If I decide to purchase a high end badger who would you recommend ? I know Shavemac will custom make you a brush but that can be pricey. I'd like a 24-26 MM silvertip. Preferably under 200 clams.
I don't see how you can go far wrong with either but I voted Thater since I could not choose both. Try rephrasing the question to "Which should I buy first?"
I don't know anything about Thater, but I have had my Shavemac for over a year and a half and it has been my daily driver since day one. All other brushes have been removed from the den. The Shavemac has yet to lose a hair.
Knot shape isn't a deal breaker for me. Bulb or fan, doesn't matter. Knot size is 22mm preferred, but I'll go +/- 2mm. Loft... can't say any of my brushes are overly floppy and I have no idea of their loft. Guess I'm okay with factory set up.
Say I end up purchasing a Shavemac, what is a good loft for a 26 mm and what is a good loft for a 24 mm Silvertip ? I want enough backbone to lather hard soaps and to head lather. I want to try more hard soaps in the future.
Both brands are excellent. I usually go for 2x the knot size but I don't like allot of backbone. I find even at this ratio I can lather soaps. You may want to go for 2x - 1 or 2mm.
I've used every knot that Shavemac makes plus a Thather ST and 2 band. The Thater ST was a fan and the 2 band a bulb. The Thater was 2 band was out of spec loft wise so I reset the knot in a new handle at what I considered the correct loft and have been very pleased with it. I would say I prefer Shavemac overall.
I have these two brushes in my collection. On the left is a Badger and Blade 2014 LE (43/50) made by Rudy Vey and has a Shavemac D-01 2-Band Knot. On the right is a The Shave Nook 5th Anniversary Funf LE and has a Thater Knot. Both are bulbs. Both are good for bowl and face lathering with cream, hard, and soft soaps. Both have wonderfully soft tips with a good backbone. Both are excellent and it would be very difficult for me to rank one better than the other. I have these because I have been acquiring only LE brushes the past few years and am not sure I would have otherwise purchased a Shavemac or Thater brush/knot due to the cost. All I can say is both are fantastic knots and I am sure you will not go wrong whatever your decision.
