There are 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.I bet you have t-shirts with jokes written in Binary .....
Cheap Brush is still my favorite, how could this be?
- Thread starter DesertIguana
- Start date
SpeedyPC
The Dark Lord of Wet Shaving
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chazt
Forum !
@DesertIguana, you answered your own question, “how could this be?”
If one seriously wants to understand the visual and functional beauty of a finely made brush with a top quality badger knot, one must experience it in hand and on face. It’s a luxurious feeling that many here among us find very appealing and pleasing. Now, mind you, I also enjoy using a select few boar bristle shave brushes. I went through many to find examples that make me happy. And you wanna know what? Here too, you get what you pay for. Even in regards to boar brushes more money almost always buys a higher quality knot and a better quality handle.
Think about it like this. You like cigars (they’re not my bag, btw). You‘ve said yourself in other threads that you prefer a better quality cigar over a cheaper one. I’ve never smoked a high quality cigar and don’t know the finer points of distinguishing between lesser and better quality cigars. The same thing applies to wet shaving. Some of us have developed an appreciation for and enjoy a little slice of daily life that makes us happy when engaged in an activity as mundane as shaving our whiskers. Get it?
Almost every new traditional shaver asks the same question. You’ve been around the block once or twice and should have seen for yourself by now that you get what you pay for. The category doesn’t matter. Cars, instruments, food, audio, alcohol, furniture… the list is huge; it goes on forever. Yes, you’re right! Inexpensive brushes made with black badger hair are by their very nature (i.e., cheaply and quickly made) floppy and definitely not scrubby. In general, they suck wind. The best you’ll get from that brush is scritch, not scrub
If one seriously wants to understand the visual and functional beauty of a finely made brush with a top quality badger knot, one must experience it in hand and on face. It’s a luxurious feeling that many here among us find very appealing and pleasing. Now, mind you, I also enjoy using a select few boar bristle shave brushes. I went through many to find examples that make me happy. And you wanna know what? Here too, you get what you pay for. Even in regards to boar brushes more money almost always buys a higher quality knot and a better quality handle.Think about it like this. You like cigars (they’re not my bag, btw). You‘ve said yourself in other threads that you prefer a better quality cigar over a cheaper one. I’ve never smoked a high quality cigar and don’t know the finer points of distinguishing between lesser and better quality cigars. The same thing applies to wet shaving. Some of us have developed an appreciation for and enjoy a little slice of daily life that makes us happy when engaged in an activity as mundane as shaving our whiskers. Get it?
Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
Has there been anything "brought up" that has surprised you?
Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
@chazt sent me a Zenith boar brush with significantly more tightly packed knot than I had experienced before. I do not know the model, perhaps he can provide, but the brush has taught me there is a difference between more bristles and fewer. I guess I just got "ripped a new one" at not additional cost. 
chazt
Forum !
506 something or other?… Model number is on the box @Twelvefret 
Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
506 something or other?… Model number is on the box @Twelvefret
DesertIguana
Legendary Member
Use this pricy Omega - Connaught - Same a Jade but Ivory - 011911 Boar, this am it retail around $33.00. Honestly like the Omega10019 at $5.00 More Scrub, more Backbone.
Both Brushes in photo. First is the Ivory, second is El Chepo.
Both Brushes in photo. First is the Ivory, second is El Chepo.
As a natural product the pure bristle (boar hair) does vary, year to year.
The spec for the 011842/011911 is the same hair as the 20102. To me this is coarser & takes a while to break in. However I like the feel of them from new.
It maybe that you just prefer smaller knot brushes. The 10019 is around 23 mm x 50 mm loft, vs the 27 mm x 52 mm 011842/011911
The spec for the 011842/011911 is the same hair as the 20102. To me this is coarser & takes a while to break in. However I like the feel of them from new.
It maybe that you just prefer smaller knot brushes. The 10019 is around 23 mm x 50 mm loft, vs the 27 mm x 52 mm 011842/011911
DesertIguana
Legendary Member
Paul got it right about Hair changing year to year.
Being Politically Correct Natural Hair also changes donor animal to animal.
Depending on location animal lives, diet, climate,etc.
Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
More information on the Zenith 506N XSE, ZENITH unbleached bristle black resin handle 507N XSE
Price looks to be in the mid $30's USD.
Price looks to be in the mid $30's USD.
Mark12
Veteran
Slightly off topic but did you enjoy the brush?
Interesting to see the knot diameter on the specs. I'm starting to suspect my preference with boar lies with a bigger diameter knot. I noticed a few shavers posting similar thoughts around boar brushes. I've got a few incoming from my birthday which I'm keen to use which have slightly heftier knots than my current
Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
Yes, very. I can see what others say about the importance of bristle count. Apparently this brush is known for taking some time to break in. I can’t imagine you’d be disappointed.
chazt
Forum !
Break it in Baby!