As a person who's used brushes for 44 years now in may shapes and forms, all that really matters is what you enjoy. I have a 8 dollar synthetic that used the most due to the feel in the hand and face. Once in awhile I'll break out the badger brush for softer shave, but they soak up the lather more than say a synthetic brush. I have a horse or boar brush with lots of loft for using in a deep mug when shaving with Williams and using my grandfathers razor and mug. Just need to soak the natural hair brushes for a few minutes before using to get the most out of them for a soft feel on the face. I really enjoyed this video as its near and dear to my daily activity of shaving with a classic DE razor. Thanks for sharing!
Exactly! A Lada gets you from point A to B just as a Lamborghini does! It's always a question of choice and budget but the essential task still gets done!
I took a vacation to London as part of my college graduation present in 1994 and I bought a very high quality shaving brush at Truefitt And Hill. I used that brush with both shaving soaps and foaming creams every single morning since then until six months ago when I accidentally dropped it and the base cracked. It might have still been the same in 28 more years. I followed the care instructions and that brush was just as good and functional in 2022 as the day I bought it. I remember it cost £125 and at that time and the exchange rate wasn't anywhere near as good as it is now so it was almost a $300 purchase for me which was a major extravagant splurge for me at that time. But looking back that £125 purchase 28 years ago it's only cost me about $10.75 per year. This is a perfect example of why you should always buy the best you can afford because over time I got to experience a very luxurious lather every day plus it reminded me from time to time of the wonderful trips I've had to London. I thing taking this approach in both apparel and accessories is the right way to go and luckily I learned this from my father and grandfather.
What a lot of people don't know, when dealing especially with badger hair brushes, while there are different grades of badger hair, most times the knots are produced in China where all the badger hair originates and then placed in brand name handles through a contract with that company. What I mean by that is a $25 badger knot is sold to a company with a famous brand name in the wet shaving world and placed into a handle and sold for $150-$300. That very same $25 knot produced by the same company can be placed in a no name, or lesser known name handle and will be sold for $50. The business end of the brush is the knot and that is a brush's most important component. Many people get ripped off by big name companies who make tons of money off of wet shavers who think they are actually getting something better when they're not. That is a fact.
I recently moved from an expensive Golddachs badger brush via a short excursion to synthetics (dreadful plastic stuff) on to cheap Omega boar brushes. The boar brushes are just better once they are broken in a bit.
Nice video, but I feel it neglected one important accessory. I recommend buying a brush stand with any shaving brush. It gives you a place to safely store the brush and allows it to dry properly.
I like my synthetic "silvertip fiber" from Mühle ~60$. Has backbone and is supersoft, holds a little less water than a good badger but it dries very fast after using. I think it didn't loose more than 1, 2 fibers in 5 years and look like new 👍 By the way i like to foam up directly in the face... 😊
I stopped using silvertip badger when I became aware of the cruel Chinese harvesting practices. I find the Muhle synthetic version performs far better as well as giving me peace of mind.
I just got probably the same model. Glad to hear it holds up over a long time :D While animal welfare wasn't my main focus when I bought it, I heard that some even prefer synthetic ones. Sad to hear a lot of them are from China, where animal right aren't that strong. (But even Europe still has some problems with proper animal handling when it's about hair or pelts.) But "Ivory handles" really left a bad taste in my mouth when I saw them in the video. I just hope those are all "legacy" ones that got recycled, but there are people out there that want new ones for sure. Like, it's not something you display for everyone to see & there are so many non-extinction-inducing beautiful alternatives too.
Pardon me, but I was wondering if anyone could please point me in the direction of a decent channel in the same style as this lovely one, but for ladies instead? I seem to be having a difficult time locating a timeless style and etiquette ladies channel that isn't a history bounding vlogtuber. Not that I have an issue with them, just not what I'm looking for.
Could you do a video on the straight razor and everything needed to maintain them? I'd really like to learn how so i can stop buying razorblades all together. Great video!
I have a number of really expensive brushes and prefer my regular 26 mm boar. If you are having issues with your boar, it might be because it isn't broken in. Pro tip- In order to break in a brush, use a hair brush on. That can save about 3 months of break in time.
Your beard looks terrific ! Personally, I'm loving shaving again after going bearded for 12 years - now I rock a moustache and grow, trim and play with several moustache and goatee variations... and I shave with my dad's old 1960's double edge...it does a perfect job, feels great and is an excellent challenge to edge the whiskers, that I quite enjoy. As a retiree, not having to rush to get groomed is a pleasure, and shaving is one of those things that can be thoroughly enjoyed, with the right gear and a cheerful attitude. Keep up the great videos! They always make me feel good.
I don’t know what they were made of but they had Made in England inscribed on them. My dad was a bit of a dandy so I’m sure they were top of the line. He was very dark & had a mustache all my grown life. Shaving was important. Used Noxema & a regular two sided razor.
My first was a cheap Omega. Was good but nothing special. My second was a Muhle badger brush. I really enjoyed it. But nothing beats my Simpson best badger brush.
After doing some research and seeing how thousands of badgers are killed in China for the hair (it's not a farm animal and can't be raised like sheep for example) I will never buy another badger brush again. Synthetic is the same quality or better so I'll stick with that.
