help choosing a new brush

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Manchester
I could do with some help choosing a new brush. For the last 3 years I have used a Progress Vulfix 404 Grosvenor Mixed Badger and Boar Bristle Shaving Brush.

It's been very good, but is now starting to shed bristles more often and I have switched to the brush I used before that, which is a men-ü Barbiere Pure Bristle Shaving Brush (which says made in Italy, so possibly a rebranded Omega?)

I have an older Synthetic brush (literally cant remember when / where I bought it, so likely came in a gift pack or picked it up in a supermarket) – have used it a couple of times, but its terrible – very soft and springy and it just seems to flick soap and water all over my shoulders when I try to lather with it !!!!

I fancy one of the newer synthetics that seem to be more popular, but I really want something with a decently sized or grippy handle + some degree of backbone (is that right?) so that it is stiff and can face lather, NOT a super soft, springy, flingy thing like the synth I have.

Really, I like to face scrub a bit when lathering, because I have really coarse stubble under the chin.

I think I understand a little about Boar brushes vs Badger brushes, but synthetics are a whole new science for me.

My initial thoughts are one of the bigger handled Yaqis, but with a smaller 24mm knot perhaps ?

Or should i buy another Boar brush ??
 
I could do with some help choosing a new brush. For the last 3 years I have used a Progress Vulfix 404 Grosvenor Mixed Badger and Boar Bristle Shaving Brush.

It's been very good, but is now starting to shed bristles more often and I have switched to the brush I used before that, which is a men-ü Barbiere Pure Bristle Shaving Brush (which says made in Italy, so possibly a rebranded Omega?)

I have an older Synthetic brush (literally cant remember when / where I bought it, so likely came in a gift pack or picked it up in a supermarket) – have used it a couple of times, but its terrible – very soft and springy and it just seems to flick soap and water all over my shoulders when I try to lather with it !!!!

I fancy one of the newer synthetics that seem to be more popular, but I really want something with a decently sized or grippy handle + some degree of backbone (is that right?) so that it is stiff and can face lather, NOT a super soft, springy, flingy thing like the synth I have.

Really, I like to face scrub a bit when lathering, because I have really coarse stubble under the chin.

I think I understand a little about Boar brushes vs Badger brushes, but synthetics are a whole new science for me.

My initial thoughts are one of the bigger handled Yaqis, but with a smaller 24mm knot perhaps ?

Or should i buy another Boar brush ??
The new breed of synthetic brushes are very soft on your skin so if you want a bit of scrub a boar brush is ideal. You can pick up an Omega 49 for very little money and they are very good brushes, I still have and use mine and I love it. :) P.
 
If you want a brush with some 'scrub' value and synthetic you needn't look much further than the Yaqi Dandelion. It uses a Cashmere synthetic knot which one of the well established members on here described as being 'similar to well worn boar'. Not as though I'd know anything about that as I've been synthetic since returning to this proper shaving malarkey. Add to that the handle on the Dandelion is a nice size, they don't cost the earth (Expect less than £20) and quite a few boxes starting to get ticked. There is also AP Shave Co and their Cashmere brush selection. Believe they give great and fast service from Canada


The other brush which has impressed recently is the silver/grey knot as used by the Groom Room Dundee on their little whiskey barrel brush. Not so sure it has the same back bone as the Cashmere but a delight to use and find it fine for face lathering, plus it is a pretty little brush


I've used quite a few of the synthetic knots and would say the Cashmere is among the best. So impressed with the knot I'm waiting to order a custom job in the near future using the same.
 
Hello all,

Thanks for the advice. Whilst searching i found the Yaqi Austrailia website had some comparisons for their different brush types and also another website with a comparison of different synthetic brushs.

For now i just pulled the trigger on this, as it was only £14 and will be here in a couple of days, so will have a play around and might well buy a cashmere one via Ali Express which will arrive eventually.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yaqi-Synthetic-Tuxedo-White-Handle/dp/B07D6C9BVB/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&m=A7PG9K9BF3CBQ&marketplaceID=A1F83G8C2ARO7P&qid=1594823066&s=merchant-items&sr=1-17
 
Hello all,

Thanks for the advice. Whilst searching i found the Yaqi Austrailia website had some comparisons for their different brush types and also another website with a comparison of different synthetic brushs.

For now i just pulled the trigger on this, as it was only £14 and will be here in a couple of days, so will have a play around and might well buy a cashmere one via Ali Express which will arrive eventually.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yaqi-Synthetic-Tuxedo-White-Handle/dp/B07D6C9BVB/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&m=A7PG9K9BF3CBQ&marketplaceID=A1F83G8C2ARO7P&qid=1594823066&s=merchant-items&sr=1-17

You can't go wrong with a Yaqi Tuxedo. I'd say down the line get yourself an Omega boar brush to add another boar to your rotation as well.
 
You can't go wrong with a Yaqi Tuxedo. I'd say down the line get yourself an Omega boar brush to add another boar to your rotation as well.
yeah i might well also get an Omega boar for what they cost.

nb.... considering my total spend on shaving brushes over the years is probobly less than £30, it's about time I started to do the job properly!!
 
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This arrived yesterday - had a shave last night and its certainly different to the larger sized boar brushes that i am used to.

Its a 22mm Yaqi Tuxedo (although the knot is nearer to 24mm) and its very soft at the tips, but quickly becomes firm down towards the knot.

Seems good for face lathering - it can flick product about if used enthusiastically by comparison to the boar brushes, so slower, gentler lathering movements needed.

Tried bowl lathering also and because of its smaller size it took a little extra work, but overall i like it - its certainly "different" to a real hair brush, but feels plenty capable of doing a good job. I think i need a few shaves with it to get a proper feel.

Am tempted now to go ahead and order a larger Yaqi synthetic as well.

This one will make for a terrific travel brush to go in the washbag.

IMAG0625.jpg
 
Glad to hear you're enjoying the Tuxedo knot. I use a Sagrada Familia (which I highly recommend) and have a Timber Wolf on its way to me from China. They are great brushes for the price. I know some people love their expensive silver tip badger numbers but I struggle to see how they could do a better job than one of the Yaqi synthetics, they really do work well.
 
I find i just push it into the face a little more than my natural hair brush and then scrub slowly - its no problem at all - it builds an excellent lather in bowl or on face in just a few secondsk
 
I've just bought a Mùhle travel brush and this has completely changed my mind about synthetics . It feels really nice on my face when face lathering, and makes loads of creamy lather with ease.
In fact, I'm almost liking it as much as my chubby3 badger.
 
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