Help: Looking for a brush with soft tips?

I'd like to find a medium size (20mm-23mm knot) brush with really soft tips for under $60. It has to have a little backbone so it can't be too floppy for the lather to fly off. It doesn't matter whether it's badger or boar. I alternate between bowl/face lathering and use both creams/soaps.

The best I can suggest is a Savile Row 3118. It is $75 new but pop up on the BST for $60 or so.

Thanks,
Mike

I would suggest the Parker Silver tip from Amazon, it is a very nice brush for $ 55

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...i:aps,k:parker+silver+tip+shaving+brush&ajr=0

How about a Simpson?

The Savile Row 3118 is an outstanding brush, but is actually a small one with an 18mm knot. The SR's in a medium range will run quite a bit more than 60.00 or under.

There are quite a few recommendations that could be made, but I'm really, really happy with my Simpson Commodore X2 Best Badger. It has a 22mm knot with a 47mm loft. Some folks might still call that small for their tastes, but it's just right for me and that Best hair is pretty darn good. It's the mid-size brush in the Commodore line. I believe they retail around 65.00, but I picked mine up off the BST for 45.00, if I recall correctly.

I had a Commodore 3 in best and I found it a bit scritchy.

Vulfix 2234S. It is a very nice brush.
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Vulfix-2234S-Super-Badger-Shaving-Brush_p_393.html

Semogue SOC when broken in is very soft at the tips.

I'll recommend something different, Horse Hair Brushes, These are 35% Mane Hair- for backbone and 65% Tail- for softness and perform very nicely. This is a 23mm knot and you can request a lower loft setting in the comments area upon checkout, I'd recommend ~50mm; http://giftsandcare.com/en/catalog/.../vie-long-horse-hair-shaving-brush-12705.html

This one is a 20mm knot, same Mane & Tail mix, and I'd set this ~47-48mm; http://giftsandcare.com/en/catalog/.../vie-long-horse-hair-shaving-brush-12601.html

If you like wood Handles, This 23mm knot; http://giftsandcare.com/en/catalog/...ong-brown-horse-hair-shaving-brush-13071.html
and this 20mm knot; http://giftsandcare.com/en/catalog/.../vie-long-horse-hair-shaving-brush-13520.html
This last brush has a 50-50 mix but you can request the Natural Brown 35% Mane/ 65% Tail mix as well as loft setting in the comments @ Checkout. Both Wood Brushes would cost $67.60 including Shipping, The first pair would be $45.12 with Shipping.

Just an alternative to consider, and when customizing your loft, specify each Brush Model Number if you buy two, do it do it do it do it

There are multiple simpsons in that price range, a Rooney in best badger would meet your price range (but not sure about softness), Semogue Owner's CLub Boar brush would be a great one, or you could get 4 or 5 Omega boars for $60.

Rudy Vey could make you a handle and drop a TGN knot in it for about that perhaps...or buy a handle and knot from TGN and do it yourself.

Enjoy making a decision.

mikey said:

The best I can suggest is a Savile Row 3118. It is $75 new but pop up on the BST for $60 or so.

Thanks,
Mike

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Good suggestion. My Savile Row 3824 has the softest tips I have ever experienced in a shaving brush.

How about a $5 VDH Boar? Mine has softer tips than my TGN Pure Badger.

Noah, I think if you found your X3 too scritchy I would stay away from Simpson Best. Unless it was a scratchy example (possible) it's likely that you need something different. Savile Row could be something to try next.

I would suggest that you contact Rudy Vey or one of our other craftsmen/vendors. They offer perhaps the best value in shaving brushes and will be able to help you find exactly what you want (and more than likely within your budget as well).

Good luck!

My Simpson Special in Best is very soft. It doesn't fit my definition of floppy, but it does splay a lot making it feel bigger than the specs. Normally I like small, stiff, short-lofted brushes, but for some reason I like the Special. I thought when I first got it that it would get sold quickly since it didn't have the backbone I was used to. But I've come to enjoy using it, face-lathering with Salter (soft) creams, Arko and La Toja Manantiales. A decent brush for the price and a nice change from my other (stiffer) brushes.

djh said:

I would suggest that you contact Rudy Vey or one of our other craftsmen/vendors. They offer perhaps the best value in shaving brushes and will be able to help you find exactly what you want (and more than likely within your budget as well).

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i'm going to second this advice. i will also warn you that soft with backbone under $60 is not easy. from my experience, some of the other advice given here is not going to satisfy you (for example, vulfix has no backbone).

rudy is great, so is glenn ey: http://qstatistic.com/geb

a glenn ey brush will take you about $40 above budget, but you will have something worth 5 times the price. if you are really strapped for cash, i am glad to pay the difference as a custom, drive-by PIF for you. send me a PM if interested.


v.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions.

noctilux said:

i'm going to second this advice. i will also warn you that soft with backbone under $60 is not easy. from my experience, some of the other advice given here is not going to satisfy you (for example, vulfix has no backbone).

rudy is great, so is glenn ey: http://qstatistic.com/geb

a glenn ey brush will take you about $40 above budget, but you will have something worth 5 times the price. if you are really strapped for cash, i am glad to pay the difference as a custom, drive-by PIF for you. send me a PM if interested.


v.

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Thanks for the offer but I'll go with a Saville, or SOC or Rudy Vey...decisions, decisions.

My SR3118 has some really soft tips with good backbone. The 20mm SR's retail for 85.00 and the 22mm for 98.00 from QED. I realize the 20mm is 25.00 over your price range but I think it would be well worth it, especially if you don't go the other routes mentioned. The Savile Rows are really nice imo. I may spring for a 22mm at some point.