I love them. 3 band is incredibly soft, but not enough backbone for my liking - much like a synthetic. Two band is soft, scrubby and dense - possibly my all time favorite knot.
The knots are good, I have a 2 band. Neither of the brushes I bought weren't close to the specs listed. I gifted one to a friend and relofted the 2 band in another handle, great brush now.
The handles are o.k. the loft was taller than the specs stated. One or two mm can be understood but 5-7 mm will change the ball game. I've only bought two Thaters, both were over spec by 5-7mm. Hardly definitive but my experience.
I have owned one. Soft, two band beehive brush. Not quite as plush as a DG, or a Rooney or Simpson, but still nice. Sold it. Don't miss it. You don't specify badger or boar. I owned a Thäter Premium boar and it was the worst boar brush I have EVER owned. Scratchy like I have never felt and refused to break-in. Re-knotted it with a Declaration Grooming B5. Now I am happy.
Timing is everything. A bunch just went pretty cheap during the selloff of straightrazordesigns. The Simpsons went quick. The Thäters didn't go as fast, so there were some left as the discounts went up. I paid $109.50 shipped for this one:
Ah, and to your original question. I still haven't found a badger that would lure me away from boars altogether. This one comes closer than any other that I've tried. (I have not tried a Simpson yet.) In fairness to it, I don't know how much breaking in a two band needs, but this one probably isn't there yet.
Honestly, the only two factory brushes I've run across that I thought were perfect are Rooney and an M&F. I owned neither, a member here sent me his two brushes to try. I've been through about a half dozen Simpsons and found three keepers, one I sold and wish I didn't. I've owned every knot that Shavemac makes (hair type) but I made the brushes for them of which I think I have 5 or 6 now. I have a couple of factory boars that are great brushes but to be honest the big Omega boar still makes my favorite brush. I've got 3 or four good configurations for this knot and it's what I use most of the time. I almost have to force myself to use anything else. Anyway, I'm done experimenting with brushes. edit: I do like Shavemac knots, I haven't been the least bit disappointed in anyway. Also been very pleased with some TGN knots and knots from a few other vendors. I have enough badgers, boars and a few synthetics to last a long, long time. Might even outlast my soaps.
No not really, if anything maybe density could be better but that's being picky on my part. It's a pretty fair brush, IMO, but loft is pretty critical and it seems that most companies make their brushes on the long side. I wouldn't say for sure but I might have just reset it at spec'd loft which they missed by 4 or 5mm, IIRC. I'm not in the market for any new brushes but when I buy a brush I look at it like I'm buying the knot. I think the last brush I bought (serious purchase) was a Simpsons Manchurian and I bought it with the attitude that if the brush doesn't work out at least I'll have the knot. It's an alright brush, if it would be 2 or 3 mm shorter it'd be a great brush but I'll settle for good for the time being.
I am with you Randi, the two band is possibly my favorite not to but I also think the three bands are awesome. I never tried their boar brush. The handles are just ok.
I agree Keith. I still keep a Thater 3 band in the den for variety. It’s by far the softest most pillowy knot I own, and the backbone isn’t bad; it just doesn’t hit the sweet spot of my preferences like the 2 band.