Back To Badger

After about 3 years of synthetic exclusivity, I think it is time that I show my humble herd of badger some love. My last shave was with a badger and I plan on rotating through my little harem of 4 for at least a few weeks to see how I feel about them.

I'm kinda excited as it reminds me of when I first started shaving with a brush and soap. Anyone else switch to a different type of brush after a long time away? What was your experience?

We have Brian to thank for getting the word out on the wonderful L'Occitane/Plisson synthetic brushes that put some sweat on the brows of the high end badger brush producers. I use many variations of those original L'Occitane knots along with the Edwin Jagger 87 series silver tip fibre.

I have also recently gone back to my Somerset Simpsons, M&F's & Rooney brushes. I love them too. It takes a bit more work to get the optimal lather compared to the synthetic fibre but once rewarded bliss ensues.

The only brushes that match or surpass the higher end synthetics (for me) are my Lee Sabini XL gel tip Rooney's he sold through the now closed Vintage Blades at the end of 2010. Those are magical. The other one's have very similar sourced hair and are being produced presently by Scott Stewart at Declaration Brushworks.

Badgers are wonderful but when in a week day morning rush nothing beats a quality synthetic. How can I complain when they create equal and sometimes superior lather compared to a Simpson Manchurian costing $340? YMMV and all that.

Which 4 badgers are you going to use?

And did you ever like anything after Plisson Syn Version 1? I think I remember reading your praise of those back in the threads when they came out.

zaclikestoshave, my 4 badgers are all customs from Bob Quinn at Elite Razor. Each one has a high quality knot from Wet Shaving Products.

For the synthetics I must say that the true Plisson synth is still my absolute favorite. Even other knots that use the same type of fibers aren't as good. I presume that is due to knit construction; loft, glue bump, etc. I've tried the Plissoft and the Fauxmere knots, while very nice, still don't trump my actual Plissons.

I've also tried the Muhle/EJ Silvertip Fibers and truly dislike them. The Muhle Black Fiber is my preference, but even that is too springy for me. I even had Rudy Vey make a couple custom Black Fiber brushes for me at one point.

Brian, I tend to go back and forth but lately the emphasis has definitely been on my synthetics. Yesterday, though, it was my Shavemac 177 silvertip badger and this morning it was the Vulfix 404 (the Grosvenor) boar/badger combination. The brushes I have been hitting heavily though are my two Stirling synthetics, the Kong and the 22mm.

I haven't deviated from my badger brushes, especially, the 2-Band variant, in many, many years and I don't foresee myself doing so. Nonetheless, I do appreciate the modern synthetics for their specific attributes.
Good luck, Brian.

I've heard the raves about the synthetics, and have on occasion used the Simpson Synthetic, the original L'Occitane Plisson, and some of the less expensive 'Plissoft' brushes like the Stirling Kong and RazoRock Big Bruce.

The lather truly explodes with the synthetics, the loading is quicker, and when I gave one to a relatively new wet shaver after he struggled with a nice super badger brush, he raved about it.

The reason I use them only on occasion (besides the fact that I have more badger brushes than sense) is that I like the way the badgers hold and release the water and lather. The synthetics just don't do this as well. Plus-and this is admittedly subtle-I face lather predominantly, and I'm not sure exactly why, but I always have less touch up work to do when I've face lathered with a badger brush. My speculation is that they're a bit more stout and 'stand up' the beard hairs just a little better.

My 'goldilocks' brushes are the ones that feel soft, give a sense of a 'wall of badger', yet have enough backbone to make a great lather on the face. Like celestino I find that my 2-bands do this better than anything else, especially the ones with larger diameter knots.

After about 3 years of synthetic exclusivity, I think it is time that I show my humble herd of badger some love. My last shave was with a badger and I plan on rotating through my little harem of 4 for at least a few weeks to see how I feel about them.

I'm kinda excited as it reminds me of when I first started shaving with a brush and soap. Anyone else switch to a different type of brush after a long time away? What was your experience?

yes, I was only using my razorock plissoft synthetic for 8+ months until a few weeks ago when I busted out my new forest 2-band badger. I think I've used it 2-3 times in the past month now. it definitely has more face feel than a synthetic, but man is it hard to not love synthetic brushes...

After about 3 years of synthetic exclusivity, I think it is time that I show my humble herd of badger some love. My last shave was with a badger and I plan on rotating through my little harem of 4 for at least a few weeks to see how I feel about them.

I'm kinda excited as it reminds me of when I first started shaving with a brush and soap. Anyone else switch to a different type of brush after a long time away? What was your experience?

yes, I was only using my razorock plissoft synthetic for 8+ months until a few weeks ago when I busted out my new forest 2-band badger. I think I've used it 2-3 times in the past month now. it definitely has more face feel than a synthetic, but man is it hard to not love synthetic brushes...

The New Forest brushes were always on my radar as one to try, but I never got around to it before he closed up shop. They always seemed to get good reviews. Enjoy it!

After about 3 years of synthetic exclusivity, I think it is time that I show my humble herd of badger some love. My last shave was with a badger and I plan on rotating through my little harem of 4 for at least a few weeks to see how I feel about them.

I'm kinda excited as it reminds me of when I first started shaving with a brush and soap. Anyone else switch to a different type of brush after a long time away? What was your experience?

yes, I was only using my razorock plissoft synthetic for 8+ months until a few weeks ago when I busted out my new forest 2-band badger. I think I've used it 2-3 times in the past month now. it definitely has more face feel than a synthetic, but man is it hard to not love synthetic brushes...

The New Forest brushes were always on my radar as one to try, but I never got around to it before he closed up shop. They always seemed to get good reviews. Enjoy it!

For their price, they're hard to beat, in my opinion.

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