Hello! I do love the softness of my synthetic brushes, but every now and then I enjoy the scratchiness of a badger. Is anyone aware of a synthetic that replicates this? Thanks in advance, Jacob
@COMPNOR Gen1 synth was a little scratchy. But a lot less then natural fibers. Because of the long setting. This is my Omega 90081. The Syntex fiber is 22x50mm. A bit sweet, but not floppy. The Zenith by Pennellificio Pandolfo is 22x57mm. The same fiber for the ilRasoio Limited Edition 2014.
Well, the original nylon brushes were scratchy. We call those first generation synthetics, nowadays, but it covered pretty much any synthetic brush made between 1960 and 2005. Rubberset made a bunch over the years. White bristles, and the brush # ended with an N for "nylon." They sell pretty cheap on eBay because no one wants them. Basically think of a brush made from cut up lengths of fishing line. Edit: Google rubberset 600N for examples.
I have a Razorock Noir 400 Plissoft and it is the closest to a Boar brush with soft tips and good backbone.
Those knots were awful but they came in some nice handles. Here's a Rubberset 300N wearing an Omega boar knot.
I hesitate to post this but why bother? Just get a Semogue boar bristle brush and break it in. They are notorious for having soft tips when broken in but with "hooks" on the ends and reasonably stiff back bones. Often, they are cheaper than fancy synthetics.
I have had a few synthetics over the years and have one now in my travel kit (they dry quickly, boars do not). I have never experienced a synthetic that has soft tips and a stiff backbone, and none of them have the hooks on the ends like a broken in boar bristle brush. Maybe someone here can correct me but if that is the feel you are looking for I don't think it can be replicated with a synthetic. Best wishes to you on your search.
Hmm... maybe my description was wrong, though people seem to say check the vintage nylons.... but I wasn't really thinking boar more like a best badger. But eBay seems to have options, so maybe I'll pick up one or two.
My problem with Badger is that the tips don't split into hooks. They stay pointy like human hair and thus feel "pokey" to me. Boar bristle seems to have the unique combination of stiff backbone and very soft tips. OK, back on topic.
For boar lovers, Omega S-Brush is nice. https://dailylather.com/content/understanding-synthetic-knots I have two. Omega S10077 S-Brush. Blue, 22x50x101mm Omega S10065 S-Brush, Persian Blue, 24x54x105mm
I don't think your description was wrong, it seems some people didn't pick up on the scratchiness part. I recall the early Edwin Jagger or maybe the Muhle synthetic brushes (what became known as "V1") being described as having some roughness or scratch. Check for old threads on synthetic brushes (around 2009). Below is one I think may be helpful: https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/sivs-top-10-synthetic-brushes-summer-2009.105486/ I remember TheBody Shop Brush as being very stiff, I don't recall whether it was scratchy. The suggestion to try the vintage nylon brushes is a good one. I checked ebay and found this: The Body Shop brush I am familiar with is below, I saw there is also one with dark bristles, I don't know what that is like:
