Thread: Boar Convert... Maybe

I have a dirt cheap boar brush, one that came in a set for like $12. I actually do like it a lot, equal to my badger. One thing I found, and this may be a sign of a lack of quality, is that my badger stank worse and longer than my boar. After maybe three shaves my boar was soft and smelled like soap. It took a good seven or eight shaves with my badger to get it tolerable to the nose. Just something I've run in to, bye.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

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

I agree. I have a coarse beard as well, and if I have more than a few days worth of growth the badger is practically useless. That's why I was initially so impressed with the boar, it felt like it was actually 'lifting' my whiskers. I also like the additional exfoliation that it provides.

Originally Posted by Slur

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.

Is that like a budgie brush?

I once e-mailed someone about finishing an edge on a cuticle.

But about the boar... I worked up a really nice fine lather a couple of days ago, then used the boar brush to give it a good working-in on my face. I just had a day's growth, so the working-in was probably overkill. I ended up with razor burn. Could have been the edge, or the weather (very cold and dry), but I wonder if it was from the burlier brush. Any thoughts?

I also have an omega boar brush, I picked it up because it cost £10 and I decided to give it a try, I wasn't disapointed, It did smell quite a bit, but then so did my badgers, and I odly don't find the smell from any of my brushes offensive lol, maybe I'm just odd

I tend to use it when I haven't shaved in a few days, and it does have a scritchy feel, but it works a good lather into the beard

Geek

Used my Semogue or whatever you call it again tonight. Liking it more and more. It has good backbone and whips up copious amounts of lather. Lately I've been placing the brush in a bowl of water and splashing some on the puck and walking away for five minutes. Seems to make for an easier lather building experience.

Originally Posted by roughkype

... I ended up with razor burn. Could have been the edge, or the weather (very cold and dry), but I wonder if it was from the burlier brush. Any thoughts?

Greetings, RK. The burn won't likely happen from a brush, though if the skin is already irritated, it wouldn't feel good. 'More likely is pressure from a blade. 'Just finished a week of 20 deg & dry. It helps alot to get good moisture on the skin after a close shave. If you like commercial ASBs, I've had good luck w/ the Nivea product, but usually use basic solutions. 'Witch hazel, followed by 100% aloe gel, then the moisturizer of choice. I just use whatever quality hand lotion. It keeps the skin surface from drying, which on a dry day would increase any irritation. I know you get cold & dry where you are. Keeping the moisture up would probably feel alot better.

You'll find that boar brushes get better with more use, as the hairs will split and allow for more water/leather retention as time goes on. My first brush was boar, and although I like badger for creams, I almost exclusively use boar for soaps.

As you've already discovered, the "wet dog" smell fades completely after about a week of use. A cheap, non-conditioning shampoo will clean these brushes very well - I use V05 on them once every other month or so.

My omega boar is my favorite brush, I use it daily. Its so well broken in right now that its softer than my badgers!