I bought a Kent shaving brush with pure English badger hair back in 06 for $30. I used it daily for over a decade before growing my beard out. Now its used every few weeks when I shape my beard. It has produced a quality shave and a fine lather all these years. It is only in the last few months that some of the bristles have started to come loose, however that has seemed to stop. I am sure its not the best shave it could be but for the price the quality far and a way more than one would expect. Highly recommend all Kent beard care products.
shave with any bar soap? cut the bar soap up put in a mug, cover the soap with a small amount of water, microwave for a minute or so? if it Foam up stop. let cool you just went it to congeal' place in the sun, until soap hardens Larry
Been a fan of the synthetic shave brushes from Phoenix shaving accouterments. Silky feel, holds lather long enough for a 2nd pass without sitting in the shave bowl.
Tried several natural fiber brushes and they always have this very distinct smell. Tried synthetic from Mühle and never looked back. It's not cheap but superior in every aspect for me.
I have two silver-tipped Badger brushes. At home, I have a Kent and for the road I have one purchased on sale a West Coast Shaving. The Kent is slightly superior in feel and performance, but given the difference in cost, the WCS brush is a deal. I tried boar, which I found too stiff, and was underwhelmed by synthetic brushes. I have never tried lower grades of badger. I do both bowl (scuttle) lathering and face lathering, depending on how much time that I have. It is all good.
Local water quality can come into play when selecting a brush. Where I live, we have very hard water. This stiffens natural bristles, so you get broken bristles no matter the quality of the brush or how thoroughly you wash them. I need to use synthetic bristles for this reason, but the quality is so high that I don't mind.
I've been using a Simpson Duke 3 Synthetic since it's the best compromise between a premium-quality brush and an affordable price. It whips lather like nobody's business and will probably outlive me. After many years of use, it still looks as if I had taken it out of the box just this morning. Honestly, you don't need any other or any more brushes than that one Simpson. Yes, the initial price is quite steep for a synthetic bristle with a faux ivory handle, but it will just last for your entire life unless you lose it.
Another interesting topic. Thank you for the education. I did not know all this information, never thought about the deep things of shaving, even though i am a lady, I like this channel to learn more about mens things. I still have my fathers brush.
I wish I watched this 2 hours ago. I just paid $50 for a pure badger brush from Muhle because of the nice handle design and good reviews. Hopefully, I wasn't ripped off. Maybe I'll try to find something with better quality fur.
While I highly appreciate these types of videos, could you do more videos on the history of menswear. Such as where the sweater came about, or how Beau Brummell’s suits became the modern suit.
I like the tale of the Irish Knit sweater. Every cable knit was for a different clan. That’s how the fishermen could ID the bodies if they washed up. The sweater design
We've got you covered! Find out about Beau Brummell here: www.gentlemansgazette.com/beau-brummell-the-original/? and sweaters here: www.gentlemansgazette.com/the-sweater-guide/?
I own several boar and badger brushes, as well as synthetic ones, and I use and rotate them daily. Wet shaving is a hobby for me. That being said, I cannot agree with Omega brushes being labelled as "cheap" and having an X mark next to them. While not costly (here in Poland some of them cost the equivalent of $10), they are, in my opinion, very well made. The boar bristle is enjoyable when I'm in the mood for a more exfoliating, energising shave, the handles are made of nice wood, and the solid backbone allows them to age gracefully. Other than that I enjoyed your video immensely, as always. I do hope theres more wet shaving vids to come! P.S.: I do recommend the brands: Omega, Mühle, Kent, Edwin Jagger, and Simpson for your brush brands video!
@@antonyfernandez9536 that's the point, you can't just put them all into one "bad" category. Then again, maybe it's some of my nostalgia speaking, as they were the first ones I got when I first started
@@dorekborek I got a beautiful super badger from omega has the worse backbone of any brush I’ve come across. I have a cheap mixed hair brush from Italy and it’s better than any other brush I own, I just rotate between my Extro Cosmesi mixed and alpha rubber set with a g4 knot.
@@andreaspeters3773 I usually use a combination strategy, especially with English cremes that come hard in a round tub: I take some on my finger and rub it onto my face with my hands and then I also load some up onto my brush and proceed to lather on my face normally. Works beautifully with my Kent Infinity SilverTex
I use a two tone acrylic handle black and white synthetic shaving brush from Fendrihan. At 18.50 CDN, that brush with a tube of proraso is perfect. Never sheds, cheap enough to keep one at the gym. I have had Simpson, and plisson, and I can't say they were better.😊
In the United States, we're quite spoiled to have many artisan brushmakers in the country. There are some on the very expensive side like Wolf Whiskers and Declaration Grooming, and some on the more affordable side like Phoenix Shaving. Which one you choose to buy from depends on your style and your budget. If you like badger hair brushes and have lots of money, Wolf Whiskers or Delcaration Grooming might be more your speed. But, if you're broke or thrifty and like synthetic brushes, Phoenix Shaving is definitely the way to go. Qualith synthetic shaving brushes for a very fine price.
I've tried almost all types of brushes (boar, badger and synthetic), except horse and I find synthetics to be much better compared to anything else and they are in general quite inexpensive. The other reason why I would never buy an expensive brush even if it's synthetic, is because some of my most used synthetic brushes have developed the so called ''donut hole'' in the middle and while the brushes are technically usable, they look hideous and I wouldn't want that to happen on an expensive brush. For me, shaving brushes are not something that is ment to last decades of extensive usage, although it's not uncommon for some folks to use 1 or a few brushes for many years without any issues. Razor on other hand are entirely different story for me. I have a passion for razors and I can spend a few hundreds on a razor without thinking too much, since that razor will easily outlive me and I can always sell it and get some, most or in some cases even more than what I've paid.
