Best boar for a badger lover (pic heavy)

[Emmett]

I'd like to add some variety to my lineup and get a nice boar. I'm looking at the following. Please tell me your recommendations. I prefer smaller knot brushes with soft tips, with hair that it is moderately dense and springy but not too stiff. Probably 75/25% face/bowl latherer with 50/50 soap/cream.

I openly admit I picked these based on looks. I'm leaning towards the 620, the 11126, or the 81052.

Semogue 830

Semogue 1305

Semogue 1520

Semogue 620

Omega 11126

Omega 31025

Omega 10077

Omega 80056

Omega 81052

 

[richmondesi]

I posed a similar question to Leon and he said I'd be quite happy with the semogue 2000.

I had the 1305 and sold it because I didn't particularly care for it compared to everything else I have (kept).

 

[Dpflaum]

If you want to keep your skin, steer clear of the 1520. I actually liked the Omega I had, it is kind of a cream color with a black ring around the top. I think it is one step up from the basic, but was nice and soft after a few good uses.

 

[Emmett]

If you want to keep your skin, steer clear of the 1520. I actually liked the Omega I had, it is kind of a cream color with a black ring around the top. I think it is one step up from the basic, but was nice and soft after a few good uses.

I have an Omega 21407 (mixed hair travel brush) that has softened very nicely. I think I'd be happy with another Omega, but...which one?

 

[Emmett]

I posed a similar question to Leon and he said I'd be quite happy with the semogue 2000.

I had the 1305 and sold it because I didn't particularly care for it compared to everything else I have (kept).

I'm not really drawn to light wood handles, but I could be convinced. What didn't you like about 1305? It's the boar du jour, for sure.

*groan*

 

[richmondesi]

I'm not really drawn to light wood handles, but I could be convinced. What didn't you like about 1305? It's the boar du jour, for sure.

*groan*

Let's put it this way, when it comes to density and softness, the 1305 didn't stack up to anything that I have.... It's not "BAD" but there are a lot better options.

I was pretty pleased with it originally, but then I got an Omega Pro and the Semogue '09 LE which was incredible. It broke in very nicely and had a lot of backbone. Leon told me that the 2000 was not quite as nice but very similar.

 

[Emmett]

Let's put it this way, when it comes to density and softness, the 1305 didn't stack up to anything that I have.... It's not "BAD" but there are a lot better options.

I was pretty pleased with it originally, but then I got an Omega Pro and the Semogue '09 LE which was incredible. It broke in very nicely and had a lot of backbone. Leon told me that the 2000 was not quite as nice but very similar.

Mm, thanks. One off the list then.

 

[Peto]

I just got my Omega 31064 yesterday, which is your listed 31025 but with another handle. I've used it this morning and it was incredible... Soft out of the box and it has had leather for two rich passes and two less rich. But I know it will be going even better. I don't know if it isn't very big for you - it has about 24-25 mm knot and 60 mm loft. As I said it is really soft and has a nice spring. Some call it floppy, maybe it is, but it ate my soap like dream. It has my racommendation. But I think you cannot go bad with any of these...

 

[talibeard]

When you state you are a badger lover in search for a boar I guess you want it soft. Though I very much like Omegas (haven't tried a Semogue, alas..) I think you should consider the Vulfix boar brushes.

Less stiff and reasonable soft before the break in period these are much closer to badgers in my experience, as far as a comparison like that is not an injustice to both, than Omegas are. In fact I didn't like my Vulfix at first because I feared all the backbone would be gone after the brush would be broken in. But it didn't and the brush is one of my favs right now.

I have this one in boar bristle.

 

[Emmett]

Oh. very nice. I hadn't even known Vulfix made boars.

 

[warlandsboy]

Another rec for the 31064, it's very soft right out of the box and has started to get me into face lathering. I was also deciding between it and the 11126, and eventually chose the 31064 for functionality (acrylic handle) as opposed to the 11126's wooden handle. Also, the pics online don't do the 31064 justice. I thought the acrylic handle wasn't the greatest looking at first, but it looks awesome in person.

 

[xriley]

Another rec for the 31064, it's very soft right out of the box and has started to get me into face lathering. I was also deciding between it and the 11126, and eventually chose the 31064 for functionality (acrylic handle) as opposed to the 11126's wooden handle. Also, the pics online don't do the 31064 justice. I thought the acrylic handle wasn't the greatest looking at first, but it looks awesome in person.

