Thread: Moderate level (non-beginner) brush - what's your preference?

Hopefully this isn't a dumb question, but I'm still pretty new to this world, so I get to ask it!! What does 'two band' mean?

And as always, thanks for all the input guys!

I am pretty certain it means how the brush is assembled using certain hairs in bands in the circular knot. They grade the hair and test it somehow. They integrate stiffer and ones with other characteristics to make a brush to a spec. Some badger hair cannot be harvested until certain times of year for a desired hair. Now you know I am talking BS here, but maybe I am somewhat correct? There is lots more to it. If you ever used a Thater 2 band, you would see what knowhow makes. A difference you can feel and see!

Hahaha. Sounds good enough for me sharptonn! Thanks much. Maybe I'll spend the cash and go with a 2 band. Who knows though - the more I learn about everything, the more I change my mind!!!

Put me in the camp of thebigspendur of the non-believers in 'beginner' equipment.

The truth is that if you want to know your preferences there is no way around biting the bullet trying out several different brushes. If you're short in cash but long in sociability you could make friends with other shavers in your area and some of them may let you try out their equipment, but other than that your only option is to pick something you think you may like and see how it goes.

As far as bands go, these refer to the white and black colored bands in the fancier badger brushes. The generic badger brushes look just black or gray, but in the fancier ones the hairs are sorted so that the transition from white to black (if any) aligns. Typically the top band is white/tan and in the best brushes none of the tips of the hairs are cut off in order to shape the knot so the brush is softer. Then below that you have a black area and then, you may have another tan area below that. The black parts of the hair are stiffer than the white/tan parts, so if you have a two-band brush it'll be stiffer than an equivalent three band brush. But that's just one variable, the length of the hairs and the density of the knot are more important for the stiffness.

Originally Posted by toadq5

Hopefully this isn't a dumb question, but I'm still pretty new to this world, so I get to ask it!! What does 'two band' mean?

And as always, thanks for all the input guys!

yea, it can mean many things. Originally it referred to a type of premium hair harvested from animals however due to global warming they don't produce that hair anymore. So now they sell two band which is an inferior type, or hair trimmed to look the part or maybe even dyed to look like it.

Some makers appear to have an alternative source which closely approximates the original. Thater is pretty close and Simpson is selling what they call Manchurian badger which is pretty close too.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

yea, it can mean many things. Originally it referred to a type of premium hair harvested from animals however due to global warming they don't produce that hair anymore. So now they sell two band which is an inferior type, or hair trimmed to look the part or maybe even dyed to look like it.

Some makers appear to have an alternative source which closely approximates the original. Thater is pretty close and Simpson is selling what they call Manchurian badger which is pretty close too.

I had one of those original Somerset Simpson Manchurian badgers in a chubby 2. I believe it could have taken the chrome off of a trailer hitch but I never tried. Went to a good home with a member who really likes it.

Brushes are all so personal it depends on what you like.
for me nothing beats my omega boar with the red handle...my second favorite is my vie long horse hair brush.
I sold my thater because I never used it much..

I don't understand the soap brush vs cream brush bowl lathering thing...I think it is just a way to make people buy more brushes.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

As far as the Thater 2 band, you definitely get what you pay for. Worth every penny! The 2 band knots from TGN are also great, as Dave says. I wish they would come up with a larger knot than 24mm. Maybe a 26? I am enjoying reknotting old brushes these days as I prefer the old longer handles.

I've got good news for you , sharptonn . They have knots that go from 18mm to 30mm , in 2mm increments .