Thread: Decent priced brush/shave kit?

I've been shopping around for a decent priced brush/bowl/stand/soap kit. (By decent priced I mean ~30$ or under) Any recommendations? I'd like one with a stiffer brush preferably.

Thanks!
-Sunny

POP! That's the sound of a can of worms opening. There is going to be a lot of opinions on this. Brush bristles generally fall into three main categories or four if you include horse. Badger, boar and synthetic. They have different characteristics and there are devout believers in each type. Here are a few decent brush brands at the lower end of the price spectrum.

Badger: Perfecto Pure Badger about $15
Boar: Semogue or Omega $10 and up
Synthetic: Stirling Soap Co. This brush is made from the same bristles as the Plisson, called "The Brush of the Gods" RazoRock also makes a brush using the same bristles. Around $20

Of those listed above the Stirling has the most backbone and the boars have the least. The badger has the most "scritch" and the synthetic the least.

If you face lather you won't need a bowl. I do use a scuttle sometimes though.

I don't use a stand. I keep my razors on top of my dresser. You don't want to leave your razor in the bathroom. If you have children the dresser would not be a good place to leave them though.

You'll end up with a million soaps and creams, so take your pick.

Originally Posted by Sunshine1

I've been shopping around for a decent priced brush/bowl/stand/soap kit. (By decent priced I mean ~30$ or under) Any recommendations? I'd like one with a stiffer brush preferably.

Thanks!
-Sunny

You can skip the bowl and face lather. Most soaps come in some form of container. As well, you could always use a coffee mug.

Part of the fun with this hobby is using your imagination and making your own accessories. I like my gimme coffee mugs. Each one has its own story and they all look different on my shelf. My brush stand is home made out of thick square copper wire from my job in Alaska. When I use it the thing brings back fond memories. Go for the gusto.

Originally Posted by Benz

Part of the fun with this hobby is using your imagination and making your own accessories. I like my gimme coffee mugs. Each one has its own story and they all look different on my shelf. My brush stand is home made out of thick square copper wire from my job in Alaska. When I use it the thing brings back fond memories. Go for the gusto.

Picture please!

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Picture please!

Will do as soon as I get the neighbor kid over here with his phone camera and put them up.

I,m with John on this, for just starting out the Vavder Hagen set at Wally World is cheap and the brush will last long enough to get a feel for this way if shaving. Couple that with a lower priced razor from the classifieds and a starter strop and your in business. Tc



beat me too it Roy, By the way dinner was a hit

Originally Posted by Sunshine1

I've been shopping around for a decent priced brush/bowl/stand/soap kit. (By decent priced I mean ~30$ or under) Any recommendations? I'd like one with a stiffer brush preferably.

Thanks!
-Sunny

I would put your money $30.00 into a badger, any bnumber of online , no frills, then spend $3.00 on some Van Der Hagen Luxury soap at Wal Mart, not the VDH green box,,, make a stand out of aabout anything

or,,,,,,,,,

Van Der Hagen Shave Set, 4 pc - Walmart.com

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I would put your money $30.00 into a badger, any bnumber of online , no frills, then spend $3.00 on some Van Der Hagen Luxury soap at Wal Mart, not the VDH green box,,, make a stand out of aabout anything

or,,,,,,,,,

Van Der Hagen Shave Set, 4 pc - Walmart.com

There's also this online:

Van Der Hagen Premium Shave Set | drugstore.com

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I would put your money $30.00 into a badger, any bnumber of online , no frills, then spend $3.00 on some Van Der Hagen Luxury soap at Wal Mart, not the VDH green box,,, make a stand out of aabout anything

or,,,,,,,,,

Van Der Hagen Shave Set, 4 pc - Walmart.com

Funny, I went to walmart earlier today and checked out that kit. Opened the box, felt the brush, etc. I think I'm going to get it, but I wanted to shop around before I did. I did however, buy a puck of van der hagen scented luxury shave soap while I was there....but it is in a green box. Why do you recommend against the green box one? O_O

Originally Posted by cudarunner

There's also this online:

Van Der Hagen Premium Shave Set | drugstore.com

Also ironic; I stopped at CVS on the way home and checked this one out as well. I wasn't fond of the handle-less cup and lack of a stand.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Couple that with a lower priced razor from the classifieds and a starter strop and your in business. Tc

I already have a Black Ralf Aust - Solingen 5/8" coming in the mail.

Is badger the stiffest bristled brush? I figure I'll end up buying the walmart kit and replacing the brush eventually.