Shave Brush - Bristle Load

Bristle Load

A shave brush's price is usually determined more by its bristle load than any other factor except for brushes with very exotic handles. Prices range from $5 synthetic brands to $1200 top-of-the-line brands made of badger hair. The bristle is made into a knot that is installed into the handle. The best quality brushes are hand knotted. Low price brshes are machine made and the bristle may be trimmed, often producing a rough tip.

Synthetic shave brushes, made most often with bristles of nylon, are available in several price ranges and quality. Synthetic/natural blends combine boar's hair with synthetic bristles and do not greatly affect the quality of lather produced. The best imitation badger bristle on the market can be compared to Best Badgers quality. Boar's hair is often thought to be as stiff and "prickly" as synthetic bristle, but has a higher water retention capacity, resulting in a fuller and more effective lather. However, boar's hair has a tendency to break more readily than synthetic bristles.

Proponents of wet shaving claim that badger hair is the finest and most luxurious material possible. The water retention capacity, smooth sensation on the face, and durability are unmatched by other synthetic or natural materials. Although there is not an industry standard that specifically defines grades of badger hair, there are basic classifications that many manufacturers use to describe the quality of hair used in their brushes. The most common gradations of badger hair are "pure" badger, "best" badger, and "super" or "silvertip" badger. While some companies insist on using other gradations (for example, Vulfix's high-end brushes distinguish between "super" and "silvertip"), these three are commonly accepted among wet shavers and are most often used to describe the quality of a shave brush.