B & B Essentials vs Omega 31064 (finding a replacement brush)

[explodyii]

So I have the Omega 31064, but can't get down with the imitation bristle: it is an eyesore (to me) and the bristles seem to break right at the delineation between the dark band and the rest of the hair. It is becoming a big pet peeve of mine, and so I am looking for something comparable to swap in which has some similar qualities. I greatly enjoy the controlled splay for face lathering of the 31064, the fact that it is relatively comfortable even after only 2 months of use, as well as the enormous amount of lather it can hold (3 passes easily).

In terms of measurements, the B & B is a touch smaller with what seems to be an appropriately lower loft, so it looks like it very well might be comparable in terms of practical use. Before anybody suggests a Semogue, I already have a SOC about 5 weeks into break-in, and am not sure if I like just how much it blooms. It makes for a rather inelegant face lathering process.

So is there a better brush for me to replace the 31064 with? Due to my inexperience with Omega boar in general, I just want to make sure: -it has that nice controlled splay, -does not bloom like a Semogue, -is natural bristle, -does not have an enormous knot, and -is not too scrubby or scritcy.

Thanks all!

 

[Acmemfg]

The B&B Essential is, simply put, one of the best all-purpose brushes to have hit the scene in years. I have 2; neither splays much at all and both (although not as soft-ish as my 1305) have a wonderful soft touch but still retain plenty of backbone.

PS..if you think this may be a good choice for you, don't dawdle. These things sell out di di mao............as of this post WCS still lists them as "In Stock"

 

[Jarick]

I've been breaking in a B&B Essential this week and it's exactly what you described. Soft out of the box, not a lot of bloom, plenty of backbone. I don't like the particular combo of backbone and splay for face lathering as I like a shorter loft brush with more bloom, but for you it sounds ideal. I would jump on it.

 

[RobW]

Keep in mind that the Semogue SOC is a bit "out of left field" compared to much of the rest of the Semogue line. It's a unique grade of hair ("Special", 90%) that isn't found in any other Semogue and is also a much thicker knot (24mm vs 21/22mm). I also have a 1520 which is a very different type of brush than the SOC...little to zero splay, 21mm knot...but this specific brush (the 1520) does not meet your other criteria of natural bristle and "not too scrubby". But boars are scrubby, in general, so I'm not sure about what exactly you're looking for with this requirement.

The B&B Essential, as others have pointed out, does meet all of your criteria though...just keep in mind that it will be a pretty substantial drop from the 25mm knot of the 31064 to the 22mm knot of the B&B Essential. I'm not sure how many are left, but I wouldn't wait much longer on the yellow, if you decide to go that way.

 

[explodyii]

Keep in mind that the Semogue SOC is a bit "out of left field" compared to much of the rest of the Semogue line. It's a unique grade of hair ("Special", 90%) that isn't found in any other Semogue and is also a much thicker knot (24mm vs 21/22mm). I also have a 1520 which is a very different type of brush than the SOC...little to zero splay, 21mm knot...but this specific brush (the 1520) does not meet your other criteria of natural bristle and "not too scrubby". But boars are scrubby, in general, so I'm not sure about what exactly you're looking for with this requirement.

The B&B Essential, as others have pointed out, does meet all of your criteria though...just keep in mind that it will be a pretty substantial drop from the 25mm knot of the 31064 to the 22mm knot of the B&B Essential. I'm not sure how many are left, but I wouldn't wait much longer on the yellow, if you decide to go that way.

Some scrub is fine, scritch is not. For point of reference, the 31064 is good for me in terms of scrub, and greater pressure does not really get me more scrub when lathering, the knot simply splays out a little bit rather than digging into the skin. I find that when using lower-grade badger, brand new boar, or horse, that my skin rapidly becomes irritated and I get brush- and razor-burn almost daily. Once boars get a couple of weeks in, though, they seem just fine.

I'm not too worried about the knot sizing, as I really don't care much for anything bigger than 24mm and even at that size I feel like working the lather into the whiskers is extremely "clunky". My first brush was a mixed midget (Omega 11047) and the sizing was almost perfect for me, accounting for the splay. The only reason I got rid of that one was that I finally figured out what was causing the burning and ingrown hairs as I started trying other, softer brushes.

I guess the bottom line is that I am on a bit of a boar kick currently, and am loving the 31064 more and more as it breaks in, but have some issues with the knot aesthetics and the way that the hairs are breaking right at the dyed band somewhat frequently! Thanks for the advice, the B & B Essentials might end up happening once my next paycheck comes int!

 

[RobW]

Good stuff explodyii...I wouldn't rule out some of the natural-dye Semogue brushes though. The 610 is superb for face lathering and the 1250 is a un-dyed, unpainted version of the extremely popular 1305 model, which is said to have a very comfortable handle.

Just food for thought...

 

[Jarick]

Again, with the B&B and the Semogue, there's no scritch, but there's plenty of scrub, especially with the little 1470.

 

[explodyii]

Good stuff explodyii...I wouldn't rule out some of the natural-dye Semogue brushes though. The 610 is superb for face lathering and the 1250 is a un-dyed, unpainted version of the extremely popular 1305 model, which is said to have a very comfortable handle.

Just food for thought...

Hmm, I thought that the 1250 was a different hair grade? The only undyed "premium" I can find is the Italian Barber LE, which I am vaguely considering as well...

 

[merkur59]

If you don't mind cheap plastic handles, these omega edges out all my other boars (including a semogue) and badgers (including silvertips)
[I am not into handles but more into the feel of bristles on my face as I face lather)

Omega 10066 (ivory) or its other colored handled brothers e.g. 10065 (red)
Omega 80266 (10066's banded brother)

The 65 looks like a smaller version of my red handle omega 49.

The banded bristles are a tad softer. After breaking in - no scritch. Sufficient backbone and nice, gentle scrub. You can "increase" the backbone by soaking the bristle half-way during a shave instead of all the way to the handle.

 

[oscar11]

Everyone's preference will be a little different for face lathering but this is my knot of choice. http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/om10bebotwoc.html

 

[merkur59]

Pics


I bought the 10065 (red handle, 24mm/55mm loft) last weekend and now it is soft at the tips...

 

[explodyii]

Hmm, nice photos! I think the pro series would be a touch too big for me to reasonably use, but I have seen the 10065 coming up often for recommendations. Thanks!