Opinions to Narrow Brush Choices

My head is about to explode....

Could use some help narrowing down my research.

I currently have this....
Attachment 222250

The brush is way to floppy for me, handle is to stubby, and it is still shedding hairs since I got it in August.

I would like a brush that has the opposite properties and there are so many knots, lengths, and widths to choose from its overwhelming.

I bowl lather and haven't really tried face lather and would maybe like the handle to match my razor but not sure because horn seems pretty costly. I may have a few months to save up before all the hairs are gone....

Attachment 222255

Would like opinions on the long handle brushes as well.

Thanks in advance for your input.

You might contact Glen (gssixgun) at Gem Star Customs, he can probably help you. Anything he has done for me has been first class at a very reasonable price and a heck of a fine fellow to deal with. Here is the link;
For Sale - Gem Star Customs

Do you like more backbone or less backbone for your brush?
What is the price range?

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Originally Posted by mainaman

Do you like more backbone or less backbone for your brush?
What is the price range?

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I would say more backbone so it wouldn't be as floppy?

Thinking 100.00 at most for brush but with matching the razor I would have to save up and likely will have to go more.

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Originally Posted by gflight

I would say more backbone so it wouldn't be as floppy?

Thinking 100.00 at most for brush but with matching the razor I would have to save up and likely will have to go more.

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what knot size do you prefer?

No idea at this point.

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Originally Posted by mainaman

what knot size do you prefer?

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You are going to have to have some idea of what you want. Then give a narrow choice to the masses eager to help you. If you think your head is about to explode now...just ask a question like you did and get 1000 new different opinions!

So start with what you want....a long handled brush, in horn, Badger (but what quality?),decent back bone. How do you lather? How much are you willing to spend for the brush? What knot size? Are you willing to do some of the work? Is a horn handle essential? If there is a mismatch between want and budget, what are you willing to compromise on?

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Originally Posted by gflight

No idea at this point.

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With brushes it is very much a YMMV thing in regards to what one would consider a good brush.
The main factor in choosing a brush is face feel. Face feel is determined by hair type, knot size and loft. For face lathering more backbone is a plus, but for bowl lathering may be not so much. Backbone is also needed to be able to load soaps, especially the hard ones.

I for example prefer face lathering and I like good backbone with a little bit of scrub but no scritch (prickliness). My favorite knots are the Chubby 2 and 3 Super Badger an Manchurian. I also like Thater Two band silvertip and Shavemac two band silvertip, all high end knots. I have tried some of the cheaper China-made knots but I did not like them much (YMMV) . I find TGN sourced knots to be the better of the bunch and wish they had better consistency.

You can research custom brush makers for horn handle, most of the time they will also offer knots. The Package deal for a cheaper knot should be within your price range.

In the end of the day you have to try some knots to know what you like.

A long handled brush or maybe just a little bigger regular brush works (curious why do people that like long handles like them besides looks)

Would prefer horn but due to cost maybe plastic look alike?

Badger softer than what I have, think it is cheap badger. It gave me a rash above shave line when I was practicing lathering.

Decent back bone to keep cream out of my ears/more control.

How do you lather? Bowl

How much are you willing to spend for the brush? Nothing crazy but want one I like even if I need to save some.

What knot size? No idea and don't understand difference a couple MM make in a knot.

Are you willing to do some of the work? probably not currently an option.

Is a horn handle essential? something that looks good and matches would probably work for me.

If there is a mismatch between want and budget, what are you willing to compromise on? Horn, shorter handle, don't have to have super, siberian, manchurian white or whatever hair just not cheapest.

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Originally Posted by gflight

A long handled brush or maybe just a little bigger regular brush works (curious why do people that like long handles like them besides looks)

Would prefer horn but due to cost maybe plastic look alike?

Badger softer than what I have, think it is cheap badger. It gave me a rash above shave line when I was practicing lathering.

Decent back bone to keep cream out of my ears/more control.

How do you lather? Bowl

How much are you willing to spend for the brush? Nothing crazy but want one I like even if I need to save some.

What knot size? No idea and don't understand difference a couple MM make in a knot.

Are you willing to do some of the work? probably not currently an option.

Is a horn handle essential? something that looks good and matches would probably work for me.

If there is a mismatch between want and budget, what are you willing to compromise on? Horn, shorter handle, don't have to have super, siberian, manchurian white or whatever hair just not cheapest.

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You can get imitation horn acrylic handle made by someone that turns brushes. As far as the knot size, what do you think holds more lather a 19mm knot or a 30mm knot? Bigger knot holds more lather. You should aim at a 24-26 mm knot to begin with and then eventually adjust when you know better what you want.

You can try putting an O ring around the base of your brush. That might be enough for you. Otherwise the Manchurians have more backbone and the Thater Chubby series too.

You could always have a section of horn as part of the handle, something like a turned wood, long handle with a horn ring/ rings at the base of the knot. As for knots you could buy 2 or 3 different types and a cheap handle. Use a bit of silicone or similar to stick the knot in and use some O rings to set the loft. Once you know which knot you like and the loft send the knot off to whoever you choose to make the handle and have them set it at that height.

I know you want a badger brush but before you pony up the money for a top flight one you might try a couple lower end ones to find what you like. Omega makes some lower priced badgers along with there boars. Vulfix is a well respected maker you can buy some with out setting back a ton.

For the long handle try a 17 dollar omega big pro boar.

