Muhle STF XL - It is that good! (2024)

I own, and have owned, many different synthetic brushes. I tried a couple of "higher end" Simpsons synthetics (Duke and Chubby) and the Simpsons Trafalgar, but my favorites have been rather inexpensive brushes from Yaqi, PAA, Turn-N-Shave and RazoRock. While I have always wondered about the famed Muhle STF, I just figured it couldn't be worth the premium price. Eventually, of course, I just had to try one. I found a very good deal on a new 25mm STF ($58 delivered from Ireland). Six days later it arrived, and I couldn't wait to give it a try. Since I had already shaved today, this wasn't a full test. Following the instructions that came with it, I first washed it out and then created a test lather. I decided to face lather even though I wasn't going to shave again today.

This brush really lives up to its reputation. No other synthetic that I have used behaves as much like a badger brush as the Muhle STF. No lather flinging, plenty of backbone but very soft tips. Flow through is excellent. After the disappoinment with the Simpsons Platinum brushes, I have to say that I was expecting to be disappointed again. But this brush is truly in a league of its own among synthetics that I have tried. I know that there are some other new synthetic brushes that are getting rave reviews (G5's with various letters from a couple of different sources), but I think I'll be content with my Muhle 25mm STF.

Yup

I like it very much. Lately I have been using my Muhle STF 23 mm. A very nice brush also. The 25 mm has a nice full feel while using it. Worth the money to me. Here it is.

The STF XL is an outstanding synthetic knot. Still my #1 choice.

Yup. I was also a hold out for years. It's made all my other mass produced synth brushes useless. I like it so much I got a 23 mm to use for travel, which is a lot.

Yes! It is that good.
I got the 25mm knot with olive wood handle a couple days ago. I am glad I went with the X-Large size.

tjsgarden said:

Yes! It is that good.
I got the 25mm knot with olive wood handle a couple days ago. I am glad I went with the X-Large size.
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What makes the larger knot better? I do like their olive wood handles.

CCS said:

What makes the larger knot better? I do like their olive wood handles.

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I have a beard and you would think a smaller brush makes sense with less skin to shave. But, I just like the way a larger brush makes lather and how it feels on my face. I can apply lather just as easy and accurately with a larger knot as I can with a smaller one.
Also, I think this Muhle brush would be described as medium to large by other manufacturers.

CCS said:

The knot size on the Rocca is 21mm so I wonder if the raves are for the bigger STF knots?

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Like you @CCS , I got the Muhle Birch Bark razor but I had read reviews that Muhle STF brushes run on the smallish size compared to other companies. I have known for months that I now like larger brushes, mostly fan shaped. This new Muhle brush is now the best bulb shape I own. I also like the taller height of the knot.

tjsgarden said:

Like you @CCS , I got the Muhle Birch Bark razor but I had read reviews that Muhle STF brushes run on the smallish size compared to other companies. I have known for months that I now like larger brushes, mostly fan shaped. This new Muhle brush is now the best bulb shape I own. I also like the taller height of the knot.

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I ask because I have brushes like the Kent BK8 silvertip badger which is a 23mm knot size and huge for me because of the tall fan shaped loft, the 24mm Trafalgar T2 which works well due to its shorter loft, and the Rocca is 21mm as is my EJ Super badger. Then I also have a Wee Scot! I honestly can't figure out what works best for me but I seem to gravitate towards my smaller brushes more often than my larger ones so your comment piqued my curiosity.

CCS said:

I ask because I have brushes like the Kent BK8 silvertip badger which is a 23mm knot size and huge for me because of the tall fan shaped loft, the 24mm Trafalgar T2 which works well due to its shorter loft, and the Rocca is 21mm as is my EJ Super badger. Then I also have a Wee Scot! I honestly can't figure out what works best for me but I seem to gravitate towards my smaller brushes more often than my larger ones so your comment piqued my curiosity.

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My 26mm Yaqi Moka Express (badger) blooms so huge that it covers half of my face yet the 25mm STF is soft and still compact. I also have the 19mm STF as a travel brush - wet it looks poor and sparse but it lathers without any issues.

CCS said:

I seem to gravitate towards my smaller brushes more often than my larger ones

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Your Muhle Birch Bark brush should work great for you!
Besides, it has a nice looking handle.
It has the same STF knot, only smaller.

CCS said:

I already have about 6-7 brushes too many.

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LOL, I know the feeling!

A word of caution for anyone in the U.S. considering the Muhle X-Large Olive STF brush...

I initially ordered from Amazon. Twice, they sent me the wrong brush---the same wrong brush each time.
I ended up ordering directly from Muhle and got it in about 6 days plus they give a $5.00 coupon when you subscribe to their newsletter. It ended up being cheaper than Amazon.

tjsgarden said:

A word of caution for anyone in the U.S. considering the Muhle X-Large Olive STF brush...

I initially ordered from Amazon. Twice, they sent me the wrong brush---the same wrong brush each time.
I ended up ordering directly from Muhle and got it in about 6 days plus they give a $5.00 coupon when you subscribe to their newsletter. It ended up being cheaper than Amazon.

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Amazon is NOT the place to buy Muhle products IMO. Their web descriptions are so wrong so often that I think you're better buying from Europe or any of out Muhle dealers in the States. I've had good luck and fair to incredible pricing from muhleshaving.com and shaving.ie in that order.