My public apology to the Stirling 26mm synthetic

Glad you were able to find success with it after retrying it!  We've got more of them on the way, as well as a new lower lofted 26 with a new handle, and a 24 mm as well. I had never intended to run out of them again, but when another seller came out with the same brush in a different handle color at a much lower price, we realized that we need to save our money for a few months and place a larger order this time so we would get a better quantity discount and significantly lower the price on ours.

Another fan of the Kong here. Can’t wait to try the new 26 mm with the lower loft. (Ordered today.) ezlovan, with the new brushes up on the site, you have quite an impressive selection of Stirling synthetic brushes! And as I understand, some badgers to join some time from now.

Now just one issue remains; since the original is the “Kong” and then came “Li’l Brudder,” I think the two new synthetics are also going to need some nicknames!

I'm looking at both of them and can't decide which one to get. Would a lower loft be better?

Aurelian28, the way I see it, with the shorter loft you get more backbone and “scrubbiness,” with a taller loft more softness and an easier splay. It really depends on which qualities you value most.

Aurelian28, the way I see it, with the shorter loft you get more backbone and “scrubbiness,” with a taller loft more softness and an easier splay. It really depends on which qualities you value most.

I was also thinking the same thing, however if I can nit pick my RR barber plissoft (which I like very much now), I think it's a tad too springy? If that makes any sense? It doesn't splay well as much as I would like early in the shave. Is this a sign of a lower loft?

I was thinking maybe a fan shaped knot would help in this regard.. Was actually hoping to see more fan shaped synthetics entering the market.

I was also thinking the same thing, however if I can nit pick my RR barber plissoft (which I like very much now), I think it's a tad too springy? If that makes any sense? It doesn't splay well as much as I would like early in the shave. Is this a sign of a lower loft?

I was thinking maybe a fan shaped knot would help in this regard.. Was actually hoping to see more fan shaped synthetics entering the market.

In my rather limited experience, synthetics in general can be difficult to splay. Springiness is often an issue. Not only does it depend on loft, but also knot density.

I've found that it's often best to start with light painting strokes (also to avoid water falling out), and when the lather begins to expand in the brush, then splaying becomes easier. Thankfully, you can be a little more careless with a synthetic than a natural brush, and give it a bit more force to get it to start splaying.

I think you are right about the fan shape, that would most likely be a very good match with synthetic bristles, and I hope we will see those in the near future.

Another fan of the Kong here. Can’t wait to try the new 26 mm with the lower loft. (Ordered today.) ezlovan, with the new brushes up on the site, you have quite an impressive selection of Stirling synthetic brushes! And as I understand, some badgers to join some time from now.

Now just one issue remains; since the original is the “Kong” and then came “Li’l Brudder,” I think the two new synthetics are also going to need some nicknames!

Thanks for ordering! I'm all ears if you have suggestions for nicknames.

Another fan of the Kong here. Can’t wait to try the new 26 mm with the lower loft. (Ordered today.) ezlovan, with the new brushes up on the site, you have quite an impressive selection of Stirling synthetic brushes! And as I understand, some badgers to join some time from now.

Now just one issue remains; since the original is the “Kong” and then came “Li’l Brudder,” I think the two new synthetics are also going to need some nicknames!

Thanks for ordering! I'm all ears if you have suggestions for nicknames.

Just ordered 4 brushes from your store. 1 x 22mm, 1 x 26mm low loft and 2 x 24 mm (one is for travel)

Already own the KONG. How about calling the 24 mm 'The Prince' and the low lofted 26 mm 'The Dominator' :-)

Another fan of the Kong here. Can’t wait to try the new 26 mm with the lower loft. (Ordered today.) ezlovan, with the new brushes up on the site, you have quite an impressive selection of Stirling synthetic brushes! And as I understand, some badgers to join some time from now.

Now just one issue remains; since the original is the “Kong” and then came “Li’l Brudder,” I think the two new synthetics are also going to need some nicknames!

Thanks for ordering!  I'm all ears if you have suggestions for nicknames.

Just ordered 4 brushes from your store. 1 x 22mm, 1 x 26mm low loft and 2 x 24 mm (one is for travel)

Already own the KONG. How about  calling the 24 mm 'The Prince' and the low lofted 26 mm 'The Dominator' :-)

Claus, nice name ideas! I’m thinking that some ideas for the new 26 mm might start popping into mind after using it for a while — and learning about its characteristics. As for the new 24 mm, that is such a common knot size, especially among synthetics, that the title “The General” came to mind…

Aurelian28, the way I see it, with the shorter loft you get more backbone and “scrubbiness,” with a taller loft more softness and an easier splay. It really depends on which qualities you value most.

I was also thinking the same thing, however if I can nit pick my RR barber plissoft (which I like very much now), I think it's a tad too springy? If that makes any sense? It doesn't splay well as much as I would like early in the shave. Is this a sign of a lower loft?

I was thinking maybe a fan shaped knot would help in this regard.. Was actually hoping to see more fan shaped synthetics entering the market.

The Plisson is the king of splay in my experience, and nothing comes close in the synthetic world. If you get the Stirling Kong you will have the same splay as the real Plisson, only a little more backbone due to the knot size. I like splay too, which is why I will not be buying the shorter loft Stirling brushes. I have a few Plisson type knots that I bought from China and I set a 22mm at a lower loft to see how it performed, and I don't really like it. I set it at around 51 - 52mm and it just has way too much back bone for me. However, it still splays but not near as much as the taller loft Plisson knots. Also, a higher loft Plisson will lather absolutely any soap out there from triple milled to creams, and the lower loft versions will as well. It comes down to personal preference, but if you like easy splay then I recommend avoiding lower lofts. By the way, the Kong is my favorite brush and I recommend it if you like a larger knot.

Aurelian28, the way I see it, with the shorter loft you get more backbone and “scrubbiness,” with a taller loft more softness and an easier splay. It really depends on which qualities you value most.

I was also thinking the same thing, however if I can nit pick my RR barber plissoft (which I like very much now), I think it's a tad too springy? If that makes any sense? It doesn't splay well as much as I would like early in the shave. Is this a sign of a lower loft?

I was thinking maybe a fan shaped knot would help in this regard.. Was actually hoping to see more fan shaped synthetics entering the market.

The Plisson is the king of splay in my experience, and nothing comes close in the synthetic world. If you get the Stirling Kong you will have the same splay as the real Plisson, only a little more backbone due to the knot size. I like splay too, which is why I will not be buying the shorter loft Stirling brushes. I have a few Plisson type knots that I bought from China and I set a 22mm at a lower loft to see how it performed, and I don't really like it. I set it at around 51 - 52mm and it just has way too much back bone for me. However, it still splays but not near as much as the taller loft Plisson knots. Also, a higher loft Plisson will lather absolutely any soap out there from triple milled to creams, and the lower loft versions will as well. It comes down to personal preference, but if you like easy splay then I recommend avoiding lower lofts. By the way, the Kong is my favorite brush and I recommend it if you like a larger knot.

Kong it is then, thanks for the insight mate. I appreciate it.