Boar brush recommendations please

This is probably been covered before, many times.

Right now I've only used very inexpensive badger brushes. One I have is so soft I call it mushy and I don't care for it. The other two have stiffer bristles but I still consider them soft to my face. I've been reading about boar brushes and they seem to have some advantages. Or, disadvantages based on personal preference I assume. I am picturing some of them being so stiff they are uncomfortable to some people. Maybe me. I read they are very good for face lathering. I want to be familiar with face lathering as well as using warm lather, scuttle, hot water and towel, etc. Right now I'm learning how to shave different ways and have not figured out what I like best. I think it's time to try a boar brush. I read an article in a forum (A beginner's guide to boar brushes / the science of the boar shaving brush) that is interesting. The author recommends an Omega #48 professional brush as a first boar brush and judge from there. So, I'm looking for it but haven't found one yet. It is not on SRD I don't think. Maybe I didn't search correctly.

Any recommendations on a boar brush to start with is appreciated. As well as any personal likes/dislikes regarding them and how they compare to badger.

I don't need anything fancy. I am looking for good quality but don't need extra expense based on handle material or anything like that.

Thanks for any help.

If you want to try a tried and true boar brush, give the Semogue 1305 a try.

I have one, it id definitely not my go-to brush by any means, but for me, the fun of this hobby is being able to change it up now and then.

Yes, give one a try, many really enjoy the boar brushes and they're not expensive by any means.

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Originally Posted by Phrank

If you want to try a tried and true boar brush, give the Semogue 1305 a try.

I have one, it id definitely not my go-to brush by any means, but for me, the fun of this hobby is being able to change it up now and then.

Yes, give one a try, many really enjoy the boar brushes and they're not expensive by any means.

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I found the brush on SRD but it has it labeled as "Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle Shaving Brush" and doesn't mention "boar" anywhere in the description. Is it a boar bristle or synthetic brush?

I also just found it on ebay and while it isn't in the brush name it is described as a boar bristle brush.

Just ordered an "Omega Shaving Brush #10048 Boar Bristle aka The PRO 48". Looking forward to getting and using it. Supposedly this is about average for boar brushes. What are some of the more specific differences in boar brushes? I'm not much of an experimentor. When I find something I like I stick with it. I miss out on some good products with this theory but this is my personality. One thing I like is I don't end up with a bunch of stuff sitting around unused. Two things I know I like are Mitchell's wool fat soap and Castle Forbes pre-shave. When I find a brush I like most I'll probably use that one (or type) forever.

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Originally Posted by Jack0458

I also just found it on ebay and while it isn't in the brush name it is described as a boar bristle brush.

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I bought my 1305 from eBay it was about 15 dollars or so, they are definately not synthetic. I use one 2 weeks out of 3. I much prefer it to the marshmallow that is my badger brush. It will take a bit of use to break in but will be good. My other brush is a no name chemist shop natural bristle brush which I like almost as much. For the money give the semogue a go.

Hi Jack, I am sure you will like the Omega 48 it is a great brush, mine took about 20/30 shaves to break it in, YMMV. Also you may like to consider the Semogue 620 not an expensive brush but a great performer imho one I use on a very regular basis. Good luck.

When you read that a brush is pure bristle it means that its pure boar.

I have the Semogue 1305 also, and find it an interesting alrenative to Badger, but it is scritchy. Personally, I prefer the Smaller Simpson Badger brushes, one of which meets my semi-scritchy criteria.

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

I have the Semogue 1305 also, and find it an interesting alrenative to Badger, but it is scritchy. Personally, I prefer the Smaller Simpson Badger brushes, one of which meets my semi-scritchy criteria.

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I got one specifically for the scritchy factor, and it is nice for that, but boar is different, worth remembering, it doesn't hold water the same, but it's nice for a change....for the price, worth having IMO.

omega makes an excellent boar brush.I prefer it on soap pucks and for a daily driver.ymmv of course .

I have the Pro 49 which I believe is the same as the 48 only a different handle. It's a good brush but I prefer my Semogue. The 1305 is supposed to be excellent and I know I want one. Semogue has a hair grading system for boar; how much of that is marketing I don't know. The 48 was a good frugal choice to get your foot in the boar door. Be sure to give the brush time to break in before you give it a judgement and remember to soak a boar for a decent amount of time. How long you soak it affects the stiffness up to a point, but after 5-7 minutes I think you hot a ceiling. Boar is excellent for MWF FYI.

