The benefits of a high quality synthetic brush

[El-a-Menthol]

I'm talking about quality brushes like the Muhle Silvertip Fibre, probably the very best synthetic brush in the market.
The benefits:

• no animals are required, even if you're not a vegan or animal activist, it can't hurt now can it?
• (almost or) no hair loss, I counted them, in months time it lost a total of 3 hairs after that not a single one
• no break in period, they lather perfectly from the moment it leaves the box
• very short soaking time, they don't need a minute or more of soaking in order to perform
• fast loading time, probably because every end is split perfectly (see the first point)
• fast lather time, it's hardly any effort to quickly create a rich, creamy lathers
• flow through is outstanding, it's not a lather hog
• which brings us to economics, you'll use less soap/cream then you normally would
• it's better then my Muhle genuine silvertip; it outperforms it, AND IS CHEAPER
• after the shave synthetics dry SUPER FAST

The reasons they are not more popular are probably:

• synthetics in the past have been disappointing
• most people like the idea of traditional, natural hair
• Muhle doesn't have a distributor in the US
• Muhle is one of the few good synthetic brush builders, variation and competition is needed

 

[GDCarrington]

... variation and competition is needed

I would add good competition in terms of quality is needed.

Excellent synopsis!

 

[El-a-Menthol]

Ye, you are right, more competition with high quality brushes.

 

[Attila]

Excellent job. I own two Muhle new gen synthetics. A 21 mm and a 25 mm. My brother whom I set up with some shave supplies is borrowing my 21 mm. He is not wanting to return it any time soon and really likes using it.

 

[Daiku]

That's a beautiful brush. Personally, I like synthetics for what they are. My main brush is an Omega Syntex version of their Pro 49; a big brush, great for face lathering, and many of the benefits you list apply to it as well. I may be too cheap to ever buy one, but I'm sure this Muhle is superb.

 

[El-a-Menthol]

My brother whom I set up with some shave supplies is borrowing my 21 mm. He is not wanting to return it any time soon and really likes using it.

He he. Your brother knows what's good.

 

[El-a-Menthol]

That's a beautiful brush. Personally, I like synthetics for what they are. My main brush is an Omega Syntex version of their Pro 49; a big brush, great for face lathering, and many of the benefits you list apply to it as well. I may be too cheap to ever buy one, but I'm sure this Muhle is superb.

Well they are not really expensive, but I get your point. A good boar like the Semogue Owners Club is still cheaper.
Let me put it this way: I rather buy another Muhle Silvertip Fibre then I would buy a genuine silvertip (or badger for that matter).
Compared to genuine silvertips they're not expensive. Maybe ask a relative/loved one a Muhle STF as a birthday present?

 

[Rattray]

The Mühle synthetics are outstanding, have 3 myself. I just sooooo dearly wish they would make them less floppy. Make the knot more dense or with shorter loft, or both...

 

[El-a-Menthol]

Yes they are a bit floppy. Someone wrote that with shorter loft it less mimics genuine silvertip.
I care about performance only, not whether it's like silvertip. I want it to be BETTER then silvertip.
More densely packed should absolutely be a huge improvement.

 

[Attila]

Well if I ever end up getting my Frank Shaving 28/54 synthetic it will be interesting to compare (I ordered it weeks ago). I also have a Whipped Dog 24/50 (Silvertip Badger) I ordered last week that will probably arrive sooner...

 

[celestino]

i have to agree that the new synthetics are amazing brushes, but i don't think you have to pay so much for one. i have tried the Muhle Fibre and the HJM Fibre and they are very nice, but for what they do, i believe the Frank Shaving synthetics are just as good and much better as they are cheaper and you can custom order you knot.
Great to see synthetics improving so.

 

[finotti]

I, myself, am quite fond of my H.I.S. brush.

The thing when I first started looking was that I'd never seen comparisons between synthetics and high-end badgers, so I was apprehensive. But for me, the H.I.S. has left my Rooney Heritage 1XL as my second brush, and I haven't used it in weeks. (I also have a Semogue 1305 and 22mm C&E with TGN Silvertip knot, which are also not seeing much use either, although I do like both of them too.)

The H.I.S. is very dense and considerably softer than the Rooney. It just feels very nice all around, with all the positives pointed out by the OP.

I would change somethings in the H.I.S., like the handle shape/size and loft, but it is quite good as it is. My only real complain is that it doesn't splay. (But neither does the 1XL, as it is too dense and my skin is too sensitive to apply much pressure.)

I do find it unfortunate its price went up so much, but that's "supply and demand" at work, I suppose.

Best to all,