Thread: If But One . . .

Blyme, Obie, that is a tough one to answer, and you probably know it. Right. Let me begin by saying that I started wet shaving in earnest about a decade ago. My first brush was a Mühle silvertip badger with a nickel plated handle. I bought it because of its looks. As long as I stuck with Castle Forbes, it did not cause any issues. When I tried to switch to soaps, its floppiness became a problem.

A fact finding mission ensued, and back then, objective information was easily obtained in here. So I bought a Simpson badger. It was better, but only marginally so. Interestingly, it was almost twice as expensive. And it shed. So I "branched out", meaning I went on a wild goose chase for several months.

While I was busy buying Rooney, Savile Row, Plisson, and whathaveyou, I chanced upon my first Thäter brush. I thought it looked horrible. Back then, I was still easily impressed by fancy handles. And I was wrong.

Several months, and a few thousand €, later. I bought my first Thäter. Tried it. Was intrigued by the ergonomics of its otherwise brutally ugly handle. Was mesmerised by its performance.

Since the in-laws live near Nuremberg, I took the opportunity and visited Herr Schuldes on site. He has probably forgotten more about brushes than all users in here will ever learn, because he has been in the business for a very long time. Got in touch with SRD, and the rest is history.

Form the things that I have learned, one stands out: Never, ever buy a brush, or knot, made in China, if you want top quality. And that matches what I found out myself, and at my own expense. Thäter, Shavemac, Rooney, in that order. Plisson had massive QA problems which they seem to have got under control by now, but, like Rooney, their brushes are far more expensive than Thäter or Shavemac, without offering better performance. If you want fancy handles, they are a sure bet, and they will deliver value for money.

Chinese brushes, however, are worth $30, max. If you pay more, your vendor does not know how to source efficiently. And either way, they are simply not as good as the Europe made brushes. Given that a properly cared for brush will easily last for twenty or more years, the seemingly steep difference in price between a Chinese brush and a European brush become more than just negligible.

So, to answer your question, my one brush would be this Thäter 4125-6 two band brush. It probably is the pinnacle of brush making, it works like a charm, it is big enough for me to never drive the suds into its core, and will therefore probably outlive me. Yes, it is a bit big, but then again, shaving soaps and creams do not cost much, so who cares?

So here goes, a Thäter 4125-6 with a custom made Revisor and the latest in "burn some cash for fun and scent", Bayolea by Penhaligon's. Simply good stuff, and if forced, I could easily live with that setup for the rest of my life.

PS Kim Novak, right? Smart choice. But I think Rita Hayworth would be more fitting.

Robin,

Both Kim Novak and Rita Hayworth could make me their slave. Whom do I call? Who can forget Rita Hayworth in Gilda, especially the scene in which she sings (lip-sincs, actually) Amado Mio? OY!

By the way, I make a reference to that scene in my novel Will's Music, to be published in the coming weeks. Could not resist it.

As for the Thater brushes, yes, they are luscious. I love the two-bands. As I noted earlier, I have the two-band in 30mm and 28mm. The three band 28mm, the one in the photo in my original post, is absolutely delicious — my perfect brush.

Stay well, my friend. Thanks for the background information.

Robin,

Thank you for the kind words on the books, my friend.

By the way, I fell in love with Kim Novak when still living in Tehran, Iran, a long time ago. I skipped school one day to go to the cinema. The movie was Picnic, with Kim Novak and William Holden, based on the play by William Inge, and filmed in Newton, Kansas. Who can forget the scene on the river when Novak and Holden dance to "Moonglow"? It must have been about 1956 when I saw her. That was it: I've loved Kim Novak ever since.

Also Gene Tierney, in Laura, and, of course, Rita Hayworth in everything. Rita's scene in your video is when she sings (lip-sincs, again) "Put the Blame on Mame, Boy," when Johnny (Glenn Ford) drags her away from the dance floor. I have seen Gilda at least 50 times.

Speaking of one of the finer things in life, aside from Kim Novak and Rita Hayworth — straight razor shaving and all its trimmings. Love it.

