Thread: Brushes, Brushes, Brushes...

JL,

First, we've got to get you some room to work. That mug is a beauty, but it doesn't give much room to work the brush. I think part of the problem is the quality of water, which means you'll have to put more effort into creating your lather. Before you rush out and spend any money, grab a cereal bowl out of the kitchen and try using that for a day or two. You'll need to wet the bottom of the soap when you first put it in so that it will meld to the bottom. If you want something more attractive, here are a few options that you might look for:

The blue bowl and latte mug came from Wal Mart, about $2 bucks each. The stainless steel bowl on the right is my go to bowl, about $1 at the thrift store. You could also choose to use ZipLoc snap and seal containers, 6 to the pack and for around $4 bucks a pack.

Now, for the brush. Up to $70 will get you a great brush. My personal preference is the Shavemac. I've got two and one inbound. Reasonable prices, great quality, and they look good. The link takes you to Shavemac's Handmade Finest Badger page. You can also elect to create a custom brush. Shavemac brushes have a "lightbulb" shape, and of all my brushes, I enjoy them the most. Soft on the face, but not so soft that they "splay" against your skin. Below is the custom ShaveMyFace Cocobolo Brush, which has a 26mm knot. The middle brush is an Edwin Jagger Travel brush sold by Crabtree & Evelyn. It's probably somewhat similar in size to your AOS brush, with approximately a 20mm knot. The brush ont he right has left my stable and moved on...the Savile Row 241, 30mm knot and this puppy is huge!


Take it slow and easy, and keep asking questions!

RT

Thanks RT! its a shame I really like that mug! I see what you are saying though, I will try to find something around the house that I can use, maybe that will really help. I'll try to find something tomorrow and let you know how it works out!

One more question, since I am thinking of getting either taylor or D.R. Harris soap, what if I ordered the soaps in those wood bowls that it comes in...its not much more more expensive, and I could travel with it...would that work just as well???

Originally Posted by JLStorm

Thanks RT! its a shame I really like that mug! I see what you are saying though, I will try to find something around the house that I can use, maybe that will really help. I'll try to find something tomorrow and let you know how it works out!

One more question, since I am thinking of getting either taylor or D.R. Harris soap, what if I ordered the soaps in those wood bowls that it comes in...its not much more more expensive, and I could travel with it...would that work just as well???

How about "maybe"! The only soap I have in a wooden bowl is a JF Floris soap. I love the soap, but it is messy to work up the lather. Before you spend the big bucks, stick with raiding the kitchen for a bowl and see how that works. If that is successful, pick up the ZipLoc containers and see how that works. The containers are available in several shapes, and I use the round ones. They come with lids and make storage easy. If you are still successful with these containers, the I would say go for the wooden bowls. Otherwise, you may find that a highly recommended soap that you spent good money for is not working...and it's a water thing! That would be a disappointment. If you know of anyone that has a water softener system installed, that's another way to find out if it is your water.

RT

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

How about "maybe"! The only soap I have in a wooden bowl is a JF Floris soap. I love the soap, but it is messy to work up the lather. Before you spend the big bucks, stick with raiding the kitchen for a bowl and see how that works. If that is successful, pick up the ZipLoc containers and see how that works. The containers are available in several shapes, and I use the round ones. They come with lids and make storage easy. If you are still successful with these containers, the I would say go for the wooden bowls. Otherwise, you may find that a highly recommended soap that you spent good money for is not working...and it's a water thing! That would be a disappointment. If you know of anyone that has a water softener system installed, that's another way to find out if it is your water.

RT

Someone on here recommended that I buy a jug of distilled water and try that when I mentioned I was having problems with the classic soap. I will try your suggestion tomorrow and let you know how I make out.

Thanks!

JL,

That was me suggesting the Distilled water. And the key is Distilled, not just bottled water. When you think about it, if that solves your problem, you will use less than a cup a day, and a gallon is about a buck? Not much of an expenditure. And if it doesn't help, you can still drink it!

RT

RT,

this is very true...I was going to shave tonight...but I will wait till tomorrow and pick some up at the supermarket. That would be very nice if that worked, a very cheap alternative to my problems...then I could wait to get the brush...etc.. My family always complains that they can never think of anything to give me for my birthday or the holidays...so hopefully this will be an easy way for them to buy for me, and I dont want to buy everything I need or else they cant!

Originally Posted by JLStorm

RT,

this is very true...I was going to shave tonight...but I will wait till tomorrow and pick some up at the supermarket. That would be very nice if that worked, a very cheap alternative to my problems...then I could wait to get the brush...etc.. My family always complains that they can never think of anything to give me for my birthday or the holidays...so hopefully this will be an easy way for them to buy for me, and I dont want to buy everything I need or else they cant!

JL,

If the distilled water works, I'll die laughing when you post that all you got for your birthday was 10 gallons of distilled water!

RT

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

JL,

If the distilled water works, I'll die laughing when you post that all you got for your birthday was 10 gallons of distilled water!

RT

LMAO!!!!!

I guess if that is the case I will just REALLY need a fancy brush to go with that special water I use....

Hey JL, i'm in the same boat- pretty new to this game and looking for a better brush now that i know i really like this whole thing but still not wanting to break the bank. i just ordered a Shavemac brush, it's this model:
http://www.shavemac.com/index.php?la...2557&prod_id=6

the other ones i considered were a vulfix- http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...550/422194.htm

and a rooney- http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...30/2184259.htm

after reading way more posts than id like to admit on various forums i chose the shavemac over the vulfix, something about the lightbulb shape and dense packing of the shavemac i think sold me. im sure whatever you choose will be great! have fun in your decision (lol it really is kind of fun choosing and buying these things, like grownup christmas)

Thanks James...that is definitely within the price range. How do you like the brush???