Does a quality brush and strop make a difference?

[conroygc]

Hey gents,

Can't tell you all how much I've been enjoying this forum lately! Everyone is so helpful.

My basic question is, does spending extra money on a high quality brush and strop actually make a difference to the quality of your shave? Or is badger hair just badger hair and leather just leather?

Currently I use a pretty cheap pure badger hair brush. I think it works great, builds a nice lather and feels nice & soft, but the thing sheds like a sheep dog. After I lather there's usually half a dozen bristles on my face. I also had a fairly cheap strop, it's two sides of a thin piece of leather glued on to a linen backer. I just replaced it with a 2" SRD strop, but for a beginner, just having a nice strop really matter?

Obviously I'm going to want to replace the brush, but is having a nice brush and strop a necessity for a straight razor shaver, or just a luxury?

[conroygc]

I have one small follow up to this. One of the things that really made me interested in straight razors in the first place was that they're not a consumable, like so many things in our culture. A quality straight razor will last a lifetime with proper care. A caveat I'd like to add to my above post is that perhaps spending more money on a brush and strop isn't a just a luxury, but perhaps it's an investment.

[Angry__Panda]

Quality is relative as so many people have said in other threads. Your cheap brush and your cheap strop may not last as long as ones that are more expensive, but they will get you what you need, i.e. they will make your lather, apply it to your face, and it will line up your straight to be sharp enough to shave. But hey, I love my silvertip brushes. They were worth the extra money (even though some of them are just TGN knots that really didn't climb anywhere near the cost of a Thater or Plisson heh). It is all subjective. If you can scrape together some cash to try a few different grades of hair I would recommend that and find out what you like and what is worth your money. Because when you do, you will get a brush that will last a life time :) .

[Marco]

What really makes the difference is your ability to properly use what you have in your hands. Expensive stuff is not necessary. Also because there are many high quality items placed in a mid-low price range.

[global_dev]

inexpensive can be high quality... there is no pressing reason for results, by buying into the expensive stuff unless you want to change the "journey". i had great results with the VDH full boar/cup set for $4 and a flare tip super speed and WH.

That said, there is totally a difference between most if not all brushes and it's a personal decision as to which you prefer.. and on what day, same goes for strops, straights, rocks, and soaps, creams, balms, lotions.

you could probably get away with having minimally satisfactory kit if that's your desire... there is just too much to try and not a whole lot to lose in the wetshaving world. someone else will likely want to try it and buy it off at a reasonable trial price for you/from you. even goes for nicked leather... once it's "ruined", sand it, cut it appropriately make a bench strop..

you might lose out on some "trial" dollars, but at least you'll know and it probably won't be as financially bad (over time) as the consumables carts you describe above.

[conroygc]

inexpensive can be high quality... there is no pressing reason for results, by buying into the expensive stuff unless you want to change the "journey". i had great results with the VDH full boar/cup set for $4 and a flare tip super speed and WH.

That said, there is totally a difference between most if not all brushes and it's a personal decision as to which you prefer.. and on what day, same goes for strops, straights, rocks, and soaps, creams, balms, lotions.

you could probably get away with having minimally satisfactory kit if that's your desire... there is just too much to try and not a whole lot to lose in the wetshaving world. someone else will likely want to try it and buy it off at a reasonable trial price for you/from you. even goes for nicked leather... once it's "ruined", sand it, cut it appropriately make a bench strop..

you might lose out on some "trial" dollars, but at least you'll know and it probably won't be as financially bad (over time) as the consumables carts you describe above.

That's a great response, thank you. It also justifies my various ADs! I really love to try new things, whether it be at a coffee shop, restaurant, or a different scent of shaving soap. I think January will see a lot of members clearning out their shave dens for new members. I definitly have some items I will be passing along in a few months.

I, like many people who join B&B, thought switching to a straight razor would be a money saver. While it is definitely not (a dozen straight razors, fully stocked shaving den, and full honing setup later...), my new found hobby is worth every penny :001_tongu