My SMF Brush - a Pictorial Journey

Need help with a process of wetshaving? Wanna see pics or videos? Here is your Mecca!
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Scotto
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Location: New York

My SMF Brush - a Pictorial Journey

Post by Scotto »

It's here ! It's here!

I thought I would post a few pictures to give people an idea about the brush. Hopefully any of you fence-sitters will be persuaded!

Here is how it looked when the box was first opened, before any water has hit it:

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And out of the box to get a better idea of the grain:
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Without getting sappy, my first impression of the brush was one of humbleness. It is a beautiful work of art, and I was warmed by the work that went into it and the forum it represents. The handle is indeed the perfect size and heft, and the wood is gorgeous. Looking at Joel's pictures, I got the impression that the laquer coating was thicker than it actually is and the wood perfectly smooth. The reality is a bit different, and I think it is begging to be used, not looked at.

I got a good picture of the insert:
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The bristles feel very different than my Savile Row. Much more densely packed, and more rigidity in the mddle. Very soft, though. I can see how this would be a great brush for hard soap compared to my very squishy SR212. As mentioned in another thread, you can feel the knot above the top of the handle a bit. Not sure this matters at all, but it is different from my Savile Row. Here is a comparison to the SR212, again, before any water has touched the SMF brush:

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And looking down into the bristles:
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The SMF brush is VERY dense, much more so than the SR.

At this point, I rinsed out the brush with warm water. It was somewhat stinky, so it got a treatment with Johnson's baby shampoo. I also tried lathering up a few items, but in all honesty had some trouble. This brush holds a ridiculous amount of water, I would judge at 2X my Savile Row. I was getting very thin lather with the QED Sandalwood soap I was playing around with. Things seemed better with Taylor's Lavender, but again, it is going to take some adjustment.

I wanted to make this point again: for me, this brush was not plug and play. The amount of water it holds, quality of bristles, etc. will take some learning. I do believe after a few days it will be the best lathering brush out there, though.

Here are pictures after getting wet and flicked dry again:

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I really don't see how this brush could have come out any better. Kudos to Joel and Bernd for pulling this together.

Enjoy!

-Scotto
Last edited by Scotto on Mon Aug 08, 2005 5:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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rtaylor61
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Post by rtaylor61 »

Scotto,

Kudos to you for that fine pictorial. Great descriptions, and I totally agree with the fact that it will be the best lathering brush. My Shavemac #181 is very similar, but even so, this puppy does hold the water.

Great job!

Randy
"I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." J. B. Books
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Chris
Official SMF "Pit Bull"
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Post by Chris »

Beautiful Pics....can't wait to get home and check out my brush!
Sitting in the morning sun
I'll be sitting when the evening comes
Watching the ships roll in
And I watch 'em roll away again
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mantic
Wielder of the Zorrick
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Location: Somewhere Between Snook and North Zulch, TX

Post by mantic »

My buddy "Slim" contemplates my SR23 and Da Brush:
Image
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rtaylor61
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Post by rtaylor61 »

Man, those are BIG brushes. Or you live in a small house! Great pic!

Randy
"I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." J. B. Books
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Coche_y_bondhu
Don't mess with Texas!
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Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:34 am
Location: Plano TX USA

Post by Coche_y_bondhu »

Hello Scott,

I like that term when applied to a shaving brush: "plug n' play" :lol: ! Indeed, from your pictorial, that SMF brush is very, very nice.

Mantic, I have a feeling "Slim" should become a junior member of this forum :) .

Randy, BIG brushes and little houses! You crack me up :lol: !

Cheers,
Richard
TX
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rtaylor61
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Post by rtaylor61 »

Richard...It's not my fault. I'm looking at Mantic's picture and thinking...where does he keep HIS shaving supplies?

Randy
"I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." J. B. Books
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robofunk
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Post by robofunk »

mantic, that is a great photo! thanks for sharing!
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