Who knew van der Hagen had a badger brush?

[IAmTheJody]

Answer to the title question? Not I.

I had one of the van der Hagen Deluxe boar brushes that shed horribly. Seemed like each time I shaved, I spent more time digging hairs out of my soap than I did shaving. I finally trashed it and...

I sent an email off to them via their web site, not looking for anything mind you, just wanted to point out that there may be a problem with their brush manufacturer. In the same email, I killed two birds with one stone by also telling them how much I really liked their glycerin shave soap.

The next morning, I got an email back saying their CEO was in talks with the manufacturer about this problem. Apparently it's happening often or at least more than they think it should be. Their email to me also asked my home address so they could UPS me a free badger brush. A wha? From van der Hagen?

I promptly replied, thanking them for the excellent customer service of course and letting them know while I wasn't asking for anything - nor did I request anything such as a new brush or refund in my original email to them - I was very appreciative of the gesture.

So here it is, 3 days later. Haven't used it yet as the UPS man just literally delivered it. And in case anyone is skeptical about a badger hair brush coming from van der Hagen, I took a pic with the box it came in...

 

[Phillysci76]

I think they are willing to send these out as replacements. I saw a different thread on here that someone contacted the company and one was sent out. I got my badger today. The boar I had was becoming a mess. Bristles breaking off, falling out, etc. I took the chance on contacting them. I'm impressed with the customer service. While I am slowing getting higher end pieces, this may just make me keep some VDH soaps around.

 

[Cole19]

I've got one too the same way, I had a brush that literally lost half its hair.

I really like this one, my favorite of my four.

Here my picture when compared with the Tweezerman.

 

[masonjarjar]

Well, I feel I got my money's worth out of my VDH Boar. Mine did not shed much at all and was a very nice brush for me. Unfortunately, the glue came "undone" and the knot fell out. However, it lasted over a year. I still have the knot and would like to find a new handle for it. I have one but it doesn't quite fit.

I'm not going to jump on the bandwagon and try to coax a freebie out of them, however, I might email them to see where I can buy one, or if they'd sell direct. Looks like a great brush, I like that it's big. I've looked at the C&E Best at the C&E store and I'm like.. guys shave with this little thing??

 

[WinstonSmith]

Heck, I'd pay VDH prices for one of them, anyone know where they're sold?

 

[IAmTheJody]

I don't think they sell the badger brush. I've never seen it anywhere in store or online and it's not listed on their web site. Maybe it's a beta test for them, I don't know.

I will say had I had my boar brush for a while, I wouldn't have bothered them but I'd only had it for a month. So I just wanted to let them know there was a problem. From their reply, they are aware of it and dealing with the manufacturer about it.

 

[IAmTheJody]

I've got one too the same way, I had a brush that literally lost half its hair.

I really like this one, my favorite of my four.

Here my picture when compared with the Tweezerman.

The 2 brushes in your picture are the only 2 brushes I own! Except your van der Hagen has a different handle than mine and the bristles look shorter on yours.

That little Tweezerman is not a bad brush at all. I bought 1 for $13.50 on Amazon, then went back to get another for a friend and it was $11.20. Went back to Amazon a few days ago to look at something else and ended up back at the Tweezerman brush page where I saw a big notice on the page about an issue with the brush and that while Amazon was temporarily suspending sales of it, I could get it from "these" sellers. I found that odd so I went back 2 days later to see if anything had changed and the big notice was gone and the price went up to $15.49.

 

[Phillysci76]

I just started wet shaving and that was my first brush (not knowing any better). It really was falling apart after only a couple months, so I ordered a badger brush that I love and just decided to contact VDH. The first email back they offered to send me a new badger brush. I'll try it out tomorrow. It's not as thick as the 2 other badgers I have, but it's not bad...especially if they end up selling it at a low price point.

 

[IAmTheJody]

I'm impressed with the customer service. While I am slowing getting higher end pieces, this may just make me keep some VDH soaps around.

Some people like their soaps, some don't. I really like their glycerin soap. I like the smell and it gives a very good lather.

But their customer service, let's just say they've got a fan in me thanks to it.

