You walk into a store and see brushes, but then what?

[Christiaan]

As I'm an absolute noob in this field I have a problem:

I know a few stores here that actually do sell (and stock) brushes. But aside from a brand name and perhaps some kind of label stating what kind of hair the brush is supposed to be made of I have no clue whatsoever.

How do you recognise a good brush? (And value for money)

For argument's sake let's state that there is no label whatsoever on the brush, al you can do is feel it, smell it, and scrutinise it.

I'd love to hear your personal tactics and what you think is important to keep an eye/cheek on. Thanks!

 

[Obiwan]

For me, it was easier to use the reviews and experience from the tenured members here to find out what brush would be a good starter brush and then go out looking for it. Much will depend on your personal preferences, the way you lather and the product used. Generally speaking though, I try to look for density, backbone, how the tips feel (stiffness, softness, etc.), comfort of handle.

Labels aside, I find it helpful to read the many brush reviews here. In reading how other people evaluate a brush you pick up on a lot of the qualities worth considering when you shop.

 

[ctkelly]

What do you intend to use the brush with, hard soaps or creams? Brushes that are stiffer, shorter loft, tend to work better with soaps in my experience. Brushes that are floppy, taller loft tend to work better with creams. You should also look at the size of the handle and brush overall....some brushes are simply too big to work well with smaller mugs/scuttles or if you have smaller hands.

Then you get to the tips...if you face lather you probably want the softest tips you can get. If you bowl, puck, scuttle, mug lather its okay if they aren't super soft, once loaded with cream/soap you won't notice as much.

With all that, I vote picking a design you like and contacting rudy vey for a price estimate on a similar brush or a complete custom....I have a copy of the vulfix 41 and soon a copy of simpson chubby but the price was far less than either of those actual brushes.

 

[Vlad]

First, look at the coloring. If the hair is all one color, something dark or black rather than clear 'banding', it's probably "pure" badger, low quality. Verify by examining the tips. Avoid brushes where the tips have been cut to shape...the tips should taper naturally.

Then examine the density by looking from the top down. Here loft plays a role, and a taller loft will look less dense, but you can still get a feel for how well packed it is. Then run the brush against your palm and see how firm they are. Most of us like firmer brushes that are good for soaps and creams. Brushes that are too floppy will be less useful for hard soaps.

The hardest thing to tell is how soft the tips are, but you should try to look at that, too. Softer is better!

 

[Christiaan]

Here loft plays a role, and a taller loft will look less dense, but you can still get a feel for how well packed it is.

Great tips Vlad but uhm. What's a loft? (A quick search here didn't get me an answer)

 

[Vlad]

Great tips Vlad but uhm. What's a loft? (A quick search here didn't get me an answer)

Y'know, I don't know why we call it "loft" here. It's the height of the bristles, the distance from where the handle ends to the tips. "Backbone" also seems to be a fancy word for stiffness, or rigidity. But you'll be conversant in no time, trust me!

 

[Blaser0217]

Great tips Vlad but uhm. What's a loft? (A quick search here didn't get me an answer)

Loft is the height of the bristles from the top of the handle. Overall height is just that, the overall height of the brush.

Dang! Vlad beat me to it!

Honestly, I think the best, first thing to do is to set a budget, if money is an object (as it is for me). Then, start shopping for several options in your price range. Then, and this is the most important, come back here and scour the reviews for your chosen few. I have not purchased anything that wasn't reviewed well (or reviewed at all for that matter) on this board. The collective knowledge of the shaving pantheon on this site is priceless.

 

[Crixus]

Your thread is titled "You Walk Into a Store and See Brushes...".

You already have a big advantage over 95% of the members on B&B. We can only do research, look at photos and scrutinize the chatter of our peers on the forums to make an educated thrust. Even then, and usually after considerable upfront expense, do we get to hold that particular brush in our hand to see if it "feels right".

Doing your homework, and making several trips to ogle and handle the brushes with SPECIFIC questions about a model you are holding in your hand is the envy of many of us.

Don't blow it.

 

[Blaser0217]

Your thread is titled "You Walk Into a Store and See Brushes...".

