Thread: German badger vs Italian (Omega) boar

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Boar brushes are considered to be the cheaper alternative to badger so you don't have the range you would in a badger. So you probably won't see a multitude of grades and fancy handles and huge size ranges. yes there are quality differences but in the end would you want to pay say $60 for a boar when you can get a good badger for that price?

There are some who no doubt would pay big bucks for a boar because they like them so much but in general they are in the minority. So price is really the determining factor.

Yea it makes sense, I wouldn't pay for boar if it was $60.
Which brings me to this link: Classic Silvertip Shaving Brush, Faux Ivory Handle | Fendrihan Shaving Store

I've never seen a silvertip brush for such reasonable prices. I'm sure there are compromises, but to what extent? anyone care to comment?

I know they are not as famous, and hence lack the 'marketing/reputation/hand made' premium price compared to simpsons etc/(input your favourite brush you cant afford) etc. But, if I decompose the price and judge it by the actual quality of the hair, how does it stack?

Thanks for everyone's contribution thus far, great community and I feel welcome.

Smell? Dude, that's what bleach is for. I have a Van Der Hagen boar and it works great (as others have noticed, it seems to get softer over time)

Interestingly, the Badger - Boar debate isn't limited to shaving. The two kinds of bristles used to make artists' paintbrushes are also badger and boar. Badger tends to get used by watercolorists because of its superior absorbance, but boar is preferred by those working with acrylics because the bristles' rigidity gives the artist more control over where the tip goes. Just FYI.

That Fendrihan is really freakin' nice! And for $55! That's insane!

Any thoughts on those?? Anyone use one?

Originally Posted by ri7ani

great brush,,,super massaging and huge,,,just love it

Yes, I also have Omega pro with long handle. And I also use it more often than my good 28 mm knot badger.

Originally Posted by drgreen

I've never seen a silvertip brush for such reasonable prices. I'm sure there are compromises, but to what extent? anyone care to comment?.

Try Chinese silvertip badger, it is only 40$ for 28 mm knot. They started with supply of badger knots to the world, now they've learnt how to make brushes. Their brushes do not lose hair anymore.

Originally Posted by Slur

Boar bristles stand first in my hierarchy followed by the badger and then the horse.

Wow, I feel totally different. Personally, I find Horsehair to be the best for me, followed by boar then badger. I love to face lather and think horsehair gives the best bang for the buck. A well broken boar second followed by a huge knot silvertip. The silvertip has to be 28mm or better and densely packed to provide the backbone I desire. IMHO the only badgers worth using are the high end ones (more than $100 dollars). Of coarse in shaving YMMV.

Originally Posted by newb

Wow, I feel totally different. Personally, I find Horsehair to be the best for me, followed by boar then badger. I love to face lather and think horsehair gives the best bang for the buck. A well broken boar second followed by a huge knot silvertip. The silvertip has to be 28mm or better and densely packed to provide the backbone I desire. IMHO the only badgers worth using are the high end ones (more than $100 dollars). Of coarse in shaving YMMV.

I wouldn’t say we feel much different.
We agree in many things. Both we know that the badger brushes cannot be superior to boar brushes, and both we prefer only the highly dense silvertip brushes.
Regarding the horse brushes, I have only used one which was not a good brush at all.
But if you say they are such good brushes, I am willing to try another.

Could you please indicate a website where I can find the biggest an highest quality horse brushes ?

Thank you.

Originally Posted by Slur

I wouldn’t say we feel much different.
We agree in many things. Both we know that the badger brushes cannot be superior to boar brushes, and both we prefer only the highly dense silvertip brushes.
Regarding the horse brushes, I have only used one which was not a good brush at all.
But if you say they are such good brushes, I am willing to try another.

Could you please indicate a website where I can find the biggest an highest quality horse brushes ?

Thank you.

Bienvenido | Gifts And Care has the Best selection of Vie-Long horsehair. I though have found that the Vie Long barber professional horsehair to be too small knot and a too tall loft, way too floppy. I'd recommend a 13061 (silvertip soft, but with almost a boar backbone) Any Vie Long 22-23mm knots are good but I've found the 20mm and less knots to be floppy. Also of a lot lesser quality than the Vie Long, but great backbone I'd say go to Bestshave.net and try any of their brushes. (all are horsehair, even though not listed on the website as such,but all are horsehair per the owner ) To me the Bestshave brushes are more similar to boar but the prices are insanely cheap. Worth a try. Really it's the Best brush in the world for less than 3$. Can't beat it. The Bestshave #6 is better than any less than $100 badger I've used. Imho.

Thank you very much.

I think I will order this one whitch is a 23-60 knot in a beautiful olive wood handle.

Originally Posted by Slur

Thank you very much.

I think I will order this one whitch is a 23-60 knot in a beautiful olive wood handle.

I'm sure you will be very pleased with that brush.