Thread: What is your favorite brush and why?

Matt,

PM sent. Thanks.
Ken

I used the Burma Shave brush last evening. I like the two boar brushes I gave to my sons better. They hold water and lather better and both feel better on my face. The Mohawk was purchased around 1967 and the German one was bought in 1977 & was NOS. Maybe the materials were just better then.

I would say that in most cases, workmanship was better. However we do have a few true craftsmen remaining and I'm glad that Matt is around and is a fellow South-Ontarian

Nowaday materials seem to be less durable. It's a fact, that the brush I bought back in the 80's still is what it used to be. Soft, not loosing any hair and holding water like a sponge.

But because it's old AND I would like to use something else, bigger perhaps, I started the thread to see what you all like.
I'm getting close to decide what to buy, but are there some recomadations (difficult word and no diary at hand... ) what absolutely NOT to buy?

(Or in plain english: can you all tell me what brush I should not buy? )

That would be like saying that steel used to be harder than it is now. I don't believe in the nostalgia for the good ol' days. The materials are the same but the industrial process does not allow for the care that a real craftsman puts into his product. That's the real difference. However as long as a few of them are around, we'll always be able to get something on the par with or better than what we had 100 years ago.

Update on the Burma Shave brush. It has been steadily improving w/ use. Holding water and lather better; and generally feeling better on the face. First shaving brush I've bought in over 20 years; last was my Plisson pure badger (which I love). Don't recall if my others had a "breaking in" period like the Burma Shave seems to be going through.

I've been shaving with straight razors for over a year now, yet the brush I'm using is a six or seven dollar one from Wilkinson Sword that I picked up at Wal-Mart! It whips up a lather just fine, but seeing as how I have over a dozen razors now, most of which are quite nice, I really need a nice badger hair brush to complete everything.

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

That would be like saying that steel used to be harder than it is now. I don't believe in the nostalgia for the good ol' days. The materials are the same but the industrial process does not allow for the care that a real craftsman puts into his product. That's the real difference. However as long as a few of them are around, we'll always be able to get something on the par with or better than what we had 100 years ago.

I don't know about that. I am using my fathers silvertip badger brush that is at least 40 years old. Doesn't lose any hair holds water like a champ plus great memories of Dad..

Originally Posted by dennisthemenace

Update on the Burma Shave brush. It has been steadily improving w/ use. Holding water and lather better; and generally feeling better on the face. First shaving brush I've bought in over 20 years; last was my Plisson pure badger (which I love). Don't recall if my others had a "breaking in" period like the Burma Shave seems to be going through.

Glad to hear it's improving. I am a fan of the Burma shave, but have stopped using it because of its ugliness (two-tone plastic handle and uneven bloom). My current favorite is Proraso / Omega (Target) boar, which is improving with use too (got rid of the smell in a week or so, now water retention and bloom kick in) Handle is still plastic (looks like pewter) and I hate this but definitely more of a looker than the Burma. By the way, my boars do feel better than a travel badger from Caswell-Massey. The C-M seems to be made of needles, for some reason...

I have tried an Omega silvertip, which felt luxurious and a bit too soft. Combined with looks - cannot be my favorite. There is a Rooney Med Super on its way to me so I think I might like it, we'll see. I have high hopes for it. I also have a Rooney Small Silvertip, but I haven't used it yet. Looks pretty for sure.

Cheers
Ivo

PS For recommendation - seems that people who like soft tips and firm shafts go with Simpson. Gotta get me one of these sometime. If you're concerned about budget - I have heard the same for Savile Row brushes (from QEDUSA). Omegas are also great values. Many people love the Shavemacs, but I haven't tried one. The good thing is that you can customize your Shavemac. I like very much some brushes I saw from Shavethebadger but haven't tried one / seen a review

Originally Posted by RichZ

I don't know about that. I am using my fathers silvertip badger brush that is at least 40 years old. Doesn't lose any hair holds water like a champ plus great memories of Dad..

That doesn't mean that a modern craftsman couldn't produce identical results with equal care/technique.