Are Synthetic Brushes the Way of the Future?

They definitely are. I still don't own a quality badger brush, say a Silvertip or good quality two-band. I did own a Best Badger Edwin Jagger that ended up with the knot removed, and now I still have to decide whether to fit a silvertip, two-band or synthetic knot in the handle, and chances are I'll fit a synthetic. Why?. Because, meanwhile, I bought a Plisson L'Occitane. I was amazed at how easily it lathered up soaps like MWF, allegedly a "hard to lather" soap, and I could definitely feel the difference between my Omega boar and the Plisson, when it came to ease of lathering. It lacks backbone?. Well, yes, it does lack it. But I also own an Omega S-brush synth and this one has a good backbone, and it's dirt cheap. It feels a bit more scrubby than the Plisson, has more backbone, and lathers really well also. So, when you have experienced all this and then read other more experienced wet shavers who say that these quality synthetic brushes are outperforming their beloved badger brushes... Would you really feel like investing your hard earned money in a brush that you're not completely sure that it will outperform your 30€ synthetic?. I think I'm not that guy.

Currently, I have a Fine "Stout" in mind as my next synthetic. I'd appreciate the same kind of feel of the Plisson, with a bit more backbone, and that brush is likely to have both features.

They definitely are. I still don't own a quality badger brush, say a Silvertip or good quality two-band. I did own a Best Badger Edwin Jagger that ended up with the knot removed, and now I still have to decide whether to fit a silvertip, two-band or synthetic know in the handle, and chances are I'll fit a synthetic. Why?. Because, meanwhile, I bought a Plisson L'Occitane. I was amazed at how easily it lathered up soaps like MWF, allegedly a "hard to lather" soap, and I could definitely feel the difference between my Omega boar and the Plisson, when it came to ease of lathering. It lacks backbone?. Well, yes, it does lack it. But I also own an Omega S-brush synth and this one has a good backbone, and it's dirt cheap. It feels a bit more scrubby than the Plisson, has more backbone, and lathers really well also. So, when you have experienced all this and then read other more experienced wet shavers who say that these quality synthetic brushes are outperforming their beloved badger brushes... Would you really feel like investing your hard earned money in a brush that you're not completely sure that it will outperform your 30€ synthetic?. I think I'm not that guy.

Currently, I have a Fine "Stout" in mind as my next synthetic. I'd appreciate the same kind of feel of the Plisson, with a bit more backbone, and that brush is likely to have both features.

You may want to consider Stirling's Plisson type brushes to save some money. They have a 24mm knot with 51mm loft for $12.99, plus $4 flat rate shipping. Compare that to the Fine which has a 24mm knot with 50mm loft, and costs $25 plus shipping.

In my view I see synthetics as being the biggest leap forward when it comes to converting more people to traditional shaving. Synthetics are much more cost effective which gives less of a barrier for the curious shaver to give it a try. They also have a shorter learning curve.

This sets up synthetic brushes as being the gateway brush for a majority of newer traditional shavers. I also expect that these brushes will remain the favored brush for a good amount of these people moving forward. Those that embrace shaving as a hobby like us should most assuredly try all of the natural brushes as well, but I also think we all know that the hobbyists make up a small proportion of the market.

So in conclusion, yes, I do think that synthetic brushes are the way of the future for traditional shaving.

In my opinion, you nailed it!

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The Kong is my favorite brush ever, but I would like to have a smaller handle option. Do you recall what the loft is on the Kong? I can measure it later if not. The new Stirling 26mm has a 54mm loft, which I believe is a few mm shorter than the Kong but should still work great for my taste.

My thoughts too.   I've been working on Joe and Rod to make it happen.

http://damnfineshave.com/thread-new-razo...2#pid53132

http://damnfineshave.com/thread-my-publi...6#pid50916

I just realized the Kong dimensions are listed on Stirling's site. I thought they sold out and took it down. Anyway, it's 63mm loft, so it looks like I won't be buying the new versions. I don't like shorter lofts on synthetics. I realize a lot of people like the extra backbone, but to me the synthetics don't require it. I think Plisson knew exactly how the brush should perform, but they didn't offer a larger knot size unfortunately. I could go with maybe a 58mm loft on the Kong, but 54mm is too short I believe for my preferences.

Just tried out the new Stirling Brush (26x54mm). I gotta tell you, I do NOT like it as much as the Kong. The sad thing is, I prefer the handle of the 26x54 but it has TOO much freaking backbone and it doesn't splay like the original Kong. Man o man do I wish he would have just had the same dimensions of the Kong brush with a new handle. I'll keep working with it, but right now, my face is pretty raw from the new brush, but for my use case right now it has too much backbone. We will see, it might open up a bit.

