Need help choosing a brush and soap...

So my mantra has always been "cheap". But my birthday is coming up which means "free" and a chance to upgrade. I am still considering price cus I don't wanna be a prick and ask for a $100 shave brush. Anyone have advice/opinion/preferences about the following:

Brushes:
Tweezerman Amazon.com: Tweezerman Men's Shaving Brush: Health & Personal Care
Crabtree and Evelyn- the basic ~$30 brush
Anything else thats pure (as in 100%, not grade) badger and sub $50?

Soaps:
I like hard puck soap. Please don't recommend creams.
Crabtree and Evelyn
Caswell Massey
Colonel Conk
Anything else?

Finally, can someone guide me as to the grading of the different badger hairs? Its not that important to me, right now I don't mind having the worst, but I'm just curious. Also, with the soaps, I don't like strong scents. Which soaps in each line have clean fresh scents? I like soapy as long as its not too strong, and citrus as long as its not too strong. I have no clue what almond or bay rum or amber would smell like. And I have no clue what the named lines would smell like, so please advise which ones smell clean and fresh and aren't too strong.

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by khaos

Finally, can someone guide me as to the grading of the different badger hairs? Its not that important to me, right now I don't mind having the worst, but I'm just curious.

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There's the Pure, the most scratchy hair, which is good for soaps, then there's Best, which is a better all-around hair, more soft than Pure, good for both soaps and creams, and then there's Silvertip, the most soft (and expensive) hair.
It's a matter of taste, you have to try them to see what do you like most.

Truth of the matter? Most any brush will work for you. Leon's explanation is spot on. In reality, they will all perform for you.

As for soaps, the best in performance (and scent) that I have experienced are the ones from TGQ. I have used Caswell-Massey but was not impressed with it. I have read good threads about Crabtree and Evelyn. SRD supposedly has good soaps. If you are lloking for inexpensive soaps check out Williams, or something at Walmart. :gl:

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Originally Posted by dward

Truth of the matter? Most any brush will work for you. Leon's explanation is spot on. In reality, they will all perform for you.

As for soaps, the best in performance (and scent) that I have experienced are the ones from TGQ. I have used Caswell-Massey but was not impressed with it. I have read good threads about Crabtree and Evelyn. SRD supposedly has good soaps. If you are lloking for inexpensive soaps check out Williams, or something at Walmart. :gl:

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I'll second TGQ. I'm still learning how to lather up the soaps but I picked up a few of their samples and they smell/feel outstanding.

You can also pick up brushes from them as well. I got mine from there because I wanted the soap and figured it'd help out on shipping costs. Boar brush for $14, badger brushes from $44-$54.

http://www.thegentlemensquarter.com/

I have the Crabtree & Evelyn best badger brush (~$35): I think it is a great brush...it was my first and is still my only brush at this point in time.

I have experimented with more creams than soaps, so I can't be of much help in that area. I hear nothing but glowing reviews about The Gentlemen's Quarterly (TGQ) soaps, as well as Mama Bear soaps. Crabtree & Evelyn is supposed to be good (but I would check the scents personally, as at least for me some of their scents were overpowering)...and there is always Art of Shaving soaps as well.

Good luck with making your wish list....and a premature Happy B-day!

There's not too much difference IMO from Pure through Best to Silvertip badger brushes so don't fret that too much.

X

Thanks. Can anyone recommend a clean/fresh smelling, not so strong TGQ soap?

I cannot as I haven't used them, but.....

Colleen (the Soap Mistress) that heads up TGQ can be contacted directly and she can be very helpful in answering most questions, from fragrance to skin sensitive products, etc.

Obviously the guys here that have used the products can speak from the wetshaving end of it, but don't hesitate to contact her...she's great!

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Originally Posted by khaos

Thanks. Can anyone recommend a clean/fresh smelling, not so strong TGQ soap?

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The simple answer is: it depends. We have no idea what your tastes are in scents, no pun intended. One thing you must remember, soap scents are not like aftershave or colognes in that a soap scent will tend to dilute when lathered up. After my shave it's hardly noticeable. You should also check out Mama Bear's soaps as she has a large following here as well. If you can afford it get one or two soaps from a few sources, and in scents you think you would like, and compare them. :tu

Okay. I guess my question then is, can anyone tell me what bay rum smells like? Cus that comes up a lot and thats the strangest scent description I've ever heard.

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Originally Posted by khaos

Okay. I guess my question then is, can anyone tell me what bay rum smells like? Cus that comes up a lot and thats the strangest scent description I've ever heard.

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It smells great!!!! It is kinda strong if you want to know what it smells like go to walmart of walgreens and get some clubman bay rum after shave it is cheap (like $6 dollars so you will not be out much) and the smell is strong but man is it nice. All bay rums smell similar but different in a way, bay leaves and spices. It is a scent I have grow to love. I just got some bay rum sweet orange from TGQ and it is awesome!!!!:rock::gl:

Ah... well then its not for me. Even stuff that I like I won't use because... I love my current cologne. Like, it's perfect. And to boot, SWMBO feels the same. Not a case of well if you like it I like it, like, when I try different stuff she notices and complains so... I guess I really found my scent. So I'm trying to match it so I don't get the layering messed up.

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Originally Posted by khaos

Ah... well then its not for me. Even stuff that I like I won't use because... I love my current cologne. Like, it's perfect. And to boot, SWMBO feels the same. Not a case of well if you like it I like it, like, when I try different stuff she notices and complains so... I guess I really found my scent. So I'm trying to match it so I don't get the layering messed up.

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If that is the case Shaving Soaps, Creams, Lotions & Toiletries scroll through the list on the right there is one that is unscented. I hope this helps.:gl:

Look at the brushes while you are there you might find something you like. The vulfix brushes are good and not to much $

Yeah I was looking at those earlier tonight! Great minds think alike. Any recommendations on a cheaper Vulfix brush thats still great?

