I bought a "Samjax" due to Tom's proseltyzing a while back, FS synthetic. How do I know which generation of fiber that is? It's a nice brush. I wish I went a little smaller, but I didn't know my preferences at the time. Turns out they stop short of 26mm. Still a nice brush, even if I find I can't rip hard soaps with it so far. Great face latherer for creams though, for around $26.00 new.
Synthetic Brushes - A Quick Synopsis
- Thread starter GDCarrington
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #42
I have one that they incorrectly lofted (so it never matched what Samjax got them to make for him) so I can provide information. That is a generation 2 fiber. TGN still sells this fiber in their legacy 23 mm Nylon knot.
The new three bands from TGN are much better (softer) at the tip (Generation 3 fiber). The Muhle Version 1 and Kent are even better as a Generation 3.5 and the Muhle V2 is stunning in softness as a Generation 4.
I hope this provides some insight into your brush.
Perfect insight, thanks!
Great writeup! Lots of useful info here, thanks.
I'm using my one (and so far the only) black fibre Muhle brush. The lather is really very good and very easy to make. It usually involves shaking the brush, then loading it with cream and then adding (quite a lot of) water; but I'm totally fine with that.
There are only two things that bug me - first, it tends to doughnut hole (it feels as if it would use higher density); and second, when I use circular motions on my face, the brush sucks up all the lather and there's almost nothing left on the skin. Everything gets stuck in the base of the knot. I have to do all kinds of paintbrush and turning motions to keep the lather on my face.
Is this characteristic of synths? Otherwise I like it very much, but the fact that it doesn't leave much lather on my face when going circular really annoys me. Is it different with the Silvertip synthetic? How does this work with badgers? What brushes do leave the lather on your face? (I've seen some youtube videos and some seem not to have any issues with it).
I'm using my one (and so far the only) black fibre Muhle brush. The lather is really very good and very easy to make. It usually involves shaking the brush, then loading it with cream and then adding (quite a lot of) water; but I'm totally fine with that.
There are only two things that bug me - first, it tends to doughnut hole (it feels as if it would use higher density); and second, when I use circular motions on my face, the brush sucks up all the lather and there's almost nothing left on the skin. Everything gets stuck in the base of the knot. I have to do all kinds of paintbrush and turning motions to keep the lather on my face.
Is this characteristic of synths? Otherwise I like it very much, but the fact that it doesn't leave much lather on my face when going circular really annoys me. Is it different with the Silvertip synthetic? How does this work with badgers? What brushes do leave the lather on your face? (I've seen some youtube videos and some seem not to have any issues with it).
- Thread starter
- #45
It sounds as if this brush does have some density issues. If any type brush (synthetic or natural) is not dense enough this will occur.
I primarily get synthetic to use circular motions because the fibers are stronger and the lather does not get absorbed into the fibers (like naturals).
You might want to look into a different type of brush where the density is higher than the black fibre in the future. Muhle STF Version 2 or the new Kent Infinity Silvertex.
- Thread starter
- #47
The Muhle uses the Generation 4 fiber which is much better than the prior generation used in the Kent brush. The Kent brush is good, the Muhle is better. If price is your big issue, go with the Kent, if super softness at the tips is your big issue, go with the Muhle Version 2 STF.
- Thread starter
- #48
I used the Kent with the same method as yesterday. I chose to face lather again with the Wilkinson Stick. I did not have to pushing down as hard this time. My brush has expanded and splayed out with the downward pressure and circular motions. I was able to get the brush to splay a bit and the lather went on excellently. Good backbone due to the density. I was able to get 2 face passes and 2 head passes. The brush is an excellent value.
Are all the silvertip fiber Muhles at US vendors likely to be V4?
- Thread starter
- #51
Muhle is currently calling their fibers STF without using version letters. Most users call the current Muhle STF Version 2.
It is classed as a generation 4 knot based on the 2 generation of knots that preceded Muhle entering into the synthetic line (1950s - 2000).
You should really check on with the vendor because I would imaging there is still some version 1 STF in stock.
Thanks again -- that's what I was wondering. Whether it might be necessary to ask, and what to call it if/when I did. Most appreciated, again. Great thread!
I have an Omega 346235 Synthetic Badger that I bought on the BS&T a few months ago. It's just a terrific brush, soft, nice to work with, and very well-made. As GDCarrington said in his very useful post, synthetics fall a but short in water retention. I actually soak mine and use it without shaking it out at all (I use a shave stick and face-lather, BTW). Otherwise, it's a great performer.
I also have a couple of cheap Omega syntex brushes that, while not luxurious, are great, quick-drying travel brushes.
I also have a couple of cheap Omega syntex brushes that, while not luxurious, are great, quick-drying travel brushes.
The Kent Silvertex got here two days ago and I was impatient enough to test lather with it. Here are my observations, particularly as opposed to Muhle Black Fibre:
- The brush does not doughnut hole in any way.
