Do I want a Kent brush?

[Easttexasman]

I face lather 100% of the time.I use soap 90% of the time and cream 10%.I like big soft brushes.
I am thinking if I was to purchase a Kent it would be the BK8 silvertip in ivory,BK4 might be too small.
Seems like most talk is about Simpson,Rooney,Shavemac and Thater but I am curious about a Kent.

[kbuzbee]

I face lather 100% of the time.I use soap 90% of the time and cream 10%.I like big soft brushes.
I am thinking if I was to purchase a Kent it would be the BK8 silvertip in ivory,BK4 might be too small.
Seems like most talk is about Simpson,Rooney,Shavemac and Thater but I am curious about a Kent.

Kent's tend to be a touch more "flexible" (some would say floppy) I used my BLK12 for face lathering and it works great but it's a tips only kind of thing. No scrub what so ever.

Ken

[Harvitz81]

I owned a Kent BK4 and it was the floppiest brush I've ever used. I had Rudy reknot it at a loft about 10 mm deeper and then it worked fine for face lathering. I eventually sold it as it reminded me a bit on the Kent LE 08 brush with those specs (which I later sold as well and it quite possibly is the only brush I have a little regret over doing so).

[franz]

Never tried one. This (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/253204-A-Month-with-Kent) thread might give you some inspiration, though.

[OtherMoe]

I owned a Kent BK4 and it was the floppiest brush I've ever used.

Same Same.

[Greg1911]

Kents and Plissons have never interested me in the least.

That is saying something given my fondness for brushes.

[novice]

I have a string floor mop that is not as floppy as my Kent BK4.

[Face&Head]

Below is my BK8 next to a Rooney with the same sized knot. As you can see the loft of the Kent is much higher. These are both well used bushes in regular rotation. I love the Kent but never use it for face lather. It whips up such amazing lather in the bowl that I can't justify using it any other way. It is much less dense than not only the Rooney but all the other brushes I use regularly. It's big, it's floppy and feels great on your face. I prefer more backbone for a face lather. But these choices are all personal preferences and I'd guess it would be a good face-latherer as well.

199575

[beginish]

The BK4 rocks for face lathering.

[Easttexasman]

Wow,getting alot of the word "floppy" in most experiences.

When Ken said there is no scrub when face lathering I made up my mind to get something else.

Thanks everyone.

[jsj_297]

Ive owned every size of kent......i regret selling them off durring my learning phase.
Bk4-great face latherer imo
Bk8-ahhhh, the one i let get away.....:(
bk12-not floppy, its LUXURIOUS!!!!!

For the record i am 99% face latherer, 100% shower shaver too.

If i could get one of them back, id go bk8 personally, but the 12 is something u should experience at least once!

JUst get one, if u dont like it bst it........they will resell easily.....almost too easily

[texaninkc]

Ive owned every size of kent......i regret selling them off durring my learning phase.
Bk4-great face latherer imo
Bk8-ahhhh, the one i let get away.....:(
bk12-not floppy, its LUXURIOUS!!!!!

For the record i am 99% face latherer, 100% shower shaver too.

If i could get one of them back, id go bk8 personally, but the 12 is something u should experience at least once!

JUst get one, if u dont like it bst it........they will resell easily.....almost too easily

I'd beg to differ on the easy to resell. If you buy your Kents new, you'll take a large hit before guys take it off your hands on BST. Kents don't get a lot of love here, and it could be because a lot of guys here are face latherers and we run away when we hear floppy. I had my BK8 listed for 80 bucks and got nothing. dropping it to 64 would be giving it away.

Perhaps it was the timing, but I hardly see Kents posted on here, and those that do get sold for significantly less than if bought new.

[rsaltonstall]

This may be heresy on this forum: I am a 99% face latherer who prefers Kent to Simpsons! I love it because rather than scrubbing my face, it lightly massages it. If you prefer the scrub, then don't get the Kent. But if you want a brush that has plush and soft tips with the backbone necessary to tackle any soap or cream, get a Kent.

[cdrross]

I can't offer real world side by side comparison only from the descriptions I have read about the Kents but the Kents sound similar to Vulfix.
I have the Vulfix 2234s and I have used this for face lathering and it does a good job. The brush is soft but I would not say "floppy".
Maybe try a Vulfix 2235 or 2236 (bigger size) for much less cost.
Just a thought.

