SMF

iancevans · Post by **iancevans** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 9:25 am

Gents, I find myself considering a Kent BK4. My skin is very sensitive when it comes to brushes and I prefer face-lathering, so any sort of "scritchiness" is not an option.

In badger, I own a Rooney 1/1 in super and the SMF Shavemac group buy brush we did around Christmas 07 (it's their silvertip, IIRC). I enjoy both brushes in terms of aesthetics and lather-building, but both give me irritation when I face-lather with them--nothing severe, but enough to prevent me from reaching for them more than once every couple of weeks. Weird, I know.

I've found, as I've mentioned before, that I don't have this problem with Omega boar brushes (I've used the 49 and 10066)--the tips are soft enough on my face that daily face-lathering causes no problems (in spite of stiffer shafts).

So, back to the BK4. I'd like to have both boar and badger brushes that I can comfortably use--I love boar, but I don't want to have to be exclusive about it. What I repeatedly hear about the BK4 is how soft it is on the face, and how good it is with soaps (which I favor). Perhaps this is the badger for me?

Obviously, we can't know until I get it in my hands and smush it against my face, but perhaps some knowledgeable members can compare it to Rooney's and/or Shavemacs in terms of face feel. My funds are somewhat limited and I'd hate to shell out for one of these (well-priced though they are) only to find out that it hurts my face.

PACHUCO · Post by **PACHUCO** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 9:50 am

The BK4 may be just the ticket. I've only tried the Rooney 2/1 thanks to Clive and I have to agree with him; while a good brush it was simply too scratchy for my tastes. I bought the Vulfix2234 and that is one fine brush super soft tips, I find the BK4 to have very soft tips as well with slightly stiffer bristles, this along with my Omega 31064 have become my go to brushes. Another plus is that the BK4 is less pricey than the Rooney.

Serg

TRBeck · Post by **TRBeck** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:05 am

Ian, the 10066 and BK4 are brothers from different mothers. The flow-through on both brushes is similar, the tips equally soft, and the size of the lofts nearly the same, in feel and in actuality. I have owned a lot of brushes, badger and boar, and I tend to agree that most good boar is softer at the tips than badger. The BK4 is an exception.

I will add that the first week with the BK4 may feel a bit scritchy; some other gents comfirm that it's not just me. Thereafter, though, just soft and plush.

Regards,

Thalay Sagar · Post by **Thalay Sagar** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:46 am

I think you'll find the BK4 to be a great choice and an even better value right now. The other brush I would consider would be the Saville Row 3120, but it's a bit pricier.

bernards66 · Post by **bernards66** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:54 am

I too seem to be a bit skin sensitive to brushes that are at all 'scritchy' and I have found the BK4 to be ideal in that regard. The SR 3120 is also soft but doesn't make as much soap lather, nor as easily, IMO. The Vulfix Supers would also be a good choice but I think the Kent is a little better with soap, as oppossed to creams which is where the Vulfix really shines. I think the BK4 is probably the kind of brush you're looking for.
Regards,
Gordon

John 5 · Post by **John 5** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:06 am

Ian, I don't know about how the BK4 would compare to the SMF Shavemac, but as far as comparing it to the Rooney 1/1 Super, I certainly agree that the Kent is softer, and at least in my experience with my Rooney Supers, much more versatile and easier to use.

iancevans · Post by **iancevans** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:32 am

Well, that's all I needed to hear; the comparison with the 10066 is especially tantalizing. I've placed an order and I'll let you all know how I get on with it once it arrives.

For some reason, I've always associated the BK4 with Trumper's limes soap (maybe from Gordon's SOTDs, maybe subliminal messaging from GFT), so I may have to order a puck of that as well. Geez, I've never even tried a Trumper's soap...almost obligatory, then, right?

(The Vulfixes and Saville Rows have also been on my radar, but they don't sing to me like the Kent.)

bernards66 · Post by **bernards66** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:16 pm

Ian, Yes, "obligatory"...quite so. Better get on it.
Regards,
Gordon

TRBeck · Post by **TRBeck** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:38 pm

Ian,

Saw your brush sales. Has the BK4 arrived? If so, how is it working out for you?

Regards,

iancevans · Post by **iancevans** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:02 pm

Thanks for asking, Tim. Simply put, I'm very happy with the BK4; it lives up to the hype.

I got the brush yesterday (after I had shaved) and procdeded to make practice lathers with just about every soap and cream I have (on my palm). The brush performed superbly (especially with my AOS soap). The open question, which I left open until this morning's shave, was how it would feel lathering on my face.

I used it this morning with AOS for my shave. It felt slightly pricklier than my Omega, but not anywhere near prickly enough to pose any sort of problem. The lather was excellent and so was the shave.

I have more thoughts that I plan on writing up, but I want to spend a few days with the brush first. One thing's for sure: this is going to be my go-to brush for a few weeks (my poor 10066 probably needs a little vacation, anyhow).

Montecristo #2 · Post by **Montecristo #2** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 4:53 am

Give her a couple more shaves (7-8) and you'll be in heaven. It feels like laying my face onto down pillow, soft, smooth and supple cushioning, then just enough support to keep you comfortable.
Now that I think about it reminds me of laying my face down on something else

mission of burma shave · Tue Dec 18, 2012 2:33 pm

bumping this old topic. just got a bk4. first time use it shed about 10 hairs. do you think this will taper off or did I just get a "lemon"?

druphus · Post by **druphus** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:43 pm

I bought mine on March 9, 2009 and it has not shed a single hair; however, I don't face lather.

malocchio · Post by **malocchio** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 7:32 pm

I have one,very very soft,almost no backbone at all..an alternate choice would be the superb Vie-Long 16510 silvertip,it feels like a warm floating cloud on the face,a superb lather maker,and more dense than the Kent.

fallingwickets · Post by **fallingwickets** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 6:29 am

mj, send it back asap!!!!!!!!!

that kind of shedding is a lemon

clive

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 4:01 pm

Clive's right. The sooner the better, sounds good to me. Shouldn't be losing any hairs. This is a bad omen.

mission of burma shave · Wed Dec 19, 2012 5:11 pm

lost only two today. will try one more shave and see what happens. yeah I knew this brush had a great reputation for not shedding, so wouldn't you know it?

bernards66 · Post by **bernards66** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:55 pm

mj, Yeah, it really does have that reputation here. Since SMF started in 2004 I really can't remember anyone complaining that their Kent BK model was a real 'shedder'. They have seemed very consistant in that regard so I hope yours does not prove to be the one to break our positive streak. I do miss several of my other brushes that I left behind at the old house, but of all of them, probably my BK4 the most. Hope it turns out well.
Regards,
Gordon

fallingwickets · Post by **fallingwickets** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 6:17 am

I left behind at the old house, but of all of them, probably my BK4 the most.

im speechless

clive

bernards66 · Post by **bernards66** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 9:55 pm

It's a long story, Clive. The last year and a half have been one hell of an emotional roller coaster. Anyway, yeah, most of the brushes I had were left. I may still, eventually, get them back but we'll have to see. I had little time to decide or mull it over and I grabbed the Simpson X2L & D2 and the Plisson #12 HMW, hence my SOTD posts of late have been a bit more repetitive than of yore...sigh.
Regards,
Gordon