6:20 I own that exact brush and its hot garbage. Holds too much water so every time you go to lather it just sucks the water up like a sponge and you spend half the time wringing it out.
I use a brush but I must say… that’s a strange thing to be unable to stand. I mean really it makes almost no difference one way or the other. Talk anout exfoliation or preparing your face or softening the hair or whatever finicky nitpicky thing you want… it’s almost the same thing
I think brand is more important than the claims of the product. Certain brands have a long reputation that is built on customer experiences. Experiment with new brands can be exciting but also lead to a bad product experience. I find general bristles to be of a good quality.
I used a cheap shaving brush and it broke within a couple of days. The brush became detached from the handle once a little water got on the adhesive. I barely got three shaves out of it. Now I guess I have to invest in a more expensive one.
A real man would go out into the forest, grab the nearest badger, rub some soap on it then wipe the badger around his face. Same goes for boar and horse but they are a little harder to lift up and rub your face with.
For mi the best brand for shaving products especially for shaving brushes is Mühle in Germany! I have three diferent sets with doubles cromeholders. All with silvertip badger. This is for mi the best material for a brush. It makes more spoon with more volume and give you a wonderful massage in your face. For me is this every morning like a soothing treatment for face and skin. My favourite set is the Purist line with silvertip and karolina masur birch. The wood has a dreamlike grain, which alone is a real delight to look at. And the handling is perfect. The sets are combined with safety razors/close comb. I am very interesting in your next video about this very interesting theme. Best wishes from the 🎄🏝🎅🏼. Michael
I love the channel, and the videos/topics, but I wish the background music/drumming would stop after the intro. It can get a little annoying after a time.
I've wondered why the foaming brushes have gone to all the bristles in one sheathe or collar? It seems they used to be several small bunches of bristles each coming out of the main handle which I thought makes the brush stronger and maybe keeps more moisture from setting in the handle area of the brush🤔...I wonder.
My two cents I’ve had high end badger brushes which are garbage, as well as synthetic and boar brushes. Mixed badger and boar brushes are excellent but not very common.
I'd be super interested to know your takes on the Stirling Soap Company's products for shaving?!??! Mainly, because it is made here in America (I think), and seems like an interesting option.
Like most things in life... get the highest quality you can afford. Shop around.... there is so much to choose from now that it is well worth your time to research. Over all... I believe you can get yourself a very good shaving brush for around $50-75 ... take care of it and it will last you a very long time.
Also, I wish you lads would give us the brushes you guys ACTUALLY use, if you use them. As in, it would be great to have a recommendation of a few companies that you recommend? I bought a Stirling Soap Company Silver Tip Badger, but I am not sure how good it is....
I use natural oils when I shave so this video isn't for me but I will leave a 👍 a comment and a view for you, especially because I don't want to miss any of Preston's Puns
Thank you for your support! You have a shaving routine that works for you, and we're pleased to have you here even if it is just for the entertainment factor! 😄🙌
How can we find out how the hairs are bound and how that binding is attached to the handle if buying online? Does Fort Belvedere have a haberdashery section for shaving products?
Retailers of high-quality brushes will be pleased to inform you of how the bristles are bound - after all, it helps justify the price! No Fort Belvedere shaving section just yet, but watch this space! 😉
2:35 - didn't the introduction of self-foaming shaving creams kind of eliminate the need for the brush? I shave with a classic safety razor, but don't use the brush and don't really undertand why it's necessary. TBH, most of the "advantages" of the shaving brush named in the video, are subjective.
Luxury shaving brushes are such a comically upper-class thing to me that it's hard not to giggle. I can't even be bothered with non-electric shaving, honestly. I'd rather not spend as much time as I do getting ready in the morning just to get a slightly better shave.
@@themoderndandy713 I can see that. As someone who shaves with a safety razor I’m a little glad I only have to shave every other day and not in the morning. It’s undoubtedly a better shave but it does take time to do it right.
Greetings, I am a mens formal wear/smart casual neophyte, I have just recently got into menswear clothing because of self-beautification and for the sake of my liking and contentment however I quickly ran into a problem, Sven always preaches to purchase high-quality clothing as they last longer however I am quite young and still physically growing, should I still abide by that principle? Or should I await to fully grow then start investing?
Hi Azar, thank you for your support! As our bodies do grow and change with time, there's never really one set time when you'll "stop" growing. Dress for the body you have now, as high-quality clothing lends itself to being altered easier than low-quality alternatives.
Preston, perhaps you can answer a question re: shaving brushes and shaving oil. I have read that the two do not mix and that one should only use a water soluble pre-shave, if cream or soap is to be applied with a brush. Is this the truth or an urban legend? Thanks, Bruce
It is my understanding that the issue with oils and brushes is that the oil can soak into the hairs and make them stiff, greasy, or otherwise compromise their functionality. So, I would definitely avoid applying beard oils directly to a brush, especially one with natural bristles. In my experience, however, if you apply the oil to your beard directly and give it sufficient time to soak in, I do not think that you need to worry about oils transferring from your beard hairs onto the brush bristles sufficiently to potentially damage the brush.
