Thread: Where do I shop for the best deals on quality brushes??

Right now I'm using an Omega boar brush with wooden handle. I have absolutely no complaints as it lathers up thick and rich suds. BUT as with everything else... I want more and I want to experience this badger that everyone talks about?

Is there a noticeable difference between badger/fine badgher/silvertip badger?

Where are all of you finding the latest and greatest deals on these brushes??? I'm trying not to go into debt buying one.

For the longest time I used a best badger brush that I picked up from Fendrihan. They don't seem to have that particular one any more, but they do have a whole "Beginner - Entry Level" selection to check out. The have quick shipping in Canada too which is nice.

But the other brush I use came from Whippeddog. It's a silvertip that really didn't coast any more than a lot of badger brushes. My suggestion would be to check there. You pick your own combination of knot and handle, so there's also opportunity for customization that you don't get at most retailers.

Good luck!

Thanks brother. Unfortunately the whippeddog website is down right now

Italianbarber.com has a lot of omega badger brushes for a good price. I have the 599 silvertip and love it. You can also check out people that sell vulfix brushes as they tend to run at a lower price point overall. I know west coast shaving sells them.

Originally Posted by brooksie967

Thanks brother. Unfortunately the whippeddog website is down right now

You're very welcome!

Looks like just his front page is down - the innards of the site are working: Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment

I aquired a custom handled brush with a TGN 26 mm Finest Badger XH knot and find that the knot compares well to my Simpson Chubby 1 Best badger knot. A deal at about $ 26 for the knot.

To tell you the truth I've never found any bargain basement shaving supply sites of any kind anywhere. pretty much everyone charges pretty much the same thing for comparable items though some sites do have periodic sales if you hit them right and they have what you want. For brushes some of the smaller makers seem to have the best prices. You have to check with owners of these brushes and see how they like them and how they stand up to use.

Yeah, I agree with theBigSpendur. These things often change on even a weekly basis, and your best bet is to do as much research as you can, get as many opinions as you can, then bite the bullet. Me, I've been happy with the 3 badger ones I have - all silvertips, none cost me more than 150 bucks I think, which I know is a lot of money but I figure since I am not a brush collector the price is a lifetime price, if you know what I mean.

Good luck.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Yeah, I agree with theBigSpendur. These things often change on even a weekly basis, and your best bet is to do as much research as you can, get as many opinions as you can, then bite the bullet. Me, I've been happy with the 3 badger ones I have - all silvertips, none cost me more than 150 bucks I think, which I know is a lot of money but I figure since I am not a brush collector the price is a lifetime price, if you know what I mean.

Agreed. Pick a make/model that appeals to you and then shop around. You can usually find a vendor that is a few bucks cheaper or has a sale going on.

For the most part, brush prices seem to vary according to type/grade of badger hair, knot size, and handle material. The former can be somewhat misleading, given that the characteristics of stiff/floppy, scritchy/soft, etc. can (and do) vary between brushes, regardless of whether they're advertised as "silvertip", "best", "finest", or whatever. As for price, my take is that while you ought to "get what you pay for", it's easy to pay too much (or too little) and not get what you were hoping for.

I own two Rooney shaving brushes, both are silvertip badger, in the 1/1 style/size -- one is in "super", and costs $79, the other is in "finest" (no longer available), and cost $199. I also own a Plisson shaving brush, size #12 -- in pure black badger, and costs $78.

To be honest, my favorite of the three is the Plisson -- I have found it to be equally good with soaps and creams (disclaimer: My "creams" -- Castle Forbes and Cyril R. Salter -- are much closer to soaps, than to creams). If I was compelled to keep only one shaving brush, it would be the Plisson, in pure black badger.

Nevertheless, owning two $80 shaving brushes won't break the bank... especially if you "Xmas Club" it, and put aside the money over a year's time ($14/month is doable, no?). My advice: Don't buy cheap -- inexpensive is good ($80/brush good), but "cheap" is usually lower-quality that doesn't necessarily cost that much less.


Anyway, I hope this helps.

Rooney 1/1 ("Finest" on L; "Super" on R)


Plisson #12 (in Pure Black Badger)