Moving up. What's next?

So, I love my new shaving routine, and see myself putting some more money into this hobby.. (Already have..damn you RAD..)

I have the EJ BBB, medium, 21mm knot. I'm very happy with it, and I bought it after much research, since it's considered a good starting brush, and decent for both soaps and creams. But..:

Turns out I'm a cream guy, and I think I will like a softer and bigger brush. I find the handle on the EJ a bit to small, and would like a sturdier one. Both longer, and heavier.

I'm looking for tips, hints and outright suggestions. Need any more info on my preferances? Oh, and the pricerange should be about $90-120.

Thank you in advance B&B!

I upgraded to a Shavemac Silvertip when I was in the exact same boat as you... and ended up being extremely pleased with my choice. I went with the 410 Series in a 28mm, but perhaps from your post something in the long-handle line would suit you better. I find that its particularly great with creams and I believe even their higher-end brushes fit within your price range.

Check out Shavemac. You can get several knot sizes and the Finest or Silvertip hair should be very soft. I personally like the 23mm size knot. It has a nice, comfortable handle and works very well with soaps or creams.

I vote Shavemac, but a Custom one:
21-23mm knot, 50-55mm loft

The choir has spoken. Shavemac for my SC's. Now enter the many nights of trolling the webpage to decide which one.. I do like the custom ones, but will probably appreciate a 26mm more... Choices everywhere! Aaah!

Shavemac's are nice but you can't beat the Rooney 3/1...This brush is awesome...

thirdeye said:

Shavemac's are nice but you can't beat the Rooney 3/1...This brush is awesome...

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I use my Rooney 3/1 for soaps and my Shavemac 501 for creams. I really like both. A couple of days ago I tried my Shavemac with soap and it worked wonderfully. I am primarily a soap user and I want to buy a third brush. I think I will get a Rooney 2/1 in imitation horn.

I suppose I need to try my 3/1 out on cream now.

DL

Dustinl said:

I use my Rooney 3/1 for soaps and my Shavemac 501 for creams. I really like both. A couple of days ago I tried my Shavemac with soap and it worked wonderfully. I am primarily a soap user and I want to buy a third brush. I think I will get a Rooney 2/1 in imitation horn.

I suppose I need to try my 3/1 out on cream now.

DL

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To me the 3/1 is a great all around brush. I am a soap guy but when I do feel the urge for the cream I still reach for my 3/1

thirdeye said:

To me the 3/1 is a great all around brush. I am a soap guy but when I do feel the urge for the cream I still reach for my 3/1

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The 3/1 is currently all I use. Including the rarer occasions when I opt for cream (like this morning).

Bottom line -- for me, it's a terrific face-lathering brush, for soap or cream, tho' I think it's more optimal for soap.

If I face-lathered with cream most of the time, I think I might want a slightly narrower knot (say, 18) and perhaps a slightly longer loft (say 52-55).

Well, it's a cream brush I'm after. Not a soap brush, or an allround brush. Seeing many of you mention Rooney, then start talking about soaps, I should go look at a Shavemac? Oh, and I'm also more of a bowllatherer, then a facelatherer.

Ok, I change my vote to this
http://www.shavemac.com/shop/produc...&info=p1236_Special-Group-Offer-for--D01.html

Plott said:

Well, it's a cream brush I'm after. Not a soap brush, or an allround brush. Seeing many of you mention Rooney, then start talking about soaps, I should go look at a Shavemac? Oh, and I'm also more of a bowllatherer, then a facelatherer.

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If I was a cream-loving bowl-latherer, then I would not have sold my QED Select 2420.

As it happens, I'm a soap-sniffing face-latherer, and the Rooney 3/1 is my go-to brush.

All other things being equal (and they never are), you probably want ~55mm loft, and a 20-22mm knot. (Perhaps counter-intuitive, but the QED 2420, with its 56mm loft, is denser and larger than your BBB.) Or a 24mm knot with ~50mm loft.

Thanks for all the input guys. Your advice is much appreciated!

in Super Silver tip

120mm total length
24mm knot
60mm loft
$115

The Savile Row line is worth a serious look - nice soft but springy bristles quite similar to Shavemacs. If you are willing to raise your budget about 30% a Rooney Heritage Alibaba or a Simpson PJ2 best are good cream brushes.

blantyre said:

The Savile Row line is worth a serious look - nice soft but springy bristles quite similar to Shavemacs. If you are willing to raise your budget about 30% a Rooney Heritage Alibaba or a Simpson PJ2 best are good cream brushes.

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Which Alibaba? I'd have thought that the Alibaba Size 1/small would be optimal for soap.