Who makes the best quality brush?

[h22o999]

I am not asking for a recommendation of what brush to buy. I am asking for advice about which company makes the best quality badger brushes. I have a Vulfix pure badger and for the most part enjoy it, however it seems to shed more than I would expect. I have used it for over six months and still lose five hairs or so per shave. I use creams exclusively, and don't like the scratchy feeling I hear some people talk about. I want a brush that feels soft but not floppy, and won't lose all of its hair like I am loosing mine as I age...

Thanks for the advice...

Justin

 

[fisherbln]

I have a feeling you'll get lots of different opinions on that question. It really comes down to personal preference and what you are looking for. There are tons of good quality brands (Vulfix included).

 

[mdevine]

I am sure you will get a variety of opinions on this. My favorites are Simpson for badger and Semogue for boar. I'm sure you'll get a lot of votes for Shavemac and Rooney.

 

[malocchio]

you must judge that for yourself,decide how much you want to spend,and whether or not you want badger,boar,synthetic or horse...then you will get more specific answers...for me,it's thater,the best silvertip I have found...

 

[john parker]

Justin, I gather your concern with quality is that you have a brush with a knot that sheds. To the best of my limited knowledge, most knots are handmade (believe that Shavemac does have a machine-made knot in their selections). From time-to-time, like now, folks post their concerns about a brush with a shedding knot. Not being a knot maker, I gather that that can happen because of the nature of putting together a knot, binding it, and gluing it. You have mentioned that your Vulfix sheds. Others have cited Rooney, Simpson, Kent and others having shed; all of these are quality makers. I have a C&E (made by Edwin Jagger), a B&B Essential (made by ?), one Simpson and the Simpson/Vulfix Grosvenor LE. None of these have shed - yet. Think the insurance and assurance you need is to buy a brush from a reputable company through a reputable dealer so that if/when the shedding occurs, you can get good customer service in replacing/repairing it. Beyond that, you are asking for peoples' opinions on which brush you should buy. Good luck in your search. I am sure there are many, including me, who would love to recommend which brush you should get!

 

[Loner16]

At best, best is a very subjective term...

 

[dwestenk]

... I want a brush that feels soft but not floppy, and won't lose all of its hair ...

I would suggest Rooney.

 

[BladeRunner001]

I am not asking for a recommendation of what brush to buy. I am asking for advice about which company makes the best quality badger brushes. I have a Vulfix pure badger and for the most part enjoy it, however it seems to shed more than I would expect. I have used it for over six months and still lose five hairs or so per shave. I use creams exclusively, and don't like the scratchy feeling I hear some people talk about. I want a brush that feels soft but not floppy, and won't lose all of its hair like I am loosing mine as I age...

Thanks for the advice...

Justin

Justin,
That's a lot of hair on a per shave basis...although there's never a guarantee with anything in life, I yet have to have any of my 3 Shavemacs or Thäter shed a single hair (well...maybe one came off one of the Shavemacs...one time).

I believe that the craftsmanship and quality of these 2 brands is top notch. As is the quality of their badger hair.

 

[Red Horn]

I am not asking for a recommendation of what brush to buy. I am asking for advice about which company makes the best quality badger brushes. I have a Vulfix pure badger and for the most part enjoy it, however it seems to shed more than I would expect. I have used it for over six months and still lose five hairs or so per shave. I use creams exclusively, and don't like the scratchy feeling I hear some people talk about. I want a brush that feels soft but not floppy, and won't lose all of its hair like I am loosing mine as I age...

Thanks for the advice...

Justin

Are you soaking it throughly in nice warm water prior to lathering? Does it get a through rinse after each use? Do you keep it away from heat sources and sun while drying? Does it have ample time between uses to fully dry?

 

[Trawlerman]

I guess all you're gonna get is a list of what people use themselves rather than real subjective opinions on multiple brush manufacturers.

As mdevine has said ...

I am sure you will get a variety of opinions on this. My favorites are Simpson for badger and Semogue for boar. I'm sure you'll get a lot of votes for Shavemac and Rooney.

Personally I like SIMPSON Badgers and OMEGA Boars. YMMV.

 

[MikeC]

5 hairs per shave seems like a lot my Shavemac silvertip has only shed 1 hair.

 

[h22o999]

So I fully understand the YMMV!!! So I guess my question should be this; of the shaving brushes of today, which brands have less of a tendency to shed their hair???

I would appreciate some honest answers and not any YMMV answers, I think thesego without saying...

Regards,

Justin

 

[Doc4]

So I fully understand the YMMV!!! So I guess my question should be this; of the shaving brushes of today, which brands have less of a tendency to shed their hair???

I would appreciate some honest answers and not any YMMV answers, I think thesego without saying...

Regards,

Justin

burnWood, is that you??


Back to answering the question, it used to be that Simpson had a reputation for making brushes that were either the best out there bar none, or rampant shedders ... the only problem being you didn't know which version you were getting until it was too late. Then they got bought out by your friend Vulfix, and things seem much better.

Beyond that, I'd probably pick Rooney as the next choice for shed-avoidance; Shavemac and Kent also deserve mention. Vulfix too, although they are even floppier than Kent (and "flop vs. stiff" tends to be much more interesting to most guys here than shedder vs. non-shedder.)

Of course, the creme-de-la-creme is probably Plisson, but more expensive.

Good luck, and brace yourself for a lot of YMMV.

