I am looking for some recommendations for a synthetic brush knot. I have a Zenith 502bc boar brush that has been nothing but trouble. Can't lather worth a darn even after a lengthy break-in period and is the most frustrating thing... shaving should not be frustrating. I love the handle - cobalt blue, smooth with good weight - but hate the knot. So, today I finally steamed out the knot, removed the huge block of epoxy, and Dremeled the heck out of the remaining layers of epoxy (Zenith apparently didn't want the knot to fall out or be removed).
Anyway, it is now ready to have a new knot. But, what to use? I am not familiar with all the ins/outs and brands of "knot-dom". However, I want to use a synthetic as they seem to be the most reliable and less difficult brushes to work with - at least for me.
I currently have a Razorock Barber 24, which uses a synthetic 24mm Plissoft bulb knot. This is very soft, has some backbone, but not a lot, splays readily and produces great lather. I also have a Shavemac custom with a synthetic 24mm G5C fan knot. This one has more backbone, and it splays well but takes a bit more oomph to get going. It still produces great lather but has a habit of pushing it around the face more due to its stiffness. It has great exfoliation/scrubbing action. When it splays, it is very wide. I would probably like something that doesn't take over my face like the Alien face-hugger.
Note, I face lather.
So, I figure I have a soft, easy splay, no scrub with the Plissoft bulb, and a still rather soft texture but firmer, splayable and scrubby with the G5C fan, so I'm thinking that this one should be something in the middle?
Considerations for recommendations:
1) The Zenith handle is designed for 26mm knot so from the get-go it is wider than the other two brushes. I would like to reign in the splay diameter if possible (note face-hugger reference above). Yes, I can set the knot lower to reduce it, but there is a limit to how low to go.
2) I would like the backbone to be firmer than the Plissoft, and less than the G5C.
3) It can have some scrubbiness, but not near that of the G5C.
4) I know that there are bulb/fan hybrids and that is a possibility as that would be right between the other two types, but I don't know how wide they splay, and we are already starting at a 2mm wider knot. So, fan is out, bulb and hybrids (possibly) are in.
5) I would prefer to keep the price of the knot around $10, maybe up to $15.
6) At this time, the color of the knot doesn't matter, but will be taken into consideration later.
Thanks!
Anyway, it is now ready to have a new knot. But, what to use? I am not familiar with all the ins/outs and brands of "knot-dom". However, I want to use a synthetic as they seem to be the most reliable and less difficult brushes to work with - at least for me.
I currently have a Razorock Barber 24, which uses a synthetic 24mm Plissoft bulb knot. This is very soft, has some backbone, but not a lot, splays readily and produces great lather. I also have a Shavemac custom with a synthetic 24mm G5C fan knot. This one has more backbone, and it splays well but takes a bit more oomph to get going. It still produces great lather but has a habit of pushing it around the face more due to its stiffness. It has great exfoliation/scrubbing action. When it splays, it is very wide. I would probably like something that doesn't take over my face like the Alien face-hugger.
Note, I face lather.
So, I figure I have a soft, easy splay, no scrub with the Plissoft bulb, and a still rather soft texture but firmer, splayable and scrubby with the G5C fan, so I'm thinking that this one should be something in the middle?
Considerations for recommendations:
1) The Zenith handle is designed for 26mm knot so from the get-go it is wider than the other two brushes. I would like to reign in the splay diameter if possible (note face-hugger reference above). Yes, I can set the knot lower to reduce it, but there is a limit to how low to go.
2) I would like the backbone to be firmer than the Plissoft, and less than the G5C.
3) It can have some scrubbiness, but not near that of the G5C.
4) I know that there are bulb/fan hybrids and that is a possibility as that would be right between the other two types, but I don't know how wide they splay, and we are already starting at a 2mm wider knot. So, fan is out, bulb and hybrids (possibly) are in.
5) I would prefer to keep the price of the knot around $10, maybe up to $15.
6) At this time, the color of the knot doesn't matter, but will be taken into consideration later.
Thanks!