Synthetics

I am relatively new to this wet shaving. I started about three years ago. But more and more I am happy with my own conclusions.
I have had three marvelous shaves with my new Stirling brush. There is nothing like it.

In the past three years I have been constantly searching for a better brush. I started with an Omega Hog Hair from my super market. That almost made me quit wet shaving.  I moved up through the various grades of badger to a Silver Tip.
However I found Frank Shave's Finest Badger was the very best from that unhappy animal.
My Horse Hair still has the stable smell after several dozen gallops and it feels --- goopy.
I then acquired a Body Shop Synthetic. I liked it but it was much too small. Perhaps OK for a woman's legs. Two more synthetics. Each larger and better than the previous.

My search has ended. I need not buy another brush. The Stirling is sheer perfection like a gentle warm breeze caressing my cheeks.
I can hardly sleep at night as I wait for something to sprout on my face for the morning.
The handle, the knot, the shape - all have been blended into an instrument of perfect harmony.

The old timers. They make a nice display and will be used occasionally just to remind me how lucky I am.

WHOA.....

Like I said this is what I am reading daily lol.

Give it a year and come back and talk to me then. It will be an interesting experiment.

Regardless, I'm pleased as punch that you are enjoying a great synthetic brush.

After using a lot of synthetics I still come back my chubby 2 synthetic. Yes I have press down a little harder to get the brush to splay, but the brush is so soft and I always get a wonderful lather from the brush. I like the Pilsson as well but I just get a better lather from the Simpsons in the end.

Gents, there is far more variation in Synthetics than in any other brush type. In shaving in general there is the YMMV factor, but with synthetics more so. I see no problem, everyone is right as it appeals to themselves.

My only question is what do we do if we go to sell them? There is no way to quantify the fiber characteristics.

But for the moment I absolutely revel in the variety!

There are folks who could tell you that that has been my theme for all these years and I haven't quit. I love my shave variety. But I don't enjoy junk; I won't tolerate it. Todays synthetics aren't that. Frankly I welcome them! The only problem being space to house them in the cabinet. Badger, boar, and horse are pretty much static (but excellent), only synthetic shows change and that is predictable since it's made in a factory. But how does one top "fantastic"? They've ben that for what? Two years or so now?

I suspect at this point that the word "different" applies. But my mind is open if not the space in the cabinet.

I too like a variation and am curious by nature. I guess I am also a hoarder as I don't sell things off and only occasionally PIF things for others to try.

This past year I finally broke down and picked up a handful of synthetics.

Honest opinion? They are ALL solid brushes and I like them each for different reasons.

For those that like the larger Stirling and interested in a very solid synthetic, the 30mm Whipped Dog is a great brush and super value. I like it better than the CH2 synthetic in fact.

I applaud the vendors and suppliers for all the great options we have as a community!

The Stirling synthetic is fantastic esp if you like plisson. I think it's the same fiber with more backbone due to the wider knot size. Same softness and splay. For the money 20.00, it's a steal


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I am really enjoying the Stirling so I ordered the Chiseled Face angel hair knot as well. A bit smaller but the same phenonenal synthetic hair. Don't tell all my badgers.

...My only question is what do we do if we go to sell them? There is no way to quantify the fiber characteristics...

Yes there is. If you do a little research on this topic on the Internet you will find they are classified under "generations" with the Muehle Gen 4 being their Black Fibre & also their Silvertip. The Gen 4 being the newest & best of all the synthetics in the eyes of many. The other earlier generations are old hat and 2nd rate now.

That doesn't quantify their characteristics, that merely describes them in words that others would need to look up to have any idea of what one is talking about. I know that I wouldn't bother to do that if I was a buyer. Yes, I know the same problem exists with badger brushes.

Too, the originator of the "generations" gave up on it when manufacturers started to claim "generations" for their brushes with no understanding of what they were talking about but just to be different. So the term really has little meaning today.

I think the best we can do is to merely describe the characteristics with adjectives and hope that the person on the other end is on the same page with what soft, backbone, etc. mean. Everyone has their own scale. But adjectives in no way quantifies anything, they merely describe on a sliding scale.

I have one synthetic (CH2-second gen) and it definitely has a place in my rotation, but I'll always prefer my natural hair brushes.