I think Geo had a lather party after this video😂 Even when I don’t shave, I still have a great day when Geo uploads a video:) and at 10:47 man down, with slo motion and sound effects!!!!
A good badger brush is hard to beat. That said, I love my $12 Stirling synthetic and use it exclusively now. The biggest pro for synthetics is that you don't have to "baby" them. No break-in ritual, shampooing, or soaking required. They're zero fuss, no maintenance brushes that always perform well. BTW, I started my wet shaving journey 10 years ago watching your videos; and here I am...still watching! Always great content, brother!
Synthetic for me. I have one badger I originally obtained many many moons ago and keep it for sentimental reasons. The synthetic is what I use 99% of the time.
Likewise. When I started wet shaving, everyone said buy a badger but with years of shaving I get excellent lather and shave with synthetic. With AliExpress selling reasonable synthetic brushes - they give badger a run for there money.
I have badger, synthetic, and boar brushes and haven’t used my badger brushes for several years. The boar brushes are great for hard pucks and synthetic for everything else.
Hello, Geo, how are you, I like using synthetic hair shaving brush as I get allergy all over my face with the badger hair shaving brush and moreover synthetic hair brushes are cruelty free 🙏🙏🙏👍👍
I bought a Simpson Trafalgar T2 1.5 years ago and it replaced all my other shaving brushes within less than a month. Great lather, super soft tips and still looks like it came out of the box just yesterday. For under $25, it was rather a steal than a purchase.
@@geofatboy I've meanwhile upgraded to a Simpson Duke 3 Synthetic and this thing shoots all my other brushes straight out of the water. It might be a very good (absolutely equal!) comparision letting a Duke 3 Synthetic compete against a Duke 3 Best Badger.
I have a Simpsons T3. Its a great brush. I have a few Taylors super badger a Trumpers super badger brush and two Kent Silvertip Bk8 & Bk4. I also have a Simpsons best badger X2L. I find the T3 needs a lot less care and dries a lot quicker when hung up to dry. I think my favourite is my Taylors HT2 super badger brush. Dave.
Great comparison! One can’t argue about the superior performance of badger but at least for me, synthetic is better as I don’t like the feeling of animal hair on my face (personal preference). Also the cost difference is pretty significant.
3:03 I don't think it's water retention that flares the brush as those brushes are dry, I think it's the badger hair splitting over time that does this.
I've been wet shaving since in my late teens. Now 66 I be used my fair share of brushes. I really like the synthetics made by Simpson. The art is taking your time and enjoying the shave ,like an espresso in Italy .
@@geofatboy welcome, hey geo, any chance you can ask taylor of old bond street to make more CEDARWOOD products please , i know sandalwood is popular but cedarwood is pure heaven!!!
The lather from the synthetic looked more thick and creamy where as the badger made a lot more which is unecessary unless you're shaving your whole body.
I have the same idea as yours. I”ve noticed this difference with my brushes too. I think that the badger hair holds more water than the synthetic hair and that is the reason why the lather of the badger brush is runny, compared to the lather of the synthetic brush.
@@BerserkeR_031 I don't know why, my experience and what I've heard from other people is that the lather of badger brush is different than the synthetic brush. Most of the people say that the lather of a shaving brush with synthetic hairs is more creamy and the badger hair runny. Conclusion is, as you say here, manage the amount of water. Now I go for synthetic haired brushes, because they are first animal friendly, last longer and they are cheaper.
@@spartan9212 I'm using synthetic brushes for a long time. I've noticed that they make better lather, they are animal friendly, cheaper and they last longer than badger brushes.
The synthetic looks like it paints on thicker. Taking into account the ethical issues, price and softness it seems like synthetic is a bit better except for lather ability.
You always have great comparison videos. My first brush was a cheap boar. Then I discovered synthetics. Synthetic brushes cost much less than quality boar/badger brushes. I have 4 synthetic brushes, including the Simpsons T2. I even have a $10 synthetic that rivals my more expensive ones. But that doesn't surprise me since there's not a whole lot of difference in synthetic materials. They all pretty much look, feel, and perform the same in the short time I've used them.
I rotate through multiple brushes, synthetic, badger,boar and horse. All perform well, but I personally like the stiffness of the natural brushes better.
I've tried both and I prefer synthetic. No smell (ugh, the smell), not as harsh for sensitive skin, easier to clean and they hold together better. And of course no animal was harmed or "farmed" if you will.
This is a video I didn’t know I wanted to see, and I am glad you did this! I have used badger brushes and I have a synthetic brush. I really like the “feel” of the badger and I like the “stiffness” and softness of the badger. The synthetic seems to me to lather better. The synthetic seems harder to lather some pucks, however. So, for me, it’s a badger. UNLESS I am traveling...... then I take a synthetic. It dries so much faster. Thanks for posting this video!
Yeah, great brush! I prefer my T2 to my T3. The Chubby 2 synthetic though is really stunning but not a huge difference between the Chubby and the T2. Dave.
Have always used Silvertip badger as I've always found synthetic brushes to be fairly useless. However the Simpson's synthetic looks a fantastic brush and will be worth purchasing.
I also prefer badger to synthetic. Geo is spot on, the badger attracts and retains water like nobody's business. Exceptional lather everytime, and lots of it.
I wanted to personally thank you for uploading these videos. With help from your videos and a few others, I recently switched form a cartridge razor to a DE setup. I went with a Van Der Hagen kit from wal-mart. I noticed the factory blades that came with the kit were really "pulling" on my face when i shaved. I ordered a sample kit from amazon with some Astra superior platinum, Feather, Gillette platinum, Kai stainless, Personna platinums and wilkinson swords. I tried our the Astra's earlier tonight and WOW they were SOO much better then the Van der hagens. I can't wait to try the others.
decent starter razor you got. I would check out geo's shave nation website and upgrade to an even better razor. he has an excellent selection at competitive prices and great service.
