I would like opinions; if you had to purchase one brush and wanted to spend around $125 max, what brush would you purchase and why?
I would get a custom brush... which is exactly what i did. I'm just waiting for it in the mail. With a custom brush you can make it look just how you like and have the right size knot you would like. Also can get different type of knots from some people.
I have a 25mm EJ silvertip from The English Shave Co. It is nice. It is in that price range. May have lost 3 hairs in the last year. Totally luxurious and lathers like a beast.
I would get the new forest brush and a good horse hair and keep the change for new soaps/ creams /blades
I'll say I've never spent more than about 1/2 that amount on a brush and don't feel any pressing need to try something more expensive. That said, if I did I think I'd get a silvertip Shavemac. They're know for being a truly premium quality brush that uses knots with good backbone, but not as extreme as a Rooney or higher priced Simpson - all which appeal to me.
Vulfix or Simpson brands are what I'd go with. You can research brushes at http://fidosshavingblog.blogspot.com/ Lot's of information on brushes in the archives.
I'd try the Vie Long Silvertip. Having used their horsehair brushes I would want to see if this was the bargain luxury I suspect it is. The rumor that they source their badger hair from the same place as Plisson is also intriguing to me. I would try a Fido New Forest. He is a true gentleman hobbyist producing brushes based on his experience and knowledge and he seems sincere in wanting to give good value and product. Its actually someone applying knowledge learned during the course of the hobby carrying out a interesting enterprise. One brush I want to try is the Vulfix mixed badger and boar. Someone suggested that this brush makes expensive brushes irrelevant and its gotten nice reviews on another forum. I always want to believe that inexpensive products can work as well as the high priced one and this brush might help me see if thats true. No money in the shaving budget so your budget of $125 makes for great fantasizing. Thank you !
other than going custom; if you want a badger, look at the saville row line available from qedusa.com; very good value (compare size in compsarble grade badger to simpson's). depending upon the size you choose, you could have leftover change to blow on other stuff.
The vulfix 404 mixed is a fine brush. It's not as soft or as dense as the vie long horsehair. ( the vie long horsehair is just a killer brush) Once the 404 finally breaks in (takes a while) it gives a nice soft scrubby feel. It's definitely not a silver tip, but it's a heck of a brush at a Great price. The quality handle makes it worth the price alone.
You already know my thoughts on the subject grasshopper. For those that don't I dig on Rooney. The perfect balance of price, quality and comfort.
Thanks for the info. I read your thoughts on the Vie Long horsehairs in the thread on them and everything you wrote about them is difinitely true. That 23mm is really nice and the 21 mm is good as well.
Welcome to The Shave Den School Teacher, a great community of guys and gals that enjoy wet shaving, I hope you enjoy your stay! While its not required, how about you hop over to the Newbies Section and give yourself a proper introduction thread, I'm sure you'll receive many warm welcomes from the friendly folks of this community.
I settled on a New Forest. Rest assured I will submit my thoughts in the review section after I give it proper and thorough usage.
