I've come to prefer synthetic brushes

I dropped my RazoRock Plissoft Tuxedo Barrel brush on the hard tile bathroom floor this morning. It bounced several times, noisily, but survived the ordeal without a scratch. Man, it's tough -- a great brush on every level!

I have had four shaves now with the 24 mm SynBad. I really like it more with every shave!  The first shave was fine, but my socks were still firmly on my feet. By today's shave, I had one of those days were you'd swear you did all the routine as routinely as you always do, yet the lather was out of the park awesome. And the brush help accentuate that feeling. I haven't shaved with a real badger for probably two years now. This morning reminded me of that that felt like. I love my synthetics, but this brush is different! Comparing to my memory of two years ago, the feel is the same. Soon I will compare this brush to both the Big Bruce and more importantly, the RR BC Silvertip synthetic.

Another note, the handle feels smaller in my hand than the typical handles on my Maggard and RR brushes. I may have to take a side by side pic to show folks that are interested. vtmax, is the handle on your 30 mm shorter than others? I think that threw me a little bit, what with a different grasp needed. Such a silly thing, but I do remember noting it on the first two shaves.

I have had four shaves now with the 24 mm SynBad. I really like it more with every shave!  The first shave was fine, but my socks were still firmly on my feet. By today's shave, I had one of those days were you'd swear you did all the routine as routinely as you always do, yet the lather was out of the park awesome. And the brush help accentuate that feeling. I haven't shaved with a real badger for probably two years now. This morning reminded me of that that felt like. I love my synthetics, but this brush is different! Comparing to my memory of two years ago, the feel is the same. Soon I will compare this brush to both the Big Bruce and more importantly, the RR BC Silvertip synthetic.

Another note, the handle feels smaller in my hand than the typical handles on my Maggard and RR brushes. I may have to take a side by side pic to show folks that are interested. vtmax, is the handle on your 30 mm shorter than others? I think that threw me a little bit, what with a different grasp needed. Such a silly thing, but I do remember noting it on the first two shaves.

Don't make me buy another brush!

I hear ya, wyze0ne! I am trying to NOT be a hoarder, but now I have six brushes, and don't really want to give up any, unlike my razor collection. With razors, I found that I always reach for certain ones, and that no matter what I think about the others, if I can't get the result I want, then I will let the razor go rather than keep it for the sake of owning that particular razor. Brushes don't necessarily seem that way to me, at least with what I have.

I have had four shaves now with the 24 mm SynBad. I really like it more with every shave!  The first shave was fine, but my socks were still firmly on my feet. By today's shave, I had one of those days were you'd swear you did all the routine as routinely as you always do, yet the lather was out of the park awesome. And the brush help accentuate that feeling. I haven't shaved with a real badger for probably two years now. This morning reminded me of that that felt like. I love my synthetics, but this brush is different! Comparing to my memory of two years ago, the feel is the same. Soon I will compare this brush to both the Big Bruce and more importantly, the RR BC Silvertip synthetic.

Another note, the handle feels smaller in my hand than the typical handles on my Maggard and RR brushes. I may have to take a side by side pic to show folks that are interested. vtmax, is the handle on your 30 mm shorter than others? I think that threw me a little bit, what with a different grasp needed. Such a silly thing, but I do remember noting it on the first two shaves.

I have the 24mm SilkSmoke and absolutely love it! It is my favorite brush so far.

I was considering the SynBad and curious how they compare. Anyone have experience with both?

“vtmax, is the handle on your 30 mm shorter than others? I think that threw me a little bit, what with a different grasp needed. Such a silly thing, but I do remember noting it on the first two shaves.”


Eric, yes a bit shorter. The APShaveCo handles are on the small size but it’s also a larger knot than most. I’ve been using the knot a lot for daily shaves. Soft and gentle on the skin. Amazing lather. The 30mm SynBad is seriously great.

I switched to synthetics a few years ago when the Plisson became popular. I had an easier time lathering soaps which made for a more enjoyable experience, plus I like the feel of synthetics. Fast forward two years and I found myself enjoying badgers more, specifically silvertip. It's nice to be able to alternate between various brushes so I may not have a favorite. I suppose my Whipped Dog Silvertip is the brush I reach for the most.

I just like the feel of badger. I do have a synthetic for travel though. The newest synthetic i have is a tuxedo and for being a synthetic, i like it.

After about a month of using the 24mm SynBad, I decided to get the 30mm vtmax has posted about. It came yesterday afternoon and today was the first shave. Fantastic! I am already considering a brush sale! These SynBads are truly wonderful for my face lathering routine. The RazoRock BC Silvertip synthetic was my best, but the SynBad brushes have displaced it. I have tried all my other brushes, and after 2 or 3 shaves, I reach for the SynBad again. Now the bigger one will most likely dominate my use. I may have to rid myself of the others, as someone can use them more than I anticipate!

I know nothing of the vtmax, but knowing now what I do I would also choose synthetic before real badger. The problem with synthetic is that there is no accepted way to gauge what one is getting. Though I did see one standard measure and thought it was a move in the right direction. Frankly, it was better than the "gauge" of badger knots (pretty much nonexistent where chemically treated substandard knots could be called "silvertip" but weren't).