Has anyone used or seen a review of this brush?
31 mm knot
50 mm loft
58 mm handle
Cost shipped is approximately $125.00
31 mm knot
50 mm loft
58 mm handle
Cost shipped is approximately $125.00
Zenith 508A XL Manchurian Badger Brush
- Thread starter SgtCrppls
- Start date
Owen Bawn
Garden party cupcake scented
I have not. The key question with all Zenith brushes, whether boar, badger, horse, or synthetic is the size of the glue bump. My first two 26mm Manchurians had virtually no bump to speak of, but when I bought one in this style the bump made the brush unpleasantly stiff and scrubby.
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks
Looks great in the photo!
BUT, far too large a brush for my taste.
BUT, far too large a brush for my taste.
I love Zenith, I love their boar brushes, I love the heritage of the Pandolfo family from Palermo, Sicily that runs the brand, generation after generation. Maybe they have produced this brush in honor of Polyphemus but a 31mm Badger is beyond overkill, it's on the verge of an exhibition brush.
For my tastes 26mm, once bloomed, is way too big. Simpson 21-23mm is my sweet spot (from Duke 2 to 58), that's the only reason why I haven't pulled the trigger on a Zenith Manchurian (and I know they are great brushes!)
For my tastes 26mm, once bloomed, is way too big. Simpson 21-23mm is my sweet spot (from Duke 2 to 58), that's the only reason why I haven't pulled the trigger on a Zenith Manchurian (and I know they are great brushes!)
I have the Zenith manchurian 26mm in the 506 handle. It is one of my very favorite brushes and is more than large enough!
- Thread starter
- #7
I decide on the 505AK in Spain, or it is called the M2 in the USA it is 28X51 mm
about the same size as my Chubby 2 Super
- Thread starter
- #8
I am getting the 505AK it is 28X51mm same as my Chubby 2 Super
- Thread starter
- #9
Decided on the 505Ak or in USA it is the M2, it is 28X51mm much better size.
Same as my Chubby 2 Super
Same as my Chubby 2 Super
- Thread starter
- #10
Zenith does have 2 that are 26mm, but that is the smallest in Manchurian
They are the 507MCB and 506BC
- Thread starter
- #11
Thanks for your input
- Thread starter
- #12
I have ordered 4 shaving brushes they are:
Mühle 31K256 Silver tip Fibres it is 27mm knot
Simpson’s Chubby 2 Synthetic 28mm knot
Zenith 50/50 Horse Hair brush 27mm knot
Zenith 505AK, Manchurian Badger 28mm knot
This should be it for awhile.
Mühle 31K256 Silver tip Fibres it is 27mm knot
Simpson’s Chubby 2 Synthetic 28mm knot
Zenith 50/50 Horse Hair brush 27mm knot
Zenith 505AK, Manchurian Badger 28mm knot
This should be it for awhile.
Mühle 31K256 has a 21mm knot, it's what Mühle defines "Medium". 33K is "Large" (23mm) and 35K is "Extra Large" (25mm)
Chan Eil Whiskers
Fumbling about.
These are my two Zenith Manchurians. Both, with nominal knot measurements of 27.5 mm and 28 mm, are great brushes. Zenith Manchurians are bargains.
I've been tempted by that huge Manchurian knot, but haven't ordered it for a couple of reasons.
- I don't need it.
- My 28 mm copper handled Zenith Manchurian is great, and its knot is plenty large enough for me.
- I don't love the handle of any of the biggest Zenith Manchurians I've seen.
- I don't like the caveats published about babying the huge knot.
Happy shaves,
Jim
- Thread starter
- #15
I ended up getting the 505AK Manchurian 28mm knot and I love it
Chan Eil Whiskers
Fumbling about.
Very cool brush ⬆ I think.
I suspect it's the same knot as the one in my copper handled brush. Great knot. Changes considerably over time. Mine is now extremely soft, but it still has great backbone and scrub.
To begin with, when the brush was new, the backbone was clearly a transplant. I was warned to be careful with the new brush as it had the scrub of a Brillo pad.
Happy shaves,
Jim
- Thread starter
- #17
Did you order yours from Gentle Shave or YourShaving? About 15% cheaper from YourShaving, but much longer wait time
Over how many shaves did you see the transition?
Chan Eil Whiskers
Fumbling about.
As far as I know only Gentile Shave has the non-chromed copper handles. Mine came from the eBay vendor. I have brushes from YourShaving; their prices are better when the exchange rates are favorable.
Every one of my shaves is documented on my Damn Comfortable Shave thread but I'm far too lazy to go through all of the shaves with the copper handled Zenith Manchurian to even try to accurately and quantitatively answer your question and doubt I documented the changes very well, but you're welcome to read the thread and find out.
Even on its first outing, shave report here, I liked the brush. Used as described in the initial shave report the brush was soft enough, but used with just a little tiny bit of mashing the brush was anything but soft.
I've certainly used the brush many many times now. I'd guess at least a hundred times and wouldn't be shocked to find I've used it 200 times. Exactly how it changed, and when is very hard to say. Only fairly recently have I noticed an absolute lack of anything other than softness in the tips throughout the range of pressures I sometimes use. There has always been softness at certain pressures and always when painting.
Variable softness of the tips depending on pressure is, in my limited experience, characteristic of the Zenith Manchurian. The same with the Shavemac two bands (both D01 and non D01) and with my Simpson CH2 in Best.
My wooden handled Zenith Manchurian came to me third hand and was already very well broken in when I got it so it's no help here. I like it fine, but can't comment on what it was like new.
The most useful thing I can say about the break in process with the Zenith Manchurians is to enjoy the ride. There are no stages so far which I've not enjoyed.
Happy shaves,
Jim
I’m guessing 40-60 is the sweet spot