You already have a big advantage over 95% of the members on B&B. We can only do research, look at photos and scrutinize the chatter of our peers on the forums to make an educated thrust. Even then, and usually after considerable upfront expense, do we get to hold that particular brush in our hand to see if it "feels right".

Doing your homework, and making several trips to ogle and handle the brushes with SPECIFIC questions about a model you are holding in your hand is the envy of many of us.

Don't blow it.

Agreed. I only wish I could walk into a store and actually touch and feel brushes before I buy them!

 

[Drubbing]

Do your research first. There are a lot of stickies that can give you the basics.

Personally, I don't think you can pick a good brush by look and feel - unless the sole criteria is you like the look of the thing. There are plenty of barbers and a couple of speciality stores here in Perth that sell brushes, but I would never know how any of them performs if I didn't have a resource to fall back on.

If I knew nothing about boars, I'd never buy one after handling one, as the bristles as so stiff when dry, you'd think they were unusable. Different story when wet, but a store isn't going to let you test run them.

I've bought my brushes after reading reviews and experiences on here, but informed by what I had already, and what I did and didn't like about it. That would be your first stop; get an affordable brush and suss out your likes and dislikes.

Also, I don't think any of the expensive badgers are value for money. Badger hair is more expensive and traditional makers simply charge a lot for them. I discovered quality boars, and because of my preferences, find them superior in every way for a quarter the money.

 

[Christiaan]

At the moment there is one brush I'm considering: Edwin Jagger Medium Beste Badger, a brush I actually believe is in stock. (The store has a complete line of EJ brushes)

But I think I'll have a closer look first. And a good feel now that I know what to look for.

Thanks everyone


My current (and only) brush is a "Vergulden Hand Kapperskwast" a boarbrush. So far I plan to keep using soaps and lathering in a bowl.

 

[mmack66]

At the moment there is one brush I'm considering: Edwin Jagger Medium Beste Badger, a brush I actually believe is in stock. (The store has a complete line of EJ brushes)

I have used the Crabtree & Evelyn version of this brush for over 2 years and have no complaints.

 

[oscarbowman]

Christiaan the brush you mentioned is very highly thought of on this forum.
An excellent choice. A great brush to either start with or could well be your
one and only! Though that rarely happens!

 

[DamnFineBob]

...blah, blah, blah...The store has a complete line of EJ brushes...blah, blah, blah...

Christiaan, where is this wonderful establishment? Members here would surely support such a place with a few purchases if it were nearby! A good many members haven't found a single brick and mortar store that carries anything of interest to us shavemaniacs.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Where is this store, and how do I get there????

 

[Christiaan]

A complete line might just be a bit of an overstatement.

But what they DO have is at least 15 different brushes, and a "display" of the different types of hair So you can feel and look, and smell.

Its actually a very nice display, 4 or 5 different brushheads mounted in a piece of wood, with labels as to which type of badger it is. All the brushes are displayed in such a way that you can handle them without needing to have a store clerk present. If I can I'll take a picture next time I'm there.

This store also has some C&E soaps, but that's not all to special. A short walk of under a half mile will get you to another store, stocking a more extensive brush collection, although I didn't see what brands they were. These were all in a display behind the counter so that would be a bit harder to be intimate with the brushes.

And where are these stores? In The Netherlands (Sorry guys), in Arnhem to be precise.

 

[Crixus]

And where are these stores? In The Netherlands (Sorry guys), in Arnhem to be precise.

Taking low country to new heighths.

 

[saf]

There is a store similar to what he is describing in Chicago called Merz and its amazing. They have a really impressive soap and cream offering as well.

 

[fisherbln]

There is a store similar to what he is describing in Chicago called Merz and its amazing. They have a really impressive soap and cream offering as well.

I'm going to have to check that out next time I'm in Chicago. I'd love to see some of these products in person before ordering them. Of course, that might just make me buy more.

 

[Christiaan]

a "display" of the different types of hair So you can feel and look, and smell.

Finally got round to visiting that store again, brought home a C&E Nomad soap-with-bowl. And it's great! Even the smell is wonderful

They have the brush I was looking for as well, EJ Medium Best Badger with the faux bone handle. Didn't bring that one home yet, I'm trying to resist.