Thread: Brushes, Brushes, Brushes...

JL,

Take a look at the Vulfix brushes on ClassicShaving.com. They are a great value for an excellent brush. I have the Vulfix 376, which is $70, has Super Badger bristles and a 24mm knot. I have the same mug as you do and the brush will work well with that mug, although you have to hold it with your fingertips and it will bang a bit on the sides of the mug. If you want a shorter mug, get a shorter Old Spice mug off of eBay for $10. Anyway, it's a fairly large brush but holds water well and is very soft on the face. It's not as stiff as a boar brush and will seem to be moppy by comparision, but it works well with hard soaps.

Nice post Randy,

I didn't read the whole thread, I find brushes boring as all get out. I think I would go with Randy's advice. $35 for a brush? Thats a deal. I really got turned off to brush buying when I moved up to silvertip and thought it SUCKED. I like a brush that is a little stiffer and I knock out water when I lather up. Now I use an expensive brush, I have to knock out MORE water to make a good lather, the thing is soft (its like trying to use my head hair to build up a lather, AND I payed more for all this heartache. I get more ingrown hairs now to boot! Yeeeee Haaaaa. Gotta love that huh? Its so soft it doesn't even move the whiskers around. I got so frustrated for a while I stopped using a damn brush all together and just started putting soap on my face with my hands...can you guess where the "bristles" came from? Thats right, these soaps and creams lather up just fine without a brush. Don't forget you may be paying for the name or the handle material too, nothing says the quality of the brush is either better or your going to like it better. When did everyone decide that softer bristles should be better? I've heard of guys paying $400 for a brush and being dissapointed. And you know how hard it must be trying to sell a $400 used brush... Crazy...

Thanks Alan,

I've got more to add, but I had problems with the page freezing up when trying to post with more pics and links. I'll get to it later. Been meaning to mention your signature. My former boss used to always say "A goal is just a dream without a plan".

RT

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!