I'm in the process of building up a new Badger brush and was curious about hair quality. From what I've been studying here on this site and others, two band is slightly more preferred then the silvertip grade. Two band is currently all the rage. Do you find this the case or am I subconsciously projecting my own preferences? I face lather and currently use an Omega 31000 series brush as well as a black badger generic. I'm currently looking to order either a 24mm x64mm (fan) two band or 24mm x 58mm (short loft) silvertip from TGN. I'm stuck so was hoping I could get some insight from the folks here. Thanks
For my creams and soft soaps, I prefer Silvertip or its many equivalents to a 2-band, like my Shavemac, Rooney or Simpson. For hard soaps and face lathering said hard soaps, I really enjoy a 2 band brush. Both excellent products, slightly different areas where they really shine. To me that is
Howdy SOS. I only face lather mostly with soaps. I use bigelow cream once a week as I need to use it up. I had a 31064. It had a great handle, but was a bit floppy for my tastes. I much prefer the beechwood boar sized knot. I don't have any experience with the TGN silvertip. I do have a 22mm super silvertip. I have it set low (44mm iirc) and it is a nice knot. It has less backbone then the TGN finest, but works very well. If it was set any taller, I don't think I would enjoy it much at all as it would be rather floppy. I currently have two of the TGN finest extra stuffed and really enjoy the knots. Both are bulb rather than fan. The 22mm is set at 45mm and the 24mm is set at 48 mm. Once wet, the tips do not seem scritchy in the least. Out of my handful of brushes, the two TGN finest are my favorites. I would really like a nice Simpson Chubby 2, but cannot justify spending that amount of money on a brush. The finest is definitely my choice of the TGN knots. However, like anything else, these are just my observations from about a year of using the knots and ymmv. Anyway, welcome to the den.
Really, I would say the only reason to own a 2 band brush is to indeed say you "Own" one, I have a Plisson, Rooney and TGN *Haven't personally owned a Simpson 2 band but have first hand experience with them* Comparatively speaking, Tony's 2 Band Finest is roughly the same quality as Rooney's new Heritage line, both are made with Chinese plugs, and mentioning this on some forums is an insta ban. :happy102 The Grade A Silvertip, is close but not quite the same caliber as Simpson's Best, Simpson's hair is slightly better and the knots are tied by hand. The Super, is close but not quite the quality of Vulfix Super Bader, once again Vulfix being hand tied and slightly higher quality of hair. I will say that the TGN has more backbone, closer to an EJ/Muhle *MP* knot which is indeed a plug as well... It really comes down to YOUR personal choice, I tested many of his knots, as well as own a few. I personally have 2 of the Supers, had 2 of the Grade A's *Sold one to Mike* and 1 Finest, the best all around hair that works well with everything and what I consider the best bargain would have to go to the Grade A, after-all its the reason I'm not a member of a certain forum anymore because there was a time when Simfix couldn't tie a knot to save their lives. I plan on going down this Saturday and getting a replacement, albeit not a 24mm replacement for the Grade A I sold to Mike In this photo, Simpson D2 in Best, Grade A, Finest, Super, note all the brushes but the Simpson were cleaned this week, so don't mind the soap scum * one last edit, before the anti-Plisson patrol shows up, my EW Size #12 is only available in 2 band, so ha!
Thanks gentlemen for the answers, I going toward the grade A silvertip 24x67 bulb. I'll play with the loft using hot glue until I find a satisfactory height.
I would consider the 24mm large, its more like a 26mm brush compared to other manufactures, hence why I sold mine to Mike, but I do miss that brush sometimes even if I used it rarely. As you can see that knot is more than capable of producing lather, its so large it did have some issues wanting to hog some lather, but really every large densely packed brush has these problems.
I was thinking along those lines, unfortunately my handle is stainless steel and only has 10mm of depth available. I was hoping there was enough backbone so that 57mm would do. So back to the drawing board in my knot search.
Have one, but the part of the handle where the plug sits is stainless steel, can't drill that out with a forstner bit. Got about 15mm of room to play with loft and that's it.
Damn, you're right, I guess you need an HSS bit and a drill press doh. Well hey, get a new handle? :happy102 I think unless you actually the have the ability to sift through a boxes of knots, getting one to fit the way you want is not going to be fun.
I think you're right, I need a new handle and a box of knots. A simple project is going to turn into a gigantic adventure.