Vulfix Shaving Brushes My brother has this brush and loves it he also has a hand built 26mm silver tip but still uses this brush a lot. I have a vulfix 1000a which classic does not carry and a hand built 28mm silver tip. I use the cheap vulfix just as much as the 28mm silver tip. The best badger has stiffer bristles and works well with soap.

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Originally Posted by khaos

Ah... well then its not for me. Even stuff that I like I won't use because... I love my current cologne. Like, it's perfect. And to boot, SWMBO feels the same. Not a case of well if you like it I like it, like, when I try different stuff she notices and complains so... I guess I really found my scent. So I'm trying to match it so I don't get the layering messed up.

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And what is this perfect scent, please? :confused:

Many shaving soap scents are very light and will be completely overpowered by the final cologne. So far as making good lather in a hard tallow soap, C&E (Sienna, Sandalwood), and Tabac are quite good. An almost unscented, very inexpensive, but really good hard tallow soap is the Arko shave stick. (You don't have to face-lather with it, just shave some off into a lather bowl.)

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Originally Posted by khaos

Yeah I was looking at those earlier tonight! Great minds think alike. Any recommendations on a cheaper Vulfix brush thats still great?

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If you are looking for a pure soapbrush, do consider getting a brush with a shorter loft, as most of the thread I've read about Vulfix brushes tend to call them floppy, which might not be good for soaps. Simpsons also makes good brushes, take a look at their Best badger line.

Hi! TABULA RASA its one of the best..! but you have also, Mitchel's, D.R Harris and Col. Conk!

Happy choice

One of my favorite brushes is an Omega Professional boar hair (model '48). I am a big fan of Mitchell's Wool Fat soap, Mamma Bear soaps, and Van Der Hagen Deluxe soap of Walmart and CVS fame.

Dave

Be prepared for sticker shock on the Wool Fat soap. SRD sells unscented soaps. I'm sure other do as well. I wouldn't worry about soap scents conflicting with your cologne, the cologne will prevail!

Van Der Hagen Deluxe Shaving Soap is great soap and has a very light scent. As for a brush, I would try a Kent BK2 or BK4 from auravita.com.

Vulfix option (pure, 22mm) Vulfix Shaving Brushes
Vulfix option (best, 22mm) Vulfix Shaving Brushes
Muehle option (pure, 21mm)http://bestgroomingtools.com/pure-ba...hle-p-724.html

Any opinions?

Vulfix option (pure, 22mm) Vulfix Shaving Brushes
Vulfix option (best, 22mm) Vulfix Shaving Brushes
Muehle option (pure, 21mm)Pure Badger & Nickel Shave Brush by Muehle

Any opinions?

So like everything else, everyone has their own opinion. However the consensus is Vulfix. Consistantly recommended, consistantly cheaper. Now my only question is, between the two I linked to two posts back, which is better? I like the idea of the Best badger, but its a few mm longer, and shorter is better for puck soap I guess. Do you think the best badger, longer bristles will still hold up? If so I think thats what I'm settling on.

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Originally Posted by khaos

So like everything else, everyone has their own opinion. However the consensus is Vulfix. Consistantly recommended, consistantly cheaper. Now my only question is, between the two I linked to two posts back, which is better? I like the idea of the Best badger, but its a few mm longer, and shorter is better for puck soap I guess. Do you think the best badger, longer bristles will still hold up? If so I think thats what I'm settling on.

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You're only talking about a 1 mm difference, right? I tend to think that this stuff about some brushes better for creams and others for soaps is a bit overblown. I have a Kent BK12. Yes, twelve! and it's huuuuge. Love it, for both creams and soaps. I also have a Vulfix "Burlington" (other end of spectrum) and .... Love it, for both creams and soaps. The Omega Classic boar sold by Proraso works well for... soaps and creams.

Now, face lathering vs. bowl lathering can make a difference. For making lather on face, a softer brush is nice, and the Omega works well for whipping lather in a bowl, but would be a bit skritchy on the face. :)

The knot sizes are both 22's. However the best badger is a 52mm loft and the pure badger one is a 45 mm loft. Is 7mm loft difference a lot is I guess what I'm asking? The way I lather is I start it in the bowl, whip it a little in my hand and let the watery thin stuff flow through my fingers, then finish whipping it into creamy foam peaks on my face. Which is why I'm moving to badger. I can use the VDH just fine. However, someone said long brushes and super badger is too soft to really work well with soaps.

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Originally Posted by khaos

The knot sizes are both 22's. However the best badger is a 52mm loft and the pure badger one is a 45 mm loft. Is 7mm loft difference a lot is I guess what I'm asking? The way I lather is I start it in the bowl, whip it a little in my hand and let the watery thin stuff flow through my fingers, then finish whipping it into creamy foam peaks on my face. Which is why I'm moving to badger. I can use the VDH just fine. However, someone said long brushes and super badger is too soft to really work well with soaps.

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This is the measurments of the two brushes from the Vulfix site:

#2198

Handle height: 49mm
Overall brush height: 100mm
Knot diameter (At base): 20mm

#405

Handle height: 46mm
Overall brush height: 90mm
Knot diameter (At base): 22mm

Since Vulfix lists both as pure badger brushes I would choose the #405 since it has a IMHO better shaped handle for facelathering, a shorter loft and a slightly bigger knotsize

Wow. That means the specs on classic shaving were wrong...

That actually changes quite a bit IMO...

You ought to check out the Pre de Provence soap. It's got a clean, subtle scent, and what a lather. I can actually buy it locally at Central Market (HEB upper end grocery). I recommend it very highly.
Good luck