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Hi Guys,
One of our members asked if I would put up a poll on brushes in the $80-$130 range. I have listed some brands, but feel free to comment on any others. He is coming off of using a Tweezerman brush and looking for honest opinions on other brushes. How do they do with both soaps and creams? Feel? Balance?
Thanks for your help.
Lynn
Sorry Lynn, I can't vote due to my limited experiences with brushes in those price range.
I have a one suggestion for your friend to check out.
Thäter Brushes from Germany
Rasierpinsel Herzlich Willkommen! - The Different Scent:
What I have read they are marvelous hand made brushes and will be in my shopping list next to.
Robin might know more and if I don't remember wrong he has one.
I'd get a custom brush made for that. Probably ebony and black badger if I were to order today.
X
Dan Capshaw:
Custom Shaving Brushes
Thäter indeed. German quality, 'nuff said.
Eh, wait. That's a pleonasm.
You definitely can't go wrong with a Rooney 1/1 in super (mostly soaps / face lathering), or a Rooney 3/1 in super (more versatile). Fantastic brushes, and a great price to boot.
I love my Kent (BK4)... but it was a difficult choice because I also like my Rooney, my Edwin Jagger, my Vulfix and my Stephen's... I think they are all wonderful brushes!
I haven't tried many of those, so will abstain from voting. But I love my brush from Stephen's Woodworking and like supporting individual craftsmen.
Ok , I started off thinking that I was going to get a Shavemac, silver tip. Now Im hearing about Rooney Kent and some others. Im trying not to own 40 brushes. I see myself endind up with possibly 3 max, but for now Im looking for a really nice second brush, with about $130 max.I will be using only soaps, will a silver tip brush be to floppy for soaps ?
It depends on the brush. The Rooney 1/1 super is very dense and is a monster with soaps. My Vulfix 2233 super (which I've heard is comparable to the Kent BK4, but I don't have a BK4 to verify) is, however, much floppier. The Vulfix can whip up creams no problem, but struggles with soaps. It's not impossible, but it takes quite a bit more effort than I'd like (read: if it's your only brush you can make it work on soaps, but you'll be eyeing other "soap brushes" like crazy).Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike257
Subliminal message: THÄTER.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike257
Honestly, if you have not tried one of their brushes, you have missed out on something. Their price/quality ratio cannot be beat. I think. YMMV, and all that.
I have a Rooney 3/1 super and its the bees knees. I must note that I am a face latherer and it isn't soft. There are days I wish I had something softer, ie in the vulfix line, but I really enjoy how well the Rooney 'holds' the lather which to me helps the brush feel softer.
i have a $25 vulvix so i cant vote on this one :rofl2:
I think the Kent BK4 will lather anything that is thrown at it. An unbelievable brush at an unbelievable price.
:tu
Looks like Rooney is winning the poll
Zeth, BTW I saw your new razor and I had to have one. Im sending mine to Max this week.
I've had a Rooney, Munde pixel or whatever it is, a handmade brush, and a Saville Row. The Saville Row beats all the others hands down (in my opinion, of course). Dont know why people don't really seem to talk about them much, they're great brushes.
Did someone say something?...Did anyone else hear that?Quote:
Originally Posted by BeBerlin
Seriously though, give us a link please.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JMS
- The manufacturer: H.L. Thäter Dachs-Rasierpinsel Made in Germany - Home
- My favourite shop (to give you an indication of the cost involved with buying one of these brushes): Thäter Manufaktur Herzlich Willkommen! - The Different Scent:
Compared to Rooney or Simpson, they are quite reasonably priced. But the craftsmanship is better. And their travelling brush is the best there is (look for "Reiseetui" aka travel case) on TDS's page.
Oh yeah, and then there is this story of my really expensive Simpson brush shedding hairs, and Simpson not deigning to respond to my queries for three months. But that is neither here nor there.
BeBerlin those are really nice.
Of those on the list I vote for the Rooney!
But, .......unless you have tried the Jack Black, synthetic, nothing can beat it. Trust me (I know, never trust anybody that says, "Trust Me") No one wants to take a chance on spending $85.00 for a synthetic.
Your loss.........
Steve
I can already see that Im gonna end up with a few brushes.
For soap, cream or all round use? Answer might change depending upon intended use.
I voted Simpson's, but a pre-Vulfix. Used, some can currently be had within the stated price range.
Had I been able to vote twice, Shavemac would have been second.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkeye5
This brush will be for soaps only.
I have a Kent BK4, Rooney 1/1 in Super, PJ2 in Best, B&B LE 2008 and a Shavemac Silvertip. The Kent is by far my fav brush. It has a tone of character, works great with soaps even though lacks in backbone and is just very luxurious. For the money go with a Kent. Personally, I think brushes with a crazy amount of backbone are WAY over reated.
Savile Row 3824 is an awesome brush! Should not be overlooked by any means.
Later,
Richard
Dan Capshaw makes the best brushes IMHO. Got two of his beauties. :cool:
Of the two brushes I have in this price segment my post Vulfix Simpsons Commodore X3 outperforms my Shavemac 23mm Silvertip on hard soaps, and it's cheaper too. For creams the Shavemac is my choice.
I have a BK4.....personally, I think it way too floppy for soaps. I really like a SImpsons CHubby1....or you could try a Duke3 for the price range.
I agree, but my favorites (and currently the only ones) are still rooney finest, custom simpson finest and plisson ew - not crazy backbone by any means, just the right amount.Quote:
Originally Posted by JonnyO
Of course I've never tried half of the options in the poll.
I'm a soap face latherer.
It's becoming pretty clear that we've confirmed, yet again, that brushes are extremely personal and everyone wants something a little different. Some people don't like backbone, others can't stand floppy. The bottom line is that any brush made by a manufacturer in the poll list will be a good brush for someone. You just have to decide ahead of time what you want out of your brush, and go with the manufacturer/model that is known for that type of brush.
For soaps: Rooney
For super soft luxury of feel: Shavemac silvertip (doesn't load up quite as well on the soaps though....)
You might trade your 1970 Impala and upgrade!:rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by jszabo
Dannyr
+1. Great guy to do business with as well.:gl:Quote:
Originally Posted by riooso
This is crazy, I think Im gonna go with either a Rooney or a Shavemac for my second brush. I think after that I will know what I need/want for my third.
I like Rooney, I have a 3/2....I think?
I have a shavemac silvertip and boy do I love it.
I have a Rooney style 1 (short handle) size 2 (medium, 24mm knot) "Super" : Vintage*Blades*LLC*::... for $100. I like the size and style of this brush but Rooney has many other choices.
Of the five or six(*) brushes I have (and a couple I returned unused) This is my best-for-the-money brush. I have three favorites and this is one of them. The other two are about $150 each so I consider the Rooney to be a fantastic deal.
It is great for either bowl or face lathering. In my experience, great (as opposed to good) face lathering brushes are a bit harder to come by than great bowl latherers.
It has only two shortcomings, neither of them very serious:
1) It is a bit of a lather hog so you need to be sure to whip up a generous amount. No big deal.
2) It is a little scritchier than my other two favorites, but they cost half again as much and are therefore above the price cap for this poll.
I consider the Shavemac 177: Vintage*Blades*LLC*::... to be just as good but with a bulb instead of fan shaped loft. It is 23mm instead of 24mm. I personally prefer the fan shape.
(*) I say "five or six" because I am not sure I should count my Burma Shave boar brush as a "real" brush or just look at it as a novelty.