Hi-end synthetics: Muhle vs men-u vs EJ - anyone used all 3?

[Grumpy Old Git]

My last experience with a (cheap-***) synthetic brush was over 20 years ago, so I want to add a more modern high-end synthetic to my collection; it will most likely be one of these 3:

• Mühle Classic vegan $80+
• men-ü Premier $60+
• Edwin Jagger Chatsworth synthetic $55+

Do we have any vegans out there with rampant SBAD who have first hand experience with all 3?
Or can anyone vouch for a side-by-side on any pair of the above?
Any owners happy/sad with their brush?
Is the Mühle worth the extra $20-25?

Buying all 3 for my own personal test is not an option.

Your opinions, advice, and sage wisdom, please, on the above candidates.

 

[mmack66]

Somewhere around here there is a big thread about synthetic brushes.

Here it is:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=105486

 

[Grumpy Old Git]

Thanks for the link - a lot of food for thought.

 

[LeGaulois]

Taylors of Old Bond Street Synthetic Shaving Brush is my favorite.

 

[warlandsboy]

I highly doubt there is much difference in quality, IMO you are just paying for the name. Get yourself a synthetic Omega here for less than half the price ($25) and I guarantee you'll be satisfied with it.

 

[Siv]

The Muhle and (new) EJ use the same knot as far as I can tell. I don't think it's worth the extra money on the brush linked above but you can get that knot on one of their nice bog wood handles - I have one and it's really really nice.

I really need to update that review - when I did it I was mostly bowl lathering. Now I'm face lathering a lot more and I found a Parker synthetic on Amazon that is surprisingly cheap and now my favourite for face lathering...

 

[PaulL]

Siv ! Thanks for the tip. I read your review of the top ten with great interest. Was just about to order an Edwin Jagger to try synthetic (for $50), but the Parker looks almost identical and half the price.

This forum is great.

 

[Siv]

The one I got was the blue one - link.

 

[BladeDE40]

Siv ! Thanks for the tip. I read your review of the top ten with great interest. Was just about to order an Edwin Jagger to try synthetic (for $50), but the Parker looks almost identical and half the price.

This forum is great.

I've been using that exact brush (Parker synthetic) for about 4 months now. I think I paid about 20 USD for it. I think the brush is great....it holds water well, lathers well, has super soft tips, and to date there is no apparent hair loss. My only complaint is that the lettering wore off rather quickly, however, that is pure astetics and does not effect the perfomance. I would definitely buy this brush again.

 

[Grumpy Old Git]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Suddenly, my 3 options seem too narrow... Guess I'm going to have to hold out for a while and see if any more reviews can swing it for me.

 

[aquilla]

taylors of old bond street synthetic shaving brush is my favorite.

+1