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

I'm a newbie too but I really like my boar brush from Rite Aid. They seem to lose a few more hairs than the badger but for me they do just as good a job with lather.

I agree with Wintchase, you can always upgrade if you wish.

You can also go synthetic. I was recently turned onto the Men-U Premium brush. It is a great and cost effective brush.

I have one of the cheapo boar brushes that is exactly like the one at Walgreens, mine just happened to be used and worn in when I acquired it, it works great for me with the Art of Shaving soap in wooden bowl. I also face lather and really don't know what I am doing, but it seems to work great and gets the job done.

I don't think it's rocket science despite what those who think you need a $300 brush would say. Mine was .50 cents at the flea market and I use it every time. Yeah I don't know any better, but what does it matter, it works.

Yep. Agreed. For what it's worth, I have a nice badger brush and I find myself using my cheap Walgreens boar brush much more often. Part of the reason is that because it was so cheap I don't obsess over it. For example, after I use my badger brush I feel the need to gently squeeze liquid water out, delicately dry the tips of the hairs out on a towel, and splay them out in a nice bloom so that capillary action can promote good drying. The boar gets violently whipped free of water into the open shower and left on the counter. Saves me a good minute or two.
If you like a softer feel, I find that the longer I soak the boar bristles in hot water the softer they feel. Try leaving it in hot water for the duration of a shower. Plus, with some age, they tips seem to soften and split considerably. I may not replace my badger brush if it ever poops out.

To sum up, I like my brushes like I like my women. They need to perform, but low maintenance is really really nice.

"To sum up, I like my brushes like I like my women. They need to perform, but low maintenance is really really nice." Jimbo - you be THE MAN!!! Seriously, a boar brush, for me, is well worth the use. The badgers are good, no doubt, but the real issue is how easy it makes lather.