Whipped Dog Synthetic

[Chadao]

I've now had four shaves using my new Whipped Dog synthetic. This is my first synthetic. It makes the best lather of any brush I've ever had. I mean enormous lather. A photo wouldn't show this, but compared to the normal lather I get, this is a big increase.

The brush itself may be the softest thing I've ever felt. My only negative so far has been getting the brush to let go of the lather. I don't know it synthetics break in, but it gets easier every shave. Perhaps I am learning.

This brush is definitely going with me on my latest business trip next week, so I'll have 7 days more experience, and that's two shaves a day.

The synthetic is the brush with the black handle. All three brushes are Whipped Dogs. The synthetic is 22mm, 55mm loft, resin handle.

View attachment 357983

 

[Starkicker]

I've had the synthetic as well, it's a great brush. Really soft but I found it too firm (loft was too long for my liking).

 

[Mandina]

Synthetics don't need to be broken in, but you do learn to adjust your lathering style. Great that the brush works well for you. I look forward to members making comparisons with other recent/new synthetic brushes, as the variety of excellent synthetics is rapidly growing.

 

[Chadao]

I might get one with a shorter loft later...but I like this so well it's taking time away from my two new badgers.

 

[wagstaff]

Nice looking brush. Just that basic resin handle from WD is really pretty great. Of course the Firehouse Potter handle you got is really gorgeous, but I also like the utilitarian, and no-fear-of-dropping resin handles, too.
Do you know what generation synthetic WD uses?
I have a synthetic from Frank's that I bought when it was being touted by a forum bro as "good as anything under $100" a good while back. I hadn't really developed my own tastes, or sense even of what the dimensions numbers really meant in practice. The brush is a little too big for me (and especially too big for one of my milk-glass shaving mugs!) and is otherwise quite nice. But I'm VERY curious about the latest-greatest Muhle "generation 4" synthetic fibers now. IIRC mine is (GDCarringtong told me) Gen 2.

I've been tempted to spend over my budget in July already, so.... one 'a these days I'll drop money on a new synthetic brush. Meanwhile, of course I don't need one. (I don't even "need" the one I have!)

I love your pictures, Chadao.

 

[Chadao]

Thanks Wagstaff. I don't know what generation, but I will ask Larry. The synthetic was a sort of accident. I ordered my first resin handle from Larry, a black badger. I over-payed, so instead of getting a refund, I looked to see what else I could get, and added the synthetic. I've never seen anything written about Larry's.
I have been lusting after that Muhle, too. I figured I could get my feet wet with a Whipped Dog. But it's too good. Keeps hogging face time.
Photos...when I started here I was too shy to post pix, but Turtle always wanted photos so I'm working at it.

 

[wagstaff]

turtle did that? I would have guessed Spot.
My only camera is my phone...

 

[Chadao]

This is my phone. Turtle asking for photos made me start to pay attention,and understand how much photos help these posts. Turtle takes a photo of his gear every day. I don't have that habit yet...but working on it.

Here's tonight's. Including the WD Synthetic. Great shave. For me, I think the Feather is the right blade for my iKon OC. Osage Rub is an ice-bomb. I can't wait to compare Kramperts.

 

[Chadao]

Oh, the WD Synthetic and da Fat is a match made in heaven. Best lather I have ever had. If the Muhle beats this, I've gotta have one...except, I wonder about the size.

 

[wagstaff]

Great pic -- and synthetics (in my limited experience) lather some things supremely well -- if you know about how to add water appropriately.

Thanks, and indirectly thanks again to turtle, for the latest pic. Where can I get Osage Rub? And, more importantly in case I ever catch myself talking about the stuff, how does one pronounce "Osage"? (What is it?) Is it O-SAH-hey? O-Sojj? Oh say gee? (A'right it can't be that last one....)

 

[Chadao]

I was raised in Texas and central California, so I say "Oh-say-juh." Like Riders of the Purple Sage.

I got mine from West Coast Shaving, $6 plus shipping. But you better really be prepared for menthol. It liked to knock me down the first couple of times. The label says "For Head and Face." So remembering my long-ago childhood and barber's hair tonic, I rubbed it into my short-cut hair. Makes me want to get some Floid,but at that price I want a sample first.

 

[wagstaff]

Cool -- thanks. I want Floid too -- mostly because of some very persuasive posts from Marco and others. But then I remember how I don't particularly like "powdery" scented liquids. Oddly enough, I'm fine with powdery scented powder! (Yet, it's also said to be a fleeting scent, which saves it. Hmmm). I'll be wait on the Osage until you get the Frostbite. I don't find the Frostbite "knock down cold" but many people do.

On the other hand, I'm considering joining the ranks of head-shavers, and might want some Osage for that purpose... Mull mull mull.

 

[Chadao]

So many choices.

I made the mistake of rubbing the Osage too close to my eyes. The fumes made me close my eyes, it is strong.

As I said, the Krampert's Bay Rum is growing on me. Taking it to Indy with me along with my synthetic brush. Wagstaff, where did you get your Frostbite?
BAD got me again. After exchanging a few posts with Larry, I just ordered a Whipped Dog synthetic in a Firehouse handle...longer, and a 50mm loft.

Cool -- thanks. I want Floid too -- mostly because of some very persuasive posts from Marco and others. But then I remember how I don't particularly like "powdery" scented liquids. Oddly enough, I'm fine with powdery scented powder! (Yet, it's also said to be a fleeting scent, which saves it. Hmmm). I'll be wait on the Osage until you get the Frostbite. I don't find the Frostbite "knock down cold" but many people do.

On the other hand, I'm considering joining the ranks of head-shavers, and might want some Osage for that purpose... Mull mull mull.

 

[Chadao]

I love the small business feel of a large part of wet shaving. I just emailed Brian Krampert. He replied, and I ordered a stainless steel flask of Frostbite from him.

 

[wagstaff]

I don't really "get" the need for the flask... but I bought one, too (with my second bottle of Frostbite)! Still have to put a finger over the opening to regulate how much spills out. And I do like seeing it cloud up when you shake it -- which is essential -- in the plastic bottle.

The vendor I bought it from was The Italian Barber. Near as I can tell, the only vendor for the Frostbite.

 

[Chadao]

West Coast Shaving has the plastic bottles but not the flask. Italian Barber is sold out of the flasks so I went straight to source.

 

[wagstaff]

Cool -- I shared with Brian what I thought of his products on another forum. He's a very genuine person, and he is really thrilled that people like products that he really formulated for himself. I know a while back he was asking for input on packaging. Plenty of people thought the plastic was too "cheap" given the quality of his products. But he wanted to keep prices down. And I'm grateful for that -- never got a Bay Rum flask.... I think I got the Frostbite flask on sale. IIRC. Still, the stuff is pricey. I can't afford big luxuries, so I take 'em where I can find 'em!