Sly Bald Guys Forum

Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Face Shaving => Topic started by: Slynito on September 20, 2012, 06:38:31 AM

Title: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: Slynito on September 20, 2012, 06:38:31 AM
There are many shaving brushes available out there for us wet shavers. There are boar hair, badger hair, horse hair and synthetic hair brushes. They range in price from $5 to $200 and up depending on grade of hair, handle material and snob appeal of the brand. What are some opinions and preferences?

 8)
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: Paul the Headblader on September 20, 2012, 06:59:27 AM
I use none. I do not see the use of those.
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: Mikekoz13 on September 20, 2012, 07:25:13 AM
I have a Vulfix 1001. About $25 and it is badger hair. Love it!
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: Mikekoz13 on September 20, 2012, 07:26:53 AM
I use none. I do not see the use of those.

Paul... you should give one a try.It will definetly enhance your shave routine. The bristles of the brush are a natural exfoliator Also, if you load headSlick onto the brush you will still have plenty in the brush for a second pass of shaving. Start with a cheap one to see if you like it.
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: -Doug- on September 20, 2012, 08:00:11 AM
I use a boar hair brush that I got from a Sally's Beauty Supply store. It was $5 bucks. I know it's not the greatest but it has served me well so far.
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: warhawk on September 25, 2012, 07:00:01 PM
I use none. I do not see the use of those.
Hi Paul:  That is what I used to think.  However... when I incorporated a shaving brush in my routine, it boosted my shaving routine to an even higher level.

WARHAWK O0
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: tomcj2 on September 25, 2012, 09:04:31 PM
I have a brush that was issued to my father by the US Army during the second world war.  It is getting a little short, but I still use it from time to time.

I recently ordered a  Parker 100% Silvertip Badger Bristle Shaving Brush with Faux Petrified Wood Handle and expect delivery tomorrow.  I'll take a picture of both of them and post it later.
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: Fourseamer on September 26, 2012, 08:47:52 PM
I have tried many brushes over the years.  Simpson, Shavemac, Vulfix, Rooney, just to name a few.  It really all boils down to personal preference in the end.  Every manufacturer uses different hair weathe badger or boar.  Some use softer tips, some have more backbone (stiffer hair), some pack the hair more dense in the knot, and tons of other variables. 

I cannot imagine shaving my face or head without a brush. It is just meant to be.

My personal favorites on my face and head are:

Saville Row for badger.
Semogue for boar.
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: Slynito on September 27, 2012, 01:17:41 PM
I have tried many brushes over the years.  Simpson, Shavemac, Vulfix, Rooney, just to name a few.  It really all boils down to personal preference in the end.  Every manufacturer uses different hair weathe badger or boar.  Some use softer tips, some have more backbone (stiffer hair), some pack the hair more dense in the knot, and tons of other variables. 

I cannot imagine shaving my face or head without a brush. It is just meant to be.

My personal favorites on my face and head are:

Saville Row for badger.
Semogue for boar.

Welcome to the forum, enjoy. And thank you for your valued insight.  O0
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: valldo on September 27, 2012, 02:13:16 PM
I'm not sure what type of brush I use, it cost me about 5 bucks. But what I can say is that it enhanced my shaving expierence. A big plus for using one is definetely the fact that there's always enough lather for second, third passes or even for shaving your face by adding just a few drops of water.
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: theman on October 08, 2012, 03:41:17 PM
Yes indeed, a good brush, I prefer badger, good warm lather.  Cup of coffee and a great shave !  Sweet ! ;)  I also at times take a hot washcloth and slap it on the ole face , getting the pores clean, etc..  And then shave.  Long as ya don't fall asleep and off the chair  ;D.

Enjoy your shave and take your time.  The rest of the day will take the rest.
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: Bluebriz on December 01, 2012, 03:46:10 AM
I like boar hair brushes.  Badger doesn't have enough backbone for me.  Omega and Semogue are my favourites but I also have a big and cheap one from Turkey which is fantastic too.  I have a Vie long horsehair which is still scratchy despite being used many, many times.
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: baldjoeg on December 01, 2012, 08:12:42 AM
I started out using a shaving brush that I bought at Walmart. It works okay. I hope to upgrade to a better quality brush soon.
I agree that using a brush enhances the shaving experience and as Mike said it helps to exfoliate the head. The best part is that it leaves you enough lather for a second pass which I always do.
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: tomcj2 on December 01, 2012, 09:16:17 AM
I started with a very inexpensive boar brush, and then bought a Parker Silvertip Badger.  The Parker is OK, but I since have done more research and have found sources for better, less expensive options. 
I am presently rotating between
Original Boar
Parker Silvertip
Whipped Dog Slivertip in a custom pottery handle.
WhippedDog Black Badger knot in Guayacan  handle that I made myself
A vintage Ever-Ready 100T brush with its original Boar handle.

and

I just ordered 2 different knots from The Golden Nib that I will be putting into other vintage handles that I am restoring.  I still want to acquire a quality synthetic and  horse hair brushes.

