Thread: Whats the best shaving brush

This question might have no real answer because of personal preferences but what is considered as the best of the best in the world of shaving brushes.
Money is no object. I'm not rich but willing to save for some thing special.
I only have one brush which is the dogs nuts to me, an Edwin Jagger, stubby little thing.
Brushes is the only area I don't know much about, apart from silver tipped is the best.
Thanks

Simpson's are highly regarded by many. There are many good brushes. Mostly, it all boils down to what type of soap that you use and personal preference.

There is a lot of good brush info here.

But, you should decide what type and size (length and knot) brush that you like. For example: Some like a brush with a lot of backbone and some like a short loft.

Two great quotes that I don't know with whom they originated:

1. Someone asked a famous Hollywood starlet if she'd like a book for a gift. She replied, "A book? No, thank you. I already have a book."

2. Someone asked a famous baseball manager or commissoner which was the "best" team in baseball. He replied, "On what day?"

Further to badger- or boar brushes I would ask, "What soap and what day?"

Gifted a lovely badger brush which I used for years (because everyone told me it was the best) I now use a only a:

1. Semogue/Excelsior #1305 boar (semi-soft) - under USD20 anywhere; or
2. a cheap-o Omega #10049 boar (very stiff) - found mine on sale at $5.00.

I prefer the softer Semogue with creams and the (very large) stiffer Omega with soaps.

Back to the book quote. If someone asked me if I wanted the best brush money would buy I'd say, "No thanks. I already have one."

I honor those guys who get poetic bout $300 russian badger plutonium-tip brushes set in extinct mammoth tusk handles but, for me, I'd rather have a stiff boar brush than anything. $5.00? Maybe I am one of those guys who doesn't even have taste in his mouth.

As with almost anything shave related there is flat out no "best" single brush imo because it is all personal preference based mostly on subjective opinions. There is a flat out best single brush for an individual if you buy enough of them to find out which is "best" for you. You have to figure out what exactly you want from a brush such as size and loft of the knot, shape of the knot, what material for the knot, the handle length, diameter and shape, how you want it to feel on the face when you use it and so on. Find a couple of makes and models you think might you like and read a ton of reviews on them to try and get one that you think will suit what you want out of a brush. It is a lot of thinking and trial and error to get there.

Bob

There are many many brushes and makers out there that fits someones bill as the very best.

To me, a Plisson high mountain white, a Rooney's finest or a Simpson Manchurian are the pinnacles in shaving brushes out there.
Shavemac and Thäter also makes some stellar brushes.

Thanks for the advise.
I will probably always will use Geo Trumper shaving creams ,Almond & Original because that's the best I've found so far and I've tried all the top brands.
I like small stubby brushes with a dome head of bristles . The bigger brushes look like they are better suited for painting and decorating ..
A solid gold handle sounds good to . I jest

The Rooney's finest looks the most appealing to me astatically...

All preferences brother. A broken in mid range omega boar keeps me happy. Not scratchy at all. Soft and Firm at the same time.

Sounds like you got the basics of what you want sorted. Time to hit the reviews hard. Good luck.

Bob

When they were available a large Plisson HMW with horn handle was certainly the most expensive factory made brush you could buy. I don't know if they were the best performance wise but they are very good. I have a smaller one.

I'll take a stab Thater 49125-2 .I have never used a plisson HMW but this brush has it all - unbelievable softness,plenty of backbone for soaps - ZERO scratch- just heavenly