Seriously, I sometimes do. Not while shaving, of course, just when I spend time looking online trying to determine knot quality from a photograph. The grading system is almost useless, and many categories overlap, even if the seller is labeling the brush's knot accurately. Pure, Best, Finest, Super, Extra Super, Silvertip, High Mountain White, Manchurian, Two Band, Three Band, Silvertip Standard, Silvertip Premium, Super Silvertip...the list goes on. Rant over. Whew. Back to looking for dense Two Band Super Finest High Mountain White Manchurian brushes with hair harvested by the virginal daughters of Himalayan goat herders on the night of a full moon followed by a double rainbow.
It's all semantics, anyways. I'm sure I be just as happy with that Finest "F2" grade TGN sells...if they sold it in a size I need. My week old Whipped Dog High Mountain knot has started tangling in the center, and needs to be replaced. I combed out the hairs, but ended up losing about ten or so. I'm not sure if the knot being set so deep is the problem (16mm), the hole size being a mm larger than the knot base is the problem, or if the problem lies with the knot itself (or even user error, unlikely as that seems). Either way, that knot is going to be replaced soon. ...if I can find a suitable replacement. Grrr. Edit: hmm. I wonder how much a 23mm Shavemac D01 2-Band knot will end up costing me?
'Hate' is such a strong word to be applied in the realm of badger brushes. Best to use the term where it seems more at home...
I expected to see a Tabac photo. Seriously though I agree. It's quite daunting. I recently purchased a Kent BK 4 based on reviews. That's all I had to go on.
That D01 2-band has a reputation as intensely scritchy. I've heard much better things about shavemac's "Silvertip 2-band" grade.
85% marketing, 15% hair stiffness. Here is the untapped market for the boar brush makers. Finest Gloucester Old Spot in 30mm anyone?
Tabac is a great-lathering soap. The scent may not be my favorite, but the soap's performance is tops!
My Shavemac 177 in Silvertip is my favorite brush. Soft and dense, I think it could make lather from a rock. If the house were on fire I would make sure the kids and dog were out then grab my Shavemac and my grandmothers cast iron cornbread skillet.
No, as I wasn't sure if the fault was mine or the brush's. If it reoccurs, I will contact him. The biggest problem will be removing the knot without damaging the handle. It's epoxied in there.
Hmmmm...no, I didn't necessarily hate the scent of Glacé Herb so much as it simply reminded me of shaving with ant spray.
