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Shaving Brush Review: Thäter two-band brush with fan shaped knot.
- Thread starter Bart
- Start Date
G
Guest
Actually, I think it's too big for comfort. I know that some people believe that bigger is always better, but I think that is not necessarily the case when it comes to brushes. Especially fan shaped ones. Mine is 26mm, and I would not mind having a 24 or even 22mm one instead.
Bart
Well-Known Member
Paul said:Bart said:I believe the one I reviewed is the prototype of this one:
http://www.straightrazordesigns.com...-4125-3-i-28mm-two-band-finest-silver-tip-fan
Based onSRD's picture, it appears to be the same brush, but with a less "flat" fan. That would likely improve the face-lathering capabilities of the brush.
Bart.
Yours is 28mm? That thing is huge, isn't it. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't trying to match the review, rather what I wish they would have opted for in the SRP group buy:
Not such a thorough review after all...
I never cared to measure the brush.: I just took calipers and measured the prototype I tested for this review. The base of the knot is 26mm. At it widest (without accounting a couple stray hairs), the brush is 78mm. Height of the knot is 47mm. Height of the handle: 45mm. Diameter of the handle: 35mm
I tried face-lathering again yesterday. If I load the brush very very well (easily 4 times the amount of soap I would use with another brush) and I give the lathering a head start while loading, it's manageable. But I ended up with a giant mushroom of lather on the brush, that covered the handle and even part of my hands. What a mess.
Bart.
Snuff
Well-Known Member
I found it a good review but after looking at the prices :scared:
Problem is that brushes are so personal, one person can find it unbelievable and another doesn't like it. Recently I bought a Semogue Owners Club badger after reading a lot of good reviews but it's not my thing.
Problem is that brushes are so personal, one person can find it unbelievable and another doesn't like it. Recently I bought a Semogue Owners Club badger after reading a lot of good reviews but it's not my thing.
G
Guest
The prices are actually a joke compared to what certain well known (or well hyped) manufacturers charge. And you should keep in mind that a well cared for brush (and by well cared for I mean "do not do any of the things Bart or Ralfy do, ie do not overheat them, do not expose them to stress, shampoo them once a week") can last decades without losing any of its performance.
As far as the personal aspect is concerned, yes, there is an element of truth to that. Some people like wooden handles, or ivory, or extra long or short ones. Me, I am concerned with one thing only, and that is performance. I get - repeatedly and consistently - better results when using a certain shaving bowl than when face lathering. So I use that shaving bowl. And I find it hard to understand why anyone else would sacrifice functionality for idiosyncrasies.
Speaking of which, and just because Bart suggested that the extreme fan shape of his brush might have something to do with his inability to achieve adequate lather with it, I tried my travel brush this morning. You can see its extreme bulb shape in the picture below. And, yes, it is apparently easier to face lather with a bulb than a fan.
[c]
[/c]
But coming back to performance: I see no difference between a two band and a regular Thäter brush. So if you can live without the added backbone of the two band, you probably should. One has to keep in mind that we are at the beginning of a little hype here. Two band hair is rare, and therefore expensive. Some people like to brag with their expensive stuff (I do not, by the way), and have been hyping their Simpson and Plisson two banders for a long time. Now that Thäter is offering two band brushes at affordable prices, many will want one. But that does not mean that you need one. At all. In all honesty, if you are mainly concerned with price, get a regular brush, because you will be even harder pressed to find any brush that matches a Thäter one in the price/performance ratio. Shavemac, the other German manufacturer, comes to mind, but not Simpson, Plisson or - heaven forbid - one of the forum darlings selling Chinese mass produced knots in dysfunctional handles.
Regards,
Robin
As far as the personal aspect is concerned, yes, there is an element of truth to that. Some people like wooden handles, or ivory, or extra long or short ones. Me, I am concerned with one thing only, and that is performance. I get - repeatedly and consistently - better results when using a certain shaving bowl than when face lathering. So I use that shaving bowl. And I find it hard to understand why anyone else would sacrifice functionality for idiosyncrasies.
Speaking of which, and just because Bart suggested that the extreme fan shape of his brush might have something to do with his inability to achieve adequate lather with it, I tried my travel brush this morning. You can see its extreme bulb shape in the picture below. And, yes, it is apparently easier to face lather with a bulb than a fan.
