I've come to prefer synthetic brushes

The biggest issue I have with synthetics is they look and feel cheap and that just takes away from the enjoyment. Badgers look and feel like luxury and add sooo much more to the shave. I do agree that loading and lather building is easier with synthetics but they have a ways to go to match the luxurious of a badger.

Any recommendations for a synthetic that is dense and has a lot of backbone?

Any recommendations for a synthetic that is dense and has a lot of backbone?

Simpson's Chubby 2 is the best brush you'll find for this.

I didn't even know they made a synthetic in the Chubby 2 format. Great!

Any recommendations for a synthetic that is dense and has a lot of backbone?

Tuxedo.

Any recommendations for a synthetic that is dense and has a lot of backbone?

Tuxedo.

What handle style would you recommend?

Any recommendations for a synthetic that is dense and has a lot of backbone?

Tuxedo.

What handle style would you recommend?

that's all personal preference, really.

I find the black synthetic knots and the ubersoft knots from envyshave are dense and have a lot of backbone.

The most backbone I've ever felt in a synthetic was the Ubersoft 2 by far, and it wasn't pleasant. Don't let the name fool you either.

I'm new to wet shaving, just about a year now. I own two boar, badger, and synthetic brushes. My favorites are Semogue SOC, Shavemac 26mm Two-Band, and Yaqi 26mm tuxedo respectively. For me, they're all great brushes and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. The Semogue is like "kitten hair" said one blogger. I love the brush but it releases lather faster than I like. The Shavemac is amazing, incredibly springy, and soft. It' has a very dense knot so it holds and disperses lather quite well. The only downside is that its animal hair, which needs a little more care than a synthetic. I was very surprised to find (at least up today) that synthetics are my overall favorite because I tend to like high quality, traditional grooming products. For me, they outperform animal hair brushes in almost every way except they don't stay warm unless one has a scuttle or similar. I shave at the gym most mornings so I especially like that synthetics don't require any special care and they can sit in travel tube until I get home.

The most backbone I've ever felt in a synthetic was the Ubersoft 2 by far, and it wasn't pleasant. Don't let the name fool you either.

I'd tend to agree too. The black synthetic knots, at least the ones maggards sells had a lot of backbone too.