@@germanshepherd13 Thanks for the advice. I recently purchased a Merkur 34c and I am loving it so far. I have also tried a 1955 Gillette Red Tip and it was far too aggressive for my skill level.
I got the synthetic T3. 100% agree with your review! When it’s dry, very soft and works just as well as the badger brush it replaced. Thank you for your fantastic and honest review 🙏✌️
I’ve used boar, horse, inexpensive badger, boar/badger mix, vintage nylon, and various synthetics. It’s synthetic for me. You don’t have to soak them, they dry more quickly (which makes them great for travel) and the super soft types feel fantastic! There’s nothing moralistic in it regarding my choice. Convenience, performance, comfort…..for me synthetics are best!
I have a muhle kosmo fine badger and I ordered a T3 to have 2 brushes. I would like use synthetic (soft) for 2 days beard and fine badger for 3or 4 days beard to prevent any irritation even if fine badger is soft may be is goo to have 2 different brushes
I purchased a Chubby 2 Badger and initially didn't like it and actually put it on Bay. Fortunate for me it didn't sell and now it's my favorite brush by far. Takes time to learn how to properly hold it, especially with large hands.
Just purchased my first decent badger brush. Parker silver tip for 60 bucks. Cant wait for it to get here. My second shaving brush ever. Used a basic cheap tweezerman that lasted me 10 years, cost 15 bucks.
one of your better videos I enjoyed watching I think you can't go wrong with either brush I just prefer synthetic though because it doesn't fray as much and tends to last longer than a badger
I’m sticking to my badger brushes. The scritch, heat retention and overall feeling isn’t the same with the synthetic brushes. I’ve also had the same issues that Geo had in this video, the way the fibres splay out @8:35 and when I have applied lather to my face I’ve also had big dollops of it wasted by just dropping off @10:44. I wouldn’t mind if it was a one off but when it happens every time you use a synthetic brush you know where the problem lies. The synthetic ones are only used for when I’m travelling now (thank God). I understand the cost will come into play for some people but you can still get a good quality best badger for the same price (and possibly cheaper) as some of the expensive synthetic ones I’ve seen. You can also buy some great boar brushes for a lot cheaper than both too.
i have only one synthetic brush and it great. I had an Omega boar brush for over one year, but I never liked it. Compared to the synthetic, the boar was ''eating'' too much creams and soaps and the results were not great. I've tried all kinds of things including more water, less water and also put the brush into the fridge like 5 times for 3-4 days to break it up and although the results were a but better after a while it was still not as good as the synthetic. Recently I had enough and sold the Omega. The good thing about synthetic brushes is that they are almost maintenance free and 99% of the brushes cost below 20$, while badger brushes are a bit more expensive and you really have to take care of them. I'm not some crazy hippie that protects all animals and stuff, but I don't think God created the badgers hair so we can make a lather to shave our faces, but I still respect what people like.
Synthetic is so easy to maintain and less expensive, it's hard to not like them. Badger is more expensive with much more maintenance, kind of like a beautiful woman, it's hard not to like them😉 Both are great to use, I switch often. Just depends on whether I want easy or refined.. Nice demo Geo👍💈👍, thanks. Stay safe. Enjoy!
Hi Geo- Great shaving brush comparison video; thank you! I have two badger brushes, but find I keep reaching for the synthetics. Looking forward to the pink brush video! I hope you have a great Saturday. Take good care and be safe and be well. Best regards, as always, Geo!
I have been using the synthetic T3 for 2 years it has been my first good brush. Just used a brand new simpsons chubby 2 in manchurian badger and I was a little dissapointed. I think it requires a different lathering technique and possibly some breaking into. Hopefully I get the hang of it I paid £330 for it as opposed to my T3 which I paid £35 for.
I use a Razorock Plissoft Hulk 34mm Brush. Its synthetic of course. I have no experience with any other brush hair material so my opinion aint much but I feel you dont have to soak the bristles on the synthetic as much as animal bristles. At least from watching videos and using a synthetic brush myself. The good thing about a synthetic also is you dont need to worry so much about getting it bone dry compared to animal brushes. Love the Plissoft knots made by Razorock. Great video 👍
There are badgers that lather just as well as synthies. The Semogue 2 band silvertip is a lather monster with excellent lather flow. It applies the lather as evenly as any synthie. Generally I prefer badgers because they are slightly scratchier and I can actually feel the brush. Virtually all synthies are too soft, apart from the Muehle Silvertip Fibre which comes close to badgers.
I got both the Mühle silvertip fibre and their black Fibre, if you like to “feel the brush” you might enjoy the Mühle black fibre more than the silvertip (like me)
I honestly prefer my silvertip badger brushes, not only for their superior water retention properties, but also for their combination of smooth tips (once properly broken in), and their beard lifting and exfoliating properties provided by a firmer backbone. The downsides are obviously price, their susceptibility to damage if brutally splayed (like some TH-cam channel wet shavers do. Not you Geo!) and the longer time they require between uses to properly dry. It is actually for this last reason that my travel shaving brush is synthetic.
Thanks for posting. I love my Omega S-Brush. Great synthetic. I'm beginning to pay more attention to synthetics off late. Have yet to try any Simpson brushes as yet. I'm sure they're awesome. Stay safe Geo.
I have used and paid attention to lather making for one synthetic brush and one badger brush, neither brush expensive. One difference I found is the badger brush being stiffer seems to mix the soap into a paste (and then with adding water) and to lather a little more quickly. Other than that I have found about the same as you did here.
