Appropriate Knot Size Mühle V2 Silvertip Fibre

[robithinker]

I am, like many on these boards, new to DE shaving - a little over a month. My first purchases were a Merkur 30 (like the one in my profile pic), some Wilkinson Sword razors, an 8 Swiss Franc boar brush and then recently a 20 Swiss Franc Body Shop synthetic like this one. I went in as cheaply as possible on everything except the razor and blades. 8 Swiss Francs would buy you something equivalent to about 4 USD or about 3 GBP, so it literally doesn't get any cheaper.

Now I want to buy another synthetic and am considering the Mühle V2's but I'm not sure about knot size. I want something sizable but the larger knots have such loft I worry whether they have enough backbone to face lather. I want an allrounder for bowl or face lathering and good for both soaps and creams.

I'm considering either
http://connaughtshaving.com/35k257.html

But 62mm loft seems like it might lack backbone, but since I haven't used one of the V2's I don't know. Not to mention overly large. Can anyone comment on either of these points, or with the 25mm knot?

This might also work:
http://connaughtshaving.com/33k257.html

Anyone have experience with the 23mm knot?

 

[bosseb]

I use the 23 mm Mühle both in the den and as a travel brush. This new generation of the Silvertip Fibre is magnificent compared to the earlier version which I had as a travel brush only. I have attempted a write up in a comparison of my shave stick brushes: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/359040-Stick-brushes-shootout .

I can wholeheartedly recommend the 23 mm Mühle for both face and bowl lathering. I have not used the 25 mm but I did have a couple 21 mm of the earlier version. For me the 25 mm would be too big and clumsy.

The 23 mm Mühle did very well in the comparison even in this company:

 

[rand77]

I'm leaning towards the 23mm myself as my first synthetic brush! The faux ivory handle looks really nice too.

 

[4freek]

I have the 23mm 33K252. The silvertips are hand made
This is a great brush, soft with good back bone, I'll bet the 25mm would be a great brush also
No problem face or bowl lathering
Zero shedding

 

[robithinker]

Bosseb - re:25mm size that's my concern as well, but since I haven't seen it in person I can't gauge that. I did see a massive Acca brush that had a knot and loft nearly as large as my fist for 450 Francs, but my first thought was 'How could one reasonably use it?' The handle too was massive, probably a 6-7 cm diameter ball shape. If the 25mm is that large then I don't want it, but if it is smaller then the only question is whether it's stiff enough.

 

[bosseb]

Bosseb - re:25mm size that's my concern as well, but since I haven't seen it in person I can't gauge that. I did see a massive Acca brush that had a knot and loft nearly as large as my fist for 450 Francs, but my first thought was 'How could one reasonably use it?' The handle too was massive, probably a 6-7 cm diameter ball shape. If the 25mm is that large then I don't want it, but if it is smaller then the only question is whether it's stiff enough.

I don't think that you have to be concerned that the backbone of the 25 mm is weak: it isn't.

If you intend to face lather the brush might be too big for your face! If you bowl lather you only need to get a large enough bowl. I only face lather, from puck or stick.

For puck lathering to the face I use a Frank Pur-Tech 28 mm with the same fibers as in the Mühle V2. It has a shorter loft than the Mühle 25 mm and it is of the maximum size for my face.

 

[rsp1202]

The 23mm is the sweet-spot brush, and not that large anyway. I wouldn't go any smaller.

 

[robithinker]

bosseb - those are very nice looking brushes. The Frank Pur-Tech seems like it's right in the sweet spot, but I can't find that size knot on their website http://www.frankshaving.com/cn/products.asp?CurPage=1&classid=36. It doesn't appear to be made anymore, although I found this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Frank-Shavi...ush-F28-knot-28mm-/151153297217#ht_757wt_1361 but don't know if I can trust it.

 

[Elbe]

I have Mühle STF V2 brushes in 21, 23 and 25mm. It's nice to have them all, but if I had to confine to one, it would be the 23mm sized brush. The 23mm clearly is the sweet spot for me.

 

[bosseb]

bosseb - those are very nice looking brushes. The Frank Pur-Tech seems like it's right in the sweet spot, but I can't find that size knot on their website http://www.frankshaving.com/cn/products.asp?CurPage=1&classid=36. It doesn't appear to be made anymore, although I found this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Frank-Shavi...ush-F28-knot-28mm-/151153297217#ht_757wt_1361 but don't know if I can trust it.

That is the one I used. Delivery was prompt and the brush OK.

 

[deruitem]

I used to have a 23mm, I think it was a nice size. I bowl lather and face lather. I sold mine, not a synthetic fan

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

The 23mm was my pick and I'm glad I did. Works well for both face and bowl lathering, holding the right amount of lather without being awkward to use.

 

[bosseb]

I agree on the 23 mm Mühle. I enjoy it both in the den and travelling. For face lathering from pucks I however prefer the 28 mm Pur-Tech.

I have owned 19 and 21 mm Mühle STF V1 and for face lathering sticks the V2 23 mm is outstanding! V1 23 mm splayed a lot IMHO.

 

[rsp1202]

My second 23mm has a tight-ish knot and doesn't bloom much when dry -- I think it's tighter than my first 23 -- which has me a bit concerned. But once it wets up for face lathering, I get plenty of splay and coverage. I haven't used it long enough (originally a backup) to know if it's going to loosen up a bit like a badger. Still works great.

 

[robithinker]

I just ordered a Frank Shaving Pur-Tech like the one pictured above. I made an offer of 32 USD and it was accepted, so 39 including shipping. It mentioned in the auction that the base of the knot was just a bit yellow, hopefully not glaringly so. Let's see how long it takes to get here.

 

[subzeer0]

my FS pur tech cost less than £10 delivered...albeit a 26mm and had orange around the base of the knot...thankfully its getting less after every use

 

[robithinker]

Even adjusting for the difference in knot size, I paid significantly more. Shame, should have gone in lower. If it performs as well as I've read then I think the price is still justified. We'll see. How long did delivery take? Coming from a China I imagine it will take a week at least.

 

[houlejames]

My FS took 12 days to TX. Mine was a 24mm knot size. It didn't specify in the description that it was Pur-Tech but I asked the seller and he assured me that all the FS synthetic knots are Pur-Tech. The brush was very nice and seemed to perform quite well.

 

[ackvil]

Another vote for the 23mm knot. Excellent shaving brush.