My Dilemma: Shavemac or B&B Brush

**murchmb** · 11-06-2006, 08:58 AM

I just received a replacement Shavemac 220 due to shedding hairs. It's unbloomed and screaming to be used. My only other brush is a Vulfix 2234, and it's nice to be able to switch out with something else. Plus, I would like a little more firmness for soaps and more heat retention now that colder weather is upon us.

The 220 is a fine and popular brush. I could sell it to fund the B&B brush with $$$ leftover. I'm not in a position to get the B&B brush outright. My dilemma is do I keep and use the 220 and forgo the B&B brush, or do I sell the 220 to finance the B&B brush? I'm really wondering how the two will compare when it comes to performance, which is most important to me at this point.

**boboakalfb** · 11-06-2006, 09:03 AM

Well...you can get a Shavemac 220 anytime...so if you have to choose between the two...get the B&B Brush. You can pick up the 220 later on...not the case with the B&B Brush.

**murchmb** · 11-06-2006, 09:36 AM

Another factor: It will cost me a lot more to buy back into the Shavemac.

Sam · 11-06-2006, 09:37 AM

Well, a group brush is a nice touch and somewhat special. I would try to find a way to have both. Joel designed one for SMF and that is the only one I have. I really like it - from the size to the wood. There is something special about it being the 1st and kinda rare compared to newer editions, what with more guys finding out about the forums. It keeps getting harder to design something that other guys can make a distinction, so the 1st B & B for no other would be a collectors item you can use.

Sam

**htownmmm** · 11-06-2006, 09:48 AM

If you cannot have both, then the B&B brush is the way to go. Just look at rtaylor's avatar to see what I am talking about-that brush is beautiful, but alas, I may never own one.

Marty

**drP** · 11-06-2006, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by boboakalfb

Well...you can get a Shavemac 220 anytime...so if you have to choose between the two...get the B&B Brush. You can pick up the 220 later on...not the case with the B&B Brush.

I concur......although my Shavemac 220 is the ideal brush for me: firm, very densely packed rather stiff loft, but at the same time unbelievable soft bristletips; you can only see this combination in "true white" brushes.
But i have to say that my #220 dates from pre-july 2005 when Bernd Blos changed his badger supplies. I don't know how a new #220 feels like....

So in a heartbeat: get the B&B forum brush.............

Peter

**murchmb** · 11-06-2006, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by drP

I concur......although my Shavemac 220 is the ideal brush for me: firm, very densely packed rather stiff loft, but at the same time unbelievable soft bristletips; you can only see this combination in "true white" brushes.
But i have to say that my #220 dates from pre-july 2005 when Bernd Blos changed his badger supplies. I don't know how a new #220 feels like....

So in a heartbeat: get the B&B forum brush.............

Peter

I would say the new ones are about the same though I haven't tried out the replacement (it replaces one bought late last year or early this year.) I'm keeping it "new" until I make a decision.

BTW, is there a thread commenting on the changes to Bernd's badger hair?

**joel** · 11-06-2006, 11:29 AM

B&B Brush. As Sam pointed out... the first B&B brush will be quite the collectors item. At the rate we are going, it is quite possible our forum could be in the five figure member number in a year or two, and when you figure maybe 200 of these beauties will be produced, and even fewer (more than likely) razors/stand combos as well, it will be quite a rare/desired item, and quite the collectors item. There are already more B&B brushes in the works... but the first one of course will be special - of course, because it is the first! As was previously stated... you can always get a shavemac 220 - and while it may cost you more money in the future... you could still buy it regardless, where as this will not be the case with the B&B brush. We own the design/name/logo/shape/specs etc - and it will never be produced again - period. I wouldn't tell you one would work better than the other... especially since I haven't used the B&B brush - but I can say this.... the B&B brush will be something mighty special and regardless of whether you have to sell a brush (or kidney

) to get one or not, I'd recommend doing what it takes - as if the pictures are any indication of what it will look like.... in person it should be really remarkable.

**murchmb** · 11-06-2006, 11:44 AM

I guess I'm going to have to start selling bodily fluids. Now where's that Yellow Pages ...

**mlebarron** · 11-06-2006, 12:45 PM

Go for the B&B... ummm... not to be boring and repetitive... but basically for all the reason's Joel just said.

**NMMB** · 11-06-2006, 12:53 PM

What everybody else said... go with that.

(though men, I'm disturbed that more people haven't faught for "get both" - isn't that the normal B&B answer for almost everything???)

**drP** · 11-06-2006, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by NMMB

What everybody else said... go with that.

(though men, I'm disturbed that more people haven't faught for "get both" - isn't that the normal B&B answer for almost everything???)

WRONG....the answer should be: i'll get them ALL....

**MBlatt** · 11-06-2006, 01:50 PM

I put off my plans on getting a shavemac xxl until I got the B&B Brush. It's just way too hard to pass up something that beautiful.

**joel** · 11-06-2006, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by NMMB

What everybody else said... go with that.

(though men, I'm disturbed that more people haven't faught for "get both" - isn't that the normal B&B answer for almost everything???)

No..... no it isn't.... it is "Resistence is futile... you will be assimilated"

**joel** · 11-06-2006, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by MBlatt

I put off my plans on getting a shavemac xxl until I got the B&B Brush. It's just way too hard to pass up something that beautiful.

Wait till you see the next batch of pictures..... brush looks 10X better - no joke.

**MBlatt** · 11-06-2006, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by joel

Wait till you see the next batch of pictures..... brush looks 10X better - no joke.

Joel, did I mention how much I hate you. You're worse than TV cliff hangers. The minute that I finally stop thinking about the B&B Brush, you come at me with some brand new never before seen information that has me hooked again. You should be a drug dealer.

PS. I love you, now release the brush!

**murchmb** · 11-08-2006, 11:16 AM

Well, I broke down and used the 220. It's been months since I used the old one (had it ready to send back to Bernd, never got around to it due to new baby.) I had a few days growth and a hankerin' for some QED Lime. I misjudged the water that this thing retains and ended up with a thin lather. With a new Derby in my Progress, I went to work and got a decent shave in spite of the lather. I guess I need to work on my QED lathering with this brush again.

This morning was another story. I broke out the Tabac, got the right amount of water in my brush, and was rewarded with a bowl full of hot, slick lather. I had forgotten what this brush was all about.

I guess it's time to start reducing my eBay sell pile and raise some money. In spite of my "new" 220, I'm still jonesing for the B&B brush. If anyone is looking for a NIB Wacom Graphire 2 USB pen tablet or some Harley Davidson Rocket Oil Hot Wheels cars, PM me and we can talk before they go to auction :)

**drP** · 11-08-2006, 11:22 AM

Now THAT's the right spirit ( if i may say so...

) : get them BOTH (well...uhh...ALL ....okay.....); even if you have to sell your mother in law to buy yourself the B&B brush...

( but she won't bring up a penny i'm afraid...

)

Peter

**jduffy** · 11-08-2006, 04:24 PM

That was the right move.

The B&B brush will be one for the ages no doubt. Just the amount of energy put into it and by people who really, really care about the end result, tough to top that.

If you could ever use a brush that dare I say it, has passion built into it, it's the B&B brush. For serious wet/DE shavers created by serious wet/DE shavers.

Not to be missed.