2nd hand lather today, first shave tomorrow with the Thater. Still prickly and it could be that way for quite awhile waiting for a full break in or it could just be the nature of the beast. We'll see.
A day made quite a bit of difference with the feel of this brush. I've been using the 3 day soak on last 4 boars I picked up. At any rate the prickliness of this brush is pretty much gone but can still feel a few stiff bristles. So it went from prickly to slightly scritchy. I do believe this will be a good brush but wouldn't be surprised if it took awhile to break in.
Steve You have some great looking brushes there. I was finally able to get the image to open. Also, your post was very informative. Last but not least a great read. "Semper Fi"
After the image opened up for me, I looked at the picture more closely. I really think that brushes #4 and #5 are the best-looking brushes in the photo! Thanks for taking the time to post the review and the photo. "Semper Fi"
That's a great looking set up that you have there. Like the color of the Brush Handle and that Straight has an excellent color. "Semper Fi"
No pricklyness at all this morning with the Thater. I wouldn't be surprised if some will return because now the real break in will start. I think I'll alternate usage between the ABC and Thater until I'm happy with them. I'll quit posting daily on this thread unless some thing note worthy comes up.
The Antica Barbieria Colla brush is made by Mondial. Here is the ABC brush and a Mondial side by side. The ABC measures 28x60, and the Mondial comes in at 27x58. I have another unused Mondial that comes in at 27x59. In use, they are indistinguishable. I will often just pick one up and use it, and I can only tell which one it was by looking for the ABC sticker on the bottom. Essentially the same brush. One sells for $80, the other can be had for $25.
Executive Shaving, Australia offers several Mondial boars on ebay with free shipping (& no duties) to the USA. I have the matte aluminium, the white plastic, & the polished aluminium, which is the one like the ABC brush, as seen in the photo above. The polished one was so good I bought another and put it away in case I live to be 133 and I wear out all my other boars. I have 6-7 vintage boars, a few Semogues, at least 6 Omegas, 6 more Zeniths, and other unbranded boars from Germany, Turkey, & India but the ABC and the Mondials are my faves.
That's $38.95 AUD- Australian dollars, which is about $31 USD. Click on Make an Offer and offer a little less and see if they accept it.
It get's along really well with the modern Williams. It's one of my favorite brushes too. Clayton Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Seeing how I'm retired now................... I could only handle it for about 2 weeks, now I'm starting to freak. I thought I'd throw one more brush into the mix. This is an Omega 49 knot lofted @ 55mm. I think it fills a niche that's missing. This is with one hand lather on it. I plan on soaking the knot for 3 days in the fridge one hand lather per day then back in the fridge.