Hey there .. great video and channel! I have a question : which is the best combination depending the material of the brush (boar , types of badger, synthetic) and the type of application (hard soaps, mild soaps, creams). I ve heard ,for example.. hard soaps need boar brush
We have to consider the animals as well. As the synthetic brushes give the same or almost the same result, I do not want to think about suffering animals each time I shave myself.
You should have compared the Synthetic against Silvertip Badger. Some of the newer synthetic are as good as Silvertip Badger. Synthetic is said to be much better than the lower quality badger, Pure, Best, Super. Like the Alpha Outlaw shaving brush that has a Gen4 synthetic fibres or the Muhle Silvertip Synthetic. What razor did you use when shaving this time?
Geo, my man; a little bit off-topic. I have read some people say that hot water, when “priming” the shaving brush, will actually over-time soften/dissolve the knot glue. What’s your opinion on the matter? Of course, you can only get water ever so hot from the tap, but anyways, I have changed my mannerisms and now use lukewarm water. Love your channel, wish you the best
I am under the impression that synthetic outlasts all others, and badger/boar used say 5 times a week will not last anywhere near the lifetime of the owner. 5-10 years of daily shaves?
I have had a Simpsons X2L best badger brush for around 35 years and it's still great and the knot is about the same size. For the first 10 years I used it constantly as it was my only brush. Dave.
I’d say animal cruelty also comes into play for me. At this point, I can’t see a good argument for badger brushes. If one wants exfoliation and invigoration, go with boar. My favorite brushes are actually boar-bristle. Great vid, as always!
I think everyone should have that in the back of their mind. Does the hair from Simpsons' badger brushes come from China where they torture the badgers? We all know what China does to animals...And even if they do get the hair bristles from European badgers, how do we know that they weren't killed for their hair?
@@JonBonesJones84 anti cruelty groups have investigated and done under cover videos which are on YT. Prepare to weep what mankind will do for a quick buck. Several outlets have since said once stock is depleted, they will not restock. If you like Badger brushes, stock up now.
Badgers are not available in India locally. We have to import them in order to use one. So synthetic for me. I really like the wide array of topics you cover Mr. Geo. Hey, when are we getting a tour of the Shaving Laboratory? Ps I really like the fact that the knots of the badger brushes get bigger and fuller with use.
How do you continue to grip the brush when the handle gets wet and soapy? I have to stop and wipe the handle off and dry it otherwise I literally can’t even hold it
Badger brushes are a course application. Similar to a cheap paint brush. But the synthetics “paint” much better, and leave a much more consistent layer of lather. I have two high end Silvertip badger brushes, but I purchased them more for the feel of vintage originality. (One is a Shavemac Silvertip that cost me around $110 just for the knot). I prefer the synthetics, hands down.
I don't have a Simpson's of any description. I have a Parker best badger, a Maggard synth, and an Omega boar. My go to is the synthetic, it's easier to clean, sheds less and dries quicker. Zero break in, and performs just as well 2 years in as it did on day one. Also the cheapest of the bunch.
Geo, test is well performed but, you have to pick up a cream which is not lathering easy in order to see the performance. Proraso makes tones of lather only with a pen :), kind of detergent. The badger makes bigger bubbles, that's the reason is a lot more, synthetic is more creamy, better cushion, easy to use. Vote synthetic.
Hi Geo, I received the Chubby 2 synthetic this morning and used it. Really great brush. I like the T3 too. I haven't tried my T2 yet. The Theatre holds 1,955 seated. For shows like Disneys Lion King we sell standing room at the back of the stalls and Grand Circle. We also hosted the world premiere of Disneys Mary Poppins a few years back. Stay safe Sir, Dave.
Thanks for sharing Dave! Someone else asked me about a comparison between the T2 and the Chubby 2 Synthetic. I'd love to hear what you think after trying them both. Do you find one softer with a denser knot than the other? And-Thanks so much for sending those pictures. That theater is absolutely beautiful! I think I may have seen it on an episode of Endeavor! How many viewers does it seat?
@@geofatboy I will be shaving again on Sunday so I'll use the T2 then. Back to work at the Theatre on Monday after nearly a year stuck at home!! Stay safe Geo! Dave.
@@geofatboy Hi Geo! I have a good bit of stubble today so I thought I'd do the comparison between the Simpsons chubby 2 Synthetic & the Trafalgar T2. I have an Arko puck in a apothecary bowl so I used that. I soaked each brush for about 2 mins in medium hot water, gently shook them 3 times each. I wetted the puck and gave each brush 100 swirls. I washed the puck after the first brush to clear the lather left behind in the bowl. Firstly, the Chubby is a lot more dense and looks like a quality badger when wet. The T2 when wet shows big gaps in the bristles, like most Synthetics. The Chubby has more backbone while at the same time being softer on the face. The T2 is no slouch in the backbone department and both brushes scrub and paint on the lather really well. You feel like you could scrub with the Chubby all day and still not have a sore face. The Chubby also holds lather better and distributes it better. You can place the lather exactly where you want it. Both are fantastic brushes. I prefer the T2 to my T3. Both brushes are similar but the Chubby does it all better and smoother. The price for the T2 here in England is £17.50. The Chubby 2 costs around £85.00. The Chubby 2 is supposed to be the best synthetic on the market and for the extra price you expect it to be amazing.........and it is!! But.....following close behind is the T2 which is a fraction of the price and VERY impressive. I expected the Chubby to be good. I didn't expect the T2 would be as great as it is. It's just a shade behind the Chubby on everything but that is to be expected. This T2 could very well be my 2nd favourite brush along with my Ultimate G4. The Chubby is the best of all. I hope this long review is alright Geo. Take care and stay safe mate, Dave.
