Thater 4125-3 Finest 2-band

[Vlad]

I went through a period of disliking Thater. I had a shedding brush, only to be replaced with another shedding brush. The response I got from Thater to was not the kind of customer service you would expect. To be fair, I was kind of a jackass in my email to them, and they replied in kind. Not really acceptable service, but understandable. But I digress.

I can't stay mad at them. Not when they produce such wonderful brushes (when they don't shed). I've been thinking about the 2-band for quite some time, and got to try it out several weeks ago in fan shape. I wanted more backbone, so I got the bulb shape 4215-3 from Royal Shave with the brush money from my recent BST thread (it's Sabbatical-neutral! ). The official measurements are 28mm knot, 55mm loft. I get 29mm/53-54mm...great! Yes, it could be lower. At 50-52 it would be scary good. But this brush gets high marks from me as it is.



Those with a passing familiarity with my SBAD know I love soft-tips. The Thater 3-band is universally acknowledged as soft-tipped, and the 2-band is no less so to my skin. Yes, different feel, but I could rub this knot on my face all day and not get brush burn. Interestingly, the bulb 2-band is not as bulb-shaped as the 3-band. Comparing it to the Plexi 4 and its cousin the 4215-2 (still available on the BST ), both getting a lot of extra backbone from the very bulby shape, the 2-band has about the same backbone. It almost appears as if Thater was going for the same "feel" when they designed their 2-bands.

The density is good, but not impressive. The hair is a similar kind of thin, soft-tipped 2-band hair like Blonde Badger. M&F is packed tighter, giving those brushes greater backbone. The hairs themselves feel stiffer, too. Indecently, M&F consistently sets the bar for every other brush I get--I just have to say it again, these are the best brushes in the world in my opinion.

Notice the bloom in the Thater 2-band compared to the Blonde Badger. (Tips are dry many hours after the shave, but inner knot is still damp)


2-band in the middle


The octagonal shape is great. I liked it in both of my other Thaters. I think it's just the most practical for me, and I like the cream color very much, especially with the black roots and cream tips of the hair. The new logo? I have no problem with it. I'm glad I have the old one, too, just for fun.

• Perfectly soft tips
• Heritage (since 1913)
• German craftsmanship
• Handmade

And today was also my first shave with a straight! (Thanks, Mike)

[Techichi]

Nice write up and pics. Thanks.

Just grabbed a Thater 3 band...counting the seconds until it arrives.

[brucered]

nice review and i have to agree with the M&F setting the bar. the 2 i have are top performers and perfectly made.

my Thater stout 2, 3 band is a wonderful brush, and i can only imagine how the 2 band would be.

nice pics and good luck with that straight, you are a braver man then me

[Vlad]

Nice write up and pics. Thanks.

Just grabbed a Thater 3 band...counting the seconds until it arrives.

So soft, it's gonna kiss your face like your high school girlfriend.

Spoiler:

Stolen line from Face&Head

[Face&Head]

Vlad, as always, a fantastic review and so very enabling to boot!

[lu20vt]

lovely

[Bravado13]

Vlad, as always, a fantastic review and so very enabling to boot!

Mark, my friend, if this doesn't push you off the fence for one of these Thater 2 band bulbs, Im not sure what will... Hell, despite the fact that I have one of these in a black handle with a 28mm knot, thanks to Vlad, I suddenly feel the need to add an Ivory colored version in possibly a smaller 24mm knot just to finally add a smaller brush in the rotation for days I want a little more controlled or focused face lathering. Thanks Vlad!

[Merkur25]

The Thater 2 Band is by far my favorite. I own the Fan style of that exact brush.

[jhire70]

Just picked up a 4125/1 in 3-band from BST it should be arriving any day! These reviews are making me excited!

[German]

The Thaeter 2 band (bulb) may just be the best all around brush... I got three of them and four more of the 3 band...

[ridnovir]

The Thater 2 band (bulb) may just be the best all around brush...

+1 I could not agree more with this statement

[Techichi]

Great...now I'll have to get a two band too. Maybe next year.

[njpaddy]

Beautiful brush. I wish I liked them that big. How do you like the Plexi vs the resin handles in general? I've been looking at the Thater 22/50mm knots, but can't decide on the handle.

[Vlad]

Beautiful brush. I wish I liked them that big. How do you like the Plexi vs the resin handles in general? I've been looking at the Thater 22/50mm knots, but can't decide on the handle.

I wish I liked them small! I could have just as many awesome brushes for far less. Right now I'm loving this cream handle. Cream > Plexi > Black.

[njpaddy]

I like them small, but growing tired of the scritch on most of my short-lofted ones and want to go softer. I would buy your black handle, but it's just to big for me. Because I still have 4 Simpsons, I was set to go with the plexi until I saw your cream handle.

[Vlad]

Used it today again. It definitely has a touch more backbone than thr 3-band. This puts it on my list of perfect brushes. 'nough said.

[Krona Kruiser]

PM Sent


..........Oh wait, nice review.

[cessnabird]

Great review Vlad, Thater does make a heck of a brush. Out of all my wonderful badgers, the Thater is so much more different than any brush I have ever used or owned. Uber soft tips, lack of backbone that seems to just work though, and a handle that is super ergonomic.

[Kooze]

PM Sent


..........Oh wait, nice review.

[blackman]

Beautiful. I really really like the handle. Very nice.