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Are Wood Handle Brushes Less Durable?

Ok, been wet shaving two months, face lathering about 3 weeks. I like my Vulfix pure badger brush just fine, but I've decided I want to be part of the FSOC (Future Semogue Owners Club). I noticed Semogue offers brushes with both wood and acrylic handles.

Are wood handle brushes less durable? Will the wood break down, mildew, etc due to the water?

Water and wood just seem a poor combination. All input is greatly appreciated.
 
I have a semogue with an acrylic handle and I am very happy with it..

At the start the plastic handle seemed a bit slippy, but I have gotten used to handling it... I know it is a tank that will not really chip or break on me..

I have an old boar brush that I abused with a wood base it it is looking a little chipped and the varnish is wearing.. I'm sure that I could fix it with some TLC... Probably doesn't really matter a whole lot but the acrylic won't let you down..
 
Ok, been wet shaving two months, face lathering about 3 weeks. I like my Vulfix pure badger brush just fine, but I've decided I want to be part of the FSOC (Future Semogue Owners Club). I noticed Semogue offers brushes with both wood and acrylic handles.

Are wood handle brushes less durable? Will the wood break down, mildew, etc due to the water?

Water and wood just seem a poor combination. All input is greatly appreciated.

Well HMS Victory is several centuries old and is still afloat, same with Old Ironsides.
I don't see how a daily 5 minute dunking in soap and water is going to damage a properly finished piece of premium hardwood.
The handle will surely out last the knot.
 
I believe that proper care is whats needed with any brush. If you take reasonable care of your brush it should last your lifetime. It doesn't matter what the handle is made of. :thumbup1:
 
Both wood handled brushes I've owned have been water damaged with just daily use. My Semogue 1305 has an awesome knot, but the handle is worthless. I'd go with acrylic if I had the choice again.
 
Both wood handled brushes I've owned have been water damaged with just daily use. My Semogue 1305 has an awesome knot, but the handle is worthless. I'd go with acrylic if I had the choice again.

Saw your review and the nasty pics. Talked to Bruno at Vintage Scent, when I bought an SOC, and this was also covered in threads/forums elsewhere.

They got a dud batch of paint at Semogue and it was only when complaints came in they could rectify. Unfortunately, reading your review, you bought from a vendor that went out of business about the same time (?), so sounds like you had no redress.

If you loved the brush, I'd give it another go.
 
I like my Vulfix pure badger brush just fine, but I've decided I want to be part of the FSOC (Future Semogue Owners Club). I noticed Semogue offers brushes with both wood and acrylic handles.

Are wood handle brushes less durable? Will the wood break down, mildew, etc due to the water?

Water and wood just seem a poor combination. All input is greatly appreciated.

I was in exact the same situation as you - also have Vulfix pure badger and was contemplating to get a Semogue boar brush (just to see whats the fuss about it).. Natural wood handle (unpainted) looks beautiful, but I was worried about water influence on the wood etc... Then a thought cross my mind, just as I looked at a bottle of scotch that was sitting on my showcase: Whisky (or wine) is aging in wooden casks for 12, 16, 17 years, and the wood is still solid. Also as cooncatbob mentioned example of centuries old ships that are still in good condition.
So last night i pulled the trigger and ordered Semogue 1250.

:001_smile
 
The 1250 is a great choice. I have several Semogues, including the 2000 and SOC brush, and the 1250 is my favorite. It has a nice natural stain finish which seems to be very durable.

Regards,
 
The 1250 is a great choice. I have several Semogues, including the 2000 and SOC brush, and the 1250 is my favorite. It has a nice natural stain finish which seems to be very durable.

Regards,

Excellent.. I'm really glad to hear that, since I couldn't find any reviews of the 1250. It was the most handsome brush in Semogue line that fulfilled all my preferences: blond bristle, transparent wood finish, shape of the handle, knot dimensions, and it seems that bristles are same as those on 1470 model that got all the praise by their owners. So I thought I'd give it a try.

Cheers!
 
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Saw your review and the nasty pics. Talked to Bruno at Vintage Scent, when I bought an SOC, and this was also covered in threads/forums elsewhere.

They got a dud batch of paint at Semogue and it was only when complaints came in they could rectify. Unfortunately, reading your review, you bought from a vendor that went out of business about the same time (?), so sounds like you had no redress.

If you loved the brush, I'd give it another go.

The water damage actually progressed quite a bit from those photos as well, and yes the vendor went under as soon as I bought the brush. I'm going to sand the finish off and see what I can do to make it last me. The bristles are really nice, however, and I would consider buying an 830 with the acrylic handle. The other wood handled brush I owned was a Body Shop Synthetic, and the first time I used it I could see water creeping in under the finish.
 
Sounds like these problems are caused by a finish that just sitting on top of the wood, but isn't bonded to the wood.
I've had excellent results using "Man of War" spar varnish mixed half and half with pure turpentine.
This makes for a thin rather slow drying finish that soaks into the wood with the first coat and then additional coats build up a durable protective finish.
 
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