Im new to wet shaving and currently I am using an entry level badger brush from The Art of Shaving. I would like to get into a better brush sometime in the near future but not sure what I should be looking at (make and model wise). I think I would prefer a bigger brush size wise. Both in the handle and bristles. Thanks in advance for sharing info guys.
I have some questions for you that will help us and you. Do you primarily prefer to face lather or bowl lather? Do you prefer strong or weaker backbone? Do you want some scritchness at the tips or softness at the tips? What size is your current brush? Knot in mm? Loft in mm? If you don't have this, can you provide a link to where the brush is sold and which brush it is? What size do you wish to have? 20 - 23 mm small/avg , 24 - 27 mm med/large, or 28 mm and beyond ex large?
I love my Simpsons Chubby CH1, fantastic brush and well under $200. The Duke D2 is also well under that limit and has a sizable following of users. Edit! I fail, forgot to metion the Semogue Owners Club 2 Band!
I typically bowl lather In new so Im not sure on backbone...I have only ever used the brush described I guess some where in the middle on the scritchness I got my brush as a gift so Im not sure on its size but its rather small...Im a big dude 6'4" tall and 270...I got a lot of face so I would like something on the larger size Your last question is hard to answer because I cant equate those measurements to actual brush size...I want a nice size brush..nothing small...I would say large to exlarge
If I was going to go with a big name brush, it would be a Shavemac 28mm Silver Tip with a loft around 52mm. If I wanted a very good brush cheaper than that it would be a 30mm Whipped Dog Silver Tip Knot set around 52mm or a TGN Grade A Silver tip in the 54mm loft range. Plus, I'd take a serious look at Wet Shaving Products newer knots they're excellent. I wouldn't be in a big hurry, do a lot of reading first. Good luck, there are a lot of good brushes out there.
Shavemac with a DO/177 handle and 25+ knot silvertip, Duke 3 best ($110), Chubby 2 best($160), or Polo 8($160) in two band with approximate prices or put a WTB in the Classifieds for an almost new one of these. Doug
Might help if you narrow down your budget. There are great brushes at every price point. Also, take a look at the AoS website.. you might be able to find your brush and give us an idea of it's size and quality. A 'big' brush is relative to the size of what you have and your face and hands, none of which we have measurements on. For bowl lathering, a longer handle can be useful. Many of the Semogue brushes can fit the bill for this. Browse the BST, SoD and brush forums.. there are tons of pictures and most have the brush dimensions and often a brief description.. best way to narrow it down.
Shane, What I would recommend is getting an intermediate sized 24 - 26 mm knot because it you get the right one it will bloom out to be quite a large brush. I head shave so a larger brush is a good thing for reducing the time lathering. Remember the handle size is not just in circumference but in length as well. You might want to consider a New Forest Badger brush. Peter (who goes by Fido) has a wonderful line of brushes that is a good alternative to some of the more expensive offerings. Here is the page that I will have you focus on: http://www.newforestbrushes.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-forest-tubby-2.html#comment-form This is the Tubby 2 which is 26mm Super Badger and I would recommend the shorter loft 51 mm even though you bowl lather because it will have better backbone to counteract the softness of the hairs. As you can see it has a fairly wide handle and that knot will bloom and is nice and soft. To contact Fido at New Forest send an email to: NFB@padh.co.uk
Unfortunately I can only vouch for Simpson brushes. The best badger is a great grade and I use my Simpson Colonel for both bowl and face lathering. Also the Manchurian grade is fantastic, but those can easily shoot above your price point.
