Have been using synthetic brushes since I started wet shaving. Curious about trying badger brushes. Any input on pros and cons of both?
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Have been using synthetic brushes since I started wet shaving. Curious about trying badger brushes. Any input on pros and cons of both?
Started with a synthetic brush. Purchased several months ago. Have purchased two badger hair brushes. Prefer the badger. Smoother and better application of shaving cream. Using Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandlewood shaving cream. Just ordered a "silver tip" brush(made in China) for $19.95. For the price, compared with others on the net, thought I would give it a try. Caveat emptor
I started shaving too many years ago and used boar brushes. Then I started into these forums where high end badger brushes are treated as royalty so had to try them too. Then I tried synthetics and liked them the best so far. For me it is a close race between an "excellent quality" badger brush and a synthetic brush. I found synthetics the easiest to make a lather with and they dry very quickly.
You really have to try them out to see what is best for you. Just remember there is badger and then there is badger so that you need to try a good quality one and they generally run $100 USD to over $300 USD.
Bob
I should add I still use all 3 types I have and all will do the job only in a different way.
I've tried EJ best, WD silvertip and high mountain badgers, then synthetics like Plisson, Whipped Dog 24mm and a cheap synth Balea. In my opinion, synthetics are a better choice. WD synthetic is as soft as it gets.. better than Plisson, again, in my opinion. Lathering with a good synthetic is easier than with a badger (soaking, backbone and absorption are issues with badgers). Drying is another advantage of synthetivs VS naturals.
There are probably badger brushes out there that are better than synthetics, but my view on those is that they are probably going to be very expensive, for no good reason.
With that said, my favorites among the above are WD high mountain and his 24mm synthetic. Couldn't pick a favorite between them.
I have tried synthetics, and not found one I like, admittedly not tried many but really, don’t see the point.
What are you looking for in a brush?
To me, every synthetic I have tried including Plisson, Simpson and Muhle have been like paint brushes, They are floppy and don't hold the suds any where near how a good badger does. The Simpson was OK at best for me. The synthetics are hyped beyond comprehension on FB with the cheap mantra IMO, but personal preference sans the hype all that matters.
Yes, personal preference is the thing that matters most in deciding on a brush. I found that most production synthetics have the loft set too high for the knot size with the exception of the two Simpsons I have. My other synthetics are customs with a lower loft for face lathering. I can load the synthetics with enough soap to lather up for a 3-4 pass shave easily.
Every individual shaver's experience and expectations are different and are reflected in comments on a product. It is totally subjective.
Bob
This ^^^Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
I shave in 2 passes on most ocassions, so in fact all the brushes I've tried do an excellent job.
They have been making synthetics since the 1950s and for me I have not been impressed with the ones I've seen. They are certainly getting better and maybe one day who knows. At this point for me a good badger is the way to go.
I don't think there is much of a comparison between the 1950s nylon bristle brushes and the current crop of synthetics. Yes, I do have a 50s nylon to compare to.
Bob
I've got a Plisson and a Vulfix 2235 super badger on order now. Due in next week. Since I'm a rookie, and using a cheap nothing brush now (a Gentleman Hagar), I'll let y'all know what I think when they get here. Any brush nicknamed the brush of the gods is worth a try.
I have some synthetics that I like, but they are custom set to lofts that make them behave like badgers....well not really. Still ways to go, if ever, to reach the softness +backbone of my 4125/4 Thater or my Shavemac ST two band.
Lynn is right about the suds holding problem. When I shave, between latherings, there is always leakage of lather from the brush down the handle, never seen that with a badger.
Gents, My experience follows. I have bought many syn knots with the open mindedness that I could put forth. I always have received them with the anticipation of a kid in a candy store. After making so many brushes you would think that a brush would just be a brush.But each was like that brand new car or truck. had to get it out and drive it around for all to see. I have set them high and medium and deep and everything in between. Hoping that would be the ticket. I have not had good luck with them at all. I know and will admit it is a personal preference to a shaver to pick a natural vs. a syn. They would either be too soft or as hard as a broomstick. Maybe its me but I prefer to use a natural and have started a real liking for horse hair lately. I think I will still only offer natural knots in my brushes and only use syn when asked.