@@davesheppard8797 Thanks for such a thorough comparison review. I felt exactly the same. The Chubby 2 Synthetic is Awesome, yes it costs more, and the T2 is a great value for the money. I thought the tips on the Chubby 2 Synth were amazing! Dense and soft.
@@geofatboy Yes......I was in two minds about getting a Chubby in super badger. But this Chubby 2 synthetic has everything I could possibly want from a brush. I was very impressed with both brushes but that Chubby is just incredible!! Glad you liked my review mate! Stay safe mate, Dave.
Hey geofatboy, have you tried the oneblade yet? Im not talking about the stupid philips electric buzzer. Im talking about the safety razor that uses feather blades.
Badger brushes do have some advantages, but I refer synthetic brushes now. They're softer, less expensive, and the bristles dry faster after your shave.
The lather looked more dense and better with the synthetic brush. Very foamy with Mr Chubby. But I think it has more to do with the amount water you add than which brush you use. I would add less water than that since I prefer really dense and slick lather. I normally find the synthetic brushes way to soft but maybe the Trafalgar line has enough backbone. I need to check it out. Cheers!
What I see is you are preparing the Synthetic the same way as the badger......wonder if you use a different technique would if have a different effect? More pressure, less pressure or move faster with one.
Great video, enjoyed it been waiting for something like this for a while. I’ve only ever used synthetic but was interested to see the comparison. What I’ve taken away from this is that performs is equal, but consider a wider diameter knot (say 2mm) when buying a synthetic vs badger knot. The most interesting bit for me was the final face feel which you said to be very similar if not equal. Would of been good to add a bit more detail into the video: - Diameter in mm of each knot - Loft in for each in my Have a great day 👍
Hi Geo, another great video. Just wondering what your thoughts are on Trafalgar T2 Vs T3? I'm torn between the two but am unsure whether T3 might be too big or T2 even possibly a little small. I wet shave my head but due to having a beard I only shave the neck and cheeks in my face, with a bit of line work thrown in too keep things tidy. I'm therefore not sure if the T3 would be too big for the face stuff, but like the idea of it for my head. Do you have a preference of one over the other or any thoughts at all please? In an ideal world is just get them both but can't quite justify that yet. Many thanks bud.
I think Geo had a lather party after this video😂 Even when I don’t shave, I still have a great day when Geo uploads a video:) and at 10:47 man down, with slo motion and sound effects!!!!
Thanks RK! It does my ❤️good to know that these little episodes brighten your (and other's) day.
@@geofatboy you’re the best Geo! and thank you:)
You should do a shave with each and then compare results.
I only came to your videos as an introduction to wet shaving but I just keep watching them. I gotta admit your enthusiasm is infectious.
A good badger brush is hard to beat. That said, I love my $12 Stirling synthetic and use it exclusively now. The biggest pro for synthetics is that you don't have to "baby" them. No break-in ritual, shampooing, or soaking required. They're zero fuss, no maintenance brushes that always perform well.
BTW, I started my wet shaving journey 10 years ago watching your videos; and here I am...still watching! Always great content, brother!
Geo has such a satisfied look on his face when whipping up that lather. Love it!
Synthetic for me. I have one badger I originally obtained many many moons ago and keep it for sentimental reasons. The synthetic is what I use 99% of the time.
Likewise. When I started wet shaving, everyone said buy a badger but with years of shaving I get excellent lather and shave with synthetic. With AliExpress selling reasonable synthetic brushes - they give badger a run for there money.
Samer here. I LOVE my WCS Honeycomb Synthetic.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I have badger, synthetic, and boar brushes and haven’t used my badger brushes for several years. The boar brushes are great for hard pucks and synthetic for everything else.
Nicely put Marv!
Hello, Geo, how are you, I like using synthetic hair shaving brush as I get allergy all over my face with the badger hair shaving brush and moreover synthetic hair brushes are cruelty free 🙏🙏🙏👍👍
I bought a Simpson Trafalgar T2 1.5 years ago and it replaced all my other shaving brushes within less than a month. Great lather, super soft tips and still looks like it came out of the box just yesterday. For under $25, it was rather a steal than a purchase.
It is a great brush for the price point!
The T2 is exactly what I'm thinking of getting. Glad I saw your comment
@@geofatboy I've meanwhile upgraded to a Simpson Duke 3 Synthetic and this thing shoots all my other brushes straight out of the water. It might be a very good (absolutely equal!) comparision letting a Duke 3 Synthetic compete against a Duke 3 Best Badger.
I have a Simpsons T3. Its a great brush. I have a few Taylors super badger a Trumpers super badger brush and two Kent Silvertip Bk8 & Bk4. I also have a Simpsons best badger X2L. I find the T3 needs a lot less care and dries a lot quicker when hung up to dry. I think my favourite is my Taylors HT2 super badger brush.
Dave.
Great comparison! One can’t argue about the superior performance of badger but at least for me, synthetic is better as I don’t like the feeling of animal hair on my face (personal preference). Also the cost difference is pretty significant.
I know it sounds stupid but I didn’t think of that! I have a cat and that hair irritates me all the time lol
1. The classic vegan joke
Q: How do you know if someone is Vegan?
A: Don’t worry, they’ll tell you within the first 2 minutes of meeting them.
3:03 I don't think it's water retention that flares the brush as those brushes are dry, I think it's the badger hair splitting over time that does this.
I've been wet shaving since in my late teens. Now 66 I be used my fair share of brushes. I really like the synthetics made by Simpson. The art is taking your time and enjoying the shave ,like an espresso in Italy .
i love the detail you go into when making the videos, thanks geo.
Thank so much azaz!
@@geofatboy welcome, hey geo, any chance you can ask taylor of old bond street to make more CEDARWOOD products please , i know sandalwood is popular but cedarwood is pure heaven!!!
@@azaz... I will convey it, they may or may not abide... Thanks!
