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Have read somewhere in the forum of a name to contact for Omega Brushes, but have been unable to find the thread. Would appreciate help? Also, I own a few brushes and would like to know what some of you guys/gals who use Omega brushes, think work better with soaps and what size knot you prefer?
Thanks!
Ronnie
Ronnie,
Are you looking, in particular, for an SRP affiliated vendor? If not, a google search of "Omega Brushes Italy" returns a slew of online retailers.
I've got one Omega that I bought used and it is really too floppy for my taste. Don't remember the measurements offhand.
Tony
T-Ram
Tony,
Actually , I was looking for a guy that use to deal the omega brushes. He may be banned from SRP. Have already googled for omega brushes, and you're right, lots of sources.
Thanks for the info!
Ronnie
emspalce.com or shoeboxshaving.com. I am not sure about their badger brush's, but their boars are well reccommended. Also, Semogue brush's are decent brush's, both badger & boar. you can scope em out at vintagescents.com.
Good luck
You're probably talking about Barberia Italiana--Giovanni used to be the number one dealer of Omega brushes outside of Italy. He closed shop and his business was taken over by shoebox shaveshop. So that will be the source of most Omega brushes now.
You can also get good deals on them from Rasage Poulin in Canada, or Connaught shaving in the UK.
I use Omega boar brushes almost exclusively--I had two custom brushes made from the knots out of 10049 Pro brushes. They are fantastic for face lathering both soaps and creams...I love the feel of a good boar brush, more than any badger brush I've tried.
There are some smaller versions but I feel the bigger ones (pro series...) have more capacity for lather. Boar brushes take a while to hit the "sweet spot" in terms of lather making ability--you'll find as you use them, the ends of the hair will split, making the brush feel smoother and better at making thicker lather.
Jim!
That is the guy I was looking for! Thanks for the information. Any particular brush you like other than the custom omega you have?
Ronnie
My pleasure. I could talk for hours about boars...Quote:
Originally Posted by RonnieNC
Well, I got a tiny little one--the 21047, and it is a lathering MONSTER. It's small for me--of the handle were bigger, I'd use it every day, without fail....but I've got these big fleshmitts and the handle just gets lost.
The 31064 is highly recommended by Zach, the Boar master. I've never used it, which slightly surprises me. Maybe I need to go shopping...
Jin
Have heard from others that the 31064 is a pretty nice brush with a larger know. Looking for a knot this size, but really like the one you use daily
I'll third the recommendation on Shoebox Shaveshop. Gary has one heck of a nice selection of boar brushes, especially from Omega. He ships quickly too.
Sorry I missed this, Ronnie.Quote:
Originally Posted by RonnieNC
Yeah, the 31064 has a lot of fans. It's kind of a mid-size brush--I think around 25mm. The big professionals are around 27-28mm, but remember that the sizes have different feelings for boars than badgers, so try not to make too many parallels.
For a boar beginner, the 31064 might be the way to go...
Jim,Quote:
Originally Posted by JimR
Just ordered one of the 31064. Let you know how it works
Ronnie
Thanks Gary!Quote:
Originally Posted by gollum83
Got one onthe way!
Ronnie
Quote:
Originally Posted by RonnieNC
Great to hear it! I hope you love it!
If you don't, let me know. I might be able to help you out.
Best,
Jim
Man I'm gonna turn into SBAD hahah
Quote:
Originally Posted by SiRed8
You're going to turn into Strongbad? Sweet!
But I think you should turn into Trogdor...burninating sounds like fun....
Touche! http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...f?t=1209176008Quote:
Originally Posted by JimR
Jim have you heard of or tried these?
Omega #71278 - BARBERIA ITALIANA Commemorative Boar - Limited Edition
Koh-I-Noor #077J Banded Boar
Boreal #977 - Pro Model
I was on the list to get one of the Commemorative line, but I just didn't have the scratch. I'm hoping that before too long I will...Quote:
Originally Posted by SiRed8
The Koh-I-Noor and Boreal are both supposed to be good, but I haven't tried them. I wish Zach was around more, he's tried all the boars matter. He's the boar MASTER.
I am but a lowly sailor on his ship.
What is the difference between boars hair and badger hair?
Boar provides nice water load, thus results in lather being well hydratedQuote:
Originally Posted by Visibility
The bristles are flexible. However the negative aspect of the boar is that bristles are rather brittle which is prone to breaking. To combat this it is generally advised to work lather in mug and use the boar on face via "painting" style method.
With badgers there are 8 species which can be found here for more detail.
In general there are 3 grades of badger: Pure, Best and Super. Other vendors refer to Best and Super in in finest or Silvertip but mean the same thing.
Pure accounts for 60% of badgers body. It tend to be medium in length, generally light tan but can vary to nearly black and less supple compared to other grades.
Best accounts for 25% of badgers body. It's a little longer generally light varying to darker tan and more supple.
Super accounts for 15% of badgers body. This is longest and most supple. Definately more luxurious compared to the other two. The hair is derived from the neck area of badger. The shaft is finer, tips are lightly colored and flaired. Flaired tips are designed to provide thermal insulation for badgers. With regards to brush, it allows it to hold greater volume of water when saturated. Water can then be infused into the lather thus creating a more moist better performing lather which allow for closer and of course less irritating shave. In essense, larger super tip = more flair tip = more water held = moist lather = better shave
Cost for these range from $55 to well over $800. The price difference is generally from different grade of bristle used, cost of handle materials and so forth. Supply and demand is also factor as well. Smaller manufacturers who "hand make" these tend to make them at lower volume and charge accordingly. Large manufacturers who employ more modern method employ more modern manufacturing methods can produce brushes more efficiently and consequently can sell them for less.
The issue here is, what are you buying, a badger bristle shaving brush or a status symbol? Think of auto manufacturers, why some sell $100,000.00 vehicles and others sell $8,000.00 respectively. Simply put, there is a buyer for every product.
What you as the buyer have to decide is what aspect of the brush is most important to you. A top quality brush that provides an exceptional shaving experience can be bought for around 100-200 by spending more than that you begin to enter into the question of diminishing returns regarding performance vs. cost. On the other hand, being able to tell your friends that you shave daily with an $800.00 shaving brush has its own value.
Most experienced brush users would agree in that you should buy the best brush your budget and your personal values will allow. One that you will never regret and the investment will repay you with a lifetime of superior quality enjoyable shaves.
Thanks. I ordered an Omega silvertip badger, I'll let you know how it goes.
You guys are killing me... I just did this.
Omega #20102 - Wood Handled PROFESSIONAL Model - Another Big Bruiser
this is the one I ordered.
Omega Pure #6223, #6224 and #6225
I love it! Just the right size, holds a lot of heat.
Nice brushes guys! Hope you enjoy them!
Ronnie
Thanks to you Ronnie, for finding more ways for me to spend money on shaving crap!
Kidding, kidding... I love this crap.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oglethorpe
Know what you mean! Gets addictive. Actually, looking now for a really scrubby badger. 22-24 Knot. Any ideas?
Ronnie
Simpsons Duke 3. The very definition of scrubby. Too scrubby for me, in fact.Quote:
Originally Posted by RonnieNC
I tend to lean more towards even smaller knots:Quote:
Originally Posted by RonnieNC
#50068 Bambino 18mm
http://i972.photobucket.com/albums/a.../SPM_A0490.jpg
#21047 18mm
http://i972.photobucket.com/albums/a.../SPM_A0449.jpg
Here's 23 knot:
#40033 Mighty Midget Wide waist
http://i972.photobucket.com/albums/a.../SPM_A0477.jpg