Best synthetic under $50?

[Bud2024]

Hi, everyone. I’m looking for a great brush that won’t break the bank. Who makes some great synthetic fibers with a cool handle? My favorite color is blue, but I’m open to other colors if the handle looks good enough.

I love YAQI synthetics and may go with them again, but just wanted to see if there were any better suggestions. I currently have their aqua and mysterious space designs in badger so I’d want something different in synthetic.

 

[Multum in parvo]

21 or 23mm Mühle Silvertip Fibre should fit the bill if you look for soft knot that behaves close to a high-end badger. I’m just not sure about the availability of blue handles.

This one is a 25mm done by @Rudy Vey

 

[BradWorld]

Parker Blue Storm. $22. Can’t vouch for the knot. But it looks cool.

 

[BradWorld]

The Phoenix Starcraft with the Roswell knot. I’ve had this one and it’s a great brush. $23

 

[spacemonkey42]

What do you like in a brush? How skritchy? How much/little backbone? How big?

My favorite inexpensive synth is the Yaqi rainbow pony. It is very soft, both the tips and the backbone. I love it! Another worth considering is the Yaqi 26mm timberwolf, it is a little less soft than the pony.

 

[Lane101]

Hi, everyone. I’m looking for a great brush that won’t break the bank. Who makes some great synthetic fibers with a cool handle? My favorite color is blue, but I’m open to other colors if the handle looks good enough.

I love YAQI synthetics and may go with them again, but just wanted to see if there were any better suggestions. I currently have their aqua and mysterious space designs in badger so I’d want something different in synthetic.

My two Razorock plissoft brushes are excellent. I have the Monster and Big Bruce that use the same 26mm knot with different handle styles. They lather efficiently and have great face feel. Also hold up well with my Monster over four years old, Big Bruce around two both with plenty of regular use over that time as they only rotate with one other brush, my boar.

Neither will break the bank with regular prices of around $15 and sale prices typically below $10.

Good picture of these brushes linked below. Big Bruce on the left, Monster on the right. Middle brush is my boar.

CyrilRoseVetIMG_6484.jpg

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[Bud2024]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I liked the handle on the Parker brush that was posted above, but I wasn’t a fan of the knot on a previous Parker brush that I had. I ended up going with Yaqi again because I know their brushes are amazing. Got the Timber Wolf and Bingcha (iced tea) handles.

 

[gpjoe]

Razorock Plissoft are nice affordable brushes, though much like PAA brushes they don't mimic genuine badger like a Shavemac knot.

I have a Yaqi Mojito that is closer to badger, like Shavemac. It's kind of a retro styled handle, similar to the bakelite Ever-Ready, witha 24mm knot. I really like mine.

 

[Tarpondoc]

The Phoenix Starcraft with the Roswell knot. I’ve had this one and it’s a great brush. $23

View attachment 1930989

I use this and it is fantastic.

 

[GR5233]

Personally I like the Simpson Trafalger T2 synthetic best

 

[Sweeney_]

Razorock Plissoft are nice affordable brushes, though much like PAA brushes they don't mimic genuine badger like a Shavemac knot.

I have a Yaqi Mojito that is closer to badger, like Shavemac. It's kind of a retro styled handle, similar to the bakelite Ever-Ready, witha 24mm knot. I really like mine.

View attachment 1931775

I think I have that same Yaqi 24mm incoming in the Obsidian green version. From the photo, it looks a bit like a synbad knot which I wouldn't mind at all but there's plenty of nice synth knots to choose from these days.

 

[Steve_in_CT]

I'm a big fan of the RazoRock Hive 24mm HD Synthetic. It's $20 when it's not on sale. It's the only synthetic I've kept besides my Muhle XL, and I've tried at least a couple of dozen different synthetics over the years, including the PAA Roswell and the Simpsons Trafalgar (and Duke and Chubby).

 

[thombrogan]

Pretened cyan is blue and choose a Titanium Fan or G5C.

 

[Swistak]

I have had good luck with the Art of Shaving brushes, often found on eBay for around $15, shipping included. The model I have in mind has the Muhle Black Fibre knot, under 20mm in size, black plastic handle, light and easy to grip in the hand. Not the highest quality handle to be sure, but I have found the Black Fibre knot a most excellent travel brush, and easier and more intuitive to use (but perhaps not as pretty) than the standard and highly sought after STF. The splay feels more effortless and natural, not quite as springy and resistant as Mules's standard synthetic. Of course, your mileage may vary.

 

[Vincentchou]

You can never go wrong with RR Big Bruce.
I strongly suggest you consider Muhle STF XL even though the price exceeds $50.

 

[albsat]

Yaqi 26mm Rainbow brush. I like to rotate brushes, but this one has become my main one for 3 years in row. It is not the best, but average good in anything, backbone, scritch, splay, etc.

 

[DesertIguana]

Go to Yaki Brush, go for a SECOND, or BLEMISH, user $10.00.

 

[The Coffee Bandit]

You can never go wrong with RR Big Bruce.
I strongly suggest you consider Muhle STF XL even though the price exceeds $50.

Agreed

RR Big Bruce is the brush I compare all others to.

 

[Mustard Seed]

AP Shave Co G5C (just do not go the crazy on the handle) Also AP Shave Synbad for $20