Madan Pin Brushes: A First Impression
They did however have Madan brushes in stock and I have long considered trying them. So that was that, so to speak. I ordered 2 of the baby blue "medium soft" brushes and one of the red "soft" brushes - and NO I did not choose the colour coding. They arrived late last week so this weekend I gave them a "shakedown cruise" by giving Dawn a full grooming. For the most part I used the blue "medium soft" brush. Overall I found it performed very well. The pins are about 22mm (7/8") long which I find ideal, long enough to groom down to the skin but not so long that they easily bend over and completely release the coat being brushed. They are full sized 9" overall length brushes so the head gives good coverage reducing the number of brush strokes when compared to the smaller 6"-7" overall length brushes which I have sometimes had to use. The pads are exactly as advertised, medium soft. They are much softer than the #1 All Systems BR 700/702 series brushes but still firmer than the Hindes orange pads. As such they tend to pull a bit more hair out than I would ideally like to see but performed quite well considering that Dawn's coat was "tight" not having been brushed out for about a week. The handle is where I noticed the most diference from pervious brushes. As I have predominatly used Hindes brushes I am used to flat wood handles. The #1 All Systems BR 700/702 and Scalpmaster have plastic handles but they are also flat and so feel somewhat similar to the Hindes. The Madans however have a "sculpted" handle that has a noticeable arch to the handle and a rubber "stop" inserted at the junction of the handle shaft and pin head. While very different to what I know it is a comfortable handle and I think I will get to like it once I adjust my grip to better suit it's shape. I am also very pleased with how well the pad fits into the brush head. It is well sized, fits well and seems to be either well glued into the recess or the head has been heat formed around the pad making it very tightly secured. Continued use will indicate if it is really well attached or if it will eventualy work loose as Hindes invariably did and the #1 All Systems' frequently did. Once the basic grooming was complete I tried the red "soft" brush for a few minutes to "finish brush" Dawn. Now this is a nice brush. The pins are the same 22mm length and it too is a full sized 9" brush. The pad is as soft if not a bit softer than the Hindes brush and will work very well for dogs whose coat has been recently brushed and hence is not "tight" as Dawn's was initially. So my first impressions of Madan pin brushes are very good. Pin length is ideal, they are full sized brushes and the pads have very nice flex to them. They are comfortable to use albeit quite different than what I am used to. A grooming stock of 1 blue to 2 red brushes would be an ideal combination - of course Murphy would have it that I have the opposite combination (and Murphy was an optomist!). I will place another order when I am advised that the Scalpmasters are back in stock and order another red soft Madan, a royal blue very soft Madan and a couple of Scalpmasters as back-up brushes. I will post another review as I get a better appreciation of their in-service longevity and also when I get the chance to evaluate the very soft brush. I have no financial interest or other corparate affiliation with any of the products mentioned in this post nor do I receive any compensation from my supplier or Madan. This review is offered to share my experience with other Bobtail families to help them consider their grooming tool choices. Thanks and Cheers Carl |
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Thanks for the review Carl. I prefer Hindes as well; they fit very well in my hand, are quite comfortable for extended periods of time, and have good longevity. I've had difficulty ordering them as well, and have tired many others at a complete waste of money. I always go back to the Hindes I've had for 3 years (I ordered 3 when Oliver was pup, and NO you cannot have any of them  ), with a few bent pins, maybe a few even missing. Perhaps I'll try a Madan. Pin length and pad firmness are two key factors I look at too. I find so many have too firm of a pad, so the pins don't contour with the dogs body. Perhaps it's just because mine are so old, but they are so comfortable for both Oliver (or Lucy) and I. |
Ahhhh, another with the same problem, I love the Hindes too.....I luckily have 1 new one I just started using, and 2 brand new ones stashed!!  Appreciate the review of the Madans, have to check them out. The other one I liked almost as much as the Hindes is the wood pin CC brush...and I've misplaced it!  |
I love my hindes pin brushes, they last for years and years, from what I have heard they are not making them anymore  I have a friend going to Crufts next year I hope they can still get some for me. All systems was hopeless, cost a fortune here and pins fell out and rubber on it split and did not like the plastic handles. Interested in the Madan to see what they are like, especially if the hindes are out of accessability here, is there a website for the Madan? |
| What am I doing wrong that I'm not breaking my brushes? (And it's not because I don't use them!) I wonder if it's because I have about 5 that I keep on rotation so the same one doesn't get used until it dies? My breeder was even shocked when I told her I'd never had a brush die on me. For pin brushes, I have 2 Hindes (3 if you count the one with the chewed off handle), 1 All Systems, 2 Christensen, 1 PSI and 1 Les Pooches. I, like you guys, also think the All System one sucks. I hate the plastic handle and it just feels flimsy. I use it exclusively to clean up butts because that's about all it's worth.  |
| I have several in use at one time too, Jill. I have one in my dog bag - and the bag lives in my element and goes to all dog events. Another is in my catch-all basket in the porch, and used for the shorter cleanup and fluffs before heading out the door. Another set are in the tack box by my grooming table. A final one just got chucked - it was one with the pad reglued and the pins disappearing into the brush...and I used for flicking off the worst of the mulch from Chewie when he has a wild time out in the dog yard mulch! I don't have another one that's worse than any other to relegate out there as a replacement..yet. |
ButtersStotch wrote: For pin brushes, I have 2 Hindes (3 if you count the one with the chewed off handle) Ha, ha, I have one with a chewed off handle too, I still use it though  . I rotate through my 3 as well. Mine don't necessarily break, but I can tell when the pads are worn; they get more pliable. |
