Is anyone familiar with Frank Shaving brushes? Are they reasonable for their price range or just cheap junk?
I've only tried one but the way it shed hairs reminded me of my malamute when the weather warms up. The hairs were coming out by the dozen.
Is anyone familiar with Frank Shaving brushes? Are they reasonable for their price range or just cheap junk?
Search on the forums, there's plenty of history. Bottom line: better than "good enough" and very budget friendly. The "Finest" grade seems the best bet (good backbone, soft tips).
I've only tried one but the way it shed hairs reminded me of my malamute when the weather warms up. The hairs were coming out by the dozen.
you will be better off finding a vintage brush handle and installing a 22mm TGN Finest short loft in it. You will end up with a better knot and depending on what you pay for the vintage brush to restore, about the same money.
Mine lost 5 or 6 hairs the first few times I used it, and absolutely none since then.
My impressions on Frank Shaving brushes are mixed. Own two of them and they couldn't be more different
Finest in Richmond handle with 24mm knot: very firm, plenty of backbone, no shedding, somewhat prickly, a good value brush for those who also enjoy boar brushes, no problems even with the hardest soaps
Finest in fan shape with 21mm knot: Very floppy, lots of shedding (100+ hairs in the first days), unusable for soaps and even with creams not exactly a joy to use
Summing up I must say I don't understand the hype around these brushes as the hair quality seems to be not that great. To me it looks and feels like cheap pure badger that got some chemical treatment and dyeing for creating the impression of a higher grade of hair.
My recommendation to beginners would be to pass this offering. A solid middle class brush like a Rooney 3/1, Simpsons Colonel or Shavemac Finest offers much more pleasure for a little surcharge.
My recommendation to beginners would be to pass this offering. A solid middle class brush like a Rooney 3/1, Simpsons Colonel or Shavemac Finest offers much more pleasure for a little surcharge.
Welcome to B&B!
When I do spring for a Simpson (that's what it's likely to be), I'll appreciate it more having learned my craft on a couple of lesser brushes. And I'll confidently buy one I think I'll like, rather than taking a stab in the dark.
</rant>
Search on the forums, there's plenty of history.
You have a valid point, but even in the budget segment you have several options.
Personally I would prefer a budget brush with reasonably good hair and a cheesy handle over a FS brush with very nice handles but chemically treated low-end hair.
Guess I am simply no friend of bottled blondies.
That's an excellent, if unintentional, choice of words.
In fact, I'll use that as my standard response to such questions, when I'm feeling charitable.
Intentional (and intentionally understated).
I mean no disrespect, but I've never heard of Frank Shaving's brushes being chemically treated. I assume you have evidence of this?