I have a number of brushes: badger, horsehair, boar bristle and synthetic. Every brush seems to have its own personality depending upon the type of fibers, the knot size, the knot loft, and the knot density.

I have a silvertip that is quite soft, but has little backbone. When using it, if I apply any pressure, it spreads all over my face. I have a two-band badger that responds well to a slightly higher pressure. I have a Razorrock silvertip synthetic that has moderate backbone and a "gamechanger/boss knot" type synthetic that has far more backbone, yet has soft tips. Thus, just as badger brushes vary in their characteristics, so do synthetic brushes.