I have been using my WCS silvertip more than my synthetics. And I am even more prone to since I am finding that the water in the synthetics tends to squirt out near the knot base more than my badger. I'm theorizing that the natural hairs absorb the water better than synthetic. So many folks are raving about synthetics these days, though. So maybe I just need a better synthetic? My understanding is that synthetics can't absorb water like naturals though, so maybe it's a rabbit hole not worth entering. Thoughts on synthetic vs. natural for water retention/messy drips?
Natural Beats Synthetic in water retention?
- Thread starter BanjoDadPDX
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What synthetics do you have?
I thought synths were more messy, slopping lather all around, but I wasn't used to just how much lather they produce. I was getting enough on my whiskers, and plenty more on the shower walls.
I still like my naturals, but synths are great based on the G5A I use. Small sample size.
I thought synths were more messy, slopping lather all around, but I wasn't used to just how much lather they produce. I was getting enough on my whiskers, and plenty more on the shower walls.
I still like my naturals, but synths are great based on the G5A I use. Small sample size.
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- #3
A Rockwell Razors, and a West Coast synth. Nothing too expensive.
I gave up badgers after Plissoft and Omega S-brush rolled out.
I still have 1 boar.
I still have 1 boar.
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- #5
I can't find "Plissoft" what am I missing?
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- #6
I take that back. I spent 50 bucks on the WCS tortoiseshell. I really want synthetics to work. Maybe it's my technique...
I have the ones by RazoRock. I'm sure other companies use the same fibers and market it under a different name.
I just use my boar brush for showers now. And, I use my S-brush for traveling. It's truly resilient.
My Plissoft is my main brush at home. It creates fantastic lather.
I don't get water running out of the base for my synthetics, but the bristles tend to "snap back" harder than naturals so they fling lather a bit more than my badger (or boar). I don't have an issue with lather, and I reach for my SynBad and Cashmere knots significantly more often than my badger.
The lather will only fling and over-splay IF you don't have enough of it binding together.
Badger hair may be hollow like rabbit fur and thus hold water. Best quality synthetics are designed to hold water and also to release the lather when you need it. I have a bunch of synthetics and got rid of most of my naturals. My absolute favorite is the Mühle Silvertip Fibre 25mm knot and once broken in, can't be beat. Talk to Rudy Vey for this. My next favorite is the G5A synthetic knot (I have 26mm, but it comes smaller or larger). Talk to ApShaveCo for this one. Both of these feel like badger. My next favorite is the G5C fan knot from APShaveCo. It looks and feels like badger, but it wants to hold onto the lather just a little more, but still good. Keep in mind that none of these are badger. They also have positive qualities that no badger can ever have, such as faster drying, no smell, no mold. The tips are incredibly soft, but they have enough backbone, going from softest (not floppy) to more, in the order I listed them.
I started about 8 years ago with a Yaqi Synthetic and I like it. It's what I started with and stayed with for several years. I also have an ultra cheap Omega with a plastic handle for traveling. I like the Yaqi just fine, the Omega not so much, but then again I bought the Omega for traveling so, it's ok. I didn't have high expectations for the Omega and it does its job. Also, FYI, I am a bowl lather guy.
Recently, about 6 months ago, I bought 2 Parker Badger brushes. 1 Silver Tip and 1 Pure.
I can tell you, I don't have all the answers, but as a dude who was priorly always Synth, then went Badger...it took a while.
The water retention is different and I needed a few days to adjust. Again, not an expert, not a scientist, but I'd say that the synth fiber doesn't absorb water, but it does retain it between its fibers due to the adhesive/cohesive level of water, while the Bagder does retain water. I should also mention that I wring out some water from the fiber (I don't pull, but lightly squeeze) before making a lather. In all this, I learned that that I don't hate the Synth brushes (Yaqi preferred), but I don't truly prefer one (Badge) over the other (Synth), they are just different. You get used to it.
I guess this is a very long winded way of saying, I found the Badgers a bit more thirsty, even when they soaked for 5 Mins. or more, but I got used to it and make a great lather from them. Right now, I am only using my badgers and I am loving them. In another couple' months I'll go back to Yaqi and see if I can mange it again.
Shave on Bro.
Recently, about 6 months ago, I bought 2 Parker Badger brushes. 1 Silver Tip and 1 Pure.
I can tell you, I don't have all the answers, but as a dude who was priorly always Synth, then went Badger...it took a while.
