I have been meaning to post a review of the VP Leonhardy 700050 for some time now and am just now getting around to it. I received this brush from Jarrod at thesuperiorshave in November and used it in rotation throughout December. This month, the brush has been on loan to Sully, and I welcome his comments for this review. These brushes are made by a very small outfit in Germany that has been making all sorts of brushes for years. The 700050 is their top of the line knot in Premium Silvertip, and is also the largest of Jarrod's VPL offerings. I normally don't go for such large brushes but thought I'd give this one a try. It is easily the largest brush I have owned, larger than a Polo 10 Best I once had, and larger than a Chubby 3 Best I borrowed. Attached are photos of the VPL next to both a Tulip 4 and a Chubby 3 Best.
The VPL knot diameter is smaller than the CH3 Best, but the knot is much larger in use. I would say the quality of the knot is equal to or better than other major names in the shaving brush business, like Shavemac, Thater, Simpsons, and Rooney. I have a very hard time telling the difference between the hair in my VPL and my 3-band Plisson High Mountain White. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it is the same stuff. And these knots seem to be tied in a similar fashion - densely packed, but tall lofted. They are both also bulb shaped. I think it takes some pretty special hair to make a knot with such a tall loft, yet with excellent backbone as found in my Plisson HMW and this VPL. The tips of are extremely soft, though not gel-like soft. I have noticed no hooking or curling of the tips. I think "springy" best describes the backbone of the hair - it is definitely not stiff, but at such a tall loft, it is not in the least bit floppy.
I have gravitated toward bowl lathering creams with the VPL. I don't mean this as a criticism, though. Prior to owning this brush, I exclusively face lathered. And I have done so quite successfully with this brush. But when I bowl lather cream with this brush, it really comes into its own - the brush expands to fill up with incredibly creamy lather, and enough lather is held within the knot (not on it or in the bowl) for a 3-4 pass shave. This keeps the lather hydrated and warm. This is no doubt a very luxurious brush.
Regarding the density of the knot, it is hard for me to compare it to something like a Chubby as the lofts are so different. The VPL knot is dense, but the taller loft allows the tips to spread out.
My major criticism of the brush is the handle - it is a nice, heavy material, and it is very ergonomic. But for some reason they hand painted it, both the solid white and the black stripe. And the hand painting job is not that well done. It isn't terrible, but it detracts slightly from the outstanding knot that graces this brush.
I am curious about VPL's lower grade of silvertip, which I predict will resemble Plisson European White. If you are a large brush fan, the 700050 will satisfy you. If you prefer more of a medium sized brush, then go for one of the smaller sizes of the VPL.
The VPL knot diameter is smaller than the CH3 Best, but the knot is much larger in use. I would say the quality of the knot is equal to or better than other major names in the shaving brush business, like Shavemac, Thater, Simpsons, and Rooney. I have a very hard time telling the difference between the hair in my VPL and my 3-band Plisson High Mountain White. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it is the same stuff. And these knots seem to be tied in a similar fashion - densely packed, but tall lofted. They are both also bulb shaped. I think it takes some pretty special hair to make a knot with such a tall loft, yet with excellent backbone as found in my Plisson HMW and this VPL. The tips of are extremely soft, though not gel-like soft. I have noticed no hooking or curling of the tips. I think "springy" best describes the backbone of the hair - it is definitely not stiff, but at such a tall loft, it is not in the least bit floppy.
I have gravitated toward bowl lathering creams with the VPL. I don't mean this as a criticism, though. Prior to owning this brush, I exclusively face lathered. And I have done so quite successfully with this brush. But when I bowl lather cream with this brush, it really comes into its own - the brush expands to fill up with incredibly creamy lather, and enough lather is held within the knot (not on it or in the bowl) for a 3-4 pass shave. This keeps the lather hydrated and warm. This is no doubt a very luxurious brush.
Regarding the density of the knot, it is hard for me to compare it to something like a Chubby as the lofts are so different. The VPL knot is dense, but the taller loft allows the tips to spread out.
My major criticism of the brush is the handle - it is a nice, heavy material, and it is very ergonomic. But for some reason they hand painted it, both the solid white and the black stripe. And the hand painting job is not that well done. It isn't terrible, but it detracts slightly from the outstanding knot that graces this brush.
I am curious about VPL's lower grade of silvertip, which I predict will resemble Plisson European White. If you are a large brush fan, the 700050 will satisfy you. If you prefer more of a medium sized brush, then go for one of the smaller sizes of the VPL.