Plisson - Worth the cost?

**blacdisco2000** · 08-30-2009, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by HoratioCaine

I'm curious, Matthew, have you ever tried one?

**blacdisco2000** · 08-30-2009, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by whitebar

There is no logical, rational way to justify the expense of a Plisson. You either want one or you don't and there are excellent arguments on both sides. I liken this to another hobby of mine which is smoking a pipe. A pipe costing less than $100 will burn tobacco in a nice fashion and will bring pleasure to the smoker. However, for some people a high grade pipe just has something extra. The construction is often better, the materials used are often of a higher caliber, and often times the pipes are as much a work of art rather than just being a functional instrument for burning leaf. These extra qualities have value to me and I can spend hours just looking at their beauty which adds another dimension to my enjoyment of smoking them. High grade pipes range in price from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars and there is no way to justify them on purely functional criteria. However, to me they are worth the added expense because of the extra enjoyment I receive from owning them. Each pipe has its own individual grain and is a one of a kind piece that can never be duplicated. They are truly works of art that combine the uniqueness of mother nature with the skilled hands of a gifted craftsman/artist.

I think horn HMW Plisson brushes fall into this same kind of category. Functionally, one can find a very serviceable brush for far less money. However, there is something special about certain Plissons, especially some of the two-band horn handled HMWs. The materials used are top quality and the craftsmanship adds to their appeal for me. Many of the horn handled examples I've seen are truly works of art and like briar grain on a pipe, each is a one of a kind piece from nature that can never be duplicated. Personally, I derive great pleasure from using these unique works of art and from knowing that I am the only person who has one exactly like it. To me, this is an added value to ownership that makes them even that much more special. Additionally, my 2 two-band HMW #16s and my two-band HMW #12 are my three favorite brushes in a collection of 20. They define performance for what it is I want in a shaving brush with a special combination of softness and backbone.

The choice to make such a purchase is a very individual decision. For some, such a purchase is easily justified. For others, this is an extravagance that makes no sense due to other priorities. Both groups have valid and justifiable arguments. All I know is that every day I look at my horn HMWs I feel I made the right decision to purchase them and I receive great value from having them in my collection.

Attached is a photo of my favorite brush, a #16.

+ 1. If I had the money I paid, these are works of art.

**bythbook** · 08-30-2009, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by TorzJohnson

...

The lucite handles look amazing and original, although they don't appear to be very ergonomic. Plus, for some unfathomable reason, they cost about ONE MILLION DOLLARS apiece....

I have one of those - a European White, #12 - not quite a million bucks, but when in the middle of SBAD, well....<shrug> It is NOT AT ALL ergonomic - but it sure is beautiful, and it lathers like crazy and it feels wonderful on my face.... It is luxurious and wonderful. Definitely worth the money... because it feels wonderful on my face, luxurious and wonderful.

I don't know that it is "better" than any of my other brushes. Each is different and wonderful in its own way. (Don't want to start another "why does anyone need more than one ____ " thread. Don't need anything but food, water, shelter, etc.)

And I have a Plisson #12 in briar, too. Well worth the money [see above!].

.

**drP** · 08-30-2009, 02:53 PM

Wether a Plisson is worth the money is ultimately a strictly personal issue....if i'm honest then they are way too expensive, but nonetheless....:

**whitebar** · 08-30-2009, 03:12 PM

Peter, is that the real ivory handle? It sure looks nice!

**drP** · 08-30-2009, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by whitebar

Peter, is that the real ivory handle? It sure looks nice!

Ivoire veritable #20...definitely not worth the @#$%^& money....

**HoratioCaine** · 08-30-2009, 03:31 PM

Sure is a beautiful handle, but I thought the ivory trade was illegal. Is that a vintage handle, or am I missing something?

**richmondesi** · 08-30-2009, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by HoratioCaine

Sure is a beautiful handle, but I thought the ivory trade was illegal. Is that a vintage handle, or am I missing something?

There is legal ivory, but it is very difficult to have "legal ivory" pass the smell test here in the US. I commissioned a 7 day set of straight razors requesting legal ivory, and I was turned down because it was too difficult to deal with the US in this regard

**drP** · 08-30-2009, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by HoratioCaine

Sure is a beautiful handle, but I thought the ivory trade was illegal. Is that a vintage handle, or am I missing something?

This is a new brush made on july 6th this year; the handle is turned of legal ivory which Plisson had stocked before 1976 when the trade in elephant ivory became illegal.

