Best knot from Declaration Grooming vs The Varlet vs Black Eagle vs Mozingo?

I don't have that much experience, only ZT2, ZT3, Rhodium.
All of them are soft, dense and have good backbone. They are high quality brushes.

Hair Thickness: Rhodium (Thick) > ZT2 > ZT3 (Thin)
For me, Rhodium is more Manchurian, ZT3 character is like 2 band silvertip.
ZT3 is the softest. Rhodium has the most backbone. ZT2 is middle of these two brushes.
I can understand many members like ZT2 more, since it has very good balance btw softness and backbone.

But, I prefer more backbone and slightly less soft brushes, so I like Rhodium more. 
All of them are very good, really up to your preference, which one is the best.

Great to hear. I have a Rhodium being knotted now.

Really can’t go wrong with Mozingo, or Varlet. I’ve stopped recommending BE, not because I don’t like them but because they’re so hard to get. I’ve heard good things about b11. Other desirable dec batches are getting pricy so I wouldn’t bother with them. Milton at turn n shave has a nice batch right now and rhodium is nice too.

My advice would be to start with Mozingo unless you have 500 for a custom Varlet. You can get a nice brush from Brett for well under that. Go from there.

Enjoy!

Absolutely agree with all the gents who have recommended Mozingo, you can’t go wrong with any of his hand tied knots or his handles. For me, there’s just something about Brett’s color choices and pours that resonate with me and I love them. That’s what I’d recommend when his waitlist opens up or just try to catch one of his drops.

Srdjan of Rhodium can tie an incredible knot as well, the only challenge is that he is in Australia and you have to send him a handle. He also gets pretty busy due to the quality of his work but if you have the opportunity, get one.

Milton at Turn-N-Shave is another really great guy whose work speaks for itself and is also top tier. My 28mm M1 knot is probably the densest knot I’ve ever tried but the tips are a bit too gelled for me to say it’s perfect. His new batch of M2 hair is not treated and I’m looking forward to trying it when my name comes up on the waitlist. Milton also has a waitlist that opens fairly regularly so keep and eye on it if you’re interested in his work.

DG B8 is the best I’ve tried thus far but I haven’t tried B11. Brush drops are hard to catch but just send him a handle and he’ll knot it.

Another one that I’d recommend is Viking Soap. Andrew will pour and turn anything you request, his work is also top tier, and his prices are inexpensive in comparison to the quality of his work. His Odin’s Beard knots are similar to a Maggard SHD. At this point, I couldn’t tell the difference between the best DG batches and the best SHD knots although my wallet certainly can, haha.

I haven’t tried Black Eagle and the only Varlet I own is an older Finest Badger and not the current hair.

Anyways, let us know what you go with and how you like it!

LOOT can you please compare ZT3 and B11 for me in terms of softness, backbone, and density? Did you say you like B11 more than ZT3? I couldn't tell from the way you worded.

LOOT can you please compare ZT3 and B11 for me in terms of softness, backbone, and density? Did you say you like B11 more than ZT3? I couldn't tell from the way you worded.

Mine are very similar. Neither of mine gel. The B11 is a little softer but it is 30mm and the ZT3 is 28mm. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it or not. So, I would take the B11 over ZT3 but not by much. I like them both enough to keep 2 of each...in a 10-12 brush collection.

With that said, if you want a custom pour, try to catch Brett on Instagram and try to get on his list. If that doesn't work, that will make the decision real easy....get a handle from a 3rd party and go to B11.

In either case, you will get a B11 before you get a ZT3.

Went with B11. Will show y'all pics when it's done!

Went with B11. Will show y'all pics when it's done!

Right on. What handle you sending in?

I commissioned a Jeffo shape from Bob Quinn out of stone. Initial pictures look dope. I will wait till I get the full brush to post.

You may want to contact Scott with details before sending

Yep Scott is in the loop and he's cool with everything.