Brush Composition Definitions Please

[NewbieRedux]

Hi all,
After asking about mild DE razors and getting a lot of responses to ponder, I am back with a question about brushes, even though I am not ready to buy another one quite yet. Specifically, I would like to know the differences, if any, between, synthetic and artificial brushes. I think artificial refers to artificial badger hair; that is, the bristles are not real badger hair, but, though manmade, have the characteristics of badger of one grade or another. Or does artificial refer to one of those natural badger/boar hybrids? And now we come to synthetic bristles. Are they supposed to behave like badger or boar or do they have their own characteristics?
Thanks, in advance.
Simon

 

[Vlad]

Hi all,
After asking about mild DE razors and getting a lot of responses to ponder, I am back with a question about brushes, even though I am not ready to buy another one quite yet. Specifically, I would like to know the differences, if any, between, synthetic and artificial brushes. I think artificial refers to artificial badger hair; that is, the bristles are not real badger hair, but, though manmade, have the characteristics of badger of one grade or another. Or does artificial refer to one of those natural badger/boar hybrids? And now we come to synthetic bristles. Are they supposed to behave like badger or boar or do they have their own characteristics?
Thanks, in advance.
Simon

Artificial and synthetic are the same thing, they are made using man-made bristles rather than badger, boar, horse, or any other natural hair or bristle. I don't know anything about their performance, though.

 

[jkh]

All of my information is second, so take it with a grain of salt.

I understand that brushes with synthetic/artificial hair quite differently (and not in a good way) from brushes made with badger/boar/horse/etc hair. That isn't to say you can't make outstanding lather with a synthetic brush - it'll probably just take a bit more work. Here is a nice thread about one of the popular/available synthetic brushes available in the US.

 

[Drubbing]

Synthetic is artificial. Sometimes they are 'sketched' that is, dyed with a band to look like badger, as badger is widely considered the 'best' hair available. It's certainly the most expensive.

I've never tried a synthetic, but there's a market for it for those that don't want an animal product, and the appear to work well enough. I'm sure there are threads on these if you search.

Badger comes in different grades, as does some brands of boar, like Semogue. Generally the better the hair, the more soft the tip, yet more backbone or spring the brush has.

Which is 'better' is largely a matter of preference, and what you're prepared to spend.

 

[Pkrankow]

Up at the top is a reviews section, there is a sub-catagory for brushes, and it is sorted by brand and item. Hit up some retailer websites for brushes then check reviews.

I hope this helps.

Phil

 

[BurkDarkpatches]

All of my information is second, so take it with a grain of salt.

I understand that brushes with synthetic/artificial hair quite differently (and not in a good way) from brushes made with badger/boar/horse/etc hair. That isn't to say you can't make outstanding lather with a synthetic brush - it'll probably just take a bit more work. Here is a nice thread about one of the popular/available synthetic brushes available in the US.

A contrary opinion: I haven't used any modern synthetics, but have four vintage. Two of them are much superior to the other two. Of the two I like, each is a little different from the other (One is larger, which I like. One has much softer bristles.), but they are both superior lather makers in almost all respects to my two boars (VDH and an awesome vintage, so soft) and one badger (C&E BBB) brushes.

Compared to real hair, these nylon brushes make more lather faster and in greater quantity. Period. I spent an afternoon lathering and re-lathering with each brush to prove to myself I wasn't imagining it (my face was raw afterwards, by the way--not fun). I even boraxed and cleaned the badger half way through to make sure something wasn't wrong with it. Same result.

I've seen good reviews of modern synthetics, so maybe your impression of them is wrong. I don't know. I do know that I need to try a high-end badger to know the real difference between the types, I just don't have the inclination. These two nylons have been my primary brushes for about a year and half, now.

You're right that the synthetic brushes have different characteristics from real hair, but in my opinion, they're mostly positive and in favor of the nylon.

Steve

 

[Scott0079]

A contrary opinion: I haven't used any modern synthetics, but have four vintage. Two of them are much superior to the other two. Of the two I like, each is a little different from the other (One is larger, which I like. One has much softer bristles.), but they are both superior lather makers in almost all respects to my two boars (VDH and an awesome vintage, so soft) and one badger (C&E BBB) brushes.

Compared to real hair, these nylon brushes make more lather faster and in greater quantity. Period. I spent an afternoon lathering and re-lathering with each brush to prove to myself I wasn't imagining it (my face was raw afterwards, by the way--not fun). I even boraxed and cleaned the badger half way through to make sure something wasn't wrong with it. Same result.

I've seen good reviews of modern synthetics, so maybe your impression of them is wrong. I don't know. I do know that I need to try a high-end badger to know the real difference between the types, I just don't have the inclination. These two nylons have been my primary brushes for about a year and half, now.

You're right that the synthetic brushes have different characteristics from real hair, but in my opinion, they're mostly positive and in favor of the nylon.

Steve

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[NewbieRedux]

Thanks, everyone. By the way, I think I am going to have a materials ID question about a specific unbranded brush soon, but I'll try to figure it out myself first.
Thanks, again.
Simon