I have a AOS best badger brush and have been shaving with Henry Cavendish Himalaya soap. I have not been loving the lather. So I decided to try cream. I ordered some Claus Porto Musgo Real Lime Basil Shave Cream but am thinking I would like to try another brush. The AOS brush is the only one I've used with the exception of the no-name synthetic that wasn't worth the water it took to wet it. SOOOO Boar, badger or mix. Looking good is a plus and also value is a factor. P.S. If i die, don't let my wife sell this wet shave gear for what she thinks it cost!
Have you considered it might be poor soap? I don't know, I've never used Henry Cavendish. Just something to think about. Some other things to consider... http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/the-brush-basic-information-everyone-should-know.29125/ I have badger, boar, synthetic and nylon. I prefer badger, but that's me. For badger, I would recommend a gander at http://www.whippeddog.com/ For boar, I would recommend Omega. I think they have the best knots. http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/ombolaseinno.html For synthetic, read this... http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/the-four-generations-of-synthetic-fibers-clarifications.37568/
I have an Omega 10049 coming in a few days. The vast majority of reviews are good, and I paid $11 with shipping. Something like that would let you know if you like boar brushes without breaking the bank.
You might grab a RazoRock plissoft brush and a tub of amici soap. It's an awesome combination. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have done a lot of research on this lately. Of course, your wallet has a lot to do with "what's the best" brush. Badger is the most expensive and a lot of peoples favorites, but they are the most expensive. Names like Kent and Simpsons top most people's lists. Value can be found with edwin jagger and stirling soaps, however . Boar brushes are less expensive, but it seems that there is great value in the proraso, zenith, and omega lines. Synthetics are popular with some as well. Simpsons chubby seems to be quite popular, but stirling soaps offer some fantastic value as well.
I find with my very limited experience you get the worse of both worlds No badger softness, still have to soak much longer and (great) lather production can still be tricky. But again, I tried only one example (Semogue?) If you can swing it, nothing beats a decent badger for me. Else (again from my limited experience): synthetics are the best in terms of lather production (but a bit tricky to get water into the lather) horse produce great lather, but you have to be careful, or hair might tangle boar: for me the hardest to lather and need a (long) break in period, but the cheapest That's the knot - in terms of handles I can recommend for direct experience Doug Korn, Nathan Clark and Rudy Vey - all 3 of them have done some stellar handles for me.
If I remember right, AoS brushes tend toward the floppy side of things. If that is the case, then the brush you have now should work best with creams.
I have a Vulfix Grosvenor badger/boar mix. Excellent brush. Soft with decent backbone. Keep in mind - there is no such thing as a "soap" brush, or a "cream" brush, or a "face lathering" brush, or a "bowl brush", only Personal Preference brushes. As I mentioned above, I have a variety of material and sizes. Each one performs just a bit differently, but I've learned how to use each one and can get my lather just the way I like it, no matter what soap (I prefer soaps and bowl lathering) I use.
Nailed it. If i had to describe that brush, it would be floppy. Using it with soap requires a lot of up and down motion to get any type of decent lather. I do have some cream on the way. I also like options... decisions decisions decisions.
Grab an Omega 10066 boar and a razorock or maggard 24mm synthetic so you can try both. You're welcome.
I think the Omega 10066 or the larger 48-49 would be worth a look. Semogue also has a very large following among wet shavers. Semogue probably has nicer handles but personally I prefer the feel of an Omega knot. Both are relatively inexpensive.
Steve that was exactly what I was going to say, I use boar 90%+ of the time, Omega I prefer, I have a Semogue owners club boar, and for me its just not as good, the 48/49 Omega's are big brushes esp for the money. I do have a Vie Long horse hair brush and I like that, again not that expensive.
Adopted two from @Jayaruh Maggard synthetic & a boar for $35, both custom made. Can't beat that. Will post a review when they arrive.
Jim does excellent work. A real craftsman. You'll be more than pleased. I have one he made for me (#68) with a finest badger knot. It's my favorite brush now. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
They look great in the pictures. Being a newbie, it will be nice to have a rotation of brushes. I already have a badger. Now I'll have a boar and a decent synthetic... and they are both one of a kind.
