Reddit mentions of Van Der Hagen Natural Boar Shave Brushes (Pack of 3)

Van Der Hagen/Surrey natural boar

This choice is going to be controversial however I would say that the Van Der Hagen/Surrey natural boar brush is better than half the brushes on your original list. These are almost as good as the cheaper Omega boar brushes and are available literally everywhere. I have personally seen them sold for $5-10 at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, Christmas Tree Shoppe, etc. They are also available inexpensively online often as part of the Van Der Hagen "Premium" Shave kit.

What these brushes lack in quality they make up for in wide availability.

For reference this is the brush I am talking about: Van Der Hagen Natural Boar Shave Brushes and note that the price listed is for a pack of 3 brushes.

@Greyzer: Thanks very much for the recommendations! I will definitely try the toothbrush trick.

@cynthiadangus and mpperry: I have mapped out my grain direction. Nose to chin: down
Cheeks and sideburns to jawline: down
Jawline under ears: back
Chin to 1 inch above adams apple: down
Adams apple: out from center in all directions for 1 inch or so
Sides of Neck, in general from center back, except were it colides with zones above

My shaving routine is in constant flux, but currently i shave with a fusion power in the shower (hey it rhymes!). I want it to be known that I will NOT shave in the shower at first with a DE until I feel good enough to shave without seeing what I am doing. I plan on following Leisureguy's method outlined below.

I first pull out any ingrowns i have as gently as possible with a sharp tweezer. Then I put scalding hot water in my shaving bowl with soap and brush submerged. I put that in the shower, then get in. I wash my face first with lever 2000 with aloe, and run the beard under hot shower water for 2-3 min after while I shampoo. I rinse out the shampoo from hair and beard, then dump out the hot water from my bowl and make a thick hot lather with the brush. I use the brush to apply, and rub firmly into my beard while I do so. Then I shave 1 pass WTG with the Fusion, no power on lips and chin, power everywhere else. I glide across the face, I do not apply much pressure. I rinse everything, finish my shower, and get out. then I pull up any ingrown hairs that remain (5-10 is typical), and shave them off dry (but VERY carefully) with the precision blade of the fusion. I rinse the whole beard, then apply some Dickinson's Witch Hazel (14% Alc). If its very dry, I then use Nivea Aftershave Balm (replenishing i think).

@Leisureguy: Thanks for all the intel. Your posts are always most informative. I'll definitely get that Edwin Jagger and follow your advice on pressure and # of passes (once I am comfortable with the DE). It sure is hard to find a scentless high glycerin soap that isn't 15 bucks, any cheap options you're aware of? I have a cheap Van Hagen from CVS that is pretty effective, but sheds all the time. I will replace it in the next few months with a Frank Shaving. I am definitely going to get some of Garry's samples. Your post on blades was one of the first I read, I will follow Greyzer's advice and get a huge sampler from Amazon

THANKS ALL!

Ugly as sin but :
http://www.amazon.com/Van-Hagen-Natural-Shave-Brushes/dp/B001ET7EFA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1376794088&sr=8-5&keywords=boar+shaving+brush

and better looking but works great:
http://www.amazon.com/Van-Hagen-Natural-Shave-Brushes/dp/B001ET7EFA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1376794088&sr=8-5&keywords=boar+shaving+brush