Badger to Synthetic shift

Would you buy a badger brush again?

  • No, never again

    Votes: 37 49.3%
  • Yes, I would

    Votes: 28 37.3%
  • Maybe

    Votes: 10 13.3%

  • Total voters
    75
Cashmere ...

To me, it's like a super-soft boar (which I do like). The density of the knot produces a lather that really suits me and the soaps that I like. Some knots produce more airy lathers, like the dark fibre knots from Haryali; the Tuxedo produces a very thick, dense lather which paints on like yoghurt, but the knot holds onto the lather more.

The other that I particularly like is the older generation from Haryali. I have used a lot of synthetic brushes and not found that fibre on other brushes. To my face, if the Muhle Silvertip fibre is the equivalent of a Silvertip badger, that Haryali knot is the Best badger. It's ever so slightly scritchier, but still soft and quite highbrow nevertheless. That fibre is very much like PurTech (if you remember that) but just refined somehow.

My hands down favourite brush is the Yaqi Dandelion - it's 24mm Cashmere knot in a long green handle. I quite fancy trying the Cashmere in 26mm.

Have to agree on the Cashmere knot and the Dandelion is so wonderful for what it cost.

It is not really a shift for me as I have only ever owned one badger brush and just didn't get on with it one bit.
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't commit to never buying a badger brush again but this past week on 3 different occasions I've reached for my £10 Yaqi Synth which sits right beside my £130 Chubby2 because I prefer it.
No intentions of selling the Chubby either but I can definitely feel a sway towards synthetics brewing.
 
I still have more than a dozen badger brushes and occasionally use a few of them, because I do like the feel of a decent badger knot and don't want them to just sit there. But mostly I use synths because they're very consistent, generate lather faster, dry quicker and also feel good on my face — a bit different to badger knots, but not inferior to my way of thinking. I wouldn't absolutely dismiss the idea of buying another badger brush, but don't think I'm likely to.
Besides, chasing the perfect synth knot or just getting another for variety is either cheap or only moderately expensive, whereas the badger brushes I've liked best have generally been the expensive ones.
 
I wouldn't commit to never buying a badger brush again but this past week on 3 different occasions I've reached for my £10 Yaqi Synth which sits right beside my £130 Chubby2 because I prefer it.
No intentions of selling the Chubby either but I can definitely feel a sway towards synthetics brewing.

For some (I can't speak for everyone) I think it's really good to have variation. Also, the budget Yaqi synths are exceptional for performance/quality at their price points.
 
For some (I can't speak for everyone) I think it's really good to have variation. Also, the budget Yaqi synths are exceptional for performance/quality at their price points.
Your right. I have two badgers, chubby 3 and SV badger, just bought a Mùhle synthetic silver tip. The latter is a completely different feel, so good to experience them all. I like the Mùhle so much that I'm considering another , maybe larger one.
 
Plastic brushes, plastic women, plastic robot dogs, were all doomed I tell ya!


190403-robot-dog-mn-2x1-1620_05b585c0d7680e3e0c8279bc62352909.fit-760w.gif
 
Its not about ethics for me - i just happen to be quite impressed with the Yaqi synthetic i bought, compared to my old boar / badger mix brush.

I bought the 22mm Yaqui, but am about to order (at least) one of the larger ones
 
I've made an ethical choice* not to buy any more badgers but will enjoy the ones I currently own. New brush purchases are synthetic which I enjoy.

So, let me just dismount my high horse a moment. I introduced a friend to AE a few months ago and they also know I enjoy wet shaving (and mock me for it). They bought me a brush as a present and I got it today. It's a dscosmetics (I think 2 band) in a knock off Shavemac handle. So there's a new badger in my collection now.

IMG_20200829_093221.jpg
I feel honoured and hypocritical. Not hypocritical enough to get rid of it but hypocritical nonetheless.
 
So, let me just dismount my high horse a moment. I introduced a friend to AE a few months ago and they also know I enjoy wet shaving (and mock me for it). They bought me a brush as a present and I got it today. It's a dscosmetics (I think 2 band) in a knock off Shavemac handle. So there's a new badger in my collection now.

View attachment 58854
I feel honoured and hypocritical. Not hypocritical enough to get rid of it but hypocritical nonetheless.

I don't think you were ever on the high horse, but life's too short to feel guilty about these things and just enjoy using the brush. It looks a beauty for sure.
 
Still love my badgers. I have never got into the ethical issue. Follow the logic and you would become a vegan. I'm a typical human hypocrite. I look in horror at a fishing boat hauling in its catch. And love my fish and chips.

I'm in agreement.

I saw on ATG you'd been unwell, I hope your health is better and also that you used to be a member of the Martin Guitar Forum, which I also used to frequent, as much as I love the world of shaving my love for acoustic guitars is far greater!
 
I've never owned a badger, I started with an Omega Boar two years ago and now have two synths and use all three in rotation. I can't compare badger to synths obviously but I'm considering getting a badger soon just to say that I've had one and so that I can make my own comparisons.
 
I've never owned a badger, I started with an Omega Boar two years ago and now have two synths and use all three in rotation. I can't compare badger to synths obviously but I'm considering getting a badger soon just to say that I've had one and so that I can make my own comparisons.

If you're not in a rush, I'd recommend waiting until the November sale when Yaqi have sales and get a badger so you can decide for yourself.
 
Back
Top Bottom