Finally Happening - A Kent X4 To Be Ordered

[jww]

But my dilemma is ----- whether to go with the BK4 or BLK4. I like the horn version a lot, but it's best badger vs silvertip which certainly makes the difference in the price. I am liking the BLK just because all my handles are ivory at the moment -- and variety is the spice of wet shaving after all!

[EL Alamein]

Wendell,

Go for the White Barrel. You will not be disappointed.

Chris

[brothers]

Trust your guts.

[Squire]

Wendell I would choose the BK in best because that's the proven combination.

[TheMonk]

This reminds me, I definitely do need to add a Kent to my humble brush collection.

What would be the recommended size for a bowl latherer? I was thinking BK8, or even BK12. I don't mind big brushes, as long as they're not floppy.

[Squire]

David a BK4 does that job very well for me.

[brothers]

My BK 8 is a lather maker, right at home in my bowl.

[Squire]

David perhaps I should've pointed out the BK4 is not a small brush, just smaller than the 8 or 12. Compared to a Rooney 2/1 or Simpson PJ2 the Kent BK4 is midsize.

[TheMonk]

So a BK12 would be probably be too big for regular use? I ask because some of my favorite brushes are quite big, like the Rooney 3/2 Finest and the CH3 Manchurian. On the other hand, overly big and dense silvertip knots don't usually please me too much, not only because of flow-through but also lack of backbone.
I'm thinking the splay of a 30mm Silvertip knot may be too big for me.

[Thalay Sagar]

Wendell, correct me if am mistaken- the ivory and black handled BK 4's are in silvertip and the horn handled is in best, like the BK 2? Thanks.

[fallingwickets]

wendell, i say bk4. congrats(?) on finally breaking down haha

[fallingwickets]

david, the 12 is huge......much better on paper than *real* use and in any event, rather flexible.

[brothers]

So a BK12 would be probably be too big for regular use? I ask because some of my favorite brushes are quite big, like the Rooney 3/2 Finest and the CH3 Manchurian. On the other hand, overly big and dense silvertip knots don't usually please me too much, not only because of flow-through but also lack of backbone.
I'm thinking the splay of a 30mm Silvertip knot may be too big for me.

(David, first I want to say congrats for being selected as a tester for the Huntlee.) Regarding the BK12, I have read that some guys think they're too big. The BK8 is a big brush, and maybe some would say it's the best of both worlds, larger than the BK4 for guys like you and me, but not too big. Only you can judge when/if you get one.

[TheMonk]

So a BK12 would be probably be too big for regular use? I ask because some of my favorite brushes are quite big, like the Rooney 3/2 Finest and the CH3 Manchurian. On the other hand, overly big and dense silvertip knots don't usually please me too much, not only because of flow-through but also lack of backbone.
I'm thinking the splay of a 30mm Silvertip knot may be too big for me.

(David, first I want to say congrats for being selected as a tester for the Huntlee.) Regarding the BK12, I have read that some guys think they're too big. The BK8 is a big brush, and maybe some would say it's the best of both worlds, larger than the BK4 for guys like you and me, but not too big. Only you can judge when/if you get one.

Thank you.
Regarding the Kent, I understand what you're saying. As with most things wetshaving related, it usually comes down to personal preference.
Still, I wanted to get some feedback from experienced Kent users, as I realize it's one of the most highly regarded shaving brushes here on SMF, but it rarely gets mentioned anywhere else.

Judging by the opinions on this thread (which BTW I hope I'm not derailing too much), it seems most find the BK12 too big, so my best choice will probably be the BK8. If these measurements are about right, the BK4 will most likely be a bit too small for me.

[Squire]

Handle on the 12 in a bit longer than the 8 but the knot on my 8 measures 25mm.

[brothers]

Here are the specs on my Kents:
BK4 22 x 56
BK8 26 x 55
P12 31 x 63

[Squire]

Handmade variations apparently.

[jww]

Wendell, correct me if am mistaken- the ivory and black handled BK 4's are in silvertip and the horn handled is in best, like the BK 2? Thanks.

Correct.

[Thalay Sagar]

Thanks, Wendell. Then I would suggest you get the black. You've been thinking about it for a while.

[jww]

Thanks, Wendell. Then I would suggest you get the black. You've been thinking about it for a while.

Indeed I have. I expect that this will be the last brush I would be purchasing for a very long time with the exception of replacing my 1305 which is showing age as the finish has been coming off the handle for some time. If and when it falls apart, I would replace it.