You've got to figure what works for you. The brushes do many great things for the skin, in addition to lathering. I've had fancier brushes and even a "vegan" brush but find an Italian Omega brand hog bristle brush works best for me.
Bristles are NOT more expensive than handles. Typical 26mm synthetic bristles can go for 25-30$ while top of the line Manchurian badger bristles of the same size and density can go gor 50$. Handles can go from nothing, for a garbage plastic handle, to hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on material and work complexity. Let's not forget that the majority of handles require some sort of specialty to be made, like resin layering, woodturning, wood working, metal milling or even engraving skills. And gentlemen beware, there are brands that trully overcharge for their brushes. A 26mm high quality brush from Simpson will cost you 150$, finest badger bristles and resin handle, made in UK. A 26mm high quality badger bristle brush with resin handle from Zenith will cost you 70$, made in Italy. A 26mm high quality badger bristle brush with resin handle from Yaqi will cost you 35$, made in China. It is fair to say that a 50$ brush from Simpson will not be as good as a 50$ brush from Yaqi or Zenith, so just beware, when it comes to brushes you rarely get what you pay for. And remember, when it comes to badger bristles, they ALL come from China. When it comes to synthetoc bristles, they MOSTLY come from germany. So almost every brand uses the same bristles.
There is also the sustainability factor to be considered. Badger hair doesn't grow on trees, it is produced in badger farms in mostly Asian or Eastern European countries, where the animals live a cruel life. Nobody should support these kind of products anymore. Synthetic brushes have come a long way and are just as good as the animal ones. I personally feel a lot better using a brush that I know that no animal had to die for or was treated terribly. I will choose a synthetic brush anytime over an animal one. And that goes for ivory handles too, there is a ban on ivory trade for a reason. As long as we keep using ivory products the demand remains and poaching is still profitable. Use alternative materials instead...even if you want an expensive brush. I'm using a synthetic brush from Mühle, with a wooden and metal handle and synthetic brush by the way. Love the videos, they show where products are made from and materials come from. Missing that in this one though....
I don't think synthetic brushes are worth anything. I have one made of musco real or Claus porto from Portugal, very nice handle but the bristles are much too hard, almost as hard as pig hair and do not retain water. Then I have one from Vielong from Spain with badger hair, these are very poorly made because they lose a lot of hair and are still quite pricey, I think the best badger hair brush is the one from the Dovo brand from Solingen Germany, price-quality wise.
Wait what? I'm supposed to use an expensive brush to apply my shaving cream? Not just my hands? I've been living like a caveman so long I guess I no longer know how to be civilized.
As a person who's used brushes for 44 years now in may shapes and forms, all that really matters is what you enjoy. I have a 8 dollar synthetic that used the most due to the feel in the hand and face. Once in awhile I'll break out the badger brush for softer shave, but they soak up the lather more than say a synthetic brush. I have a horse or boar brush with lots of loft for using in a deep mug when shaving with Williams and using my grandfathers razor and mug. Just need to soak the natural hair brushes for a few minutes before using to get the most out of them for a soft feel on the face.
I really enjoyed this video as its near and dear to my daily activity of shaving with a classic DE razor. Thanks for sharing!
Badger hair that's cruel to badger's.😑
Exactly!
A Lada gets you from point A to B just as a Lamborghini does!
It's always a question of choice and budget but the essential task still gets done!
@@repentbeforeitstoolate..8239I’m pretty sure my 30 dollar best badger brush is synthetic. A lot of companies won’t even use real badger anymore
I have synthetic Simpson brush and it’s amazing. Super soft, doesn’t shed and retains lots of water. Plus it has timeless ivory style handle.
I took a vacation to London as part of my college graduation present in 1994 and I bought a very high quality shaving brush at Truefitt And Hill.
I used that brush with both shaving soaps and foaming creams every single morning since then until six months ago when I accidentally dropped it and the base cracked.
It might have still been the same in 28 more years.
I followed the care instructions and that brush was just as good and functional in 2022 as the day I bought it.
I remember it cost £125 and at that time and the exchange rate wasn't anywhere near as good as it is now so it was almost a $300 purchase for me which was a major extravagant splurge for me at that time.
But looking back that £125 purchase 28 years ago it's only cost me about $10.75 per year.
This is a perfect example of why you should always buy the best you can afford because over time I got to experience a very luxurious lather every day plus it reminded me from time to time of the wonderful trips I've had to London.
I thing taking this approach in both apparel and accessories is the right way to go and luckily I learned this from my father and grandfather.
It may have a warranty!
I'm a novice with a brush and soap, but I like my Simpson Trafalgar T3 and Prorasso soap.
Great brush!
What a lot of people don't know, when dealing especially with badger hair brushes, while there are different grades of badger hair, most times the knots are produced in China where all the badger hair originates and then placed in brand name handles through a contract with that company. What I mean by that is a $25 badger knot is sold to a company with a famous brand name in the wet shaving world and placed into a handle and sold for $150-$300. That very same $25 knot produced by the same company can be placed in a no name, or lesser known name handle and will be sold for $50. The business end of the brush is the knot and that is a brush's most important component. Many people get ripped off by big name companies who make tons of money off of wet shavers who think they are actually getting something better when they're not. That is a fact.
