Brush Suggestions Under $25

[SwamperWI]

@SwamperWI

That's my favorite handle. I have a 24 Maggard Synthetic (brown, mock horse knot). I deep set it for some extra back bone for a face lathering travel brush. Those handles had a deep swallow, so you can get it as stiff as you like. I am probably going to build another, because when I am home I often rob it out my travel dop kit.

Yes, I really like that handle. This is one I picked up from AP already assembled. It is my travel brush as well. I bought one of Andrew’s factory second handles recently. That too had plenty of depth to get the loft the way I wanted it.

 

[Hu3ir0 Hu3Hu3]

Semogue 830

 

[Jayson74]

Once broken in I have come to love the Goodfellas smile "the hog" aka
Omega 10019.
A nice firm small knot brush that softened up nicely. It took a bit but was worth the effort.

Be well
Jay

 

[jaro 101969]

If you don't want to rub plastics on your face and don't want synths, I'd say try a horse. They're very soft and unique feeling. My dream is to have a Zenith horse but they're 50 bucks and my wife would kill me hah.

Cremo makes a good horse hair brush. You might want to check them out..

 

[ivan_101]

If you like boar brushes, maybe try an Omega knot in a smaller size. They have several brushes with 24mm knots and around 55mm loft. I'd recommend the ash wood handle 11137 as a great all-rounder. Under $15.

Another excellent smaller Omega brush is the beehive boar 10081. Under $10.

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For synthetics, the SynBad knot in the 24mm size is a good suggestion. Yaqi has a similar knot that they call Mew Brown. An oldie-but-goodie recommendation is the Razorock Bruce 24mm Plissoft brush. Very comfortable.

These two. 11137 or 10081.

 

[JCarr]

I second these motions. I would get a cheap Zenith or Omega in the 55-57mm loft range AND a Yaqi 24mm Plissoft. Shipping from two places may take you a wee bit over $25 but you know what...

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You will be glad you did!

P.S. For a limited time only, I am offering membership in "Enablers R' Us" at a special, discounted rate. PM for details.

I almost wet my pants!

 

[frankthetank966]

Semogue 830 seems like a very good option. I’m surprised Simpson wasn’t suggested. I always thought it was supposed to be iconic and very good. Does any one know of any brushes made in USA?

 

[DesertIguana]

Bottom line is in my world is my three brushes couple of Omega’s, and Yaqi all under $22.00 each.

They all work well for me, don’t know what a big bucks brush would do for me better.

But people do spend big bucks for some brushes.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

The very small looking but not so small performing Omega Mighty Midget is usually under $10. As pictured it was three #13 O-rings added which improves the already plenty good grip. The knot is very stiff initially. It benefits from a good bit of breaking in. Still, it is a good knot from the get-go.

I'd say it's the best under $10 brush made. I believe mine was $7 at Connaught but mine's several years old now.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[ShortRound131]

I use and love my Razorock Bruce 24mm Synthetic. $19 on Amazon

 

[johnnylighton]

Another vote for: AP Shave Co. 24mm SynBad

 

[md1234]

View attachment 1704773


The very small looking but not so small performing Omega Mighty Midget is usually under $10. As pictured it was three #13 O-rings added which improves the already plenty good grip. The knot is very stiff initially. It benefits from a good bit of breaking in. Still, it is a good knot from the get-go.

I'd say it's the best under $10 brush made. I believe mine was $7 at Connaught but mine's several years old now.

Happy shaves,

Jim

I will second this Omega 40033, excellent smaller brush! Good right out of the box. I used mine 100 times in a row and I have many great brushes to choose from lol.

 

[Filudo]

Here I send my fav. 3 brushes under $25:
RR N400
Yaqi Sagrada Familia
Omega Mighty Midget Mistura

 

[DisposableMe]

I have found the Wilkinson Sword Synthetic and the Wilkinson Sword Classic (boar) work fine for me. They are well below $25 and where I live one or the other type can be found in the shaving products section of some supermarkets and drug stores. The Classic does require some breaking in.
If a certain local $%# black bear knocks my fence down again I may want to try making "bear" brushes...

 

[slimshavy]

My Semogue 1470 has been my only brush for a couple years now. It's inexpensive and does a good job, and I can't imagine wanting anything bigger, especially if you face lather. People here must have some huge faces!

 

[lancre]

Among Boars - I'll jump on the Semogue 830 bandwagon @$24.00.
Among Badgers - Maggard 22mm 2-band @$24.95.
Among Synthetics - Simpson Trafalgar T1 @26.00. It's only a dollar over your budget.

From personal experience, I can vouch for all three.
OK, on the Simpson I have the T2, not the T1, but they're close.

 

[gpjoe]

My favorite "cheap" brushes:

- Any $10-20 Omega boar
- Yaqi Mojito synthetic, under $20
- Any Razorock Plissoft, often on sale for 10 bucks

 

[tomas1870]

My favourite is PAA Star Wisp $19.95

 

[stewartu]

Get the Omega Mighty Midget. Great little brush.

 

[House Boy]

KIKC synthetic hair black handle - Amazon $7.29

Viking Revolution barber hair - Amazon $9.88

Bought these brushes last September 2022. I shave daily and use the KIKC more but both are good brushes and so far have held up well in fact they still look and work as new.