A relatively short while ago, I posted here -- as a rank 'noob' looking for an upgrade/change from my off-the-shelf Parker Silvertip -- for some advice re: a custom brush.
I received good general feedback; thanks all.
With great comments/advice here from @Nishy, good advice from a very busy Bernd @ shavemac, and some wonderfully patient advice and craftsmanship from Rudy Vey, I ended up with a custom brush that I'm terribly pleased with! To those folks -- and Rudy in particular -- thank you VERY much!
The knot's a Shavemac 2-band SilverTip knot, set to a 51mm loft. It's a very different experience than the Parker -- more backbone, more precise, just the tiniest bit of tip-feel (scritch?). Feels a bit less 'luxuriant' on the face, but certainly less bloomed (at this stage), and not nearly as 'floppy'. Both characteristcs I was seeking. This after just a couple of shaves. Smells a bit 'badgery' ... but that's expected from what I've read.
The handle's beautifully custom-crafted by Rudy Vey -- a combo of tortoise shell, a plain ivory band, and some gorgeous "real faux" ivory. It's really quite lovely, IMO.
Rudy was **extraordinarily** patient & helpful in the process. The handle's crafted to my specs -- a hodgepodge of various handles' design aspects, but most closely modelled after a Shavemac 'Barber' -- &, most notably, sized to fit to *my* larger hand -- starting with a bunch of trial-n-error clay modeling, evolving to a 3D-printed model, and ending in Rudy's finished product. Whereas the Parker was small-ish & uncomfortable to hold/use in my hand, Rudy's custom is a perfect-fit & extermely comfortable to use.
It'll certainly be interesting for me to see how this changes with some use.
Again, many thanks to all -- especially Rudy, Nishy & Bernd!
For anyone's interest, I've attached pics ...
I received good general feedback; thanks all.
With great comments/advice here from @Nishy, good advice from a very busy Bernd @ shavemac, and some wonderfully patient advice and craftsmanship from Rudy Vey, I ended up with a custom brush that I'm terribly pleased with! To those folks -- and Rudy in particular -- thank you VERY much!
The knot's a Shavemac 2-band SilverTip knot, set to a 51mm loft. It's a very different experience than the Parker -- more backbone, more precise, just the tiniest bit of tip-feel (scritch?). Feels a bit less 'luxuriant' on the face, but certainly less bloomed (at this stage), and not nearly as 'floppy'. Both characteristcs I was seeking. This after just a couple of shaves. Smells a bit 'badgery' ... but that's expected from what I've read.
The handle's beautifully custom-crafted by Rudy Vey -- a combo of tortoise shell, a plain ivory band, and some gorgeous "real faux" ivory. It's really quite lovely, IMO.
Rudy was **extraordinarily** patient & helpful in the process. The handle's crafted to my specs -- a hodgepodge of various handles' design aspects, but most closely modelled after a Shavemac 'Barber' -- &, most notably, sized to fit to *my* larger hand -- starting with a bunch of trial-n-error clay modeling, evolving to a 3D-printed model, and ending in Rudy's finished product. Whereas the Parker was small-ish & uncomfortable to hold/use in my hand, Rudy's custom is a perfect-fit & extermely comfortable to use.
It'll certainly be interesting for me to see how this changes with some use.
Again, many thanks to all -- especially Rudy, Nishy & Bernd!
For anyone's interest, I've attached pics ...
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