Thread: Badger v Synthetic Travel Brushes

For the past years I have always uses a synthetic brush for traveling; most recently the Muhle "turn back" models with STF (V1 and V2) knots.

They are nice brushes. The primary reason I acquired them was due to the fact synthetic knots dry so quickly and are pretty much maintenance free.

I recently came across a Dovo travel brush which looks interesting for sure; it has a silver tip knot. Now I know natural hair brushes are used all the time; my question is just HOW much more effort is required to take off for a couple weeks with a badger vs a STF synthetic brush in the kit??

Though I don't have the answer. I to would like to know.

I always travel with a badger,,, as soon as I get to my destination, my kit is opened & my stuff laid out on the counter. At most, my badger could be in the kit for 8 to 10 hours; if it's damp from the morning, I don't see , nor have I had a problem, My travel brush is a vintage TOBS tha's older than both of us.

If the brush being damp is an issue to you then synthetic or a smaller brush is what you would want. If it is not an issue then you can use whatever you want.

I don't recall ever seeing a post where someone who travels regularly complained about their badger or boar brush getting mold or other critters growing on it. I know for normal shaving if I use a brush in the morning and shake it out well after use by the next morning it's pretty dry. The is maybe a tad of dampness deep in the knot and that's for really thick brushes.

If I was traveling and wanted a brush I would probably get a more modest brush of badger and I don't think there would be a problem.

My travel brush is a small badger knot in a porcelain handle. I do like Hirlau does and set all of my items on the sink as soon as I arrive at my destination. When I return home I make sure and let it air dry for a few days to a week before I pack it back in it's holder and place it back in my Dopp bag. So far I haven't had any issues. You may have a harder time is you are travelling for an extended period of time and staying at different places where you can't let your brush dry out as often.

I have a badger brush I have been using as a test mule for almost a year now.
Never rinsed,never cleaned,never hung to dry.Is in perfect condition today.

There is no more effort required with one or the other. I use synthetics because when I travel it is usually moving each day and my shave kit comes out to shave, everything gets repacked and we're off. Even if I am in one place for a few days I use and put away my shave kit after use. I think a synthetic has a slight advantage in drying more quickly and I would not gain anything by using a badger. Conversely I would not loose too much by using a small badger knot either. In the end 6 of one half a dozen of the other.

Bob

Well I just made a 100% syn brush,will report back after a few uses.

Well I used my Syn brush today,Gotta say,they are very nice

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Well I used my Syn brush today,Gotta say,they are very nice

Never thought I'd see the day. Who's knot and what knot size and loft?

Bob