2 band for face lathering

What makes you believe that?

By using both Thater and Shavemac knots more specific the Silvertip 2-Band. The hair feels and performs the exact same way and very similar characteristics. Also seeing how Shavemac and Thater have very similar handles across their lines I'm going to assume one supplies the other with handles and knots.

Ok. So it is basically a complete speculation on your end with zero data, but just your personal observation from trying a few knots. I just wanted to clarify that.

Now some data:
shavemac exists for about 20 years, Heinrich L Thäter makes brushes since 1913.
The shavemac silvertip 2 band knots are sold for about three years. Prior to that shavemac only offered a D01 2 Band knot (still sold) that feels much more like Simpson Manchurian hair. Thäter sells 2 band knots for at least 8 (?) years (I do not have earlier records), always with the same consistency of truly very soft tips.

The shavemac silvertip 2 band went through a few iterations and as a knot does not have much resemblance to a Thäter 2 band --- or as much as a TGN Finest, Elite Manchurian or other 2 band knot of reasonable quality.

Regarding the handles: indeed, it is a broader assumption - though not known for sure - that shavemac makes the handles for Thäter.

Even if Thater makes their own or sources their 2 band knots the hair is very similar to the Shavemac offering. It could also be that they have the exact same source of hair since it seems like Thater and Shavemac are friendly with each other.


But I'm not going to get too into it about that knot because that knot isn't even on that I like at least in a bulb shape.

Here is a question, hopefully not to derail the thread too much. If Thater and Shavemac both import the same hair, do you think they both "dress" or treat chemically their hair before sorting and tying it? I am pretty sure Thater 3 band hair is treated vs Shavemac having more natural feeling and visual.

Zac, I doubt that the 3-Band hair is treated, compared to the 2-Band varieties. However, this will always be speculation on our part unless there is verification from the manufacturer or the supplier. Personally, it would seem more logical to me that the supplier would perform any treatment on the hair, if any is done and not Thater or Shavemac, or any other company selling us these brushes. However, this is all conjecture, on my part, at least.

Zac, I doubt that the 3-Band hair is treated, compared to the 2-Band varieties. However, this will always be speculation on our part unless there is verification from the manufacturer or the supplier. Personally, it would seem more logical to me that the supplier would perform any treatment on the hair, if any is done and not Thater or Shavemac, or any other company selling us these brushes. However, this is all conjecture, on my part, at least.

I would assume similarly that the hair suppliers do most of the treatment. I also think it is more likely for 2 band over 3 band hair to be treated chemically for economical reasons and to use more hair off a pelt. But I don't think that treating 3 band silver tip hair is quite as necessary as doing it for 2 band. But, Teiste had a post where he bleached his Plisson Euro Grey or Euro White knot and it seemed to visually affect the color and change the tips a bit (thin the taper maybe?). It was a sign to me that it may be easier done that we actually like to believe. I'm pretty sure it has a bit to do with heating the hair for sterilization in hot water.

Interesting discussion. Here's my two bits worth - I have several Thaters, they're wonderful and i love them. Two band silver tip and seris silvertip size 0 to 6 both bulb and fan. I really enjoy using any one of my Thater brushes. I also have a Thater for Fendrihan house name brush that is relatively bargain priced and its great too. I have one Shavemac D01 2 band silvertip brush with a beautiful blue marble handle, its a real looker. I call it my pot scrubber. Holy mackerel that is one stiff brush, talk about exfoliation. I'm tempted to try another shavemac, maybe in just the silvertip or any other knot that isn't the D01 2 band. But then why don't I just stick with all those beautiful Thaters?

The DO1 is a scrubby brush. Most agree on that.
I found Thater two bands a little too soft my my preference. The Shavemac silvertip two band hits most of the points I value in a brush. Soft tips, good backbone without being scrubby, and generally decent flowthrough.

I think you would finf a silvertip two band to be quite satisfying.

The DO1 is a scrubby brush.  Most agree on that.
I found Thater two bands a little too soft my my preference.  The Shavemac silvertip two band hits most of the points I value in a brush.  Soft tips, good backbone without being scrubby, and generally decent flowthrough.

I think you would finf a silvertip two band to be quite satisfying.

Thanks, I might give that silvertip two band a try. On the DO1, I'd read that it was stiff and scrubby before buying, however, not having a frame of reference I really had no idea just how stiff and scrubby it was because nothing in my experience had approached that level of stiff/scrubby. Now I know. So for anybody out there considering this DO1 shavemac because they think they like scrubby brushes, be warned that its orders of magnitude more scrubby than probably any brush you've owned. I'm not sure what part of the badger they harvest those bristles from but I would suspect it comes from the angry part of the animal.

Mark, the Shavemac D-01 2-Band knots do eventually soften after quite a few uses, but these knots will always exhibit very sturdy tips that provide a lot of scrub and backbone, especially, in large, bulb-shaped knots.

If you want a soft 2-Band with very good backbone from Shavemac, I would suggest you try their Unique 2-Band in a bulb-shaped knot as this hair is very, very nice.

Mark, the Shavemac D-01 2-Band knots do eventually soften after quite a few uses, but these knots will always exhibit very sturdy tips that provide a lot of scrub and backbone, especially, in large, bulb-shaped knots.

If you want a soft 2-Band with very good backbone from Shavemac, I would suggest you try their Unique 2-Band in a bulb-shaped knot as this hair is very, very nice.

Thanks celestino , I was thinking about using the brush to lather in my Dirty Bird scuttle that has a reasonably rough texture. That scuttle helps speed the break in period of boar brushes and I generally avoid lathering in it with my better badger brushes because I think it could damage them or at least accelerate the wear and tear. It might be just the ticket for the D01 though. Thanks for the suggestion on the Unique 2 band bulb knot, I'll have to give that one a look.

Interesting discussion.  Here's my two bits worth - I have several Thaters, they're wonderful and i love them.  Two band silver tip and seris silvertip size 0 to 6 both bulb and fan.  I really enjoy using any one of my Thater brushes.  I also have a Thater for Fendrihan house name brush that is relatively bargain priced and its great too.  I have one Shavemac D01 2 band silvertip brush with a beautiful blue marble handle, its a real looker.  I call it my pot scrubber.  Holy mackerel that is one stiff brush, talk about exfoliation.  I'm tempted to try another shavemac, maybe in just the silvertip or any other knot that isn't the D01 2 band.  But then why don't I just stick with all those beautiful Thaters?

Those D01 knots are very scrubby but need to be used to be broken in and should really soften up.

If you're looking to try something different the Shavemac Silvertip 2-Band will be very similar to your Thater 2-band brushes. I would suggest emailing Bernd and asking if he has any Unique 2-band knots. It sits between the Silvertip 2-Band and the D01 but not as scrubby but still very dense. It was Bernd's solution to an in between option for those that don't like their offerings.