Anything that can go wrong will happen while I'm shaving...

I have no experience and went with what I saw some choosing for a synthetic when I was ordering my Limited from TSR. I'll have in a week or 2. It's a Boti Pink I believe it's called but you'll probably order before it arrives. Hope you find a winner Paul.

I have no experience and went with what I saw some choosing for a synthetic when I was ordering my Limited from TSR. I'll have in a week or 2. It's a Boti Pink I believe it's called but you'll probably order before it arrives. Hope you find a winner Paul.

Worth checking out. Thanks Dave!

Edit: just to clarify, I am going to shave with the APSC knot first. I know very well a dry knot and a wet knot or two different animals. (Isn't that a funny analogy considering I'm dealing with synths, lol) Still, it doesn't hurt to do my research. I'm not expecting it to work out, at this point.

I have had the same sort of problem(s) with APShaveCo.  I got a knot for which the diameter at the base was about 2mm greater than advertised, and I did not have a handle to use with it.  I did reach out to Andrew, and he took care of me in first class style.  On a separate note, I have gotten G5A and G5B knots with very high glue bumps.  (I don't have the specifics at hand; sorry.)  Having done business with Andrew for years, and been very satisfied throughout, I somewhat sadly eased away from APShaveCo for the time being.  There seems to be a thriving handle business still in play, and I do hope that either things get squared away with the knots - or that or that Paul's and my experiences turn out to be rare exceptions to the norm.

Sorry to hear that Mike. Eric posted much earlier that he also had a Synbad that basically wasn't what it used to be. I believe it was like mine, stiffer and hard to splay? Nonetheless, it's appearing to be a new normal, and not a one off situation. Ugh.

The 26 Synbad fan has set. I gave it a few dry passes to see how it feels. It does not have the splay of a fan... not of a Synbad, either. I began to inspect it closer and I think it may be the glue bump. I need to compare it next to an older Synbad I have (got 4, including this one, in my rotation). Nonetheless, I think it may be time to order a different knot and move on.

I like the original properties of the Synbad: super soft, easily splays. I'm thinking of either trying the motherlode (Boti or Oumo both make one). Additionally, I have had good luck on  Phoenix Artisan knots. I may try one of theirs.

Anyone have any other suggestions for a soft, easily splaying synthetic knot from other vendors? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Have a good day folks!

This is too bad. The SynBad was my favorite knot for years, and like you, I had 4 different ones. The SynBad that I have that is too stiff or non-splaying is a 28mm fan. Just like you said, it doesn't splay, just stays stiff (for a synthetic). It has me thinking of pulling it. I will be interested to read your findings with the spacer added, although I admit, the dry finding doesn't look promising. 

Regarding other synthetics, I agree, PAA has some very nice knots, and I believe some are sold separately? And FWIW, I have tried the newer knots from APSCo, specifically the Made in Germany, which Andrew calls MiG, the Independent, and the Titanium. The MiG and Titianium had that stiff quaility. The Independent I have is a 24mm fan, regular density, and it is very good, but still a bit "springy," compared to a SynBad. Many folks say the Muhle STF is the gold standard, but descriptions of backbone with soft tips makes me wary. 

Good luck to us both, as I think I'll be joining you in replacing my non-splaying SynBad! Looking forward to hearing how the higher set worked out.

I have had the same sort of problem(s) with APShaveCo.  I got a knot for which the diameter at the base was about 2mm greater than advertised, and I did not have a handle to use with it.  I did reach out to Andrew, and he took care of me in first class style.  On a separate note, I have gotten G5A and G5B knots with very high glue bumps.  (I don't have the specifics at hand; sorry.)  Having done business with Andrew for years, and been very satisfied throughout, I somewhat sadly eased away from APShaveCo for the time being.  There seems to be a thriving handle business still in play, and I do hope that either things get squared away with the knots - or that or that Paul's and my experiences turn out to be rare exceptions to the norm.

Sorry to hear that Mike. Eric posted much earlier that he also had a Synbad that basically wasn't what it used to be. I believe it was like mine, stiffer and hard to splay? Nonetheless, it's appearing to be a new normal, and not a one off situation. Ugh.

The 26 Synbad fan has set. I gave it a few dry passes to see how it feels. It does not have the splay of a fan... not of a Synbad, either. I began to inspect it closer and I think it may be the glue bump. I need to compare it next to an older Synbad I have (got 4, including this one, in my rotation). Nonetheless, I think it may be time to order a different knot and move on.

