Thread: Vie-Long Horsehair Brushes

I really enjoy mine. I have the one that is dyed. I believe they are discontinuing the dyed one, so I got it for half price. It's an aggressive brush, great for face lathering and hard soaps. When I first got it, I lathered it with some shampoo a few times. But, really I didn't find the smell that bad. Really fun to use!

I realize everyone's opinion differs, but sadly, my experience was just miserable with these. It was prickly and stiff before it began to shed like crazy. A mass of hair at a time. I tossed it.

I like my VL's, soft with good backbone make sure that you look into the two different hair types but I like the natural 30/70 mix Instead opposed to the 50/50 but might try the 50/50 in a shorter loft.

Mondo is right, mane to tail hair ratio is the important part when you're talking about horse hair. One has too much backbone and the other has too little. I like my Vie Long 12705 very much, and I think our own Sargon's description at Vie-Long 12705 23mm Horse Hair Shaving Brush explains the thinking behind this model pretty well. They don't seem to bloom as well, in my opinion, as badger, but they can be as soft or hard as you want (based on the mix) and are good brushes.

I have the Vie-Long 12705 and it is, literally, a different animal than badger and boar. If I had to make a comparison, I would say it's in between a pure badger and a silvertip rather than a boar and a badger. I found it has very little in common with a boar brush. It is a bit scritchy when face lathering using circular motions, in the same way as a pure badger is. If you paint on lather, it's almost as soft as my Thäter three-band silvertip.

Maybe the backbone is the only thing it has in common with a boar brush (apart from being a shaving brush, quoth he facetiously). It whips up lather like the best badger, has great flow through and holds plenty of water. The 12705 measures 24mm by 57mm (Gifts&Care offers a reduced loft, but in my opinion this thing has plenty of backbone, a shorter loft would likely be too much), my Thäter 23mm by 52mm and they practically hold the same amount of water.

Mine does still after a good shave or 20 sheds a hair every now and then (maybe one every two shaves now). This does not reflect negatively upon its performance in any way. Great, great value for money and something new to try and add to your arsenal. It has rendered my Semogue 1460 boar pretty much redundant.

This is my sad crew.
A cheap badger, a boar and I think the last one is horse but not sure. It sure feels like horse and not like the others at all. I got the 2 on the right on e-bay. I wanted the silver one because it is DD and wanted it for my collection and display. I have not used it yet. I am just a few months at this straight shaving but I was wondering if each brush was also specific for the soap/lather. The silver one says " For professional use only" and I started to wonder about that. I know barbers used a hot lather machine and was thinking maybe this brush was designed for that specific use. It is real soft and flimsy so I was thinking the creamy soft lather that comes out of a machine would take to this hair real well. I can't imagine it working well in a bowl with a puck. It is also longer and more suited to a deep cup ? I am going to get another that is in newer condition and will try it out on the puck but I don't think it is going to pick up much or create lather on my face like the badger or boar. But who knows, the boar really surprised me when I used it. It was a lot softer wet than dry.

I vaguely recall those hot lather machines being used when I was a kid. To the best of my recollection a brush was not used to apply the hot cream to the face but merely spread with the barbers hands. Sort of like today's foam in a can.

Bob

Originally Posted by Peter57

Does anyone know if the Vie-Long 13061 Premium Horse Hair Shaving Brush is dyed? I just ordered one and am expecting it any day.

I've heard that, for horsehair brushes it's recommended that you 1) soak the bulb in vinegar/cold water for half an hour, 2) drain and rinse well, 3) lather and let sit for half an hour, and 4) rinse well and dry. Supposedly the vinegar/water soak sets (most of) the dye and the rest of the process removes the remaining dye and any "horsearoma". If the 13061 is it isn't dyed, I guess all of this is moot.

I would not soak it in any acid.
Mine is pure white horse hair from a whaite horse.
Theyre a combination tail and mane hair.
The smell was no problem, it subtly smelled of sweet hay.
The brush is smooth on the face like badger, yet has the spine to lather like boar.

Ive been using my vie long horse hair since christmas. Had two hairs fall out. The entire time. Its quality.
Makes great lather quick

I plan to get one before summer vacations. Thanks for your recommendation.