Differentiating Between Badger and Synthetic?

[Joshua223]

Hi Everyone

Just a beginner looking for some advice.

Anyone have any tips on how to differentiate between a Badger and Synthetic brush? I'm going to be buying a Badger soon and just want to know if its really a Badger.

Also, anyone willing to share a good price to expect to pay for a Best Badger? I know a lot of them are overpriced, hence the question.

Badger vs Synthetic debate aside....

Synthetic brushes made to look like badger are very uniform in appearance. A natural brush will have more natural variation. The colors are a bit different too.
If you have the brush in your hand you will likely be able to tell if the fibers are synthetic or not.

If you are a buying a brush by a known maker from a reputable seller then you shouldn't have to worry about receiving something different than what you ordered.

 

[ackvil]

These are some of my synthetic brushes.

These are some of my badger brushes:

To me, synthetics look different than badgers. And then you have the Muhle and Shavemac synthetics which kind of blur the lines.

This is the Shavemac syn next to a Yaqi brush.

 

[Wtd1911]

I stand corrected. The Chubby 2 synthetic comes retails at $114 (£89.95) from Simpsons website. If you do some browsing, it can be founder cheaper on other sites. To be fair and transparent, these are the high end of synthetics.

I have also seen well worn synthetics develop that ring in the bristles from use. I am not sure its safe to say a synthetic will outlast a natural hair brush. Modern synthetics have only been around for two, maybe three years. I would say it's too early to tell their longevity.

I paid 99 USD for my last Simpson's Synthetic. My daughter took my first one. In reality give me a good badger anyday and I will be happy. They hold heat and cold better depending upon the season, softer and increased splay if you want it. Get better over a short period of time. Just the best in my opinion which is worth less than 2 cents.