I like the original properties of the Synbad: super soft, easily splays. I'm thinking of either trying the motherlode (Boti or Oumo both make one). Additionally, I have had good luck on  Phoenix Artisan knots. I may try one of theirs.

Anyone have any other suggestions for a soft, easily splaying synthetic knot from other vendors? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Have a good day folks!

This is too bad. The SynBad was my favorite knot for years, and like you, I had 4 different ones. The SynBad that I have that is too stiff or non-splaying is a 28mm fan. Just like you said, it doesn't splay, just stays stiff (for a synthetic). It has me thinking of pulling it. I will be interested to read your findings with the spacer added, although I admit, the dry finding doesn't look promising. 

Regarding other synthetics, I agree, PAA has some very nice knots, and I believe some are sold separately? And FWIW, I have tried the newer knots from APSCo, specifically the Made in Germany, which Andrew calls MiG, the Independent, and the Titanium. The MiG and Titianium had that stiff quaility. The Independent I have is a 24mm fan, regular density, and it is very good, but still a bit "springy," compared to a SynBad. Many folks say the Muhle STF is the gold standard, but descriptions of backbone with soft tips makes me wary. 

Good luck to us both, as I think I'll be joining you in replacing my non-splaying SynBad! Looking forward to hearing how the higher set worked out.

I'll keep you updated Eric. Hopefully it is acceptable, because, I really want to get off of this train of searching for the perfect shaving instrument or soap or whatever. It gets tiring, and frankly, annoying and expensive.

Shave one is in the books. Unfortunately, I don't have great news for the folks interested.

The APSC knot splays (just) okay... not like it should, but better than the other dysfunctional bulb knot they sent me. This makes sense, and it absolutely should, considering it's a fan knot. Nonetheless, it's not great at all.

That glue bump is simply huge! There's simply no other way to describe it. I feel like it interferes with both splaying as well as the lather.

The end result is an ok shave... but nowhere near what Synbad knots used to be (and, as Dave had mentioned... I've owned a LOT of their knots). Ooh well, I've now tried two with basically the same result... The king is dead.

At this point, I'll use it until I decide it's time to make a jump to something else. After receiving two subpar knots, I'm going to be very cautious of my next step. It's an absolute bummer, but it is what it is.

... for anyone who's known me for longer than 5 minutes, you'll know that was a bold faced lie. I can't "take my time" or "be patient"... it's not in my nature. Lol. So, the end result is I've already had a conversation with Milton at turn n' shave and ordered a quarter moon knot to replace this one.

We'll see how that works out... fingers crossed for some good luck!

... for anyone who's known me for longer than 5 minutes, you'll know that was a bold faced lie. I can't "take my time" or "be patient"... it's not in my nature. Lol. So, the end result is I've already had a conversation with Milton at turn n' shave and ordered a quarter moon knot to replace this one.

We'll see how that works out... fingers crossed for some good luck!

That's both funny and great news! I took a quick look and may have to spend more time on his Etsy page! Crossing my fingers as well!

... for anyone who's known me for longer than 5 minutes, you'll know that was a bold faced lie. I can't "take my time" or "be patient"... it's not in my nature. Lol. So, the end result is I've already had a conversation with Milton at turn n' shave and ordered a quarter moon knot to replace this one.

We'll see how that works out... fingers crossed for some good luck!

That's both funny and great news! I took a quick look and may have to spend more time on his Etsy page! Crossing my fingers as well!

I'll definitely post here when it arrives and my verdict.

... for anyone who's known me for longer than 5 minutes, you'll know that was a bold faced lie. I can't "take my time" or "be patient"... it's not in my nature. Lol. So, the end result is I've already had a conversation with Milton at turn n' shave and ordered a quarter moon knot to replace this one.

We'll see how that works out... fingers crossed for some good luck!

You owe me a computer keyboard

Another great shave. I broke out two Astra blades to put the two Overlanders head to head again. I've just been enjoying the Aluminum so much, I wondered if it had soured me to the heavier brass.

First off, I should have sold the Nacets blades when I was clearing everything else out. They just don't cut it compared to the Personna or Astra. (Pun intended). While they do go three shaves for me, they're also a rougher shave and not nearly as fun. I could easily use them, they aren't 'horrible', but why settle? I'm voting them off the Island...err... Den.

Nonetheless, it was an awesome shave this evening with both of the Overlanders. Additionally, I can clearly say, the Aluminum is nicer for me and my skin. Moreso, a bit more forgiving I think (due to the weight). I'll likely be using the Aluminum most of the time, with the coated brass as a 'backup'.

Have a good evening folks!