So I'm eyeing several silvertip brushes now, (I currently have a pure bager brush and like it a lot) but I am kind of hesitating at the cost... are they really worth the premium versus my best/pure badger brushes?
Thanks
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So I'm eyeing several silvertip brushes now, (I currently have a pure bager brush and like it a lot) but I am kind of hesitating at the cost... are they really worth the premium versus my best/pure badger brushes?
Thanks
It all depends on what you want in a brush. Personally, I don't like silvertips. I like by brushes on the scritchy side so I tend to stay away from the softer tipped brushes.
Check this thread out it may prove helpful...http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=76101
If you're concerned about the price, do what I did. Get a silvertip plug from Golden Nib and make your own. It's much cheaper and just as good.
I like my silvertips, I like my boars, too. If you asked me if the silvertips were worth the premium over my broken-in $15 boar brush, I'd be hard-pressed to say yes. But at the same time, I don't consider my silvertip brushes a waste of money, as they are very nice and make for a very enjoyable shaving experience.
How's that for an answer? :)
I'd say that's a good answer :)
My current badger brush is pretty well broken in and comfy for me to use, I just have never used the silvertip and was thinking of splurging on one (ok so I've been splurging on a lot lately LOL) I may pass though.
If I get the plug, do I have to make a handle myself or can I buy one?
As far as I know you'll have to make your own handle. It's pretty easy, though. You don't need a lathe, since it's just a small piece. I drilled a hole for the plug in a piece of square stock, then shaped a really nice round handle with my chisels and files. Sand it, then put on a durable water-resistant finish, then add hot glue to the hole (the inside of which should be left a little rough to aid adhesion) and pop in the hair plug.
If you don't feel comfortable shaping wood by hand, you can just round the edges of a rectangular block and go from there. Why can't you have square handles too? Or you can buy a pre-made chair leg at the hardware store for a couple of dollars. Saw off the sections you want to use for a brush.
Ordering from Golden Nib is very easy, too. Great service and a huge selection of hair plugs at low prices.
I bought a handle from a vendor here at SRP and set my own black badger knot in it, which was, indeed, very easy. The black badger is a bit rough, though. I might hit Lee Valley for a turning blank and figure out how to make my own handle at some point.
Well I may have access to a Lathe, so I may give a try at making a handle.... if the handle is acceptable I'll buy a plug and see how it goes.
What glue do you use to install the plug?
I used JB Weld on mine. That knot is in there forever :)
Marine grade epoxy is a good choice.Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgyver74
+1. Now just typing to get to the minimum character limit for a post.:)Quote:
Originally Posted by bharner
If you don't have access to a lathe or the requisite skills and want an easy handle, you could get a vintage one from the bay, take out and discard the old knot, and glue in a golden nib knot. I did similar, albeit with an old brush that my father gave me. In my opinion given my disposable income, and I'd think it would be fair to say objectively, some silvertips I have seen are ridiculously expensive.
It is for me.
You, on the other hand, will have to make up your own mind.
I have a full size and travel size AOS pure badger, an Omega 48 Boar, a Edwin Jagger super badger (fancy name for silvertip), and a custom two banded silvertip. I have never paid more than $60 for any brush, so ya I feel the ones I have are well worth the price! My EJ feels like a cloud making out with my face while my two band and my broken in Boar oddly feel very similar (silvertip is softer, but seriously not by too much) my AOS feel very scrubby and scritchy which I really enjoy after a long hunt or any time of camping.
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Like Theseus said,it all depends on what you like about a brush.I like the softness also, the lather coverage for me was impressive.I shaved a heavy growth and it covered much easier.I got thicker lather much quicker too.Worth the money? yes for me (well,the wife actually)it was.
For me no badger is worth the price and especially silvertips.
Recently I sold all my badger brushes to get rid of them.
Some people have tons and tons of brushes...I have one nice silvertip (Thäter chubby) and one nice boar (SOC) and it seems to cover all my needs right now (I'm hoping I never catch SBAD). I wouldn't give up either one for anything and if I feel the need to buy another brush, next one will be some kind of travel brush. So for me, having one nice silvertip is worth it.
