boar vs muhle v2 fiber?

[ShaneN.]

I've got an omega boar brush and honestly, I think i'm more than happy with it other than it's large size. The only negative i have is that it's a bit big and that the hairs all end at the same spot leaving a flat cut off of hairs versus how all these other brushes seem to gradually get longer towards the middle of the brush, if that makes sense. So with the omega i can't really push it against my face and scrub it around in circle because all the hairs are just so long, almost like a paint brush. I believe the word I'm looking for is the omega doesn't have any bloom? Anyways, the omega created lather super fast and it doesn't the job just fine but I'd like something a bit smaller but just as good at creating a lather. The REAL badger silvertip brushes sound like they are actually harder to use with how much lather and water they retain so I'm kind of thinking I'd like to get a muhle version 2 fiber synthetic brush in maybe 21mm knot size. I've read nothing but good things about them but I'd like to hear if they're just as easy to make lather with as my boar brush is and if i can use such a small amount of proraso to load the brush like i do with my boar. also, does anyone have any pics of the 21mm knot synethic muhle? I might just stay with my omega because it does the job just fine but i wouldn't mind trying a slightly smaller knot with a nice bloom as long as it's still easy to lather with. I've actually read a few people on here who were disappointed leaving their boar brushed for some of the higher end brushes because they had to use much more product and had a harder time creating lather so I'm just trying to avoid that. I think I'm ruling out real silvertip badger for this reason alone.

 

[ShaneN.]

I just found this picture, I guess this is 25 - 23 - 21 - 19 ?

 

[Snargle]

Of course the real answer to your question is obvious. You need to try them all...badger, boar, horse, synthetic, etc. Only then can you determine which works best for you. Of course you'll also need to try all the sub-varieties of the different hairs...silvertip, finest, best, black badger, tail or mane (or mixed) horse hair, different grades of boar, different synthetic fibers, different loft, different knot sizes, different manufacturers, etc., etc., etc.

How's your credit limit?

 

[eth]

That's the picture, and you got the sizes right. The 21 mm is my travel brush at the moment, it's great. You don't need much product to lather, still if you skimp on product you skimp on the shave.

The Omega has a fan shaped knot, what you are looking for is a bulb shaped knot. I can't think of any bulb shaped boar brushes, but there are many to choose from in other hair types. The Mühle silvertip fibres are great, if you're interested in a badger brush I highly recommend Semogue Owners Club "SOC" in 2-band badger (it is also available in boar, and both are highly regarded).

 

[Codfish]

That's the picture, and you got the sizes right. The 21 mm is my travel brush at the moment, it's great. You don't need much product to lather, still if you skimp on product you skimp on the shave.

The Omega has a fan shaped knot, what you are looking for is a bulb shaped knot. I can't think of any bulb shaped boar brushes, but there are many to choose from in other hair types. The Mühle silvertip fibres are great, if you're interested in a badger brush I highly recommend Semogue Owners Club "SOC" in 2-band badger (it is also available in boar, and both are highly regarded).

+1

You have an interesting decision to make. I've been using Muhle synthetic brushes for over two years and can say only good of them. The set of brushes in the picture above is my own, in fact. I was drawn to them for their wonderfully soft tips, great backbone, dendity, lather application and flow-through characteristics, as well as their unparalleled economy in using soaps and creams. They work with any soap or cream equally well in my experience. The third brush from the left, above, is a 21mm. It's available for about $44 (including delivery) from Connaught.

I also have a Semogue 830 in my current rotation. It has bloomed into a beautiful wide fan shape very close to the appearance of a bulb. It, too. is wonderful to use (as I am sure the SOC is). But is is not fast-drying or as easy on product.

If you are in the mood for a change, by all means go with the Muhle. You will not be disappointed. If I could make one suggestion, I would recommend that you consider the 23mm size. Many synth owners find that the next larger size in a synthetic brush works best for them.

 

[ShaneN.]

The Omega has a fan shaped knot, what you are looking for is a bulb shaped knot. I can't think of any bulb shaped boar brushes, but there are many to choose from in other hair types. The Mühle silvertip fibres are great, if you're interested in a badger brush I highly recommend Semogue Owners Club "SOC" in 2-band badger (it is also available in boar, and both are highly regarded).

so that's what it is called, thanks. i found that i like boar but i wish it was slightly smaller and definitely want to get that bulb shaped knot, seems like it would spread out more/better on your face.

