Evolution Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs

The concept of the brush is fantastic: pull down the bristles and all that remains is the hair in a nice neat package, with absolutely nothing left to clog the bristles on the next brushing. The problem is in the execution. I purchased this brush and a Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker at the same time, for just about the same price since I couldn't tell how each of them works. In fact, the product description on Amazon is IDENTICAL for both: "With the touch of a button, the pins retract, hair falls away and the pad can be wiped clean. Reposition the button and you're ready to go again." This description is not accurate for either brush. For the Evolution, you press a button on the side (the red button that the picture on the site shows) and that releases a lever which you pull down, pulling down the pins. That takes at least two digits (e.g., thumb & index). It's easier to just use two hands to do it. Okay, good, pins down, hair comes completely free, and that's great. Now, you want the pins back up, but you can't just push the lever back up because the red button is blocking it you must reverse the process, pressing the red button, and then moving the lever back, thereby raising the pins.

If this were the only brush of this type I had, I would be very happy with it, not knowing any better. However, such is not the case. The Safari's mechanism is far simpler to use. It has a big button on the back (1 inch by 1-1/2 inch). Pushing that button raises the "floor" of the brush, effectively withdrawing the pins, and leaving the hair alone on the "floor" where, like the Evolution brush, you simply remove ALL the hair you have brushed from your pet. Once you remove the hair, you just let go of the button (which is on a spring). Thus, the descriptions Amazon has on its pages for these two brushes are wrong, or at least very misleading. For the Evolution, the pins don't retract with just "the touch of a button" it requires pressing the button AND moving the lever, nor do you just reposition the button you press the button and reposition the lever. For the Safari, you do just "press a [big] button," but then you don't really "reposition" it, you just let go.

So, overall, the Safari brush is far easier to use than the Evolution brush. The Evolution's handle has indentations for the thumb and index finger while the Safari is basically round, fatter at the end than closer to the brush. Despite the fact that the Evolution seems to "fit" better, I think I like the feel of the Safari better. The metal bristles on the Evolution are a thicker than on the Safari. I have not noticed any difference in performance because of the thickness, though the thinner bristles on the Safari are of course more likely to get bent, but I don't think that will happen. Because the Evolution draws the bristles inside its body while the Safari simply pushes part of its body above the bristles, there is more plastic in the Evolution brush, and hence it feels a bit more substantial. However, I suspect that both mechanisms will last about the same length of time UNLESS I get so aggravated by the two step process on the Evolution I end up breaking the pin or the lever because I fail to follow the press-the-button, move-the-lever process.

The bottom line is the Safari brush is far easier to use: I can't imagine anyone preferring the approach used by the Evolution brush, though some may prefer its feel or think it will last longer than the Safari. However, even if I thought the Safari would not last as long as the Evolution (which I do NOT think) I would still purchase the Safari over the Evolution.

I don't know much about grooming, but on my German Shep mix I had this Evolution brush w/retractable bristles and I LOVED it. Sometimes the button would stick, but I'd fiddle it to work. I can't compare it to other slicker brushes as I haven't used them, but compared to a human hair brush its great. With a regular brush, one swipe down her body and the brush was full and I had to pick all the hair out to continue. With Evolution I'd just use the button to retract the bristles, the hair would fall right off, flick the switch again to normal position and I'm back in business. She never minded the brushing. I'm getting another because my husband ran ours over with the front loader bucket. We had used it for 2 years with no problems. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS.

Update 9/2011 just upgraded to 5* because this is still going strong & with zero problems. My kids now brush the dog, she doesn't complain, and they successfully use the brush. I couldn't ask for more!

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This brush works efficiently with my american eskimo. This is a good investment for anyone who needs to brush a heavy-shedding dog. Not having to use my fingers to remove fur from the sharp pins is a highly convenient feature.

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Works well. I use it on Labs, Goldens, Newfoundland and an English Mastiff. I like he evolution double rowed undercoat rake. It seems like a durable brush that will last. I would give it a fie star if it holds up well. I've not had it long enough to answer that question. This is an excellent brush.

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This slicker is easy to use, easy to clean. My dog loves his so much, all I do is pull it out and he's laying at my feet waiting patiently on his brushing. Very gentle on their skin as well.

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