Do you really need an expensive brush?

[SalvadorMontenegro]

I've been using a Vulfix 2234 since I started DE shaving and as far as I know, it has worked pretty well. I say "as far as I know" because I don't have anything to compare it to. It's been my only brush on this journey.

Today I started thinking that maybe it's time for an upgrade. Maybe something in the $80-$120 range. But then I started wondering: is this really going to improve my shave? I know lathering is crucial part, but will a more expensive brush really make a dramatic difference?

I don't make a lot of money, so while I definitely have a taste of the addiction, I can't afford to just throw money around on something that isn't going to be a worthwhile investment.

What do you think? Do you think a nicer brush is a decent investment or should I spend that money on other stuff?

[copperhead]

From what you say i think the brush you are using now seems to be doing a good job. When something is working dont change it just because there are more options. There will always be something better.

[DoubleE]

The short answer is no you don't. I started out with a Vulfix 2235 and it was a nice brush. The Vulfix brushes tend to be on the flexible side and I wanted a brush with more backbone. So, I bought another.....then another...etc.

Now, if you WANT another brush with different characteristics and feel, then I would recommend you purchase another that is quite different than the Vulfix.

There is quite an entensive list of brushes that would qualify and I'm sure you'll get several recommendations.

[SalvadorMontenegro]

Right now, considering my situation, what I want is a brush that does its job - applies lather to my face - and does it well. That's really all I care about. In the future I'll think about spending money on something that maybe feels softer or whatever.

Now, if there's a brush that is really going to dramatically change my shave for the better, than I'm certainly willing to plunk down the money for it. But right now I don't think I should just buy a new brush for the sake of having another one in my collection. I'd much rather spend that money on creams or even razors. Or even something not related to shaving!

[Razorburne]

I think you just answered your own question! :biggrin:

See that...you didn't even need our help :001_tongu

[SalvadorMontenegro]

Sometimes I just need a little love, affection and moral support. :cool:

[OldSchoolYoungin]

I am using my grandfather's brush, unknown hair type (probably mostly boar) but it lathers and does the job very well. He was a dapper man, but I don't think he'd go out and spend a bunch of money on one. And I really can't imagine getting shaves that are better enough quality to go out and justify spending hundreds or more dollars on a Super Duper Extreme Best Number One Badger Hair.

Allen

[gse123]

I don't make a lot of money, so while I definitely have a taste of the addiction, I can't afford to just throw money around on something that isn't going to be a worthwhile investment.



Same here. I shall be replacing my brush only because it is falling apart. I'm just gonna buy a relatively cheap badger hair brush - nothing fancy.

[moses]

I think this is pretty well cleared up, but just in case, NO, you do NOT need a new brush.

Those Vulfix brushes will do a top notch job of whipping up lather and getting it on your face. No matter how much more you pay for a brush, it is not really going to make any improvement in the result.

The only reason people all go running around buying more expensive brushes, is searching for a particular way they want it to feel on the face, or feel of the handle, or the way it looks. Unless you are unhappy on one of those fronts, stick with yours.

-Mo

[Thebigspendur]

Like with everything else what you need to do the job and what you want for various other reasons are two different things. If your concern is applying lather and thats it you need go no further. Save your money for something necessary in life.

[Doc4]

Vulfix makes a good brush. You have no need to 'upgrade'; they do volume business, which means they can lower prices.

One day when you have more disposable income you may want to try other styles of brush to find your personal favourite, but that would fall under the 'want' category; you have the 'need' one taken care of quite nicely!

[castlecraver]

No matter how much more you pay for a brush, it is not really going to make any improvement in the result.

This statement needs to be quoted, bolded, and stickified. +∞

[ada8356]

I think this is pretty well cleared up, but just in case, NO, you do NOT need a new brush.

Those Vulfix brushes will do a top notch job of whipping up lather and getting it on your face. No matter how much more you pay for a brush, it is not really going to make any improvement in the result.

The only reason people all go running around buying more expensive brushes, is searching for a particular way they want it to feel on the face, or feel of the handle, or the way it looks. Unless you are unhappy on one of those fronts, stick with yours.

-Mo

While I agree with this to an extent I don't find it completely true.

I CAN lather just fine with my Vulfix 2234, however, I can lather much much easier and consistently with Saville Row 3120/3124.

[Doc4]

While I agree with this to an extent I don't find it completely true.

I CAN lather just fine with my Vulfix 2234, however, I can lather much much easier and consistently with Saville Row 3120/3124.

