Another Semogue Thread

[jwilock]

Not sure where else to post the pictures of the brushes that just arrived. So starting this thread. If you're not familiar with models that's a 610 and an SOC. By the way, both of them just out of their containers are the stiffest brushes I've ever felt. I've heard they might get floppy. We'll see. Right now that's more backbone than I actually prefer. You'll notice that since I had a couple of brushes on the way I threw in a couple of things to use with them.

 

[Ollie4ISU]

My 620 felt really stiff to me when I first received it about two weeks ago. It is already starting to loosen up some. I think I am really going to like it. I also got a stick of La Toja. I like it too. I probably should have purchased more of those.

 

[nemo]

Nice brushes! Vintage Scent?

Remember we have a monthly acquisitions thread always open in "The Score" Forum for just this thing.

 

[SteveWY]

What vendor?

 

[brother cavefish]

when they are wet the SOC is floppy, if you ever sell it PM me

 

[jwilock]

What vendor?

Vintage Scent at their one-day sale. Went there to buy the SOC but got sucked in by how cheap everything was on sale. So here I am with two brushes, a good supply of LT, and a nice bottle of Suave to go with my big bottle of Blue (have yet to compare the two).

 

[jwilock]

I might add that I had read a bit about boar "funk". I was prepared to do some vinegar and warm water soaks, but these had little or not smell. Since the bristles are natural rather than dyed, also no dye to worry about. I lathered them up with shampoo. Rinsed. Then hand lathered them with some nice Tallow based soap. Still no smell. I think they are ready to go. Ah, which one to try first???

 

[Rschan]

Is Vintage Scent a reliable vender?

I asked him a question about shipping and yet to receive an answer!!

 

[bakerbk73]

I'm still in the breaking in stage with my 620. It's stiff, but soft at the tips. I have high hopes for this brush as it already out performs my other brushes (including an Omega #10077). Nothing else I own is as nice as the Semogue. I do wish the knot was a tad bigger, but that is a minor complaint for an otherwise perfect brush IMO.

 

[Altair]

Thats a great brush. Soak it in warm (NOT HOT)water prior to shaving it will soften up. It takes about 2 weeks to break in. Then it will start making perfect lather.

 

[johnnypipe]

Is Vintage Scent a reliable vender?

I asked him a question about shipping and yet to receive an answer!!

They have been a very reliable vendor for me. I've ordered several brushes from Bruno.

 

[jwilock]

I'm still in the breaking in stage with my 620. It's stiff, but soft at the tips. I have high hopes for this brush as it already out performs my other brushes (including an Omega #10077). Nothing else I own is as nice as the Semogue. I do wish the knot was a tad bigger, but that is a minor complaint for an otherwise perfect brush IMO.

Well they have the 820 and 830 which have bigger knots,plus wooden handled versions, or even the 620 knot on longer wooden handle. Of course you can go even bigger and get the SOC like I did. In fact I think my picture is pretty good for showing the difference in size. I like to face lather and to bowl lather. I think either will work for either purpose, but I kind had in mind using the 610 mostly for face lathers and the SOC mostly for bowl lathers.

 

[jwilock]

Is Vintage Scent a reliable vender?

I asked him a question about shipping and yet to receive an answer!!

Well, I've only ordered from them once, but my stuff came in good shape and in reasonable time given the distance and customs clearance required. I believe there are many here that have ordered from them. Perhaps others will chime in as well.

 

[Sfbagger]

I've ordered from Vintage Scent with nary a problem other than it takes a while for the package to get from Portugal to San Francisco.

 

[JeffJ]

Vintage Scent has been great for me. There is a Vintage Scent Thread in the Vendor Forum

 

[bakerbk73]

Well they have the 820 and 830 which have bigger knots,plus wooden handled versions, or even the 620 knot on longer wooden handle. Of course you can go even bigger and get the SOC like I did. In fact I think my picture is pretty good for showing the difference in size. I like to face lather and to bowl lather. I think either will work for either purpose, but I kind had in mind using the 610 mostly for face lathers and the SOC mostly for bowl lathers.

I could buy another one, but honestly I'm not dissatisfied enough to drop any more money right now. I think the 620 is pretty great and I'm happy with it. If I had it to do over again though, I'd probably shoot for a bigger knot.

 

[redrako]

The sale that the Jim refers to celebrated Vintage Scent's 4th anniversary. Bruno (Leon), the proprietor is a supporting vendor here on B&B and has a stellar reputation for excellent service. You'll find countless posts stating so.

The reason that we discuss Semogue brushes so much is Bruno's decision to take what was largely a regional Iberian brush manufacturer and place it on the internet internationally. IMO, we all owe Bruno a big thanks for making these brushes more available.

As a result these great, economical brushes have become much more popular and several other excellent vendors have picked up the line such as Shaving.ie, Italian Barber and most recently Bullgoose shaving and West Coast shaving.

Regarding breaking in boars, it does take some time and is well worth it. Jim, I'm about two weeks into breaking in an SOC as well as a 2000 and they are just starting to hit the "Wow" stage.

 

[lt114]

They have been a very reliable vendor for me. I've ordered several brushes from Bruno.

+1 Vintage Scent is a top notch vendor.

 

[jwilock]

Quick update. As I had planned I got out our microplane, which we usually reserve for parmesan or romano cheese, and grated one of the three sticks into a bowl. The grated consistency turned out to be a lot like parmesan or romano too. Then I put the tiny bits into a one cup pyrex bowl (the ones with the red lids) and pressed it down really hard. I added a few drops of water, pressed again and then let it sit overnight. It seems pretty firm today. I lathered each of the two brushes in shampoo, rinsed, and then lathered a second time in shaving soap. So now all is ready. I'm about to use my 610, the "puck" of La Toja, and then afterwards spash on some Floid ... my Iberian shaving day!

 

[SteveWY]

Is Vintage Scent a reliable vender?

I asked him a question about shipping and yet to receive an answer!!

I have yet to order and will soon once I decide on how to best satisfy/feed my SBAD. I emailed them about costs and tax questions and got a reply within one day.