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Everywhere I go i hear people saying that synthetical brushes jsut don't do the job.
I have never used one but on Internet forums I rea a lot about them.
The only experience i have is that from Boar vs Badger.
And boar doesn't absorb a well as Badger.
I can imagine synthetic does't absorb better.
IS this so???
Dries
I have not tried modern synthetic brushes, (tried an old nylon effort, which was not much use) but I had imagined that their attraction is not that they would necessarily be better than Boar, Badger or for that matter Horse brushes, but rather they would be attractive to people who are adverse to using products derived from animals.
I guess it's time to try a quality synthetic brush.
I don't think synthetic shave brushes are meant to replace any of the other types of shave brush types. They offer a different experience and certain advantages and disadvantages the others do not.
My first experience using a synthetic brush was with The Body Shops brush and that put me right of synthetics. Somehow I wound up trying a Muhle synthetic travel brush and really enjoying it. That was followed by a Mule V2 XL synthetic silver tip fiber brush with similar stellar results.
Once you get to know how to load the synthetic brush, just as you have to learn how with the other types, I found it will quickly and easily lather any hard soap, cream or shave stick that I have tried with it. It also has the advantage of drying faster than other types of brushes which for travel might be an advantage.
I really enjoy the synthetic Muhles I have just as much as my cheap Omega boar or my Simpsons Manchurian. The amount of water a brush retains does not matter to me as I start with a shaken out brush and load from there. If it needs more water just dip the tips in water to add some. You just add more or less water depending on the brush.
Bob
For bowl lathering creams, I actually prefer my Muhle synthetic most of the time. The newest generation of synthetics really hold their own against natural hair brushes, so much so that, I suspect that, in 20 years most brushes will be synthetics, and we'll only be using badger and boar for nostalga, not performance.
or, put another way, they're good now, and only getting better, so if you want a synthetic, go for it, just be sure to get a good one from a quality manufacturer.
I use a Muhle Silver Tip Fibre in 23mm and am very pleased with it. One further advantage, besides what has been said here already is, that it dries much quicker. It is said that brushes of natural hair can mold if not stored and dried properly. I don't have problems with soap residue either. Whenever I run my finger through the "hair" of my brush under a lamp I don't see any soap powder flying around.
The badgers that are used for shaving brushes are bred in China. The Chinese eat them, so they are not bred and initially killed solely for their pelts but I'm sure life in a breeding station in China is not a piece of cake for the badgers either. If you have an ethic problem with that a synthetic brush is right for you. You can make great lather with them once you've gotten the amount of water right.
I bought a Muhle Black Fibre a couple of years ago and have hardly touched my badgers since, even though they are reasonably high quality ones. To me, they don't compare to the Muhle Lather Monster!
Thinking about trying one of the new silvertip fibre Muhles next
Gareth
Synthetic Thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/brush...synthetic.html
It does not have anything to do with absorption, just performance. You do have to learn how to use them. The newest synthetics are excellent. They make excellent travel brushes too.
My Bethlehem Olivewood Handle with a Whipped Dog 24mmx52mm Synthetic Knot. I used it again today.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ps14cadbae.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psc77a3be8.jpg
I really don't understand anyone saying that the current generation of synthetic shave brushes can't to the job. It is my experience that they certainly can and then some. I can understand someone not liking a synthetic because it does not feel/act like their favourite natural hair shave brush or that they are just a plain old traditionalist but not on the ability to get the job done.
Bob
At one time they said the automobile could never replace the horse.
I agree with Bob, unless they are simply brush snobs, I'd imagine anyone who dismisses synthetic brushes completely must have last tried one years ago. The synthetic brushes of even 10 years ago were best suited for brushing sawdust off of your work bench. Today, if you're going to spend less than $20 on a brush, you're probably still best served by a boar or horse. But for the price where quality badgers start, you can get a pretty amazing synthetic. I'm still a mostly a boar brush man, but I think many of todays synthetics are the real deal.
For sure. I am not saying synthetics replace anything though but are an extremely good alternative to traditional shave brush knots.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
Bob
That is what I think also and would add that if I got another badger it would have to feel and act the same as the current Simpsons Manchurian.Quote:
Originally Posted by Java
Bob
Hair, not so much. With synthetic I would say "fiber" or filament".
I tried an Omega synthetic (cause it was BIG) and if it didn't instantly eclipse my highly favored Semogue 1305 it certainly became its equal in my mind. As mentioned above, the right synthetic is great for lathering stiffer creams (in a bowl or directly on the face) and it's hell on hard-to-activate mug soap. If one didn't like the exfoliation from the stiff bristles of this Omega then there are certainly softer synthetics brushes with equally good performance.
The Omega is almost certainly made from the endangered Perlon; it is possible German hosiery products were killed to produce the bristles.
Synthetics have their own place in the shaving
I never saw them as a replacers,only a different feeling and help when travelling
I have tested 5-6 brands,they never failed me but even they were not "great" i was not disappointed as with some finest/super badgers (more expensive).
For now i have an Omega and a FS Put-tech
For face lathering are great,i enjoy them each time.
I own a V2 Muhle synth in the 21 size. It is a fantastic brush that I bought for travel but ended up using it in my rotation just because I liked it so much. I can't recommend them highly enough.
As has been mentioned, synthetics just offer another alternative to boar, horse and badger brushes. The new generation synthetic fibres have come a long way and are very good and will provide an excellent choice for a travel brush and for those folks who choose to not use animal-hair brushes. These brushes are also a fantastic choice as a travel brush as they dry very quickly, they generate lather quicker and with less product, in general. Great time to be wet shaving with all of the choices that are available to us. ;)
I have two synthetics. One vintage and one new. The vintage is stiffer and compact and I use it when I feel I want to deeply scrub the lather into my beard. The new one is softer and more like any boar, badger or horse hair brush and I use it when I just want to softly move the lather around. I see and feel no difference between a synthetic or natural brush, just another item to satisfy BAD, if you have BAD.
I got the Muhle synthetic travel brush and found it to be a great little lathere. I travel with an Arkostick, and the Muhle, while small, does a great face lathering job.
I may try. A larger synthetic for my next brush, if there is one.