What do you consider is too much for a brush

Rowlers

Massive Member
Staff member
I'm sure there is no such thing as a Golden Badger, So all things being equal Badger hair, whether finest, silvertip or best is just that, Badger hair. We are going to be hard pushed to to find one that looks after it's golden tresses constantly washing, conditioning and blowdrying. What we are actually paying for is how that knot is formed how well the knot is stuffed and finished. Most makers buy knots in like my Ferdman and Cadman brushes then set them in their handles. When buying in bulk from China to some extent like TGN you get what you are given and have to work with them as is. Others buy the hair and form their knots like Simpsons and I believe Shavemac. There is more quality control with this and the knots are usually better formed and look nicer. That is the extra we pay for. I'm happier buying for a better formed knot. I'm dying to take out the TGN's from my Ferdmans and put Maseto knots in them. I think I'll start with the 24mm Keyhole and see how hard/easy it is. I'll try steaming it. I think the knot is spoiling a lovely handle.
Steaming works really well @Wayne. I have done it a few times. I would like to remove my Finest knot from my Olive wood handle and set it a little lower, but I don;t think the handle wood will take too kindly to a little steaming...
 

Grarea

Forum Plod
I have two brushes.
Both shavemac.
One was second hand.
I will probably sell one of them once I have decided which is my favourite.
They seem to be as far as I would go and that will be my one brush and I hope that it lasts forever :).
 

R181

Grumpy old man
I'm sure there is no such thing as a Golden Badger, So all things being equal Badger hair, whether finest, silvertip or best is just that, Badger hair. We are going to be hard pushed to to find one that looks after it's golden tresses constantly washing, conditioning and blowdrying. What we are actually paying for is how that knot is formed how well the knot is stuffed and finished. Most makers buy knots in like my Ferdman and Cadman brushes then set them in their handles. When buying in bulk from China to some extent like TGN you get what you are given and have to work with them as is. Others buy the hair and form their knots like Simpsons and I believe Shavemac. There is more quality control with this and the knots are usually better formed and look nicer. That is the extra we pay for. I'm happier buying for a better formed knot. I'm dying to take out the TGN's from my Ferdmans and put Maseto knots in them. I think I'll start with the 24mm Keyhole and see how hard/easy it is. I'll try steaming it. I think the knot is spoiling a lovely handle.
Yes you are paying to have better QC but also that better QC is being done in countries where the workers have a much better standard of living which also contributes to the cost. OTH, I don't think anyone in the west wants to live like a large percentage of Chinese workers do. I am also sure that if asked to some Chinese makers can compete on a QC basis but that would in turn increase the cost also.

Bob
 

Dj-Steved

Brush Addict
As an owner of over 100 brushes and also some one who has spent over £250 on many brushes, I must admit I find it hard to part with anywhere near that sort of money these days, unless of course It is a one of my holy grail brushes that I have been chasing for a few years....

Which luckily are not that many.
 
D

Deleted member 476

Guest
Unfortunately, the catch with just buying one expensive badger brush and being done with it is that you are not likely to get it right the first time round. At least I did not. It took a few purchases to find the right type of badger, with the right sized knot, with the right density and the right loft to satisfy. Fun journey but a tad on the expensive side. Bob
Too true Bob. I think that's what has me avoiding the endless perfect brush chase. I don't follow a budget per-se and am quite fine with a $12 Omega boar, even if I have costlier and prettier brushes. In my early Wet shaving days and before I really knew what any of my needs and preferences were, I bought a brand new, expensive to me, Kent BKL8 badger. Its was big, it was floppy with no backbone and as a face latherer who likes hard soaps and quick two-pass shaves, polar opposite to what I would choose at-any-price today. The Kent was of course Made in England, (a bit of the home-country in my shaving den), nice to look at and velvety soft too but if I wanted something to cuddle with, I'd buy a dog.

So, if I am going to spend north of $150, it has to score a solid 10/10 and I am not yet convinced that such a brush exists.
 
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ProhibitonStyle

Regular Member
Wet shaving is not for bargain hunters...it may start as that but cheap brushes are just the gateway drugs....lol.

I enjoy both my plissoft style synthetics for the low teens and my highend badger brushes starting at $80 plus. If you like it, use it, and enjoy it., than whatever the price is it's right. I am biased in this regard cause I sell higher priced brushes...lol

Everything is worth what you are willing to pay for it that is how value works.
 

halvor

a most elusive fish
As an owner of over 100 brushes and also some one who has spent over £250 on many brushes, I must admit I find it hard to part with anywhere near that sort of money these days, unless of course It is a one of my holy grail brushes that I have been chasing for a few years....

Which luckily are not that many.
Did I hear the name Florian echoing in the corridor? :wink:
 
The least important part of my shaving kit, no more than £50-75. The markup on a lot of these brushes is as laughable as the rediculousness of the resins.
 
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