Perfecto is a California based men’s grooming company that makes and sells all kinds of wet shaving gear including razors, brushes, stands and bowls. But out of all their products, their shaving brush definitely is their most popular. The Perfecto 100% pure badger shaving brush is one of the top sellers online.
And why is this such a popular shaving brush? Two reasons: 1) price and 2) performance. There are other cheap shaving brushes out there but Perfecto definitely outperforms most of them in my opinion.
So is it the right shaving brush for you? Let’s find out.
Pros
- Good loft length
- Tight knot
- Entry-level price range
- Lathers well
Cons
- Smaller than most shaving brushes
- Won’t lather quite as well as premium brushes
Product Overview & Specs
- 100% pure badger hair bristles
- Wooden handle painted black
- Bulb-shaped tip
- “Perfecto” logo on handle
- No razor stand included
Key Features
Manage Expectations
The Perfecto pure badger shaving brush is a really good quality shaving brush and a great option for a lot of men. But you do need to manage your expectations a little before using it.
As we will discuss, this brush does a really good job at helping you lather for a wet shave. It’s not the best lather, but it’s definitely good enough. But you shouldn’t expect it to be super soft and it’s going to take a few weeks to break it in to optimal conditions.
So as you read the rest of the review, just keep these expectations in mind. You really shouldn’t be expecting premium features and performance in this price range...
Made With Pure Badger Hair
The bristles on the Perfecto shaving brush are pure badger hair. And although pure badger hair is the lowest grade of badger hair, the Perfecto’s bristles are still surprisingly really good quality.
The bristles on this brush are definitely going to be the stiffest when you first use it. The hairs will definitely soften up over time as it gets used more, but don’t ever expect it to feel like a silvertip. And I highly recommend speeding up the “breaking-in period” by soaking the bristles in hot water, loading it with shaving cream and then let it sit out for around 15 minutes before ever using it.
I personally like brushes with hair that are slightly more stiff than a silvertip, but if you have really sensitive skin, the Perfecto Badger hair brush may be too rough for you.
But for the vast majority of men badger hair will be perfectly acceptable. I find that the badger hair helps exfoliate my face better than my silvertips. So just make sure you are prepping the Perfecto brush before loading it and that will make it a much more comfy lathering experience.
Good Size Loft and Excellent Knot
The loft size on the Perfecto pure badger brush is really good. The large loft size allows it to hold a lot of water which really allows you get a great lather from only using a minimal amount of cream or soap.
I’m probably most impressed with the knot in the Perfecto brush though. It’s very tightly packed and well made so it’s a thick amount of badger hair that doesn’t fall out easily.
Good Size Handle
I really like the size of the handle. On the Perfecto Badger brush. It’s around 2 inches long and allows you to get a really good grip no matter how big or small your hands are. Personally, I prefer a slightly larger handle because it allows me to get a little more leverage behind it and grip it easier. But the Perfecto is the ideal size in my opinion. It’s big enough for a comfortable grip but it’s not big and bulky.
Speaking of the handle, Perfecto sells their pure badger shaving brush with 2 different handle options. One of the options is the classic wood handle. The other option is a wood handle that is painted black. I highly recommend going with the natural wood handle that is not painted black.
I’ve heard some users of the black handle option complain about the paint chipping or coming off over time. If you really prefer the look of the black handle, go for it. But the natural wood handle might hold up better over time.
Excellent Travel Brush
If you’re looking for a shaving brush you want to keep in your dopp kit as your permanent travel brush, the Perfecto pure badger hair brush is an excellent option. It’s very durable and well made so you don’t have to worry about it falling apart on you during a trip. And if for some reason you forget it in your hotel room, you’re not going to have to break the bank to replace it.
Who Do We Recommend The Perfecto Shaving Brush For?
The Perfecto 100% original pure badger shaving brush is an excellent choice for men that are either new to wet shaving or have a very limited budget. So if you’re new to wet shaving and looking for your first brush, I highly recommend starting with an entry-level pure badger brush like the Perfecto before upgrading to something more expensive.
This is a very high quality brush that is durable and will deliver a really great lather. No, it’s not the softest bristles, but it gets the job done. And then once you decide you like wet shaving and want to invest in a more expensive and premium shaving brush, you can always keep this as a backup or use it as a travel brush.
What Are Some Other Shaving Brushes To Consider?
Escali 100% Pure Badger
The Escali 100% pure badger shaving brush is very comparable to Perfecto’s. The size, badger hair quality and performance is very, very similar. If you’re looking for a cheap “beginner” brush, I don’t think you can go wrong with either option.
The Escali brush is the most popular brush on the market. I personally prefer the Escali just because I like the size of the handle, but it’s really just a matter of preference. If you’re looking for a cheap or entry-level shaving brush, I don’t think you can go wrong with either the Escali or the Perfecto.
Vikings Blade Luxury Synthetic Brush
Vikings Blade is a relatively young wet shaving company, but I’m a big fan of a lot of their products. The Vikings Blade shaving brush got revamped a few years ago and this latest version is a really, really good option for someone that wants a more premium brush but in the mid-range price rance.
The Vikings brush has synthetic hair instead of badger or boar hair, but that synthetic hair comes really close to resembling the look, feel and performance of a silvertip badger hair brush. The synthetic bristles are the standout feature on this brush. So if you’re willing to bump your budget up a little, this is a great option.
Parker 100% Silvertip
If you’re willing to splurge and buy a silvertip brush, this is my favorite. Parker has several shaving brushes they sell, but their 100% silvertip is definitely one of their most popular.
Pure badger brushes like Perfecto’s certainly get the job done, but the Parker silvertip is more of a premium luxury item. It’s like the difference between a Chevy and a BMW.
So if you have the money and want a softer brush that can get an even better lather, take a closer look at the Parker 100% silvertip shaving brush.
Still not sure which shaving brush you should buy? Well then go read my comprehensive review guide of the 8 best shaving brushes on the market. It has all the information you need to get caught up on what's available and find the best brush in your budget.
