The Varlet

I liked the original shape of the Varlet beehive from 2015 more than the current one but if I had to order another Varlet, I would go for the ergonomics of the handle alone of the Ranger.

is the beehive that worse in comfort? (in looks alone i definitely prefer the beehive) but if its something close (I.E, range = 10 comfort and Beehive 8.5) I would still get the beehive.  But if the beehive is a 5 and range 10,  then I would pick a ranger.

Take my opinion with a grain of salt but I would say for my large hands, long fingers, the beehive to me is about a 5 or 6 to hold. It's just odd to hold the thumb over the wide bottom and the golf ball above. The negative space is too deep that you end up wanting to hold the bottom. If you are getting a something bigger than a 25mm, you should be fine as you get more material anyway which is easier on the hand.

For reference: It will be a 29mm regular HD knot (not the XD),  so you think i could be fine if its 29mm?   Really appreciate all your input!

many thanks for this,  now this post really concerns me, since we are talking of a $500 brush.  This leans me a bit more to the range,  i need something safe since I wont be able to sell it since this will be one my wife's 10 year anniversary gifts)

Ranger is great. Mega is great. Gaslamp is great. Although I know people that dislike all of these too so
Cauldron looks the safest from an ergonomic perspective. Very clean and simple with no ridges that some may find uncomfortable

Just one person's opinion again, but I think the ranger and gaslamp are ergonomically great - as is the cauldron - the mega is a big brush - think Chubby 3 - one cheap test is to buy a $20 razorock beehive and see what you think about holding the handle as you're shaving...

many thanks for this,  now this post really concerns me, since we are talking of a $500 brush.  This leans me a bit more to the range,  i need something safe since I wont be able to sell it since this will be one my wife's 10 year anniversary gifts)

Ranger is great. Mega is great. Gaslamp is great. Although I know people that dislike all of these too so
Cauldron looks the safest from an ergonomic perspective. Very clean and simple with no ridges that some may find uncomfortable

Just one person's opinion again, but I think the ranger and gaslamp are ergonomically great - as is the cauldron - the mega is a big brush - think Chubby 3 - one cheap test is to buy a $20 razorock beehive and see what you think about holding the handle as you're shaving...

Man, thats a great idea,  i think i will do that as I have never tried any beehive (i do love the chubbier handles such as the F&M 2xl, etc)

I don’t hold brushes like most folks either. My hands are freakishly large so I always hold a brush like a claw with the bottom in my palm and fingers wrapped around the top. I have to do this even with a Jefferson shape.

Ranger is great. Mega is great. Gaslamp is great. Although I know people that dislike all of these too so
Cauldron looks the safest from an ergonomic perspective. Very clean and simple with no ridges that some may find uncomfortable

Just one person's opinion again, but I think the ranger and gaslamp are ergonomically great - as is the cauldron - the mega is a big brush - think Chubby 3 - one cheap test is to buy a $20 razorock beehive and see what you think about holding the handle as you're shaving...

Man, thats a great idea,  i think i will do that as I have never tried any beehive (i do love the chubbier handles such as the F&M 2xl, etc)

seems razorocks are sold out (although maybe you can find one) - there's another brand on Ebay if you just search beehive shaving brush - won't be the same as varlet, but it'll give you a sense of shaving with a beehive handle - if I had one I'd just send it to you to try - sorry, I don't....

Just one person's opinion again, but I think the ranger and gaslamp are ergonomically great - as is the cauldron - the mega is a big brush - think Chubby 3 - one cheap test is to buy a $20 razorock beehive and see what you think about holding the handle as you're shaving...

Man, thats a great idea,  i think i will do that as I have never tried any beehive (i do love the chubbier handles such as the F&M 2xl, etc)

seems razorocks are sold out (although maybe you can find one) - there's another brand on Ebay if you just search beehive shaving brush - won't be the same as varlet, but it'll give you a sense of shaving with a beehive handle - if I had one I'd just send it to you to try - sorry, I don't....

No worries man,  really appreciate your help!  I will try to find a cheap beehive, shouldnt be too hard to find I think.  

Now that i saw some posts about how they grip their brushes i figured out how i actually grip, with only 3 fingers (i tried with all my brushes and did "fake lathering" and i use same grip with all.  will post a pic of the typical grip I use in a few mins, maybe that helps narrow it down with feedback from the guys here : D

Man, thats a great idea,  i think i will do that as I have never tried any beehive (i do love the chubbier handles such as the F&M 2xl, etc)

seems razorocks are sold out (although maybe you can find one) - there's another brand on Ebay if you just search beehive shaving brush - won't be the same as varlet, but it'll give you a sense of shaving with a beehive handle - if I had one I'd just send it to you to try - sorry, I don't....

No worries man,  really appreciate your help!  I will try to find a cheap beehive, shouldnt be too hard to find I think.  

Now that i saw some posts about how they grip their brushes i figured out how i actually grip, with only 3 fingers (i tried with all my brushes and did "fake lathering" and i use same grip with all.  will post a pic of the typical grip I use in a few mins, maybe that helps narrow it down with feedback from the guys here : D

sounds good - I'm also tagging pork who has (and has had) several varlet brushes, including a beehive, in case he feels like weighing in...

After checking how i grip my brushes, here are some pics (in case this helps to decice beehive vs ranger for me)

I only use 3 fingers and my middle finger seems to naturally want to cross-ride just below the ridge, for ha dles that have a single ringe point. Feels comfortable to me i guess (but just learned that a few mins ago, i just did it naturally)

I just tried holding all of mine like that. I say either Ranger or Mega.

Pretty much how hold brushes. Enjoy the Ranger in my rotation ergonomically if not the favourite brush