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Hello, I tried to buy a brush on a budget and found a reputable place and got a good deal on a silvertip. but it had a shedding problem that would not go away. However having the chance to use it for awhile, I think silvertip might be a bit too soft for my taste. I know coarser brushes are better with pucks but to harsh for soaps and creams. Can anyone recommend an all purpose brush that works well with all types of soaps and creams.
thanks
What's the budget?
Are you happy to consider all brush types (badger, boar, synthetic, horse hair)?
no real budget, I like the idea of something that performs like something that cost a lot more (like the good deal that turned bad on the silvertip). preferably badger
Thater. All are nice stiff and soft at the same time. I like the 26mm silvertip for soaps and creams
If you're up for boar, the Semogue 2000 does great with creams, and pretty darn good with soaps. i'm not sure i'll ever buy another brush. a bit stiff to start with, but by the end of the first week it will be as soft as any not floppy badger. It's not pokey, and for around $25-$30 shipped, the price is great! I'm still pretty new with mine, but I'll post any problems that may arise!
2 band finest badger. Covers a lot also I,m a Silvertip guy but I face lather and a 2 band can take on any soap and cream just fine and not to hard on the face. Tc
Semogue SOC is a great brush for the money and once broken in is quite soft. Many people like Whipped Dog brushes - I have two that are nice, nut haven't gotten much use lately. Another option would be a good synthetic.
I think pure badger hits the middle pretty well. It's soft enough to face lather, but stiff enough to use on a hard puck. I personally prefer my broken in boar brushes though.
I recommend Whippeddog silvertip 24mm. If you ask Larry to set it at a loft of around 48mm, it will have enough backbone to pick up hard soaps, plus the tips will feel soft on your face.
In the brush section of the intro, it explains that silvertips holds and builds the best lather. For the guys that do not use silvertip, can you explain why you chose your brush?
thanks Guys.
I have 6 brushes - 2 silvertips of different heights, super badger, 2-band badger, Semogue OC boar, high mountain badger. Of the six, my favorites are the Semogue boar and the high mountain badger (though I really like them all). The Semogue had plenty of backbone and massages my face while having really soft tips; the high mountain is very similar - nice backbone with gel soft tips. I found that I appreciate backbone, I like the mild exfoliating effect. This takes nothing away from the others, it's the conclusion I came to after trying a wide variety.
I don't exactly "not" use a silver tip brush as I own a few and also a few boar brushes. I use these from time to time but my go to brush is anyone of 4 synthetics I have. Of the 4 I have had 3 reset to lower than factory supplied lofts. I have found that for face lathering these re lofted synthetics lather as well as any of the silver tip brushes I have. They feel good on the face, similar to a Simpsons Manchurian and an SOC 2 band, with soft tips and good backbone. They hold enough lather for a 4 pass shave and dry a lot faster too. As usual YMMV applies.Quote:
Originally Posted by mafuzul1
Bob
Since you are on a budget probably one of the small brand or the Omega's or semogue brushes would be what you want. However when you are talking budget it reminds me of the plaque my watch guy has in his shop-something to the effect of-when the excitement about the great buy fades and the realization of the poor quality sets in.
nice! ... wise one:)
It's all YMMV my friend...Quote:
Originally Posted by mafuzul1
Badgers are traditionally labelled the "best" and yet the much cheaper, broken-in boar bristle brushes give just as good a result with super soft tips.
The modern synthetics are well designed and made; they share most, if not all, characteristics of the natural bristles. They don't 'store' the water/heat as much, but they require less soap to produce as much lather. They are economical and efficient.
Horsehair brushes are often overlooked by purists but are often cited as having the good characteristics between boar and badger. Many fall in love with a good horsey brush.
It all depends on YOU. Any good brush will create a lovely, serviceable lather from a decent shaving soap.
It all depends on what YOU like in a brush:
Soft tips or scritchy?
Backbone or floppy?
Water retention or quick drying?
