Thread: "Best" Brush for $100

Originally Posted by zappbrannigan

Out of curiosity, can someone explain what this "two band" thing is all about? I see that (and "three band") quite a bit but haven't figured out what it means.

Also, I don't want to get in the middle of anything here, but for the purpose of this thread it would be great if any brushes being reviewed fell into the "$100 and under" category Just sayin

originally several years ago there was this type of hair which was rare and very expensive called two band badger. it's qualities were radically different from normal silver tip and only a few outfits were able to get it. Plisson and Rooney maybe Simpson. A typical brush was close to $300 depending on size. This type of hair is not available anymore. Some say it's Global warming and the badgers don't produce this hair anymore. What goes for 2 band now is totally different and is much closer to normal Silvertip. About the closest I've seen to the old stuff is the Thater and the Simpson Manchurian but it's still not the same by any means.

The old stuff has plenty of backbone yet is pretty soft but not floppy at all actually a tad scratchy. It's hard to describe.

Are we really talking about the same thing here, Nelson (hello, by the way!)?

In this picture, you can see a two band brush (Thäter from six years ago). On the right is regular hair used for making three band brushes. Thäter use hairs which are much longer for their two band brushes, so that the third "Fahne" or "band" disappears inside the handle. You will need two to three badgers for one two band brush, because only select hairs from the collar can be used for these brushes. And yes, that type of hair is still available. But like all other badger hairs, it has become very expensive.

Cheap "two band" brushes use bleached blonde hairs. I kid you not. Their performance is, of course, laughable compared to a Thäter, but apparently, the "two band" name alone will draw sufficient amounts of buyers to keep the makers in business.

[QUOTE=RobinK;1417145

Cheap "two band" brushes use bleached blonde hairs. I kid you not. Their performance is, of course, laughable compared to a Thäter, but apparently, the "two band" name alone will draw sufficient amounts of buyers to keep the makers in business.[/QUOTE]

That is totally untrue.

[Why not buy from SRD?]

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Same reason People buy custom Razors or custom anything,to have a one of a kind item.

A one of a kind handle, maybe. But with a run-of-the-mill knot from China with all that entails.

[Chinese badger brushes treated with peroxide to give them the appearance of two band brushes]

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

That is totally untrue.

Funny how two brush makers with impeccable reputation told me exactly that independently, then. Personally, I tend to believe manufacturers more than retailers, because manufacturers tend to know their market better than anyone else.

Originally Posted by RobinK

[Why not buy from SRD?]

A one of a kind handle, maybe. But with a run-of-the-mill knot from China with all that entails.

[Chinese badger brushes treated with peroxide to give them the appearance of two band brushes]

Funny how two brush makers with impeccable reputation told me exactly that independently, then. Personally, I tend to believe manufacturers more than retailers, because manufacturers tend to know their market better than anyone else.

What two brush makers?? also do you have a vested interest in Thater??

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

also do you have a vested interest in Thater??

I do indeed. I provided them with approx 1.5 million Reichsmark in venture capital when they started their business, and have since become their majority shareholder. Is that a problem?

Originally Posted by RobinK

I do indeed. I provided them with approx 1.5 million Reichsmark in venture capital when they started their business, and have since become their majority shareholder. Is that a problem?

No problem at all,I can see why you like Thater brushes)

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I can do this for you,,, I'll post reviews of my collection under $100.00 knots here & the new Thater competitor(probably over $100.00) I will start another thread & just link it here. Is that O.K. ?

Most definitely - any new information is good information. Thanks!

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

No problem at all,I can see why you like Thater brushes)

Thäter were founded in 1913, and currently have three employees. Nobody except their retailers has a vested interest in them. I must say that I find your insinuation libellous.

Originally Posted by RobinK

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.

Originally Posted by RobinK

I do indeed. I provided them with approx 1.5 million Reichsmark in venture capital when they started their business, and have since become their majority shareholder. Is that a problem?

Robin, was that in the last century ?

A million here, a million there ......... pretty soon we're talking real Reichsmarks ..........