JW Gripsoft Slicker vs Pin Brush: Grooming Tool Match-Up
By Petmate | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: Comparisons
Compare the JW Gripsoft Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush and Aspen Pet FurBuster Pin/Bristle Brush to decide which dog grooming brush fits your coat type and mat situation.
Quick answer
Choose the JW Gripsoft Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for everyday shedding and quick cleanup, or the Aspen Pet FurBuster Pin/Bristle Brush for a low-cost two-step tool that teases out snarls and finishes with shine. If mats are tight, start with the pin side and only use the slicker on loose hair.
Why the slicker brush is the shedding workhorse
The JW Gripsoft Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is built for removing excess and shedding hair, and its self-cleaning button retracts the pins so you can clear the head without picking fur out by hand. That matters most on dogs that shed steadily and tolerate short, frequent sessions. The rounded head also helps you reach awkward spots like behind the ears or along the flank.
The trade-off is that a slicker is not a mat splitter. On tight tangles, pressing a slicker into the knot can pull skin and make the mat worse. Use it after mats are separated, not as the first tool on a dense knot.
Where the pin-and-bristle brush earns its place
The Aspen Pet FurBuster Pin/Bristle Brush gives you two surfaces in one tool: a pin side to tease out snarls, mats, and shedding hair, and a bristle side to finish the coat and bring out shine. That makes it a practical first-pass tool for dogs with longer or tangle-prone coats, and the non-slip handle helps when you need to work slowly through a knot.
The limitation is control and cleanup. A pin brush requires more deliberate strokes than a self-cleaning slicker, and you will spend more time clearing loose hair from the head. It is also not a substitute for a slicker if your goal is fast deshedding on a short coat.
The real trade-off: mat handling versus daily convenience
These two brushes solve different problems. The FurBuster's pin side is the better starting point for a dog brush for matted fur because it can tease apart snarls before you finish with the bristle side. The Gripsoft slicker is the better daily driver for shedding because the self-cleaning mechanism saves time and the rounded head reaches difficult areas.
If you own a mat-prone dog, the pin/bristle brush is the more versatile first purchase. If your dog sheds constantly but rarely mats, the self-cleaning slicker will earn its keep faster. Owning both is reasonable, but only if you will actually use the pin side before the slicker rather than reaching for the slicker on every tangle.
Trade-offs to weigh before you buy
- Mat handling: The Aspen Pet FurBuster's pin side is designed to tease out snarls and mats, while the JW Gripsoft slicker is aimed at removing excess and shedding hair. Start mats with the pin side, then switch to the slicker only after the knot is loose. If your dog mats easily, buy the pin/bristle brush first.
- Daily cleanup: The JW Gripsoft slicker cleans with the touch of a button and has ribs that help prevent pins from bending during retraction. The FurBuster has no self-cleaning mechanism, so you will pull loose hair from the pins by hand. If you groom often and hate cleaning brushes, the self-cleaning slicker saves time.
- Coat finish: The FurBuster includes a bristle side to finish the coat and bring out shine. The JW Gripsoft slicker is a single-surface tool focused on shedding and excess hair. If a polished finish matters to you, the two-sided FurBuster covers more of the routine.
Product facts
- Aspen Pet Furbuster Dog Pin/Bristle Brush: Double-sided design with a pin side for snarls, mats, and shedding hair and a bristle side to finish and bring out shine. You can start on a tangle and finish the coat with one tool instead of switching brushes mid-session.
Aspen Pet Furbuster Dog Pin/Bristle Brush - JW Gripsoft Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush: Self-cleaning slicker with a button that retracts pins, plus a rounded head for hard-to-reach areas. Cleanup is faster and you can reach awkward spots without wrestling the brush, which encourages regular deshedding.
JW Gripsoft Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
Which brush fits your dog
Best for
- Dogs that shed steadily and need quick, frequent deshedding sessions
- Owners who want a self-cleaning slicker brush to cut cleanup time
- Reaching hard-to-reach areas like behind the ears with a rounded head
Not for
- Tight mats that need to be teased apart before slicker use
- Owners who want a single tool that also finishes the coat with a bristle side
- Dogs whose coats tangle easily and need a pin-first approach
