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REVIEW: Frank Shaving G5/G7 synthetic brushes.

Here's my review of the newly launched G5/G7 series synthetic brushes from Frank Shaving.

The black knot in brown handle is the G5 and the G7 is in the blue handle.
The modernised beehive handle design is not only very ergonomic but looks absolutely fantastic! FS have really designed a wonderfully unique handle!

Disclaimer: I'm going by the assumption that the G5 black knot is commonly referred to as G5B and the G7 is referred to as G5C.

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The G5 is the "new and improved" boss knot. It retains the backbone and light scrub of the boss knot, which is what the boss knot is renowned for.

The G5 has a antimicrobial coating, which make it ideal for travelling, where the brush might reside in a dopp kit/travel tube.

It also improves on the splay of the boss knot.
The boss knot always felt fairly stiff to me, even though it was less dense than the G5.

The knot is 26mm with a loft of 54mm.
The glue bump is small so the splay is good, whilst maintaining decent backbone.

The face feel gives a slight scrubby feeling but not scratchy. It's comfortable but one can feel the scrubbing action whilst swirling the brush around.

The G7 has a remarkable likeness to a two band badger (2BB). This matches the reviews I've read regarding the G5C knot.

This bulb knot has all the characteristics of a 2BB! The splay is extraordinarily similar. The way it envelopes the contours of the face, like a natural hair brush.

The splay is very natural and the knot opens up on response to pressure applied. With minimal pressure, it still retains its shape and doesn't feel like a "stick" or "wet noodle".

The backbone is less than the G5(B), but fairly inline with a well broken in 2BB.
Density is similar to a 2BB but not as much as an SHD badger knot.

The tips also have a slight texture that gives it a face feel of a 2BB. It's not at all scratchy but does give a bit of a scrub.

It's quite impressive to see how far synthetic fibres have come. Not necessarily just in comparison to badger brushes, but even when comparing to previous generations of synthetic fibres.

The one exception to this for me is the FS Pur-tech (which is the same fibre as Muhle silvertip fibre). This to me remains the pinnacle of synthetic brushes!


These new brushes from FS can be found on the FS store:


 

thombrogan

Lounging On The Isle Of Tugsley.
Excellent review of your new brushes and great pictures of them in all their eye-candy glory

The one exception to this for me is the FS Pur-tech (which is the same fibre as Muhle silvertip fibre). This to me remains the pinnacle of synthetic brushes!

Invaluable information for people with a raging, endless addiction to synthetic brushes. Thank you again!
 
Excellent review of your new brushes and great pictures of them in all their eye-candy glory



Invaluable information for people with a raging, endless addiction to synthetic brushes. Thank you again!

Thank you!
These really took me by surprise, especially the G7 (G5C).

The pur-tech/STF is definitely one that every synthetic brush user should try at some point in their brush journey.
They are premium priced, but for good reason!

I prefer the STF over both the Simpson platinum fibre and Omega Evo!
 
I saw these a few days ago on the Ali site and have fallen in love with the dark handle variant. Haven't felt this urge in a long time. But have to wait untill payday before splurging. Thats for the review too👍
 
I saw these a few days ago on the Ali site and have fallen in love with the dark handle variant. Haven't felt this urge in a long time. But have to wait untill payday before splurging. Thats for the review too👍

Looks nice right!
And the beehive looks superb!
Please give a update once you use it.

Interesting didn't know boss types were stiff, but only one I have tried is yaqi ocean (28mm) and it splays really good better than the frank shaving g5.

Thanks for the comparison.
One other factor is sometimes there's a variation in the glue bump.
The couple of boss knots I had were fairly stiff and didn't splay as much as I would have liked.
This FS brush splays out really nicely, whilst retaining nice backbone and a bit of scrub.
 

Ron R

I survived a lathey foreman
Interesting didn't know boss types were stiff, but only one I have tried is yaqi ocean (28mm) and it splays really good better than the frank shaving g5.
Great review on the G5 & G7 knots, it is amazing how they try to even perfect the synthetic knots more.
Yaqi ocean 28mm knot is a really good looking brush(eye candy) is well liked by head shaving folks . I bought the 24mm deep stones with the boss knot and it performs well. I have not found a Yaqi brush I did not care for it seems.
 
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Ron R

I survived a lathey foreman
Here's my review of the newly launched G5/G7 series synthetic brushes from Frank Shaving.

The black knot in brown handle is the G5 and the G7 is in the blue handle.
The modernised beehive handle design is not only very ergonomic but looks absolutely fantastic! FS have really designed a wonderfully unique handle!

