Thread: Badger Vs. Boar Is there a huge difference?

Originally Posted by gugi

I don't think it's possible to recommend you one or the other based only on the fact that you are new. It depends on what your priorities and tastes are. I wouldn't presume that low cost is your top priority which seems to be the line of thought in the previous posts.

In my opinion you should buy the highest quality brush you can afford, and depending on your budget it may be boar, badger, or synthetic.

Yes I assumed it was a top priority. Guilty! But how often do you see recommendations given to new members for top-of-the-line equipment? Do we tell new members to buy 3 Kanayamas to start out with? (in case they nick the first two)? Grab an Escher on Ebay? Custom Damascus razor with MOP scales? Should a guy's first piece of any equipment in this hobby be high on the cost spectrum? I'll answer that hyperbolic list of rhetoricals with a probably not. Additionally, he may not like wetshaving at all; he could find himself with a used (gross!) shaving brush.
I'll concede that brushes are not exactly like those other things...he's less likely to nick a brush, or damage it from dropping for that matter. But in this economy it's not a stretch to assume that price is a key factor. Plus, at least we didn't punt on the question.

I have several boars and 3 badgers and badgers are what I use the most. 1 in best, 1 black, and 1 silvertip. I paid $142.00 for the silvertip, $44.00 for the best, and the $10.00 black badger that was gotten at Target a year and a half ago I received as a gift. The black badger is by far my favorite brush. I face lather exclusively and that brush just whips up the quickest lather out of any that I have and holds a great amount for subsequent passes.

Yes, indeed, brushes are not like these other things as they are very resistant to abuse from just normal use, and are one of the lower cost equipment.

And boar brush isn't the lowest cost either. The lowest short term cost is no brush and using a brushless cream, or even just oil.
I also don't recommend using hand soap just because it's the lowest cost, and who knows if one would like this type of shaving.

As far as punting, it should be pretty obvious that my response is the furthest thing from that. It asked for additional information, so that we can provide a recommendation that is actually appropriate and helpful to the person asking the question, instead of the recommendation being all about the responder.

Finally I do not understand how setting up a straw man argument is helpful. Nobody ever suggested that the most expensive equipment is necessary or recommended.

Originally Posted by gugi

In my opinion you should buy the highest quality brush you can afford, and depending on your budget it may be boar, badger, or synthetic.

that can be difficult advise to follow for a beginner,

the more experienced users say expensive brushes are needed. The less experienced users who use cheap say buy cheap.

Who is right and who is wrong, usually I tend to believe the more expierenced user would know better, but with this hobby I think the lines are blurred. And my opinion brushes are more status symbol than any thing else.
Which is cool too.

Originally Posted by sidmind

the more experienced users say expensive brushes are needed. The less experienced users who use cheap say buy cheap.

As far as brushes go, quality and cost are not directly correlated. I've had brushes from $5 to $350 and a $20 brush can be of better quality and deliver better performance than a $70 brush, or a $50 brush be better than a $100 brush. I have ended up with just two brushes, both cost about $200 and have very different feel (hence the two of them), but if my budget would not allow for a $200 brush the next one I'd have would probably be a particular $50 brush, or a particular $90 brush, or a particular $20 brush, and not any of the $70 or $125 brushes that I've had.

But I know what I like in a brush and what I don't care much for, somebody with different preferences will like slightly different brushes than me, at different price points too.

Obviously I don't treat my brushes as a status symbol, or I'd have kept my more expensive ones, rather than reselling them at a loss, or even gotten a $600, or a $1000 brush. I may still get a $500 brush made for me, some day, but that's only because this would be in my estimate the cost of something very specific that I may really like to have.

As a noob who has spent for more money than he should have on this, I say: listen to these guys!

I have a few brushes and I like them all differently, so far.

Originally Posted by sidmind

that can be difficult advise to follow for a beginner,

the more experienced users say expensive brushes are needed.

Not really & I'll try to make it even easier. High quality does not necessarily mean high cost.
One of the Omega boar Professional series brushes 48, 49 or 98. should run less than $20 delivered to your front door.
As an experienced user I like these & think they would also be a very good starting point with no great financial loss should another preference develop later.

My Omega 10005 cost me $15 at the drug store and it holds its own against brushes that cost 5 times that, easily.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Not really & I'll try to make it even easier. High quality does not necessarily mean high cost.
One of the Omega boar Professional series brushes 48, 49 or 98. should run less than $20 delivered to your front door.
As an experienced user I like these & think they would also be a very good starting point with no great financial loss should another preference develop later.

I am just another beginner like the OP but that sounds like some good advise. I think I should order one of those.
FYI. Giving model numbers of low cost brushes that an experienced user recommends really helps alot.

Edit: do you have better model numbers than 48 49 98 I could not find those on amazon.com all the model numbers are about 6 digits and several end in 48

Originally Posted by FiremanFlounder

I am completely new to straightshaving and am planning on purchasing my first brush. Should I go with boar or Badger bristles?

Completely new tells me that I should recommend a budget starter.
Van Der Hagen Premium Shave Set (Soap, Bowl, Brush) -- about $12

Then hunt in your local markets for a puck of Williams shave soap.
The boar brush in the set is not the best but if you worry your way
through a puck of Williams ($1.50) you will learn a lot about making
a lather and at the same time soften and break in the brush.

Yes, yes, yes you will want to upgrade the soap and the brush but this
will get you started.

The better boar brushes (Omega is one) are darn fine brushes.

Badger hair brushes are expensive but worth it.

A well made brush lasts a long time.

As a beginner pay attention to the knot size of brushes as
you shop. A tiny knot is false economy. Most folk
find that a 19mm to 22mm knot is about right.