Thread: Thoughts On Badger vs. Boar

I want to start by saying that I don't have a preference here. I have an EJ Pure Badger brush that I love, and an Omega Boar brush that I also love. I haven't tried anything higher end than that, but I am thinking there may be a Rooney or Shavemac in my future.

But my real issue here is: We (primarily) use Badger brushes, in theory because of their water retention capabilities, right? It definitely seems to me that my badger holds more water than my boar. But if this is really the case, and badger retains water so much better than boar, why do boar brushes take so long to dry in comparison? I feel like I can nearly dry my badger brush just by flicking it out, but no matter how much I try to dry the boar, it still takes hours.

Thoughts?

This is a good question! There are some great posts on this by a Gent named Zach on TSD.

After trying a nice boar brush recently and liking it a lot, I read that they actually soak up water into the hairs (bristles?), while badger brushes don't, instead holding water between the hairs. Thus the longer drying time, etc. - even if the structure of the badger hairs end up holding more water.

To be perfectly honest, though, water retention never meant a whole lot to me, because I have to shake water out of both types before making lather.

Originally Posted by northpaw

To be perfectly honest, though, water retention never meant a whole lot to me, because I have to shake water out of both types before making lather.

This is a good point as I have experienced the same thing. I wonder if it really does matter O.O

I always felt that the "superior water retention" of badgers worked against them, as you really do have to get most of that out before you make lather. The boar just needs a shake and it's ready to go. It actually was a much shorter learning curve to get fgood lather with the boar, because the badgers needed so much more tweaking with regards to water levels...the boars almost tweaked themselves.

Granted, I'm a real boar fan--I have three boar brushes (two of them customs) that I use in rotation, and two badger brushes that I DON'T use...and I'm planning on getting a couple more boars (I caught the Semogue bug...) because boars are, to me, much more comfortable and more intuitive than badger. And, let's not forget, they're freaking cheap, even for the best of them!

I understand the luxury appeal of badgers, and a nice soft silvertip can feel nice on the face, but for me, I like to FEEL my lathering--the boars add some massage to the experience, and a quality boar is not NEARLY as scratchy and unpleasant as some of the "best badgers" I've used (Duke 3, I'm looking at you). Badgers also, to me, are beautiful--they look FANTASTIC, I will readily admit that. But for practical purposes, give me an ugly old boar any day.

Originally Posted by JimR

I always felt that the "superior water retention" of badgers worked against them, as you really do have to get most of that out before you make lather. The boar just needs a shake and it's ready to go. It actually was a much shorter learning curve to get fgood lather with the boar, because the badgers needed so much more tweaking with regards to water levels...the boars almost tweaked themselves.

Granted, I'm a real boar fan--I have three boar brushes (two of them customs) that I use in rotation, and two badger brushes that I DON'T use...and I'm planning on getting a couple more boars (I caught the Semogue bug...) because boars are, to me, much more comfortable and more intuitive than badger. And, let's not forget, they're freaking cheap, even for the best of them!

I understand the luxury appeal of badgers, and a nice soft silvertip can feel nice on the face, but for me, I like to FEEL my lathering--the boars add some massage to the experience, and a quality boar is not NEARLY as scratchy and unpleasant as some of the "best badgers" I've used (Duke 3, I'm looking at you). Badgers also, to me, are beautiful--they look FANTASTIC, I will readily admit that. But for practical purposes, give me an ugly old boar any day.

Since I ditched disposables over a year ago, I've bought 5 different badger brushes. The other week I sold the last of them. I've kept my Omega boar brushes and newish Semogue because none of the badgers could come close to a decent boar brush with Mitchell's Wool Fat, and the boar brushes are quite good with creams as well.

Finally, as others have noted, the boar bristles develop split ends and thus they end up (at least my Omega boars end up) being very soft on the face while keeping a good backbone.

I haven't used my badger brush yet, but I love my boar. I seriously can't imagine a better lather.

Originally Posted by DPflaumer

I want to start by saying that I don't have a preference here. I have an EJ Pure Badger brush that I love, and an Omega Boar brush that I also love. I haven't tried anything higher end than that, but I am thinking there may be a Rooney or Shavemac in my future.

But my real issue here is: We (primarily) use Badger brushes, in theory because of their water retention capabilities, right? It definitely seems to me that my badger holds more water than my boar. But if this is really the case, and badger retains water so much better than boar, why do boar brushes take so long to dry in comparison? I feel like I can nearly dry my badger brush just by flicking it out, but no matter how much I try to dry the boar, it still takes hours.

Thoughts?

This will help explain things way better than i could.

http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35880

I never really bothered to time as to how long it would take for badger or boar to dry out.

I know people mentioned the "water retention" being highly desirable with brushes. I think it's silly because you have to rid the bristles of water. However, I reckon the reason behind this retention argument is that the bristle stay damp and moist. In my experience of using badgers: Simpson Pure and custom silver tip, I prefer boar. I don't fancy the flared tips of badger as it tends to get messy-at least for me.

The largest brush I have in my arsenal is Boreal #977. I don't fancy it much not because of it's lathering abilities but its size with loft at 65mm and its base at 66mm with 28mm knot. This doesn't make it a bad brush. It simply does not work for me.

I've had great experience with Koh-I-Noor #77J, Omega #71278 and #31064. These brushes are mid-size brushes with loft at 56+ range and its base at 53-54. The tips aren't scratchy nor flaccid.

Omega 21047, 40033, 50068 in spite of their sizes are fantastic latherers. Specifically the 21047 for it's mixed badger and boar. Sure these need a break-in period but for the performance it yields for lather beating, it's well worth it.

#40033 is great because it's densely packed and while the base is plastic you needn't worry about damaging handle so you can go to town if you're one of those who beat's his lather.

#50068 the size may fool you but the lathering abilities of this one is surprisingly nice! It comes in both black and white and I opted for both.

I recently picked up a #10275 from Gary and I must admit during the initial use, it lathered as if it'd already been broken in! I can only imagine how this would fare when it's at full potential.

I also picked up my first Semogue from Leon. Since I've an Omega with similar loft on way I'll compare the two when time comes.