I'm looking at possibly picking up a Thater brush and I noticed that 2 brushes that are the same size, have the same handle and only differ in the number of bands, have a much different price. In this case, the difference is $40. I'm sure this will be a YMMV thing but is there enough of a difference to justify the extra $40?
Why are 2 Band brushes more expensive?
- Thread starter lurker4life
- Start date
I can make up three reasons
1. 2-band brushes are more fashionable and favourable in recent years.
2. 2-band knots are more aggressiveley advertised as closer to the ideal Unicorn hair.
3. 2-band hair is harder to obtain and costs more.
I believe Bernd from Shavemac explains it better:
http://www.shavemac.com/2Band_Shaving_brushes.html
"In contrast to the usually 3-band hair shaving brushes, consisting of light-dark-light sections, the 2-band shaving brush has only silver shimmering tips and a long dark section down to the handle. To achieve this effect, you need specially long badger hair as only these do have the appropriate long sections. These long hair are in addition very dense and firm creating a uniquely sturdy shaving brush. As most of the badger hair parts are lost - the end of the badger hair and not the tip is trimmed to its final length - more weight in hair is needed. Therefore this brush is more expensive. Furthermore, these long hair are very rare and are not always available.
Distinctive features are:
different appearance
perceptively stronger hair"
1. 2-band brushes are more fashionable and favourable in recent years.
2. 2-band knots are more aggressiveley advertised as closer to the ideal Unicorn hair.
3. 2-band hair is harder to obtain and costs more.
I believe Bernd from Shavemac explains it better:
http://www.shavemac.com/2Band_Shaving_brushes.html
"In contrast to the usually 3-band hair shaving brushes, consisting of light-dark-light sections, the 2-band shaving brush has only silver shimmering tips and a long dark section down to the handle. To achieve this effect, you need specially long badger hair as only these do have the appropriate long sections. These long hair are in addition very dense and firm creating a uniquely sturdy shaving brush. As most of the badger hair parts are lost - the end of the badger hair and not the tip is trimmed to its final length - more weight in hair is needed. Therefore this brush is more expensive. Furthermore, these long hair are very rare and are not always available.
Distinctive features are:
different appearance
perceptively stronger hair"
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Is there eough difference to justify the premium? YMMV. Such a question is innately personal and subjective. Since every person has different criteria for determining "worth", that's not a question that has a definitive answer. Some peope don't think any expensie badger brush is worth it, some only buy expensive brushes. And to an extent they're all right, because their opinions are based on their own preferences, experiences, and economic assessment.
Personally, I recently bought my first 2-band Simpson, absolutely love it, and have another on the way. I don't see any more 3 band brushes in my future, but I do foresee the acquisiton of more 2-bands. Obviously not everyone here makes the same decision, nor should they.
So I guess the real question is, why are you considering a 2-band brush? What do you want in a brush?
Personally, I recently bought my first 2-band Simpson, absolutely love it, and have another on the way. I don't see any more 3 band brushes in my future, but I do foresee the acquisiton of more 2-bands. Obviously not everyone here makes the same decision, nor should they.
So I guess the real question is, why are you considering a 2-band brush? What do you want in a brush?
Law of supply and demand, they are fashionable, if people do not buy lowering prices.
- Thread starter
- #5
To be honest, I want one simply because I don't have one. I have a Duke, Shavemac and TGN knots all in 3 band. I've had may other brushes all in 3 band too. I've just started to explore face lathering and from what I've read, 2 band is the way to go in that regard. I'm not a huge fan of the look of 2 band hair but all it would take for that to change is one good experience with the brush.
I bought a Grosvenor LE two-band from Bullmoose when he had them commissioned from Simpson. I simply liked the way the two-band looked, and it was said to be soft on the tips but sturdy in loft. And it is. But so are my Berkeley and Colonel within the limits of their dimensions. I would like to get another two-band, but honestly don't know that I would be gaining anything extra for the money. And following the boards, apparently not all two-band is created equal. From what I gather, Shavemac's may require breaking in, as opposed to the same features but no breaking in with their three-band.
It's a conspiracy I tell ya.
Speaking of conspiracies...
Do you know how many conspiracy theorist it takes to change a light bulb?
Did you answer no?
Of course you don't know.
The Government doesn't want you to know!
To be fair, plenty of people prefer the feel of 3 band, even for facelathering. Still, if you just really want to try one, then go for it. Worst case scenario, if you really don't like it, you'll probably be able to resell it.
I've gotta keep following this thread because I saw a $200 thater and wondered how luxurious it could be. looks amazing but want to see some up and close. where are the "shaving shows" like car shows? lol.
but here's a TGN finest, just made it a few days ago. $45 in parts, did some minor drilling and polishing and she's a beauty.
but yeah, reselling a Thater if you don't like it? rather easy
but here's a TGN finest, just made it a few days ago. $45 in parts, did some minor drilling and polishing and she's a beauty.
but yeah, reselling a Thater if you don't like it? rather easy
I thought about a 2-band myself, but it's quite expensive. Then I found a synthetic brush that has solid backbone and is perfect for face lathering. You can purchase it on amazon.ca. I have one like this in an ivory handle, and it's a really good brush. Can't praise it enough. I haven't tried a 2-band, but from all the descriptions I've read about it, this imitates it well.
I have a Semogue SOC 2-band. Pretty brush, but for shaving I prefer my 3 -bands or a boar.
YMMV,
Jeff
YMMV,
Jeff
I'm finding out.
I have a Chubby 3 Manchurian which I've used very frequently for almost 4 months now. I recently got a Chubby 3 in 2 band which is being broken in.
I'm not shaving much these days.
I have a Chubby 3 Manchurian which I've used very frequently for almost 4 months now. I recently got a Chubby 3 in 2 band which is being broken in.
I'm not shaving much these days.
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