Thread: Boar Brush Question

I have a few (830, SOC, Amici) Semogue brushes and they all work fine. Truth be told, I prefer Omega brushes but that is really a
"Ford-Chevy" type of debate.

This is a chart I found elsewhere which pretty much explains the differences among Semogue brushes. I found it helpful and interesting.

Brush
Bristle Type
Material
Loft
Handle
Diameter
830 Premium 90% Tops - Dyed Acrylic 55 44 22
1305 Premium 90% Tops - Dyed Painted Wood 55 53 22
1800 Extra 75% Tops + Premium
90% Tops - Dyed Wood 55 53 22
610 Best 90% Tops Acrylic 50 43 21
820 Best 90% Tops Acrylic 55 45 22
1250 Best 90% Tops Wood 55 53 22
1460 Best 90% Tops Painted Wood 50 48 21
1470 Best 90% Tops Wood 50 48 21
2030B Best 90% Tops Metal 57 56 22
620 Extra 75% Tops - Dyed Acrylic 50 43 21
1438 Extra 75% Tops - Dyed Painted Wood 50 45 21
1520 Extra 75% Tops - Dyed Painted Wood 50 48 21
2000 Super 70% Tops Wood 60 52 25
SOC Special Grade Boar Wood 55 57 24
1438 Extra 75% Tops - Dyed Painted Wood 50 45 21
1520 Extra 75% Tops - Dyed Painted Wood 50 48 21
2000 Super 70% Tops Wood 60 52 25
SOC Special Grade Boar Wood 55 57 24

Boars are a really nice way to get into the whole wetshaving discipline. Not expensive really and they do a good job without a bunch of fanfare

With Boar brushes the tips break in and split making it softer over time. I have a few Boar and the ones that I use most rival the silver tips I have. You just have to break them in. Look for a little heavier handle as it will feel better in hand. That's just my opinion.

i'm another boar fan, i have a few nice brushes. my badger brush just collects dust in my cabinet.

At this point I couldn't say which I prefer in terms of performance, badger or boar. Both have their merits. When you factor in price, the choice seems clearer.

But I still adore my badgers.

I especially like a boar brush for soaps but, whatever. Each brush ultimately works with any soap or cream.

If badger is silk, a Semogue 1305 is lightly starched cotton and an Omega 10049 Professional is extra-starch polyester. For me a Semogue 1305 is perfect for most soaps and an Omega Pro, also good for harder soaps, includes an exfoliating facial mssage along with lathering - it produces a pleasant feeling similar to being tattooed on a non sensitive area after a few drinks too many. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

I especially like a boar brush for soaps but, whatever. Each brush ultimately works with any soap or cream.

If badger is silk, a Semogue 1305 is lightly starched cotton and an Omega 10049 Professional is extra-starch polyester. For me a Semogue 1305 is perfect for most soaps and an Omega Pro, also good for harder soaps, includes an exfoliating facial mssage along with lathering - it produces a pleasant feeling similar to being tattooed on a non sensitive area after a few drinks too many. Hope this helps.

Well said Sir. Your brush/laundry analogy is sheer brilliance

Also-while being tattooed, avoid the nipples. Trust me on this.

Originally Posted by entropy1049

...Your brush/laundry analogy is sheer brilliance...

Not sure about brilliance but, in the end, I am a textile- and technical fibers guy. I try to put things in terms I understand. As to tats, I am inkless and was guessing.

I am not anywhere near an expert on the subject. But I hated my boar brush...at first. But after several months of gritting my teeth a miracle happened. The damn thing broke in and became this joyous little puff ball that lathers anything and is stiff enough to lift and scrub under a 6 day growth but at the same time its soft enough to be pleasant on the face.

I do hope to have a nice badger someday but for now I'm more than content with my boar.

I use a VDH boar brush, and as others have stated, they do soften with use. It's very comfortable. I haven't splurged for a badger yet; probably will, but if a badger is softer than this boar, then they must be very, very soft. The VDH boar brush is down at the lower end of the spectrum, but it is very soft, holds water and soap, doesn't immediately lather, and doesn't loose bristles.

Got my boar brush in the mail today... first thing I did was just soak for about 20 minutes, then shook it out just cause I felt like it was the right thing to do. Then I soaked it in my scuttle while i showered. I really enjoyed the feel of it, the only problem I had was I loaded up the brush good with soap and 4 drops of glycerin in the scuttle, but I didn't get a lot of lather even after adding quite a bit of water. So I washed off the brush and loaded it again and this time I got a good amount of lather (probably has more to do with my lathering skill than the brush)(don't mean to change the subject of this thread but if I did something wrong with my lathering or if rinsing and reloading is common practice then let me know). It felt good for a first impression, I'll probably alternate between my silver tip and the boar for awhile till I get a good feel for both of them, but I am very happy with the brush.