I learnt about the Omega 011842/ 011829 a while back, and was very excited about it. The reason being, I am a huge fan of the Proraso boar brush, made by Omega. Until I found the 011842/ 011829, I did not know of any other big (26+ mm) pure bristle boar knot with the same short kind of loft and firm backbone that distinguishes the Proraso brush -- a knot configuration which to my mind makes the Proraso an exceptionally wonderful knot to put to the face.
The only thing I am not happy about with the Proraso brush is the handle -- and here the Omega 011842/ 011829 seemed to offer exactly what I had been looking for: a knot with dimensions very similar to the Proraso, but with a more attractive handle.
Through a twist of fate, I ended up with both the Omega 011842 AND the Omega 011829 -- identical brushes judging by the looks and the stated specifics, except for the golden Omega logo on the 011829 (apparently the 011842 is simply a newer version of the 011829).
Since then, some time has passed by now, and I have gotten some experience with both these brushes. For the record I thought I would share my experience in this thread, and "pay back" since I was eagerly reading about the Omega 011842/ 011829 in this forum when I first discovered its existence.
Overall, I have to say that I am disappointed with the Omega 011842/ 011829. I would advice anyone contemplating to buy this particular brush due to the dimensions of its knot, to instead consider the Proraso boar brush.
Both the 011842 and the 011829 comes with a knot that just doesn't feel quite as dense, nor with quite the backbone AND softness that distinguishes the Proraso boar. Instead, both of them feel more "poky", and don't splay as nicely as the Proraso. In fact, I found that the 011842 was even more poky than the 011829, to a degree where I simply did not enjoy using the 011842 and basically trashed it. I suppose this may just be due to a manufacturing defect in this particular specimen of the 011842, but for a brush at this price, I would have expected some quality control. My 011829 is better, less poky and worth keeping, but still a far cry from the Proraso.
So in conclusion -- despite the beautiful appearance of the Omega 011842/ 011829 (it really is a nice looking brush, love the color, weight and shape of the faux jade handle), and despite knot dimensions very similar to the Proraso brush, and despite that I clearly favor the handle of the Omega 011842/ 011829 over the Proraso -- I would still recommend the Proraso over the Omega 011842/ 011829.
The Proraso is also a cheaper brush, and a much more widely available brush compared to the Omega 011842/ 011829 (the latter is made exclusively for the UK market as I understand it). But above all, the Proraso is simply a better knot, once you stick it in your face and put it to work.
The only thing I am not happy about with the Proraso brush is the handle -- and here the Omega 011842/ 011829 seemed to offer exactly what I had been looking for: a knot with dimensions very similar to the Proraso, but with a more attractive handle.
Through a twist of fate, I ended up with both the Omega 011842 AND the Omega 011829 -- identical brushes judging by the looks and the stated specifics, except for the golden Omega logo on the 011829 (apparently the 011842 is simply a newer version of the 011829).
Since then, some time has passed by now, and I have gotten some experience with both these brushes. For the record I thought I would share my experience in this thread, and "pay back" since I was eagerly reading about the Omega 011842/ 011829 in this forum when I first discovered its existence.
Overall, I have to say that I am disappointed with the Omega 011842/ 011829. I would advice anyone contemplating to buy this particular brush due to the dimensions of its knot, to instead consider the Proraso boar brush.
Both the 011842 and the 011829 comes with a knot that just doesn't feel quite as dense, nor with quite the backbone AND softness that distinguishes the Proraso boar. Instead, both of them feel more "poky", and don't splay as nicely as the Proraso. In fact, I found that the 011842 was even more poky than the 011829, to a degree where I simply did not enjoy using the 011842 and basically trashed it. I suppose this may just be due to a manufacturing defect in this particular specimen of the 011842, but for a brush at this price, I would have expected some quality control. My 011829 is better, less poky and worth keeping, but still a far cry from the Proraso.
So in conclusion -- despite the beautiful appearance of the Omega 011842/ 011829 (it really is a nice looking brush, love the color, weight and shape of the faux jade handle), and despite knot dimensions very similar to the Proraso brush, and despite that I clearly favor the handle of the Omega 011842/ 011829 over the Proraso -- I would still recommend the Proraso over the Omega 011842/ 011829.
The Proraso is also a cheaper brush, and a much more widely available brush compared to the Omega 011842/ 011829 (the latter is made exclusively for the UK market as I understand it). But above all, the Proraso is simply a better knot, once you stick it in your face and put it to work.
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