Today we are going to be reviewing another one of the popular beginner shaving brushes: the Miusco badger hair shaving brush.
Overall, the Miusco shaving brush is very similar to the other entry-level pure badger hair brushes we’ve recently reviewed (Perfecto and Escali). It has pure badger hair for bristles. It has a wood handle. It’s very affordable. But there is one feature the Miusco brush comes with that those other beginner shaving brushes don’t come with: a razor/brush stand.
So does that mean I’m recommending the Miusco brush over those others just because it comes with a stand? Not necessarily. But let’s dig into the details and see if this is the best shaving brush for you.
Pros
- Made from pure badger hair
- Comes with chrome razor/brush stand
- Handle is excellent size and durable
- Better lather with less soap/cream than using bare hands
Cons
- Have seen some complaints of hairs falling out when used
Product Overview & Specs
- Dimensions ( L x W x H): 3.7 inches x 3.0 inches x 5.9 inches
- Wood handle
- 100% pure badger hair
- Fan tip shape
- Shaving stand included (2 color options: black or chrome)
Key Features
High Quality 100% Pure Badger Hair
Miusco’s shaving brush is made with 100% pure badger hair. And although pure badger hair is considered the lowest quality of all badger hair, that doesn’t mean you still can’t get an excellent lather out of the Miusco pure badger hair brush.
So why is pure badger hair considered inferior to silvertip badger hair? Well there are 2 main differences between pure badger and higher grade badger hair like silvertip. First, silvertip hair is noticeably more soft. Secondly, silvertip bristles hold water a little better than pure badger hair. Is it a noticeable amount more? Not significantly.
Look, I’m not debating that silvertip hair is superior to pure badger hair. But what I’m getting at is I don’t think the performance is dramatically better to the point where badger hairs shouldn’t even be considered. Because pure badger hair brushes can give an excellent lather. And isn’t that the whole point of using a shaving brush?
The Miusco brush bristles are really good quality pure badger hair. The bristles are somewhat rigid but not tough or uncomfortable. Personally, I like slightly more rigid bristles because it really helps exfoliate my skin and open up the pores before a shave.
The most important question for me though in regards to the bristles though are: can it hold enough water to generate a good lather with a shaving soap or shaving cream? And I think the Miusco delivers in this category really well. Prepping the brush before loading it with soap/cream definitely helps, but even if you’re still learning how to properly use a brush, this is idiot-proof to getting a decent lather.
Durable and Dependable
One of the biggest concerns with the “entry-level” shaving brushes is that some of them tend to fall apart pretty quickly. But the Miusco shaving brush seems to be one of better made of the beginner shaving brushes.
Pretty much all shaving brushes are going to lose a few of their hairs every once in a while, particularly at the beginning. But what you don’t want is to be constantly losing hairs during every shave. And I’m happy to say that my Miusco badger hair brush is still going strong after 3 years of use.
By the way, when you first get this brush it might still have some of the badger hair smell, but rest assured the hair has been cleaned and sanitize. This smell should go away after a few uses though.
Good Wood Handle
The wood handle on the Miusco badger hair brush is really good. It has good size and is well made. It’s very comfortable to hold and the wood has held up really well over time for me.
This shaving brush is available in 2 different handle options, a wood handle or a wood handle that is painted black. I prefer the handle that is not painted black but that’s really just a personal preference.
Razor Stand
One of the features that separates the Miusco pure badger brush from other entry-level shaving brushes is that it comes with a razor stand. This definitely shouldn’t be overlooked because I highly recommend you use a razor stand when wet shaving. Why?
Well the biggest reason is that it helps your shaving brush dry properly after being used. It’s not just for aesthetics or for storage between shaves, it helps dry the bristles out and preserve them longer. Bacteria is more likely to grow on a brush or razor that doesn’t dry properly, and you definitely don’t want that.
This isn’t my favorite stand out there, but it definitely gets the job done. Most razor stands cost at least $15 so to get the Miusco brush and a stand at this price really is a good deal.
Who Do We Recommend The Miusco Shaving Brush For?
Miusco’s badger hair shaving brush is an excellent option for men that are new to wet shaving and just want to start off with an affordable entry-level shaving brush. This brush has very good quality badger hair and can deliver an excellent lather while you’re still learning how to wet shave.
This is also a great option for men that just have a limited budget because it is such a great deal with the razor stand included with your purchase. If you’re looking for a well made, dependable shaving brush without spending much money, this is one of the best. In my opinion, the brush is worth the price tag alone because it is one of the best quality badger hair brushes out there. But throw in the high-quality razor stand with it and you’re looking at a really good deal for anyone with a limited budget.
What Are Some Other Shaving Brushes To Consider?
Escali 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush
The Escali 100% pure badger shaving brush is very comparable to the Miusco badger hair brush. The badger hair is similar in quality, density and performance.
The Escali badger brush is probably the most popular and recommended shaving brush for beginner wet shavers. And for good reason -- it’s incredibly well made and durable for an entry-level brush at this price range.
If you really want a razor stand included, go with Miusco’s. But if you just want a high-quality pure badger hair brush and don’t need a razor stand, I would probably go with Escali’s.
Vikings Blade Luxury Shaving Brush
If you’re looking to upgrade from pure badger hair to something a little softer and more premium but you are not quite ready to spend the money on a silvertip, then consider taking a closer look at the Vikings Blade luxury shaving brush. Vikings Blade makes a synthetic shaving brush that very closely resembles the feel and performance of a silvertip.
Hands down, this is one of my favorite shaving brushes. It’s incredibly soft and holds a ton of water which allows you to lather up incredibly well.
I really think the Vikings Blade brush delivers premium performance but it’s in the mid-range price range. So if you’re willing to bump your budget up a little, this is an excellent buy.
Parker 100% Silvertip
Parker makes several great shaving brushes, but if you’re looking for their best, this is it. In fact, the Parker 100% silvertip is my favorite silvertip shaving brush out there.
There really are 2 reasons why you might want to upgrade to a silvertip. First of all, they are much softer than a pure badger hair brush. So if you have really sensitive skin, a silvertip will hopefully limit the irritation. Secondly, silvertip hair retains water a little better which in turn allows you to work your cream or soap into a better lather easier.
Personally, I don’t really recommend beginners buy a silvertip. But if you’ve got the budget and want the best of the best, then the Parker 100% silvertip is a great option.
Still not sure which shaving brush you should buy? Well then go checkout my comprehensive review guide of what I think are the 8 best shaving brushes on the market right now. It has all the information you need to get caught up on what's available and find the best brush in your budget.
