Thread: Semogue 1800?

I also used to have a 1305 and I absolutely loved it. Unfortunately I managed to ruin it.... I've been meaning to pick up another ever since, but have just never got around to it.

Bummer about the brush.

I've seen them on Amazon for around $15, but I think I'll get it from Maggard since there's a couple other things I'd like to pick up. It's a few dollars more but, I'd rather support a business like theirs over Amazon.

i have the beehive one and it is great to use for me the badgers way too soft for me with the semoque you can give yer face a good ol scrub give one a go you cant go wrong at the price

Picked it up a while ago and spent about two weeks making a lather in my bowl or palm every day before using it. I've got 8 to 10 shaves in with it now and it is just getting softer, but still retains most of the stiffness. It makes a good lather, holds plenty of soap and IMHO is not scratchy at all. I'm really liking it. I went back and tried my badger again and I must say I'm preferring the boar.

I have the 1800 and have to say that it's a nice all-around brush. According to the Portuguese site, Vintage Scent, the knot makeup is a little bit different than the 1305. If you would want a badger brush without the flop, I would think that their Owner's Club badger would work well.

Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

I have the 1800 and have to say that it's a nice all-around brush. According to the Portuguese site, Vintage Scent, the knot makeup is a little bit different than the 1305. If you would want a badger brush without the flop, I would think that their Owner's Club badger would work well.

Even better would be a Shavemac D01 2-Band knot in Blub.

Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

I have the 1800 and have to say that it's a nice all-around brush. According to the Portuguese site, Vintage Scent, the knot makeup is a little bit different than the 1305. If you would want a badger brush without the flop, I would think that their Owner's Club badger would work well.

I do have an SOC badger brush and it is excellent especially for the price. I also just got an SOC Taj boar brush and have to say I prefer it to the Semogue 1350 I have. It is available with wood handles as well for a bit less than the Taj resin handled version. If you like boar brushes I'd put that on the list to check out in the future.

Bob

Originally Posted by JellyJar

I've got 8 to 10 shaves in with it now and it is just getting softer, but still retains most of the stiffness. It makes a good lather, holds plenty of soap and IMHO is not scratchy at all. I'm really liking it.

It has been mentioned before, but here it is again in case you haven’t come across it yet:
Before you use a new boar brush in the morning, immerse the bristles (no need to immerse the handle) overnight in cold water. Use a cup or glass, or whatever is handy.
You only have to do it a few times, but according to an Italian barber it speeds up the process of breaking a boar brush in.

It has worked well for my Semogue (SOC) brushes.

Incidentally, in the Mediterranean barbers seem to swear by boar brushes, as they were the only brushes they ever used whenever I went to a barber shop for a morning shave - usually done with a shavette type razor.

Hope you will enjoy you boar brush.

I have come to appreciate that these lowly (meaning cheap) boar brushes can punch in way over their weight.


B.

Originally Posted by beluga

Incidentally, in the Mediterranean barbers seem to swear by boar brushes, as they were the only brushes they ever used whenever I went to a barber shop for a morning shave - usually done with a shavette type razor.

Hope you will enjoy you boar brush.

I have come to appreciate that these lowly (meaning cheap) boar brushes can punch in way over their weight.


B.

We have quite a few Italian barbers around here and all they seem to use are boar brushes.

I started on boar brushes too many years ago and have now been through badgers and synthetics. At the end of it I have come to the conclusion that I could have stayed with boar brushes and saved a lot of money. As you say, their price to performance ratio is very good. They really perform far better than their price would suggest.

Bob

Originally Posted by beluga

It has been mentioned before, but here it is again in case you haven’t come across it yet:
Before you use a new boar brush in the morning, immerse the bristles (no need to immerse the handle) overnight in cold water. Use a cup or glass, or whatever is handy.
You only have to do it a few times, but according to an Italian barber it speeds up the process of breaking a boar brush in.

Thanks for the tip, I typically soak the tip in hot tap water while I shower. I'll try the overnight cold water for my next shave.