Badger brushes cost - is it a markup or real?

I’m not a Shavemac expert, but I have owned 8 of them and keep 6 in my rotation. 

The D01 can be a lather thief, they take a while to soften and really are great if you want extreme backbone.  

The 2 band Shavemac has really nice backbone, releases lather easier, requires less product, and has smaller diameter shaft hairs.   They are a little less money and in my opinion, one of the best knots if you look at a price per performance ratio.   Want more backbone, have Rudy Vey set it a little lower in the handle (less loft) and if you bowl lather, my goodness the bulbs perform well.  Want to face lather, consider a 24mm fan which is great for both.

Below are two he has made in the past year that I have.  The butterscotch is a 22mm that I use when I travel.  The blue is a 24mm I use when I bowl lather.  I also have a 20, 24 fan and 26mm all from Rudy all 2 band Shavemacs.  He can tell you about pricing, but all were a phenomenal value, love them and have a purpose for me.  

Note, I like this handle as I have a bad thumb and bowl lather.  He can do any custom handle you want on his lathe… and his butterscotch color is exquisite.   

Spectacular brushes, the butterscotch is so beautiful, WOW.
Thank you for this good advice

I recently got into badger knots myself, last Fall. I have only bought one full badger brush, made by Trotter Handcrafts. All the rest are knots from Maggard Razors, The Golden Nib, and Shave Forge, which I set into handles I had using RTV silicone. There is a gent here on the forum that restores vintage handles, and I put knots into those as well as some Trotter handles. I have had great luck with the Maggard SHD 2-bands. And then there are mixed badger/boar knots! My favorite is the 70/30 mix from AP Shave Co.

See how the tunnels keep branching out and twisting around?!

You might like to try a nice brush from H.L. Thater or (and) Shavemac.  They're really nice in my opinion and while not inexpensive, not that bad unless you want to get into the really large format knots which personally I find unwieldy and overkill but each to their own.

Rudy is another great option for quality handles and he will stuff it with any knot he is able to order. Paladin is a good one too for inexpensive gelled knots but like you said you can only pick from what he has on the shelf and often the best ones get sold quick.

I named the 4 I did because they all take orders, and all have some of the best knots without charging nearly 200$ for a bundle of hair and 200$ for a handle.  Shavemacs own website will let you pick from like 100 different colors and 10 or so shapes, and Simpson will make a brush for you if they dont have what you want in their site.

My suggestion is don't spend more than 200 unless your sure you really want to dive in and spend tons of money.  Once you start buying DG and mozingo brushes your going to be buying others cause you want to know which one is the king, or just because you'll want more.

Thank you Itsallgravy, I take your guidance to stay at 200, 
This process if fascinating

Anytime, just to give you an Idea.  A Shavemac brush filled with a 26mm 2-Band Silvertip will run you around 150$ if you build it with their configurator on their website.  I would suggest starting with the standard and not the D01 unless your sure you're going to like a very dense bundle.  I love my D01 but that kind of density is not for everyone and I added 2mm of additional loft on mine to give it some movement.

I concur on the D01 advice - I have a really nice one which I call my pot scrubber    Its dense and has a ton of backbone

Well Brains, you opened up a topic that is near and dear to the hearts of many DFS members.  There was a lot of feedback on the advantages of boar brushes on the other thread you started but I don't think you will find many members that. when push comes to shove, will say they love and collect boar brushes as much as badger brushes.  Badger is the pinnacle.  Also, despite the fact that some will say this and even believe it, a $40 Razoroc or Stirling badger will not perform like a $250 Shavemac, Simpson or Thater.  It may look similar (at least the knot) but it won't perform the same.  It just won't.  I'm not saying dont buy the cheaper ones - most of us started out with a cheap badger brush and sooner or later tried the premium badgers.  You get a frame of reference that way and can draw your own conclusions because, after all, your shaving and the gear you love is all about you.  I think youre wise to gather information before jumping in - I just hope you can process it all because as you can expect, people who are active on shaving forums like DFS are reasonably passionate about shaving and shaving gear.  Next you may want to inquire about shaving soap!

