Thank you so much for making this! I hope you know your effort is truly appreciated. There doesn’t seem to be a coherent resource for understanding the differences and ideas behind Phoenix Shaving’s collection of brushes so thank you very much for helping us understand them all!
You're very welcome! Thank you! Have you seen my individual reviews of brushes? I'm just getting started but have done a few of the PAA brushes. I'll attach a couple links. Have a great week!
Howdy brother😎 PAA brushes are by far my favorites, for the performance, the looks, the feeling and for there prices. Can't beat it 👍 Have a great day and stay safe Ttyl 😀
Thanks for history of "Crown King" and the PAA brushes, I'm not a PAA fan boy but I'm always interested in Artisan history. I'm with you on size of knots 22 to 26, don't like anything bigger. Thanks for the effort you put into this video.👏💖🤟
Me too learning about this one was pretty cool I had no idea previously about the ghost town . Now I seriously want to go there lol Thanks brother! If you haven't already checked out the link in the description that article is a great read. Have a good one!
Yes I watched to the end (being a PAA brush fanboy too) and I whole-heartedly agree - the best ones for me too are the three 24mm ones - Peregrino, Starcraft, Amber Aerolight. Love them all.
Awesome thanks Steve I appreciate that I know for some people that would have been a tough one to watch but for us fanboys I was hoping at least a few of us would stick around till the end and enjoy it. Have a great one brother
Howdy. Better late than never!!! Great informative vid, 26mm is my fav thus far. I do like the retro look of Doug's brushes. Me being leaning more to the vintage side. What caught my eye was the Perigino!! Green & off white handle & the Doppler brushes. I'm yet to find a good synthetic brush.
Totally agree with all your analysis in this video Tobin, however for me my favorites are this amber aero light the Doppler and last but not least the star wisp. Have a great weekend bother! TTYS !
Awesome video, very interesting and informative. I’m fairly new (8 months) into DE shaving and have already collected over 25 razors. As far as brushes I’ve only used razorock plissoft so far and have been impressed but I love the retro look of the phoenix brushes so I will definitely add some to the collection. This hobby can grab you hard but hey it’s harmless and I really enjoy it. If you told me a year ago I’d be watching shaving videos on RU-vid and really enjoying them I might add, I would say you were crazy. Keep up the good work my friend, you’ve gained a subscriber!
Thanks Douglas!! I really enjoy the Phoenix brushes and at $20 a piece there a steal! I remember years ago finding myself in a similar position as yourself. One day the thought dawned on me as to just how much I had gotten into the hobby and had you told me before I wouldn't have believed it either. Have a great week and thanks again!
Hey fellow PAA Fan. I first bought the PAA Atomic Rocket because Living in Phoenix I wanted to support a local artisan and two I like how Douglas revises the vintage look of brushes with modern style fibers. I have all of the PAA brushes including the aluminum handle one that you set your own knots.
I want to get the Switchback too (aluminum set your own knot). Love the PAA brushes, great performance and history for an amazing price. Never knew about Crown King name, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the run down. I've been looking at the Peregrino for some time now. You've sold me. BTW, "Stygian" is pronounced "Sti" as in the world "Stick", "gian" as in "gee uhn".
Thank you sir I also learned since making the video that it's also related to the River Styx somehow? For some reason I never give that word any real thought until I made the video LOL I'm glad the video helped you out that was my main goal with this video was to try and bring some clarity to the selection. I really love the peregrino the shape of the handle everything.
Hello David! I have the T3 too but I haven't actually used it yet! It's still in the box. I shall have to take it out some day soon and give it a test run! I had tried the Omega Roma which is supposedly Omega's take on the Trafalgar and I didn't seem to get on with it.. at first I liked it but as time went on I found it a little too hard or something, it just wasn't whizzing the later up like it should.. It may work better for tub lathering but personally I only do scooping. I find softer brushes seem to work good for me.
