Plisson Synthetic

[filobiblic]

There has been already much discussion on this brush under the thread of "Synthetic Brushes". But I thought it needs its own thread considering there is now a large number of us with this brush (or soon in possession of it).

I want to state up front that IMHO this is the best synthetic brush. It's soft and yet has a decent amount of backbone. I've used a Virginia Sheng synthetic and Muhle STF previously. Both take a bit of effort to splay when face lathering. But this Plisson simply spreads with no effort- exactly like a normal badger brush! It's the softest tips out of them all (but really it's simply splitting hairs as they are all so soft). The size is perfect for face lathering, yet you could probably enjoy it just as much with a bowl.

Here's some photos of my three synthetics to compare.

Front on
(L to R: Muhle STF 21mm > Plisson > VS synthetic)


Top down
(BL: Muhle > Middle: Plisson > BR: VS synthetic)


I think - even after a single shave - this is my favourite brush. I don't have many badger brushes, but this seems to be as soft as my silvertip brush. Compared to badgers, it has very similar characteristics, and yet it has the amazing advantages of synthetic brushes (quick drying, generates lather richly & economically, etc).

I'd love to hear from others who have used a variety of different badgers. (I've used a pure and cheap silvertip, as well as boars, horsehair and other synthetics.)

I'm with @Marlow - I'm now involved in a passionate relationship with a sultry French brush! [emoji14]

Edit: Amended the order in the photos

 

[Drubbing]

I think you'll find a 23mm Muhle/Jagger/Aesop will likely perform same as the Plisson.

I'm putting up a thread on a couple of Synths, but the extra knot width meems to mean more give. The Synths seem to have differing properties to badger, and I'll elaborate on that...

 

[stillshunter]

I think you'll find a 23mm Muhle/Jagger/Aesop will likely perform same as the Plisson.

I'm putting up a thread on a couple of Synths, but the extra knot width meems to mean more give. The Synths seem to have differing properties to badger, and I'll elaborate on that...

Can you talk from experience mate...bought yourself an Aesop?

 

[Drubbing]

Of course. I don't make random stuff up...

 

[filobiblic]

I think you'll find a 23mm Muhle/Jagger/Aesop will likely perform same as the Plisson.

I'm putting up a thread on a couple of Synths, but the extra knot width meems to mean more give. The Synths seem to have differing properties to badger, and I'll elaborate on that...

I believe they are different generations. The Plisson is a 3rd generation. It looks and behaves different to the 4th generation Muhle STF.

Here's the Plisson's dimensions:
23/55- With the metal ring around the knot it fits a 24mm hole.

I'd like to hear from someone who had a 23mm Muhle and the Plisson.
But from my own personal experience, these brushes are VERY different in behaviour.

Seriously, the Plisson is less resistant to pressure than all the other synthetics. It has very little resistance and will "collapse' straight away. All the others require a firm pressure in order to "collapse". I'm adamant that this is different in behaviour to the other brushes. And I'm not alone in this recognition.

 

[Drubbing]

Seriously, the Plisson is less resistant to pressure than all the other synthetics. It has very little resistance and will "collapse' straight away. All the others require a firm pressure in order to "collapse". I'm adamant that this is different in behaviour to the other brushes. And I'm not alone in this recognition.

Then I reckon I'd find it too floppy. I like some resistance in brushes, that's why the MuJagOp seems to be a good option. Less $$ too.

 

[filobiblic]

Then I reckon I'd find it too floppy. I like some resistance in brushes, that's why the MuJagOp seems to be a good option. Less $$ too.

It is definitively more "floppy" than the others. But I'd hesitate to define it as "floppy". I'm not good at brushes since I have only a few (especially badger). But I face lather 95% of the time and prefer backbone over "floppiness". But it's not as firm in resistance as all then other synthetics I have tried.

 

[Nonick]

The simmo classic was too much resistance for me. Had to push very determinedly to splay, which, once it was there was ok. But because you've got quite a pressure load on it to whip lather (which it does very well) it tended to more shove it around your face, leaving none behind

 

[Nick the Knife]

Great review Filo and I must say your thoughts very much concur with the general concensus opinions that I've read at multiple other forums about this Plisson, especially when it comes to details your thoughts on its traits.

Whilst I'm yet to try my brush I also have a Virginia Sheng Synth and though I love it's little can-do attitiude and lovely micro-bubble lather I do find that there's a tricky balancing act when using it just to it's bouncy string tendencies - it's also perhaps just a tad small on the knot size and not able to hold all the goodness it generates at the drop of a hat. Hence the Plisson sounds like a significant upgrade on both those two fronts.

Love the fact you've had great results face lathering, I figured it for a bowl lathering specialist but thats excellent to hear - thanks again for being the main crux allowing so many folks to try these excellent brushes.

 

[howea]

It is definitively more "floppy" than the others. But I'd hesitate to define it as "floppy". I'm not good at brushes since I have only a few (especially badger). But I face lather 95% of the time and prefer backbone over "floppiness".

Dr. Vosknocker: Now I want you to say "big floppy donkey dick"
Cartman: No!
Dr. Vosknocker: Success! The child doesn't want to swear!

 

[Lifes a Peach]

If softness isn't an issue then you guys are going to love this brush. It makes the job of getting a consistent layer of moisture richness on your face with ease.

A couple of weeks of using this brush and I cannot fault it. After using scrubby boars for ages it did feel very weird but I quickly got used to the soft floppy feeling. It passed the ultimate MWF test with flying colours.

