BIG brush beckoning...

Well, I'm officially back on the BIG brush bandwagon.

And now I'm lamenting all the monster sized brushes that I sold off over the years. 

I've decided I'd like to revisit a few and I'm considering starting with the one that in fact started it all... 

The Kent BLK12.

I have a BIG Kent V10. Huge loft really. Used it today.

(02-19-2016, 11:51 PM)Shaun Wrote: I have a BIG Kent V10. Huge loft really. Used it today.

I'd love to see a pic Shaun! 

I recently RE-acquired a Muhle Retro. I love the big soft bloom and non existent backbone. The knot encompasses the face, almost swallowing it like when you bury your face into a soft pillow. 

I remember the Kent brushes being much the same.

Here are three pics. All intact: except the decal washed down the plughole, boooooo! Looks like a two-band to me, but it may not be. Doesn't have the rigidity of the modern 2-band at any rate. "Pure Badger", but of course this at the time meant it wasn't a mixed loft. I don't know the date, but guessing late 60s??

Beautiful Shaun, thank-you!

Biggest I had and no longer have but it was a joy to use for a nice 3 pass. You dont skimp on using a brush like this for a shave....

You could contact Brad Sears about a custom handle using one of his new 30mm 3-band manchurian knots.

One of my biggest sale regrets was my BK12. Monster floppy pillow of pure heavenly lather.

I would say my biggest brush sale regret were two chubby 3 Manchurian brushes. One jade the other briar.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My "monster" brush is a Thäter 4125/5 33mm 2-band with 56mm loft. I think it holds enough soap to cover my entire body. 

I've been going up in my size range lately as well. Most of my recent brush purchases have been over 26mm+, where I usually stuck with 22-24mm before. As with you Ben, it was a BLK12 that was my first real big brush. I've never really forgotten about that or broken down yet to get another, but it won't leave my memory. I kick myself for missing that Kent AP12 recently in the BST forum. It's for the best really. I've been purchasing more than enough brushes, but you can still dream and long for them.

I have a Noble Shaving 30 mm. I think it is a Frank Shaving brush. Bought it on Noble Shaving's website launch deal about five years ago. They are no longer in business though.

Way too large for me. I actually don't care for what you guys are describing. That's exactly what this feels like. Full on face full of puffy lather.

I have a 2011 or 2012 Rudy Vey with gel tips. I think it's 26 mm. Even that is a bit too beefy for me to enjoy regularly. 

Both can be seen in the pictures below.
(That's not lather in the last picture- just water. That's what I believe to be Gel Tips- correct me if I'm mistaken.)

[img]undefined[/img]

Ben I've been thinking about this lately as well. Going to scratch the itch with a 3-banded ch3 or something along those lines. Even contemplating picking up the plisson in the 60+ loft like we discussed a few weeks ago.

I still own my black BK12. It is enormous and has absolutely zero backbone. I haven't used it in about three years personally but my wife uses it to shave her legs and she really likes it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My preference is still for larger brushes 25-30 mm knot. But not XL 30+ mm knots.

My 4 Duke 3's were all sold due to being too small knot wise

You may want to consider the Vulfix 40 and 41.  Large, pillowy soft knots with minimal backbone.  Most vendors carry it in Super (= Simpson Best).  However, The Superior Shave carries it in Silvertip (= Simpson Super).

My BK8 was the first larger brush I used and I enjoyed it for several years. Then I discovered backbone and it fell into disuse. My Chubby 3 Two Band is now top dog in my rotation with a Tulip 3 Manchurian as runner up. The Tulip might fall short for this thread.

My Thäter 4125/5 with a fan knot is awesome... I wish they made a 4125/6 

I just purchased a Razorock Synthetic 26mm Monster knot and awaiting it's arrival. Most of mine are 22,24 mm. Had to have it. Was only $10.95. Liked my other Razorock Synth brush so I thought I'd give this a try. For the price what the heck. I'll let everyone know how it performs and throw up a pick when it comes in.

I personally find the 26-28mm is the sweet spot for me. I think anything bigger is just overkill. Don't know if anyone has seen this brush before but it is the Kent V16. Fido of New forest brushes had post of this brush and its enormous. Here's a link for your viewing pleasure with pics. 

http://fidosshavingblog.blogspot.com/201...brush.html