First use of the new Omega Hi-Brush

[ceego]

So after posting at the end of last week about these brushes and no one really knowing much about them, I was again browsing connaught and feeding my addiction decided to pick one up. Specifically i got the No. 0146138 with ash handle, it arrived today and boy is it a nice looking brush especially the wood handle. My only brushes so far have been badger so using a synthetic is new to me and my main brush for the last month or so has been a Kent Bk8 so this is a big change from that monster. I decided to try it out with my shave this evening and decided that while trying a new brush why not try a new soap since i rarely ever use soaps(i suck at making lather with soaps), the soap in question is L'occitane cade and the results were astonishing! I decided to bowl lather as I normally do and on my first try I got enough good lather for 4 passes and a really great shave! The brush has good backbone but no scritch to it and holds a fairly good amount of lather. All in all from my limited experience this brush is amazing good consider it was one fifth the price of the kent!


Pictures will be forthcomming tomorrow!!

 

[ceego]

Sorry for delay in posting pics and sorry for the poor quality of the photos(both my camera and my skills levels seem to be lacking)...

I have since used the brush 4 or 5 times again and i am still impressed. I have used it with L'Occitane Cade Soap, DR Harris Arlington soap and TOBS Eton College. I think it will take some time and more use before i can form a final opinion of the brush especially as i also just a SOC which looks fairly similar in size so i can do some comparisons. If i get a chance i will possibly try and get some lather shots.

Here are the parameters for the brush:

Ash Handle: 58 mm x 36 mm x 36 mm
Knot (at base): 24 mm | Loft: 56 mm

Omega Hi-Brush Brush No. 0146138





Omega and Kent Bk8(my main brush) for size comparison





Omega and my new SOC Ash(Used once together to start the break in process)

 

[Bentley72]

thats a good looking brush!

 

[Mandina]

Thanks for your preliminary review. Besides finding out what you think about the brush after further use, I look forward to reading comparisons with the Muhle/EJ synthetics.

 

[merkur59]

I gave up on synthetic (at least the previous omega version - not syntex) simply because the hair clumps up when wet.
I would need to take extra steps to gently press down on the face (to splay -I face lather) before lathering (like a chinese paint brush, press it down in a 'bent' shape, then try to splay it). I don't have this problem with badgers or boars. Hence my avoidance of synthetics.

Is the V2 any different?

 

[Doryferon]

Very pretty handle and chrome ring !
24mm at the base is OK
Enjoy it,i wish you "good lathers".

 

[ceego]

I gave up on synthetic (at least the previous omega version - not syntex) simply because the hair clumps up when wet.
I would need to take extra steps to gently press down on the face (to splay -I face lather) before lathering (like a chinese paint brush, press it down in a 'bent' shape, then try to splay it). I don't have this problem with badgers or boars. Hence my avoidance of synthetics.

Is the V2 any different?

The hair on this version does not clump up at all, its really easy to splay out the brush(i have only bowl lathered with it using the "plunger" motion).

 

[Codfish]

This is an interesting time for synthetic brush devotees. First the Generation 4 brushes by Muhle and H.I.S, and now the Gen 4 brushes by Frank Shaving, and I suspect--Omega. I have an Omega Model 0140634 with the acrylic handle on order and am anxiously waiting for delivery. It should be here later this week.

 

[finotti]

This is an interesting time for synthetic brush devotees. First the Generation 4 brushes by Muhle and H.I.S, and now the Gen 4 brushes by Kent, Frank Shaving, and I suspect--Omega. I have an Omega Model 0140634 with the acrylic handle on order and am anxiously waiting for delivery. It should be here later this week.

Are you sure the Kent is Gen 4? GDCarrington here lists it as Gen 3. Was there a change?

Let us know what you think of the new Omega!

Thanks,

 

[Codfish]

Are you sure the Kent is Gen 4?GDCarrington http://badgerandblade.com/vb/member.php/30833-GDCarringtonhere lists it as Gen 3. Was there a change?

Let us know what you think of the new Omega!

Thanks,

At this point, Gary and I are hopeful that the new Omega is Gen 4. The brushes have a new model designation and are being released at a time when Gen 4 knots are more widely available--but only an inspection and testing will tell for sure. I will let members know the results of my testing ASAP.

And yes, Gary and I have both confirmed that the Kent Silvertex Infinity synth is a Generation 3.5 brush. (Mis-stated in my original post)

 

[finotti]

Thanks for the reply and info on the Omega. But my question was about the Kent... Do you have any info on that?

 

[Codfish]

Thanks for the reply and info on the Omega. But my question was about the Kent... Do you have any info on that?

See Post #5 in this thread. My original post mistakenly referred to this as Gen 4.

 

[Acmemfg]

Here's what I want. Anyone know who may be selling them??

 

[Codfish]

I'd contact the folks at Omega directly for help locating this brush. Good luck!

 

[Acmemfg]

Got one. Shaving ie. Looking forward to giving it a try. I like my other Omega Synthetic (346235) quite a bit.

 

[Codfish]

I have a lot of experience with synthetic brushes and do not share the enthusiasm. IMO, it is a poor representation of today's synthetic offerings.

Here is a link to my brief review.

 

[ceego]

I read your review codfish, and i can see some of your points and i definitely have very little experience with synthetics so to me it seemed good as i had nothing else synthetic to compare it too, maybe my SBAD will let me pick up a Muhle with their newest fibres and my opinion will change.