VIE-LONG APPRECIATION AND HISTORY

I have one VL; a beehive badger that has time and again mastered every soap,suffered my sometimes inexcusable neglect and shedded all of 2
minor hairs the first weeek of use- and I suspect one was Pyewacket's when he determined it was not an existential threat.
It simply exudes-how can I share? It's like watching a Andalusian prance in the arena or Fandango dancers. I almost reach for my basque made Boina and have a red wine, cheese and bread for breakfast and walk out with a Hemingway swagger of machismo.
I know there are other great brush's; Plisson, Kent and the new generation of  individual craftsmen. This is my marque of choice, at least for now.
But, I know so little except they started in 1940. My lousy computer connection is still a Chesire Cat of Gremlins ( a creature created by B17 crews to explain inexplicable mechanical problems. They were the offspring of a Cornish Pixie and  Scottish Terrier).
I would Love to see older brushes or LEs I am unaware of, and more history from the company- I can't send emails for now

Kav, I do not know much about the history, but I do have this 2-band LE and I just love it.  Good backbone, soft, and has not shed one hair.  I believe they make a quality brush.

I'm really starting to develop a liking for Vie Long brushes. 

My 3rd synthetic brush, a 15062, arrived today and is sitting nicely with my horn Beehive and 15201 brushes. They compare favourably to the Muhle / EJ STF v2 range and are a joy to use.

I've got a 16568 Silvertip on the way and my wife has ordered a butterscotch 13065 Silvertip for my birthday. 

I'd be really interested in hearing more about this company as I also know next to nothing about them.

You just bought two nice ones from Claus while my stupid computer froze again. That's o.k. I hope to A. Win the lottery and B. Buy a Rolls-Royce from www.vintagerollsroycscars.com in Exeter. I will do a California drive by with balloons of shaving cream in retribution.

(02-10-2016, 02:47 PM)ajc347 Wrote: I'm really starting to develop a liking for Vie Long brushes. 

My 3rd synthetic brush, a 15062, arrived today and is sitting nicely with my horn Beehive and 15201 brushes. They compare favourably to the Muhle / EJ STF v2 range and are a joy to use.

I've got a 16568 Silvertip on the way and my wife has ordered a butterscotch 13065 Silvertip for my birthday. 

I'd be really interested in hearing more about this company as I also know next to nothing about them.

(02-10-2016, 04:44 PM)kav Wrote: You just bought two nice ones from Claus while my stupid computer froze again. That's o.k. I hope to A. Win the lottery and B. Buy a Rolls-Royce from www.vintagerollsroycscars.com in Exeter. I will do a California drive by with balloons of shaving cream in retribution.

Thanks to Andy (and in the end also myself and my wallet), I just added these two Vie Long's to my collection, so that I now own 4 Epsilon badgers again, after I sold my two 24 mm to Andy:

Epsilon Silvertip Ivory Shaving Brush by Vie-Long 55/27mm knot


Epsilon Two Band Badger Black Shaving Brush by Vie-Long 55/27mm Knot

My new Epsilon 3 band 27x50

All i can say is Wow! The Spanish Chubby 2!






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(02-10-2016, 04:44 PM)kav Wrote: You just bought two nice ones from Claus while my stupid computer froze again. That's o.k. I hope to A. Win the lottery and B. Buy a Rolls-Royce from www.vintagerollsroycscars.com in Exeter. I will do a California drive by with balloons of shaving cream in retribution.

Sorry to hear that your computer froze at the wrong time mate.

I do like the idea of shaving cream retribution though. Lol.

Seriously though, if you do ever find your way down this neck of the woods please feel free to give me a shout and the beers are on me.


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(02-11-2016, 05:52 AM)jfim88 Wrote: My new Epsilon 3 band 27x50

All i can say is Wow! The Spanish Chubby 2!

(02-11-2016, 05:50 AM)CHSeifert Wrote: Thanks to Andy (and in the end also myself and my wallet), I just added these two Vie Long's to my collection, so that I now own 4 Epsilon badgers again, after I sold my two 24 mm to Andy.

