Thread: 24mm synthetic ? About lather

I am a first time synthetic brush user. Have always used badger. I just got this brush done as a test. So I basically dipped the tips in warm water and started making lather in the soap container, once some soap was loaded I went to face lathering. It seems like I had to smush the brush into my face a bit. It makes a great lather but here is my question.
With badger it seems I can use the tips more so and this brush needed smushed more so, is that normal with synthetic? Any input is appreciated thanks Gents.

Beautiful brush. Is that a Tuxedo knot? I have found that some smushing is required.

Originally Posted by Deeter

Beautiful brush. Is that a Tuxedo knot? I have found that some smushing is required.

Thank you the knot is from Maggards and listed as black synthetic.
I was just curious as this is my first syn. Wonderfully soft feel on the face

Yes, that brush looks very good. I think the feel of the backbone in a synthetic brush is a little stiffer, even if the tips feel soft and it is a bit floppy, that a badger knot. I'd say smushing it a bit more is fairly normal. It is giving you a good lather but it is different from a badger or boar knot is all. They just behave differently.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Yes, that brush looks very good. I think the feel of the backbone in a synthetic brush is a little stiffer, even if the tips feel soft and it is a bit floppy, that a badger knot. I'd say smushing it a bit more is fairly normal. It is giving you a good lather but it is different from a badger or boar knot is all. They just behave differently.

Bob

Thank you, this brings me some piece of mind. I figured it would be different and I'm fine with that, just didn't know what would be different: )

Originally Posted by ejmolitor37

Thank you, this brings me some piece of mind. I figured it would be different and I'm fine with that, just didn't know what would be different: )

The other thing you may find is that synthetics do not hold water like badger brushes. If you dunk the brush in water, load it and start to face lather you may find a runny mess running down the handle onto your hand. That was a wise choice to just wet the tips and load the brush. Other than that a synthetic will easily and quickly lather any shaving cream, croap or hard puck you care to use. That has been my experience anyway. Enjoy your new brush.

Bob

I did some research on here before trying it and setting the tips I believe was a bit of your advice in a different thread thanks again

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.

Ive learnt a new word today "smush/smushed/ smushing"
Great word!

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Ive learnt a new word today "smush/smushed/ smushing"
Great word!

Stick around and we will show you how we butcher the Kings English on this side of the pond.

Bob