Initial Notes on my new brushes after a couple of 3-pass shaves with each brush. Hard soaps used (D.R Harris, Meissner Tremonia, Saponifico Varesino) with face lathering. Daily shaver.
Shavemac Americana D01 2-band 24/48mm:
Exceptionally scrubby and exfoliating with some scritch. A few prickly black hairs exiting the top of the loft.
A lot of face presence and backbone given the short loft but also very enjoyable to use. Expensive though.
Lathers hard soap very easily and releases well.
Perfect for occasional use and for lifting flat stubble.
Shavemac 26/52mm 2-band Silvertip (not D01):
Very well balanced 2:1 loft with good backbone. Soft tips but a tiny amount of prickle at top-centre of the loft which I guess will go away. Extremely pleasant face-feel. Very comfortable handle shape. Lathers hard soap with ease, and releases well.
Probably the best brush I’ve ever used.
Simpson Chubby 2 in best badger:
The best badger hair is much softer than I expected but not at all floppy. A tad more backbone than 3-band Silvertip.
No scritch, has soft tips, and face-feel is very pleasant. Holds water exceptionally well so I didn’t need to dip the damp brush when loading hard soap. Very enjoyable, and a classic.