Colonel Conk Model 247 Pure Badger Shaving Brush with Chrome Handle

Firstly, this brush seems to be of good quality and gets the job done. The hairs are longer and more flexible than my old brush. I'm not snooty enough to critique the finer points of "brush puts soap on face". I just use the soap and brush because it makes me feel like some hard-boiled detective.Some of the hairs did pull out the first few times I used it, but it seems to have stopped, and it wasn't even close to enough that you can tell.But the weird bit: It had a strange, animal smell to it. I'm very inclined to believe I was smelling the actual beaver. I wouldn't describe the smell as unpleasant, just strange. I've had about 6 shaves with it now and the smell is almost entirely gone, and might even just be my imagination by now. I suppose this helps verify that it actually is badger hair.I would almost recommend you buy it on the offhand chance yours comes with bonus aroma as well.(Hard-boiled detective: Wearing a wife-beater, suspenders hanging below his waist. Shaving with a straight razor, brush and soap in the mirror of a dingy motel room with a lit cigarette still in his mouth. And then the guy just wipes the extra soap of his face with a hand towel rather than rinse his face. Just like no real person would ever do. You totally want to buy this brush now, don't you?)

Nice brush, the chrome seem's to have a yellow tint, almost like Nichole plating. Might just be my technique but have a difficult time getting a good lather. May try a silver tip badger next, the hairs to to be a bit soft to get the brush loaded well. I started with a cheap pure badger and almost gave up on soaps, then got this brush and WOW! Got much better lather the first time I used this brush and got a much smother shave. The right brush does make all the difference in wet shaving. Like I said before, maybe just need to brush up my technique a bit more, or try softer soaps. But I gave it 4 stars any way cause it looks nice and the weight feels right although a little difficult to hold on to with soapy hands.

This is my first shaving brush, so I don't really know that I am qualified to say anything. I can tell you that not only am I enjoying the experience of a warm brush on my face to prep my whiskers before shaving, but I'm getting a better shave than I ever got with pro-glide for far less money! I am still learning how to shave and I am also having fun trying the many different blades that are out there. This is also necessary, because I am finding that the most expensive blade doesn't always get you the best results! This depends on your skin type, shaving methods and skill, shaving brush, shaving cream and of course the razor itself.The brush itself is made of the best materials I understand and I had a very hard time finding a 'badger hair' brush with a 'chrome handle' to boot for such a low price. I can tell you that it makes my face feel great and I am also noticing that my facial skin has never looked or felt better. I cannot tell you the reason why, but it could be that DE razors don't give you ingrown hairs. It could also be the brush massaging my whiskers to stand up for a close shave or maybe it's something else..?!I can tell you that for the first time ever, I actually enjoy shaving! I did get cut allot at first because my face needed to get used to the new razor and blade. I also got cut because the ingrown hairs that made my skin uneven also made it impossible for me to get a close shave. My skin has since gotten used to my new razor and I no longer have problems with cuts and rashes caused from ingrown hairs. Because of this, my face is becoming smoother and my shaves have become more enjoyable and closer than I ever dreamed possible.The other fun thing to do is to try different shaving creams. In addition to it being fun, it is also necessary to tweak a good thing and make it even better! I have only been using a DE razor for about a month and I can't wait to try different creams, blades and brushes. I recently found another brush that I am anxious to try.The best part is that I am saving money and getting a better shave. If you are using a pro glide power like me and you change the cartridge weekly, you are spending $200 a year on blades. For that same amount you can buy a Merkur 34C Razor, 100 Feather Blades, Chrome Badger Shaving Brush, Shaving Mug of choice, Col Conk Chrome Razor & Brush Stand, Assorted Shaving Creams, Soaps, Aftershaves and still have money left over! The rest is money in your pocket...