Thread: "Best" Brush for $100

A good brush for under a C Note?? No problem ... New Forest!

You will receive a great brush, with a hand turned handle, and, you'll get change!!

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I will take into consideration the difficulty of the soaps & creams, I will increase the number to 4. I won't be buying outside the variety I already have on hand.

Actually, I would use less, rather than more. In my experience, a brush that can handle a difficult product can handle anything. Hard soaps being a good example. I mentioned Otoko in particular, because that soap really is finicky, but once you get the water/"soap" (it really is something else entirely, which makes it interesting) ratio right, it truly excels. But finding brushes which can competently handle that sort of product can be a daunting challenge. Water retention is apparently key, and this is where many brushes fail. One does not really notice this particular feature all that much with an easy to lather product (St James of London or Castle Forbes come to mind), but with lesser products, it seems to make a lot of difference.

The rest really is fluff, and completely open to subjective taste. Some people like what is commonly referred to as a "gel like texture". Which is what Thäter brushes deliver in abundance. There is nothing magical about this feature, only the fact that basically every other brush maker cuts their knots into shape. This does, of course, lower the production cost, but you lose the fine tips which set Thäter brushes apart. The two band you bought will have lots of backbone (which is great for lathering soaps), but still have fine tips. Best of both worlds, so to speak.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I will compare the Thater to brushes of similiar size, all types of badger will have to compete. ,,, there will be no boar or synthetics.

That makes perfect sense. As I said, I am much looking forward to your published results.

I have a few brushes. But the two I rely on the most are my Thater and the brush I purchased from pixelfixed. I do mix in the other brushes , but these are my go-to ones.

~Gary

It is my position firmly stated " I will not buy another brush until AFTER Hirlau's posted results." End Quote.
Till the smoke settles and the shave bubbles pop there will be no other purchases. Final Answer
Just lather standing on one leg with your non dominate hand and twenty other made up hand tying rules. Your test ,Your rules
You got the pistols so you keep the pesos , yeah that seems fair.

First ,,,I would like to apologize for the time it took to finish my commitment to test some brushes. I stated 30 days & it turned to 3 months.

Here is a link to the page where I did some simple lathering tests with 9 brushes & 4 creams/soaps. There are no surprises here, but going through the tests, clearly set my priorities for future brush purchases.

Brush Observations - Straight Razor Place Library

I cannot begin to Thank-you enough.
You are the epitome of Scientific Expertise in following a routine and equal and fair evaluation.
In Medical Terms it could be reffered to as a Double Blind Evaluation and Study.
The level of detail and explanation of soaps to bristle density can only be defined as All Inclusive.
The time and effort with documentation can only be summed up as Meticulous and Attention to detail.
If I say any more I will appear as a suck-up.
Done
Thank-you John for going above and beyond the call of Duty.
I will base my future purchases based solely on these facts .
I dont need more I wish to maximize my Brush & Soap combination for maximum quality.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

First ,,,I would like to apologize for the time it took to finish my commitment to test some brushes. I stated 30 days & it turned to 3 months.

Here is a link to the page where I did some simple lathering tests with 9 brushes & 4 creams/soaps. There are no surprises here, but going through the tests, clearly set my priorities for future brush purchases.

Brush Observations - Straight Razor Place Library

Fantastic article, enjoyed the various comparisons and using the idea of some baseline soaps...the Maca Root was a good pick, it is a great easy latherer. Interesting as well you mention water retention and the brush loading the soap to the top of the brush, rather than penetrating into the works of the brush, that's one thing I noticed with an old badger brush that was my first, it flattens out and no longer properly lathers, and that shouldn't really happen after 18 months.

Overall, great article, and a great guide for those wanting to get their first brush or look into changing the game with a second brush, or in the case of many of us here, a third, fourth, and fifth....

Your too kind,,, there are no real surprises there,,,,my "Scientific Expertise" begins & ends with the knowledge of, "What goes up, eventually will come down and usually lands on someone's head."

I should have mentioned for purposes of the opening post,,,, "5" of the nine brushes sold for under $100.00.