Thread: Does anyone prefer a boar hair to a badger hair

Originally Posted by DrLongandStrong

I have a boar brush by Penaligans and it is definitely a lot scratchier than my free AofS badger brush I got from a friend.

Depends on what you like...scratchy (boar) or soft (badger)... on your skin

The boar is softer when the tips are broken. And not all the brushes are the same quality.

Quality boar is better for the price you paid than first level badger. Sometimes, quality badger it's not better than quality boar. And yes I have several brushes that you can see in the SOTD section. For me the best brush for soaps in perfomance/money is the Semogue 1800. This brush gives me better lather than my shavemac D01 silvertip, and its feeling is simmilar to the Plisson HMW

I'm taken w/ the boars lately, since resurrecting an vintage EverReady H40 with the original knot. 'Soaked in hot water w/ heavy lanolin added, and it came back, much to my surprise. It would best be described as 'scritchy'. I found I liked that.

Next was a couple of Omegas, one w/out a model number, the other a 10005. They work, get the job done, but not that much backbone. Next was a Semogue 830 (which is supposed to be a 1305 w/ a more dense knot). While dry, it has about half again more backbone than the Omegas, but when wet, gets quite soft. The soft/luxurious feel is similar to a 'pure' (low-rent) badger. People used to badger would find this one outstanding.

In continued pursuit of the scritchy, I have a WTB ad up for a Semogue 620, which is supposed to be the most stiff, scritchy in their stable.

Having not tried a high-end badger, I can't fully compare, but it does seem like the canine is being romanced with their prices. The Semogue works so well, I can't imagine paying 4-10 times the price for any brush.

As I've mentioned on other threads, if you have guys in your area that are trying to learn the craft or would like to try other gear without buying everything they'd like to try, I would encourage members to let other members try their gear. It's kept me from buying stuff I would be unhappy with, and helped me find stuff I'm satisfied with.

I don't necessarily prefer one over the other. I know that with a boar I can build a lather faster on soap that with a badger, so I tend to use a boar when using soap. I use a badger when I use creams or when I feel like taking my time and having a "luxurious shave".

That being said I usually just want something that is manageable and gets the job done so most of the time I'm using a soap and a boar.

I prefer boar to badger, but my go-to brush is a synthetic Omega brush.

Originally Posted by du212

The boar is softer when the tips are broken. And not all the brushes are the same quality.

Quality boar is better for the price you paid than first level badger. Sometimes, quality badger it's not better than quality boar. And yes I have several brushes that you can see in the SOTD section. For me the best brush for soaps in perfomance/money is the Semogue 1800. This brush gives me better lather than my shavemac D01 silvertip, and its feeling is simmilar to the Plisson HMW

I dont know about the Semogue 1800 making better lather than a shavemac D01,but I know that for its price (the Semogue 1800) cant be beaten that easily,specially when making lather with soaps is involved.

Originally Posted by Kees

I prefer boar to badger, but my go-to brush is a synthetic Omega brush.

How are those synthetic brushes performing?I had a TBS synthetic brush and for making lather on a bowl was really good,but Im a hard die face latherer...

I am a face latherer. The synthetic brush works great. The problem I have with boar and badger is that initially the lather is great but before the end of the shave it gets runny. Does not happen with synthetic. My thought is that either something in the hairs itself or soap residues or a mould cause this lather breakdown.

Originally Posted by Kees

I am a face latherer. The synthetic brush works great. The problem I have with boar and badger is that initially the lather is great but before the end of the shave it gets runny. Does not happen with synthetic. My thought is that either something in the hairs itself or soap residues or a mould cause this lather breakdown.

Sorry to ask something off topic,but what Omega synthetic do you own?

I would say that I do not prefer one over the other. I like them both. I also do not find that any one brush is better with soaps or creams.

Am I the only one who finds boar brushes are actually "softer" than badger brushes? When the bristles are dry, a boar brush feels like a broom, but when wet, my Semogue 830 is much softer than my Shavemac Finest and my New Forest 2 band.

Originally Posted by Teiste

Sorry to ask something off topic,but what Omega synthetic do you own?

Omega Syntex

Originally Posted by Fbones24

Am I the only one who finds boar brushes are actually "softer" than badger brushes? When the bristles are dry, a boar brush feels like a broom, but when wet, my Semogue 830 is much softer than my Shavemac Finest and my New Forest 2 band.

My boar is like that... but it's just a cheap "drug store" brush... Still feels good on the neck and cheeks...