Which 2-Band Should I Get? SOC or VB?

[Nick Danger]

I'm trying to decide on a 2-band badger, and I've narrowed my choices down to the following:

Semogue Owner's Club 2-band
Vintage Blades 2-band 22mm knot
Vintage Blades 2-band 24mm knot

I can afford either the SOC or the VB, so the price isn't the biggest factor.

I want a brush with good backbone, since I use soaps almost exclusively.

I also prefer reasonably soft tips, since my skin gets irritated easily. I bowl lather, because face lathering is just too tough on my skin.

I already have an SOC boar and the SOC 2012 Special Edition mixed boar / badger. I love the size and shape of the SOC handle, and I appreciate the craftsmanship. I do not mind wood handles.

I've heard great things about the VB, especially about the "gel-like" tips. I've read that the backbone is good, but not the best of the 2-bands.

What do you think? Which brush is the best choice for me?

Nick

 

[wimbouman]

I would complete the trio of Semogues

 

[Galhatz]

I have the ''trio'' SOCs. The 2-band is scratchy a bit at first and requires a break in. The tips now remind me the simpson Duke 2 in best.
My tgn 2-band has much softer tips, for comparison sake.

 

[sgtd]

The SOC will have much more backbone while the VB will have much softer tips. I had both and sold both, but just purchased another VB yesterday. I'd recommend getting both when you are able and keeping the one you prefer. If you decide to offload one or they other they wouldn't last long on the BST.

 

[Icebear]

The SOC 2 band are great brushes. I have one each ash and cherry wood handle. Great backbone and soft tips. I also have a 2011 SE and it's a bit too scratchy for my face. I have it in my rotation but I am not looking forward to when it is his SOD turn. You won't go wrong with a SOC 2 band. I have no experience with the VB.

 

[blzrfn]

If you have sensitive skin avoid the SOC, I sold mine because it the scritch never went away, only lessened slightly after several uses. I don't have any direct experience with VB, but have yet to use any 2-band Chinese brush that irritated my face.

 

[Nick Danger]

For those keeping score, I did make a decision about my next brush.

While I was reading reviews about the SOC 2-band and the VB, a Thater 4292/4 2-band popped up on B/S/T and I grabbed it. From what I've read, it's going to have excellent backbone with very soft tips. The best of both worlds, and I got it for not that much more than I would've spent on the SOC 2-band from Vintage Scent.

I hope to have the brush by the end of the week. I'm pretty excited.

Nicke

 

[whavens]

I have a Thater 2-band and I love it. Good backbone and nice, soft tips. I think you will really like it.

 

[Teddyboy]

For those keeping score, I did make a decision about my next brush.

While I was reading reviews about the SOC 2-band and the VB, a Thater 4292/4 2-band popped up on B/S/T and I grabbed it. From what I've read, it's going to have excellent backbone with very soft tips. The best of both worlds, and I got it for not that much more than I would've spent on the SOC 2-band from Vintage Scent.

I hope to have the brush by the end of the week. I'm pretty excited.

Nicke

It will have soft tips, but I hope you are not disappointed in the backbone. Many here, myself included, find Thaters to be floppy.

 

[Nick Danger]

It will have soft tips, but I hope you are not disappointed in the backbone. Many here, myself included, find Thaters to be floppy.

My first test lather suggests you might be right. There was a bit less backbone than I expected and the size wasn't quite comfortable for lathering in my Dirty Bird Bill Bowl. I'm going to give it a few more tests, and we'll see how I feel about it. If I face lathered, this brush might do well. For bowl lathering, the SOC 2-band might be better if it actually has more backbone. Or maybe I'll just stick to my boars.

Since I've heard the VB has less backbone than a Thater, I don't think I'll be buying one of those.

Nick

 

[Galhatz]

I once put a tgn 26mm 2-band knot in a restored handle.
It is a high quality knot and you can control the loft size to get very strong backbone.
Provided you have the time to experiment with this of course...

 

[Greg1911]

Had I seen this thread I would have voted Semogue. I have 7 of them (trio?) and they are great brushes

 

[Nick Danger]

Had I seen this thread I would have voted Semogue. I have 7 of them (trio?) and they are great brushes

I think I'm sticking with Semogues. I really like the size and shape of the handles. I'm going to wait until Vintage Scent has a 20% sale and then will probably order a 2-band from Bruno. I have, however, decided to purchase an extra SOC 2012 Special Edition before they are all gone. I love that brush.

The Thater 4292/4 2-band has not worked out for me. It will be making an appearance on B/S/T soon (I recently sold some blades and need to wait a few more days.)

I can see that the Thater might be excellent for someone who uses mostly creams or face lathers. For me, it wasn't great for bowl lathering with soaps. Not as much backbone as I prefer.

Nick