Sharp's
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Yes, Paladin Brushes is the official Brush of Sharps, but that is based on a few things. The most important being Ken's integrity and openness to the art of a brush. No other brush maker offers as much information on the process as he does while delivering a fantastic product. Correction Brad Sears is extraordinarily open and honest and will spend the time to make sure you are happy with what you are buying. However, Mr. Lynn and his son Cody takes it to a different level.
First off I like two bands and only use two band badger brushes. Call it snobbish.. I am old and just and want what I do. Rather than owning more brushes than I will ever use( I already do) I would rather have a fewer from a top tier maker.
I have owned early Wiborgs, pre collaboration M&F, Simpson Manchurians, Plisson HMW, Brad Sears and the newest guy around Black Eagle out of South Africa as well as other.. I have not tried Declaration Grooming, Varlet and Shavemacs but respect them and notwithstanding all these brushes are outstanding. I would even place the Wiborg as the best brush I have ever owned.
All Paladin handles are based on Classic Shapes, and yet they do not feel contrived to appear original. They are turned on a CNC lathe assuring consistent quality standard vs. one turned on a hand lathe. Don't get me wrong there is an art to hand turning, but when speaking of precision CNC is hard to beat. Ken and Cody will not let a handle that isn't perfect go out as a tier 1 product. On the other hand, if a handle does not meet their standard, it will still be released as a second, at a significant discount to their firsts. This allows persons that may not be willing to pay up for the standard product to still enjoy a top performing knot.
As for the knots. They are sourced from China, but everyone is hand tied. Most of badger knots manufacture today included from the top brands mentioned earlier are manufactured in China.
Some will argue, that a Chines knots do not hold up to the quality of those made in England. Really? Does a highly trained laborer in England have a better work ethic than those of a highly trained one from China? As we all know, sourced properly extremely high-quality artisan products are equal to most being made anywhere else in the world. It is a culture with thousands of years history devoted to mastering perfection. Bronze, Jade Silk, and Porcelain to name a few. The Chinese artisans are third in their social pyramid. They are not highly respected, but not the least appreciated. Artisans take great pride in making beautiful works of artwork for people in higher classes. Why can this not exist in the badger brush world?
Let's talk about what is going on in this world today and the frenzy of creating Legendary Brush makers. Most of it is hype. The mystique that follows Florian of Wiborg is a joke, sorry. Yes, his brushes perform amazingly. However, this Banksy like image that follows is absurd. As if one is entering into a secret society.
Then there is Bradley out of South Africa. Turns a fantastic handle, very communicative from halfway d the around the world. I feel they are somewhat contrived examples of other people's work. The knots are excellent, extremely dense Chinese knots. They are not hand tied. He is working on prototypes of hand-tied knots tied by him, but really? If he has only been tying for less than a year will they deserve to be in the same league as Wiborg, M&F, and Varlet? There are some out there that are creating this demand in the market before the product is delivered or reputation earned.
These only name a few reasons why I went all in on Paladin. As I said, there are other top tier brush makers out there. We all look for our own nirvana, and I do not deny anyone theirs. I find that with Paladin I can have a variety in brush styles and various hand made knot styles (as long as it is two band) all under one house. Thank you, Ken Lynn.
First off I like two bands and only use two band badger brushes. Call it snobbish.. I am old and just and want what I do. Rather than owning more brushes than I will ever use( I already do) I would rather have a fewer from a top tier maker.
I have owned early Wiborgs, pre collaboration M&F, Simpson Manchurians, Plisson HMW, Brad Sears and the newest guy around Black Eagle out of South Africa as well as other.. I have not tried Declaration Grooming, Varlet and Shavemacs but respect them and notwithstanding all these brushes are outstanding. I would even place the Wiborg as the best brush I have ever owned.
All Paladin handles are based on Classic Shapes, and yet they do not feel contrived to appear original. They are turned on a CNC lathe assuring consistent quality standard vs. one turned on a hand lathe. Don't get me wrong there is an art to hand turning, but when speaking of precision CNC is hard to beat. Ken and Cody will not let a handle that isn't perfect go out as a tier 1 product. On the other hand, if a handle does not meet their standard, it will still be released as a second, at a significant discount to their firsts. This allows persons that may not be willing to pay up for the standard product to still enjoy a top performing knot.
As for the knots. They are sourced from China, but everyone is hand tied. Most of badger knots manufacture today included from the top brands mentioned earlier are manufactured in China.
Some will argue, that a Chines knots do not hold up to the quality of those made in England. Really? Does a highly trained laborer in England have a better work ethic than those of a highly trained one from China? As we all know, sourced properly extremely high-quality artisan products are equal to most being made anywhere else in the world. It is a culture with thousands of years history devoted to mastering perfection. Bronze, Jade Silk, and Porcelain to name a few. The Chinese artisans are third in their social pyramid. They are not highly respected, but not the least appreciated. Artisans take great pride in making beautiful works of artwork for people in higher classes. Why can this not exist in the badger brush world?
Let's talk about what is going on in this world today and the frenzy of creating Legendary Brush makers. Most of it is hype. The mystique that follows Florian of Wiborg is a joke, sorry. Yes, his brushes perform amazingly. However, this Banksy like image that follows is absurd. As if one is entering into a secret society.
Then there is Bradley out of South Africa. Turns a fantastic handle, very communicative from halfway d the around the world. I feel they are somewhat contrived examples of other people's work. The knots are excellent, extremely dense Chinese knots. They are not hand tied. He is working on prototypes of hand-tied knots tied by him, but really? If he has only been tying for less than a year will they deserve to be in the same league as Wiborg, M&F, and Varlet? There are some out there that are creating this demand in the market before the product is delivered or reputation earned.
These only name a few reasons why I went all in on Paladin. As I said, there are other top tier brush makers out there. We all look for our own nirvana, and I do not deny anyone theirs. I find that with Paladin I can have a variety in brush styles and various hand made knot styles (as long as it is two band) all under one house. Thank you, Ken Lynn.
