Thread: Synthetic Brush Woes

Three things first off, I am no expert on synthetic brushes, I don't use them to save the wildlife but because they work well for me face lathering and lastly I don't bowl lather. There are differences between all the synthetics out there and some are better than others I suppose especially since they are now into the 4th generation of fibers. I use Muhle STF V2 brushes, a Plisson brush and 2 brushes with Virginia Sheng knots. I have no idea of how they compare to an HIS brush.

I dug out my scuttle to see how a Plisson and a Muhle STF V2 travel brush would bowl lather Tabac using cold water. I was quickly reminded how much of a PITA bowl lathering was which is why I do not do it anymore. Here are the results using the Muhle travel brush. Keep in mind I do not regularly bowl lather.





The result was similar using the Plisson brush. I guess they can bowl lather.

Try sprinkling a few drops of water into your bowl from your finger tips, Dip just the tip of the dry brush in water and shake some water from the brush onto your puck and load the brush. You might want to wet the tips and repeat the loading again. Then take the brush to the bowl and build your lather adding water as needed by just dipping the tip of the brush in water. There is no need whatsoever to pre soak a synthetic brush from my experience. Hope that might work for you, good luck.

Bob

I prefer brushes with large handles and a large knot. I enjoy the Plisson (23mm) for softness, but it feels a little floppy for face lathering, but also does a good job. I have been enjoying the Mühle STF 2.0 25mm synthetic, as it's larger, is less floppy, and does a great job with face or bowl lathering, and is very soft, although not as soft as the Plisson. Recently, I discovered the Edwarg Jagger XL Synthetic. It uses the same fiber as the Mühle and is also 25mm, but the handle is larger, and the knot feels more dense to me, and is wonderful to face lather with. Some people have liked the Grooming Co. synthetic. It uses the same fiber as the Plisson, yet is 25mm and is a shorter loft for face lathering, but I find the small handle to be too small, and find the knot to feel stubby and without enough splay. Enclosed are photos of the brushes mentioned.From left the right: Grooming Co., Plisson, Mühle STF2.0 25mm, and Edwin Jagger XL Synthetic (name on other side of brush).

The short and the long of it from my synthetics.



I use both to face lather but I know which I'd reach for if I was sentenced to bowl lather for life.

Bob

Might be just a matter of getting the water to soap ratio dialed in. I know that my lathering improved when I began leaving some water on top of the puck for five minutes while I tended to other things. Softens the soap up nicely for the loading of the brush. OTOH, I've only used badger and boar.

I've had better luck with shorter brushes in general. Last time I looked tough to find that chubby synthetic. Where are those these days?

+1 on the Omega Hi Brush.

And anyone considered about the welfare of a badger or a boar needs to meet one in person. Definitely a shoot first and ask questions later situation.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

That's not a problem,,,, you just need to use badger from Northern China, the area of Mongolia. The Mongolian Badgers are not killed for their hair, they are trimmed in the spring & the hair grows back by October. The farms in Mongolia only raise "free roaming" badgers & are fed a strictly vegetarian diet. Now you pay a few dollars more for the knot, but they are worth it.

We have several brushmakers here that sell Mongolian Badger knots,,,,Harrywally, Pixel, Walleyeman, Glen,,, just reach out to one of them & tell them you want the Mongolian Badger knot in your brush,,, I'm sure they will fix you right up.

Watch out for Trimmy,, I hear he only uses Southern China knots.

I thought my ears were burning....Southern China knots....Mongolian Badger knots? I use pure Yeti...

I've been using an Omega synthetic for about 5 years, it's worked very well for me. In performance it's similar to a boar brush but holds more water.

Originally Posted by JudeH

I've had better luck with shorter brushes in general. Last time I looked tough to find that chubby synthetic. Where are those these days?

If you are looking to find a new synthetic Simpsons Chubby 2 I believe you have to buy direct from Simpsons Simpson Shaving Brushes: Products: Limited Edition Brushes .

Bob

Originally Posted by Trimmy72

I thought my ears were burning....Southern China knots....Mongolian Badger knots? I use pure Yeti...

Have you tried the High Mountain White Yeti? I got one from Larry at Whipped Dog....INCREDIBLE! I also started with a pure, but once you make the jump ya can't go back. It's a 30mm knot with 55mm loft in a unicorn handle.