SilkSmoke Synthetic

All these new synthetic designs and yet I can't seem to find a true Plisson replica. It seems everyone wants backbone, which to me is not really necessary with synthetics. I suppose I'll have to break down and buy another Plisson some day. I have long regretted selling my old one. The closest thing I have found to it is the Stirling Kong, but that's too large for some of my soaps.

Regardless of the above, I'll probably try one of these new knots. I do enjoy various types of synthetics but wish there were more Plisson-like offerings is all.

Have you tried a Cashmere? Much less backbone (fakebone?) than a Tuxedo. I've been using mine almost exclusively lately and I've found that I prefer it over the Tuxedo now. Now I'll have to try an original Plisson even though I don't find their handles all that appealing.

Have you tried a Cashmere? Much less backbone (fakebone?) than a Tuxedo. I've been using mine almost exclusively lately and I've found that I prefer it over the Tuxedo now. Now I'll have to try an original Plisson even though I don't find their handles all that appealing.

Glad you mentioned that, Jeff.

Out of the 24 brushes I own (and a few that I have sold), this ugly duckling (WD handle, cashmere knot) was my most used brush of last year.




And my brush usage (almost) :

Nice pie chart and collection of brushes there @iamsms!

Looks interesting. I have the AP tuxedo and like it a lot. A touch less backbone would be nice. So, is the SilkSmoke supposed to have the same exact backbone as the Tuxedo or possibly a little less?

...

And my brush usage (almost) :

I have a similar chart, but mine is for sex.    

Thanks BPman for this thread.

Ordering a couple. I love the Tuxedo and like Sourav really have taken to the Cashmere. A knot between the two sounds wonderful.

I’ve boxed up all my black lamp Somserset Simpson’s for my boys and rarely reach for the Simpsons, Rooney Heritage and Finests, Thaters or Shavemacs anymore. These synthetics, as mentioned by Freddy, have come on really strong recently. I’m actually amazed. Sure, they are not as pretty as my badgers but their performance I would rank at least double that of any badger, high mountain white, Manchuria and on I have used.

I know Simpsons built a new factory on the Isle of Man but I wouldn’t want to be in the badger brush business knowing the performance/cost ratio of these new synths.

I have the quarter moon and the angel (similar to cashmere but in a 25mm fan) from Turn n Shave. These are the 2 brushes that I use the most. Out of these 2 I prefer the softness of the cashmere and how easily it splays against my face. I find the quarter moon to be springy and a little scritchy. These are both very inexpensive if you get them with the generic handles so I'd recommend trying them. Since they are not that expensive I don't have to worry if I mash them against my face or in the bowl. I like to get it splayed out against my cheeks and swirl it around opposed to using a painting style. That probably makes those of you with expensive badgers cringe.

wyze0ne and @"iamsms", thanks for your comments on the Cashmere. I have a knot on standby, looks like I really need to find it a handle post-haste.

Also, Nuki Man, thanks for your impressions on the Turn n’ Shave knots. I’ve wondered about those knots, and in fact, if the Quarter Moon exhibits some scritch. In some pictures, the fibers look like they might do just that.

Some time ago, I got a couple of MAC Metalworks knots, thinking they were probably the same or close to what the BOSS knots are. Couldn’t have been more wrong. The actual BOSS knot is very soft, and a pleasure to use. The MAC Metalworks knots exhibit significant scritch. I’ve learned to live with the 26 mm, but the 28 mm flew into the trash.

Not all synthetics are created equal, even today. The AP Shave Co. knots have never disappointed me, so I’m sure the SilkSmoke is another fine addition to their line-up.

All these new synthetic designs and yet I can't seem to find a true Plisson replica. It seems everyone wants backbone, which to me is not really necessary with synthetics.

I for one neglected original plissons for a long time; I thought why pay 60 when I can get the 'same' for 10. Then I picked up one (and another soon), and I absolutely adore them.

C’mon guys, now I have to buy a Plisson, too?

I enjoy a bit of variety, but it’s true that the trend as of late in synthetics has been to increase backbone. There are those manufacturers who do actually add density to their knots (by stuffing more fibers into them), but the easier and cheaper way is to either play with the loft or utilize a glue bump.

Having never tried a real Plisson, there are still some knots on the market that I believe mimic its properties. RazoRock has the Plissoft, which I understand is similar. Stirling has a few synthetics that aren’t as big as the Kong, but I’m not sure if the knot is the same kind. I just got my first BOSS knot, and am really enjoying it. Very soft, some backbone, yet easy to splay.

I was going to try a Plissoft but saw a video review showing the glue bump. I remember exchanging emails with IB/RazoRock as well, inquiring if a glue bump was common. The video review was obvious that the glue bump was significant so I passed on that one.

I made one with a 20mm knot sample I had received from China that turned out perfect as far as backbone, or lack thereof, but I wish it were a 22mm. I still use it for my smaller soaps from time to time and it works great, just doesn't hold quite as much lather as I'd prefer.

All these new synthetic designs and yet I can't seem to find a true Plisson replica. It seems everyone wants backbone, which to me is not really necessary with synthetics. I suppose I'll have to break down and buy another Plisson some day. I have long regretted selling my old one. The closest thing I have found to it is the Stirling Kong, but that's too large for some of my soaps.

Regardless of the above, I'll probably try one of these new knots. I do enjoy various types of synthetics but wish there were more Plisson-like offerings is all.

Have you tried a Cashmere? Much less backbone (fakebone?) than a Tuxedo. I've been using mine almost exclusively lately and I've found that I prefer it over the Tuxedo now. Now I'll have to try an original Plisson even though I don't find their handles all that appealing.

I'll keep that one in mind. I haven't tried any new synthetics since Maggard first released their selection. I suppose it's time to give one of these new ones a try. The thing is I keep hearing everyone talking about the backbone, which if there is any at all I probably will regret the purchase. I like my synthetics to splay with ease and my badgers to have some backbone.