Shavemac synthetic brush

Dr Watson

Dr Watson

James
Looks like a Muhle knot for sure. In fact the knot construction appears identical to my ebony 25mm STF brush... Bulb knot and the fibres on the very outside of the knot are slightly too long (IMO) it actually looks like a Muhle manufactured knot in my opinion, though that wouldn't really make sense when Bernd has the know how and facilities to do it himself.

Agree with above, handle is awful, looks like a 1950's Culmak.
 
Nishy

Nishy

Forum GOD!
Staff member
Used the brush this morning, this isn't going to help me not be seen as shilling for Shavemac. Anyway I received the brush for free and I have no other association with Bernd and Shavemac apart from the fact that I respect the guy and his business. I was just asked for an honest review which probably will be posted on his site. So just a quick synopsis.

Well I'm impressed. No glue bump. No doughnuts when wet. No issues with over splay or too little splay. No bulk bristle harshness when swirling on the face and enough feedback when painting. Lather does not fly around or get drawn, then stuck to the bottom of the knot. Fibres feel great.

When wet and in use, if blindfolded (stay with me) I couldn't tell the difference between this knot and the standard 2 band 2016 ATG LE. Now this isn't the famed 2015 LE that is special. If I'm hypercritical as with the 2016 LE (for my preferences) a shorter loft of approx 4mm would put this brush in the perfect category for me. This is not to say it lacks backbone.

I prefer badgers and was skeptical about the Muhle STF, I thought the Chubby 2 synthetic was the pinnacle (and it's very good IMO). I would say the Shavemac mimicks a natural badger more than the Simpson brush (based on lack of scrubbing), but I do like the heavy backbone of the Chubby. However scrubbing is much better with the Shavemac. Never tried the STF so now looking into that.


First use and all so will need more time to appreciate the nuances. You know when you finish your shave and are still smiling thinking how wonderful the shaving tools were, this was myself this morning. The bloody thing even lost one hair and I ended up drying it like a badger. Someone just gave me sugar free baklava that tastes as good as the original. I don't know what else to say. I'm going to be buying some of these with the loft lowered very very slightly.

Oh yeah Yaqi was my first foray into synthetics, now I realise that was a bad move. Great handles poor knots IMO.
 
Dr Watson

Dr Watson

James
Nishy said:
Never tried the STF so now looking into that.
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Only bother with the 25mm Nish, the rest won't be up to your standards. Speak to Anthony at Shave Lounge, I know he has a couple left and will sell for a very good price to clear stock (where I got one of mine from not too long ago.)
 
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GoReds

GoReds

Forum GOD!
@Nishy

You mentioned baklava which I like it a lot. Now I want to try that synthetic knot. :)

By the way interesting review. Hope we see something new in synthetic market.
 
p.b

p.b

Forum GOD!
Nishy said:
Used the brush this morning, this isn't going to help me not be seen as shilling for Shavemac. Anyway I received the brush for free and I have no other association with Bernd and Shavemac apart from the fact that I respect the guy and his business. I was just asked for an honest review which probably will be posted on his site. So just a quick synopsis.

Well I'm impressed. No glue bump. No doughnuts when wet. No issues with over splay or too little splay. No bulk bristle harshness when swirling on the face and enough feedback when painting. Lather does not fly around or get drawn, then stuck to the bottom of the knot. Fibres feel great.

When wet and in use, if blindfolded (stay with me) I couldn't tell the difference between this knot and the standard 2 band 2016 ATG LE. Now this isn't the famed 2015 LE that is special. If I'm hypercritical as with the 2016 LE (for my preferences) a shorter loft of approx 4mm would put this brush in the perfect category for me. This is not to say it lacks backbone.

I prefer badgers and was skeptical about the Muhle STF, I thought the Chubby 2 synthetic was the pinnacle (and it's very good IMO). I would say the Shavemac mimicks a natural badger more than the Simpson brush (based on lack of scrubbing), but I do like the heavy backbone of the Chubby. However scrubbing is much better with the Shavemac. Never tried the STF so now looking into that.


First use and all so will need more time to appreciate the nuances. You know when you finish your shave and are still smiling thinking how wonderful the shaving tools were, this was myself this morning. The bloody thing even lost one hair and I ended up drying it like a badger. Someone just gave me sugar free baklava that tastes as good as the original. I don't know what else to say. I'm going to be buying some of these with the loft lowered very very slightly.

Oh yeah Yaqi was my first foray into synthetics, now I realise that was a bad move. Great handles poor knots IMO.
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Is your real name Bernd? :p:
 
SeanC

SeanC

Forum GOD!
Nishy said:
Used the brush this morning, this isn't going to help me not be seen as shilling for Shavemac. Anyway I received the brush for free and I have no other association with Bernd and Shavemac apart from the fact that I respect the guy and his business. I was just asked for an honest review which probably will be posted on his site. So just a quick synopsis.

