Thread: Boar Convert... Maybe

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The problem is always finding what you really like. You get product A and it seems pretty good and then you try B and you think it's the best thing and then you try C and think nothing could be better than this.

Unless you limit yourself there is no limit.

Problem? I thought that was part of the fun?

Originally Posted by pinklather

Hey, Chay.

I have a couple Omega X0005 series. I agree - they do an entirely respectable job. I don't find them inspiring, but I really like humble gear that faithfully delivers the goods (such as a Genco razor).

Should you get the itch to try a higher end Boar, the Semogues will finish you off. The more expensive boars are $25-35, and are wonderful. You'll find very experienced guys that swear by them. They don't hold as much water as a badger, so you may need do dip into some water for 2nd, 3rd passes, but I've not found that a problem. The Semogue 1305 (painted wood handle) and the 830 (acrylic handle) are universally praised. I use an 830, bought used from the Honorable Jeffe, and just love it. It's my most luxurious brush. Supposedly, the 830 is just the 1305 w/ a more dense knot and acrylic instead of wood. I covet a 620, which is supposed to be more stiff & scratchy. I have an ad up for one.

'Nothing wrong at all w/ your Omega. All I'm saying is that it gets even better for not alot of green.

I have the Semogue 830 and it emulates a high-end badger brush very well. It set me back less than $25. In fact I think it delivers better results than a cheap badger.

My favorites are still badgers. The Rooney Super Silvertip can be bought for around $75 and for me it is the best of both worlds in terms of quality and price. My favorite is the Heritage brush, which sells for around $155 but I got a great deal on a nearly new one for $120.

The ones mentioned above are what I like to use with straight razors.

When I use a DE razor (on mornings when I don't have the time to use a straight) the traditional boar is my favorite with an Irisch Moos shave stick. The boar I use is an Omega 10005 and that too is a great deal for less than $20.

Okay I am a self confessed brush snob. Multiple Simpson Supers made in Somerset (pre Vulfix), Plisson HMWs, and Rooney Finests are my rotation. I bought a Shavemac black (pure) badger from Seth and found it to be wonderful for me. I love scritch in a brush and it had that to equal the Simpson Supers, Plisson and Rooney Finests.

So I had read about boar brushes but being a brush snob when I saw they sell in the $20 range I couldn't bring myself to buy one. On the downside I read that they stink and need break in when new but on the upside those that had them seemed to love them. Finally a member put a used Semogue in the classifieds for $25 and I went for it.

I received it and it was a nicely made brush with a knot and loft that were "right" for me. The seller had used it enough that it was well broken in and absorbed water easily with no residual aroma. I put it up to my cheek dry and it was nice and scritchy. So I filled the shaving bowl and soaked it while I stropped. Lathered up and to my surprise the scritch was gone and it was soft and 'luxurious'.

Generates copious amounts of lather off of a puck, a dollop of cream or both. Although it doesn't give me the scritch that I prefer it is a pleasing soft feeling, sort of like a Kent BK4, at a quarter the price. All in all I will not buy another boar but I am glad that I have this one. Recommend at least one for every rotation.

I would suggest lemon or lime juice to deodorize the boar. Also, vinegar might do a good job.

Bought a cheap Omega Boar Hair Brush and I really like it so far. I like the stiffness and while I thought it was going to be rough on my face it actually feels great. I am glad I gave it a try.

Thanks all for this thread. I will work toward de-scenting my boar brush and try using it.

It reminds me of a conversation I once had about Norwegian goat cheese, and the woman I was talking to wrinkled up her nose and said "Oh, yeah, you might as well just go lick the sweaty goat!"

Well fellas, It's been a week now, and I just thought I'd let you know that the "wet boar" smell is totally gone! Also, it seems like this brush gets a little bit better every time I use it. I've decided that I'm going to use this brush exclusively for at least a month before I switch to the badger, and see what my impressions are then-- see how she stacks up after the newness subsides. Thanks for all of the feedback, I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone in this.

I have a bristle brush, a horse brush, and a budger brush.

The bristle one is the best, then comes the budger, and last the horse.

I have several badgers and two boars (have tried a third).

The reputation for "stiffness" or harshness attributed to boars is, as nearly as I can tell, based on their feel when dry. Dry, they are pretty prickly.

Of course, a dry brush is of no use to a wetshaver. Once used to create a lather, they become significantly softer and even floppier than all but one of my badgers (a Kent BK8).

I soak my brushes for about fifteen minutes and I bowl lather. The boars might indeed be a little stiffer if I face lathered -- I don't know.

But, as I use them, the boars are as soft and gentle as the badgers, and I think their reputation is undeserved.

Still like the lather from the badgers better, and I reach for a badger 9 days out of ten -- though this may be due to familiarity and technique rather than any inherent fault in the boar brushes.

I am of the opinion it is determined by the beard type. I have a wiry beard and have tried both, so I find that the boar is more suited. In my instance, I must "face lather" to get the lather around all the hairs good. A nice, soft, badger brush just wont do! It feels nice, but is not as effective. With the boar, I can work the lather in much better and have a better shave. I assume those of us with lighter beards can use the badger more effectively, as I did when I was younger and the beard was not so tough!. Just my opinion