Boar users, some tips please?

[Drubbing]

I've been very happy with my T&H 1/2, but wanted a cheap, but good back up brush, as the T&H doesn't fully dry overnight in winter here. And it could do with the odd break now and again.

So I got a Semogue 620 boar. Nice looking brush, not as pretty or 'ordered' bloom as a silvertip, but soft tips and excellent backbone. It works, and does a great job with creams. No complaints there.

But it retains water far differently to the badger. I'm having trouble loading enough soap for 2 passes. When lathering my face for the second pass, the soap has really thinned out and gone watery, despite loading up on the puck way than I do with the T&H.

Any ideas? Is it just a matter of loading it up even more?

 

[I Like it Shaved]

I've been very happy with my T&H 1/2, but wanted a cheap, but good back up brush, as the T&H doesn't fully dry overnight in winter here. And it could do with the odd break now and again.

So I got a Semogue 620 boar. Nice looking brush, not as pretty or 'ordered' bloom as a silvertip, but soft tips and excellent backbone. It works, and does a great job with creams. No complaints there.

But it retains water far differently to the badger. I'm having trouble loading enough soap for 2 passes. When lathering my face for the second pass, the soap has really thinned out and gone watery, despite loading up on the puck way than I do with the T&H.

Any ideas? Is it just a matter of loading it up even more?

This is the exact reason I sold my Semogue 1305. Tried loading it up with a ton of soap to no avail.

I'm not about to re-lather mid shave. Mama didn't raise no fool!

 

[DFrancis]

Not sure if I can help, I've only ever used an Omega boar. I soak the brush then get it as dry as I can so it's just sorta damp, bit of water or the soap for about 5-15 minutes depending on the soap, then i just go to town on loading it up, boar can take a lot of punishment, press it down into the soap as hard as you can and twirl it around the sides. and make sure my face is nice and wet and face lather. i usually get enough for 3 passes if I do it right. Again, YMMV, but this is something that I found works well for me, I hope it's helpful.

 

[Joe Edson]

I've been very happy with my T&H 1/2, but wanted a cheap, but good back up brush, as the T&H doesn't fully dry overnight in winter here. And it could do with the odd break now and again.

So I got a Semogue 620 boar. Nice looking brush, not as pretty or 'ordered' bloom as a silvertip, but soft tips and excellent backbone. It works, and does a great job with creams. No complaints there.

But it retains water far differently to the badger. I'm having trouble loading enough soap for 2 passes. When lathering my face for the second pass, the soap has really thinned out and gone watery, despite loading up on the puck way than I do with the T&H.

Any ideas? Is it just a matter of loading it up even more?

How long have you had the 620? Mine took about a month of almost everyday use to break in to the point that it would produce a consistent lather. It is still breaking in.

How do you load the soap? I soak my brush for 10-15 minutes in hot water while I shower in addition to adding about a tsp of water to the top of my soap. I actually completely dry my face after showering, pull my brush out of the water, give it a couple of shakes and squeeze all the water I can out of it. I then pour the water on top of the soap off and proceed to load my brush and commence face lathering.

I face lather for awhile and dip the tips of the brush in water and continue to face lather. It usually takes 1 to 2 more additional dips of the tips in water and face lathering for 2-3 minutes to produce thick, creamy lather. I do it this way and always have enough lather for 3-4 passes.

Hope that helps.

 

[kooshman7]

As the boar brush breaks in with use, it gets much better lathering, and giving more lather in return. One thing I found for myself when using a boar is to pretty much take it from the mug it is soaking in and just move it side to side to get all the excess water out, and then going to work on the puck. Something that helps me out quite a bit. And loading up with more product seems to help, but give it time to break in as that will be the biggest help!

 

[Drubbing]

Cheers.

Yes, I face lather. Not had the 620 long, it's not new, but not much used either.

I do all the usual things; soak the brush etc I'm a handy latherer (if I say so myself), and have no issues with my silvertip. I'm used to squeezing this fully, and even just damp it's fine.

But when I do the same with the 620, it dries out quite a lot and doesn't load up easily. So I've left it a bit wetter, and that's where the issues probably are. I guess I'll do my usual thing and just show the brsuh and soap no mercy.

 

[Fozz7769]

Echo Harvitz. The 620 is a stubborn brush to break in. I use shave sticks quite often & i find this brush really excells with them. It does a fantastic job of removing ALL of the soap off my face & turning it into lather, enough for three pases, with full thick cover & touch up. I have used mine for at least 40 shaves & it is improving. I am glad I stuck with it. I doubt this brush will ever "bloom" or spay. But the tips will flag & get alot softer.

 

[baggiez]

Cheers.

Yes, I face lather. Not had the 620 long, it's not new, but not much used either.

I do all the usual things; soak the brush etc I'm a handy latherer (if I say so myself), and have no issues with my silvertip. I'm used to squeezing this fully, and even just damp it's fine.

But when I do the same with the 620, it dries out quite a lot and doesn't load up easily. So I've left it a bit wetter, and that's where the issues probably are. I guess I'll do my usual thing and just show the brsuh and soap no mercy.

You just have to keep at it. I have a Semogue 1305 which took at least a month to break in properly - but when it did Oh Boy. I can get enough lather for three passes off a puck of MWF or a Nivea cream - it works fine with both. Persevere and you will be rewarded.

 

[andrew98]

I've had a 620 for quite some time now, and I really like it. I soak mine about 10 minutes, then shake the water out of it. I face lather soaps only, and I find that I have to load this brush for quite a while. You may try loading the brush upside down (hold the soap upside down and load the brush with the bristles facing upward).

It takes longer to work up lather on my face with the 620 because the brush holds less water than my badgers. I create a dense lather, then splay the bristles a little and drop a little water into the center of the brush. Dipping the loaded brush in water removes more soap than I'd like. I work up the lather again and that adds enough water to make a nice lather for my first pass.

-Andy

 

[Drubbing]

Thanks all.

Bear in mind, this is a back up brush, so I may be patient only so long before I resign it to cream only duty.

I did try a practice lather this evening, simply squeezed the brush and brutalised both the Trumpers Rose (probably my hardest soap) and the 620. It was more exercise than I've had most of the year, so I don't want to have to do that first thing in the AM too often.

Got enough for 2 quality passes, but didn't see if there was enough there for more.