SeanC
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A couple of recent purchases which I felt worthy of a review
DRS Cosmetic 26mm Synthetic Brush
Bought from: http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/biBDTmJm (note there is a similar looking brush with different characteristics)
Dimensions:
Knot diameter: 26mm
Loft: 56mm
Glue bump: <5mm
Handle Diameter: 35mm
Handle Height: 58mm
Density:
Taking Simpson and Zenith as maximum (5/5) and Omega as minimum (1/5), I class these as medium density (3/5), very similar to Muhle STF XL
Softness:
Taking Plissoft or Cashmere as maximum (5/5) and Omega as minimum (1/5), I consider that the tips are very soft and very similar to APShaveco Silksmoke and Synbad i.e. (5/5). Marginally softer than Muhle STF XL
Backbone:
Taking Simpson and Zenith as maximum (5/5) and Plissoft as minimum (1/5), I class these as medium firm i.e. (4/5)
Shedding:
None
Handle:
Moulded, but reasonable enough with no obvious physical flaws and fairly crisp lines. Acrylic could however have been poured a little better to give more even distribution of shades
Conclusion
After a series of direct comparisons, I believe that this knot with the exception of colour, seems to have identical characteristics to the APShaveco Silksmoke and a fair similarities in terms of density and backbone with the Muhle STF XL. Performance is very good, it lathers all my active soaps and creams with ease and the face feel is fantastic (I'm a face latherer who both swirls and paints). The only minor negative I have is that is does 'dribble' a little if overloaded with water, but then again so does the Muhle. On balance I think this is an excellent synthetic brush and probably at the price of just less than £12 inclusive of postage I paid for it (AliExpress sale), the best value synthetic currently on the market. I think that apart from those who prefer a short loft, very dense brush, most users would be very happy with the performance of this brush which on the balance of probabilities I believe is identical to the Silksmoke aside from colour.
DRS Cosmetic 24mm Synthetic Knot
Bought from:
http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/bLYTOtg8
Virtually identical to the above brush, although possibly a little more dense (does not noticeably impact on performance). The loft at 54mm (maximum before being set in a handle) is a little lower as you would expect. I bought one and mounted it in a Razorock 400 using a 5 Euro Cent coin to set the loft at 53mm after stripping out the original Plissoft knot. Once again there is minimal glue bump
24mm knot (left) and 26mm brush (right)
24mm knot (left) and 26mm brush (right)
Top down view with Muhle STF XL (left) and 26mm brush (right)
Side by side view with Muhle STF XL (left) and 26mm brush (right)
Side by side view with APShaveCo Silksmoke (left) and 24mm set Razorock 400 handle (right)
Thanks
DRS Cosmetic 26mm Synthetic Brush
Bought from: http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/biBDTmJm (note there is a similar looking brush with different characteristics)
Dimensions:
Knot diameter: 26mm
Loft: 56mm
Glue bump: <5mm
Handle Diameter: 35mm
Handle Height: 58mm
Density:
Taking Simpson and Zenith as maximum (5/5) and Omega as minimum (1/5), I class these as medium density (3/5), very similar to Muhle STF XL
Softness:
Taking Plissoft or Cashmere as maximum (5/5) and Omega as minimum (1/5), I consider that the tips are very soft and very similar to APShaveco Silksmoke and Synbad i.e. (5/5). Marginally softer than Muhle STF XL
Backbone:
Taking Simpson and Zenith as maximum (5/5) and Plissoft as minimum (1/5), I class these as medium firm i.e. (4/5)
Shedding:
None
Handle:
Moulded, but reasonable enough with no obvious physical flaws and fairly crisp lines. Acrylic could however have been poured a little better to give more even distribution of shades
Conclusion
After a series of direct comparisons, I believe that this knot with the exception of colour, seems to have identical characteristics to the APShaveco Silksmoke and a fair similarities in terms of density and backbone with the Muhle STF XL. Performance is very good, it lathers all my active soaps and creams with ease and the face feel is fantastic (I'm a face latherer who both swirls and paints). The only minor negative I have is that is does 'dribble' a little if overloaded with water, but then again so does the Muhle. On balance I think this is an excellent synthetic brush and probably at the price of just less than £12 inclusive of postage I paid for it (AliExpress sale), the best value synthetic currently on the market. I think that apart from those who prefer a short loft, very dense brush, most users would be very happy with the performance of this brush which on the balance of probabilities I believe is identical to the Silksmoke aside from colour.
DRS Cosmetic 24mm Synthetic Knot
Bought from:
http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/bLYTOtg8
Virtually identical to the above brush, although possibly a little more dense (does not noticeably impact on performance). The loft at 54mm (maximum before being set in a handle) is a little lower as you would expect. I bought one and mounted it in a Razorock 400 using a 5 Euro Cent coin to set the loft at 53mm after stripping out the original Plissoft knot. Once again there is minimal glue bump
24mm knot (left) and 26mm brush (right)
24mm knot (left) and 26mm brush (right)
Top down view with Muhle STF XL (left) and 26mm brush (right)
Side by side view with Muhle STF XL (left) and 26mm brush (right)
Side by side view with APShaveCo Silksmoke (left) and 24mm set Razorock 400 handle (right)
Thanks
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