I love that T3 also its my favorite one as of now! I own like 4 or 5 of these PPA brushes but i just dnt like the hight of them nor lile them in 26mm knot im more of a 22 23 max 24 but short hate them tall
It's an amazing brush! Not sure if you saw my "pinned" comment. I'm a goober. This was one of my early videos and I made a rookie mistake. The red was the original and the black is the current. My bad, bro I apologize. I didn't realize my mistake until after I published the video. I feel like a 🤓
I only have the StarCraft so far. Awesome video brother and love your dedication to information and being true. Also a Phoenix Shaving fanboy. But I’m also a tobins_throwbacks fan cuz you are an amazing person and love your content brother.
Thank you so much for reviewing all the brushes. My first brush was a very cheap synthetic badger brush that was horrible to shave with. It felt as tho It was scratching my face. Then I got my first synthetic which was the amber aerolite and the star wisp. And ever since then. I have only been using synthetics. Would love to see a review on yaqi brushes as well. Would love to see like a comparison between the brushes and which one you prefer. Lastly. I found out real quickly in this community to never by a kit under 50$. Rn I'm using a Henson razor, I have a but ton of shaving soap, and brushes and after shave. The only thing I kept from the gentleman John's groom kit was the alum block and the little metal cup. Everything else I threw away. Can you do a video on like storing brushes? Like what containers to use aside from the twist tube. As I believe 7$ for one is way too much.
Hey Alex, I do have a video about brush storage. I'll put a link in the next comment below. Sounds like that badger brush you had was a black Badger or something like that they can be very scratchy. After a while though the good ones usually get better with use. When it comes to Yaqi they are affordable, but I feel like Phoenix makes a better product. I had a few Yaqis sold one and eventually gave the other two away. Plus, I'd rather support Doug and Fran in Arizona vs a Mega Corp in China I avoid The Art of Shaving for the same reason, they are owned by Proctor & Gamble. I try to support small businesses as much as possible, can't always do that of course, but I try to. Yaqi makes a good product, but I feel like the Roswell Grey fibers from Phoenix are superior with backbone, flow , water retention & heat retention. And oh man, I feel ya in regards to the kits. I know the one you're talking about, a friend of mine on Instagram had one, he basically said the same thing. Have a good one and let me know what you think about the storage vid that I post below 👍👍🤘
@@Tobins_throwbacks thank you so much for the video. I ended up purchasing pop top containers to put them in. And while I did want those twist storage cubes. They are way more expensive. You can go to aliexpress and purchase them for 3$ a piece, but that doesn't include shipping which really make it around 5$. Even then, I was gonna pay 40$ for 20,but when I saw I could purchase 60 pop top containers for the same price. It was a better deal for me, and I don't think I'll ever purchase one of those obscenely large shave brushes that that have a large handle. I totally understand what you mean as I'm the same way with shave soap and aftershave. I as well want to support small shave companies, especially when the soaps are natural, and make a way better shave than cartridge, and shave soap in a can. FLS, PAA, and HAGS are currently the companies I have purchased from. But I want to get through all my shave soap in order to purchase more lol. Declaration Grooming and Ariana And Evans are the next companies I will try once I'm done with the shave soap.
@@myhomiealex6 awesome! Ya the pop tops are a great deal! Love FLS and Hags amd you can't go wrong with Declaration or A&E all great products made by amazing people. Have a good one Alex!
I'm a PAA fanboy too. Their brushes are my favorites. I have most of the 24mm ones and love them all. Recently bought the Doppler 26mm and was disappointed; it does not seem to have the same backbone and density as the 24mm brushes and so is more floppy. YMMV of course but for me it is a touch off. Amazing company, great soaps and splashes too. Cheers Tobin.
There is a lot more Loft in the Doppler I definitely agree with your analysis, it's kind of like the green ray you get a lot of splay I think it has something to do with how he has it set in the handle too. Although I use my greenray today for a face lather and it was fantastic!
