Have I tried enough

To be completely honest I wasn't the biggest fan of badger knots when I first started using them. Having tried an Envy White, Stirling Finest, Semogue Owner's Club, and Elite Manchurian (this was the best out of them). That is until I got my first Declaration. I struggle to use any other brush than my B8 now. I also have 2 other B7s which are also great, just not quite as soft. Since then I have also been able to try B9A, B5, and B6. All of them are excellent with B5 and B6 being the best brushes I've ever used. Good luck finding one though. My lone boar gets very occasional use while my 5 or 6 synthetics sit collecting dust.

IMO you have tried enough already. In a way, I think you are very lucky! The price of acquiring synth brushes is so much lower than a lot of these badger brushes.
I have a couple of synthetic brushes in my rotation that are definitely 'not my favorites.' But when I use them it makes me appreciate the brushes that I do like even more, lol.
But now I'm curious; what are two or three really nice synth brushes that I could try out?

You have tried enough.

Everything better than the ones you already tried will be much more expensive.

200, 300 or even more.

Even if you like them slightly better, would it be several hundred Dollars better?

And if you do not like them better, even worse.

I started with boar. then cheap badger. Threw in a horse and then discovered modern synthetics.

I have never really looked back for more than a day. Once in a while one of the natural brushes gets a run. They are not bad, I just like the synths better.

Would I like a Thater Badger? Probably, but it would cost me as much as half a shelf of synths. I decided not to try high end badger but get a variety of different brushes to spice up my shaves.

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godek

Thanks Sunny50 and godek. That’s kind of the way I’m leaning. Been meaning to post a little more on this but wanted to make a run through the badger brushes I have again before that.

Used a Synthetic tonight though. 

I will also suggest the Simpson Chubby Synthetic is the equal of the Manchurian or Silvertip albeit different. To be fair wanted to compare an otherwise all equal brush line in various knots. It was a revelation. Still love the Manchurian and Silvertip but now maintain a synthetic Chubby as well

I actually do own a chubby 2 synthetic, but it is not even close to the top 5 brushes I own.

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godek

Yes but that depends a lot on how you rate Chubbys in Silvertip and Manchurian to my expereience. Frankly, I rate them the equal of Varlets, Mozingos and DGs. Have not tried the Black Eagle yet

Well been using my badger brushes much more frequently trying to decide if I want to pursue this farther. Been face lather only. I seem to be loading forever and I have been building a really good lather, almost too much sometimes for s first pass, however by the time I get to my second and third passes it’s like the brushes are eating the lather. I know I am loading a lot more than my synthetics.

Decided I’m going to stick with one Stirling soap and that way I cut out the different soap base variability.

Been doing a little research and see a lot who are happy with Shavemac. I would need a handle as well so if this progresses I may contact Rudy Vey and see what something would cost.

Thanks again for the input much appreciated.

this is all you need. everything else is money down the rabbit hole

Edmond_Dantes very nice.