Thread: Badger vs Synthetic

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

Originally Posted by BobH

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 ^^^

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