So what do you use? Boar?Quote:
Originally Posted by Slur
This is a fair question and I really like the balanced responses in this thread including the make your own idea. I hope to do that soon. A brush is a lot like hats. I have several for different occasions and requirements. I own a DOVO silvertip, an old boar brush and a regular Jagger badger with a nice thick knot (not a silvertip). Even though my DOVO cost much more I find my self more often using the BIG standard badger which cost less than $40. Go figure. I use them all just to break things up, and the DOVO is reserved for my most expensive creams (that only seems fitting), and it is a luxurious feeling brush. But if I were forced to choose one then I would personally prefer the BIG fluffy badger that makes lather just sitting in the bowl. Its seems to be my best all around. But who needs just one hat. :) Thanks for the question. I think I will start looking at a Vulfix for Christmas. Good luck.
it's been interesting reading, and I'm thinking about going the self made route (buy the knot and make the handle) for 40 bucks I'll try it out...but I can't justify 150 for a brush... :(
Try a Frank shaving Silvertip. cheap and gives a good result.
Search by frank shaving brush on e bay. i have mine almost a year and i like him like day one.
These are actually my brushes:Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgyver74
Attachment 84168
From the left to the right:
The first three brushes are horse made brushes. The first was bought from a street market in Constantinople, the second is the Bestshave No6 brush, and the third one is the Bestshave Professional No1. This last one is a huge brush.
I owned also a Vie Long Horse brush which I sold because it was small and I prefer big knots. Unfortunately Vie Long has only small knot brushes.
The two in the middle are boar brushes. The first is a no-name small boar brush but really very effective, and the second one is the Omega 102 Italia boar brush.
The last three brushes are my 48s.
Omega 48 is the best shaving brush according to my needs. It is big enough, with quality boar bristles, and a very ergonomic handle.
The first one in the Omega 48. The second one is the Omega 80 which is an Omega 48 with golden plated handle, and the last one is a custom made wooden replica of the Omega 48. Actually an Omega 48 was bought and the knot was taken out of the handle. Then a wooden exact replica of the Omega 48 handle was made by American Walnut. You can see some photos of this brush here and here.
(You see that it is loaded with lather because it is under treatment to take away the smell before using it)
I find it very hard to buy a brush by 'mail order' just a company's description and a price. You really need to look and read and then asked fellow shavers if they've had experience with the one your interested in. This is where site like this one are really of value!
Slur is a boar-addicted member of our forumQuote:
Originally Posted by mcgyver74
We tried to convince him to change his opinion but we failed
We still try :-)
I must say, I am leaning towards preferring my boar brushes, as well, though I'm not going to come right out and declare myself a "Boar Man" just yet. Maybe in another few months...
Everything is a personal choice in this world, and the only way you can ever really tell if something is worth anything to you is to step up and try it out yourself. Sure, you can get good advice from good people (and bad advice from bad people, and good advice from bad people and bad advice from good people....), but in the end only you can say what is best for you.
So when you ask is silvertip worth the price, I say that I never regretted buying mine and it was certainly worth the price to me. How that helps you answer your question only you can say.
James.
With many things though you can get as many opinions as you care to field the matter is subjective so the value is questionable as it relates to you so you just have to try it yourself.
Personally I like badger but hate floppy so I gravitate to the 2 band badger (which you can't get anymore). I find the Thaters have many of the 2 band qualities and there are some short loft silvertips that aren't floppy but they tend to be smaller brushes.
Luckily I have a good brush supply, probably enough to last me the duration.
I had a badger brush - don't recall what kind - and recently gave it to my bro, because I knew he was too lazy to get one himself. I sent him one of my first DE razors for him to try also. I inherited a brush from my girlfriend's step father. He was a German (born and died there) and his stuff is quality made. Though, it had a name on it, I wasn't able to read it. And I recently re-finished it so that it will last, as the former poster points out, for the duration.
If you are ordering the knot from golden nib I do believe they sell pre made handles as well, at least did because I got one from there once, if you make the handle yourself then please...pictures :)
I don't know...I mean, I read somewhere there is a guy that spreads his lather on with his fingers...so, I don't know, I kind of land in the 'middle' of the ideal. I have an old badger brush (don't ask me what make or how many bands), it is inherited, and I often tend to apply a little bit of lather as I go w/ my fingers.
I do have a silvertip badger DOVO brush, article 918 1056. It has a white/brown micarta handle and it looks great. The brush works well and contributes to a comfortable shave.
I paid 99 euro's and I think it's worth the money. Due to the fact that it is German made, I guess the brush will last long.
