Kent BK4?

[Look Sharp]

Hi all

I have been doing some research on badger brushes and have noticed a fairly heavy division in opinions.

I have noticed that the Kent shaving brushes recieve a lot of praise on english shaving forums. However here on SRP they rarely crack a mention.

Is this due to local availability in the US?
Does anyone have one and believes it to be of superior quality?

I live in Australia and as a result can't actually handle a lot of these products. This is where your valuable opinions come into play.

Shipping and exchange rates don't come into it fr me as I get hit with both what ever I buy.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Steve

[thebigspendur]

For some reason, I don't know why we seldom have much of a discussion concerning brushes here on SRP. If you want real opinions and discussion you should go over to B&B you'll get a real earful there. Those people are quite passionate about their brushes. I've never used a kent myself but they have a good reputation. personally I prefer Simpson and Rooney.

[Dewey]

Some Kents have the reputation of being overly soft _ read floppy. I don't know if they are model specific or if that is a description of the line. I don't have one. I have a Simpson, a Shavemac, a Vulfix and an Omega. Some guys do say that they love Kents - esp for creams.

[Lynn]

I have owned two Kent brushes and found them both to be extremely "floppy". I don't mind a little floppy with a cream, but they were definitely too soft for me. I have been using my Simpson and Shavemac's more than any lately and use my Maestro stag horn brush in 26mm knot frequently too. I really look for a nice balance of stiffer and soft on my brushes so I can use them for both cake soaps and cremes.

Lynn

[Markopolo]

DITTO LYNN !......I've got two Rooneys, a Vulfix and a Kent.

The Kent (although a BEAUTIFUL brush) I've found to be a little
too "MOPPIE".

Marko......

[Kyle76]

I got a BK4 and used it for about a week before getting rid of it because of the excessive floppiness and splay on my face. It lathered fine, but I like a little scrubbiness. I have since used a Simpsons Chubby 1 that was much firmer, but it held the lather too much for my taste. My latest acquisition is a Simpsons Tulip 2, which I will try tomorrow. The BK4 is a beautiful brush, as is the black version, BLK 4.

[Belegnole]

I just recently received a BLK4 and though I like it it IS a Flop Mop! I must say that it's nice on the face when irritated, and good with cremes. My SR 3118 is my goto....

[kaptain_zero]

Well, I seem to lean the other way... I've got a BK4, picked it up from a chap who used it maybe half a dozen times and didn't like it. I find it to be just about the best all around brush I have. Yes, it's soft but I would not call it floppy, that would have to be reserved for a Vulfix I once had... it was downright terrible but I suspect it may have been that particular brush.

I've got a range of brushes, from a Savile Row 208/Kent BK4 to my firmest brush which is a Stubby 2 from Rooney. They're all great brushes but that little Kent gets a lot of use here, in particular through the coldest months when I can stand a little extra pampering. (I work outside as a letter carrier). Yepp, the BK4 whips up a nice bowl of Trumper Soap lather in no time flat.

Regards

Christian

[Belegnole]

Ok, the if I have this correct the Vulfix is floppier than the Kent. The current SR is stiffer and almost the same as the Shavemac. While the Rooney is stiffer yet?....lol this can be so fun, which brush shall I get next....hmmm