My thoughts too.   I've been working on Joe and Rod to make it happen.

http://damnfineshave.com/thread-new-razo...2#pid53132

http://damnfineshave.com/thread-my-publi...6#pid50916

I just realized the Kong dimensions are listed on Stirling's site. I thought they sold out and took it down. Anyway, it's 63mm loft, so it looks like I won't be buying the new versions. I don't like shorter lofts on synthetics. I realize a lot of people like the extra backbone, but to me the synthetics don't require it. I think Plisson knew exactly how the brush should perform, but they didn't offer a larger knot size unfortunately. I could go with maybe a 58mm loft on the Kong, but 54mm is too short I believe for my preferences.

Just tried out the new Stirling Brush (26x54mm).  I gotta tell you, I do NOT like it as much as the Kong.  The sad thing is, I prefer the handle of the 26x54 but it has TOO much freaking backbone and it doesn't splay like the original Kong.  Man o man do I wish he would have just had the same dimensions of the Kong brush with a new handle.  I'll keep working with it, but right now, my face is pretty raw from the new brush, but for my use case right now it has too much backbone.  We will see, it might open up a bit.

That's too bad. I'm sure someone will buy it if you put it on the BST.

I don't know if it would be worth opening a thread on the matter, but, do you guys have any experience or feedback on synthetic knots sourced by Chinese suppliers such as Ace Shaving, Virginia Shaving, Frank Shaving, etc...?. Those are accesible on eBay and the knots look good, but I haven't found much information on how they turn out to be.

I just realized the Kong dimensions are listed on Stirling's site. I thought they sold out and took it down. Anyway, it's 63mm loft, so it looks like I won't be buying the new versions. I don't like shorter lofts on synthetics. I realize a lot of people like the extra backbone, but to me the synthetics don't require it. I think Plisson knew exactly how the brush should perform, but they didn't offer a larger knot size unfortunately. I could go with maybe a 58mm loft on the Kong, but 54mm is too short I believe for my preferences.

Just tried out the new Stirling Brush (26x54mm).  I gotta tell you, I do NOT like it as much as the Kong.  The sad thing is, I prefer the handle of the 26x54 but it has TOO much freaking backbone and it doesn't splay like the original Kong.  Man o man do I wish he would have just had the same dimensions of the Kong brush with a new handle.  I'll keep working with it, but right now, my face is pretty raw from the new brush, but for my use case right now it has too much backbone.  We will see, it might open up a bit.

That's too bad. I'm sure someone will buy it if you put it on the BST.

May not have to, wife seems to like the brush. I'll keep working with it, its already loosened up a bit believe it or not. It lathered the living crap out of a DR Harris hard soap puck so, it digs in quite a bit I'll give it that.

Just tried out the new Stirling Brush (26x54mm).  I gotta tell you, I do NOT like it as much as the Kong.  The sad thing is, I prefer the handle of the 26x54 but it has TOO much freaking backbone and it doesn't splay like the original Kong.  Man o man do I wish he would have just had the same dimensions of the Kong brush with a new handle.  I'll keep working with it, but right now, my face is pretty raw from the new brush, but for my use case right now it has too much backbone.  We will see, it might open up a bit.

That's too bad. I'm sure someone will buy it if you put it on the BST.

May not have to, wife seems to like the brush.  I'll keep working with it, its already loosened up a bit believe it or not. It lathered the living crap out of a DR Harris hard soap puck so, it digs in quite a bit I'll give it that.

I also think the brush feel may improve with some time and extended use. I just received my 26 × 54 yesterday, and with the first lather noted the obvious increase in backbone compared to the Kong. But I still think it’ll turn out to be a great brush. Even synthetics have a little bit of their own personalities, although some call them soulless.

Here’s a side-by-side I already posted on another thread — the Kong (left) and the new 26 × 54.

[Image: AcLQvRs.jpg]

I used mine again this morning and I'm coming around to it. It has a tremendous amount of backbone you're correct. I kind of have to use the brush in a different way and not splay it so much. it destroys soap I can tell you that. Additionally it has opened up just a bit more as well.

I used mine again this morning and I'm coming around to it. It has a tremendous amount of backbone you're correct. I kind of have to use the brush in a different way and not splay it so much. it destroys soap I can tell you that. Additionally it has opened up just a bit more as well.

I think I’ll try a bit of a different approach, as well. To get a handle on the brush. (Pun somewhat intended.) I’m convinced that even synthetics change at least a little bit over time. Or maybe it’s the user that changes, I’m not sure…