@@Tobins_throwbacks I love the Doppler for face lathering. It holds moisture and cream well and the loft keeps the cream off my hand. I can get 3 passes worth of thick cream from 15 swirls on proraso soap and a cube 2.0 pre-shave. The 24s feel better on the face, but doesn't keep the cream off my hand or hold as much cream. With a face lather and a 24 the 3rd pass starts running out of soap. I use a mug or scuttle with a 24 for this reason.
@@mapsgillnet6762 I still can't believe sometimes just how great a job the Roswell type fibers perform! I love em! I really like the size of the Doppler handle too. Have you seen the video I did about the PAA brush collection? I already can't wait for the next release 🙌
Love this video! Thanks for the history lesson! I agree, PAA brushes are in my desert island favs, and I tend to pick one for traveling - 1) because they’re synthetic, and 2) they perform so well! I used to have a Peregrino (my 1st PAA brush) but it dropped in the shower and died 😭). I have an “extra” T3 that met the same fate - I used to hang them in the shower on a suction cup holder, no more, as the suction cup fell off twice now (over a long time, and in the middle of the night). I now have a better, secure storage area on the side of my shave cart. I think I’m going to pick up a Switchback 400 and maybe a Shaverite 210 with a 24mm and 26mm ferrule. Or maybe one brush handle with two ferrules. One will be for the cracked T3, as I should be able to get the knot out. Any hints on removing that knot from anyone?
Morning Sean, and thanks! I remember hearing about the death of that Peregrino. 🪦😔 Some brushes aren't meant for this world 🌎. You might like my next video from the den🙌 and I'll send you a great video on Instagram that will show you how to best remove that knot. 👍👍
Hey Dapper, while I do enjoy the T3 and T2 they aren't my favorites. But for the price I think they are a great value. The Platinum Fibers from Simpson are better but those brushes have a price point that starts at about $80 USD. My favorite fibers overall would definitely be the Roswell Grey from PAA. I think that dollar for dollar they are the best bang for buck, they are only $20 and in my opinion the best value.
Hey Joe, so the the width at the bottom is roughly the same. The Phantom is shorter. You may like the handle on the Starcraft, Solar Flare and Green Ray. All of them have a smaller base/width. Hope this helps Happy new year!
Yea I'm a fan boy too. I got into wet shave with PAA last beginning on June in 2021. My atomic rocket has the black logo not sure when they had it or if I some how got new old stock? Your tell me I should get a new atomic rocket for my collection then!
Hey Adam, no I goofed. I put the correction in the description and pinned it to the comments. I mixed up the color order. Totally my bad, I should have caught it while I was editing the vid but I didn't. Sorry about that, it's an EPIC brush though!
I wish there was a way to add an edit to a.video once its been posted. And no sir. No, no one's asked me but I'd be happy too! Great vid idea! I've got my collection of PAA sets meticulously put together lol.
Yea I have watched your shave den video and how big you PAA collection is. My collection it's in the hall closet mostly PAA which it's run low on space. But only being year plus into wet shaving I wonder how many scents I have missed?
Right on, the den is making progress but baby steps. And you've missed a ton of frags. Like literally 100 or more that are gone. Maybe more, of you scroll through PAA Instagram page you can get a SMALL sample of some of the stuff. But the Instagram page is only like 5 years old or so.
I have 2 brushes fro PAA The StarCraft and The StarWisp and I love them both. For no particular reason other than I like the look of it The Atomic Rocket is next in my list. With your Atomic Rockets have you noticed any difference in quality or feel in the older version compared to the newer, have they improved in your opinion. Your answer will sway me from purchasing. Great Video keep up up the good work.
Thanks Robert! So, with the Atomic Rocket I've honestly never paid too close attention to a difference in feel, but at the same time nothing stands out to me. I'll use both in the morning and let ya know, it sounds like a fun experiment lol. But, in short I'd say no nothing has changed and if something has changed it was miniscule. I just used the Star Wisp yesterday, love the feel of that handle and of course the fibers! Thanks again!
@@Tobins_throwbacks Thanks for the reply. I meant to say your answer WILL NOT sway me 🙄 in my decision. I was just wondering if they had changed much to improve the brush or keep the same system that seems to work so well.
