Synthetic Knots

[Sabre]

How many different kinds are there now available? I have a a Plissoft and several black fibres. I have a RazoRock BC Silvertip Plissoft Synthetic on order. I want to get a genuine Tuxedo. I am unsure about the Cashmere, I have seen Plissoft Noirs, are these the same as the black fibres from Germany and EJ? Should I get a Muhle Silvertip fibre?

 

[pjgh]

Other popular ones are Muhle Silvertip Fibre and PurTech (see Virginia Sheng on eBay). These two are very close, but I personally think Muhle Silvertip Fibre is just a cut above ... and also the best.

I can see why folks like (and strongly rate) Plissoft, but it just didn't work out for my type of shaving.

Check out Ian Tang, Ace Shaving & ClassicShop2012 on eBay - all Chinese sellers with different types of synthetic. One I've just set recently I think was from Ace Shaving - it's really quite scritchy and feels like low end badger. I can't abide badger, so I'll have to see how that pans out for me.

Basically, there are a good few types of fibre out there ...

Oh, Kent, too. Nice little brush, that.

 

[Sabre]

The Kent and Omega's don't get much coverage. I think I got a FS synthetic from Ian Tang.

 

[pjgh]

Yeah, I tried an Omega S-Brush and really didn't like it - it was a decent attempt as a synthetic boar, which I think is what they were aiming for, but I just didn't get along with it. Kent, on the other hand, is a lovely brush with lovely fibre - a bit "plastic" from the outset, but used regularly it really softens up and actually develops gel tips like silvertip badger.

 

[donnie_arko]

I've been using the Omega S-Brush over the last few weeks and I've found it's beginning to soften a bit and a little less 'springy'. My enthusiasm for the S-Brush is definitely greater than the Omega boar which after a few months of use is still a bit prickly.

 

[Norfolkdick]

Greetings

I certainly can give you an opinion on some of the knots you are inquiring about but it is just that, the opinion of one man and I have to declare straight away that I am not very fond of stiff inflexible synthetic knots, irrespective of how soft the fibres are.

My favourite synth. knot is the L'Occitane Plisson because it can be easily be mashed onto the face splaying the knot open, the knot has soft fibres but it is flexible. The knots in the actual Plisson brushes are not the same knot, they are very similar but are a little bigger in diameter and a little stiffer but are also IMHO superb.

My second favourite is the Cashmere knot this knot has the softest fibres of all that I have tried and it too has a decent flex so can be splayed open with only gentle pressure, this is not true of the Tuxedo knot it is a good deal stiffer and less flexible and thus harder to splay the knot without using undo pressure.

I have a couple of Muhle (latest generation fibre) they are the best and neatest constructed knots but for me a little too stiff the fibes are soft on the face, in fact all of these knots have soft feeling fibres it is all about flex whether you like a lot or a little, for me a stiff knot is also super springy and flicks lather everywhere and just will not 'mash.'

Whipped dog are good knots but again too stiff for my taste.

Razorock Plissoft knots are superb in terms of value and performance they are my third favourite it is easy to see why they are so well regarded, the fitting of some of the knots is a little suspect, I have two that have not been set into the handles quite straight but I may have been unlucky, if these knots flexed just a little more they would for me personally be perfect.

The only synthetic that I have tried that I found unusable was the Frank Shaving Pur-Tech it was so stiff that I thought I had purchased a stenciling brush, however it should be said that if you paint lather on your face and do not mash the knot the stiffer knots will work just fine.

Regards
Dick.

 

[captain_hx]

I've tried 3 before realising that I don't like the feel of plastic on my face. The knots where Infinity Silvertex, Ubersoft-2 and RR Plisoft.

 

[Glen_Lee]

Greetings

I certainly can give you an opinion on some of the knots you are inquiring about but it is just that, the opinion of one man and I have to declare straight away that I am not very fond of stiff inflexible synthetic knots, irrespective of how soft the fibres are.

