Just got my new Vulfix! Are the best ones that much better?

[timvee]

I just got my new Vulfix 660 (small) in Super badger which I ordered from Fendrihan... WOW! It's my first higher-quality brush and it rocks! I didn't think that the difference between entry-level brushes and higher-end brushes was that big, but apparently I was mistaken. No scritchiness at all with this brush; sturdy but VERY soft at the same time. It's just a great brush.
Now my question is: is there a big difference between the really high-priced badgers and the medium-priced ones? Now I see the difference between cheap and good, but how about between good and great? Are those brushes worth the 100-200$ you pay for them?
Tell me your impressions on the Vulfix too if you own one!

[nav]

The vulfix 223x range in silver tip are truly amazing!
they are a bit more dense and generate lather in no time. The face feel is true luxury!!!

But I agree the 660 range is awesome too.

[Lando]

I found my vulfix brush floppy. I do think there is a difference when you get to the next level (simpson, rooney, thater) in density and backbone

[Synthetic Badger]

Now I see the difference between cheap and good, but how about between good and great? Are those brushes worth the 100-200$ you pay for them?

I always thought cheap = good, and mid-priced = expensive brand, and higj-rpice = very expensive brand, ridiculous price = ridiculously prestigious brand.

So I am wondering If I bowl lather, what will "good" (>20 USD) brush buy me? I can't see how a simple boar or horse could be improved on performance basis. For the money some of these high-end brushes cost, they had better make me brekfast and clean themselves after the shave...

So do these expensive brushes bring any value to anyone who doesn't face lather? (where I see the softer bristles being of merit, sure.)

[global_dev]

I have tried 2 vulfixes, 40 and 41 both in super... very different from all the other brushes i have tried... luxuriosuly soft, high lofts, average density, a pleasure to use... those 2 handles are among my favorites... If a chubby 2 came in that handle, i'd be using that...


S B,

IMHO you are way off in your assessment of cheap, mid, high... performance means a lot of different things to different people... i know (hope) you are joking, but the unreasonable expectations would likely mean you don't get how the changes affect the feeling of a shave during lathering regardless of face or bowl... i used to bowl lather with a Vulfix 41 super and it was awesome, so soft and luxurious... way way nicer than the Shea Moisture, CVS boar (Surrey/VDH). haven't tried horsehair yet and may not... i went from bowl lathering to face lathering to a modified face lather... i spend the majority of time on face (95%), but i used the VDH bowl to add water and lightly integrate (almost kind of like a small scuttle without the majority of heat retention).

[Foyle]

Vulfixes are only inexpensive compared to other higher quality badger brushes because they tend to pack less hair into their hair knots. That's not a comment on the quality by any means. I have a 2233S and it's a great brush. I also have a Simpon. A more densely packed brush will be more expensive because it uses more hair. The end result of a brush with more hair is that it will feel stiffer against the face and have more back bone giving the brush a scrubby feeling on the face. A less dense brush like a Vulfix will feel more like a pillow on the face. It's really all about what you prefer face feel wise. Of course, each brush brand sort of has it's own feel. You've got yourself a great brush. Use it with pride.

I don't think that floppy is a good adjective for describing a Vulfix. It's not an uncontrollable wet noodle, which is what I think of by the term floppy. It's just soft.

[dpmtherrien]

I really like Vulfix brushes. My 2234 gets used most often from my rotation.

They're a good quality brush that won't break the bank.

[jsj_297]

I loved my Vulfix 2234 super, and the 40 super. Great brushes for a good price. But, I will admit I like the Kent's a little bit better. Although I too do not consider Vulfix floppy, they are a little too soft maybe? The kent is so similar to the Vulfix IMO, but doesn't flop around as much, has a touch of backbone to them, not much, but more than Vulfix.

[Synthetic Badger]

S B,

IMHO you are way off in your assessment of cheap, mid, high... performance means a lot of different things to different people... i know (hope) you are joking, but the unreasonable expectations would likely mean you don't get how the changes affect the feeling of a shave during lathering regardless of face or bowl... i used to bowl lather with a Vulfix 41 super and it was awesome, so soft and luxurious...

Well, I can see how a soft brush feels sotf and luxrious when swirled ariund... but my interest is in the lather and shave, not in the lather building process. Unless the brush makes me a better lather (how it could do that I have no idea), how it feels in hand is uninteresting to me. I think an overly-soft brush would be difficult to load from the puck.

way way nicer than the Shea Moisture, CVS boar (Surrey/VDH). haven't tried horsehair yet and may not... i went from bowl lathering to face lathering to a modified face lather... i spend the majority of time on face (95%), but i used the VDH bowl to add water and lightly integrate (almost kind of like a small scuttle without the majority of heat retention).

[Songwind]

Well, I can see how a soft brush feels sotf and luxrious when swirled ariund... but my interest is in the lather and shave, not in the lather building process. Unless the brush makes me a better lather (how it could do that I have no idea), how it feels in hand is uninteresting to me. I think an overly-soft brush would be difficult to load from the puck.

I don't have any of the expensive brands, so I can't comment on that. But you seem to be completely overlooking the part of the shave where you use the brush to rub lather into your whiskers, which is where the softness becomes a positive for bowl latherers.

[rxonmymind]

My only experience is the difference between the beginner vdh boar & the Parker silvertip that my wife got me for Christmas. One was $10 the other $70. Both can lather anything just fine imo. It's the feeling one gets when face lathering. If your strictly a bowl lather guy then $300 brush won't make a wit of difference. You will get two extra ounces of lather with the more expensive brush but is it 30x better than that $10 brush. No. In my case 7x. No. Look at how the great boar semouge brushes do for $20.....

[likehotbutter]

best compared to pure maybe. but the leap from best to super isnt sucha a big one.

[cvac]

There is a definite "difference" between the mid-priced brushes and the more expensive ones. Whether that "difference" is something that fits your personal preferences or that you're willing to pay extra $ for is another matter entirely.

[global_dev]

at this moment, i remain unimpressed with semogue boars (or any boars for that matter) considering the hype (i reserve the right to change my opinion in the future .. they are fine and lather ok), but even if you bowl lather, there should be enough time that you are rubbing the brush against your face for a bit while applying lather. Even if it's for a minute or so. i mean how long do you think it takes to face lather? not much longer IME...

i used to be an avid bowl latherer and then one day i just changed.. there was no warning, no foreshadowing, no challenge, but now have settled on that compromise mentioned above using the bowl to integrate water..

i used a plisson sz16 (~24 mm) last night and it was really really nice, it felt great. there is no way to convince or persuade someone value and worth..

[timvee]

Very interesting points, gents. I see the difference with my cheap tweezerman and other sub-20$ brushes especially in the softness. My lower neck is VERY sensitive and I got irritation just from brushing lather on. The problem seems pretty much gone with the Vulvix. I'm a bowl and cream guy, but I still appreciate the difference the nicer brush makes on my face. I might try one of those 50-60$ omega silvertips later this year and see the difference with silvertip for myself... or maybe I'll ask for a Simpson for Christmas!