“No markings on the back, no markings on the bottom”. That almost sounds like the start of a magic trick ;)
Nothin' up my sleeve-Presto!
The lather from the synthetic looked more thick and creamy where as the badger made a lot more which is unecessary unless you're shaving your whole body.
I have the same idea as yours. I”ve noticed this difference with my brushes too. I think that the badger hair holds more water than the synthetic hair and that is the reason why the lather of the badger brush is runny, compared to the lather of the synthetic brush.
You can fix that by putting less soap in the bowl and also using less water to get thicker foam ofc. So imo it's just about the bristles.
@@bytebuster or you can simply just use the synthetic.
@@BerserkeR_031 I don't know why, my experience and what I've heard from other people is that the lather of badger brush is different than the synthetic brush. Most of the people say that the lather of a shaving brush with synthetic hairs is more creamy and the badger hair runny. Conclusion is, as you say here, manage the amount of water. Now I go for synthetic haired brushes, because they are first animal friendly, last longer and they are cheaper.
@@spartan9212 I'm using synthetic brushes for a long time. I've noticed that they make better lather, they are animal friendly, cheaper and they last longer than badger brushes.
The synthetic looks like it paints on thicker. Taking into account the ethical issues, price and softness it seems like synthetic is a bit better except for lather ability.
You always have great comparison videos. My first brush was a cheap boar. Then I discovered synthetics. Synthetic brushes cost much less than quality boar/badger brushes. I have 4 synthetic brushes, including the Simpsons T2. I even have a $10 synthetic that rivals my more expensive ones. But that doesn't surprise me since there's not a whole lot of difference in synthetic materials. They all pretty much look, feel, and perform the same in the short time I've used them.
I rotate through multiple brushes, synthetic, badger,boar and horse. All perform well, but I personally like the stiffness of the natural brushes better.
I've tried both and I prefer synthetic. No smell (ugh, the smell), not as harsh for sensitive skin, easier to clean and they hold together better. And of course no animal was harmed or "farmed" if you will.
Excellent video George. Thanks Pal.
Good review just purchased the synthetic, good information....
Thanks much.
You look like a little kid in a candy store while lathering. Very cool. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
You nailed it!
This is a video I didn’t know I wanted to see, and I am glad you did this! I have used badger brushes and I have a synthetic brush. I really like the “feel” of the badger and I like the “stiffness” and softness of the badger. The synthetic seems to me to lather better. The synthetic seems harder to lather some pucks, however. So, for me, it’s a badger. UNLESS I am traveling...... then I take a synthetic. It dries so much faster. Thanks for posting this video!
Hi Bryan-Thanks for sharing!
Love my Trafalgar T2 Synthetic
Yeah, great brush! I prefer my T2 to my T3. The Chubby 2 synthetic though is really stunning but not a huge difference between the Chubby and the T2.
Dave.
I love how he says 'supplies' in the intro!
Nice! I'm gonna replay it myself and check. Thanks.
Have always used Silvertip badger as I've always found synthetic brushes to be fairly useless. However the Simpson's synthetic looks a fantastic brush and will be worth purchasing.
Thanks for your input Steven.
I also prefer badger to synthetic. Geo is spot on, the badger attracts and retains water like nobody's business. Exceptional lather everytime, and lots of it.
@@nicetna2010 Someone's got my back!
I’m extremely new but happy to have found this channel ive been trying to up my shave game!
Welcome Isaiah-Enjoy!
I wanted to personally thank you for uploading these videos. With help from your videos and a few others, I recently switched form a cartridge razor to a DE setup. I went with a Van Der Hagen kit from wal-mart. I noticed the factory blades that came with the kit were really "pulling" on my face when i shaved. I ordered a sample kit from amazon with some Astra superior platinum, Feather, Gillette platinum, Kai stainless, Personna platinums and wilkinson swords. I tried our the Astra's earlier tonight and WOW they were SOO much better then the Van der hagens. I can't wait to try the others.
decent starter razor you got. I would check out geo's shave nation website and upgrade to an even better razor. he has an excellent selection at competitive prices and great service.
@@germanshepherd13 Thanks for the advice. I recently purchased a Merkur 34c and I am loving it so far. I have also tried a 1955 Gillette Red Tip and it was far too aggressive for my skill level.
The call is going to come down to what someone prefers. Both clearly produced enough for multiple passes
I got the synthetic T3.
100% agree with your review! When it’s dry, very soft and works just as well as the badger brush it replaced. Thank you for your fantastic and honest review 🙏✌️
I’ve used boar, horse, inexpensive badger, boar/badger mix, vintage nylon, and various synthetics. It’s synthetic for me. You don’t have to soak them, they dry more quickly (which makes them great for travel) and the super soft types feel fantastic! There’s nothing moralistic in it regarding my choice. Convenience, performance, comfort…..for me synthetics are best!
Good stuff-Thanks for sharing!
I have a muhle kosmo fine badger and I ordered a T3 to have 2 brushes.
I would like use synthetic (soft) for 2 days beard and fine badger for 3or 4 days beard to prevent any irritation even if fine badger is soft may be is goo to have 2 different brushes
I purchased a Chubby 2 Badger and initially didn't like it and actually put it on Bay. Fortunate for me it didn't sell and now it's my favorite brush by far. Takes time to learn how to properly hold it, especially with large hands.
Just purchased my first decent badger brush. Parker silver tip for 60 bucks. Cant wait for it to get here. My second shaving brush ever. Used a basic cheap tweezerman that lasted me 10 years, cost 15 bucks.
one of your better videos I enjoyed watching I think you can't go wrong with either brush I just prefer synthetic though because it doesn't fray as much and tends to last longer than a badger
Your videos are so much fun to watch!! They are both entertaining and so informative and your company has the highest quality and awesome products!!!!
