Denman Brush

The Denman brush has a strong reputation in the Reddit community, particularly among people with curly or textured hair who use it for wet styling. Most users report decades of reliable use and highlight its durability, cleanability, and customizability. A recurring caveat is that it is positioned as a more affordable alternative to Mason Pearson rather than a true equal, and some recent buyers have noted a possible decline in manufacturing quality.

Denman brushes have a decades-long track record of durability and are genuinely BIFL for many users, but recent quality concerns and the critical caveat that they must be used correctly (wet hair only for curly types) prevent an unqualified strong recommendation.

Community members consistently praise Denman brushes for their exceptional longevity, ease of cleaning, and effectiveness on curly and thick hair when used wet. Many users report owning the same brush for 10–20+ years with no meaningful degradation.

• Brushes routinely last 10–20+ years with regular use
• Removable bristle rows allow customization for different hair types
• Easy to fully disassemble and deep clean, including dishwasher safe
• Highly effective for defining and setting curls on wet hair
• Considered a strong value alternative to Mason Pearson at a fraction of the price
• Replacement bristle strips available if parts ever need replacing

Some users report a noticeable drop in quality in recently purchased brushes compared to older models, with concerns about hollow handles, sharp bristle tips, and the absence of the former 'Made in England' marking. A minority find it too stiff for detangling dry hair and note it can cause hair breakage if misused.

• Recent models may feel flimsier than older 'Made in England' versions
• Too stiff for dry detangling — can cause significant hair breakage
• Some newer brushes reported to have sharp, unrounded bristle tips
• Handles have snapped for users with very thick hair applying heavy force
• Considered clearly inferior to Mason Pearson by users who own both

One long-time user with thick, coarse hair bought their first Denman at Sally's about 15 years ago and has since bought two more — it's still going strong and remains their daily brush.

A hairstylist who has used Denman brushes since beauty school over 13 years ago says they hold up to professional use and thorough cleaning with harsh chemicals.

Several users warn that the Denman is strictly a wet-hair styling tool for curly hair — using it on dry hair risks significant breakage regardless of how well the brush holds up.

A buyer who recently purchased a new Denman after loving one from the 1980s was disappointed to find it felt noticeably different, speculating that moving manufacturing out of England may have affected quality.