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Originally Posted by Castel33

I know you want a badger brush but before you pony up the money for a top flight one you might try a couple lower end ones to find what you like. Omega makes some lower priced badgers along with there boars. Vulfix is a well respected maker you can buy some with out setting back a ton.

For the long handle try a 17 dollar omega big pro boar.

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Good thinking I have an omega 10098 which has a good long handle. And fairly cheap too. It might be worth a go.

Quit fooling around and just buy a bunch to see what you like! Just kidding, but not really, there are lots of choices, and getting with a brush maker will get you going in the right place, as for the horn it's not so much cost,naps the hunk of horn,mean cause problems as splitting , that's not gospel but talk to the brush guys they can tell you, it can't be that cost prohibitive as I've got brushes with horn and some very large hunks of Ivory. Bill (Pixelfixed on here) used to make brushes, so you might pm him and ask his opinion of all horn , he just isn't making anymore but he would know. Also the advise to try out some of the cheap boar brushes and badgers to get a feel for what loft and softness your looking for , but in my opinion, after having a dozen cus toms and 10 other brand names ( thater , Simpsons, plissons). I like a low loft 48-50 with a 24-26 dia. Medium size handle. I face lather most of the time but when bowl lathering I see no difference in the size of the brush. Good luck. Tc

Semogue. Great, inexpensive brushes.

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Originally Posted by dmnc

Semogue. Great, inexpensive brushes.

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Yes, to dip your toe into badger brush waters a Semogue Owners Club (SOC) is a relatively inexpensive way to try out a very decent 2 band badger knot.

Bob

I shall return one day.

What is the two band?

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Originally Posted by BobH

Yes, to dip your toe into badger brush waters a Semogue Owners Club (SOC) is a relatively inexpensive way to try out a very decent 2 band badger knot.

Bob

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Not sure on the two band but the 2010 is very nice and the high density silvertip is the best I've tried.

Someone posted a nice diagram of a straight razor and its parts for me a few months back.

Is there one with a brush and measurement areas?

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Originally Posted by gflight

Someone posted a nice diagram of a straight razor and its parts for me a few months back.

Is there one with a brush and measurement areas?

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The knot size is measured at the opening of the handle. The loft is measured from the opening of the handle to the top of the bristles.
When you are buying only a knot the diameter is the diameter of the plug.

So if Loft is 54mm and overall height is 109mm the handle would be 55mm tall or 2.16 inches.

The knot diameter is the same as knot size just one mounted one unmounted.

I think I am getting it. I want a lower loft and a large but not huge knot. I also want a taller handle but probably not the real long versions. I am thinking a faux horn but not sure if I can get matching color. Picking the brush is a PITA for me compared to the razor and strop, they seemed easy...

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Originally Posted by mainaman

The knot size is measured at the opening of the handle. The loft is measured from the opening of the handle to the top of the bristles.
When you are buying only a knot the diameter is the diameter of the plug.

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Silver tip in two band would not be as floppy or waste as much soap as a three band but would still have the softness on the face.

If I am off base with any of my conclusion/perceptions please chime in....

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Originally Posted by gflight

Silver tip in two band would not be as floppy or waste as much soap as a three band but would still have the softness on the face.

If I am off base with any of my conclusion/perceptions please chime in....

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Correct. For me the only 3 band that at is really important the category of soft tips and great backbone, is Simpson Super badger in Chubby handle. I have not tried their honing best badger or the Rooney equivalents. To band badger will fit your bill, but still may take some iterations to narrow down the choices

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Originally Posted by gflight

Silver tip in two band would not be as floppy or waste as much soap as a three band but would still have the softness on the face.

If I am off base with any of my conclusion/perceptions please chime in....

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Generally speaking that is about it for the difference between 2 and 3 band silvertips, 2 bands are not floppy as they have more backbone. A lot of people like them for face lathering including me. You can still load a lot of soap into them. The amount of soap a brush takes up is controlled by the user.

If I were to start over again I would go for a knot in the middle of the size range, around the 24mm size. I'd like a 2 band with a loft that is around twice the diameter/size of the knot. Lets say a 24mm knot with a 50mm to 52mm loft. Even though I face lather I still like longer handles and would look for a handle That is around the 60mm mark. I have a few that are longer too but I have big hands. Longer handles are a definite plus if you bowl lather which I do occasionally.

I went through a number of brushes to find out roughly how to pick a knot that I would like with a handle the size I enjoy. Awful hard to get it right the first time around. At some point you just have to take an educated guess and take the plunge.

Try and find a few brushes you think you might like and read all the reviews you can on them. That is about the best you can do.

Bob

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Originally Posted by mainaman

In the end of the day you have to try some knots to know what you like.

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That is the real deal when it comes to brushes. IME buying a quality brush, such as a Thater, Simpson or Shavemac is your best bet. You'll get a high quality knot, and if you don't like the size, you can usually get most of your money out of it.

I tend to like a 23-24 mm knot, (diameter) and a 48-50mm loft (height of the bristle above the handle). I like a medium length handle well enough but really appreciate a longer handle as well. If you face lather a shorter handle is fine, but for bowl lathering the longer one is very handy. I've done it both ways but the past couple of years I've stuck to face lathering.

Not carved in stone, but as a general rule two band brushes have more backbone, as do shorter lofts. That is why I always buy 2 bands, and loft no longer than 52, though I have a couple that are longer, and they are good. :gl:

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

I shall return one day.

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Please return sooner rather than later 👌

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Originally Posted by Substance

Please return sooner rather than later ��

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Yes I second that. Tc