Expensive or Cheap?

[sleekandsmooth]

Hey Gents,
So this afternoon while I was sifting through many shaving webstores looking at brush after brush it came to my mind how crazy some of the prices are. One thing I always wonder is this...Anyone who starts out with shaving this way usually starts with the cheaper stuff from brushes to razors....but after some time im sure most want to uprgrade.....but I wonder, When I look at all these pictures of peoples shaving dens and supplies....Do they only use there really expensive brushes and other stuff now? or do they keep there 1st and most trusty brush in their rotation.....well lets hear it guys!
thanks,
Shayne.

[SliceOfLife]

As for Razors? Absolutely not.

I don't own a custom, so I can't comment to those, but my most expensive razor actually never gets used (it's a very rare two-bladed straight from the 1700's, It's actually the same as the example the Straight Razor guide uses as a "rare or unusual" blade.) In fact, I don't think I own a >$100 straight that does get used. My more valuable straights are either collectible ones I don't want to restore or ones I got cheaply and restored (my user WonderEdge). The only expensive straight I ever bought and paid a lot for intending to use didn't work out (Paid $200+ for a " 9/8" " (More like 17/16ths) Wostenholm Wedge, then realized I don't like shaving with full Wedges).

As for Brushes? My more expensive brushes are definitely superior to cheaper ones. The ones that weren't got sold. But honestly, past $75 or so, you start paying for PREFERENCES.

For example, while I have a hard time believing that anyone could ever find a brush too dense, there are people who don't like Chubby's or the G3 Eagle because of the density. So Density (one thing you pay for) is preference.

Size is the big and obvious one. A Chubby 3 costs a TON more than a Chubby 1. The difference? Mostly just size.

Hair grade? Definitely preference. I love Rooney Finest (one of the most expensive hairs), but I also much prefer Simpsons Best to Simpsons Super (which costs a lot more).


For me, I like:

$25 TGN's
$45-150 Simpsons
$125-200 Shavemacs
$150-350 Rooneys

[Pjotr]

The expensive brushses are invariably badger. If you had been comparing boar brushes in shaving stores, the title of your thread could have been; "Reasonable or Really Cheap". Of course that would not have been a very interesting thread!

[ctkelly]

A nice knot from TGN stuffed into a cheap ever ready handle is actually a really nice setup and keeps things cheap. I've done about 4 now, 3 were opened up for 24mm knots and set the loft to 48-50mm....my extra stuffed super badger put my semogue 2010LE to shame and was a 1/3 of the cost of the LE.

[takeshi]

Anyone who starts out with shaving this way usually starts with the cheaper stuff from brushes to razors....
I started with a Rooney 2/1. It's not stratospheric but I wouldn't exactly call it cheap.

[filedog]

I just keep honing in on what works best for me. And no, it's not usually expensive stuff. My favorite razor is the Micromatic open comb, nothing else gives me as good a shave. Same with brushes, I have a Rooney 3/1 and a Golden Nib finest, but my Semogue 2010 custom boar gets used way more.

[dalecooper51]

I still have an Omega Boar here that gets plenty of action in the rotation.

I also have a $5 red tip that gets just about as much use as my BRW Old Type or restored straights.

It matters more to me how something works then what it cost.

[Legion]

A nice knot from TGN stuffed into a cheap ever ready handle is actually a really nice setup and keeps things cheap. I've done about 4 now, 3 were opened up for 24mm knots and set the loft to 48-50mm....my extra stuffed super badger put my semogue 2010LE to shame and was a 1/3 of the cost of the LE.

Yes, I think the higher quality knots from TGN work about as well as anything on the market. They also allow me to use interesting looking vintage handles, which I love. I own a couple of more expensive brushes but I use my vintage restores on a day to day basis.

Again, with my razors. I really believe a cheap 40's SS or Gem 1912 shaves much better than my double ring. I have used it, just to try it out, but it now stays in its box as a collectable.