[c]
But coming back to performance: I see no difference between a two band and a regular Thäter brush. So if you can live without the added backbone of the two band, you probably should. One has to keep in mind that we are at the beginning of a little hype here. Two band hair is rare, and therefore expensive. Some people like to brag with their expensive stuff (I do not, by the way), and have been hyping their Simpson and Plisson two banders for a long time. Now that Thäter is offering two band brushes at affordable prices, many will want one. But that does not mean that you need one. At all. In all honesty, if you are mainly concerned with price, get a regular brush, because you will be even harder pressed to find any brush that matches a Thäter one in the price/performance ratio. Shavemac, the other German manufacturer, comes to mind, but not Simpson, Plisson or - heaven forbid - one of the forum darlings selling Chinese mass produced knots in dysfunctional handles.
Regards,
Robin
Pithor
Well-Known Member
Robin said:
I assume you are referring to the 'Custom made resin stuffed with luxurious silvertip from TGN' brushes that come in more limited editions yearly than Spyker ever produced cars. I myself have a TGN knot brush, in a long olive wood handle, since I was looking for a decent brush at a decent price with a long handle. The $40 including shipping was a good price, I wouldn't have paid more anyway. And it is a decent brush for bowl lathering, face lathering is slightly troublesome, and it's a bit of a lather hog, not releasing as much as I would like. But worth the price I paid, I guess.
I'm still trying out a bit, and started experimenting with some boar brush, have to see how that works out. If/when I would buy a high-end brush, I would probably go for a Thäter, being so far the least hyped higher-end brush I've seen; unless you would count Robin's and Bart's reviews and SRP recent group buy as the start of a hype.
Oh, and I just happened to notice that The Different Scent have sadly increased their prices on Thäters somewhere during the last two weeks, or maybe just for the Kugel I's, since that was really the only brush I remember the old price of. I noticed a €15 increase on those. Too bad, since they are among the few retailers offering them online. Edit: just noticed SRD still carries them at arount €100. But then there's international shipping. You just cant have your pie and eat it, I guess.
To me, €100 for a shaving brush sounds like a lot of money to spend already, but then again I am aware that quite a bit of work goes into the manufacture and that it is a luxury item designed to last for quite some time. Maybe when I find a new job
: Meh, I guess I'm just living up to my nickle polishing Dutch nature, so I'll stop whining.
decraew
Well-Known Member
Pithor said:
Since I've discovered horsehair brushes, I'm completely done with boar. Try one, as long as you're experimenting.
Of course, since I received my Thäter(s), I'm done with the horsehair brush as well :-/
tat2Ralfy
Well-Known Member
Pah!
Thater brushes are not expensive, you want expensive? check this puppy out:
http://www.fendrihan.com/plisson-hi...h-horn-handle-size-p-1107.html?cPath=116_3_66
Point taken? good
Regards
Ralfson (Dr)
Thater brushes are not expensive, you want expensive? check this puppy out:
http://www.fendrihan.com/plisson-hi...h-horn-handle-size-p-1107.html?cPath=116_3_66
Point taken? good
Regards
Ralfson (Dr)
G
Guest
Well, badger hair -while actually a by-product of crispy badger with rice - is becoming scarce. Prices have been rising quite dramatically lately, so if you want one, now is as good a moment to buy one as any.
As for the hype, just don't believe it. When I first recommended Thäter brushes to a major US vendor, their response was, "Meh, it's just another brush". Months later, he finally succumbed to my incessant whingeing, got two - and ordered the full line immediately. But just means that someone who has tried a lot of brushes finds that Thäter brushes provide better value for money than others. But they are not magic, and sooner or later someone will receive one that sheds hair. Do keep in mind that the Thäter company are three elderly people totally dedicated to their craft - but they are still human. And, if you allow me a personal note, extremely charming and knowledgeable.
