looking to buy a Kent. Have not owned one and would like feedback if I should get a BK4 or BK8?
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looking to buy a Kent. Have not owned one and would like feedback if I should get a BK4 or BK8?
Can't tell you about the BK4, but I have the BK8 and it is exceptional. I use it every day. It builds and holds great lather and I don't think I have ever seen it shed a single hair. It is well stuffed - no limpy brush here.
The bk4 is loved by many. Do not have one, but do have the bk8, and it is my favorite. It is on the floppy side, but makes lather beautifully. Would rate it above my Rooneys, Simpsons, Plisson etc (all silver tip, btw). I don't think you'll be sorry with either.
I've tried both and altough considered floppy brushes I found the BK8 to be better. The thicker knot size gives for somwhat better backbone and density.
Got rid of all my Kents.
Definitely found them to be too floppy for my liking. Would have made nice paint brushes though.
Have fun,
Lynn
I really like Kents. Say what you will about floppiness, I challenge you to find a softer brush. It's been said before, they have the best lather flow through.
I say BK4, I think the BK8 is too big, but it's YMMV.
I don't own a Kent BK4, but lately I did some "brush surgeries" on BK4 brushes. They are extremely floppy and in my opinion great as a make-up brush...
I removed the knots and set them at a much lower loft in newly made handles, one at 42 and one at 45 mm, and now they are usable brushes.
I have had both at some point, and like Max, I favored the BK8 for the thicker, denser knot. Both were still floppy, and have long been sold as my preferences narrowed.
I agree that both have good flow through. As regards softness, the the bristles are soft and thin, hence the floppiness. The tips, on the other hand, I found scritchy like any other pure badger.
As for the softest tips, I have found none as soft as the Thaters. Softer tips also on the HMW, Rooney Finest, current Simpson Supers, and even Shavemac silvertips, in my experience. YMMV and all.
I tend to like a sloppy feel when I make an uberlather, and slap the stuff on! I prefer a stiffer brush if using only soaps. BK8 it is. Thanks!
Never had an 8 and found the 4 to be too soft for my liking and sold it. Strictly a cream brush AFAIC. Good luck with it, may be a brush you'll like.
Rudy is the one that did surgery on my Kent BK4. I found it far to floppy to face lather as is, but Rudy set it at 45mm for me in a custom turned handle and it is now a great face lathering brush.Quote:
Originally Posted by rudyvey
Kent hair is soft - some of the softest I've used and now set at a much shorter loft it has some backbone to it.
The two Kents are big , big, sellers among general shavers in the UK. But for aficionados the BK4 is just too soft and floppy. The BK8 is the better bet but at the price, there's better value elsewhere. A decent Simpsons Best will outperform for under the price of the BK8.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fido
Hmmm with all of th replies I must reconsider my decision and continue my research.
Does anyone else feel the Simpsons are a better bang for the buck invstment?
Find the BK4 too floppy. Gave it to my nephew! You should perhaps be looking at Simpsons brushes.
I've listened to the masses and would like your recommendations on which Simpsons brush to consider?Quote:
Originally Posted by tavli
I love all my Simpsons. All are supers just as an FYI. My Polo 8 is a two band. For a really softest bristle with some back bone in my opinion, The Thater is a great value brush. I have a couple Plisson's HMW and EW but they are not cheap by any means. Nice brushes as are the Rooney's. I like the current Heritage line in those. Just got a New Forest brush from Fido that I am breaking in and it is a good value too.
Have fun,
Lynn
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lynn
Thanks Lynn - I value your opinion. Anyone else care to chime in? For some reason I have a hole burning in my pocket to buy a new brush.
Personally, I prefer the equivalent to the Rooney Finest which several brands make though the stuff is pretty much impossible to get now. I think the main brands like Simpson and Rooney and Plisson make the best quality. Thater is a new player in the scene and they are great brushes too. I don't like floppy brushes.
Hi,
The Kent BK4 for me.
For me, this brush is not 'floppy'; (yes it is softer than some).
It lathers hard soaps, creams etc with aplomb. It hold and presents the lather excellently. A superb brush :)
Have fun !
regards
Russ
I have the BK4 and it can be a bit floppy, however I do like the Kent brushes and bought one of the Kent B&B limited edition 2009 brushes which has a denser knot than the BK4 and it is a fantastic brush. They seem to come up for sale new occasionally, highly recommended!
Cheers
Anthony
I'm in the process of selling my BK4 because of the floppiness factor. I had a fellow member send me some o-rings and if you slipped them over the handle and up to the base of the knot it firmed it up a little but it still wasn't my cup of tea.
I've fallen in love with Simpson and each day I chose one of four I own and know I'm going to get great lather no matter soap or cream, bowl or face lather.
Hey, Where do you buy such a thing as a floppy knot o-ring? Let me fire up Google... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by bbarton713
What are the opinions of Vie-Long brushes? I'm look at the 16722 Silvertip? I'm also considering a Simpsons or Omega. I've just goota get a new brush....
I sold my kents also. Just too soft and floppy for me.
If considering a simpson, the only three band I'd consider would be the chubby. The others I've owned were just too soft and a bit floppy. Just my experience though.
The two bands though are incredible. Even in the smaller knotted brushes. That's were my money is going these days.