Boar vs Badger vs Syntech

[Luc]

I've been trying a few brushes so far. I didn't try a whole lot but I think I will settle with a boar.

I love how soft the boar can be compared to a badger. I find the badger picky on my face. I never tried a syntech, how would it compare to a boar/badger? (feeling, hold water, etc).

 

[biomesh]

Synthetics don't really soften up over time. They also do not hold as much water as a boar or badger brush. As for face feel, this depends on the brush - some are softer than others.

If you find badger to be prickly, you might want to look more towards a silvertip knot or perhaps one that is less dense. Even some silvertip brushes (the badger hair grades are not consistent across manufacturers) can be prickly if very dense.

 

[napoleon]

The pure badger is prickly. More expensive brushes aren't.

 

[Luc]

I might have to try it... I saw some at $150 AUD which is quite an investment but if it worth it...

 

[talibeard]

I think what matters with badgers is whether they are made of trimmed hairs or not.
Trimmed hairs will hardly ever soften up so they will stay prickly; no problem for bowl lattering and using the painting stroke but for face lathering not the nicest around.
I agree that a decent boar brush is hard to beat, especially with hard soaps.

 

[mretzloff]

You need to try a silvertip. I've noticed that a lot of people who choose boar over badger have not tried a silvertip.

 

[Luc]

You need to try a silvertip. I've noticed that a lot of people who choose boar over badger have not tried a silvertip.

Yes, I've spotted a Silvertip by Muhle... I might go for that one but still unsure...

 

[mretzloff]

Yes, I've spotted a Silvertip by Muhle... I might go for that one but still unsure...

VintageBladesLLC.com and WestCoastShaving.com have sales of Shavemacs. I'd check them out too.

 

[kingfisher]

A silvertip would have to be pretty darn good to feel better than an inexpensive Omega boar brush. I picked one up from "Aneurysm" on this forum for $17 shipped, and it's the bomb. Feels just great on my face, doesn't hog lather OFF the face, but puts it ON there instead. Lathers up soaps OR creams in about the same time frame as my badger brush. This Omega boar brush is just an outstanding brush and a great value.

 

[SRock]

For Soaps:

Badger>Boar>Synthetic

For Creams:

Badger>Synthetic>Boar

I will say that a good boar hair will work wonders on harder soaps.

Synthetics should be reserved for creams.

Just my .02

 

[scottish steve]

I was surprised by how good the tips of a boarbrush are compared to many badgers. My Kent H8, wet, is great, but dry its just a tiny tiny bit prickly. No such issues with my Men-U boar at all.

 

[utdrub]

I have a pure badger someone gave me from The Art of Shaving...it's VERY prickly on my face, and sometimes I feel like it's exfoliating a bit? You would recommend a silvertip if I'm reading this correctly? The current "pure badger" feels like its scratching/tickling, and i'm not sure if I like it. My skin is sensitive so maybe that has something to do with it....

+1 to the bowl lather in this case, but i'd love to find myself a soft brush for face lathering

 

[kingfisher]

..... My skin is sensitive so maybe that has something to do with it....

+1 to the bowl lather in this case, but i'd love to find myself a soft brush for face lathering

I'm telling you that an Omega boar that can be had for less than 20 bucks shipped will solve your problem. You can't go wrong. I even purchased mine from a forum member (aneurysm). He may have a few more to sell.

 

[Luc]

I'm thinking Silvertip now after reading the comments up there...

 

[Bushranger]

Luc, you know what I was like with brushes. I recently received the new Savile Row SR3122 from Ron (via Rocco's referral). Heff asked what I thought. In a word, "splendiferous". Savile Row has impressed me THAT much..as you can see from y sig.

 

[Luc]

That might be another option, I like the look of the Muhle, that's why...

I think it's a bummer that a $50 AUD brush is picky when a simple $30 AUD brush is better. If I want to use soaps, I think I would be better with a badger!

 

[Stubblefield]

Synthetics don't really soften up over time. They also do not hold as much water as a boar or badger brush.

Which is why they make an excellent soap brush.

The only synthetic I use is the EJ new synthetic. While the brush is very stiff, the tips are super soft, and really do a great job of picking soap up off the puck. I can make exceptional lather from any soap using the EJ, tho it does take a tad longer because the brush is a bit smaller than most badger brushes. The tips are super soft, and are similar in softness to a nice silvertip. Not as soft as my Emillion tho.