03-22-2012, 05:01 AM
I just received this Vie Long Brush from Phil (Bullgoose Shaving) and here is my review.
I never had a horsehair brush before. I don't particularly like boar because they are too ruff. I am a badger kind of guy until I received and tried out the new Vie Long Beehive horsehair I will dub the "BullGoose"
When I took the brush out of its box the first thing that struck me is how soft the tips are but still has a nice backbone. Right away I am thinking shave cream and of course soaps. Before using for my first shave I decided to test it out on KMF lime shave cream. I have to say this brush really smells like a horse when I soaked it in water and mixed the cream. There was even some brown water in the mixing bowl. I was able to mix the cream into a nice lather which was very easy. After that I decided to shampoo the brush several times to get rid of that smell. This morning the smell was just about gone and after making lather out a a small sample puck of Mike's Natural soap it was completely gone. As for making lather from soap that was so simple.
I really like this brush and the handle is easy to grip and big. Phil did a good job getting and offering these brushes to shavers. And I thought the price was very reasonable considering their top quality.
As a nice touch Vie Long provides a nice plastic stand for the brush which is included in the box.
Thank you Phil for offering this great product.
I never had a horsehair brush before. I don't particularly like boar because they are too ruff. I am a badger kind of guy until I received and tried out the new Vie Long Beehive horsehair I will dub the "BullGoose"
When I took the brush out of its box the first thing that struck me is how soft the tips are but still has a nice backbone. Right away I am thinking shave cream and of course soaps. Before using for my first shave I decided to test it out on KMF lime shave cream. I have to say this brush really smells like a horse when I soaked it in water and mixed the cream. There was even some brown water in the mixing bowl. I was able to mix the cream into a nice lather which was very easy. After that I decided to shampoo the brush several times to get rid of that smell. This morning the smell was just about gone and after making lather out a a small sample puck of Mike's Natural soap it was completely gone. As for making lather from soap that was so simple.
I really like this brush and the handle is easy to grip and big. Phil did a good job getting and offering these brushes to shavers. And I thought the price was very reasonable considering their top quality.
As a nice touch Vie Long provides a nice plastic stand for the brush which is included in the box.
Thank you Phil for offering this great product.
03-22-2012, 07:10 AM
(03-22-2012, 06:34 AM)texbilly Wrote: jerry, nice overview! How would you rate the horse hair's flow? Any similarity to one of your badger brushes?
Better then my badger and equal to my Penswork Silvertip. I really like this brush. Holds the lather nicely and dries as quickly as a badger.My first experience with horsehair and I really like it. I can't believe how soft the tips are.
OK Phil how about a butterscotch handle?
03-22-2012, 11:57 AM
Thanks to you enablers, I just ordered the Beehive Dyed HH from Phil. Gee, thanks. 
(03-22-2012, 09:50 AM)slantman Wrote:(03-22-2012, 08:19 AM)texbilly Wrote: Thanks, Jerry. Glad to hear horse hair generally flows well and I would have guessed the tips were anything but soft so bonus!
The soft tips are a pleasant surprise.
(03-22-2012, 10:26 AM)Songwind Wrote: I was surprised by the softness of the tips on my dyed horse as well.
But even better, they get softer after a few weeks.
03-22-2012, 01:04 PM
(03-22-2012, 11:57 AM)texbilly Wrote: Thanks to you enablers, I just ordered the Beehive Dyed HH from Phil. Gee, thanks.
(03-22-2012, 09:50 AM)slantman Wrote:(03-22-2012, 08:19 AM)texbilly Wrote: Thanks, Jerry. Glad to hear horse hair generally flows well and I would have guessed the tips were anything but soft so bonus!
The soft tips are a pleasant surprise.
(03-22-2012, 10:26 AM)Songwind Wrote: I was surprised by the softness of the tips on my dyed horse as well.
But even better, they get softer after a few weeks.
You are going to love it Billy.
03-23-2012, 04:32 PM
I will add my encouragement for anyone sitting on the fence or corral 
concerning the purchase of a horse hair brush to take the plunge and give one a try. I recently purchased a Vie-Long Zurito and the Beehive LE horse brushes. My experience with the Zurito was such a pleasant surprise that I purchased both of the Beehive LE brushes. I found the two dyed horse hairs brushes to have softer tips with the natural horse hair with a small degree of scratchiness to it with face lathering. The Beehive LE brushes have more backbone than the Zurito - IMHO. All three brushes have excellent flow and been very solid performers. I have used primarily creams with all brushes thus far however I will give all a try at some soaps. I will echo the need to let these brushes soak and shampoo them or build some test lathers to help debunk the barnyard horse smell.
concerning the purchase of a horse hair brush to take the plunge and give one a try. I recently purchased a Vie-Long Zurito and the Beehive LE horse brushes. My experience with the Zurito was such a pleasant surprise that I purchased both of the Beehive LE brushes. I found the two dyed horse hairs brushes to have softer tips with the natural horse hair with a small degree of scratchiness to it with face lathering. The Beehive LE brushes have more backbone than the Zurito - IMHO. All three brushes have excellent flow and been very solid performers. I have used primarily creams with all brushes thus far however I will give all a try at some soaps. I will echo the need to let these brushes soak and shampoo them or build some test lathers to help debunk the barnyard horse smell. 
03-23-2012, 09:21 PM
(03-23-2012, 07:04 PM)Sully Wrote:(03-22-2012, 11:57 AM)texbilly Wrote: Thanks to you enablers, I just ordered the Beehive Dyed HH from Phil. Gee, thanks.
I think you are going to like it Bill. I am really enjoying my horse/badger mix. I was also surprised at how soft the tips are.
Thanks, Shawn. Excited to try something new. Phil also warned me to shampoo the brush or alternatively, keep a clothespin handy during initial latherings.
03-24-2012, 04:45 AM
(03-23-2012, 09:21 PM)texbilly Wrote:(03-23-2012, 07:04 PM)Sully Wrote:(03-22-2012, 11:57 AM)texbilly Wrote: Thanks to you enablers, I just ordered the Beehive Dyed HH from Phil. Gee, thanks.
I think you are going to like it Bill. I am really enjoying my horse/badger mix. I was also surprised at how soft the tips are.
Thanks, Shawn. Excited to try something new. Phil also warned me to shampoo the brush or alternatively, keep a clothespin handy during initial latherings.
It doesn't take too long to get that smell out. Shampooing helps a lot.
Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)