(This post was last modified: 06-23-2015, 02:02 AM by SRNewb.)
I have not tried synthetic, for two reasons.
The first is the way the knot looks. No matter how sweet a handle you put that thing in, to me it still looks like a cheap ladies cosmetic brush that costs $8 at Walmart. I know guys use that to slam this brush all the time, but I assure this is not the purpose of this post. That is not a knock or a slam, it is truly what I see when I look at a Plisson knot. Can't get past that, for me.
The second is this: There is no denying that the performance of this brush is top notch. As a matter of fact, I have seen at least one shaver on Youtube go back to a badger brush and find himself nearly incapable of making a lather with that badger because the Plisson was so easy and he used it so long that he lost his technique somewhat, and had to learn all over again how to lather a badger. I spent a great deal of time and effort learning to lather with boars and badgers. I don't intend to throw that away for "ease of use". Even if I could get past the look of the Plisson knot, I could not abide not being able to get the most from my badgers anymore because my technique slipped after using a synthetic for some time.
Enjoy your synths. They will not be arriving in my den.