ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
|
Post by ShadowsDad on Dec 31, 2012 1:17:46 GMT -6
Recently I've been playing with synthetic brushes. OK, I commissioned a handle and needed something to put into it. I have plenty of brushes and I like all that I've kept, but I didn't want a retread 2nd knot in a new handle, I like variety... what to use for a knot !? Frankly, I'm running out of options that I think I would like. Then it came to me, despite my initial revulsion at the thought... synthetic. I'd been reading about the evolution of the "breed" recently and the credentials of the gents who wrote about them weren't to be denied, SharpSpine is one of those gents. OK, so synthetic it was. I ordered a TGN 22mm synthetic knot (Their latest production, gen' 3). To shorten this, it's fantastic and I never thought I'd ever write that about synthetics. No, I'm not from Vega, or a tree hugger. This is still me, ShadowsDad, I still eat meat, don't mind killing things that need killin', and didn't smoke anything. This knot is just absolutely fantastic. Gel-like tips, good backbone, no spraying (I face lather exclusively). It's not 100% badger like, but it's not a badger either. It is a magnet for water when I dip my "fibers" and care needs to be taken so as not to get too much water when dipping, but I was impressed enough to consider a Gen4 Muhle. I was considering making a brush with a Muhle syn' knot, but their knots are not quite what I wanted; too much loft to suit me. I'm a face latherer exclusively and I like smaller knots. My TGN syn' knot is about as large as I prefer to go and it's 22mm with 48mm of loft. It doesn't splay (neither does any other synthetic), so it's good for me. I was turned on to a Muhle Silvertip fibers brush whose price I simply couldn't come near if I purchased a knot and handle and assembled it myself. Too, I couldn't purchase a knot from Muhle with these specs. The brush is their travel brush. It has a knot of 21mm with 48mm of loft, and it's has an aluminum handle with an aluminum tube. A travel brush is one of the niches that I think synthetics fit into perfectly and here was one meeting my specs in a quality travel tube. Ordered from www.shave.ie and I paid under $39 shipped. I don't think I was "taken". I couldn't have built it for the same price and I never could have duplicated the knot specs. I probably won't receive it until February however. I don't expect it to be like my TGN knot, but I do expect it to be good from what I've read of the Muhle Silvertip fiber brushes. If there's an interest I'll report back after I've used it for a time. It might be a duplicate review however. Let me know.
|
|
|
Post by willyb on Dec 31, 2012 3:01:28 GMT -6
Honestly brother, I wont read into it too much... meaning , if you like it, so be it. I have a mini Vulfix handle with a syth knot in it and it is what I travel with. As you mentioned in similar fashion, a synth in a tube found a spot in your rotation. I dont look down on you for it one bit.. what works for you works for you. My synth brush is a great "shave in a damn hurry" brush. do what works for you sir.
|
|
|
Post by HoosierTrooper on Dec 31, 2012 6:35:35 GMT -6
I have an Ever-Ready 300N nylon brush that I believe dates o the 50's. I enjoy using it, holds a lot of water and makes great lather. I strictly bowl lather, this one is probably too stiff for face lathering.
I'd be interested in your results because I kind of like the idea of synthetic knots.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2012 10:11:24 GMT -6
I have an Ever-Ready 300N nylon brush that I believe dates o the 50's. I enjoy using it, holds a lot of water and makes great lather. I strictly bowl lather, this one is probably too stiff for face lathering. I'd be interested in your results because I kind of like the idea of synthetic knots. I have the 300N also and it does a nice job (I hadn't used it in a while, guess I'll break it out today). I have some handles that I'll eventually reknot and I've considered the new synth knots, so I'll be interested what others think of them.
|
|
ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
|
Post by ShadowsDad on Dec 31, 2012 16:34:26 GMT -6
Kevin, I wouldn't hesitate on the TGN 22mm knot and larger, if they have a smaller one I can't comment. Their syn' knots will blow your mind- just besure you're getting their latest knot and not an older one. If you didn't know it was synthetic you'll swear it the finest badger you ever experienced. Until you dip it and it acts like a sponge. My wife was stunned when I told her that it was synthetic.
I have lots of brushes (IMO- not as many as lots of other folks however) and only one silvertip (Omega 599) that rivals the TGN knot for softness, but it has no backbone. The TGN has both.
If you can't tell I'm impressed with Gen 3 synthetic knots. I will get back with a report about the Muhle silvertip fibers, and Brian (Sharpspine) has graciously offered the loan of a Muhle Black fibers brush for me to compare as well.
I have one more TGN syn' 24mm knot to put a handle on and I plan to allow this knot full loft as a head lathering brush. It probably won't be ready in time for the review since I'm in no hurry to complete the project.
|
|
norfolkdick
Master Shaver
Captain of the Razor Blades
Posts: 1,601
|
Post by norfolkdick on Jan 1, 2013 10:50:48 GMT -6
Greetings
Like many of you I too have been reading all the different reviews about the new generation synthetic brushes and I freely admit that am more than just a little confused as to what is what.
