Overwhelming information about first brush purchase

[GoonLurker]

Hey Guys

I have been scouring forums for information about different brushes and different characteristics in preparation for my first brush purchase. Right now I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed due to the shear wealth of information available here. I am in the market for a quality brush (could be silvertip but I am open to suggestions) so that I can get some good mileage out of it. Names such as Kent (bk8), Simpsons, Thäter (etc) have been thrown around as producers of fine products but despite my research I still don't feel much closer to pulling the trigger due to the amount of conflicting opinions. I know this is a very subjective, but do you guys have anything to add which could help me in my decision?

Thanks

[Nuntits]

If this is your FIRST brush, I'd say pick up an el cheapo from the drug store to learn with, synthetic or boar. The bristles soften over time and use

[carlmaloschneider]

Hi,
I've had two brushes, a boar from the supermarket and a cheapish Windsor (best badger). In my opinion, I either have NO idea what I'm missing or a lot of brushes are overpriced. I honestly fail to see how a brush can be so good to be worth 100 bucks and more. Maybe I'm easily satisfied or impoverished, but I've not been prompted to buy another brush yet. Of course, if I had money to burn, maybe I would...

I think a brush can be TOO soft and floppy, but it can also be too harsh and stiff.

I think you either need one for cream (softer) and one for soap (stiffer) or a middle of the road brush (neither too soft nor too stiff)...

[pixelfixed]

Any mid range badger will serve you well,do you face lather? or bowl lather,I feel in either case loft is the most important factor.
Once you settle on a routine you will know what you want in a brush (price is not a factor) a quality badger S.T knot is a quality S.T badger Knot.
I face lather only,I have a seven day set of brushes,all the same handle style,all the same exact knot (24mm,grade A TGNs) all the same loft (48mm),boring perhaps to some,but for me replication is paramount.

[midloth72]

Hello

I've been using a Semogue 1350 for the last year and love it .
Lathers up soap or creams easily ( in my use ) and it is not too
expensive .


Semogue 1305 Premium Boar Bristle Shaving Brush

A friend of mine bought me this one :






Semogue 1520 Premium Boar Bristle Shaving Brush

A gift ( along with some other shave goodies ) for spending twelve hours helping him
move .

Cheers

Scott

[sleekandsmooth]

it really all depends on what you want to do with it. I will try to make this simple for you. If you want a brush that will exfoiliate and be a little scritchy on your face, go with a best badger. or even a pure badger. the best will be a little softer though. If you want something really really soft. go with the silver tip. I hope this helps. Don't forget about boar brushes. they are usually considered alot more aggresive but they will get softer over time no doubt. and they are always cheaper usually

[Nuntits]

Hello

I've been using a Semogue 1350 for the last year and love it .
Lathers up soap or creams easily ( in my use ) and it is not too
expensive .


Semogue 1305 Premium Boar Bristle Shaving Brush

A friend of mine bought me this one :






Semogue 1520 Premium Boar Bristle Shaving Brush

A gift ( along with some other shave goodies ) for spending twelve hours helping him
move .

Cheers

Scott

Checked out that site and I am very interested in omega's "mixed midget" brush

[yosh]

Checked out that site and I am very interested in omega's "mixed midget" brush

I have the "mixed midget" brush and it's pretty cool. Very small....best suited for travel maybe? Very beautiful brush that does a great job lathering. It's priced right too.

[Nonstickron]

After doing my own SRP research, I know the first brush I buy (or drop hints about preceding father's day) is going to be a Frank Shaving brush off of their ebay store. Many people claimed they were of a quality normally costing 2x and 3x the price. Good enough for me.

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

Frank Shaving Shaving Brush Razor Stand items in Ian Tang's Shaving Workshop store on eBay!

[GoonLurker]

Thanks for all the information here, you guys are awesome as always. I went with a Franks finest for now due to how stupidly cheap they are. I'm still open to some of the finer brands but for the moment, I think this brush will get me going for a few months.