This is a review of a new synthetic brush called the H.I.S. Shaving Brush.
The distributor is a company called Artist Brushstrokes and they can be reached at: www.artistbrushstrokes.com
Additional information can be found here: http://fmtbrush.com/fmt/index.php/cosmetic-brushes/68-his-face-shaving-brush.html
Now to the review. When I saw this brush recently I thought that it would be similar to the Franks Synthetic (FS) that I enjoy. I noted that it had more of a whiteness at the where the FS had black tips. So I went on to Amazon and ordered the brush. The cost was $32.50 with shipping so I was interested in what I would receive since I had never saw any reviews on this brush before.
So I received the brush and was surprised at the size. I normally like brushes with knots in the 20-25mm range. This brush was large compared to what I am used to using. Here is a comparison to the FS.
Here are pictures of the H.I.S. Brush.
Here is another view compared to the FS brush.
The second thing I noticed was that is looked more like a Silvertip Badger than the other synthetics. The brush is dense in fact it is much denser than any other brush I have. Now that I have this brush, it is time to see how it performs.
Once I got use to the size, I found this to be a very good brush in terms of application. I was able to negotiate the ears and quickly apply lather to the back of my head for the head shave.
Here were some areas that I observed about the H.I.S. brush.
Water retention: Does it hold water sufficiently enough?
Yes - In fact you need to shake it lightly about 3 times or you could have too much water. This holds water exceptionally well due to the density and quantity of fibers.
Loading: Does it pick up soaps and creams easily?
Yes - It is very efficient. A little soap or cream goes a long way.
Lather: Does it built and apply lather well?
Yes - It is a real lather monster.
I used it with Fitness Soap in a mug. It made enough lather for 4 1/2 thick face passes (2 of them I simply wiped off because I had finished face shaving). Then it made 2 full head shave passes with thick lather. Afterwards, I was able to squeeze the brush and get a larger wad of lather at the finger and thumb. This amount of lather was made with one dip into water with a three shake to reduce moisture and only 2 swirls to pick up the soap. No additional water or soap was used. I also used it with a nickel sized drop of C.O. Bigelow cream and got the same results. I think the density of the brush fibers is so high that it creates a very strong lather production due to the fibers moving against each other.
Application: Does it allow for a soft/smooth/effective application of lather to the skin.
Yes - The lather went on smooth and easy every time.
Quality feel: Does the synthetic brush have the quality feel against the skin? Would it pass a blindfold test against naturals?
It has a soft quality feel against the skin. The H.I.S. Synthetic does not feel like a badger, but is very soft. It is much softer than a boar. It may be close to a horse hair in softness. It would not pass a blindfold test against naturals, but is soft and just because it does not feel exactly like natural in no way deducts from the quality of the brush.
Appearance: Is the look of the brush attractive? Yes.
I like the simplicity of the faux ebony resin handle.
One additional thing about synthetics is that you can be a little more rough with them versus natural hairs and not have a problem with them. They will not bloom or change shape. In my experience I have found is, what you get with a synthetic is a uniform product that does not change over time. That has pluses and minuses which each user must determine for themselves if a synthetic is right for them.
In conclusion, would I recommend this brush to others.
Yes! In fact, I have ordered a backup brush because I like this one so well. You might just want to give this brush some consideration if you are looking for a nice synthetic brush in the mid price range.
The distributor is a company called Artist Brushstrokes and they can be reached at: www.artistbrushstrokes.com
Additional information can be found here: http://fmtbrush.com/fmt/index.php/cosmetic-brushes/68-his-face-shaving-brush.html
Now to the review. When I saw this brush recently I thought that it would be similar to the Franks Synthetic (FS) that I enjoy. I noted that it had more of a whiteness at the where the FS had black tips. So I went on to Amazon and ordered the brush. The cost was $32.50 with shipping so I was interested in what I would receive since I had never saw any reviews on this brush before.
So I received the brush and was surprised at the size. I normally like brushes with knots in the 20-25mm range. This brush was large compared to what I am used to using. Here is a comparison to the FS.
Here are pictures of the H.I.S. Brush.
Here is another view compared to the FS brush.
The second thing I noticed was that is looked more like a Silvertip Badger than the other synthetics. The brush is dense in fact it is much denser than any other brush I have. Now that I have this brush, it is time to see how it performs.
Once I got use to the size, I found this to be a very good brush in terms of application. I was able to negotiate the ears and quickly apply lather to the back of my head for the head shave.
Here were some areas that I observed about the H.I.S. brush.
Water retention: Does it hold water sufficiently enough?
Yes - In fact you need to shake it lightly about 3 times or you could have too much water. This holds water exceptionally well due to the density and quantity of fibers.
Loading: Does it pick up soaps and creams easily?
Yes - It is very efficient. A little soap or cream goes a long way.
Lather: Does it built and apply lather well?
Yes - It is a real lather monster.
I used it with Fitness Soap in a mug. It made enough lather for 4 1/2 thick face passes (2 of them I simply wiped off because I had finished face shaving). Then it made 2 full head shave passes with thick lather. Afterwards, I was able to squeeze the brush and get a larger wad of lather at the finger and thumb. This amount of lather was made with one dip into water with a three shake to reduce moisture and only 2 swirls to pick up the soap. No additional water or soap was used. I also used it with a nickel sized drop of C.O. Bigelow cream and got the same results. I think the density of the brush fibers is so high that it creates a very strong lather production due to the fibers moving against each other.
Application: Does it allow for a soft/smooth/effective application of lather to the skin.
Yes - The lather went on smooth and easy every time.
Quality feel: Does the synthetic brush have the quality feel against the skin? Would it pass a blindfold test against naturals?
It has a soft quality feel against the skin. The H.I.S. Synthetic does not feel like a badger, but is very soft. It is much softer than a boar. It may be close to a horse hair in softness. It would not pass a blindfold test against naturals, but is soft and just because it does not feel exactly like natural in no way deducts from the quality of the brush.
Appearance: Is the look of the brush attractive? Yes.
I like the simplicity of the faux ebony resin handle.
One additional thing about synthetics is that you can be a little more rough with them versus natural hairs and not have a problem with them. They will not bloom or change shape. In my experience I have found is, what you get with a synthetic is a uniform product that does not change over time. That has pluses and minuses which each user must determine for themselves if a synthetic is right for them.
In conclusion, would I recommend this brush to others.
Yes! In fact, I have ordered a backup brush because I like this one so well. You might just want to give this brush some consideration if you are looking for a nice synthetic brush in the mid price range.