When I bowl lathered I had to pump the brush a few times to get the lather going. The only minor quibble I have is it's hard to physically see how much soap has been loaded. The soap seems to be camouflaged within the fibres.

Such a shame that they cost $100 in this country.

 

[Pjotr]

Of course. I don't make random stuff up...

What a pity. I always thought that was the most interesting facet of your writing.

 

[filobiblic]

If softness isn't an issue then you guys are going to love this brush. It makes the job of getting a consistent layer of moisture richness on your face with ease.

A couple of weeks of using this brush and I cannot fault it. After using scrubby boars for ages it did feel very weird but I quickly got used to the soft floppy feeling. It passed the ultimate MWF test with flying colours.

When I bowl lathered I had to pump the brush a few times to get the lather going. The only minor quibble I have is it's hard to physically see how much soap has been loaded. The soap seems to be camouflaged within the fibres.

Such a shame that they cost $100 in this country.

It's definitely über soft tips but it's more like a pure badger with more backbone than floppiness. It's no boar or horsehair with lots of scrubbiness. Instead it is soft with a slight floppiness, but a light springiness. It's not natural, but it doesn't feel completely like a synthetic with unnatural springiness.

Yeah. Don't know why they have the Aussie tax on these. They used to be $50 in the States, then dropped them to $30 back in October. Totally pointless charging so much when it's obvious that they aren't that much to produce.

 

[filobiblic]

FYI: Two Plisson Synthetic Models
It's interesting that there are actually two versions of the synthetic Plisson put out by L'Occitane.

On the left is the newer model. Note the extra branding of "L'Occitane".
On the right is the older model. Close up, you can see the wood grain a little more distinctly.


Wood grain on older model.


(These photos were taken by someone else, not me. [emoji9])

Apparently there are slight differences between the two. Most shavers probably won't know that there are two different models (because, you know, we don't have two of the same brushes?!?).

All the ones that were recently imported through my channels are the newest model. It would be interesting to hear from @LifesaPeach about his brush (I'm guessing it's also the newer version). I think that @Marlow (hello old friend!?) would have the older model.

Anyone have both and want to chime in?

Just thought I'd add that little bit of info here for those who may want to collect brushes...[emoji4]

 

[Drubbing]

The Oz tax on the MuJagOp is fairly acceptable, given what it would coat to fly in the same Muhle or Jag, from Euro suppliers. The Plisson cost is ridiculous here really. But then, next to their badgers, it's a 'bargain'.

 

[Nick the Knife]

Somewhat unsure what the folks at Plisson were thinking when they allowed these brushes to be co-branded with their name. Don't get me wrong as I've got one on route to me but seems a very odd choice to allow a very exclusive brand to be used on an item that now sells for less than a tenth of many of their other brushes (albeit very overpriced!). And L'Occitane is really nothing spesh either. Kind of like Armani letting Target do a line of clothes with their branding on it.

I wonder how much if anything Plisson had to do with this brush - e.g I'm assuming they're made in China or similar - certainly not France (I believe Plisson is based here). I'm guessing they had a significant say on the design etc but thats about it. Use their branding and pay a fee per item but thats it.

Again seems very odd thing for an exclusive brand to do and if I'd forked out crazy money for a legit Plisson I'd be a tad miffed that now all manner of riff-raff are now able to claim Plisson ownership status - don't ghet me wrong this isn't something I do myself or think is vaguely sane - but 'exclusive' brands are normally really protective of their elite status (avoiding obvious sales, discounting, etc of their products and picky on distributors) - so that Plisson went this route is a head scratcher - but one I've happily embraced myself.

 

[stillshunter]

FYI: Two Plisson Synthetic Models
It's interesting that there are actually two versions of the synthetic Plisson put out by L'Occitane.

If you can stand this guy's voice and expressions then this is a fairly thorough comparison of the two Plisson L'Occy versions.

 

[stillshunter]

Somewhat unsure what the folks at Plisson were thinking when they allowed these brushes to be co-branded with their name. Don't get me wrong as I've got one on route to me but seems a very odd choice to allow a very exclusive brand to be used on an item that now sells for less than a tenth of many of their other brushes (albeit very overpriced!). And L'Occitane is really nothing spesh either. Kind of like Armani letting Target do a line of clothes with their branding on it.

I wonder how much if anything Plisson had to do with this brush - e.g I'm assuming they're made in China or similar - certainly not France (I believe Plisson is based here). I'm guessing they had a significant say on the design etc but thats about it. Use their branding and pay a fee per item but thats it.

Again seems very odd thing for an exclusive brand to do and if I'd forked out crazy money for a legit Plisson I'd be a tad miffed that now all manner of riff-raff are now able to claim Plisson ownership status - don't ghet me wrong this isn't something I do myself or think is vaguely sane - but 'exclusive' brands are normally really protective of their elite status (avoiding obvious sales, discounting, etc of their products and picky on distributors) - so that Plisson went this route is a head scratcher - but one I've happily embraced myself.

This aint new Nick - think Panasonic making (some) Leica digital cameras…and allowing Panasonic cameras to brandish the Leica name on their lens. Similar relationship in the world of cars with Daewoo making cars for Holden, Sssangyong and Mercedes, etc., tis the way of the world I'm afraid.

 

[filobiblic]

If you can stand this guy's voice and expressions then this is a fairly thorough comparison of the two Plisson L'Occy versions.

Good 'ole Busta...

 

[borked]

and sadly Panasonic appears to have dropped it's founders morals