Best first brush that doesnt break the bank?

[1ntense]

I literally had an idea to get a proper razor and things to go with it an hour or so ago so havent had much time to research. So far it seems razor wise, the Merkur 34C seems to be well regarded as a good beginners razor?

Brush wise, I have no idea. Ive heard that shavemacs are good but seem more expensive than Im prepared to pay.

Im based in the UK and the razor being around £30 and say £5 for some blades (Im thinking Derby) Im looking at getting a brush in the regieon of £20ish really as Ill also be needing some soap/cream so yeah around the £20 mark, maybe £30 if I can get something considerably better for that.

Thanks in advance guys :)

[turtle]

First, welcome to B&B

If you have not already done so, head on over to the Hall of Fame and tell everyone a little about yourself

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forumdi...0-Hall-of-Fame

* * * * * * *

Semogue 1305 will fit right in where you are looking

Found a couple vendors in the UK for you

http://www.shaving-shack.com/semogue...odel-1305.html

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Semog...ing-Brush.html

[Face&Head]

The 34C and the Muhle R89 seem to garner the most recommendations. I don't think you can go wrong with either and in the UK they are very close in price. For about £30 you can get the very fine Muhle synthetic fiber brush. The next size down is £25.50. You can save ~£2 by going with the R89 vs the 34C.

Welcome to B&B and the world of traditional shaving!

[Cochese2323]

I would try a boar brush. Seems to make lathering soap easier for most people as it picks up product better when loading. Also once broken in, just as soft as most badger brushes too. Plus they are way under your budget. I like my Semogue 620, but any of them are good really.

[Perished]

Welcome to wet shaving mate and enjoy. Merkur HD razor is a great starting point. Brush wise, I think a Semogue 1305 boar and/or a Simpsons Duke 1 in best would suit. Both cheap but excellently made. And second to none in the performance department.

[1ntense]

Thanks for the Welcome guy. Funnily enough, I just been looking at the Semogue 1305 and like the looks and sound of the Wee Scot, being Scottish it seems like a good choice as well but from what I understand, its a travel brush and possibly not for everyday use?

Will go check out the other razor and brush recommendations now :)

[brucea]

Depends on what you mean by cheap too. Tweezerman and VDH make cheap ok brushes that can be found on ebay and in stores for less than 20 US dollars

[kentclark]

Welcome, 1ntense. You've come to a great idea (to take up traditional wetshaving) and a great place.

I've gone through several of each type of hair (synthetic, badger, boar and horse) and enjoy each one for its unique properties. The Wee Scot is a fantastic idea for a fellow Scot such as yourself. It feels and lathers great, dries quickly and does travel well (but is by no means a travel-only brush). The only reason I sold mine is that the handle is small and I would get soap on the handle and my hand very easily when building the lather on my face.

If I were in your shoes right now, I would get the 21mm Muhle (synthetic) silvertip fibre from Connaught Shaving. It almost upsets me how it bests a lot of the natural bristles in performance.

The Semogue 1305 is also great and loved by many and is also a great boar to start with (my personal favorite boar is the Semogue 620 but it does take more time to break in).

You really can't go wrong with any of the ones you are looking at. Pick one that you can afford and like the looks of. The key is to get started because you won't go back to your old way of shaving.

Oh yes, and if I was buying a new razor in the UK I would get the Edwin Jagger DE89 as the quality control better than Merkur. Again, you can't go wrong here either.

[Watasha]

For that money, I'd look at a Simpsons Special or a quality boar. Personally, I'm a badger guy so I'd go Simpsons. Hell, if I lived where you do I'd go to the dadgum factory... a lot.

[jochums]

I was going to say the semogue 620 as well. the 620 is an absolutely great brush for the price, and an absolutely great brush vs. any other badger/boar/whatever brush period, but it is what i consider a face lather brush (which is what i do 90% of the time); but if you want a really nice brush in that price range i would buy a semogue owners club boar from vintage scent. the owners club face lathers well, and has enough loft to scuttle or mug lather well if that is your preference.

[OldSaw]

Vulfix makes some nice brushes for a fair price. Connaught has the 2234 for only L14.10 on their website. I have a 2235 (same thing only larger) and use it every day.