+1

You have an interesting decision to make. I've been using Muhle synthetic brushes for over two years and can say only good of them. The set of brushes in the picture above is my own, in fact. I was drawn to them for their wonderfully soft tips, great backbone, dendity, lather application and flow-through characteristics, as well as their unparalleled economy in using soaps and creams. They work with any soap or cream equally well in my experience. The third brush from the left, above, is a 21mm. It's available for about $44 (including delivery) from Connaught.

I also have a Semogue 830 in my current rotation. It has bloomed into a beautiful wide fan shape very close to the appearance of a bulb. It, too. is wonderful to use (as I am sure the SOC is). But is is not fast-drying or as easy on product.

If you are in the mood for a change, by all means go with the Muhle. You will not be disappointed. If I could make one suggestion, I would recommend that you consider the 23mm size. Many synth owners find that the next larger size in a synthetic brush works best for them.

Great info, so they lather up with less lather and much quicker than a silvertip real badger hair? Also, the omega i'm using is a 24, i'm not sure a 23 would be a big enough step down. This omega is so big that i cant move it around my face all that much but half the reason I don't like it is because of the fan shaped knot like explained above to me. I guess with that bulb shape and it being synthetic that 23mm might be that little bit smaller than i'm looking for.

 

[Foyle]

Omegas don't tend to bloom for some reason. Semogue boars bloom beautifully once they are broken in. I much prefer Semogues to Omegas for a boar brush. The Muhle STF brush is going to be very different from what you're used to, but it's very much worth trying to see if you like it. It uses less product, dries very fast, and builds lather very quickly. It doesn't bloom the way a natural brush will, but it will splay nicely while you're building lather. It will take a little adjustment to your technique, but once you get it I think you'll really like the brush. I have the 21mm and I really like it, though I think I would have liked the 23mm just as much.

 

[ShaneN.]

Omegas don't tend to bloom for some reason. Semogue boars bloom beautifully once they are broken in. I much prefer Semogues to Omegas for a boar brush. The Muhle STF brush is going to be very different from what you're used to, but it's very much worth trying to see if you like it. It uses less product, dries very fast, and builds lather very quickly. It doesn't bloom the way a natural brush will, but it will splay nicely while you're building lather. It will take a little adjustment to your technique, but once you get it I think you'll really like the brush. I have the 21mm and I really like it, though I think I would have liked the 23mm just as much.

uses less product and builds faster lather than my omega? i'm not sure that's possible!

 

[Foyle]

It's possible. Synthetics use about half the product of natural hair brushes.

 

[Codfish]

uses less product and builds faster lather than my omega? i'm not sure that's possible!

Take a look at Foyle's thread and judge for yourself!

 

[Mandina]

btw, I find that I need to use the drier brush approach with my Muhle HJM black fibre (year-old vintage: quick dip, squeeze, and a couple of shakes) for all of my soaps (ranging from croaps to hard pucks), whereas my Omega boar (a smallish 10065) does best as very wet with croaps but then a mix of wetter or drier depending on which hard puck I'm using. In general, these two budget brushes have been really fun to use.

 

[Codfish]

btw, I find that I need to use the drier brush approach with my Muhle HJM black fibre (year-old vintage: quick dip, squeeze, and a couple of shakes) for all of my soaps (ranging from croaps to hard pucks), whereas my Omega boar (a smallish 10065) does best as very wet with croaps but then a mix of wetter or drier depending on which hard puck I'm using. In general, these two budget brushes have been really fun to use.

+1
You're right. Synthetics need very little water (or product for that matter). Squeeze them out gently after wetting and you're good to go. They use about half the product needed by naturals. My MWF puck, which I use daily, is over a year old!

 

[Chadao]

+1 on experimenting. I tried several options, using the B&B Essential Boars exclusively for a while. I am not much interested in boars right now but I did just order the new Essential for its beauty and to support B&B and WCS.

