Thread: Brushed off?

I have several synthetics and I can say that synthetics will not overpower the market any time soon unless there is further evolution in the fiber construction.
Synthetics are good because they can easily lather anything out there, and they can produces lots of lather fast. The issue is that there are a lot of bad soaps that can't be lathered well with badger/boar brushes, and so folks are buying synthetics because they work better in that regards. For me the face feel of badger is still not achieved by any available synthetic. I have tried the Plisson knot in several sizes and lofts and none has been close enough to how badger feels on the face. From my experience if one wants more backbone then the knot has too much scrub and not enough splay. If one wants more splay then there is not enough backbone. With synthetics it is a bit of a game of compromise, that never happens with a badger, there is always an option that combines good backbone with splay with/without scrub. My current favorite synthetic is Simpsons CH2, but not at the factory set loft of 52mm. I had mine transplanted in another handle at 55 mm and it not works really well. My second go to synthetic is a 30mm WD which has a very good combination of backbone and splay/scrub. To get that effect I had to set it at the highest loft I could and there was not much room to play with .
If the industry can produce fibers that have thicker shafts that taper towards the tips then I can see synthetics becoming pretty equal to badger/boar brushes.

Just goes to show that what a person likes in a synthetic brush is personal preference just as it is with a boar or badger brush. One of my favourite synthetic brushes is a Simpsons CH2 LE with a 50mm loft and splays well for me to face lather with. I don't really care for high lofts in a synthetic. As usual you have to try a few to which suits you as you would have to do with badger brushes.

No, I don't think synthetics are a replacement for badger brushes just as boar and horse hair are not a replacement for badger brushes. They all stand or fall on their own merits.

Bob

Originally Posted by mainaman

If the industry can produce fibers that have thicker shafts that taper towards the tips then I can see synthetics becoming pretty equal to badger/boar brushes.

I purchased an Omega S-Brusha few months ago for travelling. My idea was to get a) the cheapest, decent brush b) have a try at synthetics. It is quite different from my (lower-end) badger, being that it is quite stiff with soft tips. Whereas my badger has little backbone with a bit o' scritch. It does have a more tapered shaft for the fibers IIRC. It is the other end of the spectrum, so it is a little easier for me to make a decision. However, I do find it tends to fling bits of lather if I am to vigorous with building the lather due to the springiness of the fibers.

I think it is smart to have a non-animal product on the shelves, but unless badgers/boars/horses go extinct, there will always be a market for the naturals.

Originally Posted by monkeypuzzlebeefeater

Just been looking through posts on Facebook and saw this https://www.executive-shaving.co.uk/...fm/blog_ID/439

Article/advert suggesting that synthetic brushes could overtake badger. I'm not sure I want to be part of that society!

I certainly think a synthetic has it's place in shaving. I like the softer feel when I am using a warm scuttle with a tube soap. To me it works better. To be honest, I have several customers that prefer a synthetic made for them over badger.

Badger consistency can be a bit unpredictable too. I order alot of silvertip knots to either re-knot or build a brush and I have gotten in the past some that just aren't the same from the same seller. I have had to find a consistency there for sure and have sourced what I think is now. Whereas, synthetics have always been totally consistent for me. But I still like a badger for general everyday shaving for sure.