Are Synthetic Brushes the Way of the Future?

All great points I will only add that I now recommend synthetics as clearly the best choice for a beginner, given the price and ease of lathering right out of the box,. I am frankly amazed to see gents recommending boars to a beginner. This will cause frustration. As one progresses, depending on budget and personality, you can explore the great world of badger and boar.

All great points I will only add that I now recommend synthetics as clearly the best choice for a beginner, given the price and ease of lathering right out of the box,. I am frankly amazed to see gents recommending boars to a beginner. This will cause frustration. As one progresses, depending on budget and personality, you can explore the great world of badger and boar.

I know this sounds harsh, and I agree with your general sentiment, but how, and in what millennial generation of " everybody gets a trophy regardless of their effort", did we get to the place where boars are hard to lather?

I am only 45, hardly an old timer, but I learned to shave with a crappy boar brush, and I know for sure Williams, (maybe Colgate too?) in a cheap plastic mug. It was hardly traumatic..

I don't want to discourage new shavers, and I maybe wouldn't post this on more seemingly "newbie" populated forums, but seriously: Soap, water, air, and some agitation make lather.

I will be the first one to admit that a good synth is as easy a tool as ever made built to build lather. But honestly, I never understood the concept that all new shavers need a synthetic. It is just soap. God help us all if our newest and brightest can't figure out the concept.

Sorry, [rant off].


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PickledNorthern I also started with a VdH boar brush and was off an running [I am 50 too, so about same age].

Have always given boar brushes in starter kits and, with a brief instructional thing I print and include, have never had a complaint.

I do give synthetics now, but mainly based on both the value and versatility [good for travel, etc.]. Plus there's no break in. Not a performance based issue.

I am 50/50 in the den. 3 synths and 3 badgers.

I am not a big fan of the Ubersoft 2 knot... The fauxmere 28 mm is great, and the game changer is probBly the best knot on the market. Amazing!

You will have to pry those badgers from my cold dead hands though.


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They are the way of the PRESENT for me!

Hook, line, sinker, tax, tags and title!!!

I didn't mean to imply that boars are hard to lather. However, I believe that the break in period can be a hindrance to a beginner. In the days before synthetics like the Plisson came along, boars were the only game in town for a newcomer who wanted to try wet shaving on a budget. I love my 830 and my badgers. I just think synthetics are the best starting point in today's world. I would never compare them to my BK8 or Duke 3, for example.

Like gwsmallwood I was holding out for a fan-shaped knot. Now that they exist, I really need to try one. I like my synthetic and, in theory, it's superior to my badgers and boars in every way. In practice, however, well, I really don't know what my problem is except that, like they would say in the backwoods of Missouri, it just ain't natural.

Like gwsmallwood I was holding out for a fan-shaped knot. Now that they exist, I really need to try one. I like my synthetic and, in theory, it's superior to my badgers and boars in every way. In practice, however, well, I really don't know what my problem is except that, like they would say in the backwoods of Missouri, it just ain't natural.

The synths load really fast and they dry out quick. Great for travel. I just don't like the way they feel on my face. The brush I gave your partner felt softer to me then my Plisson. I also happen to think two band badgers make the best looking brushes.

I didn't mean to imply that boars are hard to lather. However, I believe that the break in period can be a hindrance to a beginner. In the days before synthetics like the Plisson came along, boars were the only game in town for a newcomer who wanted to try wet shaving on a budget. I love my 830 and my badgers. I just think synthetics are the best starting point in today's world. I would never compare them to my BK8 or Duke 3, for example.

I also didn't mean to call out your post, it was a rant on the headspace in general.


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I think synthetics are the wave of the future.
Badger and boar won't totally disappear, but synthetics are as good as any brush right now, IMHO, and usually cheaper. I lucked into the silvertip badger Futur brush I just got. It retails for at least $70, and I was able to get the brush, bowl and stand for a total of $30. I could not justify the set for full price, but my wife can appreciate the 80% off deal I got. I'm still learning the brush, but it has crossed my mind that if I don't like it, I could re-knot it with a synthetic.