I ordered a couple of Whipped Dogs before I understood knot and loft. I PIFed one, and after a period of estrangement, have fallen in love with the other. I wanted a Simpsons but didn't know what I wanted, and spending less, got the Simpsons Special Pure Badger. I like that so much I bought another as my travel brush...slightly scritchy but with the badger softness too, short loft, lots of backbone...it works for bowl lathering and face lathering...if, if you like a small brush.
In the meanwhile, knowing more what I want, I just ordered a Whipped Dog Silvertip, but with a 45mm loft instead of their standard 65mm.The Firehouse handles are terrific, too.

Now I am lusting after one of the Muhle synthetics...on my Christmas list I suppose.

 

[ShaneN.]

+1
You're right. Synthetics need very little water (or product for that matter). Squeeze them out gently after wetting and you're good to go. They use about half the product needed by naturals. My MWF puck, which I use daily, is over a year old!

i find my boar needs very little water too, but i'm using proraso soap so it's pretty soft to start with. sounds like this brush might be right up my alley. it'll be my next purchase when i can a 23mm with that faux horn handle.

 

[ShaneN.]

soooo after posting my first razor on facebook in picture form a buddy from highschool contacted me and said he loves de shaving too and he's actually on here and a couple other sites. we got to talking over a couple weeks and then last night i asked if he has any brushed he would like to sell and he had the exacttttttttt brush i wanted to order. 23mm silvertip fiber! we're fairly sure it's the version 2 but is there any way to tell for sure?

that being said, it already seems far superior than my omega boar. it holds way more water, doesn't clump like the boar, is much softer and more densely packed. i already love it. now i might have to get a really nice simpson brush of some sort to compare to the real thing but i really like how easily and quickly the boar lathered and it sounds like the fiber will do that just as well while still retaining lots of the things from badger hair. seems like a win win. i'll know in the morning.



edit: took a pic, it's still partially wet in the pic although holy crap do they dry quick.. i was only playing with it about two hours ago and it's not THAT wet.

 

[ShaneN.]

I just found this post below (19mm) posted by another member and it looks very much the same. Apparently it was bought fairly recently as well. Please tell me I have the version 2 so I don't have to already order a second fiber. buahahaha.

V2 Muhle synthetic for me.

No others need apply

 

[Codfish]

I'm a little confused. Are either of the photos you posted of your actual brush? If not, it will be impossible to tell if yours is V1 or V2.

More importantly, if you like the brush (and you seem to), why be concerned? I used one of my V1s yesterday and enjoyed it tremendously. The V1 series consists of what are still some of the finest synths ever made. If the price was right, why does it matter?

 

[nwjs]

The Muehle Silvertip Fibre is an excellent latherer; actually, it lathers faster than any badger or boar I have owned. You need less soap/cream than with a natural hair brush since the plastic (nylon?) bristles won't soak up any water or lather themselves.

It's a bit springy with quite some backbone. In that regard it is similar to a boar, but it doesn't soften up when wet, like a boar.

It dries faster than a natural brush and doesn't mould (if you have a plastic handle), which is why I bought it (as a travelling brush). Apart from the stiffness and springiness, which can be a bit annoying when face-lathering, I haven't discovered anything negative about it.

 

[ShaneN.]

I'm a little confused. Are either of the photos you posted of your actual brush? If not, it will be impossible to tell if yours is V1 or V2.

More importantly, if you like the brush (and you seem to), why be concerned? I used one of my V1s yesterday and enjoyed it tremendously. The V1 series consists of what are still some of the finest synths ever made. If the price was right, why does it matter?

The picture I posted originally is the brush I bought, the one I quoted is another brush from a member i found on here using search that says it's version 2. And to answer your questions, it doesn't really matter and I do like it, however my OCD side will make me have to order the version 2 if it isn't. lol

 

[Codfish]

The picture I posted originally is the brush I bought, the one I quoted is another brush from a member i found on here using search that says it's version 2. And to answer your questions, it doesn't really matter and I do like it, however my OCD side will make me have to order the version 2 if it isn't. lol

I recommend Commaught Shaving for a good and reliable (and inexpensive) STF V2s. Your brush does not appear to be a V2 to me (color and dye).