I'm very new to DE shaving (except for way back in the 50s and 60s). I have an Omega Boar hair brush, and I use Proraso soap. I get great lather. Would i really have a significantly different experience with a badger brush? I know that part of the fun of taking up DE shaving is the acquisition of new stuff, but is a badger brush really worth the expense?
Am I missing anything?
- Thread starter Ilnones
- Start date
Welcome to the forum!
If you're happy with your current setup you're not missing anything. IMO badgers are not better or worse, just different. If you are not a fan of variety, you're perfectly fine with what you have. But keep in mind that if you're curious enough to buy another brush, and it happens you like it, no one on this forum will have the power to stop you from buying several more. Asking your question though, I presume you're ready for a quest, aren't you?
If you're happy with your current setup you're not missing anything. IMO badgers are not better or worse, just different. If you are not a fan of variety, you're perfectly fine with what you have. But keep in mind that if you're curious enough to buy another brush, and it happens you like it, no one on this forum will have the power to stop you from buying several more. Asking your question though, I presume you're ready for a quest, aren't you?
i get pretty great lather with all my brushes when using a decent cream/soap. my boars tend to run a bit wetter for me than badgers, perhaps because of the way i prep, but the real difference is face feel for me...
Down the raod you may want to add badger and cream or softer soaps to your shave den for fun and variety, but your current set up is a great way to get started. What razor do you have? Depending on what you have, upgrade hardware there first... Before getting a badger brush, you may also want to experiment with different soaps and creams. Omega boar should be versatile enough to let you explore.
- Thread starter
- #5
To be honest, yes, it is the quest. I guess I'm looking for an excuse. For some time I had been searching for a vintage DE razor in second hand and consignment stores and ended up getting a Gillette Aristocrat from a family member. I love it, but I miss the quest, Maybe I should start searching for a vintage scuttle.
badgers can be had very cheap! and not bad quality either.
Before deciding on a new brush, you should try to figure out what you like and what your expectations are from it - soft or scrubby, how big knot, using soaps or creams, bowl or face lathering, and of course your budget. The more you know what you want, the easier members can give you good opinions. But be ready to hear various different suggestions, YMMV expression applies to everything here, so you need to touch it, try it, feel it, or smell it.
- Thread starter
- #8
Thanks for the advice. I have a 1951 Gillette Aristocrat. No cuts so far. I love it.
Different results? probably not.
Different experience getting there? definitely.
Different experience getting there? definitely.
it all depend on what you want, if you want a good massage on the face, BOAR hands down, if your a face creamer, -- Badge feels nice, but get the black badger------- the rest is market nonsense, soft LA LA LA etc. you want some backbone- you want some soap lathered into you face and face hairs penetrated,--- this is 50 percent why faces get irritated---- they dont soften up the facial hairs------- there is a pattern., shower while soaking the brush ----then shave, the hot shower vapor conditions your face and you MASSAGE the soap on the face----creams are fine too personally i only use badger/horse on creams- boar digs into the soap better ------ for me i will never pay alot of money for silvertip or so call "High end " badger, black badger is great and is as "weak" as i will go, back bone speaking
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2-band badger has great backbone, especially Shavemac D01 2-band knots, they will make you rethink your views. I enjoy my boar brushes too, good backbone as well.
this is why it's fun. i totally don't agree with brother cavefish. i nice soft silvertip will massage a face plenty... i love a thick dense, soft knot face lather... i disagree with almost every single statement he makes, except
"creams are fine too personally"... I am sure bro cave is a nice guy, we just don't agree.
You have a great start-up kit. Very nice and complimentary to your Omega/Proraso combo, can't go wrong, definitely a fantastic intro to the world of wet shaving and DE.
Seems like you are all set with this razor, look no further... for now.
What about blades?
Have fun and report back if you experiment with new soaps and blades, without forgetting post-shave!
A common mistaken assumption, based on the price difference, is that badger is an upgrade from boar. I don't agree with that at all. Objectively, one is not better than the other, they're just different. In my opinion, boar is better for me. Some people prefer badger, and to them the expense might be worth it, but to me it definitely isn't. I'd rather use a $20-30 Semogue boar than a $200-300 Simpson badger, even if the prices were equal.
It's a mistake to assume that buying an expensive badger will necessarily be a huge improvement over what you're using now. It may be, but it's all based on your own preferences.
It's a mistake to assume that buying an expensive badger will necessarily be a huge improvement over what you're using now. It may be, but it's all based on your own preferences.
I think everyone has good points. Your shave will be the same, just the experience in getting there different. I wouldn't say go out and buy a ton of badger brushes but I do think it's not a bad idea of having one of each. Same thing if you own a bunch of badgers, doesn't hurt having one boar in the mix to really change it up.
Jake makes a good point that I was under the assumption of until a few months ago. Boars aren't inferior, just different.
Jake makes a good point that I was under the assumption of until a few months ago. Boars aren't inferior, just different.
I totally agree
Oh no I agree i am a nice guy
YMMV, worth is always subjective regardless of topic, and you need to rely on first hand experience to assess what works and what doesn't work for you.
I'd say yes but, as with anything around here, it's a YMMV matter. If worth was a universal matter then we'd all use the exact same brush. Even those that prefer badgers don't use the same brush or even the same grade of badger hair. We don't all agree on what we're willing to budget for a brush either. It's up to you to determine where your preferences lie. The more info you provide on yourself, the experiences that you've had and the preferences you have the better the feedback you will get (same as it is with any subjective matter).
Some prefer only boars. Some prefer only badgers. Some use both. Some prefer other bristle material entirely. The answer that you get to your question will vary based on who you ask.
Keep in mind that you can BST anything that doesn't work out for you.
Again, it's all a matter of preference. My M&F blonde was totally worth it IMO and I don't regret my Rooney 2/1 super either. I only use hard soaps. Don't rely on parroted advice such as "badger for creams and boar for soaps". Don't assume that what's popular is best for you. Don't blindly take advice from people unless you happen to know that their preferences are in line with your own. Determine what you prefer and make your decisions based on that.
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what do you mean "rely on parroted advice "------is your advice any wiser than the rest, , as i stated "PERSONNALLY" "For ME" - this is what i do-------- this is an OPEN FORUM, people ASK for advice and give advice, SO give YOUR advice and dont RETALIATE in disrespecting OTHERS advice--------state YOUR personnal opinion and move on--------the OP will decide what is best for him
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