Thread: I think I fancy a new brush

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once more!

I only have one synthetic. The Omega Hi Brush.



I've heard that synthetics don't hold water very well, but this Omega acts like a sponge. IMHO

The feel is a little stiffer than a black badger, but works a lather very well, and distributes lather from the bristles, like a high end paint brush.

Yep....they've come a long way since their inauguration to the Shaving world.

I’ve had a few synthetics. None have been Yaqi brushes. All, except one Franks Shaving, have been swapped out for badger. I’m lead to believe the Yaqi brushes are quite good. I’m kind of brush full at this point so it’s unlikely on my shopping list, but they have some really cool handles, so maybe.

Originally Posted by Raol

Attachment 339511
I think synthetics have come a long way. The most popular is the Sagrada Familia 24mm
The large brush was presented to me as the Canadian Yaqi distributor
Sorry about the sideways photo

Canadian Distributor! Did I just buy the Yaqi brush that's on the way (see whats in the mail) from you?

BTW It's the yellow one in the back that's coming tomorrow.

I have two that are OK. One, the latest Simpsons Model and the other the latest Omega. The Omega is the best I've used. It kind of comes close to a floppy badger and actually holds some water.

If I travelled a lot I would use one but I don't these days. Frankly no Synthetic feels 100 miles close to a good badger (IMHO).

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Frankly no Synthetic feels 100 miles close to a good badger (IMHO).

Yes you are absolutely correct. And why would I want a synthetic to feel like a badger?

Originally Posted by Raol

Yes you are absolutely correct. And why would I want a synthetic to feel like a badger?

Don't get me wrong, I don't wamt to beat any kind of drum here and I'm not even close to vegatarian.

I really like that the cute synthetic animal lives on after helping me to have a shaving brush.

I recently picked up a range of three synthetics from AP Shaving to see what the fuss was about. Very nice. Their faux boar is better than the S-brush and Hi-brush from Omega IMO. The high-density faux badger holds a lot of water and the more standard synth loft (shown on the left) is great for palm-lathering. What I like is that one can customize the lofts to one's taste to some extent. That said, the high-density faux badger is a bit large for me, although it does have bloom like a silvertip.

Are these knots better than their animal hair equivalents? Not better, perhaps equal in a different way and viable alternatives.

That said, if one thinks one is taking the moral high ground in using synthetics with resin handles, the flip-side of the coin is that they will not break down that easily in a landfill. Animal hair coupled with a wooden handle would be the ticket there. Oh, the dilemma...

Originally Posted by Raol

Yes you are absolutely correct. And why would I want a synthetic to feel like a badger?

Well, I don't know about you but when I shave I want to use the best quality items I can afford. I can use VDH soap but I'd rather use MDC because it performs better and the same with a brush. Circumstances may make it more feasible to use one thing over another like travel but for typical everyday use (for me) the overall experience with a synthetic is plain lacking and not by a small amount.

Of course this is all an individual thing and if you enjoy using a synthetic or VDH soap that's fine.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Of course this is all an individual thing and if you enjoy using a synthetic or VDH soap that's
fine

It all depends if you want a smooth comfortable shave or you want to pamper yourself. Either way is just fine but never believe you have to spend a fortune to attain a smooth comfortable shave.

Bob