RazoRock BC Silvertip Plissoft Synthetic

I'm a bit hesitant posting a new brush acquisition. I rarely buy brushes these days, having settled some time ago on a lineup of mostly Shavemac 2-band Silvertips, a Rooney Heritage Stubby 2, a superb New Forest from their original release and a Whipped Dog 3-band for its exceptional value. Oh and two wonderful Semogue boars. There are also exceptional artisans out there whose work I've yet to try but want to (Palladin and Wolf Whiskers come immediately to mind).

But several years ago my then 9 or 10-year-old-animal-adoring-daughter called me on the fact that perhaps I could suffice with the 12 or so shaving brushes that I had in my collection at that time without feeling unduly hard done by, given the sacrifice involved in the manufacture of animal hair brushes (YOU just try rationalizing to your 9-year-old doe-eyed, burgeoning PETA sympathizer that badgers are considered nuisances in China or that there is nothing inhumane in the way boar hair is harvested). So I've been on a self enforced brush purchasing hiatus ever since (well I might have cheated once in a moment of extreme weakness).

So it was with great interest (and relief!) that I recently noticed increasingly positive word-of-mouth regarding synthetic shaving brushes circulating online. So positive were many of the comments I read, that I soon decided it was time to see for myself. After a relatively brief but intense period of "research" (i.e. retreating into the deepest guilty-pleasure-laden recesses of obsessive brush porn based hyperfocus) I soon settled on this absolute beauty which arrived today (ordered Friday) from the extremely class-act outfit that we are lucky to have in Canada known as Italian Barber.

My first synth. Haven't tried it. It's so soft I'm hesitant to risk spoiling it by getting it wet. But I'll report back on my experience when I finally do if you like.

Nice brush! I myself have no qualms about using animal hair brushes, but I'm fully aboard the synthetic brush train based solely on performance. Out of my 8 brushes, 6 of them are synthetic. The other 2 are boars that I like to use every once in while. I tried a few different badgers and didn't really like them so away they went. I just find synthetics to be much softer on the face and easier to whip up the kind of lather I like. At any rate, I hope you enjoy your new brush and let us know how it goes!

Nice brush! I myself have no qualms about using animal hair brushes, but I'm fully aboard the synthetic brush train based solely on performance. Out of my 8 brushes, 6 of them are synthetic. The other 2 are boars that I like to use every once in while. I tried a few different badgers and didn't really like them so away they went. I just find synthetics to be much softer on the face and easier to whip up the kind of lather I like. At any rate, I hope you enjoy your new brush and let us know how it goes!

Do you mind if I ask which synthetics you like the most?

Peter, you may want to contemplating the Simpsons' synthetic bristle brush. As much as I detest the feel of synthetic fibres on my face, this brush is the best synthetic I have tried to date. Of course, this is all quite subjective.
One thing to be aware of is that you want to try to get one with a loft of 54mm or greater as I find this allows for a better splay to the large 28mm knot.
Good luck.

Peter, I have come to love synthetics.  If you want a really big brush then definitely give the Stirling Soap Co. (ezlovan) Kong a try.  I am constantly going back to it (and it work's beautifully with a soap called Desmond's Barrow ).  For a smaller knot size, try Stirling's newest: https://www.stirlingsoap.com/synthetic-2...mm-x-56mm/.  The handle on this is amazing the way it fits in my hand and those tuxedo synthetic knots are usually great.  Stirling also sells a small 22mm synthetic.  Another suggestion is one from KENT, the Infinity Silvertex.  A very nice smaller brush.  All of these feel amazing on the face and you might even make some points with your daughter.

Peter, you may want to contemplating the Simpsons' synthetic bristle brush. As much as I detest the feel of synthetic fibres on my face, this brush is the best synthetic I have tried to date. Of course, this is all quite subjective.
One thing to be aware of is that you want to try to get one with a loft of 54mm or greater as I find this allows for a better splay to the large 28mm knot.
Good luck.

Thanks Celestino! I'm going to PM you for further details.

Peter, I have come to love synthetics.  If you want a really big brush then definitely give the Stirling Soap Co. (ezlovan) Kong a try.  I am constantly going back to it (and it work's beautifully with a soap called Desmond's Barrow ).  For a smaller knot size, try Stirling's newest: https://www.stirlingsoap.com/synthetic-2...mm-x-56mm/.  The handle on this is amazing the way it fits in my hand and those tuxedo synthetic knots are usually great.  Stirling also sells a small 22mm synthetic.  Another suggestion is one from KENT, the Infinity Silvertex.  A very nice smaller brush.  All of these feel amazing on the face and you might even make some points with your daughter.

Hi Freddy - thanks for your reply. Are the Stirling knots Tuxedo knots? Is Tuxedo a brand or just a way of describing a black and white knot?

Peter, I have come to love synthetics.  If you want a really big brush then definitely give the Stirling Soap Co. (ezlovan) Kong a try.  I am constantly going back to it (and it work's beautifully with a soap called Desmond's Barrow ).  For a smaller knot size, try Stirling's newest: https://www.stirlingsoap.com/synthetic-2...mm-x-56mm/.  The handle on this is amazing the way it fits in my hand and those tuxedo synthetic knots are usually great.  Stirling also sells a small 22mm synthetic.  Another suggestion is one from KENT, the Infinity Silvertex.  A very nice smaller brush.  All of these feel amazing on the face and you might even make some points with your daughter.

Hi Freddy - thanks for your reply. Are the Stirling knots Tuxedo knots? Is Tuxedo a brand or just a way of describing and black and white knot?

Not all of Stirling's synthetics are tuxedos.  Take a look here for all the synthetics Stirling offers: https://www.stirlingsoap.com/shave-brushes/.  The bottom five are the synthetics.

Tuxedo, I believe, is just a way to describe the look of the knot.  I hope this helps.

Nice brush! I myself have no qualms about using animal hair brushes, but I'm fully aboard the synthetic brush train based solely on performance. Out of my 8 brushes, 6 of them are synthetic. The other 2 are boars that I like to use every once in while. I tried a few different badgers and didn't really like them so away they went. I just find synthetics to be much softer on the face and easier to whip up the kind of lather I like. At any rate, I hope you enjoy your new brush and let us know how it goes!

Do you mind if I ask which synthetics you like the most?

Right now I really like the knots from AP Shave Co. (on Etsy). The Tuxedo and Cashmere are my favorites. Although I really enjoy my black fiber synthetic from Maggard too.

My first synth. Haven't tried it. It's so soft I'm hesitant to risk spoiling it by getting it wet. But I'll report back on my experience when I finally do if you like.

Are the Stirling knots Tuxedo knots? Is Tuxedo a brand or just a way of describing and black and white knot?

Peter, it would be great to hear your impressions after you’ve used the new brush a few times. Also — great photos!

The first Tuxedo knots were available through APShaveCo on Etsy. The originals are stuffed with more fibers than earlier synths were, giving them more backbone and helping them retain a little more water. (Friendly tip: You still don’t want to leave a lot of water in the knot before you start lathering on the face.) The black & white colors have since been copied by many makers. Some of the copies are not as high quality knots as the original APShaveCo Tuxedos are, yet others apparently are very good.

Another synthetic option I would recommend is the Edwin Jagger or Mühle Silvertip Fibre brush, especially in the XL size (25 mm knot). The Silvertip Fibre knots mimic many of the characteristics of badger knots, while offering the benefits of a synthetic (no initial odor, little to no break-in time, quick-drying, etc.).