Ray
Well-said, Ray. I have no use for them as well. Tried! :tuQuote:
Originally Posted by walleyeman
I have three brushes sitting on my sink in the bathroom, which I rotate through. My HWM Plisson, my Simpson Chubby 1 Super Badger, and a sweet, fantastic custom made brush that is superb on the face and is fantastic for bowl lathering, and that one was made by YOU!Quote:
Originally Posted by walleyeman
What a beauty!
Walleyman Badger Brush:
Attachment 209855
Shiny ! I see the reflection of some guy looks like he needs a shave taking the picture ! .......... :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
TBH, if anyone favors synthetics, it's a good thing. Rock on with what you like! :rock:
I wish I always needed a shave:)...that was the brush brand new....think I had three days growth by that time....love the badger brush's...tried boar, mixed badger/boar and for me, they seem to not hold water at all as pixel mentions, they're bristles, and I never really found that they did well for lathering, but as mentioned, this is strictly a personal preference thing, whatever floats your boat or puts lather on your brush!:)Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
I Agree as well that it is a personal preference. Like a good steak, some like well done, some medium, and I like the chef to show it the grill on the way to the table! LOL
Ray
I have Both. I like both the synthetisch is quicker in use a badger need some more time in the water before use.
Yes, the synthetics need a different technique from boar or badger when you load them and lather with them to avoid that issue. I had that issue too when I first started to use synthetics until I figured out how to avoid that. I face lather and the brush sits upright on the counter while I shave and rarely have that problem unless I tried to put too much water into the brush. Synthetics are not badgers, likely never will be, and need to be treated differently is all. The again boar or horse hair will never be badger either but nobody expects them to be for some reason.Quote:
Originally Posted by mainaman
Bob
I think sometimes it's a good idea to simply reply to a post without viewing all the other replies. This allows for what is 100% my own opinion, yet may mean I'm repeating what has already been said, however...
I feel a badger hair brush works very well with shaving cream and a boar or synthetic for soaps. I wouldn't actually recommend a synthetic, boar hair is so cheap one may as well buy one of those. I find in my experience, although I've not actually HAD a lot of brushes, the badgers have always been softer and 'floppier'. Great for 'smoothing' on the lather from a shaving cream. I almost paint the cream on; no face lathering for a shaving cream.
However, for a soap I need to load the brush and I also need to work it more in the bowl to produce a lather or indeed on my face to produce a lather.
So I feel one needs one of each. Having said that, I have two badgers. As some may recall, I've been considering buying a new boar brush for well over a year now...
I'll agree with that! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by walleyeman
Why overprocess a good piece of flesh when it's so simple to tear the meat off the carcass with your own claws :mace: :medvl:Quote:
Originally Posted by walleyeman
Hmmmminteresting, but I have a better idea....Quote:
Originally Posted by gugi
*runs off to draw up a plan of domesticating a badger*
Step 1: Convice the Mrs they're lovely house pets AND her shaves would improve as well.
Step 2: Talk to this guy about why the heck it wants to escape all the time. I'd really need it to be still and hold lather!
https://youtu.be/_f3rXALcGdo
In the warm months I generally face lather and usually reach for my synthetic and Arko shave stick when I need a quick , no fuss one or two pass shave. I break out my scuttle with badger or boar , a good cream,Noxema as a preshave and a couple of hot towels when I want to really take my time and enjoy the process. If you always bowl lather you probably will not be content with synths. YMMV
Well, in this case it's more like some like a fillet and some porterhouse and some ground round and some a fat and gristle burger.Quote:
Originally Posted by walleyeman
I find most of my synthetics too floppy, but I do use them for face washing and scrubbing. Works like a charm.
Synthetics saved MWF for me...
As a relative newbie to the world of DE & SR shaving and an exclusive face latherer, I'm slowly trying out different brushes. I find that all of the brushes in my rotation have different characteristics but the common denominator is that they all produce a wonderful lather.
Although the Muhle STF doesn't have the backbone of the SOC Boar or SOC 2 Band, it's a lather monster and the added bonus is that it's the perfect travel brush drying extremely quickly.
Tony
I am an exclusive face latherer too and have to agree that those different knots all produce fine lathers. They all require you to slightly change your loading and lathering technique for each type in order to get the best results. Understand how they are different and accommodate those differences for trouble free lathering is more than half the battle.
Bob
