Alright, I admit that I have a love/hate relationship with the *idea* of synthetic brushes and the synthetics I've actually tried so far, the list isn't that long though...
Small Kent Infinity (a bit too floppy, but not terrible, PIF'd)
Simpson Petrolhead (not bad at all, but tips are a bit *too* soft and just a tad on the large side)
Yaqi Mocha (very decent, but definitely bigger than I like and not the best handle ergos)
RazoRock Bruce (tips still a smidge too soft, but just barely and too large, if it was smaller, this one would be in the rotation)
RazoRock Keyhole (laughably floppy)
RazoRock Disruptor (laughably floppy *and* with a ridiculously huge handle)
RazoRock Amici (great backbone, but not enough splay; feel on the face is oddly too concentrated, yet too soft ...and I hate the handle!)
For reference I'm a face latherer and my favorite brushes are small-ish (18-21mm sub 50mm loft), firm enough to provide some massage, with tips that range from scrubby to nicely soft. I hate floppy brushes and past a certain point more softness is not better. Current Faves are Simpson Emperor 1, Shavemac 20mm/46mm 2-band fan, Simpson Berkeley in Pure... you get the general idea.
On to my questions... There seems to be buzz around the Frank Shaving 4th Gen. bristle, Omega's Evo and the Chubby 2 synth. The Chubby and the Evo are both too big for my taste (as are many of the FS offerings), so I'm likely most interested in the Duke 3 or Classic 1 from Simpson, as they're plausibly within my preferred size range. I ordered a 20mm FS 4G synth off Ebay, but that won't be here for weeks or maybe even months.
I'm leaning toward the Duke, since the Classic's handle is a bit small (I own one in best) and I suspect that the knot won't splay enough to cover the same area as the badger version (what? too small?!?, you said you like small knots!)... Now for the second part of the question, how big a difference in the bristle will there be between my Petrolhead and the Duke, they're in the same size range, but the Duke's bristle is claimed to be premium, by comparison. Premium is good right? but how? will the Platinum Grade fiber have a more natural flex feel, firmer tips, what are it's strengths, or failings?
TIA for all your experiences and opinions! ...and I know My Mileage is bound to Vary.
Small Kent Infinity (a bit too floppy, but not terrible, PIF'd)
Simpson Petrolhead (not bad at all, but tips are a bit *too* soft and just a tad on the large side)
Yaqi Mocha (very decent, but definitely bigger than I like and not the best handle ergos)
RazoRock Bruce (tips still a smidge too soft, but just barely and too large, if it was smaller, this one would be in the rotation)
RazoRock Keyhole (laughably floppy)
RazoRock Disruptor (laughably floppy *and* with a ridiculously huge handle)
RazoRock Amici (great backbone, but not enough splay; feel on the face is oddly too concentrated, yet too soft ...and I hate the handle!)
For reference I'm a face latherer and my favorite brushes are small-ish (18-21mm sub 50mm loft), firm enough to provide some massage, with tips that range from scrubby to nicely soft. I hate floppy brushes and past a certain point more softness is not better. Current Faves are Simpson Emperor 1, Shavemac 20mm/46mm 2-band fan, Simpson Berkeley in Pure... you get the general idea.
On to my questions... There seems to be buzz around the Frank Shaving 4th Gen. bristle, Omega's Evo and the Chubby 2 synth. The Chubby and the Evo are both too big for my taste (as are many of the FS offerings), so I'm likely most interested in the Duke 3 or Classic 1 from Simpson, as they're plausibly within my preferred size range. I ordered a 20mm FS 4G synth off Ebay, but that won't be here for weeks or maybe even months.
I'm leaning toward the Duke, since the Classic's handle is a bit small (I own one in best) and I suspect that the knot won't splay enough to cover the same area as the badger version (what? too small?!?, you said you like small knots!)... Now for the second part of the question, how big a difference in the bristle will there be between my Petrolhead and the Duke, they're in the same size range, but the Duke's bristle is claimed to be premium, by comparison. Premium is good right? but how? will the Platinum Grade fiber have a more natural flex feel, firmer tips, what are it's strengths, or failings?
TIA for all your experiences and opinions! ...and I know My Mileage is bound to Vary.
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