Disclaimer: I'm going by the assumption that the G5 black knot is commonly referred to as G5B and the G7 is referred to as G5C.

View attachment 1492025View attachment 1492026View attachment 1492027View attachment 1492028View attachment 1492029View attachment 1492030View attachment 1492031

The G5 is the "new and improved" boss knot. It retains the backbone and light scrub of the boss knot, which is what the boss knot is renowned for.

The G5 has a antimicrobial coating, which make it ideal for travelling, where the brush might reside in a dopp kit/travel tube.

It also improves on the splay of the boss knot.
The boss knot always felt fairly stiff to me, even though it was less dense than the G5.

The knot is 26mm with a loft of 54mm.
The glue bump is small so the splay is good, whilst maintaining decent backbone.

The face feel gives a slight scrubby feeling but not scratchy. It's comfortable but one can feel the scrubbing action whilst swirling the brush around.

The G7 has a remarkable likeness to a two band badger (2BB). This matches the reviews I've read regarding the G5C knot.

This bulb knot has all the characteristics of a 2BB! The splay is extraordinarily similar. The way it envelopes the contours of the face, like a natural hair brush.

The splay is very natural and the knot opens up on response to pressure applied. With minimal pressure, it still retains its shape and doesn't feel like a "stick" or "wet noodle".

The backbone is less than the G5(B), but fairly inline with a well broken in 2BB.
Density is similar to a 2BB but not as much as an SHD badger knot.

The tips also have a slight texture that gives it a face feel of a 2BB. It's not at all scratchy but does give a bit of a scrub.

It's quite impressive to see how far synthetic fibres have come. Not necessarily just in comparison to badger brushes, but even when comparing to previous generations of synthetic fibres.

The one exception to this for me is the FS Pur-tech (which is the same fibre as Muhle silvertip fibre). This to me remains the pinnacle of synthetic brushes!


These new brushes from FS can be found on the FS store:


Another great review on the 2 different knots, not sure if I could tell the difference when using them side by side but from just looking at them the G7 catches my eye more, G7 looks like if has softer tips IMO.
 
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Very well done review and the pictures are great!

Thank you!

Great review on the G5 & G7 knots, it is amazing how they try to even perfect the synthetic knots more.
Yaqi ocean 28mm knot is a really good looking brush(eye candy) is well liked by head shaving folks . I bought the 24mm deep stones with the boss knot and it performs well. I have not found a Yaqi brush I did not care for it seems.

I also appreciate the never ending innovation of synthetic fibres/knots.

True...Yaqi make great brushes!
Main difference with these G5/G7 knots is their characteristics are closer to that of badger brushes.

Excellent review @nav
I consider you the foremost expert in this area and a valuable resource especially enabling me in the past.

Thank you! Glad to be of enablement...I mean, assistance!

Another great review on the 2 different knots, not sure if I could tell the difference when using them side by side but from just looking at them the G7 catches my eye more, G7 looks like if has softer tips IMO.

You are right, the G7 tips are indeed softer than G5. Closer to a broken in 2 band badger.
I also like the look of the G7 more. It has a very optimal bulb shape, not too much like some German bulbs!

@nav

G5/G7 and Purtech have the same price. Which one would you choose?

The G7 for 2 band badger feel.
Pur-tech for more of a silvertip badger with good backbone feel.

I would use this as a guide for which of the two to select.
 
@nav, once again you nailed it with this review. I'm even more excited now for my Frank Shaving G7 "lather master" 26mm brush to arrive soon. I took advantage of a summer deal a few weeks ago. I also took advantage of a father's day deal from Muhle recently and got the 25mm STF per your recommendation. I must say Muhle is the best synthetic I've ever used. Omega Evo (which I borrowed from a friend) is a close second for me. The Omega Evo I tried was the first gen, so maybe I can like the 2nd gen more. I also like my 28mm Frank Shaving G4 very much. Looking forward to trying that G7. As I understand, Muhle STF is still the king. Will it ever be dethroned?
 
@nav, once again you nailed it with this review. I'm even more excited now for my Frank Shaving G7 "lather master" 26mm brush to arrive soon. I took advantage of a summer deal a few weeks ago. I also took advantage of a father's day deal from Muhle recently and got the 25mm STF per your recommendation. I must say Muhle is the best synthetic I've ever used. Omega Evo (which I borrowed from a friend) is a close second for me. The Omega Evo I tried was the first gen, so maybe I can like the 2nd gen more. I also like my 28mm Frank Shaving G4 very much. Looking forward to trying that G7. As I understand, Muhle STF is still the king. Will it ever be dethroned?