Yet again Robin alludes to child labour in China - with what evidence? Making brushes is a semi skilled activity that requires a degree of manual dexterity. It is not a vast production process, therefore why use a child, who will remain a child for just a few years, when you can have a fully trained workforce that continues from day to day?

Brush making requires just a few people to keep us all happy - if Robin knows something different and can supply the proof, I'm prepared to eat my words.

This guy brings a smile to my face every time!

Obie,

Originally Posted by Obie

Thank you for the kind words on the books, my friend.

I have to thank you for making them available. I would not have noticed them otherwise, and it would have been my loss.

Originally Posted by Obie

By the way, I fell in love with Kim Novak when still living in Tehran, Iran, a long time ago. I skipped school one day to go to the cinema. The movie was Picnic, with Kim Novak and William Holden, based on the play by William Inge, and filmed in Newton, Kansas. Who can forget the scene on the river when Novak and Holden dance to "Moonglow"? It must have been about 1956 when I saw her. That was it: I've loved Kim Novak ever since.

Understandably, given the Frank Sinatra Kim Novak days

Originally Posted by Obie

Also Gene Tierney, in Laura, and, of course, Rita Hayworth in everything. Rita's scene in your video is when she sings (lip-sincs, again) "Put the Blame on Mame, Boy," when Johnny (Glenn Ford) drags her away from the dance floor. I have seen Gilda at least 50 times.

As have I. There is a remarkably vivid Lindy Hop scene in Berlin (of all places), and I dearly like the music.

Originally Posted by Obie

Speaking of one of the finer things in life, aside from Kim Novak and Rita Hayworth — straight razor shaving and all its trimmings. Love it.

There is nothing better in the world. I think we can agree on that easily. Except, maybe, a straight on a stick.

Originally Posted by UKRob

Brush making requires just a few people to keep us all happy - if Robin knows something different and can supply the proof, I'm prepared to eat my words.

I stand corrected, and can only offer my apologies to you, Rob. I hope you do not mind my calling you Rob, Rob. You know, my country does not have as rich a history in slave labour as yours. Therefore, I tend to keep too many things for granted. For which, again, sincere apologies. But I would greatly appreciate your explaining how a $5 silvertip badger brush knot from China can be manufactured without, shall we say, a competitive working environment?

Originally Posted by RobinK

Obie,


I have to thank you for making them available. I would not have noticed them otherwise, and it would have been my loss.


Understandably, given the Frank Sinatra Kim Novak days


As have I. There is a remarkably vivid Lindy Hop scene in Berlin (of all places), and I dearly like the music.


There is nothing better in the world. I think we can agree on that easily. Except, maybe, a straight on a stick.


I stand corrected, and can only offer my apologies to you, Rob. I hope you do not mind my calling you Rob, Rob. You know, my country does not have as rich a history in slave labour as yours. Therefore, I tend to keep too many things for granted. For which, again, sincere apologies. But I would greatly appreciate your explaining how a $5 silvertip badger brush knot from China can be manufactured without, shall we say, a competitive working environment?

For the same reason that Reichsmarks were traded by the barrel- load in the 1930s. Not everyone's economy is equal.

Robin and Rob,

Forgive me for leading the thread off course, gentlemen. Well, with Kim Novak and Rita Hayworth, who can blame me?

Please let us stay within the thread's focus: If you had but one brush, what would it be?

Thanks, and may good fortune swim in your lane.

Forgive me Obie, you know I'm a big fan of yours. My experience of brushes extends only to the Chinese Badger options plus a few original American boars. To be honest, I find that TGN knots are extremely good and suit me just fine. The long haired boar brushes are a nice change of pace - as you can probably tell I do not suffer from sensitivity, or fools gladly.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

John,That Knot came from 200 lb Badger shot on Mt Everest at 22K ft in 1962,is very rare

Just so you know ....... I tried to talk John out of that brush, but wasn't able to come up with an offer he couldn't refuse ..... I don't think the Godfather could have gotten it ...