Badger vs Synthetic

have been using synthetic brushes since I started wet shaving. Curious about trying badger brushes. Any input on pros or cons on both?

have been using synthetic brushes since I started wet shaving. Curious about trying badger brushes. Any input on pros or cons on both?

You're probably going To get a million different opinions on this.  What I would suggest is getting a frank shaves badger brush from Maggard razors.  For under 20.00 you can get a pure badger brush and at least see what a badger brush feels like.  Fine also makes a decent priced badger as does Parker.  Razorocks makes a 60.00 brush that is absolutely fantastic.  If your willing to spend 60.00 on your first badger brush there is no other choice, 200.00 quality brush.

have been using synthetic brushes since I started wet shaving. Curious about trying badger brushes. Any input on pros or cons on both?

You're probably going To get a million different opinions on this.  What I would suggest is getting a frank shaves badger brush from Maggard razors.  For under 20.00 you can get a pure badger brush and at least see what a badger brush feels like.  Fine also makes a decent priced badger as does Parker.  Razorocks makes a 60.00 brush that is absolutely fantastic.  If your willing to spend 60.00 on your first badger brush there is no other choice, 200.00 quality brush.

just talked to Joe A about his.....think i\'m going Razorock to start with. Thx for the feedback.

I'm probably going to get a million dislikes about this post, but if I never experienced a badger before going to synthetics I wouldn't miss badger at all.

Save your money and get another synthetic or a few boars. Yes, I know you're curious. If you like variety in your shaves, than by all means include badger.

I'm probably going to get a million dislikes about this post, but if I never experienced a badger before going to synthetics I wouldn't miss badger at all.

Save your money and get another synthetic or a few boars. Yes, I know you're curious. If you like variety in your shaves, than by all means include badger.

What you speak of is blasphemous!!!! A den without a badger brush is a den without soul..... Synthetic brushes.... I mean "make up brushes" ....... Do they lather???


Of course I kid.... Synthetics aren't for me.... I see the appeal.... But I will always be a badger guy!!!

Yeah, I knew that statement would get that attention. :-)

You aren't wrong, it's pure YMMV.

I like badger too, but that's only because I used badger long before synthetics were worth using at all. Today synthetics out "badger" badger. They are softer, have more backbone (sometimes too much for some folks), are less expensive, can't possibly rot or mold even if used every day and not allowed to dry off, and they generally cost less.

I'm probably going to get a million dislikes about this post, but if I never experienced a badger before going to synthetics I wouldn't miss badger at all.

Save your money and get another synthetic or a few boars. Yes, I know you're curious. If you like variety in your shaves, than by all means include badger.

I've been turned as far as synthetics are concerned. I have mainly badger brushes and I really enjoy the feel of a badger but the more variety I see in the synthetics the more appealing they become. 
I first got the Muhle V2 Silvertip fibre XL which I thought was magical due to the amount of lather it would create but It was a bit too floppy for my liking. I moved on to the Plisson brush that had the same soft magical properties as the Muhle but that was even floppier still.
Recently I received a Grooming Company Plisson style synthetic knot which was shorter and more dense than the regular Plisson and it just ticks all the boxes for me, softness and backbone.
I also got the Crown King Switchback 400 dual synthetic knot brush and just like the Grooming Co brush , a more dense knot did the trick, I do still love my badger hair brushes and my Semogue 830 but I can see how some guys feel there is no "need" to buy expensive badger brushes these days since the synthetics are invariably cheaper, less maintenance and there is also the fact that it is an animal product after all. So at least the synthetics give people a "cruelty free" option. Although that option has been there for a while but just not in the same variety of handle , knots there once was.

I think Brian and Will are zeroing in on what makes synthetics so appealing.  I love my Plisson pour L'Occitane synthetic and would like to get one of the Sterling synthetics. I also have my eye on one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zenith-Resin-Han...1841513119 (it comes in a black handle, too) but would like to hear from folks who have tried it and what their experiences are.

this is a very YMMV topic. I think one of the strong benefits of a synthetic over a badger is their ability to dry fast. also, from what I've seen, a synthetic brush is typically a lot cheaper than a higher quality badger.

I've got a L'Occitane Plisson synthetic, and the feel is great, but I find my EJ badger makes a better lather. I imagine more time with the Plisson could fix that however.