Dave, I just used the Muhle XL synthetic today for the first time. I have never been very fond of synthetics, I have a couple and use them once in a while and I am always underwhelmed by the performance. I started out with badgers then got a boar and those are what I always gravitate to. However, I really, REALLY like the brush you sent me. I did not know synthetics could feel like that. I actually looked the brush over really well after the shave to make sure it was actually a synthetic. Thanks again for sending it to me. The down side is now I will have to look for another one, are there other synth's that are similar to the Muhle XL?