Synthetic brush w the biggest knot & does anyone make custom synthetic brushes?
- Thread starter Arkwell
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H.I.S. at 28mm x 60mm is one of the largest synthetic knots. Few, if any, manufacturers will go past that because the fibers compact too much and would make a brush that is difficult to use.
By custom are you speaking of the knot itself, or a synthetic knot in a custom handle?
By custom are you speaking of the knot itself, or a synthetic knot in a custom handle?
Frank Shaving can make a 30mm knot, but dont make handles that big right now, and its an ok knot. There are many 35mm synthetic kabuki's that are great for shaving.
GDCarrington, I'm not sure I'v seen that compacting in my bigger synthetics. Have you used some that do?
GDCarrington, I'm not sure I'v seen that compacting in my bigger synthetics. Have you used some that do?
As long as they stay under 28 mm on nylon fiber the answer is no. You can make the nylon based brushes bigger, but those fibers will begin to become straighter in the center as more fibers surround the core because they tend to be a thick fiber based on visual inspection. It will become more like a cord in the center rather than a flair to mimic natural bloom and most users want a somewhat natural formation. There may be ways around this in terms of creating a bump to artificially round the knot base before inserting the fibers but the hole itself could also cause constriction on thicker fibers. I would keep an eye on Muhle to see if they will go beyond 25 - 27 mm on a released to the public brush model. That would indicate that a consistent measure of the fiber technology development, maybe even a thinner more flexible fiber that will better mimic natural hairs. That leads to the fibers used in non-shaving synthetic brushes.
Many of the kabuki brushes tend to use taklon versus nylon fibers which as you have discussed in previously in your reviews of the adaptation of those brushes. That fiber seems to be spun thinner than the nylon fibers which could provide more intenal flex. I have no direct information as to why the companies have not developed thinner taklon fiber shaving brushes, or a mix of taklon an nylon fibers. It may be that they have run durability tests and found that the taklon fiber may not be able to last as long as nylon under shaving conditions. They may not be willing to make one due to perceived quality issues. I would be interested in a mixed synthetic fiber if it is determined reliable from a leading development house that puts real R&D effort on synthetic materials.
I know you like the large brushes, and I have enjoyed the H.I.S. which is a large brush, but it also seems that the interest of a super large synthetic has been limited based on the majority of users who seem to prefer synthetic brushes in 18 - 24 mm range. That could hinder development, but there are users of natural fibers who enjoy brushes up in the 30 mm + range so I guess the bias against synthetics may play a role in that as well.
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Thanks GD, I guess the only bit of wisdom I'v picked up playing with synthetics, is that the knot shape is incredibly important to how they splay. A nice compromise between a bulb and a fan helps things out tremendously at any loft. I could be wrong on it, but it seems to hold true for all of the 22~30mm brushes I'v toyed with. I guess I'd love to hear some data on how shape affects bigger brushes.
