I know this is probably a question that has been asked a million times and also a subjective one as it is down to personal preference but I would like to know what all the owners out there think!
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I know this is probably a question that has been asked a million times and also a subjective one as it is down to personal preference but I would like to know what all the owners out there think!
Thetalai,
Yes, taste dictates brush selection. The budget, too. I have the Duke 3 and the Chubby 1, and the travel Case. Love all three.
I have the PJ3, Super Badger, Two band. it's probably my favorite brush. It has a nice balance, of soft bristles, and firmness. It can handle the dense creams, like Castle Forbes, and works well with soaps. it also bloomed very nicely....
I very much enjoy the 2-band super badger from Simpson.
The Polo, Chubby and Persian Jar are all great brushes.
My very favorite one is probably the Polo, and a Langness in Manchurian badger.
Whichever you get take the size of the loft (height of bristles) and diameter of the knot into consideration, as much as the style/model you buy. IME a 48 to 52mm loft works great for soap and will do for cream. A longer loft, 55 to 58 or 60mm might be better with cream while it may not have equal backbone, due to the length, as the shorter lofts. So it may not be as efficient with soap pucks. For me knot size is 23 to 26 on the high side. Knot size being the diameter where the bristles leave the handle.
Of the Simpsons the two band Polo 8, Persian Jar 3 and Tulip 2 are some that I've liked very much. I've not tried the new Simpsons since they left Somerset but I hear they are quite good. The Somerset brushes are some of my favorites.
Super badger 2 band is what I'm leaning toward........
2 band chubby that it. A brush is the only piece of kit I havnt upgraded since I started straight shaving, currently using an Edwin jagger silver tip which isn't bad............but it's not a Simpson!
The Thaters are quite nice too. I've got a few of them and they are equal to any Plisson, Simpson or Rooney Finest I've used.
I think in the value dept you can't beat a Thater.
Really, selecting a brush is a matter of first deciding what type of hair you want (Boar, Horse, badger and grade) then the size of the knot then the handle and then finding out who sells the combo you want.
I haven't many brushes...one Thäter, one 2 band Simpson's Persian jar and a SOC boar, but I love them all and wouldn't part with any of them. You'll be happy with a 2 band.