Soon it will be time for a 2nd brush

**BarryR** · 07-22-2007, 05:29 AM

I've been DE shaving for two months, my brush is a Vulfix 2235 Superbadger. I get very good results with soaps and creams although I understand that it's a soft brush and perhaps not ideal for soaps. I have nothing to compare it to so I don't have much to comment. I do notice that when I'm doing a scrubbing motion, it doesn't feel like much (probably because it's so soft / floppy).

My next brush should probably be good for soaps and creams. If I love it for soaps but not creams I can always use the Vulfix for creams. On the other hand, if I love it for both, I'll probably sell the Vulfix.

The top contender is probably a Shavemac Silvertip 177. Another strong contender is a small or medium Rooney Silvertip. While I can spend more than $100 if I "must" I'd prefer keeping it around that mark.

Any suggestions? (I realize there are a ton of options here).

**ratcheer** · 07-22-2007, 06:20 AM

My Savile Row 3226 from QED is by far my favorite brush. I love the dense bristles and the large head, but my favorite feature is the longer handle.

Tim

**Leisureguy** · 07-22-2007, 01:42 PM

I would vote for one of these:

Rooney Style 2 Super
Rooney Style 3 Size 1 Super
G. B. Kent BK4

All are great brushes with soap or cream. All are a good size for lathering on the beard---or in a bowl, if you prefer, but I lather on a beard and they're great for that.

**letterk** · 07-22-2007, 03:19 PM

Some suggestions around the $100 mark.

Saville Row or Shavemac Silvertip
Edwin Jagger Medium Silvertip
Simpson Duke 3 Best

While the BK4 is a noteworthy brush, I don't think Barry would get the scrubbing he's desiring. The Rooney's might be a good choice, particularly the Style 3 or 1. I'm a fan of the Style 3.

**Leisureguy** · 07-22-2007, 04:55 PM

I've been using the Rooney Style 3 Size 1 (small) Super a lot lately. It's a dynamite brush...

**DoubleE** · 07-22-2007, 05:04 PM

20-24mm Savile Row or Shavemac
Rooney style 2 or 3 small super

All 3 are excellent brushes. Two of my favs in that price range are my Savile Row 3120 and my Rooney style 3 small super. I would say, that if I had to choose between them, I'd probably keep the Savile Row.

**BarryR** · 07-22-2007, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by letterk

I don't think Barry would get the scrubbing he's desiring.

I guess I'm desiring a scrubbing, but since I never had any brush other than the Vulfix, I'm not sure. I do want something 'different' though so I can compare and understand some of the variables in brushes.

Is there any way to choose between the above recommended brushes or should I just flip a coin.

Originally Posted by Leisureguy

I would vote for one of these:

Rooney Style 2 Super
Rooney Style 3 Size 1 Super
G. B. Kent BK4

All are great brushes with soap or cream. All are a good size for lathering on the beard---or in a bowl, if you prefer, but I lather on a beard and they're great for that.

Are the Rooneys you're referring to both Size 1?
Also, thus far I prefer lathering in a bowl, but I can do on-the-face lathering successfully. Would you look for different brush characteristics for bowl vs. brush lathering?

**letterk** · 07-22-2007, 07:54 PM

For creams and bowl lathering, I prefer a bulb shape. For face lathering, I prefer a fan. In general, I prefer a bulb shape.

**BarryR** · 07-22-2007, 08:04 PM

What's the difference in the Rooney styles?
Also, is there a good place to buy Kent brushes in the USA? The BK4 is $81 before shipping from the Kent UK website.

Which Saville Row brush should I be considering. QED gives very little info on their website.

And for my final question (for the moment), how do these compare to the Shavemac which has gotten lots of raves here in the past?

**letterk** · 07-22-2007, 08:37 PM

Check out vintagebladesllc.com for photos of the various Rooney brushes. There are three different ones.

No, no place in the USA to buy Kent brushes for a reasonable price. Use GBK1777 as coupon code on the kentbrushes.com site for a discount. It should come out to around $75 after shipping.

For Saville Row, look at the slvertip serious and decide which ones look good to you.

Shavemac and Saville Row are similar, but from what I hear, Saville Row might be a tad denser.

**BarryR** · 07-23-2007, 03:41 AM

Originally Posted by letterk

Check out vintagebladesllc.com for photos of the various Rooney brushes. There are three different ones.