The thing about shaving gear, quite often the most common vintage stuff is common because they work well and lots were sold. Stick with them and keep the collectable stuff nice, IMO.

[Wid]

I've had a couple of nice TGN Silvertips (very nice for the money) but sold them because I really do prefer a cheaper (Omega) boar brush. It's all on what you like. Ya never know till ya try, I guess.

[huntmol]

I have sold my lower end brushes because for me, they're just not as enjoyable to use.
Also what I want in a brush has changed, my old Savile Rows and Shavemac Silvertips just didn't have enough backbone.

[jtb]

I've got a little Rooney and a AOS (vulfix?) badger as well as 2 omega boar brushes.
I'm waiting on a 24mm finest for a 50's series Simpson my father gave me.
One think I'm noticing, I really seem to like badger brushes better. Now yes there are some very expensive brushes out there, but I think re-knotting an old brush might be the way to go... You can get a high quality brush relatively cheap.

Razors are a funny thing too, I've got a futur, a redtip, a slim and a ball tech. I use each one and love them all.

I guess it's all a matter of preference.

[SliceOfLife]

One think I'm noticing, I really seem to like badger brushes better.


Same here. I own several very good boars and get fine lather out of them, but badgers just work better and are more enjoyable. Some people like boars better. Technique when lathering no doubt plays a large role. Badgers also seem to suffer more from low quality, so people are more likely to have bad experiences with them than with boars.

[dpmtherrien]

I have brushes, 5 of them, that range from really inexpensive to a bit on the pricey side, but I use them in my own rotation, so they all get used. I do however find myself reaching for the ones in the $30 to $40 range most often. Take a look at the Vulfix line from any of the vendors. Their best badger seems about the best IMHO. :thumbup1:

[Antique Hoosier]

Shaving brushes are way overpriced.

[Harvitz81]

Shaving brushes are way overpriced.

So are some straights........but I keep buying em :biggrin1:

[DrColossus11]

My most expensive brush to date was a Semogue 1305 so...

[h22o999]

So are some straights........but I keep buying em :biggrin1:

LOL...:lol::lol::lol:

I'm guilty as well...Did I bid on that Manchurian Chubby 3 yet or not???:blushing:

[Hodari D.]

this is all opinion. i started off with some lesser expensive badger brushes, under $75. Okay, pretty nice. I then wanted to see what the world of badger brushes was like over $75. Tried out shavemac, simpson and rooney. very nice brushes. on a whim, i tried a semogue boar brush (the 1305), and was just blown away. for me, the performance of the boar was superior to the more expensive badger brushes. for others, i know that they do not agree, and that is fine. but truly, for me, i'd rather shave with the semogue more than my simpsons best and two band brushes.

[Roobaix]

I started off with a Merkur Vision brush. It wasn't crazy expensive, but it wasn't cheap either. I did buy a reasonably inexpensive brush ($40) to see what the difference was in hair quality. I found that I like a softer hair like best or silvertip...

I do like to rotate though, so all of my brushes get used no matter what. I'm currently goign through 4...

[diphy]

Until a few weeks ago all i ever used was a cheap synthetic brush- was content, then got a badger brush vulfix and a simpson- the difference in lathering blew my mind away.
None of my brushes are the expensive ones. I am content with them, then again had i not come here, would still be using my cheap synthetic brush- it does the job, but the badger brushes are an experience in my mind.

[msandoval858]

When it comes down to it, any decent brush will get the job done. My first AOS pure badger from the starter set would probably still work fine for me today if my only goal was to get a good shave.

For me, it becomes a matter of personal luxury. I enjoy my brushes and I have an appreciation for the aesthetics and quality of the handles and badger hair. Yes, many are overpriced, some rediculously so... but you only live once, right? :thumbup1:

[Dave_D]

Expensive brushes were part of the learning experience and I did enjoy them but Ive actually found the less expensive ones to work best for me after all was said and done. Semogue boars these days.