This BLK12S is a replacement for a BLK12 Pure Silver Tip Badger that I owned previously. The badger brush was great but it eventually started to disintegrate and sadly had to be discarded. I really like this new brush so far, and it's a fraction of the price of the badger version. I would add that I was using shaving cream with the badger, but have since switched to a soap puck and face lather method. I'm not sure how the badger would have fared with this method as it's a lot harder on the brush, but this new synthetic version has performed great so far. Thanks Kent for another excellent product!

I grew up near the Kent factory so have always used their hair brushes and badger shaving brushes. A few years ago I switched to synthetic with the BK8S which is great for soaps and creams, but doesn't produce enough lather with hard soaps. I've tried other brands of synthetic and boar brushes for this, but was never totally happy with them so decided to go for the BK12S. I remember the badger version of this which was gigantic but not very practical. The synthetic version isn't so big, but is still huge and dwarfs the BK8S in every aspect. Until now my largest brush had a 28mm knot and I'm surprised at how much difference an extra 2mm makes. I used it today with Kent hard soap and it absorbs so much water that it needs four or five flicks to get the right consistency. Lathering is simple, it quickly builds to a good level which can be easily applied to the face and feels really good. It also didn't need to be reloaded and will hold enough soap for two or three passes. Overall I'm really pleased, it will take time to adjust to the bulk of it, but I'm already looking forward to my next shave!

I have been using a tortoise T4 for the past 20 years and I decided to change for this model. At first, I wasn't certain about the synthetic bristle but I can assure you that within the first week of usage I am convinced that I made the right choice.