Boar Question

[justinp]

Hey all--

I've decided to upgrade from my Tweezerman badger brush, but I'm not quite ready to leap for a premium badger brush. I've decided for now to go with a Semogue boar; my question is, which one??

I mostly bowl lather, but like to be able to face-lather too, and I use soaps slightly more than I use creams. I think the SOC might be up my alley; what are your thoughts? Any others I should consider?

Thanks!

 

[Fozz7769]

Knock yourself out man. or the 830 or 1305

 

[BRuhling]

I am a devoted scuttle user, and have always been dedicated to badger brushes. That said, I just bought a Semogue 830 (while I wait for the Custom Boar Brush to be made). I've used it twice so far, and must say that it is an outstanding brush.

My 830 needs to be broken in, but so far I'm extremely impressed. It has great back bone, yet is very soft on my face. I chose the 830 after exchanging some PMs with Bruno of Vintage Scent. He recommended either the 830 or the SOC, so I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Good luck, and tell us what you decide!

 

[rockviper]

I'm eyeballing the 1305 myself, but I have no experience with boar so I think I will follow this thread closely.

 

[justinp]

I just ordered the SOC; I sort of wanted a big brush. I'm excited! Any word on how long shipping to the UK tends to take?

Also, any advice on breaking this bad boy in?

 

[JPDyson]

SOC, 830, or 1305 - all great choices. Note:

The SOC is the biggest; larger knot, taller loft - but it's not floppy. It IS soft, but it'll shine as a bowl latherer or a face latherer.

The 830 and 1305 have the same knot dimensions, but the 830 is denser. Beautiful handle, obviously.

 

[media]

I got the 1305 a couple weeks ago and it's awesome. I actually just sold my silvertip brush. It's that good.

 

[BWagner]

SOC, 830, or 1305 - all great choices. Note:

The SOC is the biggest; larger knot, taller loft - but it's not floppy. It IS soft, but it'll shine as a bowl latherer or a face latherer.

The 830 and 1305 have the same knot dimensions, but the 830 is denser. Beautiful handle, obviously.

+1 on the SOC. GREAT brush for tallow soaps and face lathering!

 

[Fairchild86]

I just put in an order for the 1800. From what I understand its the same as the 1305 just not painted, and that's what I liked about it. Can't wait to try it out when it gets here.

 

[noahpictures]

I have the Semogue 2000 and really like it. I think it is similar to SOC but cheaper.

 

[Drewser]

+1 on the 830 - I just got one last week and I must say, it's beautiful and an amazing brush. After a week of use most of the hair ends are splitting and the brush has become very soft while maintaining a decent amount of backbone. It kills soaps and it'll whip creams as well as my EJ Best Badger.

 

[rawface]

'Got one earlier this week, used. 'My best brush yet. I haven't sprung for a high-end badger, and probably won't. I think they're romancing the dog on the prices. 'Prob restore an older brush w/ a TGN knot.

I very much want to try a 620, 'cause I found I like the more scratchy, stiff knot.

 

[Drubbing]

All suggested models are good. I find the SOC has gone way too soft for me. For break in, I used it every day for a few weeks and added a practice lather as well.

1305 is my fave, plenty of softness but plenty of backbone. Won't swallow up your face when lathering.

620 when I want to really get a 2 day growth softened up.

 

[Mike Schutz]

I have a month old SOC that so far has been breaking in wonderfully. I use soaps and bowl lather and this thing is a beast. More body than the 2000. I fully expect it to soften up over time but I never expect it to get as floppy as a badger. For value you can't beat it.

 

[zeeslaughter]

I have a Semoague 1305 that i use for soaps. I really like it, hasnt failed me yet. The only thing i noticed about it was that there wasnt alot of space in the knot for the lather to rub. If you want a killer boar go get a omega, just one of the standard color series, forgot the number. It rocks on making my lather fat and fluffy.

 

[SmoovD]

I have a month old SOC that so far has been breaking in wonderfully. I use soaps and bowl lather and this thing is a beast. More body than the 2000. I fully expect it to soften up over time but I never expect it to get as floppy as a badger. For value you can't beat it.

I have found that my SOC works well on creams too. Sweet little brush.

 

[mdevine]

I love the SOC. It took about two weeks to break in to the point that I got an excellent lather. However, it was a little more than two months into it where it really hit its stride. (I use it every two to three days to let it dry completely between uses). When fully broken in, I find it has an ideal balance of stiff spine and soft tips.

 

[JeffE]

I had a Semogue 830 that I really enjoyed using for a little while and then sold. They are excellent quality brushes and with a little bit of breaking in, you'll find that they beat badger for just about any kind of shaving. Since everyone here has mentioned the SOC brush, I'm starting to feel my SBAD kick in a bit . . . what the heck is wrong with me?!?

 

[justinp]

Well, the SOC has shipped, apparently. Any word on how long the Portugal-UK journey typically takes?

Related: really excited after reading all the testimonials on here. I'm moving up from a Tweezerman, so it looks like I'll be in for a TREAT once this thang gets broken in.

 

[Ignatius]

By and by, you can get a Simpsons Colonel in best (universally praised grade of quality badger hair) for not THAT much more than a SOC. Something to mull over in the old noggin.