Convince me why I should get a Paladin

[b]Do you want to be convinced? Doesn't sound like it. I have two, down from 4. They are very nice brushes, but my Morris & Forndran Blonde Badgers, my Rooneys, my Declaration and my Two Band Simpsons are slightly better. Not by much, but I like them better.   [/b]

Why because I asked some questions and aren't instantly in love with them?

I actually really like the look of the tortoise handles though.

Just based on this post I want to buy one now for the absolute honesty really, and I wasn't knocking your handles BTW.  I'm not a, "Brush guy."  Some people are, "Razor guys," and I fall into that category.  I HIGHLY doubt you are dying for customers from what I have seen.

Integrity on the part of a maker, in and of itself, doesn't make a brush functionally superior either. But it matters to me. Most of what supports the price of premium-priced shaving gear comes down to 1) subtleties that many (very reasonably) don't notice or care about 2) what goes on between the ears as distinguished from in a bowl or on a face. I know what I like, and I try to make it. Simple as that.

FWIW, I was a razor nut before I was a brush nut. I once bought about 60 vintage Gillette DE razors (mostly British-made) within six months. Back then I thought all the discussion that went on in brush forums was a little weird, almost creepy, like some kind of fetish. But I finally took a tumble down the shaving-brush rabbit hole. And what captivated my interest at the start was badger hair and knots. I bought 30+ high-end brushes (mostly Simpsons, Rooneys, and M&Fs) in under three months.

There is no substitute for personal experience. I'd much rather not sell a brush than have a buyer be disappointed. But it's pretty hard to know whether or not something will enhance your shaving experience without trying it, one way or another. When others say things like "this is better or that is better", often as not it reveals more about the subject than the object. I can say for sure that there are many things I like better than other things based almost entirely on subjective considerations. And I don't place value on razors or brushes just because they cost more. From May 2012 until October of last year the razor I used for over 98% of my shaves was a butt-ugly, brass, ball-end, Regent-style, British Gillette LC NEW that I paid about $12.70 for on UK eBay.

I didn't take anything you posted as a knock on the brushes we make. And there was no attitude in my response. Just level on the level, as John Prine would say.

Just based on this post I want to buy one now for the absolute honesty really, and I wasn't knocking your handles BTW.  I'm not a, "Brush guy."  Some people are, "Razor guys," and I fall into that category.  I HIGHLY doubt you are dying for customers from what I have seen.

Integrity on the part of a maker, in and of itself, doesn't make a brush functionally superior either. But it matters to me. Most of what supports the price of premium-priced shaving gear comes down to 1) subtleties that many (very reasonably) don't notice or care about 2) what goes on between the ears as distinguished from in a bowl or on a face. I know what I like, and I try to make it. Simple as that.

FWIW, I was a razor nut before I was a brush nut. I once bought about 60 vintage Gillette DE razors (mostly British-made) within six months. Back then I thought all the discussion that went on in brush forums was a little weird, almost creepy, like some kind of fetish. But I finally took a tumble down the shaving-brush rabbit hole. And what captivated my interest at the start was badger hair and knots. I bought 30+ high-end brushes (mostly Simpsons, Rooneys, and M&Fs) in under three months.

There is no substitute for personal experience. I'd much rather not sell a brush than have a buyer be disappointed. But it's pretty hard to know whether or not something will enhance your shaving experience without trying it, one way or another. When others say things like "this is better or that is better", often as not it reveals more about the subject than the object. I can say for sure that there are many things I like better than other things based almost entirely on subjective considerations. And I don't place value on razors or brushes just because they cost more. From May 2012 until October of last year the razor I used for over 98% of my shaves was a butt-ugly, brass, ball-end, Regent-style, British Gillette LC NEW that I paid about $12.70 for on UK eBay.

I didn't take anything you posted as a knock on the brushes we make. And there was no attitude in my response. Just level on the level, as John Prine would say.

Didn't take it that way, but was worried mine did lol. Thanks for the response. You don't get to hear from the actual maker of artisan products elsewhere that's for sure. Looks like I'll be looking at the tortoise handles from what I have seen. I'll read the knot notes first though.

Just based on this post I want to buy one now for the absolute honesty really, and I wasn't knocking your handles BTW.  I'm not a, "Brush guy."  Some people are, "Razor guys," and I fall into that category.  I HIGHLY doubt you are dying for customers from what I have seen.

Integrity on the part of a maker, in and of itself, doesn't make a brush functionally superior either. But it matters to me. Most of what supports the price of premium-priced shaving gear comes down to 1) subtleties that many (very reasonably) don't notice or care about 2) what goes on between the ears as distinguished from in a bowl or on a face. I know what I like, and I try to make it. Simple as that.

