Thread: Boar brush is here!

While I prefer badger brushes, I have a $10 Omega boar. For the price, its value can't be beat.

I am a newbie, straight shaving since about Nov., and have tried only one brush, a VDH boar I bought at Walmart. I hated it at first, because it smelled bad and lost some bristles. So I have nothing to compare it to, but I like it now. It doesn't smell, is soft, rarely sheds, and I can work up a good lather. I would like to have a C&E or Edwin Jagger best badger, though.

Originally Posted by Zeus

I am a newbie, straight shaving since about Nov., and have tried only one brush, a VDH boar I bought at Walmart. I hated it at first, because it smelled bad and lost some bristles. So I have nothing to compare it to, but I like it now. It doesn't smell, is soft, rarely sheds, and I can work up a good lather. I would like to have a C&E or Edwin Jagger best badger, though.

You may want to check my post on this thread:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/newbi...silvertip.html

I have both the now discontinued Crabtree and Evelyn (C&E) small best badger and the Van der Hagen (VdH) boar brush and I like both. I think that the C&E is a better brush overall, especially if you only use creams. However, I find the VdH to be very good (as stated by the original poster) for harder soaps. Now that I have used a few times, it is ofter than it was initially so I am falling in love with the boar. I am still not thrilled by the shedding though. As you can see, I am not alone:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/brush...oar-brush.html

Although I am not going to buy it in the near future, I am looking for a higher quality boar brush, like the ones made by Omega (I am sure there are other good brands). If I could find one a bit softer than the VdH without losing its great lathering capabilities, I am convinced that would be the perfect brush for me.

Al raz.

I have some inexpensive boar brushes that I really like. One is a Burma Shave brand from Wally World one is a little cheapy from the Body Shop.

This little boar went wee wee wee all the way to the shave den.

Charlie

Originally Posted by Alraz

{snip}

http://straightrazorpalace.com/brush...oar-brush.html

Although I am not going to buy it in the near future, I am looking for a higher quality boar brush, like the ones made by Omega (I am sure there are other good brands). If I could find one a bit softer than the VdH without losing its great lathering capabilities, I am convinced that would be the perfect brush for me.

Al raz.

Names ot add to the "Good Boar Brand list"
Koh-I-Noor, Vulfix, Aurora...

Others?

I have LONG used the boar bristle brush made by Van Der Hagen and the same shave soap which is often staged immediately next to it on the store shelf, and it seems like it only gets better with age. At first it was stiff, prickly, and felt like I was trying to lather with a straw whisk. Patience is a valuable virtue. Now after many months of owning this brush the bristles are soft, smooth, pliable, and work up a wonderful thick, heavy lather. To be fair, I have never owned or used any other shave brush, but... this works. So why change?

-Thomas

Originally Posted by TomBulls

I have LONG used the boar bristle brush made by Van Der Hagen and the same shave soap which is often staged immediately next to it on the store shelf, and it seems like it only gets better with age. At first it was stiff, prickly, and felt like I was trying to lather with a straw whisk. Patience is a valuable virtue. Now after many months of owning this brush the bristles are soft, smooth, pliable, and work up a wonderful thick, heavy lather. To be fair, I have never owned or used any other shave brush, but... this works. So why change?

-Thomas

I agree. I can't see myself going back to a badger.

Badger is way to floppy for me. I have used the same Omega boar brush for 25 years. The hairs are a bit short but it still is a great travelling brush.

I bought a new Omega briar wood boar brush that has been shedding almost a hair a day for 3 months. The shedding seems to have slowed down the last 1-2 weeks. As far as I am concerned the jury is still out whether it can be classed as a good or a bad brush. I wrote a mail to Omega telling them about the problem and they are gonna send me a synthetic brush as a sweetener. They say they can't get hold of the same good quality boar hair as 25 years ago.