Bullgoose has Shavemac's of all varieties on sale until Christmas. You also can order Shavemac brushes directly fro Shavemac.
Saville Row = QED
Rooney = Vintage Blades
Saville Row = QED
Rooney = Vintage Blades
Where to buy higher-end shaving brushes?
- Thread starter Mr_Spiffy
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #22
My Berkeley, being a smaller brush, works pretty well in smaller tins to gather soap. Plus it's nice as a travel brush, and it's pretty soft. It's lightly scrubby, but it doesn't have that scratchiness that some brushes have.
At home, I don't have to worry about space, so a larger brush is welcomed. I have to say, I like the look of some of those Thäter brushes... The 49125 series looks sweet with that clear handle. The SR 3824 has gotten glowing reviews. M&F brushes look amazing, but have to be custom-ordered, so I think I'll hold off on that until I know more about what I want in a brush.
redrako, thanks for the tip on the Shavemac sale. You also bring up something that's been a bit frustrating for me. Without doing some digging, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out who really makes these brushes. Most people figure the brand name is also the manufacturer, but that's not always the case, as you point out.
At home, I don't have to worry about space, so a larger brush is welcomed. I have to say, I like the look of some of those Thäter brushes... The 49125 series looks sweet with that clear handle. The SR 3824 has gotten glowing reviews. M&F brushes look amazing, but have to be custom-ordered, so I think I'll hold off on that until I know more about what I want in a brush.
redrako, thanks for the tip on the Shavemac sale. You also bring up something that's been a bit frustrating for me. Without doing some digging, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out who really makes these brushes. Most people figure the brand name is also the manufacturer, but that's not always the case, as you point out.
Check the BST, they come up every now and then. Definitely worth it to try them out so you know what the hair feels like.
- Thread starter
- #24
My eyes hit the BST pretty much every day, sometimes several times. Now that I know you can't just buy one that's in stock, I'll keep my eyes peeled.
I think my list just continues to grow... now I want one of each, Rooney, Thäter, Saville Row, M&F, Shavemac... why, oh, WHY must these decisions be so difficult?
I think my list just continues to grow... now I want one of each, Rooney, Thäter, Saville Row, M&F, Shavemac... why, oh, WHY must these decisions be so difficult?
- Thread starter
- #25
Any thoughts around brushes from Kent? How would those compare to the others already mentioned? So many choices...
Softer at the tips and significantly less backbone than any of the brushes mentioned in this thread. If you were exclusively a bowl latherer or someone who starts in bowl and finishes on face, then kent would be your brand. But if hard soaps and face lathering are something you enjoy, it feels like you're just punishing a Kent brush by lathering hard soaps.
The brush also has too much splay to be a quality face latherer IMHO. It produces huge amounts of lather in a bowl or on your face but it just makes face lathering really messy.
The brush also has too much splay to be a quality face latherer IMHO. It produces huge amounts of lather in a bowl or on your face but it just makes face lathering really messy.
- Thread starter
- #27
Thanks for filling me in about Kent brushes. I already have a soft, floppy brush for bowl lathering. While I may keep them in mind as an upgrade to my existing brush down the line, they definitely sound like they're not what I'm looking for at this point.
I owned a BK8 and the huge BK12. Very soft but WAY too floppy for my taste.Very little backbone.IMO.
Craig
Actually, if you want a brush will really soft tips and nice flow through, I'd suggest a Savile Row 3824. They are available from QED. I don't think you can buy a better brush for the price.
you might consider getting rudy vey to make a custom for you.
and jarrod (superior shave) is unique in showing each and every one of his in-stock brushes in pictures so you can select the exact one that you like.
by the way, i've only had great service from any b&b vendor ever ordered from.
and jarrod (superior shave) is unique in showing each and every one of his in-stock brushes in pictures so you can select the exact one that you like.
by the way, i've only had great service from any b&b vendor ever ordered from.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #32
That's been recommended multiple times already. Definitely sounds like a brush to seriously consider.