FWIW, I was a razor nut before I was a brush nut. I once bought about 60 vintage Gillette DE razors (mostly British-made) within six months. Back then I thought all the discussion that went on in brush forums was a little weird, almost creepy, like some kind of fetish. But I finally took a tumble down the shaving-brush rabbit hole. And what captivated my interest at the start was badger hair and knots. I bought 30+ high-end brushes (mostly Simpsons, Rooneys, and M&Fs) in under three months.

There is no substitute for personal experience. I'd much rather not sell a brush than have a buyer be disappointed. But it's pretty hard to know whether or not something will enhance your shaving experience without trying it, one way or another. When others say things like "this is better or that is better", often as not it reveals more about the subject than the object. I can say for sure that there are many things I like better than other things based almost entirely on subjective considerations. And I don't place value on razors or brushes just because they cost more. From May 2012 until October of last year the razor I used for over 98% of my shaves was a butt-ugly, brass, ball-end, Regent-style, British Gillette LC NEW that I paid about $12.70 for on UK eBay.

I didn't take anything you posted as a knock on the brushes we make. And there was no attitude in my response. Just level on the level, as John Prine would say.

Two of the biggest takeaways I couldn't agree with more. Only you can decide if its worth it to you, and do determine that, you'll have to try it ultimately. The information we give to others and receive from others is heavily subjective. There are objective merits that can be agreed on such as if it is a 2-band or a 3-band, and more obviously, but you have to know what you're looking for in a brush to truly get the most information that is being shared. What I like in a brush you might not like in a brush. I prefer 3-band Silvertip overall, but a side of me has curiosity towards 2-band and I have a number of that as well.

I remember a person asking for a vote between a 610 and a 620 recently, and knowing his preferences changed my vote. No point in voting for the one I liked when what he what he liked matched the other brush much better.

I like the wide range of materials used in the handles, and with the shapes I would find them a primary pulling factor in buying. At the same time, the hair has to be of good quality, and I find it to be of great quality, and appreciate the time Ken takes in explaining the knot codes.

Just for note, this comes from a brush guy.

[b]Do you want to be convinced? Doesn't sound like it. I have two, down from 4. They are very nice brushes, but my Morris & Forndran Blonde Badgers, my Rooneys, my Declaration and my Two Band Simpsons are slightly better. Not by much, but I like them better.   [/b]

Why because I asked some questions and aren't instantly in love with them?  

I actually really like the look of the tortoise handles though.

I wasn't trying to question your "question", I seemed to be able to read through the lines that you were hesitant. My favorite Paladin brush/handle is my PK-47 28mm fan knot (2CSLD4) with a tortoise handle. It is a keeper and one of my favorites.
That being said, I must acknowledge that my tastes are VERY conservative and I am not attracted to the Disco/Harlequin/Neptune rod stocks, however, Ken's handles are exquisitely turned and while we wet shavers don't need a beautiful handle on our brushes, there is no denying that Paladins are at the top. I am also unfamiliar with any other knot besides the 2CSLD4, which is very lovely. Scrubbier than my Rooneys, but not at all scritchy. 

I have had the pleasure of owning a few Paladin brushes. All Chiefs as I love that design. I have used Select  and Lee Sabini Blonde Badger knots. The only Paladin that remains is a Butterscotch with a Select knot. It has beautiful hooked tips that are super soft and still retains plenty of backbone. An absolute pleasure to use. Those are my thought on the brush. I have read plenty of articles from Ken about knots and brush making. I thought I had a decent grasp on knots until I read his articles. Ken takes his knots/brushmaking to an OCD level. Once you hold a Paladin brush in your hands, this is very evident. The fit and finishes are top notch.

I have also tried numerous Shavemac and Thater brushes. I believe these are some of the best knots available. The brushes are awesome but they fall just short a Paladin when it comes down to the very fine details. An example of this is the sanding and polishing in the crease of a lip on the handle. On some brushes, this area is not as polished as the rest of the handle because its difficult to get in that tiny area. Every Paladin brush I've owned has been beautifully finished, even in these hard to reach areas.

I can not guarantee your shaving experience will benefit from a Paladin brush. As I stated, Shavemacs and Thaters are great brushes. When using any of the mentioned brushes, they will all provide great lather and a pleasurable experience. The Paladins are just finished a little better. For this reason, I believe that Paladin brushes are well worth the asking price. A 26mm Chief runs about $160+domestic shipping, roughly the same as a 26mm two band Shavemac ($150+overseas shipping).


These are just my thoughts on the mentioned brushes. For reference, I am down to, two Shavemacs and one Paladin.

Thanks for the info