 

[h22o999]

Thank you for your opinion, this is the kind of information I'm looking for. I do agree with you about the flop vs. shed, but if I can't keep the bristles in the brush what difference does it make???

 

[Drubbing]

I am not asking for a recommendation of what brush to buy. I am asking for advice about which company makes the best quality badger brushes...

Hi. I want to buy a car. Which brand makes the best quality?

Alfa and Land Rover make a premium product, both are also renowned for the their inherent lack of reliability.

Simpson and Rooney etc make many dense, high end, premium brushes. These and other brands are also known for a given 'failure' rate regards shedding.

...So I fully understand the YMMV!!! So I guess my question should be this; of the shaving brushes of today, which brands have less of a tendency to shed their hair???

In dense higher end badgers? None. IMO.

They are overstuffed handmade brushes, therefore human error comes into play. Some will say at $100+ for a brush, such issues are unacceptable, and I'd agree. But that what happens.

Some loose hairs coming out in a first few shaves is acceptable, continual shedding is a warranty job. I had a Rooney replaced and the second one is fine, and I like it, but I will never buy a high end badger again. They simply cost too much, and there is zero guarantee it won't have initial issues, or develop shedding later on.

I've since bought 3 boars and they've not shed a hair between them. And all together they cost less than my Badger, and they work just as well. If one did shed at any stage, at around $20 investment, I can comfortably live with that.

 

[Zumkopf]

burnWood, is that you??


Back to answering the question, it used to be that Simpson had a reputation for making brushes that were either the best out there bar none, or rampant shedders ... the only problem being you didn't know which version you were getting until it was too late. Then they got bought out by your friend Vulfix, and things seem much better.

Beyond that, I'd probably pick Rooney as the next choice for shed-avoidance; Shavemac and Kent also deserve mention. Vulfix too, although they are even floppier than Kent (and "flop vs. stiff" tends to be much more interesting to most guys here than shedder vs. non-shedder.)

Of course, the creme-de-la-creme is probably Plisson, but more expensive.

Good luck, and brace yourself for a lot of YMMV.

YMMV is right. And it's a matter of taste and economy. Your question implies you don't care about the price, but the fact that you've stuck with a shedding Vulfix indicates you don't have a lot of spare scratch around.

IMHO, what I can tell you is this:

1) The highest quality brushes, cost no object, are made by Kent, Rooney, Simpsons, Shavemac, and Plisson.
2) You can't afford the highest quality brushes. The best of them cost north of $300.
3) Quality is a combination of amount of materials (i.e., size)**, quality of materials, and workmanship. All three cost.
4) If your question is really "who makes the best brushes at a reasonable cost," I could suggest the Simpsons Berkeley in Best Badger, the medium-sized Vulfix 660S in Super Badger, the New Forest 2201, and the Semogue Owners' Club boar. All are very good quality and can be had for $40 or less.

Happy shaving! Z

** OK, technically size isn't a component of quality. However, the bigger brushes feel qualitatively better, and the manufacturers put their best materials and workmanship into their larger brushes.

 

[h22o999]

YMMV is right. And it's a matter of taste and economy. Your question implies you don't care about the price, but the fact that you've stuck with a shedding Vulfix indicates you don't have a lot of spare scratch around.

IMHO, what I can tell you is this:

1) The highest quality brushes, cost no object, are made by Kent, Rooney, Simpsons, Shavemac, and Plisson.
2) You can't afford the highest quality brushes. The best of them cost north of $300.
3) Quality is a combination of amount of materials (i.e., size)**, quality of materials, and workmanship. All three cost.
4) If your question is really "who makes the best brushes at a reasonable cost," I could suggest the Simpsons Berkeley in Best Badger, the medium-sized Vulfix 660S in Super Badger, the New Forest 2201, and the Semogue Owners' Club boar. All are very good quality and can be had for $40 or less.

Happy shaving! Z

** OK, technically size isn't a component of quality. However, the bigger brushes feel qualitatively better, and the manufacturers put their best materials and workmanship into their larger brushes.

Z-

Thank you for your reply. In the matter of cost; I would like to stay at or under 200USD. I guess my question should have been this; for around 200USD what is the most reliable brush for creme I can buy?

Sorry if I came off rude earlier but I really would like to purchase a good brush and do not have anyone else to ask other then you fellows here at the B&B...

Regards,

Justin

 

[Red Horn]

** OK, technically size isn't a component of quality. However, the bigger brushes feel qualitatively better, and the manufacturers put their best materials and workmanship into their larger brushes.

I have what could be considered a tiny Simpson. The Tulip 1 that lost two bristles during my initial rinse before use. Now after a dozen or so uses has yet to shed another that I am aware of. IMHO there are varying levels of material quality and workmanship regardless of the size of brush.

I for one am learning that good quality and great performance can be had for prices much lower than the premium badger offerings. Currently eagerly awaiting delivery of a Semogue 1460 boar and have my eye on a short loft London series Vulfix pure for <$50.

I want a brush that feels soft but not floppy, and won't lose all of its hair like I am loosing mine as I age...

Regards,

Justin

Try a Simpson Two-Band Super Badger.

 

[petr]

simpsons, rooney or plisson all are top tier. I give the nod to ... each company pulls ahead from time to time. I'd say Simpsons is in the lead now with great two band offers.

 

[darkwing1]

I'd have to say that Simpson and Rooney seem to be of the highest overall quality of any brushes I've used.