Ok. Seen many different people offering many different prices and handles for these "top of the line" brushes and of course prices all over the map. Low price for knots is not indicative of quality... obviously. High price for a knot doesn't insure quality either. So I'm asking for help in finding out (from those who own many) Where's a good one to be had for the price they ask? Would I do better to purchase a silvertip knot and handle separately? If so which vendors regularly have the best value for the Silvertip knots? And lastly, What size would you recommend to a first time brush user. (Well not exactly first. I have an AOS pure badger but it has not been a pleasure to use at all and I can't see it being helpful when using any type of soap. I've used it twice and allowed it to gather dust ever since.)
For first time I would say Stirling @ under $40 It's a Finest Fan Tip Badger! Looks beautiful and get many great reviews!
Im a big fan of Muhle knots. Very soft and good backbone, IMO. One thing you have to keep in mind though is that the hair all comes from China, its all a matter of the quality control of the company that assembles the knot.
I get my knots from www.thegoldennib.com an www.whippeddog.com. Both sell good-quality, modestly priced silvertips.
Honestly, Jim aka @Jayaruh makes lovely hand made wooden brushes. The silver tip knots he gets are really good. Ask him to show you what he has. I have three of his brushes and love each one.
Sara-s have you had or tried a brush from Maseto? If so how do the knots from The Golden Nib compare to Maseto? I have a 30mm fan from Maseto and it is very very dense. I was going to get a 26mm from them but they are in China and takes about a month to get it. Sent from my phone using some app
I got my silvertips from Whipped Dog. I also got some from Virginia Sheng. You wait longer to get them, but the price is right. I have become a big fan of the two-band finest badger.
Thank you ma'am. I am going to have to try Golden Nib. I was liking their knots and I now have a handle with no knot. Sent from my phone using some app
Did the brush have a knot in it before? I think the Whipped Dog and many others suggests installing a Silvertip knot deeper into the handle. You might need to drill the hole deeper to accommodate the Silvertip knot. Also, go grab some aquarium sealant by DAP to set the knot. Works great.
I bought a silver tip from them several years ago and set it into a ER200. It has been a great brush!!
Sgt Fuzzy, isn't that a straight in front of the brush? I thought you were a shavette man. Sent from my phone using some app
I shave with them all. That being said I am not going to get into the straight line. I guess the two I have will be going to someone that wants to get into it soon.
The Stirling Finest knots are excellent. Truly excellent for the price range. If We are talking straight knots, I would recommend Golden NIB on the bargain side, Envy Shave moving up to the middle end, and Shavemac on the top. But I have to say, that the Envy knots I have are REALLY really good.