A while back I bought a synthetic brush to use as a travel brush. I thought this would be safer because I could use it, leave it out to dry, and pack it up without having to worry about damaging it. It dries super quickly compared to animal hair brushes, and does not rot...at least not in the same way or as quickly organic material would. I thought this would be better than having to deal with\risk messing up my more expensive brushes. If pressed, I would probably still admit that my favorite silvertip brush is my "best" brush, but I've really come to appreciate my synthetic. It lathers extremely well. Dries fast. Has some backbone, but is very soft. I have gotten to the point now where I actually choose to use it more than any of my other brushes. The only real complaint I have about the thing is its inability to hold in heat. It doesn't do this very well at all. That being said, I lather up in a warm mug just before shaving so the warmth of the lather compensates for this well enough to the point that I am not missing anything. It lathers my favorite hard soaps as well as my badgers, and actually uses less soap in the process because it doesn't "drink" up the water\soap like badgers tend to do. Since I've started using this brush as my go-to I've become a little confused. I don't hear of many people choosing these brushes over the more traditional materials. This made me curious... In regards to synthetics, why or why not? What about them do you like? What about them do you not like? Do any of you prefer this type of brush, and if so, why? If anyone has fancy pictures, opinions, rants, etc., please share. Discuss. PS- Albeit the current flavor of the month, I reserve the right to change my preferences at any time
An Omega. I'm not sure about the model number or anything like that. Edit: Looks something like the picture below.
I to have an Omega synthetic and use it when travelling and in the camper. I like it also because it does not need to be soaked like the animal hair brushes. Sometimes in the morning I am in a hurry and don't have time to pre-soak. Not to mention fast drying. But, when time permits, I rely on my Semoque 1305 and Simpson Best Badger. The one complaint about the synthetic I have is that it is not really very good when it comes to face lathering with an Arco shave stick when I apply the soap directly to my face. Dave
http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/synthetic-brush-synopsis-generations-updated.33577/ http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/synthetic-brushes-the-end-of-one-era-and-the-beginning-of-a-new-era.35089/ I was the creator of the Synthetic Generations coding system. Look up threads under my name, there are far too many for me to list here. BTW: About 50% of all Mühle brush sales are synthetic. It is a very large market and growing.
OK I'll play. I have had a Bluebeards Revenge Vanguard Synthetic Brush for about a month. It replaced my worn and cracked boar that was ok but never wonderful. I have found the synthetic to be extremely good and making a lather with the soap and creams I use but lately I have been sticking to Erasmic Glycerine and the brush does and excellent job of building a great lather. I have never tried any other synthetic brush and my knowledge of other brushes or brush materials is close to nil I The brush works for me so I'm a happy little bunny. The main reasons in order why I chose this brush. 1. I'm vegan. 2. My old brush was stuffed 3. A local trader had this brush available Cheers
I ma very fond of my Franks Shaving Pre Tech synthetics of which I have 2; a 26mm and a 28mm. They both do everything very well. Great all around brush. I use one of the 2 at least once a week. That being said I recently purchased Plisson Lóccitane Synthetic based on quite a bit of raving it was receiving on another forum. Now I have only used it twice so I don't feel justified in passing final judgment however backbone is something this brush just does not have. Its is soft, I mean SO soft, but it is floppy as all get out. I haven't given up on it but I feel it was a def step back from the FS Pure Techs.
I have an Omega carbon look and a FS Pur-tech "on duty" They are something different so the deserve a test.
I have several of each badger, boar and synthetic, and that is the order I would rank them. I much prefer the feel of a badger brush on my face.
I like the original H.I.S. and the Muhles, great knots, IMO. If I didn't like to play around with brushes so much I could be very happy using either.
My order of preference is synthetic, followed by boar and the various badgers bringing up the rear. I'd be surprised if you get a clear consensus because every one has different preferences.
Muhle Black Fiber is my every day brush. I've gotten rid of every other natural hair brush there is. For me it all comes down to performance and nothing natural can match how easily these current model synths are doing the job.
I have a synthetic brush on it's way today. I am interested to see how it compares to the boars and badgers.
I have Frank Shaving Pur-tech Synthetic Hair Shaving Brush Knot Size 21mm. It does lather well and performs, to a point, like a badger or boar brush, except for a couple of issues: 1. Does not keep the heat-unlike a natural hair brush, synthetic do not keep warmth from the water and become cold extremely fast. 2. They take a while to dry out, and if not taken care of can grow moldy. Besides these, what I consider, issues, a synthetic is great for those soaps that are of a harder consistency.
Omega "Rossini" (#346235) Synthetic badger The handle is "...hand turned acrylic with unique facets." Total Height: 112 mm Loft: 57 mm Knot: 25 mm
I may break out my Muhle STF tomorrow, since I previously was looking forward to a Chubby 2 or Duke 3 synthetic however the new reports of the production brushes seem to indicate that Simpson royally buggered up the feel due to changing the lofts on them. I love my Duke but seriously when you create one of the most expensive synthetics on the market you should have a darn near flawless product not a fibre dowel to lather with. May be switching to either more Muhle synthetics or Thater 2 bands due to this!
This boycott may not even last a day. Sure the Muhle gives off a wicked lather but its just not the same as badger
ive read that Omega's new synths arent even the latest generation. So dont judge synthethics by it...
