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Hi all;
Is the "pure badger" brush that comes in the various "Art of Shaving" starter kits (around 30 - 50 bucks canadian) any good? I am currently using an omega "bristle" brush that I like but don't know if I would like badger better and an nervous about dropping all that coin...
When I went in and asked whether the brush was good the guy told me it was a travel brush and meant to last ~3 months if you used it often. I was like O_o because he went on to say similar things about everything up to the Silvertip...which he said would last ~10 yrs.
...If I'm going to pay AoS prices for Silvertip, it better last till my kids' kids use it. :)
That being said it's not a bad brush, but I ended up getting the Crabtree and Evelyn / Edwin Jagger Best Badger (291) brush that's being discontinued. If you can find one (and that's a big if...) it is really nice and well priced at $35. I dunno, for me I just wanted the nice brush b/c the essentials of shaving can be had cheaply (soap $1-10, bowl $4) and anyway AoS's kit would last you like 2 wks with daily use so I figure I'd spring the extra $10 for a better brush and then just build up the rest of my stuff slowly as I have free cash for them.
Funny that you asked this question since I just got a reply from AoS on the very same inquiry. Here's their answer:
"Thank you for contacting us. We appreciate your interest in our products and services. The brush in the Starter Kit is meant to be used as an introduction to shaving with a brush and will only last as long as the products in the Starter Kit."
I actually did get the starter kit two years ago, and I asked this question to them to find out whether the brush is still useable or not. Anyway, the brush felt very spiky on my skin. The pre-shave oil, the shaving cream, and the after shave balm that came with it were pretty small, and the price wasn't that cheap. The pre-shave oil was very sticky, just like what Lynn Abrams said in his DVD.
I'd say that it's better to get the "real" brush right away like a good yet relatively inexpensive silvertip brush. As far as oil, cream, etc. are concerned, there are great products that aren't very expensive, such as Proraso pre-shave cream ($13), Tabac soap ($12), and Nivea after shave balm (just got one for $6 at Walgreens).
Speaking of brush, I am still looking for a decent silvertip under $80, even better if there's one under $50. Can anyone help? Thanks.
signed,
The Philosopher
While I've never used that brush, I bought a Fendrihan Pure badger brush. It's soft and after a few uses doesn't smell like a wet dog. The down side it that lathering with it is akin to using a feather duster. I've ordered a Vulfix boar brush based on recommendations of people who went the same route. :gl: Vulfix Shaving Brushes
Thanks for the help. I think i'll just keep on with the boars hair (bristle) Omega brush for now as I find its getting softer as I use it and it seems to be doing an ok job.
There are better options to start with than the AOS brush that comes in their cheap starter kits. I had one and used it but it shed hairs badly and had no backbone when trying to face lather. I think some of their more expensive brushes are better quality. I have a friend who has been using the brush out of their more expensive, full-size kit for some time and he is quite satisfied with it.
I bought the full size kit when I was starting out and ended up using that brush and it was great. The thing is, they are overpriced for what they are. Good brush, no special deal. Tweezerman makes an inexpensive badger brush:
Amazon.com: Tweezerman Badger Hair Shaving Brush: Beauty
And omega makes some as well that are pretty inexpensive in USD.
Good luck, I hope this helps.
-Rob
That brush lasted a full three shaves with me before the knot simply fell out. I got a similar response as the one posted above from AOS. I've since refused to buy any hardware from them, besides the fact that most of their stuff is rather overpriced.
Serg