Thread: "Best" Brush for $100

I tried one of those knots that look like what they call "mixed badger". Almost as scritchy as a black badger and that was cool with me for the price except, it took a month and a half for the stink to come off it. I don't know what it was mixed with but I would know it if I smelled it coming.
Unless somebody opened a badger farm somewhere I thought all the knots come from China these days. I also believe there is more than 1 manufacture as I have talked with 2 in China.
And to add a rumor/humor to this chat I will say I get a chuckle when I ask about ,mountain badger. No one in China has ever seen one. Not even 1 lady who grew up in that area. Maybe that's why they are so expensive. Very rare :<0)


P.S. for a 100 bucks , I would get a custom made. Nothing elaborate just a great brush.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I tried one of those knots that look like what they call "mixed badger". Almost as scritchy as a black badger and that was cool with me for the price except, it took a month and a half for the stink to come off it. I don't know what it was mixed with but I would know it if I smelled it coming.
Unless somebody opened a badger farm somewhere I thought all the knots come from China these days. I also believe there is more than 1 manufacture as I have talked with 2 in China.
And to add a rumor/humor to this chat I will say I get a chuckle when I ask about ,mountain badger. No one in China has ever seen one. Not even 1 lady who grew up in that area. Maybe that's why they are so expensive. Very rare :<0)


P.S. for a 100 bucks , I would get a custom made. Nothing elaborate just a great brush.

Hey 10Pups,,, could you hear the "unless you want the hear the silent screams of under-age slave labourers in your head each time you pick up one of these things." ,,,, the crying of the badgers before the slaughter,,,,,,,,,,,

Originally Posted by 10Pups

P.S. for a 100 bucks , I would get a custom made. Nothing elaborate just a great brush.

Yes, that is a good suggestion and easily done within the budget stated.

Bob

I've got a few expensive brushes that are very nice, however, my go-to favorite brush by a long shot is the one I got from whipped dog. I got the biggest silvertip that he offers in a custom ceramic handle. I think it cost about $40 shipped a little over a year ago. His prices have gone up a bit since then, but I think you could get something similar for about $50-60 now. Best money I've spent on a brush... love that thing.

Just an option to consider, and a great bang for your buck!

Originally Posted by Wxman2000

I've got a few expensive brushes that are very nice, however, my go-to favorite brush by a long shot is the one I got from whipped dog. I got the biggest silvertip that he offers in a custom ceramic handle. I think it cost about $40 shipped a little over a year ago. His prices have gone up a bit since then, but I think you could get something similar for about $50-60 now. Best money I've spent on a brush... love that thing.

Just an option to consider, and a great bang for your buck!

+1 on the Whipped Dog. I recently purchased a 30 mm silvertip with a black resin handle and drilled an extra 10 mm deep for $49 shipped. It has been an excellent brush for face lathering so far.

Not talking price points, but just what I like, Simpson, Thater, Plisson, Shavemac, and Rooney, in no particular order. Custom brushes I'm only familiar with those of Pixelfixed, and all three of mine are right up there in my rotation. I happen to prefer lofts between 48-50, with 52 being maximum, but a guy won't know what he likes until he tries some different sizes.

I've got knots from 21 to 26 and in between. I think 23-24 is probably what I'd look for if I was buying a brush today, but I'm happy with all of the sizes I've got. I used to only want scritchy brushes, but now I've learned to like soft tips with plenty of backbone, like is typical of the Thater 2 bands.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Hey 10Pups,,, could you hear the "unless you want the hear the silent screams of under-age slave labourers in your head each time you pick up one of these things." ,,,, the crying of the badgers before the slaughter,,,,,,,,,,,

I just want to know if its a higher pitch due to the elevation of the mountain air??

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Those are cheap,crap Knots.

The badger hair all comes from China, but as I understand, the high end brush makers such as Simpsons, Thater etc. knot the hairs themselves. So unless you are knotting the badger hair yourself, I would assume that most if not all artisanally made brushes are made with badger knots from China.

Go on ebay and buy a vintage brush that you like for $10-25 including shipping. Cut off and grind out the existing knot. Replace it with a premium badger from golden nib for $35. Now you have a great brush that you like for about an afternoons worth of labor and $60-65.

Shhh don't say that too loud