Thread: what type of brush?

Hello everyone

So I'm new to this what is the difference between boar and badger? And what is the difference in sizes?
I need this broken down Barney style lol

Atm I have a little badger brush it's small and nuthing special and I just ordered a boar to try but what is the actual differences?

Man this is as complicated as what soap, some like badgers some like boar , your just going to have to try them to find out which you like , myself I've tryed 4 boars and I just don't like them. But those who do don't like badgers as much. Size is another subjective thing ,, I've tryed from 32 mm to 20mm I settled on 24-26 with a low loft 48-50 mm I like face lathering and I like backbone , so try as many as you can or just stay out of this rabbit hole and just use what you get till it falls apart They all make the lather. Tc

That's what I figured i oredered a boar and have a badger but was just trying to see if there was a known difrence but like everything else with this type of shaving preferences seem to be the answer lol

I have a couple of badgers and a Semogue boar brush. Some work better with particular soaps or creams than others. For me, the boar works beautifully for Mitchell's Wool Fat soap, whereas the badger brushes are too soft to really make a great lather. But Taylor of Old Bond Street goes wonderfully with my softest badger brush from Baxter of California.

In my experience the biggest differences are:
1) Boar bristles tend to be stiffer than badger.
2) Badger brushes tend to hold more water and require less soaking before use than boar brushes.

Bottom line: in my collection, each type of brush has its place and is well-loved.

Thanks for the great info that's along the lines of what I wanted to know

Badgers hold heat and moisture better than boar. Boar do very nice in hard soap and take some breaking in to make soft. Both make lather. Don't stop at boar and badger, there is horse, synthetic and combos as well.

It, like so much else in life, is a preference thing.

I prefer badger but will use a boar on occasion.

What do you tink about a synthetisch brush. Great performers those brushes.

Guidry, +1 for continued use of the new boar brush until it is broken in. The tips will get softer while retaining the backbone.

I have not tried a synthetic brush as of yet

Also I read some were ...something about washing the brush with conditioner or something to soften it up a bit ....any thoughts on this?

Originally Posted by Guidry

I have not tried a synthetic brush as of yet

Also I read some were ...something about washing the brush with conditioner or something to soften it up a bit ....any thoughts on this?

Its a good idea to wash your brush from time to time with regular hair shampoo, this will get any dried lather and mineral build up from the base of the brush, rinse well with warm water. As a rule do not use very hot water on brushes, you risk loosening the glue and it may loose hairs. Hair softening in the case of boar brushes comes from split ends created at the tips due to mechanical abrasion with your bowl or face, this is desirable for boars and is a normal part of break in. Conditioners claim to repair split ends and may inhibit this process so it might be counter productive. As far as badger brushes are concerned there are some very talented brush makers in this lovely land of wet shaving that might provide some excellent advice on their care. Just to comment on synthetics, I only have one old synthetic brush that I cant say I'm too fond of but I understand currently synthetic brushes have improved greatly and will give naturals a run for their money. Enjoy yourself and Good luck.