A supplicant needs help and guidance from the synthetic brush gurus.

[Dondoh]

Greetings synthetic brush cognoscenti.

I am a relatively new DE shave convert (a few months), and I have derived great benefit from the advice on this board. So thanks.
I started my journey with a synthetic brush, the Omega 643167:
http://www.italianbarber.com/omega-643167-100-synthetic-badger-imitation-shaving-brush
and I like it very much.
I then decided that I should try a boar and began research, but just as I was going to pull the trigger on the boar, I decided to see if there was something better in the synthetic world that I might try.

Here is why I hesitated. I began face lathering MWF with the Omega and it uses almost no soap (I am a frugal man after all). It is easy to quickly load the brush and to generate lather with a notoriously fickle soap. It is a breeze to clean up quickly and it dries fast. I wanted to get the boar to have a little more of a scrubby feel but frankly I would be satisfied with my current brush forever if it came to that. From my reading, it's possible that a synthetic might be the best option of any brush for me all things considered. (I also prefer to avoid animal products as much as I can.)

Now, I have been reading the many threads on the Muhle synthetics and they seem to be a step up. I am thinking of trying one and I need your advice.

I want a good face latherer.
I would prefer better backbone than my current brush.
I'd like a "scrubbier" brush than my current Omega synthetic.
I don't want a gigantic brush, I'm getting plenty of lather out of my current setup with minimal soap loading.
Of course I'd like it to be economical, but I don't want to be left with a feeling that I would prefer a "better" model if it is just a few dollars difference.

Here is what I have been looking at as choices. I'd happily get any of them. Please help me decide on one of these or offer suggestions of others. Or I am open to keeping my current brush without the "upgrade" forever if you think that is wise. Additionally, I could wait a year and see what new synthetics come down the pike. I'd even entertain derailing the synthetic to go for a boar if that is the collected wisdom.

HJM Black Fibre at $24 Knot 20 Loft 54
Basic 2 Black Fibre at $27 Knot 21 Loft 54
Basic 1 Black Fibre at $33 Knot 21 Loft 50
Classic Silver Tip Fibre at $42 Knot 21 Loft 52 (this has v2 bristle and the others do not. At least that is what I believe)

Cheers synthetic gurus! And again, thanks for all your previous informative posts and for your considered responses to my questions.

 

[Mandina]

I, unfortunately, am no guru on the subject, so I look forward to reading the responses of others. You're doing great with the Omega 643167, as is commonly reported. I have the year-ago version of the HJM black fibre brush--not the latest gen fiber, but I nonetheless think it's terrific--which is much LESS scrubby than your current Omega synthetic. My question, then, is, how much scrubbier is the latest HJM black fibre brush? I myself wanted to experiment with something scrubbier but didn't want to spend much money, so--consistent with your thinking--I purchased an Omega boar (10065, $11 delivered; Connaught and Shoebox have great selections), which is indeed scrubbier. Let's see what the real experts have to say.

 

[Codfish]

Greetings synthetic brush cognoscenti.
HJM Black Fibre at $24 Knot 20 Loft 54
Basic 2 Black Fibre at $27 Knot 21 Loft 54
Basic 1 Black Fibre at $33 Knot 21 Loft 50
Classic Silver Tip Fibre at $42 Knot 21 Loft 52 (this has v2 bristle and the others do not. At least that is what I believe)

I have experience with most of Muhle's synthetic brushes, and am a big fan of the Black Fibre line. The major functional difference between the STF brushes and Black Fibre lines is the density. STF brushes have excellent density and backbone, while the Black Fibre brushes are medium density/backbone. Then too, there are two new Black Fibre lines of brushes with refined, thinner V2 ibers--the RYTMO and VINO lines ($36), which should not be overlooked.

For your intended purposes, either line is fine, but the Black Fiber lines are only mildly scrubby. Personally, I use both almost equally. The Clasic brush density and backbone give them the firmer feel of luxury natural silvertip badger brushes. If you buy a Black Fibre brush, I guarantee you will want an STF in the future.

For a very dense and "scrubby"-feeling synthetic brush, do not overlook the Kent Silvertex Infinity. It's a nice brush in the $30 range and provides a very nice scrubbing action--even better than the Muhles.

 

[GDCarrington]

I have experience with most of Muhle's synthetic brushes, and am a big fan of the Black Fibre line. The major functional difference between the STF brushes and Black Fibre lines is the density. STF brushes have excellent density and backbone, while the Black Fibre brushes are medium density/backbone. Then too, there are two new Black Fibre lines of brushes with refined, thinner V2 ibers--the RYTMO and VINO lines ($36), which should not be overlooked.

For your intended purposes, either line is fine, but the Black Fiber lines are only mildly scrubby. Personally, I use both almost equally. The Clasic brush density and backbone give them the firmer feel of luxury natural silvertip badger brushes. If you buy a Black Fibre brush, I guarantee you will want an STF in the future.

For a very dense and "scrubby"-feeling synthetic brush, do no overlook the Kent Silvertex Infinity. It's a nice brush in the $30 range and provides a very nice scrubbing action--even better than the Muhles.

I would take Jim's point just a bit further. The Kent in my opinion is tuned to be more like a boar than most of the other current front running synthetic brushes but still has softness at the tip that makes a pleasant combination. I used mine in face lathering this week. If you want to get closer to the Omega you currently use, I would try that one.

 

[Dondoh]

Thanks for the kind, informative replies. I'm looking into the Kent (and the Muhle STF...). Good thing I am not in a hurry.