Shaving brush?

[rugorak]

So my shaving brush is falling apart. It was from a kit (http://amzn.com/B001A3HPT0). The bowl is great. The soap was awesome. But the brush is leaving something to be desired. First the plastic piece that all the bristles are glued to came unglued from the handle. Some super glue solved that. But now the bristles are coming out. It has been a bristle here and there for a long while but now it is small clumps. I doubt there is much else I can do to save it.

I know there are quite a few forum readers who love their safety razors and shave soap so I am sure there are some recommendations on brushes. I would like the most bang for my buck as I am sure all readers here want. I'm not too picky. As long as it works and doesn't fall apart I should be happy. Price wise if I have to pay a little more now to have it last for life, sounds like a deal to me. But I have seen some listed for $60 on amazon which seems a little steep.

So share your suggestions. I am probably not the only one who would benefit from them!

[Matt K]

My brush is only 2 months old, so I can't comment on longevity. I picked up a pure badger hair Vulfix for $20cnd. So far I'm pleased.

[Miss Stachio]

I got Edwin Jagger Best Badgers for a couple of my friends about 4 years ago and they are still enjoying them

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/2355-*PICS*-The-difference-between-Pure-Best-and-Silvertip-Badger

[Nords]

Ever-Ready model C40 ("Sterilized".  Really?  People buy it because it's sterilized?!?)  I can't tell whether the company is still in business, so you might have to Google "ever-ready c40 shaving brush" and then shop Etsy/Ebay.  They're also on that BadgerandBlade website.

I'm not sure that "badger hair" would pass the blindfolded use test against an old toothbrush or a sponge, but then I only shave twice a week.

I bought my C40 in 1984, used it through 1992, stored it for 20 years, and recently put it back into service.  Looks the same as it did when I bought it.

You might be spending too much money on the bowl/soap and not enough on the brush.  I use an old prescription pill jar filled with Zest soap scraps.

[-JR]

The bottom barrel Tweezerman I got from Amazon 1.5 years ago is still going strong.

[davisgang90]

The Vie-Long Cachurro Horse Hair Shaving Brush is my favorite.  Better than my various badgers.

[tuyop]

I got a synthetic from Walmart about two years ago, it's not pretty or luxurious but I think it was $7 and still spreads cream on my face.

I hope I get a nice badger-hair brush for Christmas or something.

[cordgrass]

The bottom barrel Tweezerman I got from Amazon 1.5 years ago is still going strong.

I second the Tweezerman recommendation.

[gecko10x]

If you want to go really minimalist on shaving equipment, try shaving oil.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaving_oil

I'd never heard of this- Thanks!

I will have to have my wife make me some to try. She just started making a shaving soap if anyone is interested: Little Earth Shaving Soap

[Russ]

I've had a small Omega boar bristle for a year and a half now. cheap, soft, and seems to be holding up well.

FWIW I tired shaving oil a few times, and the thick oil-hair mixture always seemed to clog up my razor pretty bad.

[destron]

Looks like you already have many recommendations, but...

I got a Vulfix badger hair shaving brush (couldn't tell you the model, it probably cost $30-$40) 10 years ago and have used it 5 days a week. I chipped the plastic handle 5 years ago dropping it, no other signs of wear.

[rugorak]

I ended up getting this brush - http://amzn.com/B0084OJR3U

back in March. Many of the reviews on amazon did say it stinks at first but the smell goes away and they were correct. Smell never crossed over to me, just on the brush. I shave about 5 times a week and so far it has held up really well. I think one of the biggest things is the stand. It came with a cheap plastic stand but it does the job. I thought about purchasing a metal one but no reason for now. If this one ever breaks I'll get one.

[davidwhite1960]

I am very happy with the glue it yourself brush. The Golden Nib sells brushes, handles and handle blanks, if you would like to turn your own.

I merely epoxied the handle and the brush together.

http://thegoldennib.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=9