Hi--I am interested in trying a synthetic brush as I probably will BST my Duke 3 as I am loving my new SOC Boar. Does anyone know the difference betwwen the Kosmo brush Muhle has and the classic brush?-They both say they are silvertip fiber but there must be some difference
Muhle Synthetic Brush
- Thread starter beisler
- Start date
I would bet the only difference is the handle.
I thought that I had read somewhere that the Kosmo handle was swappable, i.e., you could more readily swap the brush out of it and use a different handle. I could be mistaken with that, however.
I think you're mistaken; my Kosmo brush is of the glued-in kind as every other brush. I've never heard about that, either.
That being said, the Silvertip Fibre makes a good travelling brush.
Barry, if you want to try a synthetic, get yourself a Frank Shaving brush 24mm. Great brushes for the price. Good luck.
I have a FS 24mm/55mm and Muhle 31k256 and 33k256 brushes. The FS is a great value at $20 or so shipped from eBay, but expect some QC issues with some such as knots askew, etc. With that said, the Richmond series I have is a great lather maker.
The Muhle Silvertip fibre series is the finest synthetic available right now IMO. They emulate a silvertip badger in feel, and dry very quickly. Even though the knots do not seem dense upon inspection, they tear through hard soaps like their badger cousins of shorter lofts. GDCarrington has pointed out (and I agree) that you want to buy one size up on these synthetics to get the same feel as a badger. For example the 31k256 is a 21mm/52mm but when used feels more like a 19mm/47mm badger. Likewise my 33k256 has 23mm/56mm dimensions, but feels more like a 21mm/52mm badger when used. My personal preference is to the 31k256 as a face latherer.
I have not used a Kosmo series to compare, but if you want the finest synthetic on the market right now, the Muhle Silvertip Fibre's are light years ahead of the competition. Connaught shaving has very reasonable prices on the entire line.
Good luck with your choice!
- Thread starter
- #8
Thanks Guys---I pretty much have decided on the Muhle and buying it from Connaught,as they have the best price. I just don't know whether to get the classic or the Kosmo series. Are
these the V2 version?-I e-mailed shaving IE to ask them and they replied back they didn't know.
these the V2 version?-I e-mailed shaving IE to ask them and they replied back they didn't know.
Muhle and Edwin Jagger synthetic brushes are the same, right?
Yes, EJ currently uses Mühle silvertip fibres for their synthetic brushes.
Mühle hasn't made it easy to tell the generations apart, but whichever you get they're still good. Remember, plenty of the good words about them came when the first silvertip fibres came out, the first generation is still as good as the day it was released. Classic or Kosmo is up to you, I haven't tried the Kosmo, but the Classic handle is great. If you get that one, get a 21mm or 23mm knot.
Mühle hasn't made it easy to tell the generations apart, but whichever you get they're still good. Remember, plenty of the good words about them came when the first silvertip fibres came out, the first generation is still as good as the day it was released. Classic or Kosmo is up to you, I haven't tried the Kosmo, but the Classic handle is great. If you get that one, get a 21mm or 23mm knot.
Love my Muhle Silvertip Fibre. I cannot answer your question directly but I wanted to say how much I enjoy my Muhle synth. Even though I might use badgers more often the Muhle whips up lather better and more consistently than my badgers.
I only use a muehle synthetic brush. No others.
I like it and it hasn't shed and feels really nice.
I got the 33k 256 horn model.
I like it and it hasn't shed and feels really nice.
I got the 33k 256 horn model.
- Thread starter
- #13
Thanks Guys--I just pulled the trigger on the 31k-252 model from connaught
Guess we'll see how the Muhle Synthetic works out. I got tired of waffling over what brush to take overseas this Spring. The travel brush looked kinda cool and Shaving .ie had it for a decent price ($32.00 USD), so................
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Great brush.
Last year we did some extensive testing and found that the new generation synthetics are really up to the job.
If you are interested, threads are here and on Mantics website.
Last year we did some extensive testing and found that the new generation synthetics are really up to the job.
If you are interested, threads are here and on Mantics website.
- Thread starter
- #16
Believe me,I read thru all the threads.And thanks for all your help on the threads
You were correct, and I was mistaken. The swappable head design from Muhle is here http://www.muehle-shaving.com/shop/modern/stylo/shaving_brushes/93/94/1
I love the Kosmo brush. Here is the design of my favorite custom Kosmo, with Bog Oak handle and synthetic 21mm Black Fiber knot:
Trying to decide among a 23mm STF, a 25mm STF, and a Black Fibre. Anyone have an opinion on 23mm vs. 25mm in terms of feel?
The Black Fiber brush is distinctly its own. The tips are very soft, and the knot is less dense than STF brushes. It has more of the "springiness" associated with synths. That said, it is truly a lather monster with every soap or cream I've used mine with. It is genuinely fun to use and the Black Fiber remains one of my all-time favorites. It is machine made and so far comes in 21mm size only. My first was from the HJM line. I think the handlie, with its rubber insets, is outstanding to use, but some object to its unconventional styling.
I have a full set of the V2 brushes (19, 21, 23 and 25mm), plus a 27mm prototype. I always imagined that I would want the biggest knot available, but the Goldilocks effect definitely operates for me with these brushes.
I find the 19mm a little too small for my brand of mug/face lathering. It just doesn't cover as much area as I'd like. I use the 19 mainly as a travel brush The 25mm is a little too big for me, personally. I know head shavers who love it. To me, it's like painting door trim with a house brush. Smaller just feels more natural.
My favorites are the 21 and 23mm brushes, which I switch on whim. Both seem perfect for me.
My brush collection has always centered on 21 and 23mm brushes, which work the best for me. If I was to advise, I'd say that only if you know by experience that you prefer 19 or 25mm brushes, to choose either the 21 or 23mm sizes. To me, the 21mm has a tiny edge in performance, and the 23mm has an edge in appearance.
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