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

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.

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.

Badger definitely holds more water but I've got boar brushes that are softer than some badger brushes I've had.
I also have a badger brush with more backbone than than most of my boar brushes. I won't even talk about my synthetic from L'Occitaine other than to say it is amazing for a compact travel brush.

If you don't want to break the bank figuring out what you like but still want to try different things I'd suggest picking up an Omega 1099 ("The Professional" is how mine was marked when I bought it for 16 bucks at the local barber supply shop). It's a great boar brush that has decent backbone but is nice and soft and has a very short break in period. If you want to try a Badger get a Frank Shaving brush (eBay or Star Shaving). Pick a grade of badger (I'd suggest a middle grade) and give it a whirl. I paid maybe $26 for mine. That gives you two decent brushes for less than $50. The Frank brush I have is soft as heck and holds a lot of water. Doesn't have as much backbone as I like but I'm glad I didn't spend $100 to find out.

I ended up with a Thater two band with a bulb shaped head. It's like a babies butt had a baby with a kitten and a cloud and somehow has enough backbone to stand up to my coarse beard.

I don't use the Frank as much these days but I still pull out the Omega pretty regularly. If the knot had less loft I would be in heaven with it. The advantage of buying a couple of brushes of middling quality is you can find out what you like and dislike without breaking the bank. Then you can break the bank on a great brush that is exactly what you like.

Also, I keep meaning to try out a horse hair brush. But that's a story for another day.

Originally Posted by bharner

I ended up with a Thater two band with a bulb shaped head. It's like a babies butt had a baby with a kitten and a cloud and somehow has enough backbone to stand up to my coarse beard.

LOL! I think I'll have to try one of these JUST because of your detailed description!

Originally Posted by brooksie967

LOL! I think I'll have to try one of these JUST because of your detailed description!

For the money, the Thater's are the best bargain for a top quality brush out there in my opinion. Good backbone and soft tips especially in the bulb that provides simply a great lather every day. Whether you face lather or bowl lather, these brushes are awesome.

Have fun