Thread: Thater: Once and for all, Is it a Shavemac?

Everytime someone asks about Thater brushes, mainly on some of the other forums, someone will post a reply ranging from "It sure looks like a Shavemac" to "It's a rebadged Shavemac." The only constant in these cases is that the poster invariably is talking out of his a**, not having owned or tried a Thater. In some cases, not even a Shavemac.

So when my Chubby 2 came from SRD, I took some comparative photos to once and for all let folks decide for themselves.




(L-R) CH1 super, 24mm Thater (Chubby 2 - loft on mine is 52mm), DO1 Shavemac (23mm knot, 50mm loft), Silvertip Shavemac (23mm, 60mm loft).

Bear in mind that the Somerset CH1 is slightly larger than the current CH1.

And from above:



(Top) Thater, 60mm Shavemac
(Bottom) Simpsons CH1, DO1

I took these photos when the Thater first arrived, meaning to post a review once I have used it more. Moreover, what I wanted to show was that the Thater knot does not look to be anywhere close to the Shavemacs.

One Thater dealer on another froum commented that Shavemac may supply some handles for Thater, and that may account for the similar handled brushes on the Shavemac site (the Thater 4125 model in particular) but once you have the brushes in your hand, it is quite obvious that they are different. Moreso when you use them. I may be wrong and end up with egg on my face, but that this is my impression.

Comparative user review to follow once I have spent more time with the Thater, but after a few uses, suffice it to say, I am quite happy with it...

Hi Ray,
Man...you beat me to it. You finally broke down and bought yours, heh?? .

I haven;t gotten to the comparison for my 24mm Thater and 25mm D01 Shavemac yet...will do so soon.

But your review gives me the added insurance that I didn't waste my time or money in purchasing the Thater. But I must say that I do love my D01

Thanks

Originally Posted by RayG

Everytime someone asks about Thater brushes, mainly on some of the other forums, someone will post a reply ranging from "It sure looks like a Shavemac" to "It's a rebadged Shavemac." The only constant in these cases is that the poster invariably is talking out of his a**, not having owned or tried a Thater. In some cases, not even a Shavemac.

So when my Chubby 2 came from SRD, I took some comparative photos to once and for all let folks decide for themselves.


(L-R) CH1 super, 24mm Thater (Chubby 2 - loft on mine is 52mm), DO1 Shavemac (23mm knot, 50mm loft), Silvertip Shavemac (23mm, 60mm loft).

Bear in mind that the Somerset CH1 is slightly larger than the current CH1.

And from above:


(Top) Thater, 60mm Shavemac
(Bottom) Simpsons CH1, DO1

I took these photos when the Thater first arrived, meaning to post a review once I have used it more. Moreover, what I wanted to show was that the Thater knot does not look to be anywhere close to the Shavemacs.

One Thater dealer on another froum commented that Shavemac may supply some handles for Thater, and that may account for the similar handled brushes on the Shavemac site (the Thater 4125 model in particular) but once you have the brushes in your hand, it is quite obvious that they are different. Moreso when you use them. I may be wrong and end up with egg on my face, but that this is my impression.

Comparative user review to follow once I have spent more time with the Thater, but after a few uses, suffice it to say, I am quite happy with it...

Of the 4, the Thäter has the knot that appeals to me most (based on my experiences with way too many brushes), but I haven't tried one yet. Thank you for sharing the pics.

I have the chubby 26mm in black and the 28mm in clear and black and i'm more than happy. They are beside the Simpson two bands my go to brushes.
Amund.

My dear RayG:

What a great post. Thank you, sir.

You have said with much aplomb everything that needs to be said about the Thater brushes and the endless comparisons with the Shavemac and Lord knows what other brush.

Well done. I could not agree with you more.

Regards,
Obie

It's a strange comparison because Thater is a manufacturer of brushes the same as Rooney or Vulfix while Shavemac is a retailer. They don't manufacture brushes or anything else for that matter.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It's a strange comparison because Thater is a manufacturer of brushes the same as Rooney or Vulfix while Shavemac is a retailer. They don't manufacture brushes or anything else for that matter.

Hello, thebigspendur:

You are so correct about the source of Shavemac brushes. Did I read somewhere that Vulfix actually manufactures what is sold under Shavemacs? I could be thinking of something else, I'm not sure here. Anyway . . .

This whole question of constantly comparing parades of brushes to the Thaters has had me puzzled through the endless posts I have read on the subject. Thanks to our good friend RayG for trying to put an end to it once and for all.

As a rule, I consider each product, whether a straight razor, shave brush or shave soap or cream, on its own merit and refrain from comparing it to another. To rely on comparing one product to another before buying it makes for a long day of headaches.

Stay well.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It's a strange comparison because Thater is a manufacturer of brushes the same as Rooney or Vulfix while Shavemac is a retailer. They don't manufacture brushes or anything else for that matter.

Who told you this, its the first time I hear this? I just had two custom knots made by Bernd of Shavemac.
There are some similarities in the handles of both Shavemac and Thaeter, but they buy those anyway and don't make them.
I sent an e-mail to Bernd and asked for clarification, as soon as I hear, I let you know.

Rudy,
I, like you, was also under the impression (and pretty sure in fact) that Bernd makes these Shavemacs himself. He custom made a 25mm for me not too long ago.

Originally Posted by rudyvey

Who told you this, its the first time I hear this? I just had two custom knots made by Bernd of Shavemac.
There are some similarities in the handles of both Shavemac and Thaeter, but they buy those anyway and don't make them.
I sent an e-mail to Bernd and asked for clarification, as soon as I hear, I let you know.

I am not sure about this maestro! I am fairly sure he does make his own brushes.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It's a strange comparison because Thater is a manufacturer of brushes the same as Rooney or Vulfix while Shavemac is a retailer. They don't manufacture brushes or anything else for that matter.