Custom Shavemac Questions...

[sphiny]

Ok, so I dropped Bernd a line today inquiring about his custom brushes. So, here are my questions for you guys that have done something similar:

1) is he pretty responsive and easy to get in touch with for the most part??

2) how long did the whole process take from order to delivery??

3) if I'm not getting a fancy handle or restuffing an old one, about how much can I expect to pay for a 23-24mm knot, 50-52mm loft with D01 silvertip??

4) is Bernd receptive to non-bulb style brushes, or at least not as intensely bulb-shaped as his normal Shavemacs??......This isn't a huge hang-up, just thought I'd ask.

5) How does the payment process usually work??? paypal??? other??

Thanks ahead of time for any help you can give.

[blade08]

2) 1,5 week for me from ordering to delivery. Remember that I live in Holland.

[sphiny]

2) 1,5 week for me from ordering to delivery. Remember that I live in Holland.

Wow, that must mean that he makes these guys pretty quickly. Obviously, shipping might take a little longer for CONUS, but it couldn't be too much longer.

[blade08]

Bernd is great guy to deal with. Don't worry, you can safely order from him. Creditcard payments are accepted.

[lsbrodsky]

1) is he pretty responsive and easy to get in touch with for the most part??
Extremely
2) how long did the whole process take from order to delivery??
Just a week to CONUS. he uses FEDEX
3) if I'm not getting a fancy handle or restuffing an old one, about how much can I expect to pay for a 23-24mm knot, 50-52mm loft with D01 silvertip??
I would guess about $150
4) is Bernd receptive to non-bulb style brushes, or at least not as intensely bulb-shaped as his normal Shavemacs??......This isn't a huge hang-up, just thought I'd ask.
Don't know
5) How does the payment process usually work??? paypal??? other??
Credit Card

[biomesh]

1) Pretty responsive, especially considering timezone differences
2) I'd say a few days to a week or two depending on the request
3) Guessing ~$150
4) He will make it bulb or fan shaped, your choice
5) You submit it through his website and he will give you directions

[vior]

1) Yes, although you have to be patient. He is basically a one man operation, but tries his best to answer his emails in a timely manner. He is very friendly and great person.
2)My first custom, after ordering and paying for took only one week to arrive.
3)Around 150
4) He can customize the knot and loft shape to your preference.
5) I used paypal last time I ordered.

If you do end up getting this brush, your going to have one of the best brushes available.

[jkh]

1) Pretty responsive, especially considering timezone differences
2) I'd say a few days to a week or two depending on the request
3) Guessing ~$150
4) He will make it bulb or fan shaped, your choice
5) You submit it through his website and he will give you directions

1) Yes, although you have to be patient. He is basically a one man operation, but tries his best to answer his emails in a timely manner. He is very friendly and great person.
2)My first custom, after ordering and paying for took only one week to arrive.
3)Around 150
4) He can customize the knot and loft shape to your preference.
5) I used paypal last time I ordered.

If you do end up getting this brush, your going to have one of the best brushes available.

biomesh and vior are spot on.

I do have one thing to add. I sent Bernd an email merely requesting a price quote for a custom brush, two weeks later he sends be an email with a link to an already made custom brush that I can purchase from his website. Not that it was a big deal because the brush was too irresistible to pass up, but I was a bit surprised that there was no initial communication regarding a price quote.

[Deftim13]

Someday I will get a Shavemac. The customer service stories I hear make the price a lot easier to swallow.

[huntmol]

+1 to everything that's been said

1) Bernd is pretty responsive, but sometimes he has taken a few days to answer emails.
2) Mine took about 2 1/2 weeks
3) I honestly don't think as expensive as the others said, especially if you don't get a fancy handle - mine was $150 and was custom genuine buffalo horn (21mm knot, 50mm loft)
4) Go for the bulb, unless you truly hate that shape. For me at least, it provides the perfect amount of backbone, and also won't splay out on your face as much, making it easier to face-lather.
5) I paid by credit card

Honestly, a Custom Shavemac is the one brush I think I could recommend to every single person on this forum. I really cannot speak highly enough of those brushes. Absolutely perfect softness, density, and backbone.

And if you don't like it, it will sell in 10 seconds flat on the B/S/T!

[sphiny]

While I think I missed him with my last email (since I haven't heard back, and there is a huge time difference between here and Germany), I went ahead and asked for a 50mm loft, 23mm knot in D01with the handle of the SB1-167 series brush.

When I get it, I'll post pics.

[knlgskr]

biomesh and vior are spot on.

I do have one thing to add. I sent Bernd an email merely requesting a price quote for a custom brush, two weeks later he sends be an email with a link to an already made custom brush that I can purchase from his website. Not that it was a big deal because the brush was too irresistible to pass up, but I was a bit surprised that there was no initial communication regarding a price quote.

How much was that brush?

Richard

[mjmallon]

Ok, another question for the custom shavemac owners out there,

1, does bernd have a grade of silvertip similar to the rooney "Finest" hair?
2, does he have a direct e-mail address?

I sent an inquiry through the website contact form, but haven't heard back yet.

Thanks everyone, cheers!

-- michael

[Mr. Todd]

A little off topic, but a quick questions for you guys. Are the shavemac classic lightbulb loft very floppy?

[huntmol]

Ok, another question for the custom shavemac owners out there,
1, does bernd have a grade of silvertip similar to the rooney "Finest" hair?
2, does he have a direct e-mail address?
I sent an inquiry through the website contact form, but haven't heard back yet.

1 - Don't know, never used a Rooney Finest
2 - Maybe, I just used the email that is listed on the website

A little off topic, but a quick questions for you guys. Are the shavemac classic lightbulb loft very floppy?

Nope. I had a 22579 and it was great. Very soft but the bulb shape gives it a good amount of backbone.

[yomuppet]

He does not (as far as I'm aware) have a 2-band grade similar to Rooney Finest.

Vulfix/Simpson may be doing one again soon... we'll see.

Cheers.

J

[mjmallon]

Thanks for the input.

Can anyone explain the differences between his regular "silvertip" and his special "D01" silvertip hair?

cheers.

-- michael

[MasterP]

I believe the D01 is softer and more resilient than ther regular silvertip. Keep in mind when you order a custom brush from Bernd, you will need to specify that you want it extra dense - which is also a big factor in the brush charasteristics.

[vior]

Ok, another question for the custom shavemac owners out there,

1, does bernd have a grade of silvertip similar to the rooney "Finest" hair?
2, does he have a direct e-mail address?

I sent an inquiry through the website contact form, but haven't heard back yet.

Thanks everyone, cheers!

-- michael

Bernd used to offer a grade of hair similar to the two band Rooney finest, but that was around three years ago. I never got the chance to get one of these brushes.

Here is a pic taken by a B&B member of a pre-06 Shavemac:

[huntmol]

Can anyone explain the differences between his regular "silvertip" and his special "D01" silvertip hair?

My D01 brush (compared to my silvertip brush) was actually a slightly flatter bulb shape, and was much, MUCH denser. Still very soft, but not cloudlike-soft like the standard silvertip is.