I recently got into badger knots myself, last Fall. I have only bought one full badger brush, made by Trotter Handcrafts. All the rest are knots from Maggard Razors, The Golden Nib, and Shave Forge, which I set into handles I had using RTV silicone. There is a gent here on the forum that restores vintage handles, and I put knots into those as well as some Trotter handles. I have had great luck with the Maggard SHD 2-bands. And then there are mixed badger/boar knots! My favorite is the 70/30 mix from AP Shave Co.

See how the tunnels keep branching out and twisting around?!

You might like to try a nice brush from H.L. Thater or (and) Shavemac.  They're really nice in my opinion and while not inexpensive, not that bad unless you want to get into the really large format knots which personally I find unwieldy and overkill but each to their own.

I was really impressed with Shavemac's concept of building ones brush, website is very friendly, knots look of very high quality and handles are super nice, 
one can customize engraving, really smart concept

Well Brains, you opened up a topic that is near and dear to the hearts of many DFS members.  There was a lot of feedback on the advantages of boar brushes on the other thread you started but I don't think you will find many members that. when push comes to shove, will say they love and collect boar brushes as much as badger brushes.  Badger is the pinnacle.  Also, despite the fact that some will say this and even believe it, a $40 Razoroc or Stirling badger will not perform like a $250 Shavemac, Simpson or Thater.  It may look similar (at least the knot) but it won't perform the same.  It just won't.  I'm not saying dont buy the cheaper ones - most of us started out with a cheap badger brush and sooner or later tried the premium badgers.  You get a frame of reference that way and can draw your own conclusions because, after all, your shaving and the gear you love is all about you.  I think youre wise to gather information before jumping in - I just hope you can process it all because as you can expect, people who are active on shaving forums like DFS are reasonably passionate about shaving and shaving gear.  Next you may want to inquire about shaving soap!

Marko spot on!
I am starting to understand the cost differences and the logic behind it, I am watching as the rabbit hole is opening and rabbits like Shavemac, Thater and Simpson lure me to hunt them.
The process of learning from fellow members in DFS is fascinating and enjoyable, Badgers really are pinnacle of brushes and take an important part in Wet Shaving culture, right along side the razor. I have opened pandora's box 

Enjoy it I say. Making something most people dread to do an enjoyable experience is a huge plus to this hobby, and it doesn't get much better than lathering up with a good badger knot. Sorry we sucked you into the abyss but welcome to the void

Enjoy it I say.  Making something most people dread to do an enjoyable experience is a huge plus to this hobby, and it doesn't get much better than lathering up with a good badger knot.  Sorry we sucked you into the abyss but welcome to the void

I dive in willingly, my dear friend ItsAllGreavy 
I used to hate shaving (Cartridge days), nowadays i really look forward for the morning shave, it makes my entire day All Gravy 

Enjoy it I say.  Making something most people dread to do an enjoyable experience is a huge plus to this hobby, and it doesn't get much better than lathering up with a good badger knot.  Sorry we sucked you into the abyss but welcome to the void

I dive in willingly, my dear friend ItsAllGreavy 
I used to hate shaving (Cartridge days), nowadays i really look forward for the morning shave, it makes my entire day All Gravy 

Wait till you start appreciating shaving in the evening... 

Enjoy it I say.  Making something most people dread to do an enjoyable experience is a huge plus to this hobby, and it doesn't get much better than lathering up with a good badger knot.  Sorry we sucked you into the abyss but welcome to the void

I dive in willingly, my dear friend ItsAllGreavy 
I used to hate shaving (Cartridge days), nowadays i really look forward for the morning shave, it makes my entire day All Gravy 

Wait till you start appreciating shaving in the evening... 

With a nice lavender scent like Ethos, or B&M Paganini’s Violin, I can just relax and smile.