It appears that the Muhle Silvertip fibre models seem well loved by just about all the different reviewers, the other brushes are greeted with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
I would be keen to read an 'idiots guide' to synthetic brushes, that way I might be able to work out exactly just what is what and the differences between the different types of 'New Generation' synthetic fibre.
My experience of synthetics is limited to a cheap body shop model which I found wanting in every area. To make matters worse Santa brought me another one of them this Christmas!
Any synthetic brush reviews/experiences would be keenly welcomed and read by me.
Regards Dick.
|
|
ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
|
Post by ShadowsDad on Jan 1, 2013 11:18:10 GMT -6
Dick, things are changing quite rapidly with synthetic brushes. So next week there could be another upping of the ante for synthetics. But this is the best current guide and explanations of syn' knots/brushes that I know of. shavenook.com/thread-synthetic-brushes-a-quick-synopsisI don't think you need a membership to read it.
|
|
SharpSpine
Master Shaver
My Flavor Sabre
Posts: 1,151
|
Post by SharpSpine on Jan 1, 2013 12:58:23 GMT -6
Mantic59's blog Sharpologist did a muli-part series on synthetics as well. Just google it as I can't link it right now.
|
|
ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
|
Post by ShadowsDad on Jan 1, 2013 15:45:08 GMT -6
|
|
SharpSpine
Master Shaver
My Flavor Sabre
Posts: 1,151
|
Post by SharpSpine on Jan 2, 2013 11:53:22 GMT -6
Yep, that's it. Thanks for the help Brian
|
|
norfolkdick
Master Shaver
Captain of the Razor Blades
Posts: 1,601
|
Post by norfolkdick on Jan 3, 2013 4:15:36 GMT -6
Greetings
Thanks for the links on the synthetic brushes, I spent over an hour yesterday reading all the latest gen on them. What I was hoping to find out was what are the differences in the new fibres, of course thinking about it, no manufacturer is going say exactly what they have done to invent a fibre different to anybody else, stupid of me really!
Has anybody any experience of the H.I.S. brush, it's made in Thailand and marketed by a company in Florida and sold via Amazon .com. On Amazon.co.uk there is unfortunately only one model whilst in the states several models with different height and diameter knots are available.
Gary Carrington has been discussing them on different forums and seems to like them, he is a man who appears to know his way around brushes in general and synthetics in particular.
Regards Dick.
|
|
SharpSpine
Master Shaver
My Flavor Sabre
Posts: 1,151
|
Post by SharpSpine on Jan 3, 2013 12:39:55 GMT -6
I abhor this HIS brush. It's just too big. The thing is better used as a night stick. That said, many people do like it. The tips are super soft and quite flexible but it's pretty dense so it isn't floppy. The fibers are a bit springy so lather may fling a bit, but this is possible with most synthetics if you try.
I highly recommend the Muhle fibers over the HIS. Muhle knows shaving brushes while the company making the HIS is a makeup brush company. So they know brushes, but the handle and loft are crazy on this one in my experience.
|
|
norfolkdick
Master Shaver
Captain of the Razor Blades
Posts: 1,601
|
Post by norfolkdick on Jan 3, 2013 13:50:14 GMT -6
Greetings
Thanks Brian (Sharpspine) for a contrary and very relevant opinion of the H.I.S brush, I have what I would describe as hands that are on the small side of medium. I have yet to own a brush where I found the handle too small for me including a tiny boar travel brush in a chrome plated tube! This brush sounds like it has a handle I would struggle with.
Regards Dick
P.S. I love the word 'nightstick' it's just so American, we would use, truncheon.
|
|
ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
|
Post by ShadowsDad on Jan 3, 2013 16:38:27 GMT -6
I've read conflicting reports regarding the HIS brush. One gent said that compared to the Muhle and considering the price difference it was fantastic. Another wrote that no matter what the price difference is, the HIS was terrible. No review however (that I've seen) has said the HIS brush is better or even comparable to the Muhle.
Me? Either a brush is good or bad. I would never consider a sub standard brush to be acceptable simply because of a cost savings. But that's me.
|
|
ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
|
Post by ShadowsDad on Jan 25, 2013 21:15:30 GMT -6
At the same time that I ordered the 22mm TGN I also ordered a 24mm but had no handle for it. I intended to use it for head lathering. I put it off because, well, head shave in the winter in Maine!? I think not. Long story made short, I ordered a handle and made the brush.
I used the brush this morning on my face. OK, now understand, I like small brushes. This brush is anything but small. One thing in it's favor is that it doesn't splay, and bloom also is something it doesn't do. The 24mm knot is quite nice. Again, gel-like tips and plenty of backbone. What a nice knot!
Be careful about dipping it into the sink to pick up a small quantity of water because it's worse than a sponge. But what a nice brush! I wouldn't say it's a badger any more than the 22mm is, it definitely has it's own characteristics... nice characteristics. I can't think of any negatives.
I ordered a 20mm knot and handle today. So far these synthetic knots are a pretty good ride.
Stay tuned.
|
|