Hi folks, I'm looking at picking up my first brush at some point in the coming weeks, and while I've read up a lot on razors and soaps, I realised I haven't really looked into the brushes aside from the basic threads and videos! I'm leaning towards going synthetic since I'm a bit unlucky in that I have exceptionally soft/sensitive skin combined with a pretty large amount of hair growth, and I'd prefer to avoid a brush smell where possible too! Just wondering if there were any 'sites that'd make a good starting point, particularly for the UK - I've looked through a few UK-specific 'sites but they all seem perilously expensive.
For within the UK, can't go wrong with Connaught Shaving. They're quite inexpensive, and have a plethora of synthetic options available. http://connaughtshaving.com/brush.html
I'd say the brush isn't as big a variable as the blade or the razor. If that fact is correct you should do fine on your first brush buy. I am not up on synthetic brushes, but own a horse, boar and a badger. The scent is minimum if you soak the knot in soapy water. The softest of my three would be the badger, I bought on Ebay, from Frank's Brushes of China for $30. I've learned a lot on the subject from an English site, written by Bruce Everiss. http://www.bruceonshaving.com/
The Omega 10049 is a great choice for a first brush. It costs about $10 from almost any online shaving store. Soak it for a few minutes before you make a lather with it and it should be soft enough for sensitive skin.
I was looking at the Crabtree and Evelyn Pure but for $10 I might pick up the Omega as a first brush instead. There is always time to upgrade to a better brush later.
The #6 horse hair from bestshave.net is also a very inexpensive brush at $5 shipped. Definitely worth considering. I've had mine for around 3 years and it works well for me..
An omega pro 49 is a great first brush, it was my first and I still use it. I would also recommend a Semogue 830, very soft brush outta the box.
It's pretty hard to beat an Omega boar brush if you are like me and not independently wealthy. Connaught has Omega brushes reasonably priced. http://www.connaughtshaving.com/10049.html An often overlooked aspect of Omega boar brushes is their durability. I've not heard of anyone on this forum claiming to have ever worn one out. I've an Omega 49 that is almost 1 year old now, and it's a joy to use. It is quite soft at the tips, but if you push on it a bit it remains quite "scrubby". Not in rough way, rather in a firm and smooth way. If you've a moderate to heavy beard, it's especially important that you get your lather worked into your beard well prior to picking up the blade. If not, then you are going to have troubles. Firmer brushes like the 49 make this easy. Best wishes Aeacus, and Happy Shaving!!
Buy a middle of the line brush, try a Semogue 1305, or an Omega 49. Once you fall out of love (want to up grade) go with a Simpsons.
As others have pointed out, there are some great options for boar brushes (which I actually prefer), and I would definitely pick up the Omega '49. At about 7 USD, It's a worthy investment just to see if it works for you. However, If you'd like to try a reasonably priced synthetic, the Kent Infinity is a good first step at about 25 USD. Once you've established which works for you, there are other more extravagant options to try.
Wow, a ton of really helpful advice, thanks! I'm probably going to end up with the Omega 49, just because it's so easily available and a fair few people seem to be fans of it.
If your looking for synthetic, I'd recommend Muhle Black Fibre. It is synthetic, soft but has a bit of scritch that feels pleasant. If you dont want the scritch, then opt for their Silvertip Fibre (2.0). It is exceptionally soft!!! That being said I'd recommend the XL for silvertip as it has nice backbone and isn't floppy. (the Black Fibre isn't floppy either) Both can be had at Connaught Shaving, linked above...and are the cheapest there too...I believe.
I'm personally (boar side) in love with the 10083 (Which is also the Proraso boar brush for those who don't know), it's ridiculously cheap as well and not quite as slap you in the face large as the Pro 49. Still a big brush though, I'd probably never get something bigger than the 83 size.
Just ordered my first brush, an Omega 11047 badger/boar mix I plan on using for face lathering in the shower...
Don't be shocked how tiny it is. The 11047 is called the mighty midget for a reason, it's an extremely small brush
