CAR Shavemaster - Initial Impressions *Pics*

[joel]

A dildo by any other name…. is still a dildo. This shaving brush – simply put, looks like some sort of wacky sex toy/dildo. WITHOUT question – this is the ugliest, cheapest, most fallace shaving brush in existence. Truly an embarrassment to have sit out on your counter.

When you put this sucker in your hand… the first thing that races across your mind (aside from bracing yourself for the vibrations and cheesy porno beats to kick in) is how unnatural, heavy, and “weird” the handle feels. The handle feels like a chunk of granite, VERY dense. When you grab the handle – then grab the bristle knot in the other hand, and LIGHLY twist them in opposite directions – the brush and knot move freely and independently from one another... very weird. Oh - to boot.... it was losing a hair every now and again, and some hairs protrude above the "bloom" - however they are not loose, so it looks quite chinzy.

The bristle feels cheap, thin, and almost artificial. The hairs are incredibly thin and soft, and the brush is VERY, let me re-iterate, VERY densely packed. Think “Debbie does the Dallas Cowboys” packed.

I couldn’t wait to start testing this sucker out – what a ridiculously ugly piece of crap. $250 for this poorly built, cheap badger hair – dildo of a shaving brush? Charles Roberts… you’ve finally tripped up! HA!

Well – not even caring enough to go thru the mess/hassle of a “method-shave” to test this brush, I grabbed the closest cake of shaving soap I could find – knowing this brush is SPECIFICALLY “purpose built” to method shave, I said “F-IT, dildo brush is being banished to the T&H.”

After soaking this brush in lukewarm water – yet another factor working against this brush – I wisped the saturated brush against the T&H ten – yes 10 circulations.BAH - this crappy brush. Here is the result…






Errr..... ummm..... uhhh......

This brush kicks ass!

Not that my previous gripes are invalid - but without question, this thing is the most powerful lathering force in the wetshaving world. Not even a remotely close second. This sucker is a BMW Izetta ( see picture below) with a blown 426 hemi shoved in it. Out and out Gladiator, in a clown uniform.

This shaving brush is huge to boot... here is it next to my Simpsons Polo 12 Super...

I know it is a touch confusing - but the brushes are reversed in this picture - Shavemaster on the left, Polo 12 on the right. Keep in mind... the polo is more than 50% more costly.


After methodshaving with this sucker today (more on this later on during the week, after the brush has seen more use) all I can say is I want one... really, really badly. Adam.... what happens if I don't send this sucker back to you?
****SPECIAL NOTE****
I ended up purchasing one of these brushes, and experienced a myriad of problems. Please see the following link for clarity on the issues, which can help you come to a more informed decision...
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1089

[roughrider]

How would you compare it to the Shavemac XXL Horn Imitation brush that you own?

[joel]

How would you compare it to the Shavemac XXL Horn Imitation brush that you own?

I wouldn't.... the two brushes couldn't be more different. The Shavemac has much stiffer, thicker bristles, is much "rougher", does not splay out NEARLY as much, is not as soft, not nearly as large, etc etc... just a TOTALLY different brush. 3-4 shavemaster bristles are as thick as one shavemac bristle.

This thing is "purpose designed" and by god - when you see the method shave pics, you'll have a heart attack... in fact - here is one a "teaser" if you will after EIGHT, yep EIGHT (read it and weap) passes.

[joel]

Oh - BTW, when you actually lather witht he brush - the handle in incredibly comfortable - more on this at a later date...

[HlSheppard]

Dammit Joel!!!

Now I WANT one again. I had myself all talked out of it...

I'm not liking the "losing bristles" comment, though (not for that kind of loot).

Can you compare/contrast the bristles and density to a certain Vulfix 41?

[gage0921]

If one does not method shave would it still be a good brush?

BTW......Are you suffering from lack of A#$ or did you just watch a flick?

[joel]

Dammit Joel!!!

Now I WANT one again. I had myself all talked out of it...

I'm not liking the "losing bristles" comment, though (not for that kind of loot).

