Thread: One Brush to Rule Them All...

ats200: thanks, that's a great link. How is the group buy unbeatable? I gathered the price was good, but am not sure how good or why (compared to other Thaters). Whatever I'm missing might be a whole lot more important than handle shape.

Birnando: Thanks, that helps. So it's the different nature of the bristles that make the group-buy brush special--not just the laser etching.

Does Thater offer other two-band brushes? Do other makers? I like the idea of stiff yet soft-tipped, I didn't fully realize all that "two-band" implied. Performance is much more important to me than handle aesthetics. I'd give up a cool-looking octagonal handle for better lathering performance every time.

In general, are members buying this to add a different, novel brush to their collection, or is the group-buy Thater really all about performance as a workhorse, day-in-and-day-out brush?

Personally, to me it's all about the business end of a brush. The handle is secondary and the price of the group buy would make me like the handle a whole lot. Also, realize the handles on Thater brushes are not designed the way they are on a whim. They are designed for performance. Ask someone who has one how the handle feels in the hand. Well, I have one so I'll tell you it feels very nice. I have the Chubby 3 with the plexi handle.

Thanks for the help, thebigspendur. You could sell ice to an Eskimo.

I do like the traditional Thater handles that I've seen, but from what I can tell of the group buy, the handle is not the usual octagonal shape I see on Thaters--it looks less comfortable. I looked at your Chubby 3 photo and it has the octagonal handle, not a handle like the one on the group buy photo.

Anyone have experience with a Thater handle like the one in the group buy photo?

Originally Posted by RobbW

In general, are members buying this to add a different, novel brush to their collection, or is the group-buy Thater really all about performance as a workhorse, day-in-and-day-out brush?

I did my homework on it and have gone in for a fan. I am not big on having many brushes,(I use only 1 boar brush currently) but some guys are! I wanted a premium brush and they are truly expensive. This group buy has given me an opportunity to own the best at an affordable(gulp) price! It will be my workhorse brush! I am looking forward to it. Sadly, I will probably hand it over to the wifey so she can give it to me for Christmas! Go for it and get it on! Tom

You could go with a Morris and Forndran Blond Badger. It's a great brush for face lathering with plenty of backbone and soft tips. You can get them from Vintage Blades.

You could also go to wallygreens and go from this: to THIS! My eight dollar brush is costing 10 these days! It is like an old pair of jeans, getting good about the time it wears out! Glad I signed on. I am convinced, by the sheer number of experienced buyers aboard, that it is a smoking deal. I realize concerns in spending this much, but you are getting it at a huge discount. This brush should be the "Mac Daddy" ...get it on...Tom

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I am convinced, by the sheer number of experienced buyers aboard, that it is a smoking deal. I realize concerns in spending this much, but you are getting it at a huge discount. This brush should be the "Mac Daddy" ...get it on...Tom

This is the post that tipped me over the edge--in the end there were too many very experienced and knowledgeable members here knowing what a great product and great deal this is. PayPal sent for a bulb. Thank you all for your help!! I'm sure I'll enjoy this brush for many, many years to come. :thumbsup:

Originally Posted by TonyN

You could go with a Morris and Forndran Blond Badger. It's a great brush for face lathering with plenty of backbone and soft tips. You can get them from Vintage Blades.

That M&F looks like a great brush, with many of the strengths of the Thater. That handle is just what I imagine a perfect handle to be, for me. It's got sexy curves and a nice, balanced look to it. It made me realize that it's the straight lines I don't care for so much in the Thater.

It's weird though, the more I looked at the M&F and compared it to the Thater, the more I started focusing on the shape of the bulb bristles--and I really like the shape of the Thater bulb--it's got something different from most of the other bulbs that I've seen and it's really attractive. I guess that by looking at some really great handles--the Thater octagon and this M&F, made me realize the handle on the group-buy Thater is not all that far off for me. Plus, the performance end of the group-buy Thater seems to be "all that", so...I'm in!!!

Oh, maybe I'm just in a good mood, because last night I picked up my mail and found that I had received a package with some really amazing shaving cream samples in violet, rose, avocado and lime from Messers Trumper, Taylor, and a certain Castle-Forbes. Some really good stuff in there, all of it calling out for a top-notch brush to whip it into shape!

Thanks to you and everyone for your help!

Originally Posted by RobbW

...I'm in!!!

I had received a package with some really amazing shaving cream samples in violet, rose, avocado and lime from Messers Trumper, Taylor, and a certain Castle-Forbes.

Enjoy the Thäter and the cream samples.