The Best Soft Small Brush under $15?

**dullblade** · 03-02-2010, 08:29 AM

Hey all,

First post. This community is a great resource. However, the choices and characteristics of brushes are daunting for a newbie. I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. I'm looking for a soft, smaller brush that won't break the bank. Right now i'm using a family handmedown but it's losing hair and I want to keep it in the family, so I want a new one to use/abuse.

Badger or Boar, doesn't really matter to me. I don't even know what I have. I'm looking for something that is soft on my skin and small for travel/storage in a small area.

I've seen a jager 236 on amazon, also a tweezerman badger, and the starter Omega boar.

Are these good brushes? Am I missing some obvious good ones?

**rth97601** · 03-02-2010, 08:32 AM

I use the Tweezerman and quite like it. I've used it, a VDH boar, and a very nice soft custom badger, and I generally find myself using the Tweezerman. Mostly it's a size thing--I wear a beard, and the custom badger is huge and unwieldy on the edges, while the Tweezerman fits perfectly.

**cvac** · 03-02-2010, 08:35 AM

Not a lot of choices. If you go boar, it will take a while to break in (very stiff initially) but will soften up. Omega makes a nice boar in the $10 range. Tweezerman is your only real choice in badger, but it won't be super soft because it's "pure" grade.

**redwoolf** · 03-02-2010, 09:04 AM

Haven't used it myself but the Body Shop synthetic brush seems to get praise by some. If you do go with a boar, stay away from the VS/5, it's much too thin.

**AndyG** · 03-02-2010, 09:24 AM

Omega has som nice brushes under $15.

WCS has a nice selection of Omega shaving brushes that is ware I got mine.

1066 at $9
50107 at $10

http://westcoastshaving.com/index.ph...ort=20a&page=1

Andy

**dullblade** · 03-02-2010, 10:45 AM

Okay,

I'm thinking of going with the Omega 1066 or the Tweezerman. Which one of these is smaller?

**Austin** · 03-02-2010, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by AndyG

Omega has som nice brushes under $15.

WCS has a nice selection of Omega shaving brushes that is ware I got mine.

1066 at $9
50107 at $10

http://westcoastshaving.com/index.ph...ort=20a&page=1

Andy

My first brush 6 years ago was an Omega boar brush.

**Bristlingbeardofodin** · 03-02-2010, 11:12 AM

For that price point I would also recommend the Omega.

**charismata** · 03-02-2010, 11:39 AM

If you can come up with a brush handle, you can get some very nice hair knots from Golden Nib around $20.

**tob1303** · 03-02-2010, 11:44 AM

I agree - handles on ebay are very, very cheap (anywhere from 2 - 16$ in my experience) and knots on Golden Nib can be had from probably 10-40$. And removing an old knot is not difficult....all the tools you would need are a drill and epoxy.

If that's not your thing - the omega stripey on amazon has performed well for me.

Originally Posted by charismata

If you can come up with a brush handle, you can get some very nice hair knots from Golden Nib around $20.

**Ignatius** · 03-02-2010, 12:02 PM

Omega 10066.

The professional models are much bigger.

**Leche** · 03-02-2010, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by dullblade

Okay,

I'm thinking of going with the Omega 1066 or the Tweezerman. Which one of these is smaller?

Honestly I think you will like the Omega better. All of my boars are much softer than the Tweezerman and perform better.

**Deltaboy** · 03-02-2010, 12:17 PM

The body shop got a brush in your price range. I have been using mine off and on since Dec. 09

http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/prod6760003

**Futur** · 03-02-2010, 12:22 PM

I have ordered this brush:
http://vintagescent.com/shaving-brus...ing-brush-p-63

It's been highly recommended to me. You should take a look at it and see if you like it.

**HIT** · 03-02-2010, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Deltaboy

The body shop got a brush in your price range. I have been using mine off and on since Dec. 09

http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/prod6760003

That was my first brush (and worst). VERY stiff hair. Very unsuitable for face lathering. My face couldnt deal with it unfortunately

**talibeard** · 03-02-2010, 12:53 PM

When you want a boar that is soft maybe Omega is not your best bet; Vulfix boars tend to be softer, especially right out of the box. They still have their break in period but less backbone (in a good way) so the first shaves are a lot easier when you choose a smaller model. They are in the $10-15 category.

**huntmol** · 03-02-2010, 01:19 PM

I vote for the Tweezerman

**dcrosso** · 03-02-2010, 09:25 PM

I think the best small brush period, is the Omega 81052, from West Coast Shaving for $14.00 plus ship. Do not bother with the cheaper badger brushes. Once the boar bristles are broken in the 81052 will do a great job. If I was only going to have one style of brush for all my shaving needs I would go with the 81052. Buy two of them, rotate use and they will last you for 10-15 years. Possibly longer. This is a great small brush with a superb handle. I think the handle would be great, after you wear out the boar bristles, fitted with a TGN finest badger knot.