[QUOTE=Phrank;1396515]If you want to try a tried and true boar brush, give the Semogue 1305 a try.

I got one a couple of weeks ago and I am loving it. It works great for my soaps. Has a good backbone to it which is what I was looking for and though it is stiff I think it is soft and is getting softer as it is breaking in.

I ordered the Omega #48 as recommended by the author of the document about boar brushes. Well, this morning during my second cup of coffee I got excited and ordered the Semogue 620. I was planning on waiting to try and break in the Omega before deciding if I even liked boar brushes. But you guys got me all excited. :) I really like the looks of the 620 handle. The looks isn't really important to me normally but for $20 I went ahead and got the brush because it's prettier than the Omega with a silver handle. :) Also, I'll have two brushes to judge boar brushes by instead of just trying one and basing an opinion on only one example. I do love the lower prices of boar brushes. I haven't needed to take out another mortgage (yet) but I have been surprised at how much variety there is when it comes to scraping hair off my face. :dropjaw:;) And it doesn't help with you guys saying this brush is so great and that soap is super and all the other variances there are to remove whiskers. :)

I simply love my Semogues (1503, 1800, 1438).

Here is one "how to" break a boar brush video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_BWNg_NbAc

Basic he says to do 5 to 7 cicles during 2 or 3 days to help the breaking process. (you can use any kind of soap bar to do this). I made during 7 days about 5 cicles a day.

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Originally Posted by cariocarj01

I simply love my Semogues (1503, 1800, 1438).

Here is one "how to" break a boar brush video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_BWNg_NbAc

Basic he says to do 5 to 7 cicles during 2 or 3 days to help the breaking process. (you can use any kind of soap bar to do this). I made during 7 days about 5 cicles a day.

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I tried to follow the picture. But I couldn't understand a word that guy said. I need a version suited for one who took Spanish in high school but never went to class. :) To hear me talk though you'd know I skipped a few english classes as well. :D

The Semogue 620 & 830 are both quality boar brushes. The 620 is ideal for face lathering while the 830 is good for face & bowl lathering. You may like the Omega 48 but it is a very big brush with a high loft. I have an Omega 48 but never liked it, just too big for me. The Semogue 620 & 830 are my favorite used boars. YMMV Good shaving

Hi,

I'm a brazilian so it is not so dificult to me to understand.

So let's go:

1 -Take your brush and a soap bar.
2 - wet your brush and soap bar.
3 - Charge your brush.
4 - Lather the brush on the palm of your hand for about 20 seconds.
5 - repeat the numbers 3 and 4 about 5 to 7 times a day during 3 days.

This will help to speed the break process.

I hope it helps to understand. ;)

Boars take a good couple dozen uses to break in and the scritchy factor will go away.

Universally Omega and Semogue are the two brands to target is the general consensus. I've used a lot of semogues and really like them. They all have their slight differences though. Personally I kept the 620 for my dopp kit for travel. It is a bit more on the scritchy side.

The 830 and 1305 are less so. I preferred the 830. Give them 2-4 weeks though on everyday use before judging. Boars do need a good break in period.

A boar brush that I do like and use is an Omega 10066 Omega 10066 Boar Shaving Brush | Maggard Razors - Straight Razor Restoration, Custom Scales and Wet Shaving Products . Takes about 2 two weeks of daily use to break in and then you are off to the races. It won't break the bank either. The Omega 10066 and the Semogue 1350 are the only boar brushes I own and either would serve you well. Yes, if it says bristle it is boar.

Bob

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Originally Posted by BobH

A boar brush that I do like and use is an Omega 10066 Omega 10066 Boar Shaving Brush | Maggard Razors - Straight Razor Restoration, Custom Scales and Wet Shaving Products . Takes about 2 two weeks of daily use to break in and then you are off to the races. It won't break the bank either. The Omega 10066 and the Semogue 1350 are the only boar brushes I own and either would serve you well. Yes, if it says bristle it is boar.

Bob

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I ordered the Omega 48 and Semogue 620 already. Now you want me to order an Omega 10066??? :) Kidding. They are out of stock on the site you provided so I put myself on the waiting list. :) I'll get an email when they are back in stock. I won't order another until I play with the two I have coming to see if I like them after they get broken in. I'm going to use the soap in hand some to break them in sooner than just shaving with them.

PS
I just got a message that the manufacturing of the Semogue 620 is slow for some reason. May be 2-3 weeks before I get that one. Probably good. That will force me to use only the omega 48 brush getting it broken in and performing consistently that much sooner.