Here are some more pictures:

**richmondesi** · 08-30-2009, 03:40 PM

This thread needs to be locked ASAP... SBAD is really kicking my butt right now... Not good... not good at all

**domino** · 08-30-2009, 03:50 PM

Peter pulls out the BIG gun

Talk about top of the line

Originally Posted by drP

This is a new brush made on july 6th this year; the handle is turned of legal ivory which Plisson had stocked before 1976 when the trade in elephant ivory became illegal.

**blacdisco2000** · 08-30-2009, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by richmondesi

SBAD Not good... not good at all

**HoratioCaine** · 08-30-2009, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by richmondesi

This thread needs to be locked ASAP... SBAD is really kicking my butt right now... Not good... not good at all

If it helps at all, just remember that a #20 is really big, such that most people (albeit not all) probably would find it impractical to shave with. Although I think that is one of the best looking brushes I've seen, I personally wouldn't have any use for it. Now, a #16 with an ivory handle....

**ambrose** · 08-30-2009, 07:54 PM

WOW drp what a very nice brush.

Whitebar it was you !!!! I went back to buy your current fav horn plisson but it was gone !!!

**Antique Hoosier** · 08-30-2009, 08:12 PM

A thread like this concerning Plisson comes along every once in awhile and it always seems to have similar content.... members who love their Plisson that hits their sweet spot as far as brushes go,.... members who had a bad experience or regreted purchasing a Plisson,.... members who have never used/owned one and would never think of changing that status ( the Plisson allure doesn't grab them),.... and then PETER shows up with something luxurious and massive and stops traffic.

(I've owned 6..... own 1 currently.....)

**BEAR DEN** · 08-30-2009, 10:31 PM

For me I have no clue as to how they perform... the scary part is... even though I have no idea how they perform and even though some people outright say they aren't worth the extra money...the lucite handle ones have me wanting one in a bad way...heck they just plain look so COOL.

**Jack-in-the-Green** · 08-31-2009, 02:44 AM

Well, if I were rich I would probably get one of the real ivory ones, just because it's unusual and beautiful. Though, I agree that the handle style is rather plain and boring. But I'm not rich, so really it's a moot point.

What I'd like to know is, how do they actually compare to, say, a Rooney? Softer tips? Firmer? Floppier? What is that sweet spot for all you Plisson fans?

**AFG** · 08-31-2009, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by HoratioCaine

It sounds like we both feel the #16 hits the sweet spot for us. I also find it interesting that both of us found going one size away from it (18 for me, 14 for you) resulted in a brush of considerably different characteristics, not just size. I am curious, though, why do you say you won't buy another Plisson, if the 16 is your "ultimate brush"? Does that pronouncement preclude buying another 16 at some point as a replacement for your current one?

Well, here we go again. I had not even thought of buying another 16 until you wrote that and then Peter shows us the nice brush he recently bought in genuine ivory. I don't anticipate wearing out the one I have anytime soon but I just might consider buying another 16 but it would be in the faux ivory. I've gotten the arched eyebrow look though from my wife about the number of brushes I have so something might have to go to make up room for one. Just when I thought I had this brush business under control. Sigh....

**HoratioCaine** · 08-31-2009, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by AFG

Well, here we go again. I had not even thought of buying another 16 until you wrote that and then Peter shows us the nice brush he recently bought in genuine ivory. I don't anticipate wearing out the one I have anytime soon but I just might consider buying another 16 but it would be in the faux ivory. I've gotten the arched eyebrow look though from my wife about the number of brushes I have so something might have to go to make up room for one. Just when I thought I had this brush business under control. Sigh....

I certainly wasn't implying that you should buy another one now. I was just wondering why you said you wouldn't buy one again...as in ever. It seems perfectly sensible to wait however many years until the time comes you will need to replace your current 16; that's what I intend to do. I was just surprised that you seemed to be saying you wouldn't replace it with another one when the time came.

**drP** · 08-31-2009, 01:02 PM

Plisson doesn't make a faux ivory in #16..the largest available is #14...

But if you'd ask them i'm sure they can make one on request...same counts for the genuine ivories: they're only available in #12, #14 and #20 on their website but again, if you'd ask them to make a #16 in genuine ivory i 'm convinced they'll make one...

BTW: i haven't got the slightest intention to use this ivory #20 at all...i've enough subsitutes...it stands on the edge of my bathroom sink for sheer admiration...