WOW great!
Awesome brushes on the way!
I'm sure you'll enjoy the G7, it gives a different experience to both the STF and the G4.

Nice move on the STF! It seems like nearly everyone that takes my suggestion on the STF, ends up liking it the best.

I doubt it'll ever be dethroned as the king of synthetics, but luckily we are not bound to just one brush 😁
 
WOW great!
Awesome brushes on the way!
I'm sure you'll enjoy the G7, it gives a different experience to both the STF and the G4.

Nice move on the STF! It seems like nearly everyone that takes my suggestion on the STF, ends up liking it the best.

I doubt it'll ever be dethroned as the king of synthetics, but luckily we are not bound to just one brush 😁
Thanks, man. Even after the first use, I could understand why Muhle STF 25mm was special (and superior to smaller sizes). It has the perfect sweet spot in terms of backbone and softness. I'd guess the smaller sizes are equally soft on the tips but lack the sweet backbone of the 25mm. It is without a doubt the closest feel to natural hair. I enjoy the gentle messaging effect and it's ability lift up the whiskers. I have very difficult growth pattern especially on my neck and lifting the hair properly is no small task. That's why I enjoy a quality boar brush when having heavy beard growth. My Semogue SOC Boar is my go-to brush for 4+ days of growth. Simply phenomenal brush. I prefer a synthetic brush for daily shaving, though. Their ease of use and skin friendliness is unmatched.

By the way, my G7 from Frank Shaving has arrived yesterday. I did the initial cleaning and shampooing, and I must say it is the closest feel to natural hair from Frank Shaving. Just by touching the fibers I can tell it's very similar feel to Omega Evo. When rinsing and squeezing the brush, I can feel the fibres, and I think they're much thicker at the bottom but getting much much finer when approaching the tips, like a Manchurian fibre. I look forward to using it, and I'll post some pics as well, it's a gorgeous brush. I felt it's a direct competitor to Muhle STF and Omege Evo (aka pinnacle of the synthetic world).
 
Thanks, man. Even after the first use, I could understand why Muhle STF 25mm was special (and superior to smaller sizes). It has the perfect sweet spot in terms of backbone and softness. I'd guess the smaller sizes are equally soft on the tips but lack the sweet backbone of the 25mm. It is without a doubt the closest feel to natural hair. I enjoy the gentle messaging effect and it's ability lift up the whiskers. I have very difficult growth pattern especially on my neck and lifting the hair properly is no small task. That's why I enjoy a quality boar brush when having heavy beard growth. My Semogue SOC Boar is my go-to brush for 4+ days of growth. Simply phenomenal brush. I prefer a synthetic brush for daily shaving, though. Their ease of use and skin friendliness is unmatched.

By the way, my G7 from Frank Shaving has arrived yesterday. I did the initial cleaning and shampooing, and I must say it is the closest feel to natural hair from Frank Shaving. Just by touching the fibers I can tell it's very similar feel to Omega Evo. When rinsing and squeezing the brush, I can feel the fibres, and I think they're much thicker at the bottom but getting much much finer when approaching the tips, like a Manchurian fibre. I look forward to using it, and I'll post some pics as well, it's a gorgeous brush. I felt it's a direct competitor to Muhle STF and Omege Evo (aka pinnacle of the synthetic world).

Congrats on the FS. Please do share some pics :)

I agree on the comparison of G7 to Evo. I would also say they feel similar.
I found the Simpson platinum fibre to be the softest at the tips but didn't like the experience as much as STF and G7.
My order of preference would be: Muhle STF*, G7, Evo, Simpson.

In the non-premium category: TnS angel hair, FS G4, TnS full moon, TnS quarter moon, Yaqi pony.

*I've excluded EJ STF as they no longer use the STF fibre. They have switched to the G5A fibre.

Speaking of boars, I'm a daily shaver and enjoy a boar for a change.
My favorites being the connaught shaving jade and Semogue torga C5.
 
In the non-premium category: TnS angel hair, FS G4, TnS full moon, TnS quarter moon, Yaqi pony.
Being that I have and use regularly 2 of these knots in handles I commissioned I would respectfully disagree with the TNS Angel Hair and the Quarter Moon being non-premium as they are premium in my opinion and the reason I switched to all TNS knotted brushes in my cabinet... I'd put these and the Timberwolf of his up against any brush out there, any day!!
 
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