This is the website of New Forest Brushes, established by Fido, a shaving enthusiast and blogger, publisher of Fido's Shaving Blog and Fido's Shaving Brush Blog.
Brush heads are made by hand to our specification in China, handles are shaped individually by hand tools on a lathe in the New Forest using high quality polyester resin rods supplied in Hampshire, decal logos made in Lymington are added and the brushes are sold directly to customers. Very low overheads enable prices to be set well below those of brushes of comparable quality.
The brushes currently available are described below.
Follow on Twitter @New Forest Brushes
Brush heads are made by hand to our specification in China, handles are shaped individually by hand tools on a lathe in the New Forest using high quality polyester resin rods supplied in Hampshire, decal logos made in Lymington are added and the brushes are sold directly to customers. Very low overheads enable prices to be set well below those of brushes of comparable quality.
The brushes currently available are described below.
Follow on Twitter @New Forest Brushes
Dear Fido,
ReplyDeleteRead with interest your blog. I've used a shaving brush for years, and I'm in need of two shaving brushes. I'm currently using my traveling brush daily as my other brush has lost its life. What brushes do you curently have in stock and recommend? Thank you
Hi Raymond
ReplyDeleteScroll down to see the brushes I have available. Your choice will depend on your preference for type of hair, size and the price you are prepared to pay. All my brushes can be used with creams and soaps, and for face or bowl lathering. If you have any more questions, email me at NFB@padh.co.uk
Regards, Peter (Fido)
Hi Peter,
ReplyDeleteI remember you explaining your numbersystem once. Maybe you could refresh and update for us please.
grtz. René
When I use a number, this is what it means:
ReplyDeleteFirst two numbers: knot size (diameter at base in mm.
Third number: hair grade. 0 for Super Badger Two Band, 1 for Finest Silvertip, 2 for High Mountain Badger, 3 for Super Badger (Three Band) and 4 for Best Badger.
Fourth number. The number for the brush in the category.
So the 2211 has a 22mm knot, is Finest Silvertip grade and was the first in the category.
I hope this still makes sense!
Hi Peter,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that my 2201 and 2211 are my favorite badger brushes...as you say, I find that they both handle soaps and creams equally well. Keep up the good work.
Best wishes,
Nathan
Thank you Nathan - I still enjoy mine too!
ReplyDeleteIn March, I ordered a 24mm knot Super Badger Two Band brush. During the first shave, I thought "this is a very good brush." Within a week, I knew I had purchased a great brush. Two months later, I'm wondering how I lived all of these years without a Fido brush? This is the best darn brush I've ever used!
ReplyDeleteFor the past 15 years, I've been exclusively lathering with an inexpensive hard soap sold in the U.S. (Williams Mug Soap $1.57). I prefer this soap over more expensive soaps because it is very mild and leaves little residue on the face. I have tried more expensive creams, but I find that creams get caught up in the hairs of the brush, and I don't like the residue left on my face. In the winter, I apply a mild lotion (Molton Brown Ultra Light Bai Ji Hydrator) after shaving.
Raymond
Thank you Raymond!
ReplyDeleteI always thought Silvertip badger to be the highest quality grade but your numbering system seems to indicate that Super Badger Two Band is better. Is this correct???
ReplyDeleteEmail sent but for the benefit of other readers:
ReplyDelete"Quality" is a notion difficult to apply to badger hair. Some hair is quite prickly, some hair has thicker shafts. Some hair is extremely soft. Yet all are of similar quality and durability. Price is also affected by supply and demand. Apart from one brush all my brushes are made from the most expensive grades. Finest Silvertip has very soft tips and has a thinner shaft than my Super Badger Two Band grade. The two band hair has a stiffer shaft but soft tips so it is very popular among shavers who like to use hard soaps. It is a myth that it is any better at creating lather than silvertip.
My High Mountain badger hair has the softest tips of all. It's rarity makes it the most expensive. All New Forest brushes are equally at home with soaps and creams. And can be used for bowl or face lathering. Most people who use soaps and face lather tend to prefer my two band brushes. People who mainly use creams go for the Finest silver tip or High Mountain. But that is just a generalisation.
My numbering system allocates the third number to the hair type. So far I have 0 for Two Band 1 for Finest Silvertip 2 for High Mountain 3 for a super badger (three band) and 4 for Best Badger. The sequence is not related to price or quality.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
If I ordered a brush today when could I expect UK delivery?
ReplyDeleteIt would be sent First Class tomorrow, so Friday or Saturday.
ReplyDeleteHi Fido,
ReplyDeleteThe photo that allowed you to see all the varying brush sizes was really useful, but it now appears to be gone from the blog.
I'd love to see it re-instated showing all current brushes in the range.
Thanks
It's back. You needed to click "older posts" My post about shipping this week pushed it off the front page.
ReplyDeleteI need to add the Tubby brushes. I'll see what I can do when I return home this coming weekend.
Hi Fido,
ReplyDeleteJust wondering - Any plans for any new styles? My collection is at 4 now, but I'd like something new, large, different.
Cheers
John in Ireland
Hi John
DeleteI'm not planning to introduce any new brushes until I sell out some of my present range. If you want someting larger (as far as handle is concerned) there is the New Forest 2403 with it's 60mm handle height.
Thanks for the reply. Have the 2403 already, good brush.
ReplyDeleteThanks
John in Ireland
by chance, do you offer an option to have the New Forest Logo screened onto the brush (seems like I saw a New Forest once that had something like this) similar to M&F or Rooney....I love the looks of your brush, just always leary of sticker logos......thanks, JB
ReplyDeleteMy scale of operation which is now in the New Forest makes it too expensive and impractical to apply printed logos. I can always supply a brush without a decal!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteDo you ship outside of the UK?
ReplyDeleteYes!
Delete