Essential Brush initial use. . .

**BroJohn** · 07-23-2008, 12:59 PM

Looks just like the photos. Has the cute little badger head on one side and is marked 'Badger & Blade Handmade-Finest' on the other side 180° from the logo. Stiff. Soft. Pristine, w/o bloom.

I couldn't wait for the next shave so I had to go get this one wet and mix up a lather to try it out.

The brush is about the same size as the C&E BBB and the bloom of the head is about the same size. The B&B is more than twice as dense, though, and retains its stiffness/body. Soft and slightly 'skritchy' on the face and builds a nice lather.

When face lathering with soap, the head doesn't quite hold enough lather for three latherings. I lathered twice, then refreshed the brush on the soap. I built four lathers, each times three latherings. The initial use was with HBS and easily produced a rich dense lather. Then used two triple-milled soaps; Provence Sante and C&E Sandlewood. All three of the soap lathers were built directly on the face. Lastly, I used a bowl and whipped up a batch of Proraso Green, and the brush handled this nicely.

This is going to be a fun brush to use.

After the guys catch up with the backlog for these, for the few extra dollars, I'd recommend the Essential over the C&E BBB for new wet shavers.

The project guys did a good job with this one

-- John Gehman

**joel** · 07-23-2008, 01:28 PM

John,
Glad you like it. Once broken in - she should hold enough lather for 6-7 passes.

**DaveF** · 07-23-2008, 01:34 PM

I think the question a lot of us will have is: "Is is worth the upgrade from the C&E BBB?" From all reports, it certainly sounds like it is.

Thanks for the report! Looking forward to reading more impressions as people get theirs.

**ravkesef** · 07-23-2008, 01:35 PM

After over 40 years of wet shaving, if I run out of lather before I run out of face, I give it another try. If it happens again, I realize that it's a cheap soap and into the trash it goes.
BTW--ordered the Essentials and the Limited. Can't wait!!!!

**1969Fatboy** · 07-23-2008, 01:45 PM

Opened my box 15 minutes ago:) It is so nice receiving such a nice brush on Humpday:) along with a bottle of Trumpers Spanish Leather A/S and a beautiful!!! Gillette SS both from the wonderful b/s/t:) About to go lather up!

**prewt** · 07-23-2008, 03:30 PM

Did / do you wash your brush before use or do most of you just dive right in and start using it?

**Private Pwnage** · 07-23-2008, 03:48 PM

does it look the same as the '06 essential?

**boboakalfb** · 07-23-2008, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by Private Pwnage

does it look the same as the '06 essential?

The essential is a new release. There was a limited edition brush done in 2006, however that is a totally different animal.

**1969Fatboy** · 07-23-2008, 04:12 PM

This thing is nice!!!! Very thick and firm but soft at the same time. Phenomenal value! I have no ideal how ya'll got this brush for such a low price but I ain't complaining. Finally a brush i can face lather well with. OK it loses a few hairs initially as Joel pointed out but once this thing is seasoned.....watch out!

**BroJohn** · 07-23-2008, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by prewt

Did / do you wash your brush before use or do most of you just dive right in and start using it?

I just dove right in. YMMV.

-- John Gehman

**Bobtrumpet** · 07-23-2008, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by joel

John,
Glad you like it. Once broken in - she should hold enough lather for 6-7 passes.

About how long will that take, assuming daily use? Thanks.

**RichmondR** · 07-23-2008, 08:35 PM

I just got mine today and haven't tried it yet, but the descriptions I've read here are quite accurate.

Someone a while back also asked if the Essential would fit into a C&E brush holder. I have the basic plastic C&E brush holder, and it does fit that quite well vertically with a bit of a firm push and a nice click.

**AKady** · 07-23-2008, 09:44 PM

Is the handle the same size as the C&E BBB? That thing is just a bit too tiny, I was hoping it was more the size of the Men-U or the Tweezerman brush.

**BroJohn** · 07-24-2008, 05:32 AM

Is the handle the same size as the C&E BBB?

The Essential is just slightly larger, but really, consider them to be about the same size.

-- John Gehman

**redbike** · 07-24-2008, 07:05 AM

Has anyone used the B&B Essential with creams yet? How does it perform?

Thanks,

jim

**Ltltony** · 07-24-2008, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by joel

John,
Glad you like it. Once broken in - she should hold enough lather for 6-7 passes.

I broke mine in with some shampoo to get the stink out but after that my first real use it had enough soap in it for 6 passes no problem.

**RichmondR** · 07-24-2008, 08:09 AM

Used my B&B Essential this morning for the first time with Tabac soap ... some initial thoughts, particularly in comparison to the C&E Best Badger (the brush I have been using for about 6 months since I started DE shaving):

1. Definitely denser than the C&E Best Badger and feels GREAT. For most of us, the C&E Best Badger is a great brush and you would never need to get a different brush, so I was skeptical. However, I agree with Joel that this is definitely an enjoyable step up.

2. As it is denser, it seems to hold more water than the C&E, which meant that I didn't shake it out quite enough to start and my first pass with the Tabac soap was a bit on the wet side, but that's my problem and I'll have it figured out for both soaps and creams within a week.

3. Ended up losing about 15-18 hairs ... no biggie, and we were warned that since they are not combed out that there would be some loss at first.

4. Another observation/thought. The plastic handle may not hold heat as well as a ceramic handle? By the third pass, application of the soap seemed a bit cooler than on my ceramic-handled C&E Best Badger, but there are other variables to consider and try to control before I can be certain.

**BroJohn** · 07-24-2008, 12:21 PM

Used the new brush for a Proraso shave this morning and Joel is right --it easily held enough lather for 3+ passes, plus T&C (touch & cut).

Nice brush. Very enjoyable. Lost one hair.

-- John Gehman

**burnwood** · 07-24-2008, 12:32 PM

got mine. woohoo, the brush, the packing and 20 packs of Red personnas fell to the floor. used it this morning with my go to cream, introducing...
KMF Cool Mint!!!!
KMF cool mint: thank you, thank you. glad I could be here to make love to this brush. don't tell the C&E BBB about us yet.

Thank you KMF Cool Mint. You are a lubricating friend to all. How do you feel new B&B brush?

B&B Essential: Meh, all your creams are going to love me. Now dance sucker.

Okay B&B essential, you are the boss.

**Ltltony** · 07-24-2008, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by burnwood

got mine. woohoo, the brush, the packing and 20 packs of Red personnas fell to the floor. used it this morning with my go to cream, introducing...
KMF Cool Mint!!!!
KMF cool mint: thank you, thank you. glad I could be here to make love to this brush. don't tell the C&E BBB about us yet.

Thank you KMF Cool Mint. You are a lubricating friend to all. How do you feel new B&B brush?

B&B Essential: Meh, all your creams are going to love me. Now dance sucker.

Okay B&B essential, you are the boss.

It's like deja vu all over again. I think you are trying to pass me on post count by the end of the day or something...