Floppy synthetic

Are synthetic brushes floppy by nature or are there some with good backbone?

(09-09-2018, 06:46 PM)petropn Wrote: Are synthetic brushes floppy by nature or are there some with good backbone?

As one who assiduously learns how to maximize the usefulness of the tools at hand before moving onto new toys, my experience is limited.  Within that narrow range, I can tell you this:  

•  My Vulfix 2234S Super Badger (natural hair, obviously) brush was quite satisfactory for my purposes for well over a decade, approaching two decades;  

•  My Mühle 33K252 “Silvertip Fibre” (synthetic) is very similar to the Vulfix 2234S as far as floppiness/stiffness is concerned, but generates lather more efficiently than the Vulfix does;

•  My Semogue SOC 2 band badger (natural hair) is the same size (big 22 mm or average 23 mm) as the two brushes above and has significantly more backbone than either: it is not floppy.

For my taste, the Semogue is clearly the best of the three brushes.

The simpsons chubby2 synth is certainly far from floppy. Indeed, great backbone. My travel kit, below, never leaves home without it. 

Yes, I’ll second the Chubby 2. Another outstanding knot for backbone and soft tips is the Tuxedo knot.

Razorock Plissoft, for a heckuva lot less.

Stirling Little Brudder has backbone.

Basically any brush with a tuxedo knot is going to have a lot of backbone...

These synthetic brushes have ample backbone:

- Chubby 2
- Asylum Scanlon
- Epsilon Silvertip Fibre.  I'm referring to the original Epsilon synthetic, with a three band knot.  There is now an Epsilon synthetic which has what looks to be a Plisson type knot, and I'm not familiar with it.

Additionally, the Muhle XL has good backbone, although not as much as the three I mention above.

I agree with the above on the Tuxedo synthetic generally having nice backbone.  However, loft plays an important role - possibly more so for synthetics.  My tuxedo with a tall handle and knot has less backbone than my other synthetics.

I like soft tips and wiling to compromise on backbone.  The new synthetics I have tried meet my criteria (Wolf Whiskers, Mervyn Cadman, Tony Forsyth TF Shaving Brushes).

(09-09-2018, 07:37 PM)mike_the_kraken Wrote: The simpsons chubby2 synth is certainly far from floppy. Indeed, great backbone. My travel kit, below, never leaves home without it. 

Mike, does the thick knot on that chubby 2 dry quickly?

Sure does. I shake it out and towel strop it a few times. It’s generally dry in 10-20min

(09-10-2018, 01:49 AM)Rory1262 Wrote: Razorock Plissoft, for a heckuva lot less.

Great brushes with great value and variety!



Happy Shaving!
49erShaver

(09-10-2018, 10:47 AM)49erShaver Wrote:

(09-10-2018, 01:49 AM)Rory1262 Wrote: Razorock Plissoft, for a heckuva lot less.

Great brushes with great value and variety!



Happy Shaving!
49erShaver

But poor backbone, which is what the OP is seeking.

(09-09-2018, 07:37 PM)mike_the_kraken Wrote: The simpsons chubby2 synth is certainly far from floppy. Indeed, great backbone. My travel kit, below, never leaves home without it. 

You truly have good taste , sir.

I find the Razorback Plissoft backbone quite good, by no means poor. If it were poor, I wouldn’t have mentioned it.

Thanks to all for the feedback.  Sounds like its gonna cost me a lot of money trying different synthetic brushes until I find the "perfect" one for me.

(09-10-2018, 03:16 AM)jackgoldman123 Wrote: Stirling Little Brudder has backbone.

Oh man that is my favorite synthetic brush.

(09-11-2018, 12:33 PM)petropn Wrote: Thanks to all for the feedback.  Sounds like its gonna cost me a lot of money trying different synthetic brushes until I find the "perfect" one for me.

That's sooooo funny..... You should try finding the "perfect" badger......  
Now, that can be EXPENSIVE....

For me, this is the best synthetic.  I have not found any other synthetic with this combination of softness and backbone.  

 

If you're inclined to go with a Plisson or Tuxedo type knot, consider a custom brush.  This will allow you to set an optimal loft.  Additionally, you'll get a very nice handle, which will add to your enjoyment of the brush.  I have these two, with Plisson type knots, from Bob Quinn/EliteRazor. 

(09-11-2018, 04:23 PM)TheLegalRazor Wrote: For me, this is the best synthetic.  I have not found any other synthetic with this combination of softness and backbone.  

 

If you're inclined to go with a Plisson or Tuxedo type knot, consider a custom brush.  This will allow you to set an optimal loft.  Additionally, you'll get a very nice handle, which will add to your enjoyment of the brush.  I have these two, with Plisson type knots, from Bob Quinn/EliteRazor. 

Amen to your words about the Chubby 2 synthetic

Now I need to get a second one.