I recently moved from an expensive Golddachs badger brush via a short excursion to synthetics (dreadful plastic stuff) on to cheap Omega boar brushes. The boar brushes are just better once they are broken in a bit.
@@wayneholmes637Agree 100%.
Very informative Preston, great job! It is encouraging there is somewhat of a revival in traditional shaving methods.
Nice video, but I feel it neglected one important accessory. I recommend buying a brush stand with any shaving brush. It gives you a place to safely store the brush and allows it to dry properly.
I like my synthetic "silvertip fiber" from Mühle ~60$.
Has backbone and is supersoft, holds a little less water than a good badger but it dries very fast after using. I think it didn't loose more than 1, 2 fibers in 5 years and look like new 👍
By the way i like to foam up directly in the face... 😊
I stopped using silvertip badger when I became aware of the cruel Chinese harvesting practices. I find the Muhle synthetic version performs far better as well as giving me peace of mind.
@@glennet9613 you're right.. that's also a bonus👍
Same here. Animal torture cannot be tolerated. I have two Silvertip Fibers, a thick one and the travel version and they both work perfectly.
I just got probably the same model.
Glad to hear it holds up over a long time :D
While animal welfare wasn't my main focus when I bought it, I heard that some even prefer synthetic ones.
Sad to hear a lot of them are from China, where animal right aren't that strong. (But even Europe still has some problems with proper animal handling when it's about hair or pelts.)
But "Ivory handles" really left a bad taste in my mouth when I saw them in the video. I just hope those are all "legacy" ones that got recycled, but there are people out there that want new ones for sure. Like, it's not something you display for everyone to see & there are so many non-extinction-inducing beautiful alternatives too.
@@MrRX333 you can be sure that is just ivory colored plastic.
I use a Taylors of old Bond street silver tip shaving brush with their shaving creams.A start for the day.
I really like Mühle’s offerings in razors and brushes
Pardon me, but I was wondering if anyone could please point me in the direction of a decent channel in the same style as this lovely one, but for ladies instead? I seem to be having a difficult time locating a timeless style and etiquette ladies channel that isn't a history bounding vlogtuber. Not that I have an issue with them, just not what I'm looking for.
What serendipitous timing! Mine broke this morning 😂
Whoops! Hopefully, you found a good replacement?
Could you do a video on the straight razor and everything needed to maintain them? I'd really like to learn how so i can stop buying razorblades all together. Great video!
Do a RUclips search, thousands of shaving channels out there, hundreds of which are straight razor related.
Impressive knowledge regarding shaving brushes Preston! 👏 Great presentation and explanation! I'm happy to see more shaving content on the channel!
You’re not fooling us Preston. We know Sven and Kyle use electric razors.
Some of the team enjoy electric, some enjoy traditional, and there are combinations of both methods. It's all about what works best for you!
😂😂
@@gentlemansgazettewhy does it seem you're only covering traditional shaving then? Is electric not enough "gentlemanish" for you
@@11DAVIDELEVENElectric shaving is much more straightforward. I don’t think they really need to cover it the way they would for other methods.
This channel must be run by mindreaders, because they always manage to upload a video of something I was seeking help with.
As a shaving brush collector i could gladly help you out
I have a number of really expensive brushes and prefer my regular 26 mm boar. If you are having issues with your boar, it might be because it isn't broken in.
Pro tip- In order to break in a brush, use a hair brush on. That can save about 3 months of break in time.
Very true! I have a Omega boar that was nothing special but after a few years of use it's pretty great now.
Your beard looks terrific ! Personally, I'm loving shaving again after going bearded for 12 years - now I rock a moustache and grow, trim and play with several moustache and goatee variations... and I shave with my dad's old 1960's double edge...it does a perfect job, feels great and is an excellent challenge to edge the whiskers, that I quite enjoy. As a retiree, not having to rush to get groomed is a pleasure, and shaving is one of those things that can be thoroughly enjoyed, with the right gear and a cheerful attitude. Keep up the great videos! They always make me feel good.
Stubble looks alot better on Preston, better than a babyface.
I have a 26 mm Yaqi synthetic brush that I love. Great backbone and is super soft.
I don’t know what they were made of but they had Made in England inscribed on them. My dad was a bit of a dandy so I’m sure they were top of the line. He was very dark & had a mustache all my grown life. Shaving was important. Used Noxema & a regular two sided razor.
My first was a cheap Omega. Was good but nothing special. My second was a Muhle badger brush. I really enjoyed it. But nothing beats my Simpson best badger brush.
After doing some research and seeing how thousands of badgers are killed in China for the hair (it's not a farm animal and can't be raised like sheep for example) I will never buy another badger brush again. Synthetic is the same quality or better so I'll stick with that.
I bought a Kent shaving brush with pure English badger hair back in 06 for $30. I used it daily for over a decade before growing my beard out. Now its used every few weeks when I shape my beard. It has produced a quality shave and a fine lather all these years. It is only in the last few months that some of the bristles have started to come loose, however that has seemed to stop. I am sure its not the best shave it could be but for the price the quality far and a way more than one would expect. Highly recommend all Kent beard care products.
shave with any bar soap? cut the bar soap up put in a mug, cover the soap with a small amount of water, microwave for a minute or so? if it Foam up stop. let cool you just went it to congeal'
place in the sun, until soap hardens Larry
Great that you're getting into shaving/grooming. You guys should do a video on quality double edge razors.
