I have to say I'm starting to get very attrated to the M7 style handles. Too bad they seem to be special order or sold out from stores
I've been watching BST Threads on various places. I missed out on a Duke 3 2 band yesterday due to the hockey game LOL. I'm wondering how the TGN Finest compare with the big manufacturers two band...if anyone knows brushes. I've even been checking out a Thater 4292/4 Two Band, there's something about those knots that just makes me drool, but their handle is a little too Plisson-like for me. Argh the agony of choice and searching...
To me it the machine made 2 Band knots are about 80 - 90 % of a really good two band. The major difference is how the knot is constructed. Hand made knots have more attention to detail than machine made knots and there is where the issue is. They also are usually packed tighter so you get a more dense knot and a better shaped knot due to the person working the hairs and the shaping. To get the last 10 - 20 % you really have to step up. My best knot is a Simpsons Super 2 band 22-23 mm in a Keyhole 2 that was a special build at Simpsons. It is a great knot that is soft but with lots of backbone and very little to no scritch. Some of the custom 2 Bands I had made some time ago approached 90 - 95% of the Simpsons Super 2 Band but did not meet it fully. However they all are excellent brushes. If you want a top 2 Band you will have to pay the cost of the expert knot maker rather than machines.
80-90% is far more than I would have expected to be honest! So in other words there's no REAL need for me to shell out $200+ for a Duke 3 when a TGN or WSP Finest can come close enough to matching it that I'd be completely happy. I'm seeing a 2 for the price of 1 possibility here! Now I just need to find some good looking handles, given our deployment tempo here at the unit, I don't have the time unfortunately to email Lee or Rudy to try to get one custom made and wait a few weeks because they're backlogged from the moment they're available again. We may need to speak more about this
Ahh, there is no real need for a lot of things we go after. That is not the point when getting a high end brush. The last 10% to 20% is very perceptible, however, I find I enjoy my customs and use them around 70% of the time.
I suppose the Simpson, Shavemac and Thater 2 bands also give someone a good starting point to judge others by as well; at least. I may look into the Thater as it's significantly cheaper than Simpson and it's trying a different company as well, which I like doing. Once again the handle is pretty generic but at least it's not ugly. Plus I could always get the knot pulled and put into something a little more attractive like faux briar or some of those jade-looking resin ones that just make you go
Justin I Recently purchased a TGN F2. I must say it's really performing amazing for me. It's only been through 2-3 practice lathers and 1-2 real face lathers. I have about a 6 brush rotation, so only use it once a week or so. But this thing is amazing and a heck of a bargain. I just bought another one because to me it's that good. It holds it's own compared to my Simpsons. I know Scott pav has one as well and we've discussed how much we like them. Not sure if everyone else is raving about them, but I'd say they are worth looking into. Edit: on topic, yet another amazing oscar handle. Gary I love how you keep a running thread for your brushes and add to the original posts. I like to go back and see the original pictures and how long you've had the brush, etc.
