El Druida Michelle in Olive wood with synthetic knot brush.

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Teiste
Posts: 1247
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:25 pm
Location: Utah

El Druida Michelle in Olive wood with synthetic knot brush.

Post by Teiste »

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Let me introduce to all of you my current favorite brush , made by an Spanish artisan , El Druida : the "Michelle" in Olive wood synthetic brush.

I have been following El Druida since he joined us like a year ago in the Spanish forum foroafeitado.com , and I must admit that I didnt like a bit his earlier designs , until he decided to launch the model that he have named "Michelle" , inspired in one of my favorite handles of all times , the Rooney 1 series.A couple months ago and I asked Javier (El Druida) to make me a Michelle handle , in Olive wood , and put a synthetic knot on it , and my dream brush was born.:heart::heart:

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This brush contains a 24 mm synthetic knot from TGN.Its one of the new synthetic knots that TGN is currently selling and has the 4th generation fibre , the same than the Muhle V 2.0 or the Frank Shaving Pur Tech.

Here with the 23 mm Muhle Silvertip Fibre V 2.0 shaving brushes :

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This brush has the following specs :
  • 24 mm knot
  • 50 mm handle height
  • 50 mm loft
  • 100 mm total height
I chose to set the knot at 50 mm since I wanted a brush for facelathering exclusively , and oh boy ! , It seems it was a very right choice for me.

But let me show you how El Druida (Javier) send the brushes.The word GORGEOUS , fall short to express the brilliant box and presentation :

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But that's not all , the brush comes with a stand in the same wood than the handle.In this case , its Olive wood :

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The handle is the best looking one that I currently own , to be honest.It competes with the latest Semogue foroafeitado 2013 horn handle brush , but If I have to pick up only one , I think I know which one I will choose...Let me show you some pics of the handle , in which the grain and the wood pattern is shown.This Olive wood also puts to shame my old Vie Long Olive wood brush that I used to have.

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I truly also enjoy the "Red Heart" symbol on the bottom , as you can see in these pics :

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As I have said , the synthetic knot is made with the 4th generation fibre , very well packed (like a Muhle STF brush 23 mm) and a dream if you are a die hard face latherer , like I am.Set it at 50 mm have been a success , since the backbone its quiet high , but keeping some flow.The tips are extra soft and feels so luxurious on the face ! And not only that : it creates thick and creamy lather in a blink on an eye too.

I have used with triple milled soaps and creams , lathering with circular strokes on my face , and the lather simply "explotes" , even with some "difficult" products , like Musgo Real shaving cream or Mitchell's Wool Fat soap.

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I have tried several hundred shaving brushes (badger , boar , horse , synthetic) , so I know what I want on a brush , and I did ask that to El Druida. He truly followed my instructions and created this , again , GORGEOUS brush (I wish you guys could see it in "person" , since I can not show its real beauty on my pics , I'm afraid).Yes , this brush have become my current favorite shaving brush. So far this is my best acquisition for 2013 , and I think that says a lot.If I also mention that the price and shipping was less than the current price for some of the Muhle Silvertip Fibre brushes out there , then , I can only smile.

El Druida is doing a great job with his latest creations , and I can totally recommend him if you are looking for a customize handle.Seems that he also can get knots from different European brands , like Vie Long or shavemac , and also some special badger hair grades.

You can check El Druida's work here : Artesania El Druida
JRTASTER
Posts: 947
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2006 5:34 pm
Location: Cape Cod, MA

Re: El Druida Michelle in Olive wood with synthetic knot bru

Post by JRTASTER »

Neat, really neat!

jr/john
Enjoying wet shaving, again.
jr/John
Whistler
Posts: 1569
Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:42 am
Location: New Jersey

Re: El Druida Michelle in Olive wood with synthetic knot bru

Post by Whistler »

Very nice! Slap some badger hair in there and it would be a winner for me.
Regards,
Marty
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"Be still! Me mind is a raging torrent flooded with rivulets of thought cascading in a waterfall of creative alternatives."
ShadowsDad
Posts: 3121
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2011 1:13 am
Location: Central Maine

Re: El Druida Michelle in Olive wood with synthetic knot bru

Post by ShadowsDad »

Nice brush, and all the better because it's EXACTLY what you wanted.
Brian

Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum and Frostbite
Or find it here: Italian Barber, West Coast Shaving, Barclay Crocker, The Old Town Shaving Company at Stats, Maggard Razors; Leavitt & Peirce, Harvard Square
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jww
Woolly Bully
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Re: El Druida Michelle in Olive wood with synthetic knot bru

Post by jww »

Drop dead gorgeous. And quite reasonable for custom-made as well.
Wendell

Resident Wool Fat Evangelist & anglophile. Have you hugged a sheep today?
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Squire
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Re: El Druida Michelle in Olive wood with synthetic knot bru

Post by Squire »

Beautiful wood work.
Regards,
Squire
gsgo
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Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:18 am
Location: Chicago, IL

Re: El Druida Michelle in Olive wood with synthetic knot bru

Post by gsgo »

Thanks for sharing, that is a beautiful piece of kit!
Good shaving,

Gary
jaguar
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Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2013 12:07 pm

Re: El Druida Michelle in Olive wood with synthetic knot bru

Post by jaguar »

You new brush is beautiful, a work of art in wood.
brothers
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Location: Oklahoma City USA

Re: El Druida Michelle in Olive wood with synthetic knot bru

Post by brothers »

I agree with you Teiste. It's something very special, to say the least. I was having my doubts about the knot/size/fibre, etc., but then you made me feel very good when you mentioned that the gentleman can get pretty much any kind or size of brush. Now my imagination is running wild! I just might have to talk to him about a brush for myself. Thanks!
Gary

SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
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Teiste
Posts: 1247
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:25 pm
Location: Utah

Re: El Druida Michelle in Olive wood with synthetic knot bru

Post by Teiste »

Thank you , gentlemen.I can honestly tell you that the handle is beyond gorgeous once you can see it in "person" and this brush performs like a champ.I have seen the same handle with different badger knots (two band and silvertip premium) and look fantastic too.
Oscar11
Posts: 533
Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:29 pm
Location: North Dakota

Re: El Druida Michelle in Olive wood with synthetic knot bru

Post by Oscar11 »

Very nice work, enjoy.
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