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Originally Posted by Jack0458

I ordered the Omega 48 and Semogue 620 already. Now you want me to order an Omega 10066??? :) Kidding. They are out of stock on the site you provided so I put myself on the waiting list. :) I'll get an email when they are back in stock. I won't order another until I play with the two I have coming to see if I like them after they get broken in. I'm going to use the soap in hand some to break them in sooner than just shaving with them.

PS
I just got a message that the manufacturing of the Semogue 620 is slow for some reason. May be 2-3 weeks before I get that one. Probably good. That will force me to use only the omega 48 brush getting it broken in and performing consistently that much sooner.

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You never can have too many brushes. ;)

Bob

1305 and 1800 are my Piggy Brush of choice...

But one of the great things about Boar brushes is there are a lot of great choices and they won't break the bank (unless you buy all of them)

Smooth shaving...

I like Omega knots. This is a 10049 rehandled and relofted on the short side.
http://s19.postimg.org/7ou9qiqeb/P1010002.jpg

I have a Semogue 830. It's great, not soft, but stiff just enough to be felt like a boar brush. I highly recommend it.

I have the Semogue 1305. I like the size of the handle and the backbone of it. Now that it has broken in and some of the tips have split it has become less scritchy. I'm still waiting for more of the tips to split and it seems to be taking a while for that to happen. I have used it on average every other day for almost two months. The tips on the perimeter of the knot have all split nicely but the interior hairs are not (a few are). I wonder why this is? Overall it feels less scritchy to me but maybe I just have gotten used to it.

I have been eyeing the SOC. How is that one in comparison to the 1305 other than knot size. Is it supposed to get softer while still retaining good backbone? Is there really a difference in the grade of the hair? I mainly face lather and I like the large handles, easier for me to control than shorter, stubby style handles.

First shave with a boar brush today. It was the Omega 48. When I took the brush out of the box I was amazed at how big it is.

Vulfix 2006 and Omega 48
http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps40dbddb7.jpg

Until now the brushes I've used have been the same size. Or not enough difference to be obvious. This size difference is obvious at a glance. I really liked the feel of the stiffer bristles. In fact I hope they don't soften up too much as they break in. I don't think I'll get the Semogue 620 for a couple of weeks or more. This one should be broken in by then I hope. I'm going to create lather in my hand to help speed things up as others have suggested. I'll also use the few different soaps/creams I have to see how the boar is to create lather with soaps or the softer creams. Today I used Mitchell's Wool Fat soap. This is continuing to be my favorite soap or cream. This brush covered twice the amount of face when applying the lather than the badger brushes I've used. I like this brush so far and like the difference. I'll be able to use different brushes in the future for one reason or another once I have more experience.

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions.

I use boar brushes For similar reasons I like the backbone, And a bit of scritch.

First thing I do when I get a new brush is to sit with it for a few mins. Running my fingers through the bristles in sections. While doing it look for hairs that are noticeably thicker. These are hairs that have flipped when they made the knot. When you find them just pull them out. Those hairs don't split or bed in.

Aside from that boar is remarkably durable. I'd advise getting 2 if you shave every day so you can rotate daily to give each brush proper drying time. If you shave every other day then this isn't a problem. It'll just stop them smelling and becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. (edit just read that you have :beer1: ).

Once broken in they don't loose backbone, They loose scritch, As the tips split but the shaft remains mostly intact.

Also expect to loose a few bristles. Mine have shed a lot in the first few shaves, then they calm down shedding the odd hair here and there. There are enough bristles that you will never notice the loss. I think it's just the nature of boar and the fact the hair is tougher but more prone to snapping at the knot with wear.

I got the Semogue 620 boar brush today. I used it and love it. I like it much more than the Omega I got. The 620 is smaller and the bristles are a little bit stiffer. They may feel stiffer because they are shorter. I'm interested in seeing how it does after it breaks in but I'm not going to try to speed it up. I like it as is. Great brush IMO. Shaving today I used Mitchell's wool fat soap. I soaked the brush in hot water and loaded the brush like I always do. This time however the soap seemed to just explode into a nice lather as soon as I started swishing the brush around in the scuttle. The only thing that was different today was the brush. The only other explanation is I just got lucky with the amount of water and soap. Or maybe I am absolutely the best lather maker in the world. :rolleyes: Yeah, I doubt that also. :) I think I've become a boar brush man. :)