Shaving Brush issues, possible trade.

Folks,

I initially bought the 2006 B&B Ebony Finest Silvertip brush for my one 'good' brush. I was underwhelmed at how fluffy it was. I found it similar to brushing my face with a cotton swab. So, I traded this with another fellow for his 2006 B&B Ebony Regular Silvertip brush. I have shaved with it for a week or so now, and I feel the same way. It is slightly better, but not by much. In fact, I still prefer my Proraso/Omega brush over this one by a long shot. It is definately a luxurious feeling, but not my cup of tea. I am entertaining trading it once again for something more stiff or 'scritchy' as someone once described them. I am open to all nice brush types, Shavemac, Plisson, Vulfix, etc... Not being knowledgeable about brushes, I think what I might be looking for is shorter or stiffer bristles and maybe a smaller knot. If you have something nice to trade, give me a shout and we can talk.

Thanks,
John

I have a vulfix pure badger, wanna trade ;)

John, I can top that - I have a Proraso brush for trade - minty and every barber in Italy uses one like it!




kidding! Seems like you are looking for a Simpson something - maybe Chubby or PJ... Jfrancisco was offering a Simpson Major Super for my B&B Finest (which I sold) - maybe you want to try him. I just wanted to limit the number of brushes I had so trade was not a good option

Cheers
Ivo

If you guys wanna try an awesome big brush, try the Shavemac 28mm or 30mm knot brushes......WOWZA!!

Lynn

Sounds like what you're looking for is a Saville Row, Shavemac or Rooney #1 - in silvertip.

They're all priced about the same as what the B&B cost - but good luck getting someone to sell you one of these used.

The Saville Row and Shavemac silvertips are some of the best brushes out there and great deals for what you get.

You will likely be happiest with a brush with a dense knot with a shorter loft.

I wouldn't recommend a Simpson - they're pricier and there have been several quality control issues recently.

Chris is right on the recent quality control issues for Simpson - this is one reason I didn't buy a new Chubby Super.

However, these issues are kind of recent - so if you trade for an older brush, you are unlikely to get them. The particular Major I refer to comes from one of the brush experts slcsteve, so it's supposedly before the QC lapses. On the other hand - don't think I am pushing it as I didn't like the looks too much myself

FWIW - I haven't had a Shavemac, a Savile Row, or a Simpson. Rooneys are great, style 1 are firmer than the rest.

Shavemacs are reportedly quite luxurious though, with soft tips - seemed to me that you want something a bit less so? Just from reading, you might be happiest with Simpson Chubby Super of Rooney Finest small style 1 ($200) - dense knots and short loft. Oh, and Plisson something

It's really nice to be able to choose a brush in person when buying...

Good luck
Ivo

The Saville Row line of silvertips is great - I have the SR3122 - which at 22mm is just right for me for everyday use. The Shavemacs are quite similar to the Saville Row brushes and the consensus is that they are both made by Shavemac to slightly different specifications.

As for the Rooney, I have a #1 large (26mm) silvertip - the #1 model has a shorter loft and is quite dense and not floppy. I have the B&B finest and its quite a bit flopier than my Rooney and I think the softness of the B&B finest bristles is very similar to the Rooney silvertip - you save something like 50% if you buy the Rooney silvertip, as opposed to the Rooney finest silvertip - the difference between the two Rooney grades is going to be pretty minor.

The Rooney #1 super silvertip in small (22mm) costs $75 at classic shaving, the #1 super silvertip in medium (24mm) costs $100 and the #1 super silvertip in large (26mm) costs $160.

I find my #1 large to be a little on the big size - I only bought it because I got a great deal on a nearly new one from someone who bought it at closeout prices If I were picking from scratch, I would go for either the small or medium.

The #1 has a shorter loft than the other models, which makes it less floppy.

If you only want to buy one silvertip brush, I would go for the Saville Row or Shavemac - nice soft bristles, lightbulb-shaped head - which makes them even stiffer and well-priced. Either of these brushes will work with any cream or soap you heart may wish to use. The Rooney is a little less stiff - but still not floppy - so doesn't work quite as well on the harder soaps (Trumper, T&H, etc.), but works very well with the softer glycerine-based soaps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by suzuki

... you save something like 50% if you buy the Rooney silvertip, as opposed to the Rooney finest silvertip - the difference between the two Rooney grades is going to be pretty minor.

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I am not sure how to understand this - maybe a mistype - but the difference between Rooney Silvertip and Rooney Finest is reportedly very big big. Difference between Rooney Silvertip and Rooney Super is small (in my experience). Same holds for the prices

From several forums I hear that Shavemac is absolutely best value / money so if I were you I'd probably listen tomChris and focus on the various models Shavemac and the differences between them

Good luck
Ivo

Heya John,

I'm with you 100% on the feel of the B&B brush. I also picked up the silvertip and found it remarkably floppy. For everyday use, I'm not satisfied, but about once a week or so, I put it to use and love it. It makes a nice change, but doesn't do it for me for regular use. If you can keep it as a now-and-then change, I'd suggest doing so.

As for regular-use brushes, I'm lucky enough to have been given a few recently, so I have a quartet of various feels and shapes. One that I quite like is a brush by Aurtruche, which I've been told is a re-branded Shavemac. Another "quality beyond what you'd expect for the price" brush is the Muhle-Pinsel. If you can find a retailer near your home to actually feel some brushes, your hunt would be a lot easier.

Thanks all, great information. Since I didn't get any offers except the Vulfix here... I'll try reposting this on B&B with requests for the types Suzuki has mentioned.

- John