The water retention is different and I needed a few days to adjust. Again, not an expert, not a scientist, but I'd say that the synth fiber doesn't absorb water, but it does retain it between its fibers due to the adhesive/cohesive level of water, while the Bagder does retain water. I should also mention that I wring out some water from the fiber (I don't pull, but lightly squeeze) before making a lather. In all this, I learned that that I don't hate the Synth brushes (Yaqi preferred), but I don't truly prefer one (Badge) over the other (Synth), they are just different. You get used to it.
I guess this is a very long winded way of saying, I found the Badgers a bit more thirsty, even when they soaked for 5 Mins. or more, but I got used to it and make a great lather from them. Right now, I am only using my badgers and I am loving them. In another couple' months I'll go back to Yaqi and see if I can mange it again.
Shave on Bro.
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I love my Omega boar I've used for more than ten years now and prefer it over my badger. I use my synthetic to dust my keyboard.
That's funny Steve. If I ever buy another $10.00 Omega, I know what to do with old one.
They really do a good job on a keyboard. Can't believe it took me so long to think of it.
- Thread starter
- #15
Boar IN the shower?
I have an STF and a Wald and they are fine brushes. They do like to fling more lather than a well behaved badger.
I suspect if you used the same synthetic all the time it wouldn't be that hard to slow down your lather hand and greatly reduce the problem. Realistically, it's not a big deal to wipe a little lather off your arm or sink. Or you could try to start pretty dry with the synthetic and very slowly add water. I suspect in the long run you might find it's simply easier to clean up a little misplaced lather.
When push comes to shove there are differences between the different hair/fibers, and you either like a synthetic, learn to live with/appreciate the differences or you don't. I have badgers and boars I like better than my synthetics, but I still like my synthetics. They get closer, but I'm not sure you're ever going to see a synthetic that behaves like a badger.
I suspect if you used the same synthetic all the time it wouldn't be that hard to slow down your lather hand and greatly reduce the problem. Realistically, it's not a big deal to wipe a little lather off your arm or sink. Or you could try to start pretty dry with the synthetic and very slowly add water. I suspect in the long run you might find it's simply easier to clean up a little misplaced lather.
When push comes to shove there are differences between the different hair/fibers, and you either like a synthetic, learn to live with/appreciate the differences or you don't. I have badgers and boars I like better than my synthetics, but I still like my synthetics. They get closer, but I'm not sure you're ever going to see a synthetic that behaves like a badger.
Yes, they do.
Plissoft is the RazoRock term for this syntetic fiber:
My understanding is the Plis part of Plissoft is in reference to the kind of fiber that Plisson first came out with. I think The Italian Barber RR brushes are called that in homage to those first knots. It's since become a generic term for any brush that uses this fiber. Anyone, please feel free to correct me.
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There are real differences, for sure! For me natural is the way to go. But that’s my personal preference.
Only one badger in my travels - a non descript brush my wife put in front of me. While I had nothing to compare it against, it was unremarkable.
Surfing over here, I decided on a Mühl STF (25mm) for my first brush.
The face lathering technique I've adopted involves dipping the tip so the center section (about 1/2 of the bulb) is in the water (say, 7mm deep).
I'll load the brush directly from the soap container and proceed with face lathering. Dip to add water as needed. So, I found a good use for my lathering bowl ;-)
I don't see any water running out the bottom of thd brush. This holds true for my AP Shave Co Synbad knot as well. Reports of lather flinging also aren't in my experience window.
I can't comment about bowl lathering. I find myself having a tendency to whip up lather that has too much air in it - like all too many photos I see posted here. I'm sure I'd nail bowl lathering if I pursued it but I find that face lathering gives me more immediate feedback when I've over hydrated, so pursuing it doesn't hold my curiosity. I'm sure that boredom/curiosity will set in at some point, and I'll explore it just for the helluvit ;-)
... Thom
Surfing over here, I decided on a Mühl STF (25mm) for my first brush.
The face lathering technique I've adopted involves dipping the tip so the center section (about 1/2 of the bulb) is in the water (say, 7mm deep).
I'll load the brush directly from the soap container and proceed with face lathering. Dip to add water as needed. So, I found a good use for my lathering bowl ;-)
I don't see any water running out the bottom of thd brush. This holds true for my AP Shave Co Synbad knot as well. Reports of lather flinging also aren't in my experience window.
I can't comment about bowl lathering. I find myself having a tendency to whip up lather that has too much air in it - like all too many photos I see posted here. I'm sure I'd nail bowl lathering if I pursued it but I find that face lathering gives me more immediate feedback when I've over hydrated, so pursuing it doesn't hold my curiosity. I'm sure that boredom/curiosity will set in at some point, and I'll explore it just for the helluvit ;-)
... Thom
