but can't find it in stock anywhere

 

[Phoenix997]

First shave with the Plisson. It is extremely soft

 

[Phoenix997]

Second shave with the Plisson. I liked it a lot more than the first. It's really pleasant. I've had to adapt my technique slightly. It holds a lot of soap. Usually I scrape the soap on the bowl's rim and then scoop it up and face paint. With the Plisson I can just go straight to face painting. I really good quality brush. Looking forward to getting another