Each brush is different and has its own pros and cons.  I am learning how best to use each one.

Having relearned the art of making good lather I can not imagine returning to aerosol cans
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: tartanraven on September 22, 2013, 05:17:51 PM
I prefer English made super badger brushes.  I have a few Kents that are my favourites.  I have yet to see the advantage of silvertip brushes if I'm honest.  Just make sure to "bloom" the bristles before hanging to dry.
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: greatnessinc on September 26, 2013, 03:32:02 PM
I'm presently using a Semogue 2,000 (boar brush).
I have a cheap badger brush that lathers nicely but sheds hairs like crazy.
Title: Re:
Post by: geeman on October 01, 2013, 05:06:55 AM
My brother in law just gave me a badger hair brush, he said it cost £50! No way I'd spend that, turns out he is into de shaving in a big way, and I never new! I happen to mention that I was waiting on some blades and he asked what for, he has around 6 De's from antique to brand new, I ended up with a new brush, bowl with lid, 50 blades and some homemade shaving cream...result lol
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: slymyke on October 01, 2013, 06:56:30 AM
Sounds like you made out for sure, Geeman!  O0
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: g_bald on October 01, 2013, 11:15:01 AM
I got an Omega badger hair brush on Amazon some time back. I only used it once before I shaved the dome.

Since I started shaving I use it every day. It feels wonderful and works really well.

I think this is the same one, it looks identical to this one anyway:
http://www.amazon.com/Omega-63171-Stripey-Badger-Shaving/dp/B000JMFELY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1380647614&sr=8-4&keywords=omega+shaving+brush
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: rookie1178 on February 15, 2014, 02:08:34 AM
I just received my Omega 10049 boar brush that I got off ebay (dealer in Turkey) for less than $15 delivered to Jamaica, oh my god ;D O0 :@` this this is incredible. I just used it for the first time today and it felt incredible on my face and head.
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: Sir Harry on February 15, 2014, 06:07:38 AM
Prior to winning the Shaving kit in Mike Koz's Scotty's Ride Contest, I was using a brush that came free with the purchase of Bump Patrol (at WalMart). The badger brush in this kit blows that brush away. Great lather....The key to making any brush last longer is to rinse it thoroughly and hang it upside down. A DE razor stand, bought or homemade should help with that.
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: djones on February 15, 2014, 08:25:27 PM
 I have a cheap van der Hagen that served the purpose until I got a better brush.I also have a Casswell Massey badger brush that I was gifted after someone seen my shave set on the sink.. It does shed a little but makes a great lather..
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: Chaps on February 15, 2014, 08:29:51 PM
I have been wet shaving since 2006 and my favorite brush is a Savile Row SR 204 badger for which I think I paid $50. My first brush was an Omega boar that I bought at Target for less than $10.
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: digitaldome on June 02, 2014, 10:15:05 AM
I have owned quite a few brushes and some of my favorites are:
For face lathering...the Semogue 1305.  Great backbone for lathering those hard to lather soaps.
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldome.net%2Fpicts%2FIMG_6421.jpg&hash=90656118e15836538a36a4b7461136ba268d4390)
For bowl lathering...An inexpensive Whipped Dog 24mm SilverTip with a 50mm loft, coupled with a firehouse handle.
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldome.net%2Fpicts%2FIMG_6328.jpg&hash=df041689efbc6d2c848fecb690c7c6bb240389b7)
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: Fondlheine on July 16, 2014, 06:05:02 PM
I gave my vdh boar brushes to new wet shavers I work with.
I have a few Simpsons and a couple of brushes I got in AOS kits that are working fine for me.
I plan to add to the brush collection eventually, but I just haven't settled on what I want to try next...
Title: Re: Wet Shaving Brushes...preferences, opinions, personal choices?
Post by: greatnessinc on July 17, 2014, 10:12:20 AM
I had a Semogue 2,000 that was excellent but I gifted it to my brother in law to get him into wet shaving.
Currently I have a Tweezerman badger brush and a silvertip badger brush by simply beautiful.
I've very pleased with my Silvertip brush so I don't really intend to buy another brush unless mine dies.