Thread: My Modest Synthetic Brush Lineup

Originally Posted by MagnificentDastard

Without wishing to derail this thread, this is an oft-cited argument in defence of many practices, never in my experience backed up with any numbers. I don't believe the energy used in creating a small amount of plastic - especially non-disposable plastic, is very large. Besides lumping these issues together under the banner 'green' is pretty dismissive - one is about the ethics of killing animals and one about climate change, you can't just say one cancels the other out and use that as an excuse to do whatever you'd like.

Sorry if I sound accusatory - not trying to be I just hear this kind of argument far too often.

What many forget in the "green" pursuit, is that oil products are used in massive quantities in manufacturing, sure you knew this but just mentioning. I'm not certain, but it wouldn't surprise me if the use of carbon/oil products in manufacturing rivaled it's use as a fuel.

Only reason I bring this up, is many who rail against fossil fuels seem to forget that it's use and demand will never go away as long as we use plastics and oil in the manufacturing of a startingly amount and variance of products.

Phrank, my friend,
Vladimir makes fine brushes. He is quite creative.

Originally Posted by Obie

Phrank, my friend,
Vladimir makes fine brushes. He is quite creative.

Thanks Obie, but really, did you sell ALL your badger brushes?

Or did you just store them in their boxes for a sleep until the desire resurfaces?

Great write up by the way, and thank-you very much, I appreciate you taking the time.....

Originally Posted by Phrank

Thanks Obie, but really, did you sell ALL your badger brushes?

Or did you just store them in their boxes for a sleep until the desire resurfaces?

Great write up by the way, and thank-you very much, I appreciate you taking the time.....

Phrank,
I sold them all. My last Wiborg went with a friend to Iran. The rest I sold to various people. In a way, I cleaned house. But then who knows what the future holds. Right now the synthetics are serving me well. I really do like them.

Originally Posted by Phrank

What many forget in the "green" pursuit, is that oil products are used in massive quantities in manufacturing, sure you knew this but just mentioning. I'm not certain, but it wouldn't surprise me if the use of carbon/oil products in manufacturing rivaled it's use as a fuel.

Only reason I bring this up, is many who rail against fossil fuels seem to forget that it's use and demand will never go away as long as we use plastics and oil in the manufacturing of a startingly amount and variance of products.

Yeah, I bore that in mind, but I don't see the use of fossil fuels in plastics as being any worse than mining metals or other environmentally destructive but, to an extent, necessary industries. It's the energy cost of production that's causing the worst problems for us, and both kinds of brush will have an energy cost and thus a carbon footprint. But yeah, sorry everyone, tangent over!

Originally Posted by MagnificentDastard

Yeah, I bore that in mind, but I don't see the use of fossil fuels in plastics as being any worse than mining metals or other environmentally destructive but, to an extent, necessary industries. It's the energy cost of production that's causing the worst problems for us, and both kinds of brush will have an energy cost and thus a carbon footprint. But yeah, sorry everyone, tangent over!

What's to be sorry for? Everyone is entitled to an opinion and in this case it was about synthetic brushes which is inline with the topic of this thread.

Bob

Bob

So I've had a few shaves with my Vladimir Ferdman Brush with a BOSS synthetic knot, and I'm darn tootin' impressed, very impressed.

I like my knots quite scritchy, with tons of backbone, and at the best of times, it's hit and miss unless I'm going Shavemac D01-2, very consistent knots that deliver.

But in terms of a great brush, the synthetic was all there, good backbone, the BOSS knot had some good scritch to it, held the water nicely, lathered beautifully, and I could really bore down and get some scrubbing done, some good exfoliating action with the brush.

Have to say, if you don't want to go down the expensive brush acquisition route, you won't go wrong in the least going synthetic.

If you wanted to have the velvet soft to harsher brush experience, 2 or 3 nice synthetic brushes from some of the makers in Obie's first post, and you'd be good to go for as long as the brush would last.

I'll admit it, I was highly skeptical, expected a wet, floppy mess....was the exact opposite.

While I'll absolutely continue to use and love my Simpson's, M&F's, Shavemacs, Rooney, Plisson and Thater's (and probably a few more I can't remember), the synthetic will have a place in the brush rotation.

Great thread Obie, and very useful guide.....

Yea I have the boss knot too and while I wouldn't be throwing away my Badgers either it is a very competent latherer. It a very different feel from a badger but all in all it's not bad at all. If someone stole all my badgers and my choice was that and boar I'd take the boss.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Yea I have the boss knot too and while I wouldn't be throwing away my Badgers either it is a very competent latherer. It a very different feel from a badger but all in all it's not bad at all. If someone stole all my badgers and my choice was that and boar I'd take the boss.

I used a Shavemac last shave, and tonight before bed going to use the Boss knot again....I'm at the point where the most outstanding difference is "scritch", as I like my brushes harsh, chrome scrubbing harsh LOL, and while the boss isn't that, it's a pretty close match to some other high end brushes I have.

I'm getting a sense on the feel as well you mention, when I do some scrubbing, I don't get the same feeling on the skin as with badger, I think I feel more of the synthetic/plastic feel on the skin, which isn't a show stopper, but as you say won't be making me toss my badgers out.

Wait Wait!
They don't just shave the Badgers?
Poor badgers.
And I hope people don't quit using oil as it puts food on my table being a fuel hauler!

Now back to the synthetics. I will look into this Boss knot. I do like my synthetics but they just don't have much backbone. Soft, fluffy, and still make a great lather, but they seem to make a mess. Or I guess I should say I make a mess using them.

Thanks Obie and Frank for trying this out. I value both of your opinions on this stuff. Sorry Obie that you have tender skin, I'm just glad mine is tough as old leather. Gas fumes for years toughen your skin up I guess.