Thread: Boar Bed-Head?

So, I've read most of the FAQs and threads about boar brushes prior to my purchase (an Omega #11137, ashwood handle, 24 mm knot) I know they smell funky when wet (washed it with shampoo/conditioner twice, smells mostly gone, the soaps/cream should finish it off soon) and I know they start off scratchy (but, hell, the tips are still softer than my cheap amazon badger) (also, while I washed it with the shampoo, I made small lathering circles vigorously in my palm, and some tips have already split, it feels really soft, but really firm now... It's like a face massage! Feels GREAT! I have high hopes for this thing!) However, and this does not effect performance AT ALL, I'm wondering, do all boar brushes look so bedraggled and depressing when wet? My badger has a nice bloom, so, when wet, it looks like a paintbrush, my boar however, when wet, just looks like a soaked cat... Again, it still works great, but I'm wondering if all boars just look sad when wet?

This is purely curiousity, like I said, it works EXCELLENT, so don't let this turn you off a boar if you're considering one.. I love this thing.

Have you ever seen a real live Boar when he's wet? Har Har.

I have not, but I imagine it would be rather angry, instead of depressing

You might look like your avatar if you saw one in person.

The boar brush I had always looked stiff and was stiff. After a few uses, I broke down and bought a nice badger brush and have not looked back.

Pabster

I love boar, and have come to accept that, yes, the brush heads often do look like cat fur or bed head when wet. They are not as aesthetically pleasing - with a few notable exceptions - as badger brushes. For me, what they lack in looks they make up for in performance, and I pretty much can't bring myself to use badger anymore.

That said, the Semogue 2000 and the Omega 31xxx series brushes are a little less droopy and sad-looking when wet, the former because it is so densely packed and the latter because of their finer bristles that act slightly (but not a whole lot) more like badger.

Regards,
Tim

Indeed they do but the fact that their performance > badger, I can overlook it. I'm still contemplating as to whether or not I should sell all my badgers including recent purchases that haven't been in my rotation. Perhaps if it's mixed loft like Omega 21047 or Vulfix 2006 ( extremely soft tips ) or 404 I can live with. The latter two need more breaking in.

Thanks guys... I'm not saying anything against the performance, mind you, I just need more break in... I was just curious if they all looked sad when sodden.

Suppose my answer would be yes, because I never really thought about it. Boar is all I've used, and the only reason I got a second brush is because my first one was getting too soft!

They don't look good when wet...so just hurry up and get that lather built.

Originally Posted by Soilarch

Suppose my answer would be yes, because I never really thought about it. Boar is all I've used, and the only reason I got a second brush is because my first one was getting too soft!

They don't look good when wet...so just hurry up and get that lather built.

Okay, since I have some Boar Veterans in here... I've had GREAT results with my boar when using soaps, however, when using creams I need to REALLY whip it and get REALLY aggressive to get good results -note, when I get aggressive, and get good results they are GOOD results!- I'm wondering, are boars always fickle with creams, and you just need to really whip, and pump and grind at it for a while before it works, or, once the boar breaks in more, does it whip up cream easier? (ease relative to badger)

Thanks!