AP Shave Co. Brush Advice

There are only three brush/knot makers in China I believe and rest assured that AP Shave is merely installing Chinese knots in for all appearances Chinese handles as well. The only thing he does is set the knots. I have had no bad luck with YaQi fortunately. My first MÜHLE silvertip synth "doughnutted" and they replaced it back in 2015. I was told by their U.S. rep that is was unfortunately common with all synthetics and all of mine, both MÜHLE & YaQi, have all done that as well. Perhaps I have an "iron" jaw.
 
There are only three brush/knot makers in China I believe and rest assured that AP Shave is merely installing Chinese knots in for all appearances Chinese handles as well. The only thing he does is set the knots. I have had no bad luck with YaQi fortunately. My first MÜHLE silvertip synth "doughnutted" and they replaced it back in 2015. I was told by their U.S. rep that is was unfortunately common with all synthetics and all of mine, both MÜHLE & YaQi, have all done that as well. Perhaps I have an "iron" jaw.
From what I've read, the APS knots are manufactured by the well known Chinese manufacturers but to a better standard specified by APS.
 
From what I've read, the APS knots are manufactured by the well known Chinese manufacturers but to a better standard specified by APS.

That's correct. I have enough specimens to show and prove this. Upon request, Andrew @APShave can provide the same information to justify the case. The general perception is there are limited number of manufacturers, all in China, and they are the same. Let me assure you they are not. If you put 5 APS (different knots, different sizes) vs same Yaqies the difference can be seen and felt, much greater when they are lathered and used.

I agree Muhle/EJ brushes can develop "doughnut" shape/effect. But I'll not consider them a good example or use them for comparison. First, they stopped their advancement in synthetic fiber technology at the level of "Silvertip Fibre" and second, more important, their biggest size is 25mm/XL, not very dense. Again, the argument goes only for much larger sizes, 28mm and 30mm with shorter lofts. This combination makes a day and night difference, imo. They don't develop “doughnut", black hole or any other shape rather their original/natural one only.

To summarize again the main the advantages of bigger size knots at lower loft, in synthetics!: increased backbone/stiffness, less flop (spill of water or lather), smaller bloom/bulb (visually no more than 26mm, makes them not so huge and more aesthetically appealing) and better/faster lathering, particularly with hard soaps (more economical also). There are many other smaller details and improvements not worth mentioning, but contributing as well. At this moment I can't see any disadvantages, but like we say, YMMV.

A picture is worth a thousand words and if I find a time to make some, side and top views, they will show the big, big difference between 30mm Yaqi, 25mm/XL Muhle/EJ vs 30mm APS Cashmere and 30mm APS SynBad at lower lofts (set at custom wood handles). For example, my 30mm APS is shorter, more dense, with better backbone and softer tips and with smaller bulb/bloom at the top vs. 25mm Muhle/EJ. It is the closest thing visually and in performance to natural, maybe 2-band badger. At the same time original 30mm Yaqi barberpole handle is huge, floppy and leaking - probably appropriate only for dome shave. I've been setting knots and making brushes for the last 2 years and I played with most knots from various manufacturers, experimenting with lofts at every length and handle's hole sizes to collect enough data and get the results I wanted. What pictures can't show is the difference in shave in real life. You may have to take my word on it ... or not :)
 
Ok, I found a few spare minutes. Here a the photos taken quickly with my phone. Because of different handle height I had to put some pieces underneath on 2 of them (Muhle and Yaqi) to make all of them at the same level.

Top view:
top left - 25mm Muhle/XL EJ Silvertip Fibre; top right – Yaqi 30mm Tuxedo
bottom left – 30mm APS Cashmere; bottom right – 30mm APS SynBad

Side view, no need to explain, but just in case, left to right: Muhle/EJ, Yaqi, APS Cashmere, APS SynBad

Brushes, top view.JPGBrushes2.jpg

Cheers,
Martin
 
Ok, I found a few spare minutes. Here a the photos taken quickly with my phone. Because of different handle height I had to put some pieces underneath on 2 of them (Muhle and Yaqi) to make all of them at the same level.

Top view:
top left - 25mm Muhle/XL EJ Silvertip Fibre; top right – Yaqi 30mm Tuxedo
bottom left – 30mm APS Cashmere; bottom right – 30mm APS SynBad

Side view, no need to explain, but just in case, left to right: Muhle/EJ, Yaqi, APS Cashmere, APS SynBad

View attachment 53142View attachment 53143

Cheers,
Martin
You can definitely see the increased density in those APS knots. Thank you for sharing Martin. I like the bulb shape of the knots.
 
That's correct. Hole is always wider, by 1-1.5mm and up to 2mm, depends what knot you're putting in and how deep. 3-4mm less than usual loft will require at least 0.5mm added to hole dia. For a 28mm knot I will go min. of 29mm or 29.5mm dia., better yet 30mm. Keep in mind synthetics doesn't bloom sideways as badger (they keep their shape) and we need to give it a room to play and expand fibres in this direction when lathered or pushed against face (face lathering or bottom of bowl for bowl lathering).
 
whats your first impressions? i found my two synbad brushes look nicer in the flesh than i expected them to.
I agree. The green ring is a really rich green and the purple base has a smokey whisp in it that I wasn't expecting - similar to the Yaqi Purple Haze. Looks stunning and it's a big old boy!

Knot feels nice and dense. I'll give it a test lather tomorrow before lining it up for its first shave.
 
I agree. The green ring is a really rich green and the purple base has a smokey whisp in it that I wasn't expecting - similar to the Yaqi Purple Haze. Looks stunning and it's a big old boy!

Knot feels nice and dense. I'll give it a test lather tomorrow before lining it up for its first shave.

Congratulations on your new synth Chris, seems like you've got a pretty decent and widespread collection of synth brushes now.

Have you had a chance to measure the glue bump? I've not used an APSC brush but for my Yaqi's there really is a sweet spot for glue bumps, if it's too low it's too floppy and a little too high and it's not very pleasant to use.

How does the AP SC SynBad compare to your Yaqis? I've seen APSC have a custom configurator and I'm fairly sure my next synth will come via that option, this one in particular. I've owned synths 22/24/26/28 and I think the 26mm sized one might be the one I enjoy the size of the most.
 
I agree. The green ring is a really rich green and the purple base has a smokey whisp in it that I wasn't expecting - similar to the Yaqi Purple Haze. Looks stunning and it's a big old boy!

Knot feels nice and dense. I'll give it a test lather tomorrow before lining it up for its first shave.
Congratulations on your new brush, Chris ! (y)
 
Congratulations on your new synth Chris, seems like you've got a pretty decent and widespread collection of synth brushes now.

Have you had a chance to measure the glue bump? I've not used an APSC brush but for my Yaqi's there really is a sweet spot for glue bumps, if it's too low it's too floppy and a little too high and it's not very pleasant to use.

How does the AP SC SynBad compare to your Yaqis? I've seen APSC have a custom configurator and I'm fairly sure my next synth will come via that option, this one in particular. I've owned synths 22/24/26/28 and I think the 26mm sized one might be the one I enjoy the size of the most.
Once the girls are in bed, I'll measure it and let you know
 
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