And it all depends on how YOU lather:
Bowl? Face? Palm?
Swirl? Pump? Paint? Combo?
And THAT is why shaving should be approached like an ART form rather than a SCIENCE project. It's very much down to your own personal experience.
[/SOLILOQUY]
If there was a universal "best" in shaving we'd all be using the exact same brush, same razor, same soap, same strop and same set of hones. Fortunately we are all different and you just have to make an educated guess as to what might be good for you. It might take several tries to get what you want. Good luck.
Bob
^^^ Good advice.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
Borrow or swap brushes with someone. Work out your style of brush (eg floppy, bowl lathering) and read heap of reviews. Then just jump in and get something. You can always sell it again later.
Happy searching!
I'd recommend Semogue 1305 for your first brush! I own one and its perfect for face, bowl, and anything you throw at her!
Many many times the Simpson Colonel X2L is heralded as the best all-around brush you can buy. I tend to agree. The Semogue 1305 is also a wonderful brush. Only issue is some guys have a problem with the painted handle. Not to worry. The exact same knot can be had in the Semogue 610 which has a no-maintenance attractive acrylic handle. Me?? I have both.........
As you can see, brushes equal money! A boar brush from Walgreens beats a substandard sloppy 'silvertip' anyday, IMO
I used a VHD for a few years as starting, no issues as broken-in. JMO. Boar brushes should not be discounted for beginners (and me)!
Omega makes some doozies! Reasonable! :D
thanks Guys,
I just bought a Semogue 1438.
Forgetting about a "brand" of shaving brush...I'd recommend a Boar or Finest Badger. As has been said YMMV. I prefer these because they both have back bone and feel like they're doing something. The badger holds water better than Boar but I wouldn't pass one up. My first brush was a VDH Boar, if the handles looked more appealing to me I might have been fine just using it and that's it. But curiosity will get the best of you and you'll want to "feel" the difference for yourself.
I have Simpsons in manchurian, best, and super. A few silvertips and a few omega boar brushes and more often than not reach for the nice broken in boar over any other. Not saying any are bad, they all have their place, I just love the feeling of that specific brush.
I really love my Thater 4125/2 and I have 5 others. None compare to it
I owned Whipped Dog Black Badger and Silvertip. Sold both. Black one got me rash and burn (skin reasons) and Silvertip was too soft, regardless it was 30mm with 5mm deeper positioned knot. Shedding was not a problem and Larry Andro is fantastic seller.
I don't prefer badger brushes due to maintenance part as they hold huge amount of water and need a lot of time to dry so this makes you buy at least two.
I would recommend Semogue 2000 and 830. Fantastic brushes after broken in. Due to its size 2000 can be used for showering.
Also there are Vie-Long horse hair brushes - totally different from anything else. Fantastic lathering performance and great lather texture.
Synthetic brushes are great for travelling and someone who doesn't want to take a lot of care. Recommended Mühle HJM Black Fibre and much more expensive Plisson.
I don't prefer badger brushes due to maintenance part as they hold huge amount of water and need a lot of time to dry so this makes you buy at least two.
Really Oilyo??? Sorry my friend but I have to respectfully disagree with that. My silvertip is dry within 15 minutes and requires zero maintenance
That's right if you use a hairdryer. But if you hang it in a stand you'll need about a day for it to dry. Especially if it is a 30mm silvertip.
I have yet to put any brush away immediately after using it. They need time to dry boar or badger or anything.
That said I think the OP bought a nice boar. For myself. I prefer badger to boar but do keep a boar around just in case the mood strikes.
I don't do any maintenance to any brush save for rinsing well and hanging to dry until the next day when a new brush will take its place.
I have curly beard that grows in many different directions. The hook ends of boar bristles maintain my whiskers from ingrow. Same effect have horse and fibre brushes. Badger brushes are just painting my face without exfoliation.
But as everything YMMV, and brushes are a personal preference. In my case Black badger was the only one that made me rash and badger burn.