How do you like the 25mm knot?

 

[Dougger]

I'd like to add some variety to my lineup and get a nice boar. I'm looking at the following. Please tell me your recommendations. I prefer smaller knot brushes with soft tips, with hair that it is moderately dense and springy but not too stiff. Probably 75/25% face/bowl latherer with 50/50 soap/cream.

I openly admit I picked these based on looks. I'm leaning towards the 620, the 11126, or the 81052.

Semogue 620

I absolutely love my Semogue 620 and it was only $22. Great for face lathering after some break in.

 

[luvmysuper]

This guy is a badger lover, and he says "Omega 81052"
.
.
.

 

[Fozz7769]

The 830 or 1305. The 830 is 10% denser.

 

[Loner16]

I haven't tried all the boar or badger brushes out there, but I have an Omega 31064 and a Semogue 830. They're both great boars, but the Semogue is just a bit softer in the tips compared to the Omega. Just a wee bit nicer..

Now, the Semogue 830 is described as the 1305 with a 10% denser knot. I've never used a 1305, but i love the #830.

I don't see how one could go wrong with it!

 

[Bertilak]

I absolutely love my Semogue 620 and it was only $22. Great for face lathering after some break in.

I have a 620 and like it very much. It took a while to break in.

 

[Blondie]

This guy is a badger lover, and he says "Omega 81052"
.
.
.

You have to trust the Phil's!

I have the Omega 81052, and I love it. Great looks, great latherer, soft out of the gate, very little odor. You can read my review here if you like.

 

[Klarion]

I'm still breaking in my 830 at about a week's worth of shaving, but I really do like it. For my preference, the knot is a good size for face lathering, without tossing lather all about the place, but still has bristles long enough for bowl/scuttle lathering. The tips are fairly soft, yet the bristles retains some nice backbone. Great flow through too, as it'd started lathering well after only a few days of use. A much quicker break-in period than with my Semogue LE 2009. A little denser than the 1305 though, which I like,

My current boar lineup is as follows: Van Der Hagen deluxe boar brush, Herban Cowboy drugstore boar brush, Semogue 620 & Semogue 1305 (these two I bought for myself but is in the care of my brother, so I use them when I'm visiting), Semogue 830, Semogue LE '09, Boreal 976, Koh-I-Noor SC68. My preference goes as follows:

1) Semogue LE '09 - dense, soft, wonderful backbone
2) Semogue 830 - reasonably short loft, soft tips without too many clipped ends or loss of backbone, acrylic handle for longevity
3) Herban Cowboy $5 special - "clipped" brush, but the bristle is rather fine and does not feel scratchy at all; maybe it's just broken in well having been my only brush for 6 months, but the ends are softer than my 830 which has a ton of split ends already. I'd shelved it because the varnish is looking haggard and, well, those brushes don't break themselves in you know!
4) Boreal 976 - lots of backbone and short loft, but also lots of clipped ends, so it can be scratchy instead of just skritchy
5) Semogue 620 - cute little brush, mine had quite a number of clipped ends; small and short, great for face lathering
6) Semogue 1305 - lose some points on density and backbone feel, which I love (aside from the HC, which is an 18x50mm, I believe), makes things feel a touch floppy; lathers well and has a cool design though, tips are soft on the face since this knot didn't have as many clipped bristles as the 620
7) Koh-I-Noor SC68 - tips are wonderfully soft and it's maybe lost 10 bristles in the time I've had it, but it's a 25x65mm knot and feels rather floppy, which is fine for bowl lathering, but I like to work the lather onto my face regardless
8) VDH Deluxe - clipped boar brush, using rather thick bristles, which results in a very scratchy feeling on the face; must have shed at least 1/3 of its bristles my bow, and I don't even use it that often. My brother has experienced the same thing with his.


EDIT: Hell, that's more than you needed to know. Or anyone would need to know from me in a "what boar should I get?" thread. So, I'll just say I'd recommend the 830 to practically anybody; I'd recommend the LE '09 as well, but they're not exactly available.

 

[Leche]

I have the 31064 which is incredible so I would recommend the 31025.