Thanks guys, but I reiterate, this was just a fast fading whim to obtain an inexpensive genuine horn brush. I already have 7 brushes, and rodd is making me an 8th -- more than enough to last my lifetime, I think. Jay, what you said is exactly what I told my wife when she asked why the Kimson brush was $80, but the Shavemac was $130 -- it's all about the quality of the knot.
I'm also not trying to be an ass or anything but his handles were a whole lot cheaper pre-group buy and pre-shavemac buying some handles. It would have previously been worth it to buy a handle and a knot separately but at this point at $50 each plus shipping, I dont think so. I've also never heard of knots coming from india. At 80mm they probably arent cut very well.
Forget about Kimson. If you're going for a horn brush...anything less than one of these is, well, less than one of these. And two of them are even in stock! :whacky011
I belive Neale bought a cuppa handles and sent them to Bernd is how this whole thing started. Then came the group buy. Neale can fill you in on the earlier pricing but I believe it's all in previous posts. I'm just too tired to look tonight! :whacky098
Hmmm, I can't speak to the quality of the knots that Kimson sells.....I think he was going to send me one to try but I never received it and haven't heard from him in a while. I would assume they are like the ones The Golden Nib or Blankity Blank sells.....I think the picture on Blankity Blanks website is the same one on Kimsons website.......I have one from the Golden Nib, it's nice....but not as good as ones that Shavemac makes...IMHO.......... The handles are quite nice and are really great when coupled with a Shavemac Knot. I would probably buy one from Shavemac personally as you are assured of a quality product and the great customer service that goes with it...... Now.......if you don't wish to pay that much you could always order a handle from Kimson....shipping takes a while and a 22mm knot from one of the places I mentioned above and fix the knot into the handle with some epoxy....I like this option as you can drill / bore the handle a little deeper which should add some firmness to the knot.... The group buy was offered to TSD, SMF and SRP........ Hope that helps. Neale
Neale, do you remember how much the handles previously cost on their own. I just remember they were not $50 each.
Yea, they were around $45-50 each......I don't believe he has increased the cost on them....now that price was for the basic colored ones....not the highly colored ones Shavemac obtained for the groupbuy..... I do know that Shavemac paid a premium to get the highly colored horn and that was one of the reasons it took a while to fill the order on the horn handles.
Welllll.... He emailed that he "will send one to someone in America to review." I mentioned that I have a blog where I review shaving products, and I would be happy to review one. He hasn't responded yet, so who knows? We'll see how it goes...
I never felt that you were, Jay. I...don't...think...so...... I think if I am going to get a horn brush, I will just order one from Shavemac.
Or call shavemac and have them make you a super extra special knot of super stuffed super thick crazy extra silver silvertips. Mhmm. Itll blow your mind.
Come on, Rick - you only live once! :happy102 Seriously, Atkinson's does (or did anyway) give a 20% discount for shaving forum members. Was originally for a couple of other sites, but he told me that he would offer it to anyone who knew enough to ask for it. That was a year or so ago, so I don't know if they still do it, but if anyone's looking for a Plisson, it's worth asking about.
They still do it... I have a plisson horn and a shavemac horn. Different beasts..but the shavemac would be more cost friendly for sure.
I had a size 10 Plisson... acrylic handled.... 2 band knot....sold it...to me the label didn't warrant the increased cost. They are very proud of their brushes though, and it's reflected in the price.
Ok, I've been in communication with Vu Kim Son (hi Vu...) and he has quite generously agreed to supply me, for a limited time, with a brush for review. When it arrives, I'll let you all know my impressions, with pictures and updates. I'm quite interested to see how these brushes go!
In order to not create an imflammatory situation, I am deleting my post, which, in retrospect, I realize should have been sent privately. All apologies to any offended members.
I'd like to add something for Kimson...the general diameters for the knots are 20mm, 22mm, 24mm, 26mm, 28mm, and sometimes thirty. They are also the easiest to obtain when buying just a handle and using our own knots.
Thanks JayKay, the size of hold is 15 mm deep and 20-25 mm hole diameter. That is not KNOT SIZE. Another member please wait.. i will send product to test and review . Anyone could review with FAIR THINK but i am not the review-man .
As a proud owner of one of the Shavemac brushes,, I am VERY satisfied with it. The handles are put together very well, and the brush is very dense and soft. As for the Plissons...I think for the money you'd be better off with a Simpsons or Rooney. I just don't think they're worth it.
20-25 is a pretty broad range. Do they vary that much, or can one order the size they want? What do you say the knot size is? I have always seen it as the measurement of the base of the plug.