Well I'm impressed. No glue bump. No doughnuts when wet. No issues with over splay or too little splay. No bulk bristle harshness when swirling on the face and enough feedback when painting. Lather does not fly around or get drawn, then stuck to the bottom of the knot. Fibres feel great.

When wet and in use, if blindfolded (stay with me) I couldn't tell the difference between this knot and the standard 2 band 2016 ATG LE. Now this isn't the famed 2015 LE that is special. If I'm hypercritical as with the 2016 LE (for my preferences) a shorter loft of approx 4mm would put this brush in the perfect category for me. This is not to say it lacks backbone.

I prefer badgers and was skeptical about the Muhle STF, I thought the Chubby 2 synthetic was the pinnacle (and it's very good IMO). I would say the Shavemac mimicks a natural badger more than the Simpson brush (based on lack of scrubbing), but I do like the heavy backbone of the Chubby. However scrubbing is much better with the Shavemac. Never tried the STF so now looking into that.


First use and all so will need more time to appreciate the nuances. You know when you finish your shave and are still smiling thinking how wonderful the shaving tools were, this was myself this morning. The bloody thing even lost one hair and I ended up drying it like a badger. Someone just gave me sugar free baklava that tastes as good as the original. I don't know what else to say. I'm going to be buying some of these with the loft lowered very very slightly.

Oh yeah Yaqi was my first foray into synthetics, now I realise that was a bad move. Great handles poor knots IMO.
Click to expand...
The Simpson Chubby 2 can tend to polarise opinions a little. I had one and moved it on as it didn't really suit my lathering style. If looking for a wider analysis, I would compare and contrast against:
  • Simpson Chubby 2
  • Muhle STF XL 25mm
  • Plissoft 24 or 26mm (or TimberWolf which is generally assumed to be equivalent)
  • APShaveCo SynBad 24mm (or SilkSmoke as an alternative)
All have different attributes and seem to have a reasonable number of plaudits
 
B

boilerphan

Forum GOD!
Interesting review. I also very much prefer badger brushes, but keep a synthetic or two around for travel. I have been thinking about evaluating some of the best in class synthetics to arrive at a fair assessment of those.

It has been a bit unfair to judge a $250+ badger brush versus a bargain bin synthetic.
 
Hectorsgaf

Hectorsgaf

Well used member
Deffo caught my eye as a Shavemac groupie. Yes, crap handle but this is a 'try me and see'. ? Not adverse to a synth. Used one yesterday but prefer badger.. Keep an eye on this though.
 
R

Rufusdog

Forum GOD!
Nishy, thanks for the review. I’m still hunting for a synthetic that satisfies me, but I am an inveterate badger lover. I currently use an AP Shaving Synbad as my travel brush as it is the best synthetic I’ve come across so far. Other synthetics I’ve tried include a Kent Silvertex (works well for dusting my computer keyboard), Muhle STF v1, Muhle STF v2 and Simpson Case 1 (absolutely dreadful and re-knotted with the Muhle STF v2). The 2 Muhle knots are okay, but do have a plastic face feel. The Synbad face feel is noticeably better than that of the Muhles, in that it splays more easily and is better at face lathering in a circular motion. As we know, synthetics excel at drying quickly, which gives them the edge over badger and boar as a travel brush. Notwithstanding, I am thinking of using my Simpson Wee Scot best when I next travel.
 
Nishy

Nishy

Forum GOD!
Staff member
Thanks for the advice Gents, I definitely need to check out Muhle and AP Shave Co. Just trying not to spend any more, or own anymore brushes currently.

I've tried a fair few synthetic knots and the Chubby 2 is a favourite of mine. I believe this is down to two main factors.

Firstly the backbone. Love it. Not favouring the scrub associated with circular motions though. Painting strokes are brilliant.

Secondly the tip feel. It doesn't feel 'unatural'. The Plisson is too cloud soft, the timber wolf and tuxedo were too plasticy or waxy and the others had little flex with some even having sharp points and doughnuting (just feel base of knot). The Chubby 2 has a lovely as mentioned above almost natural badger feel (minus circular motions) and no glue bump!

The Shavemac has a different face feel, it feels even more natural. It doesn't lack backbone at all, it feels like a Shavemac 2 band silvertip set at 26/50 honestly! Itdoesn't doughnut when wet. When drying, it actually maintains moisture in the middle of the knot, I kid you not. Splay is very well controlled. The bulb shape definitely suits my preference, even not having tried a fan. The lather doesn't lock into the base of the knot. The knot gives up lather easily, no flicking around the bathroom. Honestly chaps I'm excited about this knot, it feels very much like a badger. Ok 2nd use was only a few hours and the above is all IMO but already I'm looking forward to more shaves. I have asked Bernd which type of synthetic knot this is. Also the VLB group buy has just had a boost with a new mechanism Bernd is happy with (regarding the variable loft) hoping to have the prototype next week. I'm definitely going to ask if we can have this synthetic knot in the VLB :)
 
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