Thread: New Plisson HMW arrived (finally)

If you go back a few years the only source I am aware of for the top of the line badger was either Rooney Finest and Simpson Super or Plisson HMW. The characteristic of this type brush was it had two bands with the top band a very white. The difference twix the Rooney Silvertip and the finest is remarkable. No floppyness at all and alot of backbone. Once you use one you never forget it it is very different than anything else.

Fast forward to today. These same outfits are having alot of trouble sourcing this same grade and what you are seeing is three band that they say is the same as the old two and alot of other outfits are suddenly sourcing this stuff as true two band or so they say. Is it all the same stuff? No I don't think so. The true two band comes from a very limited area of the animal and only during the cold season and with weather getting warmer the old two band hair is becoming even rarer and I believe is being replaced with a newer variety that is inferior to the old.

I used to deal with a custom brush maker up in Canada and just based on what he has said about the true two band and availability this is my guess as to what it recently been happening. The only way to know of course is use an older Rooney Finest and compare it to say Plisson three band HMW or one of the newer makers selling two band for $30.

You also have to remember alot of dying and trimming and other stuff goes on. There really are no industry standards. The ols two band is still considered to be a type of silvertip.

Clear as mud?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

If you go back a few years the only source I am aware of for the top of the line badger was either Rooney Finest and Simpson Super or Plisson HMW. The characteristic of this type brush was it had two bands with the top band a very white. The difference twix the Rooney Silvertip and the finest is remarkable. No floppyness at all and alot of backbone. Once you use one you never forget it it is very different than anything else.

Fast forward to today. These same outfits are having alot of trouble sourcing this same grade and what you are seeing is three band that they say is the same as the old two and alot of other outfits are suddenly sourcing this stuff as true two band or so they say. Is it all the same stuff? No I don't think so. The true two band comes from a very limited area of the animal and only during the cold season and with weather getting warmer the old two band hair is becoming even rarer and I believe is being replaced with a newer variety that is inferior to the old.

I used to deal with a custom brush maker up in Canada and just based on what he has said about the true two band and availability this is my guess as to what it recently been happening. The only way to know of course is use an older Rooney Finest and compare it to say Plisson three band HMW or one of the newer makers selling two band for $30.

You also have to remember alot of dying and trimming and other stuff goes on. There really are no industry standards. The ols two band is still considered to be a type of silvertip.

Clear as mud?

Interesting info...Now it is clear as mud!

Originally Posted by Birnando

I'd like to follow this up a bit, If you don't mind
I clearly don't get the 3 versus 2 band thing.
I'm including a picture of the 3 brushes I mentioned I was thinking about doing a comparison with.
With my not so experienced eyes these brushes all seem to be similar banded brushes?
What I see is a white tip of all the bristles, a darker band in the middle, and then they all seem to become whiter again towards the handle.
And yet 2 of them are 3 band, and the last one is a 2 band?
Hopefully you could enlighten me a bit on this issue
Lot's of stuff to learn in this Sport!

Here is a good review.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but that is quite a bit of money to spend without knowing what it is you are buying.

Originally Posted by RayG

Here is a good review.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but that is quite a bit of money to spend without knowing what it is you are buying.

Ray,
That was a great review and link...Very thorough. Thanks for sharing.

Originally Posted by RayG

Here is a good review.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but that is quite a bit of money to spend without knowing what it is you are buying.

Well, I knew it would be a brush of some sort, saw the pictures and all

But seriously, I had read a few reviews online about it, including the one you linked to, and that triggered me to buy it. Simple as that.

I hope you enjoy the Plisson. I have a HMW and a EW in addition to a lower end one. Surprisingly I actually like the EW a little better. I like a brush with some back bone and yet softer bristles that can be used with soaps or creams. The Plisson's are a little more expensive, but I can't say I am unhappy having them in my little collection. I am also a big fan of the new Rooney Heritage line as well as their Finest brushes. In addition, I would not give up my Simpson Chubby, Polo 8 two band or Polo 10 three band along with any of my Thater brushes. Significant amount of personal preference here. One thing I know is that I do not like floppy brushes and have gotten rid of all my Kent brushes for this reason. I do still have a couple of Shavemac's too, but have quit using them.

Enjoy and have fun,

Lynn

Hey Birn!

Lovely brushes..I wouldn't be surprised if all your brushes n razors n cremes were related as one big happy family!!...lolz!


pcdad

I'm with Lynn in not liking floppy brushes and have pretty much gotten rid of mine. About the only one I have left is a custom I had made which has an Elephant Ivory handle and I'm not about to ever give that up though I don't use it. I have one Kent which is the B&B special but its a small brush with a very short loft which keeps it from being floppy.

Originally Posted by RayG

Here is a good review.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but that is quite a bit of money to spend without knowing what it is you are buying.

Thanks Ray Now i know what the diff is between 2 and 3 band,i thought it had something to do with the knot, so much to learn and too little time.