Tell me which brush to buy

Tell me which brush to buy. I am in the market for a new brush. I am open to listen to the experts.

I have a simpsons Chubby 2 in super which I use for face lathering and a PJ3 for bowl lathering but it also fine for face lathering. I do not really like the Chubby. The handle is too short. It does its job but I much prefer the handle shape of the PJ3. Here are some I'm looking at. Opinions would be appreciated. I do not need a face latherer. The chubby does its job just fine. Looking more for a bowl latherer.


Thater 4292/6. Everyone seems to say the Thater is softest tips.

Plisson 14? 12 looks to small. However, I would be hard pressed to justify the small fortune a 14 or 16 would cost. It would need to be made of gold and I'm not convinced and they are not obtainable from a US vendor

Saville Row 3128. Again, I prefer the persian jar type handle

Simpson Polo 10 in Manchurian, currently being sold on  their website at ~$330 US shipped, almost all much as a Plisson 14/16. It better be magical and have unicorn babies every year. Don't want another Simpson that isn't made of unicorn hair.

I'm willing to listen to opinions. Not willing to wait two years for unobtainium from a hermit living in a far off land for a rarity (you know - instant gratification - that   thing) I do not collect brushes nor ever intend to. I use one, let it dry for a day and use the other one while the first one is drying. They do not sit in a shelf but are to be used daily. However, I see no reason why a third brush can't be added for a 3 day rotation.

Thanks for opinions.

Semogue are good. Maybe a Vie Long

Bullgoose has a Vie Long in silvertip on sale today.

A green beehive.

I haven't tried Vie Long badger though so I guess this is a more of an FYI than a recommendation.

Saponificio Varesino has an excellent 2-bander that is priced quite well. It is a huge knot though, far beyond the 26mm they list it at. I'd estimate mine at 30mm or so. Great backbone with no scratchy/scritchy unpleasantness (and I'm saying that as a person with baby skin.)

Another good option might be a Shavemac. Can't really go wrong with any of them, I'd suggest fan shapes, though, seeing as their bulbs are pretty pointy for my taste. Silvertip is very gentle, 2-band silvertip is like a Thater with slightly improved backbone. Finest is like Simpsons Super based on my experiences there.

If you're willing to go the artisan route, Rudy Vey and Brian Sears are both excellent. I haven't tried others, but I do have that LE ordered through Nathan Clark.

Vie Long is great, but beware the low lofted ones if you have sensitive skin. I think you might dislike the handle on the Epsilon series unfortunately, but those knots are incredible!

Edit: Regarding Simpsons... I've purchased five in various grades, and batches (including 2 Manchurians) and don't really ever recommend them unless somebody is looking for scritch.

Polo 10 is pretty large.
I have the 10 and 8 both in Best. Not sure I'd spend that much for a 10 in Manchurian.
I have an M7 in Manchurian and that's plenty for me. Nice for bowl lathering with the taller handle.

I don't have any input regarding Saville Row, Thater, or Plisson.

As far as not waiting and buying off the shelf, Shavemac sells ready made brushes. I've got a finest in a Rudy Vey handle that's one of the softest brushes I have. Not sure if that's piqued your interest.

There certainly are tons of choices when brush shopping.

I agree with your rotation of them. I think it's better for a brush to dry completely too. Shaving every day means I'll always have at least two brushes.

Simpson Manchurian no good?


Any opinions on Thaters?

Saponificio Varesino has an excellent 2-bander that is priced quite well.  It is a huge knot though, far beyond the 26mm they list it at.  I'd estimate mine at 30mm or so.  Great backbone with no scratchy/scritchy unpleasantness (and I'm saying that as a person with baby skin.)

WOW, those are gorgeous! Which one? Very nice. Any more description on these? Soft tips?

Thater brushes are fantastic. Savile Row are made by Bernd at Shavemac for Charles at QED- I may go direct with Bernd and choose exactly the specs that you are looking for. His turns are very quick from my experience and the quality is top notch.

One of the best bangs for the buck IMHO are Epsilon brushes, available from Juan at GiftsAndCare.com . VAT auto subtracted. Only issue is the handle is very similar to a Chubby. Nonetheless, very dense knot and a pleasure to use for face lathering.

May also want to consider a Zenith from jankdc . I don't own one myself but all reports are great and Italian Barber sources from Zenith for a portion of their badger brushes which also get rave reviews.

Good luck!

Simpson Manchurian no good?


Any opinions on Thaters?

Some people absolutely love their Manchurians. I've tried two, and found both to be scratchy and uncomfortable to actually use on the face. It has a pretty heavy amount of backbone and gives me brush burn when used. Some who like a great level of exfoliation might really like them, though.

Thater is solid and very comfortable. Their silvertips are extremely soft, their 2-banders are very gentle. The only issue with them is that there are other options in that price range that provide more backbone, which seems to be all the rage these days.

Saponificio Varesino has an excellent 2-bander that is priced quite well.  It is a huge knot though, far beyond the 26mm they list it at.  I'd estimate mine at 30mm or so.  Great backbone with no scratchy/scritchy unpleasantness (and I'm saying that as a person with baby skin.)

WOW, those are gorgeous! Which one? Very nice. Any more description on these? Soft tips?

I got the olivewood one. The handle is very heavy, and the knot is one of the best I've tried for me. The tips are very soft, and I can lather my face pretty aggressively with no ill effect. The hair type reminds me of a M&F I have from a few years ago, where the tips are so very gentle, but not gel-like. It really is something special and different from other options on the market.

The one knock I have against the brush is that the metal ring has some sharp edges that are uncomfortable at times when holding the brush. It is also enormous. I like all sizes of brush, but really I only need 22mm or so! This brush is far larger than you would think, it dwarfs my Epsilon, my 2XL, my 26mm Shavemacs.

I got the olivewood one.  The handle is very heavy, and the knot is one of the best I've tried for me.  The tips are very soft, and I can lather my face pretty aggressively with no ill effect.  The hair type reminds me of a M&F I have from a few years ago, where the tips are so very gentle, but not gel-like.  It really is something special and different from other options on the market.

The one knock I have against the brush is that the metal ring has some sharp edges that are uncomfortable at times when holding the brush.  It is also enormous.  I like all sizes of brush, but really I only need 22mm or so!  This brush is far larger than you would think, it dwarfs my Epsilon, my 2XL, my 26mm Shavemacs.

Do you have the dimensions? How tall is the handle and overall height? I cannot find a single review online. Are they dense like a Simpson? This sound interesting to me. They look unique. 30mm doesn't bother me. I measured my Chubby it appears around 30mm.

Have you weighed it?r