Seeking advice: synthetic brushes?

[Codfish]

I have a fair amount of experience with DE and SE razors and blades, but not so much with brushes. At one time or another, I've used a few boars and badgers, including an inexpensive Frank Shaving silvertip.

I recently acquired a relatively inexpensive ($39) synthetic brush from Mühle--a new-series black fiber model from their HJM line. I like it very much, and have been considering investing a maximum of $150 in a first-for-me "high-end" brush.

I like 23mm brushes, and an intrigued with new synthetic fibers, but am not familiar enough with brushes in general to have an idea of what I'd be gaining or losing if I pick a synth.

Can anyone help with some guidance?

[StuMcB]

Try this link.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...brush-round-up

[mftoms59]

Jim, I had a TGN Vulfix Synthetic and found it to be exceptional in every respect but backbone, I had set the loft @~51mm/20mm knot, I loaded up some Haslinger soap, not a triple-mill but it was hard, for ~45-60 seconds. I bowl lathered it and adding small amounts of water, I had enough rich, slick lather for ~5 or 6 passes, I was amazed how much soap it was able to pick up and how quickly the lather was ready.

I normally use pure Horse, a Horse/Badger mix, Badgers in; Silver-Tip, Best, Finest & Super and Muhle Boar, after the few lathers with the Vulfix/TGN Synthetic, I decided I needed one for my rotation and I'm awaiting the arrival of my Black Fiber in part, due to your Thread. Each of these Brushes provide a slightly different lathering experience including my current Synthetic.

Maybe the Muhle Silver-Tip Fiber would be what you're looking for, you'd have to base that on what you currently use and what exactly you're looking for that your current line-up doesn't offer.

[Codfish]

Jim, I had a TGN Vulfix Synthetic and found it to be exceptional in every respect but backbone, I had set the loft @~51mm/20mm knot, I loaded up some Haslinger soap, not a triple-mill but it was hard, for ~45-60 seconds. I bowl lathered it and adding small amounts of water, I had enough rich, slick lather for ~5 or 6 passes, I was amazed how much soap it was able to pick up and how quickly the lather was ready.

I normally use pure Horse, a Horse/Badger mix, Badgers in; Silver-Tip, Best, Finest & Super and Muhle Boar, after the few lathers with the Vulfix/TGN Synthetic, I decided I needed one for my rotation and I'm awaiting the arrival of my Black Fiber in part, due to your Thread. Each of these Brushes provide a slightly different lathering experience including my current Synthetic.

Maybe the Muhle Silver-Tip Fiber would be what you're looking for, you'd have to base that on what you currently use and what exactly you're looking for that your current line-up doesn't offer.

Thank you. I'm looking forward to hearing how you like the Muhle black. I'm leaning toward one of their Silvertip Fibres brushes (23mm), but curious about what I might be missing.

[Codfish]

Try this link.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...brush-round-up

Thanks. I'm familiar with the work done by Bjrn and Kevan, but I feel the new-gen synthetics are somehow different, based on my experience with the Muhle black fiber I used recently.

[cvac]

If synthetic dries faster than real badger or boar, I imagine the Muhle Silvertip Fibre would make a really nice travel brush. Shoulda bought one before my trip next week...

[mftoms59]

Jim, do you use anything besides a Synthetic, I assumed from you're join date you may have had a Badger or Boar since they seem to be the popular first choice of many non-canned goo users.

[Codfish]

At one time or another, I've used a few boars and badgers, including an inexpensive Frank Shaving silvertip.

I've used maybe a dozen brushes or so, including two clipped-boar brushes that came with introductory shaving kits like my Burma Shave kit. I liked both boar and badger brushes, my favorite brushes were a 23mm EJ Best Badger and a 22mm Semogue 830.