Page 1 of 1

Shavemac - fan vs. flat vs. bulb

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2019 6:47 am
by McNutt
I'm seriously considering configuring a new Shavemac in two-band. I'm a big two-band fan and my sole Shavemac (the SMF II brush) is still a favorite.

I'm torn between the three knot shapes. My SMF II brush is the only one I have in bulb shape. Most of my brushes are fan shape, so I'm leaning against that. I have never used a fan-shaped brush, so I'm very curious about that one.

Does anyone have experience with a Shavemac two-band brush? What shape do you have and what do you think about it?

Re: Shavemac - fan vs. flat vs. bulb

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2019 7:19 pm
by CMur12
Tony, I haven't seen you here for a long time! Good to see you back!

(I'm not into two-band brushes, so I can't offer any experience relative to your question.)

- Murray

Re: Shavemac - fan vs. flat vs. bulb

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2019 10:38 pm
by Brutus
In my case, Shavemac fans are in the minority (only one in my stable), but I have two two-band Shavemac bulbs.
I have no experience with Shavemac flat brush heads, as face-latherer I don’t find the flat top ergonomically appealing as it does not lend itself to the painting wrist movement that I use.

Very nice, versatile brushes, they work exceptionally well with hard soaps but have no problem when I face-lather with creams either. Nice soft tips with just the right amount of backbone.

If anything, I might prefer the feel of a two-band Thäter, but my (all in all five) Shavemacs never had a shedding issue, which one of my two Thäters did.

What I like about Shavemacs is that they a great all-round brushes that don’t need to be coddled like some other manufacturers’ instructions demand, which is even reflected in Shavemac brush care instructions.

If you are looking for a Shavemac with a bit more backbone, a two-band will not disappoint.


B.

Re: Shavemac - fan vs. flat vs. bulb

Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 10:49 pm
by TRBeck
I have a fan-shaped 24mm Shavemac 2-band. It's terrific: soft, good backbone, and feels bigger than its official size on the face. I face lather exclusively and could use this brush every single day.

I haven't used a Shavemac flat-top, but the bulbs I've used from Bernd are great. That said, they can be a bit pointy if the loft is set too low. I prefer a bit more loft in a Shavemac bulb than a fan of the same knot size.

The 2-band hair works well for me. It doesn't have quite as much flow as their 3-band standard silvertip, but the trade-off is a bit more backbone.

Re: Shavemac - fan vs. flat vs. bulb

Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 5:28 am
by drmoss_ca
The old bulb shaped brushes in XXL and old quality hair were something special. When filled with lather and deformed against your face they would resist pulling away with some suction. A pleasant sensation.
IMG_0373.jpg
IMG_0373.jpg (79.11 KiB) Viewed 6539 times
I thought I had a couple of two band Shavemacs, but it turns out there are four! The two on the right are prototypes and unmarked except for my initials on the base. Two bulbs, two fans, one small and one large in each shape. I was a bit disappointed in them - I'm sure they are as good as any brush can be these days given the young badgers being farmed, but I had envisioned them as being like the old XXL above, but no such luck.
IMG_0374.jpg
IMG_0374.jpg (71.08 KiB) Viewed 6539 times

Re: Shavemac - fan vs. flat vs. bulb

Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 5:33 am
by drmoss_ca
PS I'm not using them, so would consider selling, say for half the new price.

Re: Shavemac - fan vs. flat vs. bulb

Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 7:11 am
by TRBeck
Beautiful brushes, Chris. I never got to use the old Shavemacs. I console myself knowing that I've used Somerset Simpsons and the original Rooney Heritage brushes.