Regards,
Robin
As for the hype, just don't believe it. When I first recommended Thäter brushes to a major US vendor, their response was, "Meh, it's just another brush". Months later, he finally succumbed to my incessant whingeing, got two - and ordered the full line immediately. But just means that someone who has tried a lot of brushes finds that Thäter brushes provide better value for money than others. But they are not magic, and sooner or later someone will receive one that sheds hair. Do keep in mind that the Thäter company are three elderly people totally dedicated to their craft - but they are still human. And, if you allow me a personal note, extremely charming and knowledgeable.
Regards,
Robin
Pithor
Well-Known Member
Well, I have four brushes at the moment, one Plisson pure badger I got with my first strop - a small Dovo Prima Rindleder (I still quite like both brush and strop, btw) - the TGN silvertip one with the insanely long handle (pretty good bowl latherer), a synthetic Bodyshop brush I got as a gift and mainly use as a talc brush (since it doesn't really hold water or whip up lather that well) and the boar I got to play around with, see how it works. So I'm pretty much set for now and not actively looking into getting a new brush at the moment, but if I would be, I'd definately go for a Thäter, considering their price and the commendable craftsmanship compared to other high-end/popular brushes as I understood from reading reviews and opinions.
So back to the Thäter: how do you guys find the two band compares to the three band?
I got the idea that there's a minor increase in backbone with two-band and the rest is pretty much it being more exclusive and at least €30 more expensive. If I'd have a spare €250 lying around in the seating of the couch I'd try it out for myself, of course.
So back to the Thäter: how do you guys find the two band compares to the three band?
I got the idea that there's a minor increase in backbone with two-band and the rest is pretty much it being more exclusive and at least €30 more expensive. If I'd have a spare €250 lying around in the seating of the couch I'd try it out for myself, of course.
G
Guest
250€? You mean 250USD, and that is for the insanely big one. Of all the brushes currently available, I would go for the 4125/1 I 24mm Two Band Finest Silver Tip Fan. I like the added backbone of the two band hair, I like the fan shape for precision, and I like the size because it is easy to manoeuvre while offering - thanks to the fan shape - lots and lots of coverage. And that one is 166.99 U.S. dollars = 123.778816 Euros.
Regards,
Robin
Regards,
Robin
Pithor
Well-Known Member
The €250 remark was more meant as 'I buy at least a two band fan and a bulb, and then do a comparative investigation of my own'.
Either way I'd probably go smaller, since I sport a fair deal of facial hair and, I have the silvertip in 22 mm diam. bulbish and would be very reluctant in going anything over a 24 bulb or 22/23 fan, as I understand they tend to bloom wider. And thereby save myself another $10 B).
Either way I'd probably go smaller, since I sport a fair deal of facial hair and, I have the silvertip in 22 mm diam. bulbish and would be very reluctant in going anything over a 24 bulb or 22/23 fan, as I understand they tend to bloom wider. And thereby save myself another $10 B).
Paul
Well-Known Member
There's been a lot said since I've been here last.
Yes, this brush is, in my humble opinion, the best brush and by extension the best premium brush value on the market. No, it's not magic, but I would, and have, recommended it to people who have interest in only owning one brush. If you have brushes, and they're performing well, there's no need to get this brush. But, if someone is in the market for one brush only (especially if open to premium quality kit), this is likely what I'd recommend.
But, don't believe the hype
Yes, this brush is, in my humble opinion, the best brush and by extension the best premium brush value on the market. No, it's not magic, but I would, and have, recommended it to people who have interest in only owning one brush. If you have brushes, and they're performing well, there's no need to get this brush. But, if someone is in the market for one brush only (especially if open to premium quality kit), this is likely what I'd recommend.
But, don't believe the hype
Paul
Well-Known Member
Just got a text from a buddy who showed another model not carried by SRD, exclusive to Royal Shave, and at even more attractive prices it seems
Thäter 2 Band 4424/X
Thäter 2 Band 4424/X
Actually, I am. A brush was on my wish-list for birthday/saint's-day/Christmas/Easter presents and my girlfriend decided that this time it will be a brush. Luckily, I can select it myself.Paul said:
So the thread came up just in time.
Robin, as I'm inclined to rely on your opinion regarding shaving gear selection, I think I'll go for your recommendation.Robin said:
I just need to find a supplier of this model somewhere in EU.
G
Guest
I don't think there is one. At least the usual suspects do not have them in stock (yet). This might take a few months.maro said: