Thread: "Best" Brush for $100

Originally Posted by zappbrannigan

This is a bit off topic, but $5 for a random badger knot doesn't seem that far fetched: 20pcs /lot Mix Pure Badger hair Shaving Brush Knots 20/64mm,-in Shaving Brush from Beauty & Health on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

But we're not interested in $5 badger knots from China; we're interested in a high quality shaving brush for me, right?!

Those are cheap,crap Knots.

I actually purchased a finest badger from that site once and it was quite comparable to my TGN finest, but slightly less soft in the tips. I think I only paid a couple dollars less than TGN knots so for the difference in knots the extra couple dollars was worth the softer tips. I also remember reading a couple articles that stated that most of the knots that simpson or some of the other companies come from the same sources as the cheaper knots. The only difference is that the bigger companies will hand pick the knots they want. They usually save the hand made knots for certain models. If I can find the articles again I will post a link.

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

Originally Posted by Badgister

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.

That is, unfortunately, correct. Additionally, there is the issue of badger blondes. Seriously. An incredible amount of badger knots from China direct have been dyed blonde to increase the price. If you think you can get a real two band knot for less than $50, think again. I happen to have followed the purchase price for Chinese badger hair in high quality, and it has risen dramatically over the last three years.

And peroxide does funny things to hairs. For example, it makes them a lot softer. But if you take a Chinese import "super $INSERTFAVOURITEBUZZWORDS high $WHATEVER $AREAWHEREHUNTINGHASBEENILLEGALFORYEARS" knot and compare it to a Thäter, Shavemac or Rooney, you will notice the difference.

And since longevity was an issue, one should keep in mind that chemically treating hairs with peroxide makes them brittle, too. Just like water that is too hot, or aggressive cleaners like Borax.

Get a Thäter, and it will last for decades if properly treated. Thäter have been in business for more than a century, and I have seen some of their brushes from the 80s and 90s. Still in good shape. My go-to brush, a 26mm two-band fan (thank you kindly, Lynn) has seen almost daily use for six years now without any noticeable effect.

I don't mind the vintage thing, but unfortunately I don't have the tools or time to work on a vintage brush and make it a new brush. Custom brushes tend to look really cool, but to be honest I'm least concern with the looks of the brush. I'd say that the $100 I'm willing to spend is mainly for longevity. If I'm going to spend good money (for my budget) on a brush, it'll be the only brush I use and I want it to work great for a long, long time.

Thanks for all the help.

Simpson Colonel X2L in Best Badger. This brush is a MacGyver....does everything, well made and reasonably priced. End game....

I guess its been said but the brushes that you can have made for you will be as good as anything you can buy from the big names ,, for instance pixelfixed brushes with exotic woods or ivory, beats plastic any day and he uses the best knots he can buy, or walleyeman brushes , some really top notch stuff ,, and someone who will make it the way you want it , very personal and someone you can talk to if there is a problem ,, and for not much more money than you want to spend , there are some great manufactures out there ,, just think about custom also ,, tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

I guess its been said but the brushes that you can have made for you will be as good as anything you can buy from the big names ,, for instance pixelfixed brushes with exotic woods or ivory, beats plastic any day and he uses the best knots he can buy, or walleyeman brushes , some really top notch stuff ,, and someone who will make it the way you want it , very personal and someone you can talk to if there is a problem ,, and for not much more money than you want to spend , there are some great manufactures out there ,, just think about custom also ,, tc

I really, really like my walleyeman brass/acrylic with two band bulb. It is a very good brush.