As to retaining water, or more to the point here not retaining water, the plastic brush performs very poorly. Water wicks away very efficiently from plastic strands– that’s the last thing you want when you’re trying to conjure up a nice thick foam and apply it to your face. Being real hair, the boar’s hair bush will retain water better because it is an organic substance. However, of the three options there’s little debate that the relative softness of the badger hair brush helps it retain water the best.

Regarding durability, the plastic brush might last a very long time, in the same way that your favorite doorstop does, but performance shortcomings would seriously outweigh durability considerations in this case, for most men. The bristles of the boar’s hair brush are coarse and fairly stiff, so that over years’ use they will break more quickly than the synthetic brush, and certainly faster than the softer badger hair brush.

Conveniently, there’s not much debate as to the last point, for anyone who’s actually compared all three. The feel of a synthetic brush against your skin might be more (luxuriant) than a large toothbrush; on the other hand it might not be. The boar’s hair brush, being a natural fiber, might feel a little less stiff and harsh than nylon when you run it across your face (though after a few years it will tend to stiffen and be just as bad). For a feeling of real comfort though, you can’t come close to the feel of real badger hair.

The badger hair shaving brush is the sweet spot: perfect for making and holding a generous lather; unsurpassed durability; just firm enough to do the job without feeling rough on the skin, leaving your face feeling gently massaged.

Take a look here for more information on purchasing a Badger Hair Shaving Brush Kit for yourself or the man in your life.