After reading a few posts about how Wald synthetic knots are amazing, I wondered if there was a "bargain similar" that one could either buy or make (I don't think that I would ever spend anything close to what they cost, and I also like different handles). My understanding is that Wald synthetic knot fibers are 0.07 mm, and that the Motherlode synthetic knot also has 0.07 mm fibers (either the brown one, or the Boti "Tuxedo thin fiber" which is the black colored version of the same knot - I think). I'd also read that the Motherlode knot is very soft, but I'd never seen any comparisons between that and a Cashmere synthetic knot, which has been the softest synthetic knot I've used to date.
I ended up buying a 24 mm brown Motherlode knot and a 24 mm Shave Forge orange acrylic handle, used silicone adhesive on some plastic washers, and . . . I now have a new brush!
Softness - the Motherlode knot definitely feels different than a Cashmere knot. The tips may or may not be softer, but the overall feel is of a much softer brush. It definitely has less backbone, which isn't surprising as I think the Motherlode knot was actually designed as a makeup brush rather than a shaving brush. It easily has the softest face feel of any brush I can recall. I can see how some people wouldn't like it for not having much backbone, however.
Lather - it's great at building lather from creams and soft soaps/croaps. Easy to use, nice lather. No problems.
I'm already planning a 29-30 mm Motherlode style knot in another handle, so whomever said that making one brush leads to making more - you were absolutely correct!
I ended up buying a 24 mm brown Motherlode knot and a 24 mm Shave Forge orange acrylic handle, used silicone adhesive on some plastic washers, and . . . I now have a new brush!
Softness - the Motherlode knot definitely feels different than a Cashmere knot. The tips may or may not be softer, but the overall feel is of a much softer brush. It definitely has less backbone, which isn't surprising as I think the Motherlode knot was actually designed as a makeup brush rather than a shaving brush. It easily has the softest face feel of any brush I can recall. I can see how some people wouldn't like it for not having much backbone, however.
Lather - it's great at building lather from creams and soft soaps/croaps. Easy to use, nice lather. No problems.
I'm already planning a 29-30 mm Motherlode style knot in another handle, so whomever said that making one brush leads to making more - you were absolutely correct!
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