Thread: How does Kent Compare?

I really like my kent BK8, the amount of water it holds is wonderful and the mop effect is superb, however eventually I would like to get a brush around the size of the bk12 which has a knot size of 32mm. How do the kent brushes compare to the better brands, and does anyone else even make a similar knot size?

Josh,

Kent is recognized as "one of the better ones" available. But if you want a brush to rival your razors, you need this one.

RT

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Josh,

Kent is recognized as "one of the better ones" available. But if you want a brush to rival your razors, you need this one.

RT

A 38mm knot? You could paint a room with that! That's a nice brush, though.

Josh,

I had a 30mm Vulfix brush. It was beautiful. Soft. Luxurious. Too big! Oh, did I mention TOO BIG! IMO, part of the beauty of a brush is being able to work the lather on your face. I spend about two minutes working the lather with each application. With the 30mm brush...I was pushing the lather off my face. For me, a brush in the 24-26mm knot size is ideal, but I do enjoy my smaller 20-22mm brushes as well. For me, picking up a brush each day is like picking up the razor...which one do I feel like using today!

RT

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Josh,

I had a 30mm Vulfix brush. It was beautiful. Soft. Luxurious. Too big! Oh, did I mention TOO BIG! IMO, part of the beauty of a brush is being able to work the lather on your face. I spend about two minutes working the lather with each application. With the 30mm brush...I was pushing the lather off my face. For me, a brush in the 24-26mm knot size is ideal, but I do enjoy my smaller 20-22mm brushes as well. For me, picking up a brush each day is like picking up the razor...which one do I feel like using today!

RT

See I like it when it covers most of my face...I still seem to spend 5 minutes lathering but I just build up thick rich lather, and so do a few of the walls lol. I think the bigger mopish brushes help me to build a much more thick even lather while keeping all of my face moist enough so that the lather doesnt dry out while I apply...I just love large and moppish!

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Josh,

Kent is recognized as "one of the better ones" available. But if you want a brush to rival your razors, you need this one.

RT

The handle is too long, I wouldnt like anything with a handle that long...but the knot size is great hehe

The biggest brush I have is a 26mm Rooney #1 large in silvertip ($150 at classicshaving). It is not floppy, but isn't dense like a Simpson either.

I can't see myself going to a bigger brush - as I use soaps a fair bit and find a 26mm brush a bit big.

If you want a big brush, you might want to consider some of the Saville Row brushes - there's a 30mm best/super badger for about $85 (supposedly a rebadged Kent) and there's a lightbulb-shaped series of silvertips - I think the 28mm goes for about $150 and there might be bigger knots available on a variety of handles.

The SR brushes are great value and, IMHO, are a good combination of soft and dense - they work great with both soaps and creams. I like the lightbulb-shaped knots as they have a denser feel than the traditional fan-shaped knots of the same width.

Shavemac can also do a custom brush in just about any size you want (but it won't be floppy) for less than the BK12.

If you want a floppy brush in a 30mm or bigger knot, than I think Vulfix or Kent are your best bets.

This e-bay vendor has a brand new BK12 on for 95 pounds (vs 108 on the Kent website - although if you troll around B&B, you can find a discount code worth 10 or 20%) and very reasonable shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Kent-BK12-Shaving...QQcmdZViewItem

If you're looking for mopish/floppy, than you likely want a brush with a higher loft - for example the Rooney style #3 in large will feel floppier than the style #1 in large as it has a 10mm higher loft - notwithstanding that they are both 26mm brushes.

Hope this helps.

Picky, picky, picky. Check with Matt and see what he can whip up for you.

Randy

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Picky, picky, picky. Check with Matt and see what he can whip up for you.

Randy

I am talking with matt, I have plenty of time since Im out of work now I couldnt justify really buying anything new. How does Matt's stuff compare as far as loft, bristle count, and softness to the companies mentioned in this thread?

Josh,

I can't compare Matt's brushes with the others. I don't own one of his yet. And I don't own a Kent.

RT