No, no place in the USA to buy Kent brushes for a reasonable price. Use GBK1777 as coupon code on the kentbrushes.com site for a discount. It should come out to around $75 after shipping.

For Saville Row, look at the slvertip serious and decide which ones look good to you.

Shavemac and Saville Row are similar, but from what I hear, Saville Row might be a tad denser.

Yup, I saw the brushes at vintageblades. It's a little confusing the way he has them arranged, but I think I like styles 1 & 3. Is it purely aesthetics between the styles or do they function at all differently.

As for the Saville Row brushes, I couldn't find a website with info on them. QED only gives some model numbers and prices.

And thanks for the Kent discount code!

**hyperwarp** · 07-23-2007, 04:34 AM

Originally Posted by ratcheer

My Savile Row 3226 from QED is by far my favorite brush. I love the dense bristles and the large head, but my favorite feature is the longer handle. It beats the Badger Batter into a luxurious lather like the dickens. After a little practice, you can whip up the Good Stuff in about as much time as you could load "your palm" with Barbasol or another aersol.

Tim

Proud owner of a SR3118 in the silvertip & very happy with the brush. Firm not squishy or flopping & when you lather on your face it really gets the whiskers standing at "attention" .

After you've decided on a knot size, I really recommend you (or anyone) check out the SR line @ QED to price compare with other's in the knot size you're considering.

If & when I get another brush will definitely consider SR for that one also. In my opinion the price/quality is really hard to beat. Charles stands behind his
products & is a delight to do business with...

FWIW & IMHO...

**Leisureguy** · 07-23-2007, 10:04 AM

In Rooneys, Size 1 is "small". Style 2 comes in only one size.

The three styles have different brush characteristics: Style 1 (with a slightly shorter handle) has a short, dense brush. Style 2 has a long loft. Style 3 is more or less in between Style 1 and Style 2.

I like Style 2 best, Style 3 second best (and I like it a lot), and don't care that much for Style 1. YMMV, of course.

**BarryR** · 07-23-2007, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by hyperwarp

Proud owner of a SR3118 in the silvertip...

QED lists these SR Brushes: SR-100, SR-104, SR-108, SR-112, SR-140,SR-204, SR-208, SR-212.
Any idea why the SR3118 an 3226 aren't listed?

**ratcheer** · 07-23-2007, 03:49 PM

The best Savile Row models start with a "3". E.g., my 3226 is a 26 mm and a 3118 is an 18 mm. I do not know what the second digit signifies.

Tim

**BarryR** · 07-23-2007, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by ratcheer

The best Savile Row models start with a "3". E.g., my 3226 is a 26 mm and a 3118 is an 18 mm. I do not know what the second digit signifies.

Tim

Thanks Tim. What a fast and helpful response!
I emailed Charles at QED for further info.

**ratcheer** · 07-23-2007, 03:57 PM

Good deal. Charles will help you determine what you want and need, most.

Tim

**boboakalfb** · 07-23-2007, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by ratcheer

The best Savile Row models start with a "3". E.g., my 3226 is a 26 mm and a 3118 is an 18 mm. I do not know what the second digit signifies.

Tim

The second digit represents the handle style. So you have a 31 and 33 in all knot sizes I believe (from 18mm to 32mm)...32 in a 26mm or 28mm knot and the 3722 and 3824 in a 22 and 24 mm knot.

Here is Ron's post with the info.

**ratcheer** · 07-23-2007, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by boboakalfb

The second digit represents the handle style. So you have a 31 and 33 in all knot sizes I believe (from 18mm to 32mm)...32 in a 26mm or 28mm knot and the 3722 and 3824 in a 22 and 24 mm knot.

Here is Ron's post with the info.

Thanks, Bob. I was going to guess that, but I was afraid I would look stupid.

Tim

**BarryR** · 07-23-2007, 06:01 PM

Now I'm leaning toward a 22mm SR (maybe by the weekend I'll be leaning differently).

My Vulfix is a 24mm and it seems more than big enough, so my almost arbitrary conclusion is that a 22mm will be fine. In SR, I think I like the 31, 32, 38 look.

SR or not, any hints on choosing a size other than bigger brushes can get messy with creams? I know there are a bunch of "smaller is better" advocates out there.