This seems pretty accurate. Although I have yet to try the HMW yet and it just sits in my drawer... I'll take it out some day.
Yaqi: Two Band Badger or Silvertip?
- Thread starter TinyT
- Start date
Chan Eil Whiskers
Fumbling about.
Another option...
...especially if soft is high on your radar. But, also a lot more expensive than a Yaqi.
For me, the jury is still kinda sorta out on this brush. One thing I know for sure is this: As much as I like large brushes (24 mm and up, including 28 mm and 30 mm), if I were buying one of these now it would be much smaller than the 28 mm brush I bought.
This brush requires a slowish drying period and wouldn't be suitable as a one brush "rotation."
I also see that the prices have increased significantly since I purchased mine not that long ago. For what these are going for I'd much rather have another 28 mm Zenith Manchurian.
It might feel almost too soft.
Happy shaves,
Jim
...especially if soft is high on your radar. But, also a lot more expensive than a Yaqi.
For me, the jury is still kinda sorta out on this brush. One thing I know for sure is this: As much as I like large brushes (24 mm and up, including 28 mm and 30 mm), if I were buying one of these now it would be much smaller than the 28 mm brush I bought.
This brush requires a slowish drying period and wouldn't be suitable as a one brush "rotation."
I also see that the prices have increased significantly since I purchased mine not that long ago. For what these are going for I'd much rather have another 28 mm Zenith Manchurian.
It might feel almost too soft.
Happy shaves,
Jim
Last edited:
You can find a way to rationalize it. Ya just gatta be creative.
Chan Eil Whiskers
Fumbling about.
Not that I'm avoiding buying any more brushes you understand, but...
I could pick only four or five brushes and get by just fine!
To be truthful and transparent I wouldn't be comfortable deciding on which brushes would make the cut for being included in the four or five I could get by with until a couple of brushes in transit arrive and are evaluated.
Happy shaves,
Jim
I could pick only four or five brushes and get by just fine!
To be truthful and transparent I wouldn't be comfortable deciding on which brushes would make the cut for being included in the four or five I could get by with until a couple of brushes in transit arrive and are evaluated.
Happy shaves,
Jim
- Thread starter
- #45
Looks very nice.
I looked at the APShaveCo brushes a week or two ago but for some reason I thought they only made synthetics, which are priced well enough to tempt me. I see they have a few badger/boar mixes as well. I'm not quite so sure about them.
Chan Eil Whiskers
Fumbling about.
Wes, I have the little Omega Mixed Midget (far left). It's a lather monster, but has too much scritch for me to really greatly enjoy it. It's probably boar and best, rather than boar and finest (like the AP).
I'm not kidding about how well it makes lather!
So, I'm not sure about them either. Maybe there are some review?
Happy shaves,
Jim
I also acquired 2 Yaqi brushes during the 11.11 campaign.
In my case, I ordered a Acqua 2-band (24mm) and a Moka 2-band (26mm).
Both for ~€11 each, both amazing performers - and at that price, simply hard to beat.
Both have nice density, more than enough to give them a nice amount of backbone and perform beautifully even with hard soaps. Large knots that splay a little bit and give you the feeling of using a larger brush than they really are.
The differences? The 26mm Moka tends to splay a little more, and has slightly less backbone than the 24mm Acqua. The latter feels like a better balanced brush, IMHO, and I tend to like it more, but by a small margin, and both are part of the rotation, as I like and enjoy both.
I have the black Yaqi 24mm Silvertip, and I really like it. It is very soft and splays easy which I prefer. But some would prefer them more dense than this one is? What do you seek in a brush?
- Thread starter
- #49
Softness, above all else; easy loading; good lather release. That's it.
Two bands for me are the perfect natural hair brush.
- Thread starter
- #52
That's the exact one I've been looking at. Thanks!
Well, if it's softness you want, you should definitely consider the Yaqi High Mountain Mop TM
- Thread starter
- #54
Consider it considered, thanks.
Chan Eil Whiskers
Fumbling about.
I hereby apply for the job. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
Chan Eil Whiskers
Fumbling about.
Have you decided on a brush?
Also, what's your budget?
I think you've said this, but I've forgotten, so I'll ask. Are you a bowl latherer or face latherer or both?
What type of handle and size of brush (knot size and overall size) have you thought of getting.
My newest badger is a Zenith silvertip, but I can't use it until April. It's very soft. I've been told the backbone is great, but I can't confirm it.
The brush below is not one I have...
However, I have a couple of MS 30 mm silvertips (not the extra dense ones). They're soft but with enough scrub and backbone to suit me. I've considered getting an MS extra dense two band and an MS extra dense silvertip. Not that I need a brush or brushes.
I like this style handle a lot.
Both Zeniths and MS brushes are found on eBay. Zenith is also sold by a Spanish vendor. I've used all the vendors without issue.
These might be beyond your budget. I like my Yaqi and Stirling two band and finest brushes just fine. They're plenty soft enough for me. There are other budget brands I've tried but wouldn't buy again or steer you towards, but you might like brushes I hate and vice versa.
I don't have any brushes in the best category, or the pure category, and am not likely to get any. I know Simpson best can be very good (according to some folks) but most say best or pure isn't good enough for them. Two band, finest, and silvertip are the badgers I've used and liked, but I've not tried every brush in every brand (and who has?).
None of the terms describing badger hair have universal, industry wide meaning.
Happy shaves,
Jim
Ahhahahahaha
- Thread starter
- #58
Not yet, but I'm swaying towards a Yaqi silvertip, if I in fact get a badger before a synthetic but I won't be getting either right now.
The least I have to pay for good quality. Yaqi seem to fit the bill and the handles are nice too. I wouldn't want to pay much more than the price of a Yaqi badger.
Face latherer but after loading I get the lather started off in a small bowl, 30 seconds to a minute, then face lather and add water if required at that stage.
I can't see a huge difference between the Yaqi two band or silvertip, not even in price. Perhaps I'll flip a coin when I come to buy.
Wow they are on sale now on aliexpress 60% of 
That's a fantastic deal! Regularly $31.00 USD down to $12.09. If you're a new user, there's a coupon that takes it down to only $10.09!Wow they are on sale now on aliexpress 60% of
Here's the listing: Yaqi 24MM Shaving Brush Silvertip Badger
It's Yaqi's 10th Anniversary, so there's all sorts of bargains. The 24mm Sagrada Familia is down to $10.68, for example. Well, so much for my restraint this month!
