July 2019 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

I see a difference between the two now. I ordered the latest one through West Coast since it was free shipping. Like you I only buy Omega brushes to harvest the knots. Next time I will get a Zenith or try one of the loose boar knots available.

 

Bill, you have been spending too much time watching Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

 

Clint it is a nice setup and fantastic shave!

 

Nice, Jason! Have a safe drive.

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Jason, awesome shave and report!

 

Great shave, Joe!

Thank you!

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Thanks, Jim!

 

There has been a lot of discussion over brushes over the past few days. I used a brush and shave soap with cartridge razors since my teenage years. For me the brush is the most enjoyable aspect of shaving. I could easily go back to using cartridge razors or canned cream but I would miss using the brush. Getting into traditional wet shaving in September 2014 I went with the Omega Pro 49 as my first brush. Since that time I have tried over 50-60 different brushes and ending up selling or giving away many. During that time, I learned some important lessons about picking a brush.

• Know how much backbone you prefer
  
• Know the face feel you want from the brush in terms of softness or scritch
• Know how big you want the brush to feel against your face
  
• Know what kind of look in the handle or style you want
• Know the price you are willing to pay

Once you have answered theses questions, realize there is no perfect brush since all will at best be a compromise of the items above. Once I have answered the above questions, I look for one that ticks the most boxes for me at that time. For new shavers I always recommend a cheaper boar or synthetic to start. Many people come into wet shaving and leave so there is no reason to tie up a lot of money. Once a person is committed to staying with the hobby, they can look to collect different brushes that have a different compromise of the attributes listed above. There are so many comments made about brushes which people believe to be the absolute truth which in fact are not universally true at all. I have read countless times that synthetic brushes use less soap than natural brushes. Ha.. pickup a Simpson Chubby 2 synthetic and that myth is exploded. Another common perception is that boar brushes have more backbone than badger brushes. Pick up a Maggard SHD or Shavemac DO1 2 band to see another myth busted. I like badgers, synthetics and boar brushes since I enjoy the variety. While I like them all, I do have favorites. In the end, everyone needs to decide what is important to them with a shaving brush and pick one that works for them. Really this is no different that the razors or soaps. In the end everyone should enjoy their shave in their way

 

Thank you Joe.

 

Excellent insight and advice, Clint.

 

Thanks, Perry.

Of course, scent is very subjective. I like Varen, myself.
Samples are your friend.

 

Thank you Perry. I just think its important to know what someone wants before recommendations. Kind of like recommending a 2 seat convertible for a vacation trip without realizing the person has 2 toddlers.

 

Thanks, Danny.

 

Good point! Scent is quite subjective, and the Stirling samples - at least for shaving soap - are long-lasting.

 

Thanks, Joe.

 

It goes with my rule: It is your shave, do it your way! I only have 3 brushes and that's my Rocky synthetic, Omega Pro 49 boar, and my "luxury" Semogue OC Badger. I will have a Stirling boar in my den sometime today, so that will be four. My expensive badger is my least favorite, but my other 2 brushes are great. To me, a shaving brush is more of a functional tool so any brush will do. On the other hand, I believe that's not the case with razors.

 

In detention, we get to do these things

Actually, I don't think I've ever seen Ferris Bueller.

Did see Uncle Buck.

 

If I might suggest, start by getting the ferrule loose and old knot out if it's to be replaced. After polishing, install the knot so that you can use it with the tarnished lower handle. That'll incentivise completing the beautification process. If you haven't separated the two pieces of the handle, Harbor Freight sells rubber strap wrenches for cheap that grip without marring.

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