Thanks Wayne! I appreciate that.
I have a Omega brush. It is 100% setola (i think horse hair). Synthetic brush is eco friendly. Nice video Geo.
Спасибо, за отличное и интересное видео!
Спасибо за просмотр! Я рад, что тебе понравилось.
Great video. You should do the same thing with a soap.
Thanks KC!
Have you ever used a vielong horse hair brush? Theyre worth a go
I have one, but still prefer the other types.
@@geofatboy i see, thanks for the reply 👍🏿
I found after time my badger hair was much nicer to apply the lathered foam to the face over the synthetic that always pricks me a little.
I’m sticking to my badger brushes. The scritch, heat retention and overall feeling isn’t the same with the synthetic brushes. I’ve also had the same issues that Geo had in this video, the way the fibres splay out @8:35 and when I have applied lather to my face I’ve also had big dollops of it wasted by just dropping off @10:44. I wouldn’t mind if it was a one off but when it happens every time you use a synthetic brush you know where the problem lies. The synthetic ones are only used for when I’m travelling now (thank God). I understand the cost will come into play for some people but you can still get a good quality best badger for the same price (and possibly cheaper) as some of the expensive synthetic ones I’ve seen. You can also buy some great boar brushes for a lot cheaper than both too.
black fridays have discount ?
I prefer synthetic. It doesn't over aerate the lather like badger hair can. I get a better shave with a wet, dense lather vs a big fluffy lather.
i have only one synthetic brush and it great. I had an Omega boar brush for over one year, but I never liked it. Compared to the synthetic, the boar was ''eating'' too much creams and soaps and the results were not great. I've tried all kinds of things including more water, less water and also put the brush into the fridge like 5 times for 3-4 days to break it up and although the results were a but better after a while it was still not as good as the synthetic. Recently I had enough and sold the Omega. The good thing about synthetic brushes is that they are almost maintenance free and 99% of the brushes cost below 20$, while badger brushes are a bit more expensive and you really have to take care of them. I'm not some crazy hippie that protects all animals and stuff, but I don't think God created the badgers hair so we can make a lather to shave our faces, but I still respect what people like.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Synthetic is so easy to maintain and less expensive, it's hard to not like them. Badger is more expensive with much more maintenance, kind of like a beautiful woman, it's hard not to like them😉 Both are great to use, I switch often. Just depends on whether I want easy or refined.. Nice demo Geo👍💈👍, thanks. Stay safe. Enjoy!
Hi Geo- Great shaving brush comparison video; thank you! I have two badger brushes, but find I keep reaching for the synthetics. Looking forward to the pink brush video! I hope you have a great Saturday. Take good care and be safe and be well. Best regards, as always, Geo!
Thanks Mike-Take care.
A new subscriber from France. Congratulations for your interesting videos.
Great shave Geo
I have been using the synthetic T3 for 2 years it has been my first good brush. Just used a brand new simpsons chubby 2 in manchurian badger and I was a little dissapointed. I think it requires a different lathering technique and possibly some breaking into. Hopefully I get the hang of it I paid £330 for it as opposed to my T3 which I paid £35 for.
And a Badger Paid A Much Higher Price … With Its Life !
I am going to have to go with the badger brush.
Is the Proraso tube metal still?
Yes, I think it is.
every now and then I come to this channel and watch these vids. lol I do not even know why. Feel good factor may be,
Thank you for your support-and the Tingles!
I use a Razorock Plissoft Hulk 34mm Brush. Its synthetic of course.
I have no experience with any other brush hair material so my opinion aint much but I feel you dont have to soak the bristles on the synthetic as much as animal bristles.
At least from watching videos and using a synthetic brush myself.
The good thing about a synthetic also is you dont need to worry so much about getting it bone dry compared to animal brushes.
Love the Plissoft knots made by Razorock. Great video 👍
There are badgers that lather just as well as synthies. The Semogue 2 band silvertip is a lather monster with excellent lather flow. It applies the lather as evenly as any synthie. Generally I prefer badgers because they are slightly scratchier and I can actually feel the brush. Virtually all synthies are too soft, apart from the Muehle Silvertip Fibre which comes close to badgers.
I got both the Mühle silvertip fibre and their black Fibre, if you like to “feel the brush” you might enjoy the Mühle black fibre more than the silvertip (like me)
Hey geo, what are your thoughts on horse bristle shaving brushes?
I have one, and I prefer the other types over it.
I honestly prefer my silvertip badger brushes, not only for their superior water retention properties, but also for their combination of smooth tips (once properly broken in), and their beard lifting and exfoliating properties provided by a firmer backbone. The downsides are obviously price, their susceptibility to damage if brutally splayed (like some TH-cam channel wet shavers do. Not you Geo!) and the longer time they require between uses to properly dry. It is actually for this last reason that my travel shaving brush is synthetic.
Agreed Merrill-I prefer the staunchness of the badger which allows you to drive the lather into the beard.
I find with a triple milled soap / really hard soaps. synthetic brushes lack backbone to get a good load. Of course they will do fine with a cream
Thanks for posting. I love my Omega S-Brush. Great synthetic. I'm beginning to pay more attention to synthetics off late.
Have yet to try any Simpson brushes as yet. I'm sure they're awesome.
Stay safe Geo.
Geo, you looked in total bliss applying the lather, works better than meditation...
"The Zen moment of the shave right there."
Like Brent said! Best part of the shave❤️
Hi GeoFB,
Will you be doing a video on how they source and make badger & boar hair brushes?
That might help people to decide which brush to buy.
Thank you for your suggestion
Hey Geo, can you please use the Muhle Silvertip Badger Brush with Chrome Handle in your next video? Im considering one for Christmas.
