"Best" "Silvertip" "Two-Band" etc.

Rev-O

Rev-O

Messages
2,656
Hi all

Through a chain of small coincidences I've been asked to write a magazine article about choosing (rather than using) a shaving brush.

The boar / badger thing is easy, as is size (loft / knot) as is handles.

The tricky bit is helping people understand what the terms "Best" "Silvertip" "Two-Band" etc. mean. Am I right in thinking there's no industry standard for these descriptions? Obviously "pure" badger is 100% but "best" or "silvertip" are pretty wide and vague.

Then there's the dreaded two-band. Apart from the fact that many of the cheapest boar brushed are dyed to look the part is still seems that there's a lot of variation in what counts as two-band and what goes by what name.

There's good article here:

http://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com/english-shaving-tools-of-the-trade-brushes.html

Outlining the broad differences between best, super and silvertip but in my experience actual brushes and their makers vary so much both in word and deed as to make any hard and fast rules impossible.

Any thoughts on this?
 
Youve got it in one.
There is no standard industry nomenclature. Major manufacturers call the same hair by different names eg, Super, Finest, HMW etc but it tends to be the only the real enthusiasts whio get worked up about it and not your average shaver who wants to buy a shaving brush.
That said, most will 'know' a quality knot when they have one.
Explaining Pure, Best, Finest, Two band,etc can be kept to a relatively simple write up but is this one going to become the Shaver's 'bible':icon_smile:
Good luck with your article Rev.
regards, beejay
 
You will find that several brands/manufacturers explain what they mean by the terms they use such as best, silvertip, super etc.

This is my post on my shaving brush blog:

http://fidosshavingbrushblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/badger-grades.html

And the link to a useful Badger & Blade wiki:

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Shave_Brush_Hair_Grades

It doesn't include all the best brands or makers. But enough to get the idea!
 
I wouldn't bother mentioning 2 band/finest, especially as supply is seasonal, inconsistent and easily erm "replicated".

I'd keep it simple....differences between Pure, Best, Super, Silvertip as well as mentioning boar and synthetics, I htink Muhle have done a lot of work in that area but I've never tried them. Who are you writing for anyway..."Grooming for Clergy" ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom