Elite Razor Manchurian/HMW or Romera Manchurian?

I would say if possible try & find someone who might lend you a Romera brush. The only reason I say this is because, as I said in my earlier post its nowhere near as good as envy brush. I bought a Romera Manchurian with the same measurements as the DFS Envy White. Now my Romera brush did not look like a Manchurian it looked more a dense silver tip, like my Edwin Jagger. It also felt soft with a bit of backbone like my EJ. It also performed the same as my EJ brush pillow soft on top with a bit of backbone. Now the Envy white has a lot better backbone with soft tips & once lathered it still has a better backbone with luxury soft tips it's a what Manchurian should be. Now this is my experience with these brushes but I have had other Manchurian brushes & they too performed the same or close to the Envy White, my Romera did not even get close. To me it's a silver tip & yes I have spoke to Gustavo but that's another story that got sorted. Like I said this my experience only.
If you do order from Romera I will advice you to be patient as he does not rush his orders & communication is weak (5 months for mine & no update until I emailed him).
Good Luck with your choice mate.

When did you get your first Romeras, Scott and Joe? Seems the general sentiment is that quality has gone down and that this year's(?) knots are not as good as earlier ones.

I have owned 5 or 6 Romera knots over the last year-year and a half. The first one I bought I wasn't crazy about. A little floppy and too soft. 6 months ago I bought two 28mm Manchurian, one bulb and one fan. I love the fan but the bulb is a different beast. Dense, backbone for days, crazy soft gel tips but it can eat lather. I have another one that just got set in a handle that should be here Friday. Seems to be the exact same as the other. If anything IME the quality has gone up.

Congrats halvor and apologies for tardy response. The reality is, I don't think you can go wrong with any of your proposed selections. As to what the EW compares to, it has extremely soft tips and is relatively dense. I typically ask Bernd for an extra dense knot and the EW's I have are consequently not as densely packed but a real pleasure to use. Very soft tips [very soft!] and minimal shedding during break in as well. They pick up soap well but also are quick to release which is just as important to me.

At a 2:1 loft they have great backbone however if you are going custom you can adjust the loft to meet your expectation within reason across your knot selection(s).

Keep us posted!

When did you get your first Romeras, Scott and Joe? Seems the general sentiment is that quality has gone down and that this year's(?) knots are not as good as earlier ones.

I have owned 5 or 6 Romera knots over the last year-year and a half. The first one I bought I wasn't crazy about. A little floppy and too soft. 6 months ago I bought two 28mm Manchurian, one bulb and one fan. I love the fan but the bulb is a different beast. Dense, backbone for days, crazy soft gel tips but it can eat lather. I have another one that just got set in a handle that should be here Friday. Seems to be the exact same as the other. If anything IME the quality has gone up.

That's good to know about the bulb!! I set the 24mm fan at 2:1(48mm) and I think I could've gotten away at 50mm easy maybe more...It took a couple weeks of use to get broke in a little..
So's I got a Romera 26mm Manchurian bulb (still in transit, I HOPE!!) coming that I plan to set in a Rubberset 400 clone..what would be a good loft I wander for that??

So's I got a Romera 26mm Manchurian  bulb (still in transit, I HOPE!!) coming that I plan to set in a Rubberset 400 clone..what would be a good loft I wander for that??

With a nominal knot size of 26mm you'll likely be looking at ~28mm effective and if you want the 2:1 ratio, set it at 56mm.

I have a Shavemac 26mm set at 56mm that I was convinced would never be a favorite based on my preference for some backbone. I followed Bernd's suggestion to give it a try.

I was sadly mistaken- it is one of my favorite brushes of all time!

When did you get your first Romeras, Scott and Joe? Seems the general sentiment is that quality has gone down and that this year's(?) knots are not as good as earlier ones.

I have owned 5 or 6 Romera knots over the last year-year and a half. The first one I bought I wasn't crazy about. A little floppy and too soft. 6 months ago I bought two 28mm Manchurian, one bulb and one fan. I love the fan but the bulb is a different beast. Dense, backbone for days, crazy soft gel tips but it can eat lather. I have another one that just got set in a handle that should be here Friday. Seems to be the exact same as the other. If anything IME the quality has gone up.

That's good to know about the bulb!! I set the 24mm fan at 2:1(48mm) and I think I could've gotten away at 50mm easy maybe more...It took a couple weeks of use to get broke in a little..
So's I got a Romera 26mm Manchurian  bulb (still in transit, I HOPE!!) coming that I plan to set in a Rubberset 400 clone..what would be a good loft I wander for that??

I'll let you know Friday =) the one I have now is set at 48 and while I love it every now and then it won't give up the lather for the third pass. So the new one I have coming from L&L which is a 30mm I had him set a little higher. Don't have the exact specs but I'll find out. Just remind me or look for my SOTD post. I really enjoy Shavemac as well but with the price and quality of Romera I find it difficult to pull the trigger on one. I also have a Romera Silvertip waiting for a handle and that one surprised me. Scrubbiest knot I have tried from him. Put it in a temp handle just to see and so far it's great.

Reporting back, here's the brush with the Elite Manchurian White in it, to be set at 51mm on Bob's advice. Photo courtesy of Peter W.

[Image: 7940fa46d0c8440477fd0ede84fc4fc1.jpg]

So's I got a Romera 26mm Manchurian  bulb (still in transit, I HOPE!!) coming that I plan to set in a Rubberset 400 clone..what would be a good loft I wander for that??

With a nominal knot size of 26mm you'll likely be looking at ~28mm effective and if you want the 2:1 ratio, set it at 56mm.

I have a Shavemac 26mm set at 56mm that I was convinced would never be a favorite based on my preference for some backbone. I followed Bernd's suggestion to give it a try.

I was sadly mistaken- it is one of my favorite brushes of all time!

I agree. I have always gone with Bernd recommendations, as weird as the may sound, once you get the brush it makes all the sense in the world.

Reporting back, here's the brush with the Elite Manchurian White in it, to be set at 51mm on Bob's advice. Photo courtesy of Peter W.

[Image: 7940fa46d0c8440477fd0ede84fc4fc1.jpg]

I look forward to your thoughts. I've been using my Elite knots for a couple weeks now and I'm thrilled with them honestly. So far for the price, one of the best knots I've tried. I really hope you like it.

That is one great looking brush halvor ! Definitely looking forward to great reports on arrival and use.