Been a fan of the synthetic shave brushes from Phoenix shaving accouterments. Silky feel, holds lather long enough for a 2nd pass without sitting in the shave bowl.
Tried several natural fiber brushes and they always have this very distinct smell. Tried synthetic from Mühle and never looked back. It's not cheap but superior in every aspect for me.
The Yaqi synthetic ones are absurdly good for the price. I've rejected other badgers and boar brushes after getting the 30mm.
I have two silver-tipped Badger brushes. At home, I have a Kent and for the road I have one purchased on sale a West Coast Shaving. The Kent is slightly superior in feel and performance, but given the difference in cost, the WCS brush is a deal. I tried boar, which I found too stiff, and was underwhelmed by synthetic brushes. I have never tried lower grades of badger. I do both bowl (scuttle) lathering and face lathering, depending on how much time that I have. It is all good.
Local water quality can come into play when selecting a brush. Where I live, we have very hard water. This stiffens natural bristles, so you get broken bristles no matter the quality of the brush or how thoroughly you wash them. I need to use synthetic bristles for this reason, but the quality is so high that I don't mind.
I now prefer the 'Synthetic' brushes over the more expensive Badger products.
Thank you Mr. Preston. I needed this information.
I had to re-glue mine with gorilla glue and it is working all right. I need to figure out where to get a good brush. Thanks for the video!!!
I've been using a Simpson Duke 3 Synthetic since it's the best compromise between a premium-quality brush and an affordable price.
It whips lather like nobody's business and will probably outlive me. After many years of use, it still looks as if I had taken it out of the box just this morning.
Honestly, you don't need any other or any more brushes than that one Simpson. Yes, the initial price is quite steep for a synthetic bristle with a faux ivory handle, but it will just last for your entire life unless you lose it.
Another interesting topic. Thank you for the education. I did not know all this information, never thought about the deep things of shaving, even though i am a lady, I like this channel to learn more about mens things. I still have my fathers brush.
I wish I watched this 2 hours ago. I just paid $50 for a pure badger brush from Muhle because of the nice handle design and good reviews. Hopefully, I wasn't ripped off. Maybe I'll try to find something with better quality fur.
While I highly appreciate these types of videos, could you do more videos on the history of menswear. Such as where the sweater came about, or how Beau Brummell’s suits became the modern suit.
I like the tale of the Irish Knit sweater. Every cable knit was for a different clan. That’s how the fishermen could ID the bodies if they washed up. The sweater design
The huge influence of horse riding on British menswear is a fascinating and weird subject.
We've got you covered! Find out about Beau Brummell here: www.gentlemansgazette.com/beau-brummell-the-original/? and sweaters here: www.gentlemansgazette.com/the-sweater-guide/?
I own several boar and badger brushes, as well as synthetic ones, and I use and rotate them daily. Wet shaving is a hobby for me. That being said, I cannot agree with Omega brushes being labelled as "cheap" and having an X mark next to them. While not costly (here in Poland some of them cost the equivalent of $10), they are, in my opinion, very well made. The boar bristle is enjoyable when I'm in the mood for a more exfoliating, energising shave, the handles are made of nice wood, and the solid backbone allows them to age gracefully.
Other than that I enjoyed your video immensely, as always. I do hope theres more wet shaving vids to come!
P.S.: I do recommend the brands: Omega, Mühle, Kent, Edwin Jagger, and Simpson for your brush brands video!
Do agree with you about omega they make some good brushes but they do make some bad ones.
@@antonyfernandez9536 that's the point, you can't just put them all into one "bad" category. Then again, maybe it's some of my nostalgia speaking, as they were the first ones I got when I first started
@@dorekborek I got a beautiful super badger from omega has the worse backbone of any brush I’ve come across. I have a cheap mixed hair brush from Italy and it’s better than any other brush I own, I just rotate between my Extro Cosmesi mixed and alpha rubber set with a g4 knot.
I love my Mühle silvertip synthetic ~60$....backbone, soft and dries very fast
I mostly foam up directly in the face😊
@@andreaspeters3773 I usually use a combination strategy, especially with English cremes that come hard in a round tub: I take some on my finger and rub it onto my face with my hands and then I also load some up onto my brush and proceed to lather on my face normally. Works beautifully with my Kent Infinity SilverTex
I like bearded Preston :)
I use a two tone acrylic handle black and white synthetic shaving brush from Fendrihan. At 18.50 CDN, that brush with a tube of proraso is perfect. Never sheds, cheap enough to keep one at the gym. I have had Simpson, and plisson, and I can't say they were better.😊
Kilroy was here (can you do another episode on razor blades?)
In the United States, we're quite spoiled to have many artisan brushmakers in the country. There are some on the very expensive side like Wolf Whiskers and Declaration Grooming, and some on the more affordable side like Phoenix Shaving. Which one you choose to buy from depends on your style and your budget. If you like badger hair brushes and have lots of money, Wolf Whiskers or Delcaration Grooming might be more your speed. But, if you're broke or thrifty and like synthetic brushes, Phoenix Shaving is definitely the way to go. Qualith synthetic shaving brushes for a very fine price.
Thanks. I’ve had good luck with cheaper brushes that I receive for Christmas. I did get one that smelled very much like roadkill.
