Thread: Help with picking a brush

To All,

This is only my second post, for I am a convert to the world of straight razor shaving. I am done with cartridge razors. Taking an inventory of everything I have purchased, the only thing I lack right now is a shave brush. From everything I have read, the way to go is with a silvertip badger shave brush. But, silvertip brushes can be very expensive and I guess what I am asking is, what kind of high quality, reasonally priced shave brushes are out there?

Joshua

Just thought i'd say welcome to SRP first off
I'm not alot of help in the brush department as I only have 1 Badger...it is a silvertip, it's a merkur futur and so far has served me well for a couple of years.

Hi Joshua,

Any brush on this page would be an excellent first brush. I started with the super badger one myself and really like it. If that blows the budget then you might like the pure. I've heard good things about them but haven't tried one myself. Good luck with your decision and welcome to SRP!

Vintage Blades LLC::Shaving Brushes::Rooney::Style 3::Style 3 Size 1 (Small)

Cheers and welcome to SRP!

I've got a boar brush from the Vintage Scent (vintagescent.com). It's firm while making lather and soft on the face. Not to mention they're quite a bit of bang for your shaving buck.

Good luck,
cubed1

Brushes come in all sizes so finding a silvertip for a reasonable price isn't all that difficult and with all the custom guys out there and discount makers you shouldn't have trouble sourcing what you want. I'm sure guys will chime in with their favorite brush sources

Have you thought of making your own? It really isn't that difficult and you would prefer to use something you made over just another brush.

-G

Welcome to SRP.

I started with a badger brush from Walgreens about 8 bucks. I have since moved up to badger. I purchased Frank Shaving Brushes from star shaving.com
he has a few levels for sale.

Star Shaving Supplies

If you want a silvertip I think its still less than 30 dollars. I have a finest badger that is outstanding! as well as a silvertip. I prefer the finest since it has a "stiffer" hair that works well for me.

The frank brushes are also available on ebay from Star shaving as well as a vender in China.

You may also check out this thread:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/brush...g-brushes.html

I've only got the one brush and thats doing me just fine. Its a best badger I got from Trumpers, I think its a 22mm knot and not too long.

I would say pick a brush in the same way you pick a first razor - The Wiki recommends a 6/8" half hollow round point razor as its pretty much mid range. I'd argue the same thing with a brush. Get a mid range knot size, mid range loft and in best badger (which is the mid range hair I believe) and then see where you want to go from there.

Good luck and keep us posted!

I'd recommend a 24mm Best Badger from a reputable manufacturer.

The $6 VDH 22mm Boar brush I started with was a little stiff, and a little small. It's main problem is that it didn't make lather NEARLY as good as a better brush. I'm guessing this is because it was $6 though, since I hear $35-45 boar brushes work fine.

The $75 Stephens Woodworking 26mm Silvertip Badger brush was much softer and this helped it make much creamier lather than the boar brush. I could also lather my face a lot faster. But it's a little big for near the sideburns and under the nose. Also, the Silvertip is a little too floppy for getting my neck wiskers to stop lying flat against the skin and stand up.

Also, I lost 6-8 hairs per shave from the Stephens brush for 6-9 months. That's why I'd go with a brush from a brush manufacturer rather than a woodworking shop...

ps: Crabtree and Evelyn has some (overpriced) Edward Jaggers in their stores in many malls, in both Silver Tip and some Pure badger that you can feel to get an idea of what you want. Keep in mind that both versions get about 25% floppier after they have been used a month or so and are now "broken in".