Are Synthetic Brushes the Way of the Future?

I have traditionally wet shaved all my adult life and have been a collector and user of the finest badger brushes offered by the great ones.

I have noticed the amount of synthetic brushes been offered by several brush makers, very nice IMO.  I own a few, Wolf Whiskers, Plisson, Simpson, and have a small heard from IB coming my way.

I'll be hard pressed to give up my badgers, but they have a place in my den.

So, are synthetics the way of the future in traditional wet shaving?  

I think they definitely have a chair at the table.  What say you?

I think that they are great performers, but I generally prefer a brush with a little scrub, sometimes even some downright scritch. Obviously it is just my opinion, but for the most part, I don't really find them appealing to look at either.

I have a couple I rotate in at home, and one that I travel with. I just can't imagine myself getting away from my natural hair brushes.


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Thanks PickledNorthern

In my view I see synthetics as being the biggest leap forward when it comes to converting more people to traditional shaving. Synthetics are much more cost effective which gives less of a barrier for the curious shaver to give it a try. They also have a shorter learning curve.

This sets up synthetic brushes as being the gateway brush for a majority of newer traditional shavers. I also expect that these brushes will remain the favored brush for a good amount of these people moving forward. Those that embrace shaving as a hobby like us should most assuredly try all of the natural brushes as well, but I also think we all know that the hobbyists make up a small proportion of the market.

So in conclusion, yes, I do think that synthetic brushes are the way of the future for traditional shaving.

Thanks SharpSpine

For what you get, yes I'd say they are the future. Two years ago I would have rubbed my nose at the thought of using a synthetic, they were frankly terrible. Now for 13 bucks you can get a really amazing brush that doesn't take forever to dry and frankly, performs better than badger in many regards. I'll always love badger and always use the brushes in my den of that accord but, the synthetics these days are pretty darn good and I reach for them often. Boar has left my den entirely as a side note due to the synthetic improvements.

Thanks@steeleshaves

I held out buying one for a LONG time. But when I finally caved, I was blown away. Having not had to shave with Gen 1, Gen 2 etc hair, I was lucky to jump in with established fibres.

I only see them getting better and better. Natural hair seems to have hit a stall and badgers and boars aren't evolving.

I think that they are great performers, but I generally prefer a brush with a little scrub, sometimes even some downright scritch. Obviously it is just my opinion, but for the most part, I don't really find them appealing to look at either.

I have a couple I rotate in at home, and one that I travel with.  I just can't imagine myself getting away from my natural hair brushes.

+1

Nonetheless, I still think they are very good brushes for what they accomplish, are extremely easy to use and generate a great amount of lather with less soap and time.

... badgers and boars aren't evolving.

We need scientists to force the situation and genetically mutate the animals to produce superior hair for shaving brushes.