My favourite synth. knot is the L'Occitane Plisson because it can be easily be mashed onto the face splaying the knot open, the knot has soft fibres but it is flexible. The knots in the actual Plisson brushes are not the same knot, they are very similar but are a little bigger in diameter and a little stiffer but are also IMHO superb.

My second favourite is the Cashmere knot this knot has the softest fibres of all that I have tried and it too has a decent flex so can be splayed open with only gentle pressure, this is not true of the Tuxedo knot it is a good deal stiffer and less flexible and thus harder to splay the knot without using undo pressure.

I have a couple of Muhle (latest generation fibre) they are the best and neatest constructed knots but for me a little too stiff the fibes are soft on the face, in fact all of these knots have soft feeling fibres it is all about flex whether you like a lot or a little, for me a stiff knot is also super springy and flicks lather everywhere and just will not 'mash.'

Whipped dog are good knots but again too stiff for my taste.

Razorock Plissoft knots are superb in terms of value and performance they are my third favourite it is easy to see why they are so well regarded, the fitting of some of the knots is a little suspect, I have two that have not been set into the handles quite straight but I may have been unlucky, if these knots flexed just a little more they would for me personally be perfect.

The only synthetic that I have tried that I found unusable was the Frank Shaving Pur-Tech it was so stiff that I thought I had purchased a stenciling brush, however it should be said that if you paint lather on your face and do not mash the knot the stiffer knots will work just fine.

Regards
Dick.

Hi Dick, from your experience; would the Tuxedo knot be more suited to face lathering? A bit more backbone?
Thanks, Richard

 

[Nisse]

My way is the other way, not a masher I rate L'Occitane Plisson rock bottom, preferring more brush feel less soft cloud feel

 

[pjgh]

For face lathering, this knot from Haryali works just perfect for me and better than the Muhle, PurTech, Tuxedo, RazoRock, Maggard and other knots/brushes that I have ...

You'll need to buy a brush with one in, pull the knot and put it into whatever you want ... or use the brush as-is.

Good job (for me) that I've got a few of them

 

[Norfolkdick]

Hi Dick, from your experience; would the Tuxedo knot be more suited to face lathering? A bit more backbone?
Thanks, Richard

Greetings

Sorry I only just spotted your post, the Tuxedo knot is certainly fine for face lathering especially if you like a bit more backbone and tend to use a brush 'properly' that is just slight pressure on the tips but if you like to mash and splay open the knot on your face it is a little stiff.

To be quite fair I think I am in the minority liking the easier spaying knots more, I am pretty sure most prefer the types with a bit more backbone. It's nearly impossible to tell what you might like best without trying unless you know for sure that it will splay more or less than a knot you already like.

Regards
Dick.

 

[Glen_Lee]

Thanks for the replies; I'm in need of a new brush & I'm quite interested in the new synthetics. I've tried a Muhle & S-Brush synth's and they were far too soft. I seem to remember the lather flying off one of them

 

[Satanfriendly]

I've tried a Muhle & S-Brush synth's and they were far too soft.

I love the Muhle silvertip synthetic but their plain black fibre might as well be used for buffing a pair of shoes

 

[Helveticum]

Thanks for the replies; I'm in need of a new brush & I'm quite interested in the new synthetics. I've tried a Muhle & S-Brush synth's and they were far too soft. I seem to remember the lather flying off one of them

Far too soft for what, I wonder?

 

[Helveticum]

Good job (for me) that I've got a few of them

Holy cow! Respect, sir. Btw, I've got a yellow one (in OC)

 

[pjgh]

Lovely! The Deluxe clamshells were slightly different to the Micromatic clams ...

... rounded at the front, see? 1949 on, from what I can tell from adverts. The Micromatic clamshell would have been 1930s and then revisited in the 1950s for the Ever-Ready Streamline.

Having the matching brushes makes using these a real joy!