EDIT: I see the link I provided is for a boar bristle brush. I didn't know they made that model in boar, mine is a super badger and cost about $60 U.S.

[Haggises]

Pick up a user grade 40s Superspeed on the bay for a fiver.
Then get a Semogue boar as suggested, or a Vie Long horse hair.
Add Arko and you're set for quality shaves....

[vegaskid74]

The Semogue 1305 has become my favorite brush (I own three decent badgers and about 10 boars), but you can't go wrong with any of the other suggestions either.

[SliceOfLife]

I really don't think you can beat a TGN finest restore/custom that's well done for value. You're looking at ~$30-80 or so for a really nice knot in whatever handle you like. The only hard part is picking the loft you want, and people are good for recommendations there.

[goatee]

get a tweezerman. its cheap, its knot is quality and lathers great. handle is on the cheap side but.... still, its under $15 if you shop it around. great deal for the brush you get.
btw, i have not used a boar brush i have liked yet! also,, i have not used a badger brush i didnt like yet.

[Perished]

Thanks for the Welcome guy. Funnily enough, I just been looking at the Semogue 1305 and like the looks and sound of the Wee Scot, being Scottish it seems like a good choice as well but from what I understand, its a travel brush and possibly not for everyday use?

Will go check out the other razor and brush recommendations now :)

Not at all, it's a fab brush for travel or home. Personally, I don't take it away with me, but do have it in rotation at home. But I think the Duke 1 in best, not much more money, would be a better bet. Having said that, you'd love the 'Wee'. Cream or soap, it's a beast.

[Nate-L]

I'd go with an Omega mighty midget. The boar/badger mix. It's become one of the brushes I use the most.

[1ntense]

I like the looks of the Edwin Jagger razors, thought the Merkur 34C was the one to get, they all look good though tbf. Those 2 and the Muhle R89, Im sure they are all very good, would be nice if someone had used all 3 and could say what they thought?

Im still thinking the Semogue 1305 or the Wee Scot really, soap wise Im really not sure. Im thinking maybe Taylors of Old Bond Street in Sandalwood?

Another question.. Whats Akro? :/

[turtle]

I like the looks of the Edwin Jagger razors, thought the Merkur 34C was the one to get, they all look good though tbf. Those 2 and the Muhle R89, Im sure they are all very good, would be nice if someone had used all 3 and could say what they thought?

All 3 of those razors use the exact same head design. Muhle is going to have the best finish, followed by Jagger, then Merkur. Jagger is British (if you want to stick with a native product). I've used all of them and other than the handle, there is little to no difference between them. You can always put a heavy handle on any 3 piece razor (pic below is of a Jagger DE89 head on a custom long very heavy handle.... shaves like a dream)

Jagger DE89 on BRW (cooncatbob) long deluxe bull mastiff

Im still thinking the Semogue 1305 or the Wee Scot really, soap wise Im really not sure. Im thinking maybe Taylors of Old Bond Street in Sandalwood?

Soap? I would steer you to either Mitchells wool fat (English) or Tabac (German)

Another question.. Whats Akro? :/

Arko is a Turkish shave stick. It is a fantastic soap that is slick and produces mountains of lather.

[Marco]

I like the looks of the Edwin Jagger razors, thought the Merkur 34C was the one to get, they all look good though tbf. Those 2 and the Muhle R89, Im sure they are all very good, would be nice if someone had used all 3 and could say what they thought?

Im still thinking the Semogue 1305 or the Wee Scot really, soap wise Im really not sure. Im thinking maybe Taylors of Old Bond Street in Sandalwood?

Another question.. Whats Akro? :/

Hello Sir and welcome to B&B. Regarding your first DE razor choice you really cannot go wrong with any of those mentioned above. The Merkur 34C HD, the Muhle R89 and the Edwin Jagger DE89 Series are all excellent shavers and ideal for both novices and advanced DE users. As about the brush choice, I'd start with a nice boar as the Semogue 1305, 1800 or 1250. They are inexpensive but of high quality and great for soaps and creams. The Wee Scot is not only for travelling, but it's very tiny size (14mm knot) is simply not for everyone. Taylors makes lovely creams, as many other UK brands.