Back To Badger

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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I agree with Andrew. I only have the 2201 (the first iteration, I believe) but I still enjoy using it.

Since I got the Tuxedo, I've had a hard time using any of my other brushes, badger or otherwise. I don't know if I'll ever go back to badger!

Since I got the Tuxedo, I've had a hard time using any of my other brushes, badger or otherwise. I don't know if I'll ever go back to badger!

Jeff, is that one of the new black synthetic knots? I've seen them but haven't heard enough about their characteristics. Can you compare it to a Plisson synthetic? I also really like to know if there is a noticeable glue bump. I hate glue bumps.

Since I got the Tuxedo, I've had a hard time using any of my other brushes, badger or otherwise. I don't know if I'll ever go back to badger!

Jeff, is that one of the new black synthetic knots? I've seen them but haven't heard enough about their characteristics. Can you compare it to a Plisson synthetic? I also really like to know if there is a noticeable glue bump. I hate glue bumps.

Yes. It's only available from AP Shave Co. on Etsy AFAIK. It comes as a knot only in 24mm or 30mm. Unfortunately I've never used an authentic Plisson so I can't compare it to that, but I like it a lot better than the Plissoft. It is quite a bit softer and has a little more backbone as well. I put a spacer under the knot when I glued mine together so it would have the least amount of backbone possible though. And yes, there is a small glue bump, but honestly I didn't notice it until I read your post and checked it out. It is there, but a lot less noticeable than the one on my Monster Plissoft for example. AP Shave Co. also has a knot called the Cashmere that I'm interested in checking out too. I've been on a bit of a synthetic binge lately. I have a 30mm Tuxedo that I'm going to make a handle for and a 22mm Maggard black fiber knot that I'm transplanting into another handle. Fun times, but I'm sure I'll get bored eventually and give my badgers another chance.

I've tried the new RazoRock Plissoft Noir synthetic on their Rubbermaid 400 clone and didn't care for the hair at all. Too much backbone (for me) with tips not as soft as the standard Plissoft. (It does have a glue bump.) It takes more water than the standard Plissofts also. I just don't care for the way it lathers and looks. I hope it isn't similar to the Tuxedo and/or Black Wolf synthetics.

Brian, sorry if I dragged you away from the initial intent of this  thread.

Brian, sorry if I dragged you away from the initial intent of this  thread.

No worries Jeff, it's all relevant and I'm appreciating the activity and input.

SharpSpine, I acquired the pictured horse hair brush some time ago, and have been using it alongside my synthetics. After several weeks of on and off use, the “horsie” is improving (as perhaps is my technique of using it), but I still enjoy the synthetics more, so I haven’t been able to put them down completely. The Epsilon does, however, offer a nice change of pace from time to time.

Brian, I hope you share your observations of your “Back to Badger Experiment” when the time is ripe. I haven’t had a badger brush for quite a while, now. Though I’m very happy with my synthetics, and somewhat happy with my single horsie, sometimes I can’t help but wonder if I’m missing out on something by not having a badger brush in my collection. It would be nice to read your thoughts and experiences after using just synthetics for such a long time, and now going back to badgers.