Synthetic Brushes-What if I’ve been doing it wrong?

Is it possible that I’ve been wrong all this time?  I’ve not been a fan of synthetic brushes. I tried them years ago and they were awful. I’ve not really cared for the modern ones either. I found their performance to be inferior to badger or boar.  A couple of things clicked recently. First it was apparent that those members who admitted to being brush smashers, in the thread I started a week or two ago asking who smashes their brushes all seemed to smash synthetic brushes and the there was a more recent thread asking about lathering Mystic Waters soap and several members replied that they had success with synthetic brushes. I began to wonder if maybe my issue with synthetic brushes wasn't a problem with the brushes but a problem with me. You know the saying if everyone you meet is jerk, maybe you’re the jerk. My lathering technique doesn’t involve smashing my brush on either the soap or the lathering bowl. So I decided I’d try a synthetic only I’d smash it. I used an Omega S synthetic boar brush I’ve had for a few years. I used iColoniali mango soap which I’d recently had a poor experience with. I used a new boar brush in it and it produced a poor thin lather. Disappointing. In any case I set to smashing the omega into the puck to load not taking too much time then proceeded to smash it into my Captains Choice copper bowl again not giving it too much time and to my surprise and delight produced an excellent thick and rich lather! This could be the start of a beautiful friendship

It's not you, it's the crappy Omega synthetic. YaQi has buried the competition. Try a Cashmere and/or a Mew Brown sold at WCS. You will offer me your daughter's hand in marriage in gratitude most likely. 

I don't smash my synthetics either and they work great for me. Maybe try loading for longer that you're used to when using a synthetic?

using synthetic brushes you need to load the soap longer on the brush or if you are using a cream then add a tad bit more. Overall I get a better lather with Synthetic than badger IMHO.

I’m no expert so I can’t give an expert opinion. That being said....I prefer a synthetic brush. My most expensive synthetic is about $13.00 and it works fine.


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It's not you, it's the crappy Omega synthetic. YaQi has buried the competition. Try a Cashmere and/or a Mew Brown sold at WCS. You will offer me your daughter's hand in marriage in gratitude most likely. 

Is the Mew Brown the same as the APShaveCo synbad knot?

Omega S Brush is a great boar synthetic. The Mew Brown and Synbad are excellent too although a bit too soft for me.. I find synthetics easier to lather with than natural fiber. Additionally they take less soap. New gen synthetics really are performers compared to the nylon knots of yesteryear. Low maintenance. Fast drying. Easy lathering.

My Big Bruce from IB performs better than my boar and badger ones. Granted, they are the entry level boar and badger brushes.

The synthetic is my go to brush and only change it for the sake of variation.

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Omega S Brush is a great boar synthetic.  The Mew Brown and Synbad are excellent too although a bit too soft for me..  I find synthetics easier to lather with than natural fiber.  Additionally they take less soap.  New gen synthetics really are performers compared to the nylon knots of yesteryear.  Low maintenance.  Fast drying.  Easy lathering.

If you're looking for something with more backbone, try the SilkSmooth from AP Shave Co.  It has soft tips but A LOT of backbone

It's not you, it's the crappy Omega synthetic. YaQi has buried the competition. Try a Cashmere and/or a Mew Brown sold at WCS. You will offer me your daughter's hand in marriage in gratitude most likely. 

Is the Mew Brown the same as the APShaveCo synbad knot?

Essentially, yes although there may be minor differences.