The Epsilon brushes look totally awesome and will definitely be an option for a future purchase - thank you for posting up the pictures.

I'm looking forward to seeing some photos of yours as well when they arrive Claus.




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These three Epsilon brushes have quickly become favourites beside my Romeras. Quite simply......outstanding knots and a delight to use.

Central Ivory 3-Band 27x50 flanked by 2-Banders, Garnet 27x55 left and Ebony 27x50mm right. 

I have an Epsilon 3-band 27/50 on it's way. Excited to take it for a spin. My only other experience with Vie-Long was a white horse hair, and it was not a keeper. Although the guy that I sold it too seemed to really like it. Surprising soft brush, but a bit too floppy.

My car is in your neighborhood, my lottery ticket down at the Syrian owned liquor store and I just have to coordinate the planetary alignment and
burn some alter incense to make it all come together. I may come down the street on the wrong ( American) side scattering bystanders and give you warning.

(02-11-2016, 07:25 AM)shevek Wrote: I have an Epsilon 3-band 27/50 on it's way. Excited to take it for a spin. My only other experience with Vie-Long was a white horse hair, and it was not a keeper. Although the guy that I sold it too seemed to really like it. Surprising soft brush, but a bit too floppy.

I doubt this one will be going anywhere, Rob. Both grades of hair are superb but the 3-Band really stands out, IMO. Definitely my favourite.

I liked Bullgoose's Lord Randal, especially the second version. Also always liked the looks of the Petree.

(02-11-2016, 07:33 AM)Optometrist Wrote:

(02-11-2016, 07:25 AM)shevek Wrote: I have an Epsilon 3-band 27/50 on it's way. Excited to take it for a spin. My only other experience with Vie-Long was a white horse hair, and it was not a keeper. Although the guy that I sold it too seemed to really like it. Surprising soft brush, but a bit too floppy.

I doubt this one will be going anywhere, Rob. Both grades of hair are superb but the 3-Band really stands out, IMO. Definitely my favourite.

Hi David-

I'm pretty much set on getting a 3-band Epsilon as my next brush.  I'm just debating the loft.  I have read on other threads that you like the 50, but others have said it's too dense/scrubby and lacks flow through.  I'm not concerned the 55 will be too floppy, but just feel really big.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  Thanks!

Alex

(02-11-2016, 10:47 AM)surfshaver Wrote: Hi David-

I'm pretty much set on getting a 3-band Epsilon as my next brush.  I'm just debating the loft.  I have read on other threads that you like the 50, but others have said it's too dense/scrubby and lacks flow through.  I'm not concerned the 55 will be too floppy, but just feel really big.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  Thanks!

Alex

Alex, all the Epsilon brushes have dense knots but I have no issue with flow through with either of my 50mm knots in 2 and 3-Band. The 3-Band has very soft tips and despite the density, is virtually Thater 3-Band soft. Scrub is not a description I would allocate to these knots. 
As for size, I only have the 55mm in 2-Band, however it should be similar in 3-Band. It is a largish knot. Here is a pic of my 50mm 3-Band and 55mm 2-Band brushes along side a Chubby 2 Manchurian for comparison.
I have no reservation recommending the 50mm brush to you.

(02-11-2016, 11:18 AM)Optometrist Wrote:

(02-11-2016, 10:47 AM)surfshaver Wrote: Hi David-

I'm pretty much set on getting a 3-band Epsilon as my next brush.  I'm just debating the loft.  I have read on other threads that you like the 50, but others have said it's too dense/scrubby and lacks flow through.  I'm not concerned the 55 will be too floppy, but just feel really big.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  Thanks!

