Target Proraso / Omega Boar Brush

I picked this up on a whim yesterday while grocery shopping.

This is bigger than my other brushes (longer bristle in knot). Cheap plastic handle looking like pewter from some distance. When I smelled it in the store, I didn't notice anything. Going home, I soaked the brush and WHOA - terrible, terrible stench!

Started trying various soaps and creams (Crabtree & Evelyn, Kiss My Face, Proraso, Tabac, Honeybee) then conditioner and shampoo and the malevolent odour was still there, so then I went for the borax soak. These did improve the situation, but did not eliminate the problem. Shaved with it anyway, and it wasn't that bad (scent-wise). I also like the look better than my favorite Burma Shave brush, the Omega's bloom seems nicer. Bristle feels perfect when lathering in bowl and on face. It seems to hold less water than the Burma Shave, even though it is bigger - but I need further testing / not sure. Sprinkling water on the tips a couple of times solved this problem.

This just migh become my favorite boar brush, looks better than the Burma and performs well

They get better as they break in, both smell-wise and performance-wise.

It smells like a soaking wet dog, only worse. Which probably isn't surprising, given that it's boar bristle. Boars are no doubt pungent creatures when wet.

Anyway, it takes a few shaves (okay, more than a few), but the smell fades and then goes away.

For a boar bristle brush, the Omega is a good one. I have one that I use for hard soaps. It holds heat and water better than the really cheap brushes, and is a good value for money.

But it can't compare to even best badger. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JerseyLawyer

... But it can't compare to even best badger. :)

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Keith,

I have 2 silvertips (Rooney, Omega) and a Caswell-Massey that looks a bit like a silvertip. Nothing top of the line, but I did enjoy my Burma Shave a lot and used it more often than the others - I do concentrate on hard soaps, btw. I hope the Proraso can replace the Burma shave (as it is just plain too ugly and a bit of a downer on my shaving experience purely because of aesthetics)

I am actually going to do a couple of lathers tonight just to fight the smell...

Cheers
Ivo

Just for the record you can get an Omega Badger hair brush here for $9.99. Free shipping at $30 too. I don't have one, not sure I like the red handle, but want to try one eventually for heck of it.
http://www.alwaysbrilliant.com/aa/aspx-products/2-52852/bb/Shaving%20Brush,Shaving%20Cream%20Brush,Mens%20Sha ving%20Brush,Men's%20Shaving%20Brush,shaving%20soa p%20brush,badger%20shaving%20brush,mens%20shaving% 20brushes,Badger%20Hair%20Shav.htm


Also, here, you can get a Tweezerman badgerhair brush for $9 shipped!. This is the one I have. I'm going all out RAD except brushes to save $$. heh
http://beautyrose.stores.yahoo.net/twdeshbrform.html

Think I'm going to get a of those $35 C&E brushes to hold me over with the $40 C&E gift card I got for $31.

I have a smaller Omega I got from Old Dominion Soap Company. It's just about the only brush I use anymore.

Febreze tames that stench fairly quickly

I have used the brush 15 or so times now (just to lather, not shave) and after a couple of more shampoo baths and an occasional spritz of L'Occitane Vetiver I do not detect any stench. But it did put up a good fight, I'll give her that!

The bloom is much more aesthetically pleasing than the Burma Shave bloom. However, I still think the Burma makes a little better lather... Or maybe I just need some more time with the Omega to make it work as well

Cheers
Ivo