Are Synthetic Brushes the Way of the Future?

I just realized the Kong dimensions are listed on Stirling's site. I thought they sold out and took it down. Anyway, it's 63mm loft, so it looks like I won't be buying the new versions. I don't like shorter lofts on synthetics. I realize a lot of people like the extra backbone, but to me the synthetics don't require it. I think Plisson knew exactly how the brush should perform, but they didn't offer a larger knot size unfortunately. I could go with maybe a 58mm loft on the Kong, but 54mm is too short I believe for my preferences.

I agree. I like the shorter lofts for face shaving though. My TGC Synthetic has become my favorite face lathering brush, and I think it's pretty close to the Plissoft brush. But for head shaving, it's just not as comfortable to me. It's exaggerated even more when you move to the Ubersoft knots, which are closer to synthetic boars. I wanted to love my WD 30mm brush, but it really needs another 10mm of loft IMO.

Yikes, I was a fool and thought the dimensions of the new brush matched the Kong, only it had a handle that I think I will like much better. I already felt like the Kong had plenty of backbone so it will be interesting to see how this one goes. Hopefully well.

I used my new Bruce this morning and it was fantastic. That 24mm is perfect!

I just realized the Kong dimensions are listed on Stirling's site. I thought they sold out and took it down. Anyway, it's 63mm loft, so it looks like I won't be buying the new versions. I don't like shorter lofts on synthetics. I realize a lot of people like the extra backbone, but to me the synthetics don't require it. I think Plisson knew exactly how the brush should perform, but they didn't offer a larger knot size unfortunately. I could go with maybe a 58mm loft on the Kong, but 54mm is too short I believe for my preferences.

I agree.  I like the shorter lofts for face shaving though.  My TGC Synthetic has become my favorite face lathering brush, and I think it's pretty close to the Plissoft brush.  But for head shaving, it's just not as comfortable to me.  It's exaggerated even more when you move to the Ubersoft knots, which are closer to synthetic boars.  I wanted to love my WD 30mm brush, but it really needs another 10mm of loft IMO.

I always face lather and prefer the 63mm loft on the Kong, but on a 24mm knot I prefer around 55 to 57. I also have the WD 24mm and had the 30mm, but like you, I felt it could use a little higher loft. However, the 24mm is my second favorite brush, at least until I get a handle for my 24mm plisson type knot. I've never used a boar so I don't know how it compares, but for me it feels as soft as a plisson with more backbone.

All of my natural hair brushes are packed away in storage. The only two brushes in my house are synthetics. While I still like boars, I doubt I'll ever use a badger or horse brush again.

Scratch that. I just used my favorite boar after 3 1/2 months of only using synthetics and didn't enjoy it. I'm a synthetics-only guy now.

All of my natural hair brushes are packed away in storage. The only two brushes in my house are synthetics. While I still like boars, I doubt I'll ever use a badger or horse brush again.

Scratch that. I just used my favorite boar after 3 1/2 months of only using synthetics and didn't enjoy it. I'm a synthetics-only guy now.

That's pretty much what happened to me. I was fighting some really bad folliculitis issues and went to a synthetic for a few months, as I had heard the softer and faster drying synthetics might help. After everything cleared up, I picked up my favorite boar brush again just to feel the difference. My first thought was "What the heck? How did I possibly think this ever felt good?" It felt like I was taking a broom to my skull. Got rid of all (but one, and it's destined for my next PIF) and I haven't looked back.

All of my natural hair brushes are packed away in storage. The only two brushes in my house are synthetics. While I still like boars, I doubt I'll ever use a badger or horse brush again.

Scratch that. I just used my favorite boar after 3 1/2 months of only using synthetics and didn't enjoy it. I'm a synthetics-only guy now.

That's pretty much what happened to me.  I was fighting some really bad folliculitis issues and went to a synthetic for a few months, as I had heard the softer and faster drying synthetics might help.  After everything cleared up, I picked up my favorite boar brush again just to feel the difference.  My first thought was "What the heck?  How did I possibly think this ever felt good?"  It felt like I was taking a broom to my skull.  Got rid of all (but one, and it's destined for my next PIF) and I haven't looked back.

-A- and gwsmallwood, I totally echo your sentiments. After another synthetic stint, a couple of days ago I thought I’d give the boar a go. That led to some disappointment. The boar is nice if you really want to deep-exfoliate the face and use up a ton of soap in the process. I didn’t want either, so the boar is going back to the sidelines for the foreseeable future.

All of my natural hair brushes are packed away in storage. The only two brushes in my house are synthetics. While I still like boars, I doubt I'll ever use a badger or horse brush again.

Scratch that. I just used my favorite boar after 3 1/2 months of only using synthetics and didn't enjoy it. I'm a synthetics-only guy now.

once I used my synthetic brushes for the first time, I never even bothered trying any of my badger brushes...

Scratch that.

The best puns are unintentional.  

I still by far prefer my badgers. I do admit that I over the last 5-6 months have changed my taste and thus have sold of all my less than TOP HIGH END badgers and made way and room for 8 boars and 10 synthetics in my den.
I face lather 19/20 times and still find I prefer the feel of my badgers. But my board and synthetics are not that far behind.

I have sold all the badgers I felt were not TOP LEVEL performers, got rid of 60-70 badger brushes from 2014-2016, and among these you would find Duke 3 Manchurians, Duke 3 Best, Duke 3 2-band Silvertip (Duke is too small a knot for my preference in badgers now), all my 12 M&F's, Saville Row's (not a big fan, prefer the mother Shavemac at custom spec), Semogues, Rooney's, just sold all that did not live up to my personal preferences.
I believe still, that most - not all but most guys - would prefer a high end badger over a top synthetic, if their prices were even.

I enjoy using my boars, I just soak them for 20 minutes, while I do my head shave, and they all perform great.
I only own my personal Top 8 boar brush performers and so far still love them for what they are.

Really have started to enjoy my synthetics. But they lack the 'feel' I get from my badgers and board, so I now have all 3 types of brushes in my den.
My brush den now consist of:
20 HIGH END badgers (4 Thäters, 8 Shavemacs and 8 Simpsons)
8 boars (4 Omegas and 4 Semogues)
10 Synthetics (Simpson, Plisson, Stirling, RazoRock and CrownKing)