I've been asked probably at least a dozen times now about my impressions of the AP Shave Co G5C knot, and I think it might be about time I put them all in one place, as comprehensively as I can, so people can find them for themselves without me having to reinvent everything every time.
To start with, my impressions are solely related to the 28mm (image here) version of the knot: for a head&face shaver, bigger is better up to a point, but 30mm isn't available right now, and I'm perfectly happy with that.
So here goes.
The G5C differs from its stablemates G5A and G5B in that the former is a fan knot made from Japanese fibres which are a tad longer than the German fibres used in the other two bulb knots. All of them benefit (IMO) from being set as high in the handle as possible to create and release as much lather as possible. It's the spaces between the fibres that hold the lather, not the fibres themselves. The complete brushes I've seen from AP are set a bit lower and tighter than I believe is optimal. Setting the knot high enables the knot to work well with any technique (painting, scrubbing or mashing).
The G5C has a good amount of backbone, but soft tips. (I would expect smaller versions to have less backbone.) The fibres are wavy (to emulate natural ones) and don't have that "spring" of earlier-generation synthetics, just a progressive resistance, so they splay quite naturally. In many respects, it behaves like a very good 2-band badger, except without that scritch. (And needless to say, without requiring any soaking, prolonged drying or any other special treatment.) While the 28mm fan might be a little on the large side for some users, it copes very nicely with small pucks of milled soaps, easily producing enough lather for 3+ passes face&head with plenty left to soap up for the shower.
The downsides: these knots are the most expensive synthetics I know of, almost in the better badger price range. Also, you'll have to wait a long time for your order to arrive from Canada, no matter which mail option you choose.
For me, the downsides don't matter. The G5C is the only knot of ANY kind that I have bought a second one of.
To start with, my impressions are solely related to the 28mm (image here) version of the knot: for a head&face shaver, bigger is better up to a point, but 30mm isn't available right now, and I'm perfectly happy with that.
So here goes.
The G5C differs from its stablemates G5A and G5B in that the former is a fan knot made from Japanese fibres which are a tad longer than the German fibres used in the other two bulb knots. All of them benefit (IMO) from being set as high in the handle as possible to create and release as much lather as possible. It's the spaces between the fibres that hold the lather, not the fibres themselves. The complete brushes I've seen from AP are set a bit lower and tighter than I believe is optimal. Setting the knot high enables the knot to work well with any technique (painting, scrubbing or mashing).
The G5C has a good amount of backbone, but soft tips. (I would expect smaller versions to have less backbone.) The fibres are wavy (to emulate natural ones) and don't have that "spring" of earlier-generation synthetics, just a progressive resistance, so they splay quite naturally. In many respects, it behaves like a very good 2-band badger, except without that scritch. (And needless to say, without requiring any soaking, prolonged drying or any other special treatment.) While the 28mm fan might be a little on the large side for some users, it copes very nicely with small pucks of milled soaps, easily producing enough lather for 3+ passes face&head with plenty left to soap up for the shower.
The downsides: these knots are the most expensive synthetics I know of, almost in the better badger price range. Also, you'll have to wait a long time for your order to arrive from Canada, no matter which mail option you choose.
For me, the downsides don't matter. The G5C is the only knot of ANY kind that I have bought a second one of.
sounds like you get the best of both worlds, the advantages of synthetics with the feel of a natural brush
I haven't found any synthetic that benefits from being set that tightly.