Topics like this seem to come up on every forum in the end, and even though they are universally reviled, I'm really bored at the moment so at the risk of becoming a pariah I thought I'd get the ball rolling here. So top 5 brushes please, and if you want why. For me: 1. Simpson's Polo 8 Best. Ergonomic handle, dense knot and works brilliantly with creams and soaps. 2. Kent BK4. I'm becoming more and more impressed with this as of late. I always liked it as a cream brush but I'm finally starting to get great results with soaps. Build quality is up there with the best. Very luxurious feel 3. Plisson HMW10. It's a Plisson, need I say more? 4. Saville Row SR3124. Perfect balance of density in the knot and softness at the tips. Best value brush out there. 5. Simpson's Tulip T2. My go to soap brush. Very good bristle quality with a nice, dense knot. Regards, Alex
In the end????? But......but.....we just got started!!! Ok fine, I'll be serious, atleast somewhat. My list; 1. Crabtree & Evelyn Best Badger 2. Crabtree & Evelyn Best Badger 3. Crabtree & Evelyn Best Badger 4. Edwin Jagger B&B Finest Silvertip 5. eShave Pure Badger (It's got a pink handle. I'm a girl. ) We have other brushes in the house, and I've tried them, but I find myself using these 3.....ummmm......I mean 5, yeah 5, brushes more often than not.
My choice at this particlar moment in time....and in no particular order. 1. Sabini Faux Horn and Pewter in Silvertip. Just got this one recently. It has a 25mm knot of dense hair and performs superbly with both creams and soaps. It looks fantastic 2. Kent BK4. This was my first high end luxury brush....and absolute luxury it is. I use it when I want a special shave. 3. Shavemac 23mm Pure Badger. This is perfect with soaps. Perfect loading and great for lathering on the face. Was a bit "scritchy" at first....but use has made it a very comfortable brush. 4. SMFIII (Rooney) Brush. Great with creams. Comfortable large handle 5. Rooney Small Style 1 in Super Silvertip. Dense and supersoft. Good with both soaps and creams.
Since I have been concentrating on everything except equipment, I have some basic tools of the trade. A few razors and a number of working stiff brushes. However, this is what I like. Soap - Omega Boar Cream - C&E Best Badger Brush Luxury - TESC 2006 Ebony Finest Silvertip Badger Outside family keeps gifting me with drugstore brushes. Really nice to clean the deep tooling on the saddles with. I had a line on a nice Muehle-Pinsel but got burned on an auction. Happy ending though. Keep posting pictures. My Universal Wish List is growing.
I have 5 brushes so I will list them in order of my favorites: 1. EJ Medium Silvertip Imitation Light Horn 2. Savile Row 3226 3. EJ B&B Finest Silvertip in Faux Ebony 4. EJ Chatsworth Medium Best Badger (my first brush I ever owned: 8 years old) 5. Trumpers Pure Badger
Top 5 brushes: In order of "current" favorite: SR 3124 Kent BK4 (gaining traction very rapidly) SR 3226 EJ 2006 Ltd. Edition Finest Kent BK8
here are my top brushes 1. SR3226 2. SMFIII 3. EJ limited 06 Finest 4. TBD 5. TBD Shavemac 220 on the way...
That's the second time that brush made the top 5 lists here - can anybody tell me how this compares with other brushes, be it similarities/advantages/dis-advantages? How does it work with soaps?
I only use three brushes: 1. Soaps - Shavemac 501 Finest 2. Creams - Vulfix 2234 3. Travel - C&E (feels a little scratchy but gets the job done)
Heres mine so far, 1. SR 3228 Silvertip 2. Shavemac #22579 25mm Silvertip, Horn Handle 3. Rooney Size 1 Style 1 Super, Horn Handle 4. Simpson Case Best 5. C&E BBB 6. Shavemac #177 23mm Silvertip 7. EJ Limted Edt. 2006 Finest, Horn Handle Numbered from Left........1,2,3.........
Only have 2 and I like 'em both, no need for more 1) Kent BK 4 (sheer luxury) 2) Mühle Pinsel Acrylic Best Badger 23mm (it too is a great brush, on the soft side, but that's how I like 'em)
It is a big handled brush...I think with a 24mm Knot. Dense ..... and a great bloom. With creams...it performs superbly. Loads of lather for a small cream expenditure. I have only used it once with a soap, and it did perform well.....but not as well as my normal soap brush. Rather surprisingly....the brush appears in the Rooney section of Executive shaving. I thought it was supposed to be a "special" http://www.executive-shaving.co.uk/shaving/shavemyface/shavemyface-classic.php
Hmm.... C&E Best Badger B&B Horn Finest Silvertip "Buffalo" Pure Badger (vintage) eShave Pure Badger C&E Travel Brush I think one of these days I will pick up a ShaveMac, but that's all I got for now.
Thanks, great synopsis.....I'd be interested in more input when you've used it more with soap. However, I see at that link there its about $73USD. Would you think its worth a try? Also, give these specs: Specifications Handle 65mm Hair 55mm Knot 24mm Width of Handle 36mm. Overall Length 4.7" Looking at pics, I always thought the loft was much longer than 55mm.....more like 65mm. Is this accurate, IYO?
My Turn Surprise, surprise.... 1) Kent BK4 2) Kent BK8 3) B&B Finest 4) EJ Med Silvertip 5) House-branded Rooney from The Gentleman's Shop (5 because I haven't received it yet...who knows, maybe it'll be a 1!)