I hear Wookie brushes are both soft, and offer great backbone. Whipped Wookie is a great source: Whippedwookie.com Prices are quite reasonable too, with the top of the line rubytip going for just 69.99!
I've dabbled in synthetics in the past and never quite got hooked. More of a mind set thing of not having tried enough brushes to appreciate them, or setting a bad loft, not enjoying the handle etc. Recently I picked up a Muhle V.2 black fibre and got addicted. With in a week I purchased the Plisson synthetic as well. After a couple weeks of a synthetic binge, I ended up preferring the Muhle contrasting with popular opinion. Just like the added backbone and less drama when lathering IMO. The Plisson demanded too much attention, needs the perfect amount of pressure to work at its peak. I did like it but enjoy the Muhle more. Traded the Plisson to make room for my Simpson's Synthetic which is on the way. My postal service here in Maryland has been slow lately. Hopefully the Simpson comes in soon and I can let you know how it compares to the Muhle and Plisson.
I'm interested in your impressions as well. From what I've found so far, since they dropped the Chubby 2 loft to 50mm its been a disappointing brush.
I have 20 brushes now, 5 of which are synthetics. In the past 4 months or so, I've almost exclusively used the synthetics. My small inexpensive Omega is my least favorite. Frank Shaving from a year or so ago seems to be the synthetic knots WhippedDog is using. Both are okay. H.I.S. XL is excellent and very soft and hold a lot of lather. My favorites are the Muhle silvertip fibre brushes, especially the V1 version with crimped bristles. It feels more badger-like. The Muhle V2 is very good as well. Now you've me interested in the Simpson synthetic. Does anyone know what generation fiber Simpson uses?
The prices on the Simpson website in the UK are 65 and 75 pounds or around 108 and 124 USD. Pretty steep. Not worth it to me since I already the Muhle's with the same generation and fully enjoy their use.
Yea, there seems to be some displeasure with the cost of the CH2 synth. That and the fact that Simpson's lowered the loft to 48-50mm has some balking at picking one up. I was looking forward to it's release after reading Gary's review, but it seems Simpsons changed the loft height and made it a bulb knot. That almost gurantees it won't splay. I gotta have my splay.
It seems that from the Simpsons twitter account they hold that 5 mm variance is not a major factor and all manufacturers vary by that much. Well it is a factor in all brushes especially synthetics. It seems that you will now have to custom order a loft size in their synthetics and hope to get one that works. The price is too steep especially for a manufacturer that still seems not to have a handle on synthetic fibers and the differences between them and Badger.
I don't understand why Simpsons would have you guys test it at one loft height and then manufacture it at a completely different loft height. Unless the testers unanimously reviewed them to be too high of a loft, but I don't recall that being the case. Maybe I missed something. Your review had me reved up though, GCD!!
I think all the major brush manufacturer's whether of synthetic or natural hair or bristle are making way too much profit. Aren't most badger knots coming from China and cheap? Where are the synthetic fibres and knots and handles made? Aren't most just glued into the handles by the particular name brand company after paying very little for the material?
Some manufacturers such as Simpson, only source the hair and the knots remain hand tied (Hence their knot variance among the brushes) which is a labour intensive process. If I remember one of the videos Simpsons did- it takes around a week for a brush from start to finish. The artisans can do several a day but it still involves a long process for those involved. As for their synthetic I don't know if they are hand tied as well but it gives some background to why their brushes are a wee bit more than other brush companies.
I didn't realize all this controversy over the simpsons synthetic. I pulled the trigger as soon as I saw it with my new love for syns and the wonderful GDC review of it. I hope it wasn't a big waste of money. That would be an expensive paper weight.
Do you face lather or bowl lather? Either way, if you don't like it, you'll have no trouble selling it. Controversy creates curiosity.
So my Simpson's syn came in yesterday. Used it for a shave. Face lathered RazorRock Green tea. 1st impresions: I agree with people that the loft is short and the knot is dense with a lot of backbone not much splay at all. IMO exact opposite from Plisson synthetic which has little backbone and a ton of splay. I put a lot of pressure on it during my face lather. It worked well. Was weird with so much pressure on my face, had to kind of puff out my neck drawing my adams apple down to counter the push. Not my favorite brush, but I do get the feeling that it might have been with 5mm or so extra loft. So not thrilled, not furious, just mildly disapointed. Will keep messing with it, and update after multiple uses. Great handle on it, always wanted a jade simpson handle.
used mine for the fist time today also and like you I face lather but I shave in the shower. I really like the brush because the tips are really smooth and the rest of it stiff. Like you I need a few more shaves to get it dialed in but there is no question for me how much I like it. May even buy another one!
I agree give me the real thing. And when they come out with synthetic toilet paper to save the planet I will again be one of the last converts
I have a Body Shop synthetic which is total garbage. The bristles won't fan out or soften up. It's like trying to lather your face with a wet noodle.
