Pro's & Con's?
Badger or Boar with a Shave Stick?
- Thread starter joshmpdx
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Chances are this is going to be another badger vs. boar thread which would be a pity since they don't have the same characteristics and both have their own pro and cons.
In the end even a nylon paint brush will create tons of lather but it is all about what you like best. For me nothing comes close to a boar with short hairs when we are talking about face lathering; the thing to do when using a shave stick.
Give it some time to break in and I don't want to trade it for the world!!
In the end even a nylon paint brush will create tons of lather but it is all about what you like best. For me nothing comes close to a boar with short hairs when we are talking about face lathering; the thing to do when using a shave stick.
Give it some time to break in and I don't want to trade it for the world!!
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Im Glad to hear you recommend boar with a short loft. that's what i've been considering. do you have a make/model/pics of preference?
This is one area where boar definitely does NOT work as well. The brsitles all clump together when wet, and I really can't envision using one with a shave stick.
Semogue 620.
I had the 1305 but it was too long/floppy for me. I have the 1520, but the paint tends to flake and peel pretty easily. The 620 is the same knot but in an acrylic handle.
Boar doesn't hold enough lather for me to use it with a shave stick. I use my Rooney 1/1 Super nearly exclusively with shave sticks.
I must say, it's not unusual for Harrie to recommend a boar considering he thinks they are better 
I think a short loft badger is better because it retains water and heat better than boar and very effectively builds lather. YMMV and all that
I think a short loft badger is better because it retains water and heat better than boar and very effectively builds lather. YMMV and all that
I will not touch a badger, so I do not know about those, but both with my Omega and my VGH I get more than enough for 3 passes.
I must say, it's not unusual for Harrie to recommend a boar considering he thinks they are better
I think a short loft badger is better because it retains water and heat better than boar and very effectively builds lather. YMMV and all that
Tho I can not really compare I guess Harrie is right
Where's the Either/or/ both option? 
Sometimes I feel like the "scrubbier " feel of boar, sometimes the softer feel of finest ,
sometimes I use my Omega 21047 which is a boar /badger mix, sometimes it's random. As long as it feels good and lathers.
Sometimes I feel like the "scrubbier " feel of boar, sometimes the softer feel of finest ,
sometimes I use my Omega 21047 which is a boar /badger mix, sometimes it's random. As long as it feels good and lathers.
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The brush that got me on track for shorter boars is this Omega travel brush that was so nice that I forgot to shave the 1st time I used it. Currently this Vulfix is getting a lot of use (the Omega travel brush is not build for every day use!)
I must say, it's not unusual for Harrie to recommend a boar considering he thinks they are better
I think a short loft badger is better because it retains water and heat better than boar and very effectively builds lather. YMMV and all that
I don't think that boars are better but I prefer their characteristics my dear friend.
Best about badgers is the superiour handles they come with btw; I wouldn't mind a bit more choice in 'expensive' boars.
They do hold water differently and what I like about boars is that with adding a few drops of water during the lathering process (when/if needed) you can very easily control the whole process.
For me face lathering is the most important prep part since showers and wet towels do more harm than good for me. Proraso pre works wonders on my beard but also burns my skin off...they have a 'sensitive' skin variety that is coming my way so who knows ?
When I do the extended face lathering routine with a badger the lather build up is so effective that I do not only get tons of it; it gets far to 'airy' too like whipped cream. The boar allows me to lather on long enough and still keep the lather in my preferred 'half-whipped cream' status. So your pro's on badgers are not only true but at the same time my cons....
Besides all that I don't like the luxury feel of the badger as much as the thorough hugging that boars will give you. I agree completely on the YMMV part though.
I completely agree with what Harrie just said.
Badger brushes have some serious advantages, namely the easiness with which they create lather and the nice looking lofts (and handles).
But... What I complain most about badgers is the way they feel on one's skin. Boars open widely from inside out thus allowing a good lathering range mostly thanks to the bristle's backbone. Badgers are softer and their action not only is less exfoliating but doesn't give the same widening impression you can get from boars. The hair simply moves backwards instead of blooming out. It's difficult to explain but I always feel something missing whenever I use my Vulfix badger.
Never tried a silvertip, and I don't doubt the quality of the high-grade badger brushes, but I just prefer a good boar!
Badger brushes have some serious advantages, namely the easiness with which they create lather and the nice looking lofts (and handles).
But... What I complain most about badgers is the way they feel on one's skin. Boars open widely from inside out thus allowing a good lathering range mostly thanks to the bristle's backbone. Badgers are softer and their action not only is less exfoliating but doesn't give the same widening impression you can get from boars. The hair simply moves backwards instead of blooming out. It's difficult to explain but I always feel something missing whenever I use my Vulfix badger.
Never tried a silvertip, and I don't doubt the quality of the high-grade badger brushes, but I just prefer a good boar!
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Pure Badger is the best way to go. Silvertip is to soft, Boar is hard and press too much water out of the lather. Pure (grey) badger ist the perfect middle.
But there are excellent Boar-brushes on the market, too, which are relatively soft at the top of the bristles. Could be a good choice. But they are most highly priced, because of the first-class-quality.
But there are excellent Boar-brushes on the market, too, which are relatively soft at the top of the bristles. Could be a good choice. But they are most highly priced, because of the first-class-quality.
I must say, it's not unusual for Harrie to recommend a boar considering he thinks they are better
I think a short loft badger is better because it retains water and heat better than boar and very effectively builds lather. YMMV and all that
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