Thread: The Synthetic Brush Shootout

Thank you for the kind words, Obie. The fact that you are responsible for the First Tier Soaps thread, which has taken on a life of its own, only makes your acknowledgement more meaningful. I will honestly say that I find it truly gratifying that I've been able to give something back to this wonderful community.

I completely agree, when it comes to the quality of the synthetics brushes I love the way mine feel and perform for me morning after morning. The fact is that my only previous experience with brushes had largely been with relatively low-quality knots and synthetics seemed a great way to learn about what I actually like before diving into buying a better quality badger brush. After completing my review I found that I was perfectly happy with my synthetics and I could honestly go through my life using the knots I currently have. Of course our hobby tends to quickly go well past what we could live with and seems to become a rabbit hole down which we chase endless options of razors, brushes, soaps, hones and aftershaves.

The brush that should be arriving by the end of the week is interesting in that I went with the Silvertip on a whim but I'm glad I did because it offers the the opportunity to try something new. At this point I feel a little guilty expounding the virtues of synthetics without having owned a decent quality, soft-tipped, badger brush. I hope that the knot is something truly special but I suspect that it will simply be different from the lower-end badgers and my beloved synthetics. Regardless I will finally have a knowledge base that includes something beyond what many consider "entry-level" brushes.

At this point I want to keep this thread alive and encourage the rest of the community to share their own experiences with the different synthetic knots. As for myself, I've once again been getting the itch to add to this project. For the immediate future I'll be playing with my new brush and building some experience with a Silvertip badger. After that I'll figure it out. I've been increasingly interested in turning my own brush handles and if I do decide to invest in a lathe the possibility of adding new synthetic knots to my collection only increases.

One last thing, Obie, thanks for giving me a few more synthetic brushes to look into!

You are very welcome, GreenRipper, my friend, and thank you. I have been really impressed with the quality of the synthetics I have used.

No luck so far to get on the list for the Wolfwhiskers brush, though. The list has been closed since the 14th century. Now and then the list is opened, but catching it at the right moment is like chasing after Sasquatch.

I have a Doug Korn Tuxedo on order and should have it in about a month or so. Another brush maker I have been eyeing is Camden in England. Beautiful Tuxedo brushes, but they are a wee bit pricey. I might break down one of these days.

Stay well, my friend, and keep up this fine thread.

I had been enamored with the Wolf Whiskers brushes early in my time here. I still love his work but am just as thrilled with the handles that Chris is producing and sooner or later I'm going to have to bug Andrew for a HarryWally original. PixelFixed, sadly, left us a few months before my joining but I love seeing the pieces he left as part of his memory and I wish I would have had the opportunity to get to know him here on SRP.

And, because the conversation my wife and I are having at the moment brought this to mind...

"Badgers? Badgers?! We don't need no stinkin' badgers!" -UHF spoofing Treasure of the Sierra Madre

GreenRipper,
Who is Chris?
Also, I had forgotten about the HarryWally brushes.
Obie

Chris Trimble a.k.a. Trimmy72 a.k.a. Brush Craft. Chris is the artist that turned the two brushes that I most commonly post in my occasional SotD pics. Life has been so busy as of late that my pictures are somewhat rarer than I'd prefer.

Originally Posted by GreenRipper

Chris Trimble a.k.a. Trimmy72 a.k.a. Brush Craft. Chris is the artist that turned the two brushes that I most commonly post in my occasional SotD pics. Life has been so busy as of late that my pictures are somewhat rarer than I'd prefer.

Thanks, my friend. I will look into Brush Craft.

Yesterday ordered this brush from Ottawa (via Easy). Really looking forward to it.

Originally Posted by 400E

Yesterday ordered this brush from Ottawa (via Easy). Really looking forward to it.

Steve,
I have that brush and it's one of the sweetest synthetics I've used. Just lovely.

Originally Posted by Obie

Steve,
I have that brush and it's one of the sweetest synthetics I've used. Just lovely.

Great to hear, Obie! Thanks for the affirmation.

Now I need to order some new soap or cream or croap to try it out on. If only we had a really comprehensive thread on top-notch soaps I could refer to

I believe the brush is one sold by APShaveCo with one of their Tuxedo knots. If I'm right then you're in for a lovely shave once it arrives!