Thread: Anyone else feel that badger brushes are too soft?

Originally Posted by ccase39

I know the general consensus is that badger brushes are the best out there, and I do not necessarily disagree. I do not have a good reference point because I have only used the Van Der Hagen badger brush. Compared to a synthetic brush I have of the same brand I find the badger to feel a little too soft where the synthetic is stout enough to where it can really massage my skin when I apply my lather. When I use my badger it is so soft that if I put much pressure on it I can almost feel the handle on my face. I just ordered a nicer and better quality silver tipped badger brush and maybe that will make a difference. Anyone else experience this?

What do you feel was lacking in your original brush (boar?)?

I don't have a badger brush yet (and may not) but I'm not having any problems with my VDH boar brush.

I'm just curious as to what was lacking in the brush you currently have?

Originally Posted by ccase39

I know the general consensus is that badger brushes are the best out there, and I do not necessarily disagree. I do not have a good reference point because I have only used the Van Der Hagen badger brush. Compared to a synthetic brush I have of the same brand I find the badger to feel a little too soft where the synthetic is stout enough to where it can really massage my skin when I apply my lather. When I use my badger it is so soft that if I put much pressure on it I can almost feel the handle on my face. I just ordered a nicer and better quality silver tipped badger brush and maybe that will make a difference. Anyone else experience this?

There is a field of glorious badger brushes out there: Thater, Simpson, Rooney, Kent, Vulfix, and so on.Van der Hagen is on the low end. Many of the great names produce these brushes in various grades, from pure to silvertip. Some are softer than others, and some have better backbone, but many are worth exploring. Also, consider this: Do you face lather or bowl lather? Do you use mostly creams? Mostly soaps? Or a little of this and a little of that? All these elements will help determine what type of a brush you should buy. It's all part of the wet shaving ritual. Oh, by the way, you can also do well with boar bristle brushes. The top names include Semogue, Omega and Vulfix, among others.

Obie speaks wise words. I have either used or own, a Cyril R Slater Badger, Comoy badger, Golden Nib Black Badger, Cheap supermarket brand boar, Semogue boar. Each and every one is different. What I wouldn't bother with anymore is the cheap supermarket brands and I would have to give second thoughts to Cyril R Salter too. The first sheds like a mongrel dog and the second is so spineless it would be an insult to cowards everywhere.
The best brushes I have, or have tried is the Comoy silvertip badger, the Golden Nib Black badger and the Semogue Boar (I really need to get myself one of those), and the pick of those is the GN Black Badger. That might have something to do with having put time into it's construction, though it sure has everything I want in a brush. A nicely turned handle(), a thickly packed knot with good backbone and a nice feel on the face. Not too hard, not too soft. The Semogue boar would be my second pick.


Mick

Originally Posted by gcbryan

What do you feel was lacking in your original brush (boar?)?

I don't have a badger brush yet (and may not) but I'm not having any problems with my VDH boar brush.

I'm just curious as to what was lacking in the brush you currently have?

I have the synthetic VDH brush. At least I think it is synthetic. It came in a set with soap, a black mug, and the brush. I don't find anything wrong with it, and actually and having a hard time deciding if I like my badger better. I use mostly creams and the couple of times I have used my synthetic I used soap as the synthetic has more backbone and I thought it might be better for the soap than the badger.

My advice is to learn and study about badger brushes.

There are several types of badger hair, and let me tell you something - if you want a badger hair in high quality that will not in any way let you feel the handle of the brush, and that will not feel too soft and floppy - get a custom build taylor made Shavemac D01 2-Band in 50 mm loft, bulb shape and 26 mm knot size. I guarantee you that this brush will feel as stout as any boar brush you have ever used and it will not feel silky smooth soft and floppy in any way at all.

It will have a ton of backbone and you will never think a badger brush is too soft and floppy ever again.
But price will be around the €150 mark for such a brush. You need to pay if you want quality badger brushes. Otherwise stick with boars, they are much much cheaper.

You can also get a Simpson Best hair Duke 3 - it will also have backbone and be slightly softer in feel.

Just my advice

So I got a better badger brush. A silver tip. You guys were so right. It held so much more water and was not too soft at all. Big difference compared to the Van Der Hagen.

Although still a newb... i have to say that I love my vie- long horsehair brush. I have one of each (badger, bore, and horse). I find that the horse is a perfect mix of the two. Still holds more water than the boar (yet not as firm), and is more firm than the badger (but hold slightly less water). I have softened water so as far as lathering YMMV...

I have a pure badger brush but I use a $10 boar brush daily. Like it a lot more