I've tried almost all types of brushes (boar, badger and synthetic), except horse and I find synthetics to be much better compared to anything else and they are in general quite inexpensive. The other reason why I would never buy an expensive brush even if it's synthetic, is because some of my most used synthetic brushes have developed the so called ''donut hole'' in the middle and while the brushes are technically usable, they look hideous and I wouldn't want that to happen on an expensive brush. For me, shaving brushes are not something that is ment to last decades of extensive usage, although it's not uncommon for some folks to use 1 or a few brushes for many years without any issues. Razor on other hand are entirely different story for me. I have a passion for razors and I can spend a few hundreds on a razor without thinking too much, since that razor will easily outlive me and I can always sell it and get some, most or in some cases even more than what I've paid.
Exactly what I was thinking about looking up! Perfect!
can i use this to make matcha
One remark. The badger is a protected animal in Belgium and that is why I prefer a boar brush.
Simpson Chubby Best. It’s unreal and I love it.
6:20 I own that exact brush and its hot garbage. Holds too much water so every time you go to lather it just sucks the water up like a sponge and you spend half the time wringing it out.
4:26 thought that was Felix!
I can't stand people who use hands instead of brush.
I use a brush but I must say… that’s a strange thing to be unable to stand.
I mean really it makes almost no difference one way or the other. Talk anout exfoliation or preparing your face or softening the hair or whatever finicky nitpicky thing you want… it’s almost the same thing
I think brand is more important than the claims of the product. Certain brands have a long reputation that is built on customer experiences. Experiment with new brands can be exciting but also lead to a bad product experience.
I find general bristles to be of a good quality.
I used a cheap shaving brush and it broke within a couple of days. The brush became detached from the handle once a little water got on the adhesive. I barely got three shaves out of it. Now I guess I have to invest in a more expensive one.
1:00 the most horrific technique i saw for straight razor
I've shaved all of my life and I've never used a brush.
I don't think that elephant ivory is available for handles anymore.
A real man would go out into the forest, grab the nearest badger, rub some soap on it then wipe the badger around his face. Same goes for boar and horse but they are a little harder to lift up and rub your face with.
For mi the best brand for shaving products especially for shaving brushes is Mühle in Germany!
I have three diferent sets with doubles cromeholders. All with silvertip badger. This is for mi the best material for a brush. It makes more spoon with more volume and give you a wonderful massage in your face. For me is this every morning like a soothing treatment for face and skin.
My favourite set is the Purist line with silvertip and karolina masur birch. The wood has a dreamlike grain, which alone is a real delight to look at. And the handling is perfect. The sets are combined with safety razors/close comb.
I am very interesting in your next video about this very interesting theme.
Best wishes from the 🎄🏝🎅🏼.
Michael
I'm looking forward to a video on the different shapes of bristles (bulb, fan, etc.)
Am I the only one who shaves at night before bed?
6:42 - why are you showing a painted boar brush and calling it a badger?
My personal preference in brushes is Semogue 1800 or similar (e.g. 1305).
Good, but a lot of info since I'm new. I guess I need to shop around and try a few. Thanks.
I love the channel, and the videos/topics, but I wish the background music/drumming would stop after the intro. It can get a little annoying after a time.
I've wondered why the foaming brushes have gone to all the bristles in one sheathe or collar? It seems they used to be several small bunches of bristles each coming out of the main handle which I thought makes the brush stronger and maybe keeps more moisture from setting in the handle area of the brush🤔...I wonder.
What an education! Thanks GG.
Well guys I just love this channel.
My two cents I’ve had high end badger brushes which are garbage, as well as synthetic and boar brushes. Mixed badger and boar brushes are excellent but not very common.
Badger brushes are cruel.😑
The 30 dollar bevel brush from target is really all you need. I’m sure there’s better ones but to each their own.
I'd be super interested to know your takes on the Stirling Soap Company's products for shaving?!??! Mainly, because it is made here in America (I think), and seems like an interesting option.
This was a good video. Thanks!! 😀
Like most things in life... get the highest quality you can afford. Shop around.... there is so much to choose from now that it is well worth your time to research. Over all... I believe you can get yourself a very good shaving brush for around $50-75 ... take care of it and it will last you a very long time.
Great info!
Great content. Just subscribed!!
Also, I wish you lads would give us the brushes you guys ACTUALLY use, if you use them. As in, it would be great to have a recommendation of a few companies that you recommend? I bought a Stirling Soap Company Silver Tip Badger, but I am not sure how good it is....
Do you recommend Proraso's boar hair brush?
I use natural oils when I shave so this video isn't for me but I will leave a 👍 a comment and a view for you, especially because I don't want to miss any of Preston's Puns
Thank you for your support! You have a shaving routine that works for you, and we're pleased to have you here even if it is just for the entertainment factor! 😄🙌
How can we find out how the hairs are bound and how that binding is attached to the handle if buying online? Does Fort Belvedere have a haberdashery section for shaving products?
Retailers of high-quality brushes will be pleased to inform you of how the bristles are bound - after all, it helps justify the price! No Fort Belvedere shaving section just yet, but watch this space! 😉
@@gentlemansgazette Thank you! I shall.
Looks like little boy Preston grew up
Preston is so handsome.
I really like my Vikings Blade Dark Stallion ($40-$45)
Very nice shirt. What brand and/or where can I purchase it/similar?
