I have a newbie type question regarding brushes.

I purchased an Art of Shaving Fine Badger Brush and while in their store, I felt no discernable differenace between thier Silvertip and Fine. So I purchased the Fine.

I just received in the mail, a sample pack of creams form Truefitt & Hill. I also received (in their pack) their Pure Brush. Their Pure Brush is much softer than AOS Fine Brush.

Now I know that different company's will have different qualities but the T&H brush sells for about $90 LESS than the AOS brush AND it is softer.

Am I missing something?

When you go to the gas station and are presented with three grades of gasoline to choose from, you typically have unleaded, mid-grade and premium to choose from.

The mind blowing part of the equation is that the mid-grade does not exist in a pure form. The truck driver dumps an estimated gallon count of both premium and regular unleaded into the mid-grade tank. Sometimes you get a higher grade of mid-grade and sometimes a lesser grade.

While I am not the brushologist that Aaron is, I think it is accurate to say that different brush makers label their products in different ways, much the same as gas stations advertise their gas, or women's jeans makers label their sizes. There are general guidelines, but no hard and fast, not to mention actual regulated grades or labels when it comes to badger brushes.

So what is the take-away? Find a brush that feels right and go with it.

I think...

Like Jeff said, many companies label things different as for AoS, I will keep it clean and not say anything.

If your T&H Pure is one of the rebranded Rooney's its probably softer because they cheat and fray the tips...

What will really blow you mind away, go buy a $50 Omega Silvertip brush; that my friend will either put a smile on your face or make you want to break something.