I have used and paid attention to lather making for one synthetic brush and one badger brush, neither brush expensive. One difference I found is the badger brush being stiffer seems to mix the soap into a paste (and then with adding water) and to lather a little more quickly. Other than that I have found about the same as you did here.
Have you ever tried the Proraso shave cream in a can?
Yes-I believe I have used it an at least one video: th-cam.com/users/geofatboy
Awesome video Geo! I think the Badger hair is a better brush. Synthetic is cheaper, but would not consider using.
Hey there .. great video and channel! I have a question : which is the best combination depending the material of the brush (boar , types of badger, synthetic) and the type of application (hard soaps, mild soaps, creams). I ve heard ,for example.. hard soaps need boar brush
DONT launch I use old school Gillette Mach 3 razor in blade I’m looking to get into this what type of razor do you recommend
•R89: bit.ly/R89RazorSN
•SN3D: bit.ly/SN3DSafetyRazorBlackChrome
•DE89: bit.ly/DE89RazorSN
•34C- bit.ly/HD34CRazorSN
•Rockwell 6C: bit.ly/Rockwell6CSafetyRazorSN
We have to consider the animals as well. As the synthetic brushes give the same or almost the same result, I do not want to think about suffering animals each time I shave myself.
Hard to beat a Badger but I have synthetics that are close and even better at some things "Simpson". I like the scritch from the Badger best.
can you do a synthetic vs boar brush?
Dear Sir, what is the difference between best badger and super badger. I have the Simpson Chubby 2 Super badger.
You should have compared the Synthetic against Silvertip Badger. Some of the newer synthetic are as good as Silvertip Badger. Synthetic is said to be much better than the lower quality badger, Pure, Best, Super. Like the Alpha Outlaw shaving brush that has a Gen4 synthetic fibres or the Muhle Silvertip Synthetic.
What razor did you use when shaving this time?
More to come! I was test driving some new Shave Nation branded razors
Geo, my man; a little bit off-topic. I have read some people say that hot water, when “priming” the shaving brush, will actually over-time soften/dissolve the knot glue.
What’s your opinion on the matter?
Of course, you can only get water ever so hot from the tap, but anyways, I have changed my mannerisms and now use lukewarm water.
Love your channel, wish you the best
Been doing that for years, no problem
Out of curiosity.. do either of the two ever wear out? I've had a silver tip badger brush for over a decade and still feels and acts like brand new.
I am under the impression that synthetic outlasts all others, and badger/boar used say 5 times a week will not last anywhere near the lifetime of the owner.
5-10 years of daily shaves?
I don;t see them wearing out easily or quickly. Should get many years out of any quality badger or synth.
I have had a Simpsons X2L best badger brush for around 35 years and it's still great and the knot is about the same size. For the first 10 years I used it constantly as it was my only brush.
Dave.
Καλησπερα φιλε. Πολυ ωραιο βιντεο!!
Ευχαριστούμε που παρακολουθήσατε. Χαίρομαι που απολαύσατε το βίντεο.
Suuuper test!!!
Jak nie wiadomo o co chodzi to chodzi o pieniądze...😉
Wybieram Simpsons Trafalgar T2. Dziękuję za pomoc przy wyborze i pędzla!!!
I’d say animal cruelty also comes into play for me. At this point, I can’t see a good argument for badger brushes. If one wants exfoliation and invigoration, go with boar. My favorite brushes are actually boar-bristle. Great vid, as always!
I think everyone should have that in the back of their mind. Does the hair from Simpsons' badger brushes come from China where they torture the badgers? We all know what China does to animals...And even if they do get the hair bristles from European badgers, how do we know that they weren't killed for their hair?
This is why I prefer synthetic since no animals are harmed over it.
Are synthetics also good at exfoliating?
You know, horse hair brushes are vegan, because cutting the hair of horses is part of their grooming.
@@JonBonesJones84 anti cruelty groups have investigated and done under cover videos which are on YT.
Prepare to weep what mankind will do for a quick buck. Several outlets have since said once stock is depleted, they will not restock. If you like Badger brushes, stock up now.
Are Silvertip badgers supposed to be floppy? I have 2 silvertips and see myself likeing the grade right under SilverTip a lot more.
If the loft is high, it's likely gonna be floppy.
My question is, if properly cared for, which will last longer?
Will only use synthetic brushes. I like that they are cruelty free, softer, less expensive, don't require soaking, and are improving every day.
Badgers are not available in India locally. We have to import them in order to use one. So synthetic for me. I really like the wide array of topics you cover Mr. Geo. Hey, when are we getting a tour of the Shaving Laboratory?
Ps I really like the fact that the knots of the badger brushes get bigger and fuller with use.
How’s the grutti shaving set brush ? Looking forward to order
How do you continue to grip the brush when the handle gets wet and soapy? I have to stop and wipe the handle off and dry it otherwise I literally can’t even hold it
Badger brushes are a course application. Similar to a cheap paint brush.
But the synthetics “paint” much better, and leave a much more consistent layer of lather.
I have two high end Silvertip badger brushes, but I purchased them more for the feel of vintage originality. (One is a Shavemac Silvertip that cost me around $110 just for the knot).
I prefer the synthetics, hands down.
Outstanding video Señor!
Why do people say they use badger at home and synthetic when they travel?
i sold my synth ages ago. i usually face-lather and it gave me huge bumbs that lasted for months.
I don't have a Simpson's of any description. I have a Parker best badger, a Maggard synth, and an Omega boar. My go to is the synthetic, it's easier to clean, sheds less and dries quicker. Zero break in, and performs just as well 2 years in as it did on day one. Also the cheapest of the bunch.
My fave italian soap is hands down Cella btw. I have Proraso too, but something about that almond scent...
