The big synthetic brush round-up

[Exapno]

I think I've come full circle. My very first brush was the Taylors that now belongs to Björn but after trying a few other synthetics (and reading the excellent synthetic round-up) I've finally seen the light. I'm going to get another Taylors brush. I agree with Björn, it's probably the best synthetic out there. My only gripes were slight shedding, odour and size. For the performance it gives, I'll live with the odd bit of shedding. The smell (android butt) goes away and this time I'll get the smaller brush.

 

[Rolo]

Jack Black has another brush I hadn't seen before. If anyone owns this one and could take pictures or describe it a bit, I'd love to see/hear about it.

I saw this brush at Nordstrom, part of a gift pack along with a towel and Jack Black shaving cream, for about $80.00

I didn't buy it, but I copped a feel
The handle is heavy, seems of good quality.
The brush itself is thick and the hairs are very soft and springy. It felt natural to me.

I'm also curious to hear a review of it.

 

[Holton181]

I got the Body Shop Brush a while back. I just can't seem to make a good lather with it. Then, the whole "painting" motion just throws me off. I'm eager however to try others, including that Jack Black. I'm chicken about these things, so I want somebody else to try it first and give us review

 

[M12 Shakes]

I've just orderd the Taylors...hopefully it will arrive tomorrow.

p.s. thanks for this great review! top notch sir.....

 

[bjrn]

Glad you enjoyed it, and I hope you'll be happy with the Taylor's brush.

 

[BourbonCrew]

Thanks for all this info. I'm a fan of synthetics for personal reasons, but I'm also a fan of anything that enhances my shaving experience. I currently use the Body Shop brush, but now I'm itching for a Taylor...

Question: There are multiple models available. At first I just thought each model was a different size, but some of the sizes that are listed are the same. Any insight into this? What are the differences?

Thanks again for all the information! It makes it so much easier for the rest of us.

 

[bjrn]

There are a few that have different handles, not quite sure about the dimensions in general, there might be some difference in the length of the hairs. Your best bet would probably to mail Taylor's and ask them.

 

[BourbonCrew]

There are a few that have different handles, not quite sure about the dimensions in general, there might be some difference in the length of the hairs. Your best bet would probably to mail Taylor's and ask them.

Thanks, I'll contact them and post what I find out.

EDIT: Found out the different models just have different handles.

 

[emberke]

Hi there!

I am quite new to "old school" wet shaving (aka with a DE), I have been using a '40s SS since Christmas, and I am loving it!
I have a (probably) boar brush that is good for lathering up in a bowl, but ain't no good to use straight on my face - tried it, and regret it. Are there any synthetics that would do the job? I have pretty sensitive skin - i.e. after lathering up on my face with the boar, I could not feel my face for a while, and my skin was pretty touchy all day long...

Cheers!

 

[bjrn]

Boar hair is the rougher kind of brush, which some people like. If you want a synthetic brush and make lather on your face, you should stay away from the Body Shop, Rooney, and the big Omega brushes, they're all way too stiff.

It depends on how much you want to spend. I guess you could use the Vulfix Nylon or Omega Sintex (both ~$10), but they're both very floppy and I haven't tried to face-lather with them, so I'm not sure how well it would go. You could spend the ~$50-60 on one of Taylor's synthetic which feel nice and can face lather just fine, but again it depends on how much you want to spend.

I'm not sure how hard your requirement for it being synthetic is, but if you're open to badger hair you could probably get a badger brush with soft tips for about the same price (perhaps even less) as Taylor's synthetic. My experience with natural hairs is limited, but my understanding is that the cheaper brushes all have hair that is trimmed, which means they're a bit scratchy which you'd need to consider, given your sensitive skin.

Good luck!

 

[Timmy!]

I saw this brush at Nordstrom, part of a gift pack along with a towel and Jack Black shaving cream, for about $80.00

I didn't buy it, but I copped a feel
The handle is heavy, seems of good quality.
The brush itself is thick and the hairs are very soft and springy. It felt natural to me.

I'm also curious to hear a review of it.

As am I! I have never owned a brush before I wanted to get a glimpse on what people thought! Can anyone out there shed a little light on this brush? Curiosity is killing us!

 

[smooth_n_slick]

Excellent work Björn, you've saved me a lot of work and quite a few quid

I really like the look of that Jack Black brush... but $85 Even with the weak dollar that's one expensive synthetic. Has anyone out there tried it or seen it?

Yes I have it and its awesome, It feels so real and works flawlessly, If you didn't know it was synthetic you would think it was authentic... it can outlast a badger brush and is pretty hefty, lathers excellent

 

[gglockner]

Bjorn, I was wondering since most of the synthetic brushes do not hold water compared to a badger, do they retain heat? Warm lather even on the second pass is must have in a good quality brush. All the other things don't seem to bother me as much.

Glen

 

[bjrn]

I doubt any brush, natural or synthetic, would stay warm for five minutes if just standing on the edge of my sink, but I haven't actually tested or compared. I'll gladly try to do a little comparison with my two badger brushes and a few synthetics, perhaps this weekend. I'll let you know once I have some results.

 

[Vinny Bobo]

Good job!
Tak

 

[tubamann]

I'd just say that the travelling brush I saw at L'Occitane (here in Norway) may be synthetic (Well most definitely it was, as it smelled android and had even width on all the hairs), but I can't find it on their web page.
Just to say it exists

 

[bjrn]

I'd just say that the travelling brush I saw at L'Occitane (here in Norway) may be synthetic

Thanks for the tip, but I'm afraid it's boar (unless they've changed things recently).

 

[hack]

Since this is a sticky, I've decided to link my own thread on some synthetics. Sorry but the pic on that thread seems to have gone away but my reviews are still there. Here's the link:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20794

 

[PottyDoctor]

So Bjorn, of the Taylor Synthetics which size seems to be the 'Sweet Spot', the Small, the Small/Medium or the Medium/Large?

Also, did anyone ever locate any actual dimensions on the knot size of the Taylor Synthetics?

 

[bjrn]

It looks like the current version of Taylor's imitation badger contains boar hair. Something you might want to consider depending on your reasons for wanting to buy the Taylor's brush.

As for sizes, I think you're best off mailing them and asking. I have the B16 (medium), and find it quite nice, I don't think I'd want a larger one but then I find I prefer brushes that aren't too big.