Thread: Brushes

Is there really a difference in brushes?? What do u look for in a good brush any links or info would b great!!

Yes. There is a huge difference in brushes.
Knot loft.
Knot size.
Bristle type; synthetic, boar, badger (and mutliple grades of badger).
And that's just the basic stuff. I'm too lazy to link from my phone but check out the Wiki for more info ad detailed explanations.

Brushes are like women; they are all good, just some are better than others.
You just gotta get out there and sample them all.

Good newbie brush?? Low cost??

Originally Posted by Airportcopper

Good newbie brush?? Low cost??

Thäter two band. Can't be beat.

However, if your idea if low cost is like mine then an Omega " the professional" is great. Can't remember if it is the 10095 or the 10098. A quick Amazon search for "Omega The Professional " should do the trick. I paid $15 locally. Online probably a few bucks cheaper.
Or a Frank Shaving badger brush. They're a bit floppy for my taste but they perform quite well. They go for 20-40 depending on the model. Check eBay and Star Shaving.
Another splendiferous option is the L'Occitane travel brush. Synthetic with a small knot but it punches far above its weight class. $35 I think.


All are great brushes. Start with the Omega. Then move to the Frank. Then if those don't satisfy you will know what you want and be able to search for it and find brushes with the characteristics you like.

You gotta look, Bart, don't cheat yourself. Hunting them is half the fun.
You can get a Van Der Hagen Natural Boar at Wal mart for under $10.00 or badgers that run into the hundreds. Keep an eye out in our classified section, SRD or surf the straight razor web. We have venders here (SRP)that will make to order. Contact them for quotes.

Oh, and here's all of the above mentioned brushes.


From left to right: Thäter, Omega, L'Occitane, Frank.

Before I picked up a staight razor, I'd been using a brush and mug for years. I used Williams and a cheap Wal Mart brush. My first "good" brush was a Rooney's finest silvertip. It's still the densest brush I've come across. Now, I have about 7 or so in rotation, Simpson, Thather, Rooney, Customs, Vintage, etc...

You can use the same cream or soap and get different result with each brush.

Until I got my custom today, my favorite of 8, was a Taylor of Old Bond Street badger I found in an antique store for $7.00. Cleaned it & she feels & lathers great. Hit the antique stores for shaving treasures.

Semogue 1305 is a real lather 'Hog' . . . pun intended . . .