A substantial brush made with the quality and aesthetics one expects from QED. Apart from the comfort and secure grip offered by the lathe-turned ergonomic handle, a truly striking feature of the high quality resin is the gold undertones produced by mica minerals under the handle surface, somewhat reminiscent of genuine amber. For a closer look at these sparkling highlights in the handle, view the photos below.

 

Best Badger (in general) is rarer than pure badger hair, and offers a significant improvement in feel and quality over pure. It is finer and more pliable than pure badger and lighter in color, ranging from light brown to gray. Because the hair shaft of best badger is thinner than pure badger, a best badger shaving brush contains more hair and has better water absorbing capabilities than a pure badger shaving brush. Consequently, it is a more ideal brush for creating a richer more profuse lather. Sometimes best badger hair is bleached to whiten the tips to make them more eye-appealing (QED Select brushes are NOT bleached). Brushes made exclusively with best badger hair cost more than “Pure” badger. 

 

Although badger hair is found throughout China, it is alleged that the coldest part of the country - known simply as "The Northeast" and historically as "Manchuria" - produces the highest-quality badger hair. However, contrary to popular marketing, "Manchurian" is not a grade of hair as much as it is a location. Unlike the QED Select Best Badger shaving brushes, the QED Select 'Manchurian' Best Badger shaving brushes contain only the highest quality hand-packed, uncut, unbleached, unmixed Best badger hair from Manchuria, retaining the hair's suppleness, softness, and natural color. Because of the rarity of this hair, the Select Manchurian Best cost a bit more than the Select Best. The densely packed 24mm knot has superb ‘backbone’ (resiliency) yet soft tips. The exceptional water-holding capacity of this brush insures a rich warm lather. For the gentleman seeking a softer tactile lathering experience than that offered by a pure badger brush, the QED Select Manchurian Best Badger shaving brush is the ideal choice. For many wet shavers, the variance between the qualities of ‘best’ badger and the higher grade 'silvertip' badger is negligible. The best badger shaving brush represents the best value in quality for the price. $52.00

 

Brush measurements (approximate):

• Faux Amber Handle height: 50mm (1.97”)

• Manchurian Best Badger Hair height: 50mm (1.97”)

• Total height: 100mm (3.94”)

• Knot size (hair diameter at base) = 24mm (0.94”)

 

NOTE: The faux amber handles are unique and will have slight pattern and color variations from what is shown in the photos.