What's your goto type of knot hair ?

Lynn

Lynn

Founder of Straight Razor Place
Staff member
I love Manchurian knots. Plenty of backbone and they seem to hold just a ton of suds.
 
jaro1069

jaro1069

Administrator
Staff member
The rex i have i put a black kabuki knot in is synthetic. So white/ beige colored handle with black knot is still probably my most used brush hold nice bit of water or can fling out easily and dries quickly when finished and cleaned...
 
D

Doug Bear

Member
I like soft tips with a bit of backbone and a knot that isn't a lather hog. I have synthetics and naturals that do this. I love em all.
 
D

Doug Bear

Member
I enjoy synthetics and badger.
Here is how I determine my likes.
1. Synthetics are fast to build a great lather and you can choose between softer tips with moderate backbone & softer tips with more backbone. Knots with backbone make it a touch easier to load harder soaps but blooming in a bowl or puck overcomes that. They are not lather hogs.
2. Badger for me must allow for decent pass thru and provide gel/soft tips. I do enjoy backbone as long as tips are soft.
I would call a reputable retailer and ask them what they offer with the features you like.
 
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J

J_R

Member
I like badgers (excepting pures) and boars. hated horse, and disliked face feel from a synth to the point of having no desire to try another.
 
Big John Breakstuff

Big John Breakstuff

New member
Silvertip badger in a fan is my new FOTD. I almost want to ask Brad Sears if he can make one in a custom handle. I still want to try Manchurian.
 
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ocdshaver

ocdshaver

Active member
For the Simpsons I have, I’d say their best badger is where it’s at for me. The best has a bit more backbone and the tips are the same softness as the super. But it’s a much more economical choice.
 
ESBrushmaker

ESBrushmaker

Active member
primotenore said:
I guess I am "old school". There's NOTHING better than the feeling of a knot full of super-soft badger hair caressing your face.
Click to expand...
Until about 10-12 years ago, most of the badgers we saw were 3-band Silvertips (under various names, of course); then 2-bands took over. While a top tier 2-band is a wonderful brush, a good medium-backboned Silvertip is tough to beat.
 
Lou Mowan

Lou Mowan

Snake River Razors, Admin
Staff member
I like to switch a lot. Horsehair, boar and badger all have a place in my den. Synthetics nah
 
Mike_Ratliff

Mike_Ratliff

God of Mischief
Staff member
I've never liked boar... I must be doing something wrong.
Silver tip badger has always been my favorite, it retains moisture, and is very luxurious.

for those who are environmentally concerned, I've heard that horse hair makes a great brush knot
 
C

cladium

Member
interesting discussion! I prefer the 'manchurian' type badger as others said, which is meaning to me the big base diameter tapering and whitening to the tip, soft tip like a silvertip but because their bottom half is so thick and springy I find their knots better combine scrub, soft, and not stealing all the lather. Have never had much success with super soft silvertips that are similarly sized as the manchurian knot, they have to be taller or more height vs width, to give up the lather (and that makes them move around a lot more under load). Doesn't seem like this hair is very common for sale new anymore vs 10-20yrs ago?
 
brothers

brothers

Member
In my experience so far, I've finally settled down with only 4 very favorite and best performing brushes. The SilkSmoke synthetic from APShave; Thater 4376/5 Silvertip; Zenith boar; and Manchurian White finest from Elite. They're in permanent rotation now, and I couldn't be more pleased with the performance and quality of these "old faithfuls". I hope everyone can eventually identify their own best of the brushes. Good Luck!
 
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