Is the badger brush a silver tip? There’s different badger grades
Geo, test is well performed but, you have to pick up a cream which is not lathering easy in order to see the performance. Proraso makes tones of lather only with a pen :), kind of detergent. The badger makes bigger bubbles, that's the reason is a lot more, synthetic is more creamy, better cushion, easy to use. Vote synthetic.
Hi Geo,
I received the Chubby 2 synthetic this morning and used it. Really great brush. I like the T3 too. I haven't tried my T2 yet. The Theatre holds 1,955 seated. For shows like Disneys Lion King we sell standing room at the back of the stalls and Grand Circle. We also hosted the world premiere of Disneys Mary Poppins a few years back.
Stay safe Sir,
Dave.
Thanks for sharing Dave! Someone else asked me about a comparison between the T2 and the Chubby 2 Synthetic. I'd love to hear what you think after trying them both. Do you find one softer with a denser knot than the other? And-Thanks so much for sending those pictures. That theater is absolutely beautiful! I think I may have seen it on an episode of Endeavor! How many viewers does it seat?
@@geofatboy I will be shaving again on Sunday so I'll use the T2 then. Back to work at the Theatre on Monday after nearly a year stuck at home!!
Stay safe Geo!
Dave.
@@geofatboy Hi Geo! I have a good bit of stubble today so I thought I'd do the comparison between the Simpsons chubby 2 Synthetic & the Trafalgar T2.
I have an Arko puck in a apothecary bowl so I used that. I soaked each brush for about 2 mins in medium hot water, gently shook them 3 times each. I wetted the puck and gave each brush 100 swirls. I washed the puck after the first brush to clear the lather left behind in the bowl. Firstly, the Chubby is a lot more dense and looks like a quality badger when wet. The T2 when wet shows big gaps in the bristles, like most Synthetics. The Chubby has more backbone while at the same time being softer on the face. The T2 is no slouch in the backbone department and both brushes scrub and paint on the lather really well. You feel like you could scrub with the Chubby all day and still not have a sore face. The Chubby also holds lather better and distributes it better. You can place the lather exactly where you want it. Both are fantastic brushes. I prefer the T2 to my T3. Both brushes are similar but the Chubby does it all better and smoother. The price for the T2 here in England is £17.50. The Chubby 2 costs around £85.00. The Chubby 2 is supposed to be the best synthetic on the market and for the extra price you expect it to be amazing.........and it is!! But.....following close behind is the T2 which is a fraction of the price and VERY impressive. I expected the Chubby to be good. I didn't expect the T2 would be as great as it is. It's just a shade behind the Chubby on everything but that is to be expected. This T2 could very well be my 2nd favourite brush along with my Ultimate G4. The Chubby is the best of all.
I hope this long review is alright Geo.
Take care and stay safe mate,
Dave.
@@davesheppard8797 Thanks for such a thorough comparison review. I felt exactly the same. The Chubby 2 Synthetic is Awesome, yes it costs more, and the T2 is a great value for the money. I thought the tips on the Chubby 2 Synth were amazing! Dense and soft.
@@geofatboy Yes......I was in two minds about getting a Chubby in super badger. But this Chubby 2 synthetic has everything I could possibly want from a brush. I was very impressed with both brushes but that Chubby is just incredible!! Glad you liked my review mate!
Stay safe mate,
Dave.
I use synthetic because i had allergy issues with the badger
Good call!
Hey geofatboy, have you tried the oneblade yet? Im not talking about the stupid philips electric buzzer. Im talking about the safety razor that uses feather blades.
Badger brushes do have some advantages, but I refer synthetic brushes now. They're softer, less expensive, and the bristles dry faster after your shave.
Still the water retention capabilities of badger wins out
The lather looked more dense and better with the synthetic brush. Very foamy with Mr Chubby. But I think it has more to do with the amount water you add than which brush you use. I would add less water than that since I prefer really dense and slick lather. I normally find the synthetic brushes way to soft but maybe the Trafalgar line has enough backbone. I need to check it out. Cheers!
I prefer badger. My favourite brush is the Simpsons Chubby 2 Best Badger. It is a lather making monster.
Why not foam directly on the face?
Yes-that works too.
What I see is you are preparing the Synthetic the same way as the badger......wonder if you use a different technique would if have a different effect? More pressure, less pressure or move faster with one.
Great video, enjoyed it been waiting for something like this for a while. I’ve only ever used synthetic but was interested to see the comparison. What I’ve taken away from this is that performs is equal, but consider a wider diameter knot (say 2mm) when buying a synthetic vs badger knot. The most interesting bit for me was the final face feel which you said to be very similar if not equal.
Would of been good to add a bit more detail into the video:
- Diameter in mm of each knot
- Loft in for each in my
Have a great day 👍
Have a great shave 👍
Hi Geo, another great video. Just wondering what your thoughts are on Trafalgar T2 Vs T3? I'm torn between the two but am unsure whether T3 might be too big or T2 even possibly a little small. I wet shave my head but due to having a beard I only shave the neck and cheeks in my face, with a bit of line work thrown in too keep things tidy. I'm therefore not sure if the T3 would be too big for the face stuff, but like the idea of it for my head. Do you have a preference of one over the other or any thoughts at all please? In an ideal world is just get them both but can't quite justify that yet. Many thanks bud.
Hi Mark, The T3 is more popular than the T2 if that helps at all. You know-Bigger is better!
@@geofatboy thanks for the reply bud, I guess like they say you got to go big or go home 🤣😂
This could not have been better timed! My 4 year old daughter just gave my brush a trim yesterday and it's now useless. Look for my order soon.
That's awesome! Kids will be kids lol. I hope you will like whichever brush you get.
Ouch! I hate when that happens! But it will be a fun tale to tell for years to come...