What are the best brush dimensions for beginners? What height should the loft and handle be? Also what are the best dimensions for the knot?
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What are the best brush dimensions for beginners? What height should the loft and handle be? Also what are the best dimensions for the knot?
I am sure obie will be more help than me, but i have found something around 24mm knot size good. I would say a lot of the decision will be more about budget.
I have generally used whatever bristle brush I could pick up at the local chemist. Though obie put me on to the semogue brushes and for the cost they are nice. They are boar bristle which is stiffer than badger but 8 prefer them to the more expensive badger I have.
Alex,
In badger brushes, a 24-26mm knot and 50-55mm loft will be ideal. If you face lather, a 53mm loft would be ideal. A medium backbone is always a good idea. For the hair grade, I would stick with "best" or "silvertip." I abhor the "pure" badger grade and never recommend it. For brands, try Thater, Simpson, Edwin Jagger, Kent and Vulfix, although Vulfix will generally give you minimal backbone. I think one of my preferred choices for starting is the Simpson Commodore 3. It is an excellent brush and will serve you well.
Simpson Commodore X3 Best Badger Shaving Brush X3B
When it comes to pretty much all in shaving for rookies middle of the road is the way to go. Obie pretty much nailed it so....
Whatever you get I would go with something with a longer handle. Something like the chubby is a great brush but it can be messy with the short handle and can get slippery on you.
Why does everyone recommend the 23 + knots and not the 22 knot? Also I see recommendations for a 50 mm+ loft.
Would the Simpson Harvard also be a good choice Simpson Harvard H4 Best Badger Shaving BrushQuote:
Originally Posted by Obie
Yes, Alex, the Simpson Harvard is a good brush, too, although I think it is way overpriced.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex7
You can go with a 22mm knot, too. I don't see a problem with that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex7
If you face lather, the 50-55mm loft will give you plenty of backbone. Any higher loft, in many cases, and you run the risk of having a floppy brush. I don't particularly care for knots smaller than 50mm — it's my personal preference. Other gentlemen might like smaller knots. What you like, in the end, is what matters.
What about the handle? What dimensions are ideal?Quote:
Originally Posted by Obie
Alex,Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex7
Many brushes come with the handle in the 50-55mm range, mostly about 50-53mm. I prefer a handle in the 60-70mm range. Not many, however, are available in that range. One of the sweetest brushes I have with a long handle is the Simpson Polo 8 in super badger. I love that brush. It's costly but worth it, I think.
For you, 50-55mm range should work. I still think the Simpson Commodore 3 in best badger I suggested earlier is a good way to go. Also, you might try the Vie-Long silvertip known as Lord Randal; it's a sweet brush, in silvertip.
Vie-Long Lord Randal in Silvertip
A 24mm knot set at a loft of 50mm well serve you well for any lathering technique.
Thanks. I see that you are not a fan of the more bulky brushes(like the Chubby).Quote:
Originally Posted by Obie
You are very welcome, Alex.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex7
Because of a hyper sensitive skin, I use only silvertip brushes with silky soft tips.
I've had the Simpson Chubby and sold it. The brush is great, but the handle is too short and the backbone a little too much.
For me, a silvertip with a medium dense brush and medium backbone works well.
22mm base knot is fine for a beginnerQuote:
Originally Posted by Alex7
I remember me.
You would never be able tell any diff between a 22/23/24,the key to any of those knots is proper loft.
What is a proper loft? Above 50 mm?Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
50/52 will be fine.
Hand size should have a significant role in deciding what size handle to use. I have rather large hands; the dimutive handles found on brushes like the Semogue 610 and B&B Essential are OK but are far from my favorite. The Vulfix 2235/2236, Semogue 1305, SOC, and 1800, and for sure the Omega Pro 49 are great manly-sized grips which are fine for my application. I'm ordering a new bespoke brush which will retain the Classic L7 shape but measure in about 5mm larger than the original. Knot will be a 25mm Muhle STF set to about 50mm. Thinking this might just be the Swiss Army knife of all my brushes. That title is currently held by my Simpson Colonel X2L, a great all-purpose brush in its own right.