If you could have only one

[BentonClay]

If you could have only one shaving brush, what size (knot diameter) would it be?

[Schwert]

20mm with 42-44mm loft.

[richmondesi]

This

Rooney 1/2 Finest 24 mm knot and 53 mm loft (http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=478&cat=154&page=1) :thumbup1:

the ideal dimensions has a lot to do with the grade of hair and how densely packed they are too:001_smile

[ajkimmins]

If you could have only one shaving brush, what size (knot diameter) would it be?

Probably just keep one of the ones I have since I like them both.

[Futur]

If I could only have one brush, it would be my Simpson Colonel X2L (http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/simpsons-colonel-x2l--best-badger-shaving-brus2.html) in Best badger. 22mm knot wth 46 mm loft. An excellent allround brush, and perfect for facelathering with soaps.

[Greyfox]

My Savile Row 3824

[Loner16]

My ideal brush would not conform to any specific dimension or set of dimensions... It would be defined as the brush that worked best for me.

I like to use the KISS principle... It works best for me.

[Greybeard]

22mm knot, 47mm loft.
It's academic though, since I'll never have just one brush.
I get the shakes just thinking about it. :scared:




- Peter

[wwp512]

22mm knot, 44mm loft

[vitaman]

22 set at 48

[beginish]

The 21 mm knot set at 46 mm found in the Rooney Heritage Beehive, Size 1.

[Ignatius]

Probably a 25mm boar brush. 55-60mm loft.

[Antique Hoosier]

I haven't found that "just one" yet.... I'd love to though.

[Fozz7769]

22mm boar with 50 -55mm loft.

[andrew98]

19mm with 45mm loft (probably).

-Andy

[Rudy Vey]

22 mm! Set at 47-49 mm loft.

[Townyj]

20mm boar/best badger mix with a 43-45mm loft

[huntmol]

I think my ideal is 21mm, with a 45mm-50mm loft.

As far as a perfect brush however, I really don't think I could ever choose between my Shavemac 21/50 D01, Rooney 3-1 Finest, and Two Band Simpsons CH2.

[Uncle Erik]

I use an AOS in fine, a Simpson CH2, a large Rooney Beehive, and a Plisson 14 HMW. All of them are very good, but the Beehive has been getting the most love lately. Terrific brush.

[dpmtherrien]

That's a tough one, I have 7 brushes and I love them all. I'll get on using one for awhile, then I'll change to another. Whatever moves me that day or shave determines which brush I'll use.

Since you asked what knot size, I'd say a 22mm would be my choice if I could have only one brush. :thumbup1: :001_rolle :001_smile :w00t:

[figaro_black]

I like my 21 mm brush, since it is large without being so large that it becomes too imprecise.

[JPM]

Probably a 22mm.

[BentonClay]

Interesting! Tally so far:
19mm - 1
20mm - 2
21mm - 4
22mm - 8
24mm - 1
25mm - 1

Clearly, when it comes to shaving brushes, bigger is not necessarily considered better!

[blantyre]

Most people do seem to find low 20s is the sweet spot. I started out with big brushes - BK12, Rooney size 3 and gradually moved down to low 20s as my regulars.

If I had to pick, 21/22 mm range somewhere. Loft would depend on grade but a nice true white set at about 50 mm would be pretty versatile. Thankfully this question is pure hypothetical - I have no intention of having only 1 brush!

[Ignatius]

If I had to pick, 21/22 mm range somewhere. Loft would depend on grade but a nice true white set at about 50 mm would be pretty versatile. Thankfully this question is pure hypothetical - I have no intention of having only 1 brush!

+1 (for badger)

I'd add I'd like a denser knot than say, Vulfixes in that range, but not as dense as my Rooney 1/2...some degree of flex while not resembling a wet noodle. I haven't found this perfect badger, and I'm not sure if its exists.

[Klarion]

Since I'm crazy about the boar, I'd get on stuffed as densely as a Semogue LE 2009 - 24mm in diameter, 52mm loft. Maybe Black Iberian boar bristle, or some mega high quality bristle used for paint brushes, just left the natural color. For the handle? Maybe a large, baltic amber stone - large insect, no other inclusions. Hand turned and highly polished, like the attachment below. Probably just use a regular old' Plisson shape. Either that, or a partially translucent faux tortoise handle.

[jhclare]

I used to think 22mm/48mm but lately I've been really loving my Savile Row 3120 which is 20mm/50mm.

I believe the knot and loft can only tell you so much - you have to take into account the density, how much it splays, and also whether it's a bulb or fan.

John

[gagarin]

This

Rooney 1/2 Finest 24 mm knot and 53 mm loft (http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=478&cat=154&page=1) :thumbup1:

the ideal dimensions has a lot to do with the grade of hair and how densely packed they are too:001_smile

That's about the perfect size for me as well. 24-25mm knot, 50-55 mm loft. My favorite badgers (Polo 8, Rooney 3/2) and boar (Omega 80005) fit in that range.

Regards,

[Dpflaum]

20mm knot set at 45mm. Just a little scratchy on the face but still with soft tips.