Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12
Like Tree45Likes

Thread: Looking for a good boar brush

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Posts
    43
    Thanked: 1

    Default Looking for a good boar brush

    I've had a couple badger brushes, and while I like them, I've been curious to try boar. Since I have a bunch of (fellow) gear nerds to ask, I figured I'd see what you recommend instead of shooting blind.

    If it matters I tend to face lather a bit, not sure if that's a great thing to do with a boar brush but it's sort of become a habit. I can always adapt of course.

  2. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    17,250
    Thanked: 3221

    Default

    I'd suggest an inexpensive, around $10.00, Omega 10066 boar brush for a first boar brush for face lathering. Most all boar brushes need breaking in so the bristles tips will split/flag. That takes about 2 weeks of every day use to happen. Once broken in boar brushes make excellent face lathering brushes.

    Bob
    Life is a terminal illness in the end

  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    south london
    Posts
    52
    Thanked: 14

    Default

    I have an omega boar brush had it for years still going strong good quality give it ago be good for face lathering too

  4. #4
    Senior Member Slur's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Athens
    Posts
    898
    Thanked: 118

    Default

    I use a boar brush with 99% of my shaves, the rest 1% is horse brushes. I have tried badger brushes but they don’t seem to work at all for me. Every time I gave them a try, I found myself hating them more. So, about 10 years ago I gave all my badger brushes to my girlfriend to use with her make-up or clean her shoes or whatever she likes to do. I told her that they are beautiful, but useless to me. I know that all wetshavers think the other way around this matter and I am alone in this. I am just telling why I use almost exclusively boar brushes. I saw some synthetic brushes in a shop, but they seem too soft and much closer to a badger rather than a boar brush. So, I never bought one.

    I have tried many boar brushes but the one that seems to be with the perfect combination of size plus ergonomy for me is the Omega 48. I love it so much that I made a custom-made brush with the knot of an Omega 48 and an exact replica of the handle in walnut wood.

    Name:  DSC01445_Fotor.jpg
Views: 200
Size:  33.5 KB
    Here is an alternative handle from Omega. It has the same knot, and the same-exact shape of handle, but with the Italian flag. I like it because it is a heavier handle. The other one is my custom-made walnut Omega 48. I have a couple more but these are my favorite.

    If you face lather, it might be too large for you since it has a 28mm knot and high bristles. The size of the knot and the ergonomics of the handle are up to you. They depend on your face and your hand. Try what fits you best. Semogue brushes seem to by fine, but I do not use them because they are too small for me.

    The most important is, whatever boar brush you buy, don’t judge it from the first 10-20 shaves. They need to break-in in order to perform their best. The break-in period will last for months! Whatever break-in method you use, they need months of use in order to get the bristles softened. The more I use them, especially the Omegas, the better they become with time.
    Do not be discouraged from the smell. When you first get them wet, they will stink. After a month they will smell like flowers, depending on the cream/soaps you use.
    Last edited by Slur; 10-14-2021 at 04:23 AM.

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to Slur For This Useful Post:

    JBHoren (10-14-2021)

  6. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth PaulFLUS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Gainesville, FL
    Posts
    5,872
    Thanked: 594

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Slur View Post
    I use a boar brush with 99% of my shaves, ...I know that all wetshavers think the other way around this matter and I am alone in this. I am just telling why I use almost exclusively boar brushes...
    No you're not alone. I never had any use for badger either. Omega is a good brand and affordable. I have one I love.
    Last edited by PaulFLUS; 10-14-2021 at 10:01 AM. Reason: Typo
    Iron by iron is sharpened, And a man sharpens the face of his friend. PR 27:17

  7. #6
    STF
    STF is offline
    Senior Member blabbermouth STF's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    Kingsville On, Canada
    Posts
    2,435
    Thanked: 207

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulFLUS View Post
    No you're not alone. I never had any use for badger either. Omega is a good brand and affordable. I have one I love.
    I thought I was alone, I have two badger brushes, one came as part of the starter set I bought when decided to try straight shaving and the other (Edwin Jagger) was a Crimbo pressie.

    All my other brushes are Omega boar brushes of various types, 2 are very large and the rest are just the standard sized. I got them from Amazon for just over $10 and they are excellent.

    I do truly love boar but I also like that boar survive being shaved.

    Boar is marvelous, especially good for hard soap. I face lather too, it does take a while to break them in although the process can be accelerated if time is an issue and the smell, OMG - when you first get a new one wet it is truly offensive for the first week or two. I have a dedicated brush for each soap so that they each smell of just one soap and it doesn't take long for the brushes to start smelling nice, especially if you have strong smelling soap.
    - - Steve

    You never realize what you have until it's gone -- Toilet paper is a good example

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to STF For This Useful Post:

    JBHoren (10-14-2021)

  9. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Posts
    43
    Thanked: 1

    Default

    Well, I guess its unanimous: get an Omega. Thanks everyone.

  10. #8
    Skeptical Member Gasman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Colorado Springs
    Posts
    10,473
    Thanked: 2182

    Default

    Yep. Omega makes lots of handle shapes and knot sizes. After it's broken in, they are wonderful. And you can get them at a very low cost too if you look through the list of them all. I've bought them just to scavenge the knot out to put in a handle I made.
    sharptonn, PaulFLUS and STF like this.
    It's just Sharpening, right?
    Jerry...

  11. #9
    Senior Member blabbermouth bluesman7's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Denver CO
    Posts
    4,560
    Thanked: 810

    Default

    IMO the break in is a big part of the fun. Feeling the brush evolve into its final character adds to the experience. I'm an Omega guy too, but I do hear and believe that there is a bit of luck involved with the characteristics of their bristles. I've always been very happy, but maybe I'm just lucky. Anyway, if I ever need a new boar, I'm going Omega and if I don't get lucky again I'll keep buying Omegas till I do. They're cheap!
    sharptonn, Slur, BobH and 2 others like this.

  12. #10
    STF
    STF is offline
    Senior Member blabbermouth STF's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    Kingsville On, Canada
    Posts
    2,435
    Thanked: 207

    Default

    I've never had a bad Omega Boar but I only have about 10 so maybe I will one day.

    I don't really see how it could be bad though, a bit longer to break in, more smelly?

    Still as you say, there cheap as chips and with amazon prime they come the next day.
    bluesman7 and PaulFLUS like this.
    - - Steve

    You never realize what you have until it's gone -- Toilet paper is a good example

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •