Gents,
I’m looking for some advice on a new synthetic brush. Over the last 4 years, I’ve tried about a dozen brushes (mostly synthetic). So I think I have a good idea of what I want. Also, I’m not a guy who likes to “buy everything”. My current favorite brushes are Kent BLK8 (roughly 24x54 in silvertip) and Duke 3 (roughly 23x46 in best). They’re both great sized for me—splay and massage nicely. The Kent is wonderfully soft; the Duke isn’t soft enough to be perfect, but it's still a winner.
I recently bought a Trafalger T3, thinking that would be a great addition for travel and those times when I want a little break for badger or have a tricky soap. I thought getting the big size would do it for me, but unfortunately, it’s just not pleasing. My preferred way to use a brush is face lathering using mainly swirl strokes (splaying, not mashing). The T3 (measured at 30mm with my tape measure) is so dense that the inner bristles buckle/jerk/snap in use—akin to using my knuckles to massage my cheek or jaw bone. I used to think a Chubby 2 synth would be nice, but after the T3 experience, I’m guessing that one also is not for me. My alternate synthetic at the moment is a year old Muhle 23mm, but it’s always such a let down because it just seems too small. So I’m considering purchasing one of the following:
1) So any idea which synthetic I would like?
2) Do you think I would like a Chubby 2 super? Previously I had planned on adding one to the badger mix, but now I'm wondering if the density would be be over the top for me. I'm not a fan of "buy to try", but I may have to.
Thanks fellas.
I’m looking for some advice on a new synthetic brush. Over the last 4 years, I’ve tried about a dozen brushes (mostly synthetic). So I think I have a good idea of what I want. Also, I’m not a guy who likes to “buy everything”. My current favorite brushes are Kent BLK8 (roughly 24x54 in silvertip) and Duke 3 (roughly 23x46 in best). They’re both great sized for me—splay and massage nicely. The Kent is wonderfully soft; the Duke isn’t soft enough to be perfect, but it's still a winner.
I recently bought a Trafalger T3, thinking that would be a great addition for travel and those times when I want a little break for badger or have a tricky soap. I thought getting the big size would do it for me, but unfortunately, it’s just not pleasing. My preferred way to use a brush is face lathering using mainly swirl strokes (splaying, not mashing). The T3 (measured at 30mm with my tape measure) is so dense that the inner bristles buckle/jerk/snap in use—akin to using my knuckles to massage my cheek or jaw bone. I used to think a Chubby 2 synth would be nice, but after the T3 experience, I’m guessing that one also is not for me. My alternate synthetic at the moment is a year old Muhle 23mm, but it’s always such a let down because it just seems too small. So I’m considering purchasing one of the following:
- Muhle 25mm. I know they’re getting scarce, but I love the STF bristles and handle on on my 21 and 23mm copies. I wonder if this too will be too small as my “23mm” I measured at about 21mm.
- Duke 3 Synthetic. I think I read here it can feel smaller than a Duke 3 best? Maybe too small?
- Kent BLK8S. Maybe my best option?
- Thater Synthetic. Maybe another good option at 27x59mm?
1) So any idea which synthetic I would like?
2) Do you think I would like a Chubby 2 super? Previously I had planned on adding one to the badger mix, but now I'm wondering if the density would be be over the top for me. I'm not a fan of "buy to try", but I may have to.
Thanks fellas.