Thread: Turkish #6

I was in the market for a stiff brush as I prefer face lathering, and most of the time I use soap, not cream. After having perused this excellent forum, I decided that a Semogue 830 would fit the bill, so I went to a web site to order one. While there I noticed an interesting little brush, with a nicely grained wood handle called simply the Turkish #6 Horsehair Brush...and the asking price was just two and a half bucks! I couldn't resist the incredibly cheap price - they were practically giving them away - so I added one to my order.

I had read that horsehair brushes had a strong and distinct equine aroma. Similar to the experience I had with my Vie Long horeshair brush, the #6's smell was distinctive, but not particularly strong, and it's pretty much gone after only a few uses.

So, if this brush is pretty and cheap, why isn't this the perfect brush for anyone in the market for a stiff brush? Well, first of all it isn't as stiff as I had hoped, fitting somewhere on the stiffness scale between the Semogue and the Vie (with the Semogue being the stiffest of the three). Secondly, as you're using it, the bristles separate from each other leaving a big ol' hole in the center of the brush, which causes the lather to migrate outwards and down towards the handle, i.e., it doesn't stay at the tips where you need it...not exactly what you want in a shaving brush. In light of the foregoing, as of this writing, things aren't looking too promising for this one.

Anyway, I'm going to continue to experiment with it to see if I can find a place for the #6 in the rotation (maybe with creams and bowl lathering?), but as of right now, it appears as though its main use will be to look nice among my other brushes. Did I mention it only costs two and a half bucks?

I'd be interested in hearing if anyone has had a similar experience with this brush.

Try loading the brush using just the tips of the brush and when you go to the face also just use the tips until you get good lather going.

I find with all my horsehair brushes I get the best results when I just use the tips. This goes for other brushes as well but find it to be especially true of horse.

i have use this brush 2 time.
This brush lather well and the tips are soft with good backbone....but one thing I do not like is formation of voids in the center of brush(few bristles?) when is wet.
For me the smell is like boar's brush...but this particular smell, may be caused by blanched.
the hande is very pretty

I have three turkish shaving brushes made by horsehair.
The smaller one was bought in a bazar and the two other from bestshave.net

All of them make this big hole in the center. I think it is the way of elaboration of the knot or something like that.

My n°6 was hairless after 5 uses, you get what you paid for ..

Horsehair makes great shoe brushes and brushes to apply talcum powder. For shaving you can keep em.

I have been using my #6 brush for the better part of a year and love it. This is my go to brush for everyday shaving. For me it is the right stiffness and builds a great face lather with what ever soap I ask it to. As with everything else, I think it depends on the person. As for price...at 3 bucks a shot how can anyone go wrong.

Originally Posted by Slur

I have three turkish shaving brushes made by horsehair.
The smaller one was bought in a bazar and the two other from bestshave.net

All of them make this big hole in the center. I think it is the way of elaboration of the knot or something like that.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. The last photo captures exactly what I was trying to convey by "the big ol' hole in the center of the brush"

I've been using a Vie-Long 13061 horsehair brush lately, and I've really enjoyed it. It is a completely different animal when it comes to lathering (as opposed to a badger brush). I haven't tried the Turkish brushes, but I can't complain about the Vie Long.

Originally Posted by lirijavdekje

I've been using a Vie-Long 13061 horsehair brush lately, and I've really enjoyed it. It is a completely different animal when it comes to lathering (as opposed to a badger brush). I haven't tried the Turkish brushes, but I can't complain about the Vie Long.

The Vie Long Spanish horsehair brushes and the Turkish horsehair brushes are very different brushes and have nothing in common.
The Turkish brushes are very similar to boar brushes.