Thread: New brush shopping/Art of shaving a bunch of wackos?

Yeah it's badger hair. I don't have a lot of time for crafts, so putting one together is out. I just want to buy one ready to shave with.

Originally Posted by aalbina

I have looked at the Art of Shaving brushes and my reaction was similar to yours. I suspect there is quite a markup there. The knots, or the hair part of a badger brush is usually the most expensive part. You can buy just the knot, depending on the grade from multiple on line retailers (I think they mostly come from Chinese farms), for anywhere between 18.00 and 40.00 dollars depending on the grade and the quantity you buy. The handle can run into some cost if you get a custom made wooden or acrylic handle but some of the ones I've seen made here by members are truly spectacular and priced well under AOS. (http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...-brush-me.html). Simple plastic handles with some metal trim like those at AOS should not account for the additional cost. Those are pretty easy and inexpensive to mass produce.

A good natural hair brush can last a lifetime - but you do have to take care of it. Is your current brush badger hair? Some folks like boar hair or synthetic material. That makes a big difference in cost.

Adam

Thanks for the thoughtful response. I want two brushes. one stiff one for my with the grain shave (the stiffer the better; no homo bro lol), and one softy for the second pass against the grain shave for the finish. (After my skin is sensitive from the first pass). My budget is about a hundred bucks for both brushes

Originally Posted by GreenRipper

I can feel your pain as I've been down this road relatively recently. For my part I had owned a few different brushes, including an AoS brush that has largely been put out to pasture but remains to do occasional duty in the shave den. In the end I settled on a synthetic simply because I couldn't bring myself to spend a bunch of money searching for the perfect badger brush, preferring to spend less finding a synthetic (or three) that I could love. Here's a link to the thread detailing my journey:

Synthetic Brush Shootout

In the end I'm very happy with my brushes. While the custom handles aren't a budget approach the works of art that Chris (aka Trimmy72, aka Brush Craft) produced for me give me great joy to both look at and use during my morning shave.

My advice is to try to figure out what you want in a knot. I thought that I would like a bit of scritch but I discovered that I greatly prefer super soft tips. Backbone is more variable for me. Some days, or soaps, demand a stiff knot while on others I want a soothing "floppy" brush that I find comforting. Once you figure out what you want the business end of the brush to feel like you can pick out a handle that is comfortable in the hand and maybe even be a thing of beauty.

Keep in mind that all of us want to help by passing along our experiences but YMMV. Also keep in mind that the membership here represent a wide array of budgets, from the strict value shaver to those who can fully enjoy in all of the luxuries available to us. Only you know what you are able and willing to spend!

I promise I'll take care of it if I have a good new brush. lol

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

AOS is known for their prices and especially since they were bought out they are now a high end store.

Once you know your budget you can buy online. Whether you buy direct from one of the well known outfits who sell top of the line or bottom of the line you can do much better than AOS.

If you neglect your brush you better buy a low end piece. Like anything else if you abuse your tools you know what happens to them.

If you want a good stiff brush a pure badger will fill the bill. You can get one for probably $30 and that's from an outfit like Simpson. The other is more of a problem. You can go Boar and get an Omega or Vie Long or Best Badger within yer budget from those outfits. A Silvertip Badger will cost more.

Brushes are hard to recommend cause no one knows what your face likes and often times it's trial and error with brushes.

Originally Posted by misteredwino

Thanks for the thoughtful response. I want two brushes. one stiff one for my with the grain shave (the stiffer the better; no homo bro lol), and one softy for the second pass against the grain shave for the finish. (After my skin is sensitive from the first pass). My budget is about a hundred bucks for both brushes

You are having skin irritation from single WTG pass?

Bob

If you want to try AoS stuff, get their travel kit. Although this was 5 or so years ago when I bought it, it came with a brush, oil, shave cream and balm. The brush was essentially free if you were to buy the travel bits separately. I still have that one and beat the living snot out of it. At this point, it is quite floppy(heh), threadbare, but still works like a champ.

Sometimes on my neck yes. It really depends on a lot of factors. If I shave everyday, then yes my skin is much more sensitive in certain areas; especially the neck

Originally Posted by BobH

You are having skin irritation from single WTG pass?

Bob

Originally Posted by misteredwino

Thanks for the thoughtful response. I want two brushes. one stiff one for my with the grain shave (the stiffer the better; no homo bro lol), and one softy for the second pass against the grain shave for the finish. (After my skin is sensitive from the first pass). My budget is about a hundred bucks for both brushes

Try a Semogue Owners Club boar brush. They have great backbone, but with soft tipped bristles. If your skin is that sensitive, I would shave with a blade honed by an absolute master, and only make one pass with maybe a few cleanups. I would go with Mitchells Wool Fat for the lather. If you're building lather on your face, try using a bowl, so as not to scrub the skin too much. Many swear by a cold water shave (I swear at cold water), so give that a try too. There is more than one way to shave a cat, so keep trying.

Originally Posted by misteredwino

Sometimes on my neck yes. It really depends on a lot of factors. If I shave everyday, then yes my skin is much more sensitive in certain areas; especially the neck

Ouch, I think I'd stay away from a stiff brush as they can contribute to irritation especially if you really lean on them while face lathering.

Bob