Good starter? Yay or nay?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cyril-R-Salter...QQcmdZViewItem
Thanks all!
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Good starter? Yay or nay?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cyril-R-Salter...QQcmdZViewItem
Thanks all!
That should be a good starter.
Also take a look at the Crabtree and Evelyn brushes. Reasonably priced and gets good reviews.
Ray
I think that knowing what I know now if I was starting out my first brush would be a best badger. I think the pure badgers are not quality brushes and the difference from pure to best is remarkable and from best to silvertip minor. from silvertip to finest is again remarkable so depending on your finances, if you have the bucks get a finest otherwise get a best. A nice one can be had for probably about $40 or so.
Here's a recommendation for you. :)
I was in Hungerford the other day so I popped in to the Gentlemans Shop to have a look at their brushes, as I've been after something smaller than the B&B brush.
Robert showed me a new brush they have in, made for the Gentlemans Shop by Rooney with Silvertip badger - and only costs £30!!
http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acata...rush.html#a420
After a close inspection and comparing it alongside all the other brushes Robert sells from Kent, Rooney, EJ, Simpson etc I decided to buy one. I have to say it's outstanding, I can't see how/why they are selling these so cheaply. When you consider this similar size Kent T4 in Pure is more expensive at £35, and this small Rooney Style 1 in Best is £56! :shrug:
This brush is a bargain IMO, it would sill be a good deal at £50 but at £30 it's great. :D
I'm planning to write a review of this brush in the next few days when I get time, both here and over on B&B.
I was thinking of getting a Pure from Matt to replace my Edwin Jagger Best when I occasionally have to use Colleen's Leatherneck soap. What could I expect from that decision? I'd imagine there are two major considerations, those being softness (or lack thereof) and lathering capacity which I suppose has two parts as well, being water retention and stiffness. I thought the Pure and Best wouldn't be that different. Do you think I should reconsider that?Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
Incidentally, how would you rate a Boar Bristle brush?
X
My vulfix pure badger 1000, is not bad, holds a bit of water, but it is a little scratchy on my face.
If you want to give a pure badger brush a spin, get the Tweezerman for $10. If you like it, you can always order a pure from Matt, but I'd go for at least best. My EJ BB is easy to use with any soaps, including Colleen's stuff and even Williams.
My reply was meant to intimate that i would go for best or better, rather than pure.
Sorry about the jack. I wanted to try Delong brushes as well (www.delong.cc) but www.cottonblossomcrafts.com doesn't ship internationally and they only have a small selection.
You can click on Lee's ads as he seems to be crazy about his Simpsons.
Well X if I were you I would not get the pure. I also would not get the Boar either. For someone starting out it might do but for a more advanced shaver I would save my dimes and get the best I could afford but certainly not less than a best. Matt has some really good bargins in his brushes. I have three of his in silvertip and they are top notch brushes. To me the pure is just too scratchy and doesn't hold that much water. remember the hair on a pure is..well.. the leftover stuff no one else wants.
Well cheers for that. When I'm ready to replace my EJ I'll get a Best.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
Am I right in assuming that stiffer bristles are better for soaps than softer?
X
One rule of thumb that will normally apply. The blacker the bristles, the more "scratch" the brush will be. I've got a couple that are a bit uncomfortable. However, my Simpson Duke 2 is a pure brush, and it is quite comfortable. Maybe because of the difference in badger rating. There is no set uniform code on this, so the Simpson Pure is very much like my C&E Best. Here's a link to a pic of both the Duke 2 and my Simpson PJ2 Best:
http://www.badgerandblade.com/galler...p?imageid=4657
Remember, the rule of thumb I started with? It's not absolute because of two reasons. First, the lack of uniform standards, and also because many brushes contain bleached badger hair. Brushes that have been bleached will be stiffer.
X, stiffer bristles tend to work very well with hard soaps, but any brush can get the job done. I'm using a brush right now that is so "soft" that I have to dip the shaving cream from the container. I tried using the "poke and twist" method, and could not get enough cream on the bristles to build lather. Okay, no comments about the "poke and twist" line.:fim:
RT
That's what I figured. I guess I was just surprised to find out that there was such a difference between the Pure and the Best. I sure notice the difference between my Best and my Super Silvertip. I don't think I'd be comfortable with something too much rougher then my EJ Best, but I want to rough up that soap as well so I must be in the right ballpark.Quote:
Originally Posted by rtaylor61
Thanks for the tips and opinions guys. I guess my Edwin Jagger Best Badger Brush from Crabtree & Evelyn is still a great brush and (to get us back on topic) it was my first. Works great with both creams and soaps too.
X
Thanks for the tip! Time for a badger!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Steelforge
Thanks all
Simon
As Steelforge said "Gentlemans Shop by Rooney with Silvertip badger - and only costs £30!!"
I concur.
A good silvertip brush will take you a long way..
X, I think you'll do fine with a Best from Matt. I bought one from him last year and its great with soaps. I use soaps 4/5 of the time and I usually reach for one of my Best grades instead of the silvertips. Go for it! Just my $.02Quote:
Originally Posted by xman
I'm considering a Simpson Chubby 2 in best, but I've been hearing horror stories on their recent quality control problems. I'm thinking of asking someone to make me a knockoff. Is Matt back at the lathe yet? Thanks.
Jordan
The 'Steelforge' endorsed brush is on the way....I'll let you know how it is!
I have ahd nothing but good experiences with 'The Gentlemans Shop' I have the pure badger from them and was extremely pleased with it. I don't think the silvertip was available when i bought mine, or i would have shelled out the extra 5 pounds for it.
Let us know how you find it.
Nick
It's a beauty...really dense but soft and so well crafted it's untrue. Definitely worth the money!Quote:
Originally Posted by nickyspaghetti
Thanks for the tip Steelforge!
Si.
Using the brush after a Wilkinson Sword Boar is very very different, it is really just so dense and does take longer to get a lather going but once its there! Wow! What a difference...
Just can't wait for that stench to go!
Try giving the brush a few shampoo treatments. Don't be afraid to lather up the brush with shampoo, and let it sit for half an hour. It is hair! This should speed up the "defunkification" process.
RT (Claiming copyright to "defunkification")
Eee by gum it worked!!! Fantastic!Quote:
Originally Posted by rtaylor61
Think you should also submit defunkification to the OED. It needs including!!!
Two words I consider my own creation. Defunkification, and Catographer. I used to write for a Palm website that featured a lot of cat photos that readers submitted. They were all taken with a PDA. Catographer just seemed natural.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bradford Si
RT