Thread: Opinions to Narrow Brush Choices

My head is about to explode....

Could use some help narrowing down my research.

I currently have this....


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....



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?

Originally Posted by mainaman

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

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.

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.

what knot size do you prefer?

No idea at this point.

Originally Posted by mainaman

what knot size do you prefer?

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?

Originally Posted by gflight

No idea at this point.

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.

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.

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.