Can you compare/contrast the bristles and density to a certain Vulfix 41?

I think the one I have is/was a prototype - so I am not sure if the brush losing bristles is attributed to that. I have only used it twice thus far - so I'd stay tuned before you drop the hammer on it.

As far as the density - I would easily go as far as to say - I have not seen/used/experienced a brush that is even in the same realm (density wise).
Since the bristles are so thin - this sucker is packed to the extreme of extremes. "unbloomed" it wasn't much bigger than my PJ2 - once it bloomed this SOB EXPLODED into a sheer monstrosity. Interestingly enough - for some reason, eventhough it is much larger than my Polo 12 - it seems to hold its shape better, and is much easier to apply shaving cream to your mug without making a mess. This brush actually CUTS DOWN on the methodshave mess you experience with other brushes. Back to your question, if I had to quantify it, I would guess this brush is packed at least 4X denser than a Vulfix #41. It is really a monster.

If this sucker had a warranty, had some sort of "patterned" handle to make it not look so god awful, and was priced at about $150 - I would go as far as to say - Simpson, Plisson, and Rooney would be a name of the past. As far as RAW EFFICACY for shaving creams and method shaving (I have superior brushes for shaving soaps), this is without question the top dawg.

$250 is a lot of coin for such a miserable looking device.... and in my opinion is a major turn off, as it certainly does not play into the whole "luxury" theme. Using the Simpson Polo 12 is a truly regal experience, where as the unmarked - drab looking Shavemaster is like driving a 4 cylinder honda accord. It is probably the most functional shaving brush out there... just no real "zip" to it. In CAR/Shavemasters defense, it is not touted as a "regal" brush, and it is NOT intended to be astetically pleasing... it is intended to be a FUNCTION based brush, in that it creates, contains and distributes methodshave lather in the most efficacious, comfortable, and economical package... and that it does with wild success. It is not truly fair to "compare" it to any other brush (save for a honkin' simpson) as its function is specific, and highly targeted to a very esoteric and specific use. Now - with JUST english shaving cream, it DOES work like a SOB - better than any other brush I have used, but one thing I REALLY like about this brush... is finally someone has had the balls to man up, say "F-Silvertip and other moronic gradings" and actually create a brush for a specific function, and design it to WORK.

Honestly... when you think about it, who the hell cares if this has badger hair from the highlands of Scotland - or from some random ass obscure region in Manchuria or Europe. The simple fact of the matter is - the grading of the hair has NOTHING to do with function, and EVERYTHING to do with marketing b/s, rareity, and brand management. You would not pay extra money for a "rare" tea that tasted no better than the cheap stuff you were currently drinking - now would you?

I have been at this for three years now, I have used more than 30 shaving brushes, and I have spoken with fellas that own just about every shaving brush known to man.... and not one of them, myself included, will say that a $70 Vulfix super badger functions inferior to ANY other brush. You may get more lather out of another brush, you may get a softer/firmer feel from another brush, you may get a prettier handle - but you will NOT get better lather, END OF STORY.

With that rant clicked off - to buy a Shavemaster under the auspices that it will improve your daily shave, or offer a certain attribute that will improve the actual lather from the brush - would be a misinformed decision, and you will be very much dissapointed. What the shavemaster DOES offer, is a functional device, which is built to withstand horrible abuse, will hold an absurd amount of water/cream, has a very comfortable handle, and is designed to hold the methodshave slag mix in the best possible fashion. Regardless of hair grades and fancy names, for its purpose - it works best. So with that said - if you subscribe to the methodshave approach to shaving - this will be an absolute godsend. If you do not currently own a large brush capable of making absurd amounts of lather - and you wish to own one, this brush will work... but it isn't designed to be a straight "cream" brush. (Bear in mind, it still works amazingly well, possibly better than any other brush.)

In a nutshell - it is a superb brush... if you want the best brush for methodshaving - this is your ticket. If you just want a "better" brush for creams and all around use, you'll be happy simply keeping your vulfix.