[German]

I prefer almost any brand over Simpsons... I agree that the BK4 can be used for face lathering. Requires a bit different technique but is great nevertheless.
This may be heresy on this forum: I am a 99% face latherer who prefers Kent to Simpsons! I love it because rather than scrubbing my face, it lightly massages it. If you prefer the scrub, then don't get the Kent. But if you want a brush that has plush and soft tips with the backbone necessary to tackle any soap or cream, get a Kent.

[jsj_297]

I'd beg to differ on the easy to resell. If you buy your Kents new, you'll take a large hit before guys take it off your hands on BST. Kents don't get a lot of love here, and it could be because a lot of guys here are face latherers and we run away when we hear floppy. I had my BK8 listed for 80 bucks and got nothing. dropping it to 64 would be giving it away.

Perhaps it was the timing, but I hardly see Kents posted on here, and those that do get sold for significantly less than if bought new.

Im sorry your having such a difficult time. Mine went smooth and easy, of course that was well over a year ago, so tides change in the brush, razor, soap worlds. So, If I have overspoken on a topic Im not 100% up to date on, then I retract my statement. With that said, the Kent brushes are still wonderful!

[maxman]

Well all I can say is I moved 100% over to Kent brushes.
They can face lather, bowl lather or paint your wall.
They are soft and luxurious. Have no issues with hard soaps or soft creams.
Kent truly is a one brush does it all solution.

They aren't scrubby, but I don't want scrubby.

[texaninkc]

Im sorry your having such a difficult time. Mine went smooth and easy, of course that was well over a year ago, so tides change in the brush, razor, soap worlds. So, If I have overspoken on a topic Im not 100% up to date on, then I retract my statement. With that said, the Kent brushes are still wonderful!

I didn't mean to be argumentative, so I apologize if my comment came off as such. I too have noticed that desires for brushes come in wave and there are certain brushes that are going off the BST quicker than others. At this time, it looks like the M&F and Thater brushes are getting the most play. I think I attempted to sell my Kent right as those two were starting to take off. I even had a Thater for sell in the same thread and I had no trouble selling that.

Kent brushes are pretty incredible. If I feel like bowl lathering, my BK8 is the only choice from all my brushes. Great release of lather and it does a great job of painting my face. I just have too many brushes that are better for face-lathering (in my opinion of course) than my BK8 and so I don't reach for it. I think the Kents can be great face-latherers but I think there are a lot of us that prefer other brushes for the face lathering.

I should get inspired by that 1 month with Kent thread and dedicate all my time with it. Start liking it again. Perhaps the shaving gods are keeping it from selling because I really should keep it. :-)

[kbuzbee]

This may be heresy on this forum: I am a 99% face latherer who prefers Kent to Simpsons!

Probably depends of which Simpson. These two are, IMO, quite similar in feel and effectiveness.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/kbuzbee/PoloKent.jpg

Neither is scrubby. Both are a joy to use.

Cheers,

Ken

[kbuzbee]

Perhaps the shaving gods are keeping it from selling because I really should keep it. :-)

I had that exact thought, brother!:thumbup: If you try to sell a great brush and your offer gets no love, your brush wants to stay!

Enjoy it:thumbup:

Ken

[rsaltonstall]

Probably depends of which Simpson. These two are, IMO, quite similar in feel and effectiveness.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/kbuzbee/PoloKent.jpg

Neither is scrubby. Both are a joy to use.

Cheers,

Ken

Minus the handle those brushes look identical. I have only tried Simpsons Best badger, which I enjoy when I like the occassional scrub, but I go for the soft and plush feeling more of a Kent or high lofted Shavemac. Would you say that the Simpsons Super Badger line of brushes are generally just like the Polo or does it depend on the brush?

[dpmtherrien]

Having a Kent is well worth it. Yes they are on the floppy side, but sometimes that's just whats needed.

I have the BK4, but from what you've said the BK8 would probably be what you're looking for.

[VitosClassic]

I have owned 3 Kent brushes, currently have a BLK8. It is simply the most luxurious feeling brush on the face I have ever used. I use it exclusively for face lathering and normally with creams and it works very well. Agree however, if you are looking for scrubbing this isn't your brush!

[beginish]

I have owned 3 Kent brushes, currently have a BLK8. It is simply the most luxurious feeling brush on the face I have ever used. I use it exclusively for face lathering and normally with creams and it works very well. Agree however, if you are looking for scrubbing this isn't your brush!

Welcome to B&B!