- It has a lot of backbone
- The knot feels quite small, but not too small
- It is a lot more rough than black fibre. Some might like it, some might not
- Black fibre looks (paradoxically) more natural than Kent fibre. This is somehow glossy. No problems with that though.
- It lathers as good as the Black Fibre.
Overall, the Kent feels cheaper than Muhle Black fibre. However, I can see that somebody might like it more. If I ever feel like getting a good scrub, I'll go with Kent. It would also make a great travel brush - the hair is strong and the knot does not splay much when dry. Looking forward to trying Muhle Silvertip fibre though.
- The brush does not doughnut hole in any way.
- It has a lot of backbone
- The knot feels quite small, but not too small
- It is a lot more rough than black fibre. Some might like it, some might not
- Black fibre looks (paradoxically) more natural than Kent fibre. This is somehow glossy. No problems with that though.
- It lathers as good as the Black Fibre.
Overall, the Kent feels cheaper than Muhle Black fibre. However, I can see that somebody might like it more. If I ever feel like getting a good scrub, I'll go with Kent. It would also make a great travel brush - the hair is strong and the knot does not splay much when dry. Looking forward to trying Muhle Silvertip fibre though.
got a muhle blak fibre brush today,i have tried it with soap and cream lathering it on the palm of my hand, will try a shave with it in the morning for the acid test, as others have said its better with cream, but does all right with hard soap.
on a head to head with the kent
the muhle
very soft brush
great heavy handle
great with creams
looks more expensive than it is
well made solid brush
the kent
good solid backbone
great with hard soaps
great price
good looking little brush
great for face lathering
what one do i think is the best,not sure, i like them both, the muhle looks a lot more classier and you can see where the extra £10 goes, but the kent is still a bargain, if i was on a budget and could only have one the kent would win it, it gives you the biggest bang for your buck.
on a head to head with the kent
the muhle
very soft brush
great heavy handle
great with creams
looks more expensive than it is
well made solid brush
the kent
good solid backbone
great with hard soaps
great price
good looking little brush
great for face lathering
what one do i think is the best,not sure, i like them both, the muhle looks a lot more classier and you can see where the extra £10 goes, but the kent is still a bargain, if i was on a budget and could only have one the kent would win it, it gives you the biggest bang for your buck.
Excellent thread! My uneducated newbie brush purchase a year and a half ago was a Men-U Premier, which--I exclusively use soaps and face lather--turned out to be an okay if hugely overpriced performer. A few months ago I purchased a Muhle HJM black fibre ($25 delivered, at Connaught), which has performed wonderfully on my full range of soaps. Since then I purchased an Omega boar (10065) to see if it would perform better than the black fibre brush on really hard soaps, especially Pre de Provence but also MWF. To be fair, I've been using the Omega boar every other day for just three months, so, from what I've read, it needs a good deal more time to fully break in. I do like the Omega boar, but what has really impressed me is that, so far, it has not come close to the excellent performance of the HJM black fibre with PdP and MWF: rich, luxurious lather for 3+ passes, and very soft on my face (with both circular and paintbrush strokes). And I'm not shy about working the brush hard on the soap and on my face. Yes, the black fibre brush does doughnut hole, but that hasn't seemed to matter. I'll be curious to find out if the newest generation of fibre performs any better.
Very informative post and thread. Thanks for the effort, GDC!
I very recently started shaving with a safety razor after a 40+ year hiatus and, through mostly dumb luck, I bought a fairly nice Omega synthetic badger brush (Model 40652). I have nothing to compare it with, but I have to say that I'm quite satisfied with its performance and, imo, it's visually appealing, as well. At around $30, I think it was a bargain!
I very recently started shaving with a safety razor after a 40+ year hiatus and, through mostly dumb luck, I bought a fairly nice Omega synthetic badger brush (Model 40652). I have nothing to compare it with, but I have to say that I'm quite satisfied with its performance and, imo, it's visually appealing, as well. At around $30, I think it was a bargain!
This is an extremely helpful thread. I learned so much.
Since WCS is out of B&B mugs and Bourbon glasses, naturally synthetic brushes are next on the list. I think I've decided on the Kent Silvertex. I'm a face lather and want a brush that's less soft.
Thanks to all who shared the great input.
Since WCS is out of B&B mugs and Bourbon glasses, naturally synthetic brushes are next on the list. I think I've decided on the Kent Silvertex. I'm a face lather and want a brush that's less soft.
Thanks to all who shared the great input.
It's funny to see this old post of mine, because in the time since I posted this, I've become a huge fan of the Kent Silvertex. I've had the Kent since late last year, and it's become my daily driver. I happen to love small, scrubby brushes, and bargains. The Kent
qualifies in all three categories. It's perfect for face lathering!
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