LS/MS shaving brush
- Thread starter Nishy
- Start date
halvor
a most elusive fish
I won’t argue against Manchurian being a marketing thing (possibly), and agree that the shaping and density makes a difference, but to say that there is no difference between hairs, I can’t let stand. IMO there’s a “vast” difference, in thickness, tips, and treatment. The only problem is that you never quite know what you’ll get, be that from a cheap Chinese or an expensive Brit. Or do you have some insider knowledge that makes what I just said BS?
Wayne
Forum Sod
In my opinion Halvor and only my opinion a Badger is a wild animal. They aren’t farmed like Mink, they are either dug out of their sets and bludgeoned to death or gassed or whatever method the Chinese employ to kill the animals, so in my view only mother nature has any control in what comes from a pelt. Badgers don’t bathe in fancy lotions and conditioners so what you get from a Badger is Badger hair. After that it’s down to treatment, bleaching and how the hair is formed into the knot. Variations such as hair density, loft and shape will affect how the knot behaves in a brush but surely hair is hair or is what I’ve just said BS mate ?
mike_the_kraken
Señor member
I couldn’t agree with your disagreement more!Couldn’t disagree more!
halvor
a most elusive fish
Nope. There are differences between hairs. You needn’t look further than at our own species. Thick and thin hair isn’t only about the density and number of them on our heads, but also about shaft thickness. This varies between people, but also as a matter of fact between phases in life for one and the same individual, affected by hormones, in turn affected by age, diet, stress, etc. As another example, more questionable perhaps, we like to think that mutton from sheep grazing by the seaside has another quality than that of inland sheep. Point being, yes, there are differences!
Edit: just to be clear, I haven’t done any further research into badger hairs specifically. I’m merely arguing that if differences exist between the hairs of species x, they may also possibly or even likely differ within species y.
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Dr Watson
James
In my experience it can actually vary year to year, for example I found Simpsons best grade from 3+ years ago to be very nearly silvertip soft and yet 2016/2017 production Simpsons brushes that I've had have been closer to pure grade... Whether this is down to the hair coming from stressed/hormonal badgers or an inferior grade is being used I do not know...
Looney12345
Forum GOD!
I've got to say (and I'm careful with what I say here as I have no clue where different manufacturers source their hair), but I've got a Romera Manchurian and many other brushes, from Shavemac to Maesto and the Romera Manchurian hair really does feel and look different to all other knots. So much so I bought a separate knot to be put into a handle of my making when I finally get around to deciding what handle to put it in! It'll have to be a special one.
Anyway, I guess I'm saying I'm in the school of thought that hairs seem to be very much different from my experience, but whether that's down to where the hair is sourced or the treatment once it's been sourced, I honestly have no clue.
JayGee
Forum GOD!
There must be a huge variance of hair type as stated already, what you are paying for is better quality control and sorting (& it is purely subjective if that cost is bearable).
The same applies to all natural products, leather as an example. Is Horween tanned cordovan actually from unicorns, no. But, it is carefully selected and the yield per hide post-process is quite low to maintain their quality.
The same applies to all natural products, leather as an example. Is Horween tanned cordovan actually from unicorns, no. But, it is carefully selected and the yield per hide post-process is quite low to maintain their quality.
Shaverrific666
368
My sentiments exactly Dr Watson !
Couldn't agree more, James.
I found exactly the same issue to.
IMO variance in badger hair is evident over the years, observed when considering the same manufacturer(s). The best brush makers offer you an opportunity to choose a particular type of hair, or will collect particular hair from several batches to accommodate your request. The latter being very hard to find.