Alex

Alex, all the Epsilon brushes have dense knots but I have no issue with flow through with either of my 50mm knots in 2 and 3-Band. The 3-Band has very soft tips and despite the density, is virtually Thater 3-Band soft. Scrub is not a description I would allocate to these knots. 
As for size, I only have the 55mm in 2-Band, however it should be similar in 3-Band. It is a largish knot. Here is a pic of my 50mm 3-Band and 55mm 2-Band brushes along side a Chubby 2 Manchurian for comparison.
I have no reservation recommending the 50mm brush to you.

Thanks for the insight!  Much appreciated.

I have a Bullgoose 3 band LE beehive that is superb and have felt for awhile that it was one of the best kept secrets in wet shaving, but now the Epsilon has let the cat badger out of the bag. I've been eyeing a 3 band Epsilon for a bit and will eventually pull the trigger on one I think.

(02-11-2016, 11:18 AM)Optometrist Wrote:

(02-11-2016, 10:47 AM)surfshaver Wrote: Hi David-

I'm pretty much set on getting a 3-band Epsilon as my next brush.  I'm just debating the loft.  I have read on other threads that you like the 50, but others have said it's too dense/scrubby and lacks flow through.  I'm not concerned the 55 will be too floppy, but just feel really big.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  Thanks!

Alex

Alex, all the Epsilon brushes have dense knots but I have no issue with flow through with either of my 50mm knots in 2 and 3-Band. The 3-Band has very soft tips and despite the density, is virtually Thater 3-Band soft. Scrub is not a description I would allocate to these knots. 
As for size, I only have the 55mm in 2-Band, however it should be similar in 3-Band. It is a largish knot. Here is a pic of my 50mm 3-Band and 55mm 2-Band brushes along side a Chubby 2 Manchurian for comparison.
I have no reservation recommending the 50mm brush to you.

Hi David,

I'm interested in your thoughts on the 55mm 2 band garnet.  At 55mm, but still quite dense looking, it should be a pretty versatile brush, right?  Do you consider it a brush that can equally be used in the bowl or on the face?

Vie-long 2 band is meant to be quite stiff isn't it?

Cheers.

(02-11-2016, 08:53 PM)Basilsniffer Wrote: Hi David,

I'm interested in your thoughts on the 55mm 2 band garnet.  At 55mm, but still quite dense looking, it should be a pretty versatile brush, right?  Do you consider it a brush that can equally be used in the bowl or on the face?

Vie-long 2 band is meant to be quite stiff isn't it?

Cheers.

Hi Adam,

I wrote in another thread that if I could customise the 2-Band, it would be to set the loft mid way between the two available options. At 55mm, I find the knot just lacking the backbone I look for in a brush whereas the 50mm appears too far in the other direction. That said, I've now used the 50mm brush, three times, and it is already loosening up.
I face lather 100% of the time. I can imagine that the 55mm brush would work well using a bowl.
I wouldn't class the 2-Band hair as stiff, more the sheer density of these knots requiring careful selection of the loft based upon individual preferences. I certainly haven't experienced any scritch with either of the two lofts.

I hope this answers your questions.

(02-11-2016, 11:33 PM)The Optometrist Wrote:

(02-11-2016, 08:53 PM)Basilsniffer Wrote: Hi David,

I'm interested in your thoughts on the 55mm 2 band garnet.  At 55mm, but still quite dense looking, it should be a pretty versatile brush, right?  Do you consider it a brush that can equally be used in the bowl or on the face?

Vie-long 2 band is meant to be quite stiff isn't it?

Cheers.

Hi Adam,

I wrote in another thread that if I could customise the 2-Band, it would be to set the loft mid way between the two available options. At 55mm, I find the knot just lacking the backbone I look for in a brush whereas the 50mm appears too far in the other direction. That said, I've now used the 50mm brush, three times, and it is already loosening up.
I face lather 100% of the time. I can imagine that the 55mm brush would work well using a bowl.
I wouldn't class the 2-Band hair as stiff, more the sheer density of these knots requiring careful selection of the loft based upon individual preferences. I certainly haven't experienced any scritch with either of the two lofts.

I hope this answers your questions.

It does - thanks very much David.