I'll take a look at what Rudy can offer, but I may not want to wait that long to get a custom brush. I hear he makes fantastic brushes, but they also sound like they might end up near the top or out of my price range.
I was like you looking at both the Saville 3824 & Thater 4125 and so I did what I always do when I "narrow" it down to a single choice and I'm in in doubt - I bought BOTH when they went on sale over the course of a month 
They are both in the rotation an equal # of times.
Gene
They are both in the rotation an equal # of times.
Gene
Rudy is great to work with, and his stuff is a bargain. I got a 24 mm chubby style in finest for around 80 bucks, and I think from ordering to delivery was only a week or maybe 10 days at the outside. Silvertip is a little more, but well within your budget. He gave me a ton of guidance as well. Highly recommended.
- Thread starter
- #36
Those Thäter brushes just look nice and dense. That's certainly NOT helping me narrow things down! 
So, I think I've eliminated Kent, Shavemac, and Rooney for the time being. (M&F taking the place of Rooney, if nothing else.) What's left? M&F, Thäter, and Savile Row.
Since I want to be able to bowl-lather with samples or creams, I'm thinking something with a longer handle would be best, though I love the look of the shorter 4125 handle.
As of right now, here are the contenders:
I'm thinking of taking the Savile Row, simply because I do see Thäter and M&F brushes hit BST periodically, but I rarely see SR brushes. That tends to make me think people refuse to part with them. With the Thäter, I'm stuck on the fan/bulb dilemma. I've never had a fan-shaped brush. I'm also unsure if I want the two-band or not. I hear two-band tends to have more backbone, but also a little more scritch, which would be awesome for soaps. But, I dislike scritch. A lot. Two-band is also considerably more expensive.
Any additional input on the listed brushes? Any personal experiences someone may be able to offer? Two-band or three-band? Bulb or fan? Would the shorter Thäter 4125 handle be fine for bowl-lathering, or is it too short?
So, I think I've eliminated Kent, Shavemac, and Rooney for the time being. (M&F taking the place of Rooney, if nothing else.) What's left? M&F, Thäter, and Savile Row.
Since I want to be able to bowl-lather with samples or creams, I'm thinking something with a longer handle would be best, though I love the look of the shorter 4125 handle.
As of right now, here are the contenders:
- Thäter 4292/4 or 4294/5 Finest Silvertip
- Savile Row 3824
- Custom M&F
I'm thinking of taking the Savile Row, simply because I do see Thäter and M&F brushes hit BST periodically, but I rarely see SR brushes. That tends to make me think people refuse to part with them. With the Thäter, I'm stuck on the fan/bulb dilemma. I've never had a fan-shaped brush. I'm also unsure if I want the two-band or not. I hear two-band tends to have more backbone, but also a little more scritch, which would be awesome for soaps. But, I dislike scritch. A lot. Two-band is also considerably more expensive.
Any additional input on the listed brushes? Any personal experiences someone may be able to offer? Two-band or three-band? Bulb or fan? Would the shorter Thäter 4125 handle be fine for bowl-lathering, or is it too short?
Last edited:
I was like you looking at both the Saville 3824 & Thater 4125 and so I did what I always do when I "narrow" it down to a single choice and I'm in in doubt - I bought BOTH when they went on sale over the course of a month
View attachment 392883View attachment 392884
They are both in the rotation an equal # of times.
Gene
How do these compare? I gave a 3124, and it is nice, but not quite the droids I'm looking for
- Thread starter
- #38
Since I'm mostly considering the difference between the SR 3824 and the Thäters, I'd love to know thoughts on that comparison, as well.
Straight Razor Designs has a good selection of Thaters i have the Cocobolo 2 band 24x55 it has soft tips with great flow through its not overly dense like a chubby or m&f 2xl.
http://www.straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_87&products_id=1657
http://www.straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_87&products_id=1657
Kent is a great brush! Granted my BLK 12 is huge Woolly mammoth of a brush but it's soft as a cloud. Maybe the BK8 or 4 would be more appropriate. I love big brushes!
