Importance of a Quality Brush

SO, when I put together my first kit, I purchased a Bass brush. Very inexpensive, but I figured it would last me for a while until I could spend a good amount of money on a nice Badger-hair Brush.

Last night, after my 5th shave, the whole thing FELL APART on me! I rinsed it off, went to lightly fling some water out of it, and EVERY bristle fell out! :cen

Word of advice to any newbie: DON'T GET A CHEAP BRUSH!! Don't go to WalMart or CVS and buy the $5-$10 brush. Don't buy a cheap eBay brush. I'm not sure about the Crabtree & Evelyn brushes but I hear they get great reviews and start around $35.

EDIT: Another word of advice to any newbie: Forget about the word of advice I just gave to any newbie :) Seems that the cheap boar-hair brushes work just fine and last as long. I must've just had a random bad brush.

Take it back. Its a faulty one.

I have never had an expensive brush. While I want ot experience the luxury of a nice Badger I have never wanted to pay for one.

I have used a Bass brush for over a year now and have had no problems with it. It is the best Boar brush I have used. Which isn't saying much since its predecessor was a $5 brush from the drugstore which stayed in daily use for 15 years and still resides in my travel kit.

I expect to keep using my "good" brush for a long time yet.

Interesting...I just figured this was a typical result when buying a cheap brush, but you've never had this problem?

If they last that long, what's the point in spending $100+ on another brush? I'm sure it feels different, but I'm not sure I can justify spending that much.

I even saw a silver-tip badger going for almost $500. Who in the world pays that much for a brush??

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Originally Posted by cwrighta70

Interesting...I just figured this was a typical result when buying a cheap brush, but you've never had this problem?

If they last that long, what's the point in spending $100+ on another brush? I'm sure it feels different, but I'm not sure I can justify spending that much.

I even saw a silver-tip badger going for almost $500. Who in the world pays that much for a brush??

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When you buy a more expensive brush you get:

Softer feel
Better water holding capabilities
Larger size/ choice of size
choice of shape
choice of handle

There are a bunch of reasons given but it really comes down to, you don't have to but you might want to. For some guys it's worth it. I'd like to give a nice brush a try, but it hasn't been worth it to me yet, I don't expect it ever will be unless I have a windfall of some type. There are too many things higher on the priority list.

You can also get by with buck a puck soap. It works just fine, But here I will pay a lot more for a nice smelling better working bar. Its all about priorities.

As an Aside, some of the premium brush makers make a boar brush as well. It is usually far cheaper than any of their badger brushes, in fact I have seen them as cheap as my Bass brush was. One must assume that they use the same construction as on, at least, their cheaper badger brushes that cost 2-3 times as much.

Vulflux
Altesse

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Originally Posted by Wildtim

As an Aside, some of the premium brush makers make a boar brush as well. It is usually far cheaper than any of their badger brushes, in fact I have seen them as cheap as my Bass brush was. One must assume that they use the same construction as on, at least, their cheaper badger brushes that cost 2-3 times as much.

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Good to know, thanks!

As far as the soap goes, I agree with you. I have a cheap puck from the local drugstore, but I have also spoiled myself with TGQ's Cavendish Black soap. :) Good stuff.

I had that happen with a bass brush as well. Was wringing it out and the entire "clump" of hair came off in my hand... no "knot" just a bunch of bristles glued together.. the glue came loose I guess due to water? I threw it away.

right, it was the same with me...a big clump. I think I'm going to buy the Crabtree & Evelyn brush, just to compare the manufacturing as well as the feel. I just bought another $5 boar-hair brush from the local drugstore until I purchase the other. If nothing else, it will be nice to have a backup.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cwrighta70

As far as the soap goes, I agree with you. I have a cheap puck from the local drugstore, but I have also spoiled myself with TGQ's Cavendish Black soap. :) Good stuff.

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Works just the same with the brushes.

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Originally Posted by gugi

Works just the same with the brushes.

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Oh I can imagine. I'm sure if I ever get a nice Badger brush, I'll most likely toss my boar-hair out :)

Until then...

Actually, the boar hair ones aren't bad at all. I have the cheapo boar brush from Wal-Mart, which I would highly suggest as a starter brush. At less than $10, you're hardly out any money especially if you're not sure about wet shaving. I also have a boar from Omega. I picked it up for $20, and it's about on par with a badger.

The main difference is harshness of the brush. The Omega is nice and smooth like I said, but the Wal-Mart one can be a little prickly. A little trick I found is to take hot tap water, fill a mug, then park the brush inside there for a minute or two. It softens that Wal-Mart brush right up. Let's face it- a cheap brush means more money for razors:cool:

EDIT: I have had a Bass brush though and I feel your pain. Mine was a piece and I like the Wal-Mart and Omega one way better. Don't let a hit or miss brand ruin cheaper boar brushes for you :)

Brushes are like women some fit some don't :D
I have 4 brushes
1. Burma Shave $4.95 Walmart (Still great)
2. Van Der Hagen $8.95 Walgreens (Floppy POS)
3. Col Conk Pure Badger $40 (Great Travel Brush/Gym Brush)
4. Shavemac Silvertip 28mm Ebony $169 (Yeah it is really worth it)

The only true difference in Badger vs Boar is the water holding capacity
and the softness of the bristles..
If you are a soap user the boars and the even cheaper synthetic work fine....
If you like creams then a Badger does produce a richer lather...
Just some random thoughts here....

+1 on what gssixgun said.

Sometimes I also like to create a lather from my cake soap with my boar and then apply it with the badger brush.

Just some food for thought.

Like everything else in the world if you are using a product and it does what you want it to and you are satisfied then its the product for you. However no matter how inexpensive a brush and I don't care if it cost five bucks it should never fall apart on you. Thats shoddy workmanship. They are just banking that you'll just throw it away. If they were returned more often they would improve the quality.