Thread: Big Badger Choices

Can anyone recommend a really big badger brush for me? I have the Omega professional boar which Ithink has 60mm loft. Id like to try something similar but in badger. Suggestions?

The Kent BK12 is generally regarded as huge, as in preposterously oversized. The well regarded BK8, its smaller brother is a more sensible suggestion, and still a lot bigger than the average. Both are silvertips: taking that into account they're reasonably priced.

Thäter have a few really big ones. Probably the best deal you can get on those, and absolutely fabulous brushes. Not sure where you can currently get them in Canada, but here are some pictures by a German vendor: Thäter Manufaktur Herzlich Willkommen! - The Different Scent:.

People typically use the knot diameter as the criteria for sizes. However, the loft size is also very important. These two in conjunction with the hair type and the density of the knot define most of the properties of the brush. Boar brushes tend to have larger loft sizes because the boar bristles are stiffer than badger. My suggestion is to look for the complete specs for the brush, not just the loft size. Try to identify what you like and do not like from your Omega and incorporate these elements into the search. By focusing only on the loft size, you may end up getting a very floppy badger brush. And remember that not all badger bristles are created equal, there are different grades of badger hair, which by the way, are not standard (different people used different names for different grades).

Al raz.

Originally Posted by MadButcher

Can anyone recommend a really big badger brush for me? I have the Omega professional boar which Ithink has 60mm loft. Id like to try something similar but in badger. Suggestions?

I have the 28mm Shavemac Silvertip, everyone that has seen that brush comments on how big it is.... I love it, BUT they are lather hogs they do take more soap and cream each time you use them... But they are a huge, dense, warm, ball of comfort in the morning...

big brush.

Its easy to go overboard thinking about big brushes.

I though I would get a big brush and purchased this one.

Vulfix Shaving Brushes


I used it once, it is out of control big so just be careful on what size you want. I think that badger brush hold more soap and cream so they act like a bigger brush than there boar conterparts if that helps any.



Crom

Bigger may look cooler, but not necessarily the most efficient. I find that a "balanced" brush gives the best all around results.

Balanced - soft, but firm enough, not to dense, not too lose, and it holds together over time. Works well with creams and soaps.

Pabster

Originally Posted by Pabster

Bigger may look cooler, but not necessarily the most efficient. I find that a "balanced" brush gives the best all around results.

Balanced - soft, but firm enough, not to dense, not too lose, and it holds together over time. Works well with creams and soaps.

Pabster

I agree here.
What I'd recommend based on cost effectiveness as well as performance would be some kind of brush handle (vintage or custom) with a knot from thegoldennib. I've recommended these knots here a few times, but it's because they are IMO the best option for someone who doesn't care about brands and wants a brush that performs at least as good as the top name brands.
I once restored a vintage Simpson Chubby 2/3 with a finest knot from the TGN. It had a 30mm hole and I set a 24mm finest knot in there. The loft of the brush was about 50-55mm, so the knot would sit in the handle snugly even though the base was so small. Someone out on these forums still has the brush and I regret ever trading it, because I think it was the perfect combination of performance qualities in the larger knot range.
The owner of TGN also sells his own brushes over at penworks.us I believe.

Rooney, Simpsons and Vufix all offer large or tall badger hair shaving brushes. Check them out. You may find something to your liking.

Golden Nib has nice knots and I think they are knotted up by Vulfix. The UK Grade A brush I have is a bit too dense to be good with creams. So I would not recommend this one and would favor one less "dense".

Pabster