Vulfix 404 "The Grosvenor"

**acutao** · 10-25-2011, 09:50 AM

Can someone shed some light on this brush? Some of the favored vendors here list it as "pure badger" while others list it as "a mixture of badger hair and boar bristle". I believe the latter to be true, but am wondering if the formula changed, or if there are two versions.

What is the consensus on the badger/ boar 404 from those who own one?

Oh, and what means "Grosvenor"? (too lazy to search)

**maxzoran** · 10-25-2011, 10:16 AM

It depends on where you get it. I've seen boar, badger (although I'm not sure if these were re-knotted), and boar/badger. I personally have the boar/badger and I find it quite excellent for soaps. I face lather with it and it real whips up nicely. The bristle is still breaking in so I expect it to get even softer over time. The handle is nice and heavy and hand turned. You can really feel the quality.

Grosvenor is a street name in London after which Vulifx named the brush. It is part of the Vulfix London Series.

**hon** · 10-25-2011, 10:28 AM

there are 3 versions
pure badger
boar
mix badger + boar

**Oscroft** · 10-25-2011, 10:32 AM

I don't know about the boar and badger versions, but the boar/badger mix is great - excellent for the price.

**Mike H** · 10-25-2011, 10:40 AM

Another vote for the Boar/Badger mix. Really a great brush for the money.

**acutao** · 10-25-2011, 10:48 AM

Thanks for the enlightenment, all.

Justin, you're inbox is full.

**maxzoran** · 10-25-2011, 10:51 AM

fixed...thanks for letting me know

Originally Posted by acutao

Thanks for the enlightenment, all.

Justin, you're inbox is full.

**CSG** · 01-06-2012, 04:14 PM

Just impulsively bought one of these (boar/badger) for absolutely no good reason but it is a VERY nice brush with a large handle and a somewhat stubby knot. I think I'm going to like it.

**john parker** · 01-06-2012, 04:25 PM

But wait! There is another! Bullgoose commissioned a Grosvenor LE that has a silver tip knot. Think there were around 100 produced and sold. Wonderful brush; I have one.

**bowlturner** · 01-06-2012, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by Oscroft

I don't know about the boar and badger versions, but the boar/badger mix is great - excellent for the price.

+1 I used my 404 as a travel brush. Inexpensive all round decent performer with both soaps and creams. Also, a good match for those who prefer shave sticks, I think. I just passed it on to a guy getting started with wet shaving.

**itsmedave** · 01-06-2012, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by CSG

Just impulsively bought one of these (boar/badger) for absolutely no good reason but it is a VERY nice brush with a large handle and a somewhat stubby knot. I think I'm going to like it.

I've got one on order so I look forward to reading your impressions

**CSG** · 01-06-2012, 07:52 PM

I can already tell you I'll like it. Feels good in the hand has pretty good backbone and feels soft on the tips and I haven't even used it for shaving. But keep in mind, I really like the basic VdH boar brush and it works very well for me. I have no doubt from my simple shampooing of the 404 earlier that it will lather anything with ease and feel good on the face.

**Amzimbo** · 01-06-2012, 08:25 PM

Not just a street in London, but a square with a long tradition of affiliation with the U.S. Eisenhower had his hq there. (There's a statue of him on the nort west corner of the square). He planned the Normandy landings in a building which remained the hq of the U.S. Navy in Europe until the end of the Cold War. The U.S. Embassy occupies the whole western side of the square.

**johnnypipe** · 01-07-2012, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by Amzimbo

Not just a street in London, but a square with a long tradition of affiliation with the U.S. Eisenhower had his hq there. (There's a statue of him on the nort west corner of the square). He planned the Normandy landings in a building which remained the hq of the U.S. Navy in Europe until the end of the Cold War. The U.S. Embassy occupies the whole western side of the square.

Very interesting. Thanks

**oversaturn** · 01-07-2012, 03:12 PM

There are several versions of this brush, or to say it better, several brushes with the Vulfix 404 Grosvenor handle:

- a 100% boar version, as you can see here;
- the mixed bristle & badger version (the most popular one, a fine brush at a bargain price);
- a 100% Pure badger version, as you can see here.

There was also a special edition that featured this "Grosvenor" handle with a Simpsons 2-band knot... the "Simfix"... but that was a limited edition... and now, I'm the lucky owner of one of those (and the mixed badger/boar as well)

**wimbouman** · 01-07-2012, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by john parker

But wait! There is another! Bullgoose commissioned a Grosvenor LE that has a silver tip knot. Think there were around 100 produced and sold. Wonderful brush; I have one.

Sell it to me.
N O W !

But seriously, never heard of it.
Could you tell us more?
Pics?

**jsj_297** · 01-07-2012, 06:23 PM

I have one of the 404's with the boar only. From Connaught shaving co. I love it, it lathes anything I throw at it, even williams! Cant recommend it enough. It outperforms some of the most expensive badgers I have ever owned. It is super soft once broken in too.

**john parker** · 01-07-2012, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by wimbouman

Sell it to me.
N O W !

But seriously, never heard of it.
Could you tell us more?
Pics?

Sorry that I don't have pictures of it. It looks like the regular Grosvenor, except for having a two-band super knot. Soft with backbone. Great for soaps and creams. As stated above, Vulfix made it with a Simpson knot for Bullgoose. One does see them pop up from time to time on b/s/t here and in other forums.

**CSG** · 01-08-2012, 03:03 PM

Follow-up on my first use. I'd washed and shampooed this brush through two cycles and then lathered up somethinorother to 8season* the brush. Anyway, tried it with some recently acquired TOBS Lavender cream. I soaked the brush in my lathering bowl for about a minute, maybe a little longer. Gave it an easy shake, squirted a dollop of the TOBS (too much) into the mug and in about a minute had gobs of pink lather. This brush is rather stiff at this point and I brushed the lather on, up and down and side to side rather than the typical circular motion I normally use. It has a few prickly hairs but nothing that was anything other than I noticed them. And as always, for me anyway, another great shave using my EJ 89 and a four shave old Astra SP (this was five and done).

I like this brush and will likely keep it but based on the first shave it doesn't do anything my cheap VdH does (other than look a lot better) or mid-priced EJ super badger does. I suspect it would be very good for hard soaps and getting it loaded up more easily than the floppier EJ. And because of the badger hair it holds and retains water better than a pure boar.

**jeff360** · 01-08-2012, 08:19 PM

I must pile on to the endorsements for the badger/boar mix. It may be my favorite all around brush. Good weight and size, plenty soft on the face but with enough backbone I use it for creams, soaps, and sticks and it performs great with all. A great brush and an incredible value. Worthy addition to any den. It's competition for me right now is the mixed Omega Mighty Midget. My 100% badgers are getting a rest out of the rotation