| good news!!! i have just been on a website that i use for alot of my grooming supplies and i searched for hindes and they still have them in stock, though it does say they are about to be discontinued! www.petcetera.co.uk just search hindes!!! its a uk site but am sure they post to anywhere |
| Carl, I love the Madan brushes, I started using them almost a year ago, also use scalpmasters. I have always disliked the Number one all systems. |
I actually prefer the All systems brushes.... doesn't help though that all my hindes brushes end up chewed LOL Doesn't make the handle very comfortable to hold when you get splinters.  |
Willowsprite wrote: I actually prefer the All systems brushes.... doesn't help though that all my hindes brushes end up chewed LOL Doesn't make the handle very comfortable to hold when you get splinters. I had James sand my chewed one down to make it useable. Then it got chewed again to the point where only a newborn could grasp it. |
| Great - thanks for the review. I wish I had read this a few days ago. I just ordered an All Systems brush to try. Both my CC brushes have long since been dead and I dug out my last remaining Hindes from their travel bag to use until the new one arrives. I seem to constantly be searching for a good pin brush. So, it's nice to hear what others are using and like. |
ButtersStotch wrote: Willowsprite wrote: I actually prefer the All systems brushes.... doesn't help though that all my hindes brushes end up chewed LOL Doesn't make the handle very comfortable to hold when you get splinters. I had James sand my chewed one down to make it useable. Then it got chewed again to the point where only a newborn could grasp it. Well, send it to me.....Norah's almost 10 months, but she was a preemie and still pretty little! |
SlaveToTheBrush wrote: good news!!! i have just been on a website that i use for alot of my grooming supplies and i searched for hindes and they still have them in stock, though it does say they are about to be discontinued! http://www.petcetera.co.uk just search hindes!!! its a uk site but am sure they post to anywhere Karen, I went to the site but it didn't have an "add to cart" button on the Hindes brushes so I e-mailed them requesting price and availability saying that I would take whatever stock they had up to maximum of 10 brushes. NO reply from them so I have to conclude that they have sold out and no further stock is available. I've been getting a few more hours on the Madans including a full grooming of Dawn Eline with the red handled soft brush. I'm liking them more and more other than the still "odd" feeling of the handle. I will get another red brush and want to try a royal blue very soft brush. Still evaluating them but it looks good so far. The real "proof" however will take a few months as it will only come with their service longevity - can they match the approximate 200 hours (about 65 complete brushings) that I typically got from the Hindes. Thanks and Cheers Carl |
| to carl ok so petcetera didnt come up trumps but that just put me on a mission for you!!! try these http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp? ... f_id=51934 http://www.thepetexpress.co.uk/index.ph ... ds2=hindes good luck xx |
| I picked up one of these Madan brushes at the dog show this weekend, (Carl--it's softer than my other pin brush). Can't remember the ID, but it was light blue. I used it a bit on Mady after the show and I liked it. |
Carl Lindon wrote: So my first impressions of Madan pin brushes are very good. Pin length is ideal, they are full sized brushes and the pads have very nice flex to them. They are comfortable to use albeit quite different than what I am used to. A grooming stock of 1 blue to 2 red brushes would be an ideal combination Thanks and Cheers Carl You obviously put a ton of work into informative posts like this one, and I just want you to know this is much appreciated. I am new to OES and have a six month old female who is the greatest dog I have ever had. There's a huge learning curve with the grooming stuff, though, and I'm picking it up bit by bit. After spending over $40 on a selection of brushes from PetSmart and/or PetCo that turned out to be pretty useless, I decided to call around to local groomers to see what I could find. None of them had any pin brushes in stock (?!), and one told me in no uncertain terms to never use a brush without the little balls on the ends of the pins. I get so much conflicting information that my head spins. I've decided now to only listen to you. LOL! I just ordered a Madan "medium soft" pin brush to see how it goes. I'll get the "soft," too, if this brush seems to work for me, and if I happen upon another $25. Thanks again for all your grooming help. |
Serpico wrote: You obviously put a ton of work into informative posts like this one, and I just want you to know this is much appreciated. I am new to OES and have a six month old female who is the greatest dog I have ever had. There's a huge learning curve with the grooming stuff, though, and I'm picking it up bit by bit. After spending over $40 on a selection of brushes from PetSmart and/or PetCo that turned out to be pretty useless, I decided to call around to local groomers to see what I could find. None of them had any pin brushes in stock (?!), and one told me in no uncertain terms to never use a brush without the little balls on the ends of the pins. I get so much conflicting information that my head spins. I've decided now to only listen to you. LOL! I just ordered a Madan "medium soft" pin brush to see how it goes. I'll get the "soft," too, if this brush seems to work for me, and if I happen upon another $25. Thanks again for all your grooming help. Every professional groomer whom I spoke with about our sheepdog, told me never to use a pin brush. I listen to Carl and my breeder instead, who both mainly use pin brushes! |
| well if anyone wants to buy a Hindes brush I do have one. The pins are long, at least 1" and it has hardly ever been used. singelsethc@gmail.com (US) |
| re the Hindes brushes - They are discontinued - so why do websites get so lazy not removing stuff that is no longer available? |
| I need to invest in some good brushes. My breeder gave me great grooming tips when I got my puppy but she had me using a slicker not a pin brush? When how or where should the different types of brushes be used? Thanks |
| We are the same here-have always used a slicker brush-they don't seem to last long nowadays.Haven't ever used any other type of brush-our pet shops etc only have slickers in stock.x |
| Slickers really only work for regular grooming on a puppy coat. After that a pin brush is so much better. On an adult you can use it to do a final fluff - as it separates the hairs nicely. It also helps pick out those little tags that form during a coat transition - when you are line grooming and they go between the pins on your pin brush. |
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