2:35 - didn't the introduction of self-foaming shaving creams kind of eliminate the need for the brush? I shave with a classic safety razor, but don't use the brush and don't really undertand why it's necessary. TBH, most of the "advantages" of the shaving brush named in the video, are subjective.
Me seeing them label a brush I'd consider super expensive as cheap:
👁️👄👁️
Luxury shaving brushes are such a comically upper-class thing to me that it's hard not to giggle. I can't even be bothered with non-electric shaving, honestly. I'd rather not spend as much time as I do getting ready in the morning just to get a slightly better shave.
@@themoderndandy713 I can see that. As someone who shaves with a safety razor I’m a little glad I only have to shave every other day and not in the morning. It’s undoubtedly a better shave but it does take time to do it right.
Greetings, I am a mens formal wear/smart casual neophyte, I have just recently got into menswear clothing because of self-beautification and for the sake of my liking and contentment however I quickly ran into a problem, Sven always preaches to purchase high-quality clothing as they last longer however I am quite young and still physically growing, should I still abide by that principle? Or should I await to fully grow then start investing?
Hi Azar, thank you for your support! As our bodies do grow and change with time, there's never really one set time when you'll "stop" growing. Dress for the body you have now, as high-quality clothing lends itself to being altered easier than low-quality alternatives.
Preston, perhaps you can answer a question re: shaving brushes and shaving oil. I have read that the two do not mix and that one should only use a water soluble pre-shave, if cream or soap is to be applied with a brush. Is this the truth or an urban legend? Thanks, Bruce
It is my understanding that the issue with oils and brushes is that the oil can soak into the hairs and make them stiff, greasy, or otherwise compromise their functionality.
So, I would definitely avoid applying beard oils directly to a brush, especially one with natural bristles. In my experience, however, if you apply the oil to your beard directly and give it sufficient time to soak in, I do not think that you need to worry about oils transferring from your beard hairs onto the brush bristles sufficiently to potentially damage the brush.
@@ebdaniels8774 TY
Thanks.
I would love to buy the Shaver do you sell sets or each individually
You've got to figure what works for you. The brushes do many great things for the skin, in addition to lathering.
I've had fancier brushes and even a "vegan" brush but find an Italian Omega brand hog bristle brush works best for me.
Semogue 1305. Twenty bucks.
Bristles are NOT more expensive than handles.
Typical 26mm synthetic bristles can go for 25-30$ while top of the line Manchurian badger bristles of the same size and density can go gor 50$.
Handles can go from nothing, for a garbage plastic handle, to hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on material and work complexity. Let's not forget that the majority of handles require some sort of specialty to be made, like resin layering, woodturning, wood working, metal milling or even engraving skills.
And gentlemen beware, there are brands that trully overcharge for their brushes. A 26mm high quality brush from Simpson will cost you 150$, finest badger bristles and resin handle, made in UK.
A 26mm high quality badger bristle brush with resin handle from Zenith will cost you 70$, made in Italy.
A 26mm high quality badger bristle brush with resin handle from Yaqi will cost you 35$, made in China.
It is fair to say that a 50$ brush from Simpson will not be as good as a 50$ brush from Yaqi or Zenith, so just beware, when it comes to brushes you rarely get what you pay for. And remember, when it comes to badger bristles, they ALL come from China. When it comes to synthetoc bristles, they MOSTLY come from germany. So almost every brand uses the same bristles.
using your hand is favoured by many high quality shaving venues for feeling
Man, keep your beard!!!! It looks a lot better
How about, what's the least expensive thing that still works decently?
There is also the sustainability factor to be considered. Badger hair doesn't grow on trees, it is produced in badger farms in mostly Asian or Eastern European countries, where the animals live a cruel life. Nobody should support these kind of products anymore. Synthetic brushes have come a long way and are just as good as the animal ones. I personally feel a lot better using a brush that I know that no animal had to die for or was treated terribly. I will choose a synthetic brush anytime over an animal one. And that goes for ivory handles too, there is a ban on ivory trade for a reason. As long as we keep using ivory products the demand remains and poaching is still profitable. Use alternative materials instead...even if you want an expensive brush. I'm using a synthetic brush from Mühle, with a wooden and metal handle and synthetic brush by the way. Love the videos, they show where products are made from and materials come from. Missing that in this one though....
I don't think synthetic brushes are worth anything. I have one made of musco real or Claus porto from Portugal, very nice handle but the bristles are much too hard, almost as hard as pig hair and do not retain water. Then I have one from Vielong from Spain with badger hair, these are very poorly made because they lose a lot of hair and are still quite pricey, I think the best badger hair brush is the one from the Dovo brand from Solingen Germany, price-quality wise.
It’s hard to take anyone seriously who says Darby when it’s spelled derby
Don’t buy the high end brunch from The Art of Shaving. I had two of them fall apart on me.
Your hair doesn’t look bad with no product in it
Badger hair farming is extremely unethical. Please do not use it, all while synthetic ones are better, cheaper, and more ethnical.
You think this is funny?
Badgers are pest in China 🇨🇳. Synthetic hair is not the same as Badger period
Wait what? I'm supposed to use an expensive brush to apply my shaving cream? Not just my hands? I've been living like a caveman so long I guess I no longer know how to be civilized.
😄 You don't have to.... you only need a brush when you want to make the foam yourself instead of canned f.