 

[Phillysci76]

Some people like their soaps, some don't. I really like their glycerin soap. I like the smell and it gives a very good lather.

But their customer service, let's just say they've got a fan in me thanks to it.

Obviously I should read what I type (slowing = slowly)...

I have to say I will keep some pucks of VDH around. It is what I started with (now I love Tabac and Ogallala)...but for less than a couple dollars, it works just fine. Plus, I'll support a company that supports their product.

 

[SliceOfLife]

Their soap makes quite good lather for me (certainly good for the price). The one complaint I have though is that it seems to get consumed VERY fast. So once you consider that aspect, it's not really any cheaper than Tabac or some of the other longer lasting soaps.

I've heard a rumor that if you email them they will sell you a badger brush for ~$20, but I'm not sure if that is true.

 

[VR6ofpain]

Yes, I was aware of this. It used to be on vdh's website believe it or not.



Mantic says you can get it by emailing/calling them for $20.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LCctLMf_EA&[/youtube]

 

[michiganlover]

Yes, I was aware of this. It used to be on vdh's website believe it or not.

I too was aware that you can buy this Badger Brush by contacting VDH directly.

In fact last year, it was noted that you could call them via phone, and they would ship the brush out, and you would send them a check via mail. Yes, they would ship the brush on the honor system!! You won't find that very much in today's world.

I've heard a rumor that if you email them they will sell you a badger brush for ~$20, but I'm not sure if that is true.

Not a rumor, VDH has been selling this brush to customer's who call them directly for at least a year. I don't know the current pricing, but it's something like $20 + a minimal amount for shipping.

The story about these brushes as I remember it, is that VDH had them made for one a company they partner with. The partnership fell though, and they thus ended up with a large stock of Badger Brushes that they had no immediate plans to market.

 

[talibeard]

I knew since I get my shaving related news from a dedicated forum that seems to be one step ahead of reality; it's called Badger & Blade!! Recommended!!

 

[IAmTheJody]

Just a follow up on the vdH badger brush. I used it last night for the first time. It was pretty good as far as my inexperience is concerned. It held a lot of water, made and held a lot of lather using Proraso Aloe + Green Tea soap. It's too big for targeted application (ear lobes, sideburns, space between soul patch and goatee) but it does cover a lot of facial/neck real estate which was good. It did seem top heavy once loaded with lather, the hair just kind of went limp, flopping over to the side a little bit. Absolutely zero shedding, which was nice.

I still prefer my Tweezerman badger brush but the vdH badger brush certainly isn't the worse from the many brush reviews I've read.

Enjoy!

 

[RayH]

I don't think they sell the badger brush. I've never seen it anywhere in store or online and it's not listed on their web site. Maybe it's a beta test for them, I don't know.

I will say had I had my boar brush for a while, I wouldn't have bothered them but I'd only had it for a month. So I just wanted to let them know there was a problem. From their reply, they are aware of it and dealing with the manufacturer about it.

My understanding is that you have to order the badger directly from VDH by calling Customer Service and they will take care of the matter. It would be nice if they did offer it through brick stores like WalMart and such. I'd certainly buy one.

 

[Phillysci76]

I was just at a CVS and the boar brushes were on sale and labeled as "get it while it lasts." So, either CVS is planning not to carry them anymore, or VDH is moving to supplying the badger brush.

 

[BCP]

Huh, I think they had a bad batch of brushes or something because mine was losing 5 - 10 hairs a shave. I sent them an email, and it looks like I'll get a positive response. Good to see a company that believes in their product!

 

[DSW]

Oddly, I was going through the forum to find a solution for my shedding vdh brush when I came across this thread. I was worried I was doing something horribly wrong, and am some sort of brush-destroying villain.

I think it's lost enough hairs that the head of it doesn't fan anymore, but sort of 'spikes' up with hollow zones in it as well. Makes lathering and application a nontrivial challenge.

 

[neostyles]

My first brush (and the one that I am still using) is the van der hagen "regular." I didn't even know they had a deluxe version. The green plastic handle feels very unimaginative and mine is shedding very badly too. I didn't know that so many people were having this problem with the brush. I guess it's not just me.