OK. Got a BLK2 to complement my BK4, which I love. Shoulda paid more attention before ordering cause these 2 brushes look almost identical to me. Heres the facts: BLK2 BK4 As you can see the Handle width and the handle length are identical. the bristle on the BK4 is 3mm higher ...making the full length of the BK4 3 mm higher. The only measurable difference is the "Flare" 62mm vs 50mm.......dont know cause I havent used the BLK2 yet. On the website the badger on the BK4 is listed as "pure silver tipped badger" and the BLK2 is "pure grey badger" but they look very close to me. So ?? Why spend the extra dough if these brushes are that alike? Just wondering if anybuddy has both of these brushes and can comment here.
I have a BK4, once had a BK2, currently have a BLK2 en route to me. I ordered the BLK2 knowing the dimensions would be identical to the BK4. I wanted the black handle, and I love Kent brushes. I am expecting the BLK2 hair to be coarser and not as soft as the BK4. That's how my formerly owned BK2 compared. I guess it's a bit like owning a Chubby 1 in Super, and one in Best; something only a collector would do. Regards, John
Yeah John, I figgured the big diff was the hair but.....they look almost identical to me. Like I said, havent shaved with the BLK2 yet. I'll have a better idea this AM when I use it.....and I'm a user. NOT a collector
Thanks for the comparison Rick, good info. I too have been thinking about a BLK2. I had a BK4 but didn't really care for it (YMMV), I really like a brush with a little more backbone. Looking forward to hearing how the BLK2 performs.
What kinda question is THAT?! Actually, I just got the 2 recently and have only used it a couple of times. I find it to be similar to the 4, but not quite as flexible. Or as large. Still very soft, not at all scrubby, not prickly either. Lathers like you would expect a Kent to lather...soaps, creams, pot roast - no problem. The BLK2 lost a couple of hairs both times I used it, something that has not happened with any of my other Kents. Unless the hair loss becomes problematic, if I were only going to buy one, I would probably opt for the 2. Just because it's less expensive and not that much less of a brush. (So far and IMHO, of course.)
ss... where've you been hanging out ?? .........its been awhile ************************** I really like the ebony, BTW Nice contrast to the other brushes in my shavery. We'll see how different the badger is in a few minutes.
just back from the shave and the results are in: Yep. Its a different animal, all right. The hair feels about the same to me but the difference is in the knot: Not as dense as the BK4 Maybe......may be a bit pricklier badger on the BLK2 but in a blind test I couldnt tell them apart. The BK4 is a great all purpose brush, in that one can build lather in a bowl or ones face with equal ease. The BLK2 will be a cream in-a-bowl brush for me.
Different strokes I guess. I don't find them all that different and pretty much the same density. If anything, the 2 feels a bit MORE dense to me. My 2 was a bit prickly the first time, but not the second. FWIW, I never could see the point of face lathering. ENJOY!!
I never liked all the acronyms...... So. Lemme say this: Youre wrong. My mileage Does NOT vary. :rofl I agree the two are VERY similar....the actual point I was trying to make with the thread. But after the first shave the BLK2 definately performed differently than my BK4. I will compare the BLK2 with my Superior 20mm BeeHive in that they both have longer lofts that are not that densely stuffed full of badger. Some consider this a "defect"; not I. I've said it before that I have Face brushes and Bowl Brushes. This BLK2 is a great brush for building lather in a bowl because it keeps the lather down at the business end of the brush: The TIPS. I am very happy with this new addition to the herd and BTW Thanks ! I was lucky enough to sneak in and get the 20% discount before time ran out. What a great deal ! Highly recommended.
