Seeking Suggestions for the Sythetic Brush Shootout
Some weeks ago I posted a thread here in the Brush forum looking for advice on buying a better brush. Essentially I outlined my history with less than stellar brushes and was looking for a reasonably priced brush that would put lather, and a smile, on my face without making my bank account cry. Several stepped up in response and while I'm not taking the option any of them suggested it did provide the genesis for a whole new train of thought.
What became readily apparent in our short discussion is that I simply lack the experience to make an informed choice. My research wasn't particularly helpful either because while I've built an academic understanding of knot size, loft, backbone and "scritch" I simply don't have an adequate reference point outside the few mediocre brushes I've used over the last ten years. Yet my research did lead me down one path, again and again: Synthetics.
I understand that a synthetic brush isn't a high-end badger but the price reflects that fact and until I use a high performance shavemac knot, or at least get a clear idea of what I do want in a shave brush, I have trouble dropping $100+ on a knot. What I can do for a reasonable financial outlay is try a number of these inexpensive synthetics, build the experience I lack, possibly get a good idea of what I'm really looking for and maybe, just maybe, find a knot I can love until the disciples of the high-end shavemac make a convert of me as well. As an added bonus I have the opportunity to give back to the SRD community with a review of those knots that I choose to experiment with.
Parameters
As a scientist I have a deep desire to eliminate any unnecessary variables in an experiment. Each knot has its own characteristics but some of those can be controlled by setting some parameters for my review. In an effort to keep comparisons a close as possible I've settled on the following restrictions on the knots I've procured:
- Affordability: One of the virtues of synthetics is their value. All knots in this test are currently available for under $20 (one is exactly half that figure.)
- Knot Size: In an effort to reduce variability I have restricted knots to the relatively common diameter of 24mm.
- Handles: All knots, due to their common diameter, will be temporarily mounted in a Whipped Dog 24mm Tall handle. Not only does this reduce variability but it also reduces my financial burden. (Exception - The Whipped Dog knot was permanently mounted by Larry as part of my purchase.)
- Soap: What we choose to lather with has a rather large effect on the finished product. As such, and due to my secondary focus on budget, all lathering will be accomplished with Mitchell's Wool Fat (MWF), it lathers well (for me), is readily available at a reasonable price and puts test to the myth that you need a boar brush to build a lather with it.
Knots
I have purchased a number of knots, most from Etsy vendors, for use in this review:
- Cashmere Synthetic Extra Dense Knot (APShaveCo) $16.98
- Synthetic "Game Changer" Knot (AMACK4shaving) $18.00
- Synthetic "Sunrise" Shaving Knot (AMACK4shaving) $10.00
- Tuxedo Extra Dense Synthetic Knot (APShaveCo) $16.98
- Ubersoft 2 Synthetic 4th Gen (EnvyShave) $13.99
- Whipped Dog Synthetic Knot (whippeddog.com) $16.00
It should be noted that the "Sunrise" knot is currently being advertised by (AMACK4shaving) as likely being the last batch of these knots that they will have in stock. FrugalShave has a similar knot, advertised as a "Sunsoft" knot, for the same price.
Design
- Initial Impressions: I will give my initial impressions of the knot prior to being mounted and used.
- Lather and Shave: Each knot will be used for my daily shave. My preference is to bowl lather and it is my intent to photograph the resulting lather both in the bowl and on my ugly mug for comparison. I don't consider myself an accomplished lather builder, thus if I build a sub-par lather on a particular day I will repeat the process on the subsequent shave. The effort is to eliminate my own failures from that of the knot but I will be sure to note it if this occurs.
- Review: My own thoughts on the feel of each knot.
- Rating: I will attempt to rank these knots based on specific traits (backbone, scritch, etc.) and rank them against each other.
What do you think guys? Is there some component of my plan that should be modified? Is there a specific knot that I have overlooked that needs to be included in the review?
Thanks in advance for any help you bring!