Great video. First time viewer. Subbed. I’ve been looking for a comparison. I had hoped PAA would have had a comparison chart but they do not or I couldn’t find it. I have a T3 and like it but it doesn’t splay the easiest and is a bit springy. So I have read good things about the Amber Aerolite but like the Doppler handle a bit better. You are saying the face feel and backbone is pretty similar? I realize the Doppler is a 26. What about the Doppler and atomic rocket differences? Thanks again for the quality review.
thanks Ronnie. So the Amber Aerolite and Doppler will definitely have a similar face feel. The differences are small. The splay will vary a little. The Atomic Rocket is big in the hand, a little softer than the Doppler and with a little less backbone. I made another video last week about my 15 favorite synthetics. Spoiler alert, 3 of the PAA brushes made the list and after watching this video it should definitely help. I agree with your analysis of the T3. These fibers from PAA are in a league of their own. Hope this helps, have a good one!
Hey! How's the weather in Greece? We have some sunshine today on Oregon. The Astraeus brush is another great brush from PAA. In the next comment I'll post a link to my PAA Playlist. I have a large handful of my favorite fragrances in that Playlist. My favorite fragrance changes daily lol, depending on what I'm wearing ☺️😁🙏
@@Tobins_throwbacks The weather here is always sunshine and warm! Come here for vacation in any island you prefer! Thanks for the list. What paa after shave you suggest for WINTER and for summer too?
Oh man, that's a tough one. They are extremely similar in softness. I'd say the Green Ray is SLIGHTLY softer. Both are among the softest brushes ever made. They are as soft or softer than the the Angel Hair fibers found in the Fine Accoutrements brushes. If you're looking for soft both the of these two brushes are a winner. Hope this helps
I own a few PAA products including a couple of razors and three brushes. Although PAA brushes are inexpensive and represent a great value, their knots are just not in the same realm as a G4 or G5 synthetic knot. However, even though I feel strongly in that regard, I did just purchase an Atomic Rocket!
@@Tobins_throwbacks I like the handle, but don’t care for the knot, just too soft. Will probably replace it with a G5 set a bit lower. So many projects … so little time!!
Hey Chris, I think both work well. The 24mm is my "sweet spot". It's my favorite knot size, but I think you will find that these 26mm from PAA work just as well depending on preference. If you go with one, let me know how well it does or doesn't work for you. Hope this helps!
@@Tobins_throwbacks thanks for the tip sir! In that case, I am between the Green Ray, Atomic Rocket, Phantom Aerolite, and Starcraft.. do you have any preferences out of those 4, or are there any major performance differences between the 4?
Oh yes Stygian, is pronounced, Stidge E Ann. It refers to the River Styx which separated the land of the living from the dead in Ancient Greek mythology and also means gloomy or dark, hence the black bristles. 😁
@@Tobins_throwbacks The more recent ones...I'm going to get an Atomic Rocket, Green Ray and one of the 26mm newest fiber... I already have a Peregrino. Which splays easiest?
Έχουμε μια μεταβατική περίοδο από τά πινέλα με φυσική τρίχα σέ πινέλα με πλαστικό νομίζω ότι το παραδοσιακό ξύρισμα θέλει φυσική τρίχα πάντως είσαι πολύ καλός στη ν παρουσίαση
my Simpson T3 Trafalgar is the best brush on the market today it's like buying a $200 badger hair brush, no cleaning the brush, no need for a brush stand, fast drying time, well not fall apart like a badger hair can, cheap to buy, i have owned it for 5 years with know problems wheelchair Larry
That's awesome! I love mine! Used it on Saturday. You can still find them for around 30 or less. I thought about buying a back up. Just in case Simpson quits making them or something else weird happens lol. I have the Sovereign type fibers in a few brushes now and they can't be beat for the price. I bought a couple "silver fox" knots for $7.50 a piece and put them in a couple different handles. Basically the same exact fibers as the Trafalgar Sovereigns, very small difference between them. Have a good one!