True, there are brushes that work better (or more enjoyably) for some guys compared to Vulfix, but in the big picture, the biggest gains by far are in moving from boar to badger. Once you have a good badger brush (like the 2234) from any top-end maker, including Vulfix, you are 75% home.

Now, some people like this style or that style, and it boils down mostly to the YMMV thing. And yes, there are better brushes out there by Plisson or whomever for three-figure prices that don't start with a '1', but to find the 'perfect' brush for this fellow we could encourage him to try (ie, buy) a whole bunch of brushes to keep on tweaking things until he finds the perfect one for him ...

... yes he can probably find a brush that will make lathering much easier and consistent, but that's what SBAD is for ... and I think he wants to avoid that and know that he has a really good brush ... which he does.


Mind you ... a Simpson Chubby 1 in super would be really great ...

[JonEdangerousli]

I was watching the DVD of "Band of Brothers" last week and there's a scene where Capt. Winters is shaving. He had to break 1" or so of ice out of the water container to dip his brush in.

So, no, you don't need it. But, the operative question should be "Do you WANT it?"

YMMV

[Dennis]

I shaved with my Vulfix 2234 this morning for the first time in a long time. It is a fine brush, very well built, but I would be much happier with it if there was more hair packed in the knot. It is not a very dense brush at all and it just does not have enough backbone for me. Try a Savile Row 3120 or there abouts - it is less than $100 and I do not think you will use your Vulfix very much after getting this brush. You are correct, though, that a decent badger brush will do the job. I use mostly soaps so the Vulfix is just NOT a good soap brush (for me). To make it work I have the hold the bristles around the base to give them enough backbone to work the puck and pick up soap. Sure, I can make it work, but I would rather grab a Savile Row where I don't have to do this AND I love the feel and look of the brush to boot. I also tend to disagree with the idea of getting a second completely opposite the Vulfix. I did this and bought a Simpson Chubby which is a great brush in its own right but the problems it has are the exact opposite of the Vulfix, but they are still problems. If you only want "one" brush, the middle of the road is the way to go. It does soaps and creams equally well, and I could be very, very happy using a Savile Row 3118 for the rest of my life.

Dennis

[Patrick D]

All of my best brushes have come from buying out of the mall right here at B&B, at great prices I might add.

[digitldlnkwnt]

Mind you ... a Simpson Chubby 1 in super would be really great ...[/QUOTE]

I thought that at first but right now, I'm not such a fan of this stiff little thing.

I prefer my Vulfix

[Patrick D]

[The only reason people all go running around buying more expensive brushes, is searching for a particular way they want it to feel on the face, or feel of the handle, or the way it looks. Unless you are unhappy on one of those fronts, stick with yours.

-Mo[/QUOTE]


:biggrin1: Just for the record, I don't run around looking for the acme of all brushes,,,,,,I sit and click at our mall right here!

[rtaylor61]

I started with a $5 Surrey boar bristle brush, graduated to a Tweezerman ($10) and then moved to a $100+ Shavemac. But I could have purchased the C&E Best Badger for $35 and been completely happy. Which is why I still use it a majority of the time.

Randy

[Roman414]

About an hour ago I was watching an old shoot-em-up on TMC. In one scene Randolph Scott was preparing to shave. I watched very closely...he had a boar brush and whipped up a lather in a mug. If it was good enough for Randy...

[greendyk]

Mind you ... a Simpson Chubby 1 in super would be really great ...

I thought that at first but right now, I'm not such a fan of this stiff little thing.

I had a Chubby 1 and a Duke 3, sold them both. I too am not a fan of these stubby, stiff, hyper-dense type brushes. I know it's all about preference, but I really don't understand their appeal. I'm up to 11 badger brushes, and IMO all of them work better than the two aforementioned Simpsons.

John

[Suzuki]

I don't have much to add except to say NO you don't NEED another brush.

If you WANT another brush, so be it but, as others have said, its not going to do much for the quality of your shave.

I started out with an Omega boar and Proraso cream - which I used hapily for many years - unitil I found this evil place!

The biggest improvement to my shave came from going from the Omega to a Vulfix 2197 pure badger.

I've since moved on (and sold my Vulfix), but that was completely unrelated to need.

If you don't have a lot of disposable cash, don't waste what you do have on a second brush you don't need.

When you do decide to buy another brush, I heartily endorse scouringthe B/S forum, as I've gotten and regularly see very good deals on brushes.