Yet Another Brush Selection Question...

[Waldo_vt]

Hello all….

Recently dived into the DE world but after a few months I am looking to purchase a new Brush (under $30) and I wanted your suggestions. Currently I am using an Omega 10083 while it makes massive lather (using Proraso or KMF) it is a monster and a bit “big” for my hands (medium sized) so I am looking for a smaller brush / handle. I am planning on sticking with Creams for now but may eventually want to try out soaps...

Unfortunately I am having some issues narrowing my selection...

I was thinking of something like the Omega #21047, 31025, 81052 or the Vulfix 404 Grosvenor…

Thank you again for your assistance.

 

[Klarion]

The 81052 has a nice little knot. If you're interested, you can poke around sites and find other brushes that use the same exact size knot (it'll be the same quality bristle).

Try shoebox:
http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/ombolaseinno.html

 

[Loric]

I have an Omega 31064 and its an ok brush. The bristles are very soft indeed, but the loft was a bit high for my tastes. Its a good brush with a very handsome handle IMO. Though in the end the loft was to high for me.

You could try a Penworks Finest. They are a great brush for the price, soft tips, acceptable density, good backbone.

Semogue offers some great boar hair brushes. The 830 I linked might be a good place to start looking. I have a SOC and think its an amazing brush, but the knot is 24mm and then handle is not small.

The Vulfix 404 Grosvenor might be a bit scritchy. I have not used one, but the Simpson (made by Vulfix) best I have is to scritchy for me, though some people like that so its a YMMV thing.

 

[danparker77]

I agree with Jessie, I love my 81052, I have hard water and use a lot of product and it is stiff enough to eat up a puck of soap and get a good charge yet feel good face lathering. It is also good for the few occasions I feel like bowl lathering some cream. I have other boar brushes but this is the one that gets used 3 out of 5 times. IIRC the 11575 is the same not (?). I think both are in the 10- 15 dollar range.

 

[Klarion]

Well, it's actually the 11573/4 that has the same knot as the 81052. The 11575 uses unbanded boar bristle.

 

[filedog]

Well, if you mostly lather creams, and you want something smaller, what about a badger? The penworks brushes are over your budget, but the Frank shaving brushes on ebay have gotten some good reviews, and they fit your price range.

 

[Waldo_vt]

Thanks -

filedog - Unfortunately my budget is keeping my from the badger brushes...

Klarion / Loric - Thanks for the info on the 830. I don't mind scratchy which is why I included the 404.

So now Its between the Omega 81052, the Vulfix 404 or the Semogue 830...

Well at least the field is narrowing

 

[thrown.clear]

So now Its between the Omega 81052, the Vulfix 404 or the Semogue 830...

Well at least the field is narrowing

+1 on the Semogue 830 (I can't speak for the other two). I love my 830. I had read that it can take a little while to break-in, so I was prepared for it.

It was the first time I'd ever had a brush "eat" all my lather, but it's been about a month now (many days I'd lather it just for fun/break-in purposes) and most of the hairs have split and it lathers like a dream. Love it, love it, love it!

 

[Loric]

Semogues do take an awfully long time to break in. Mine is three months old, gets lathered at least 3 times a week and still has just over half of its tips split. Though it is already very soft.

 

[media]

I just got a semogue 1305. I already think I like it better than my silvertip and it was $22 shipped if I remember right. After only a weekend of use, it's pretty soft and getting softer by the day. Once this is fully broken in, I think it'll be my go to. I was surprised how easy it was to work with soap.

Cheaper is sometimes better. I think I like a cheap, but quality boar over an expensive badger brush.