I'm still new to traditional shaving. When I started a couple months back I purchased the inexpensive (cheap) VDH set which consisted of a puck of VDH soap, a black and green bowl and a boar brush. I was happy with them all. Skip to last week and I bought a Tweezerman's inexpensive (cheap) badger brush on ebay. I received it yesterday and I have to say WOW!!! After all my searching/reading I figured the badger would be softer than the boar but damn, I think there's a huge difference in softness. I love the soft feel of the badger and the lather it made last night was just as good as the boar. Had I known this from the start, I wouldn't even have bought the boar. :hooray:
The VDH boar is a good starter brush though. I have 4 boar, two badgers and a horse. I liked the VDH brush but then I bought an Omega 48 boar and the VDH has been retired. The GBS Pure badger I used once or twice but preferred the stiffness of the Omega. I have not used the Vie-Long yet. Right now it is for show but my 13 y. o daughter keeps taking it down and rubbing it over her face. I may never end up using it if she steals it. The rest are for show as I love the handles. Who knows I may keep the 48, settle on a bowl and a favorite razor and keep them until they wear out. as always YMMV which is why there is such a variety. Right now, this is all I need, but lets see yours.
I have a VDH Badger Brush, I also have a VDH Boar Brush. Both are good brushes. I also have a WD 30/65 Silver Tip Brush aka Whipped Dog. I think this is propably my favorite, I also have a Oscar11 brush, which I really like. It's a great brush....but it's the smallest brush I own. If I was to say which one I prefer I would really have a hard time choosing between them. I have a Oscar 11 Handle, and will make my own brush, with a 28mm Finest F2 Badger from The Golden Nib. I use my WD brush more often than I use my VDH Brushes, my Oscar11 Brush runs a close second as to how often I use it, and to how well I like it. My rotation is W/D Brush...Oscar11 & VDH 100% Pure Badger.
Come to think of it......the VDH Boar Brush does lather up Williams Soap a lot better than the Badger. I have the Van der Hagen-Williams Shaving Soap mix, and that boar brush does wonders in that.
Very nice! How deep is it cut in 20mm? I'm getting ready to order one. Looking at the 24mm or 30mm. Worried the 30mm might be to big. How do you like yours?
Larry is Top Notch. Very good vendor. He is a little hard to get in touch with but hey does listen to his customers. Tell him I sent you.
ObiDon You asked how I like my WD 30/65 Silver Tip Brush........I really prefer using it because it is a larger handle than the rest of my brushes. I have problems with my hands going numb due to a severe back & neck injury. I have a Oscar11 custom brush, and a Oscar11 handle, that I am going to put a badger brush head in, I really seem to have a hard time some mornings to choose which brush to use. Also the reason I like my Weber is also because I can hold onto it.
I love Omega brushes! ! I have the pro in red. Big sucker it is, makes a ton of lather. Hoping to get more! I ave a parker black badger too with a blue handle. Perfect cross between a boar and Silverton. Soft but not mushy, leathers abundantly and easily!
Patrick thanks for your help, and sorry about your injury. I have a large scar on the right side on my neck that I have to be carefull with. At least we are still around.
Ok, I've had a couple weeks now. While, I still prefer the "softness" of it, it is shedding like crazy. I wonder how long that will last.
I have the exact set also lol I like the soap pretty well, but I really like the brush so far. No shedding and it lathers great. I have another "off-brand" boar/boar-mix brush that is stiffer that i use with harder soaps. But I think you've convinced me to go ahead and pick up a badger brush...
I think everyone should eventually get a good, high quality badger brush. I got a Simpsons Colonel in best badger, which is sort of a mid priced Simpsons brush (you really can spend as much as you want on these things). This is by far the best quality brush I have ever had. It's not the highest end thing they make, I'll probably never spend that much on a brush, but it is an excellent brush and very well made. It is the standard I will judge all other brushes against.
