Thread: Badger Vs. Boar

Any noticeable differences?

Thats like saying is there a difference between a yugo and a lexus. Badger brushes come in different grades and they all have different characteristics. Most Boar hairs tend to be stiff and not hold water well. You would be better to spend a little more and get a basic pure badger or a best badger. There is a world of difference.

Depends on how peeved off the boar is, but badgers are arnery little critters
... what where we talking about

I started with an Alttesse badger (silver tip) and like it very much. From experience I can say that wild boar have some thick tough hair and don't think I'd want that on a brush regularly.

The only real differences I've noted between a boar and a badger brush is that the boar doesn't make quite as much lather or hold nearly as much as a badger brush, due to the large bristle size. And then there's that whole stiffness/softness difference. I'm not entirely sure, but I think the boar bristles actually absorb water.

Hans,

It depends on what your face likes. The Boar bristle brushes have fewer, stiffer hairs which will feel almost scratchy on your face, but they will make a good lather and will deliver a lot of it to your face, and they are cheap in case you decide that masochism ain't your bag. The Badger hair brushes are softer, although they will run the gamut from slightly scratchy to limp like a rag. The softer the Badger brush, the more lather it will hold and I've found that means if I want some more on my face I have to squeeze it out of the brush. But, smoothing the lather on with the softer Badger brushes will feel like a gentle soapy caress and that ain't bad when the morning needs a bit of hedonism.

I have a new Shavemac 944 from Vintage Blades and really like it as my preference runs to the slightly scratchy with that easy caress.

When you find a good fence, straddle it.

cheers, Bruce

i don't care what anyone says, i like my omega boar brush. it's stiff and the scratchiness doesn't bother me at all.

With that said, i do plan on getting a shavemac sometime

Originally Posted by edk442

i don't care what anyone says, i like my omega boar brush. it's stiff and the scratchiness doesn't bother me at all.

The Omega Boar is a really nice brush. It is way ahead of all the other boar brushes and is a great value. I gave mine to an uncle who recently started shaving his head!

Norm

I have three very different brushes -
An Omega Boar, a Vulfix Super Silver, and a Simpson Polo Best. They each have their good and bad points. I choose the Simpson 70% of the time but enjoy the other two as well. The Vulfie is extremely soft and the Omega has an old-timey feel (kind of stiff but really not too scratchy).
Use what you like

I can get lots of lather from hard soaps with my Burma, and use it occasionally. I like the stiffness mostly when I am making lather in a bowl. However, for lathering on my face it seems I prefer a high level badger. That's not surprising, because I have somewhat sensitive skin.

Cheers
Ivo

The boar doesn't stand a chance!

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