Help me Pick a Semogue - Ordering Today!

[thrown.clear]

I just found out that due to a lucky accounting glitch I have an extra $200. So, like any good American, I'm goin' shopping!

The Dirty-Bird 1.5 is ordered, ditto for Mama Bear's and Colonial Drug. Now it's time to pick out one of those Semogues I've been reading about.

As for boar brushes, I currently have an Omega Pro 48 (28mm knot, 70mm loft). I love its size, but it's a little "floppy," and I'm looking for a dense brush with a little more backbone.

If any of you can tell me about the following brushes, I'd be happy to listen. (FYI, I use both soaps and creams, and bowl-lather).

I'm drawn to the 620 and the 830, I love the acrylic handles.

Three of the brushes, the 620, 1438, and 1520 all have 22mm knots and 50mm lofts. Is it just the handles that are different?

Next come the 830 and 1305 – both have 22mm knots and 55mm lofts. Again, is it only a difference in handles?

And finally there’s the 2000. 25mm knot, 60mm loft (the “Big Boy,” but still smaller than the Omega.)

Thank you for your help!

 

[kg4ghn]

I will be watching this thread myself.

The only question I can answer is the 830 knot is an overstuffed 1305 knot. So more hair in the same size knot.

 

[JPDyson]

Well I'm going to steer you toward the 830 or the 1305. There is a density difference (recently stated - can't recall exactly where or to what extent) but I have an 830 and really love it. It's less than two weeks old and already breaking in beautifully. Great looking brush on the shelf, too. You'll love it.

 

[JPDyson]

PS, here's Leon (aka Bruno, runs VintageScent.com - my favorite place to buy Semogues) talking a little bit about the subtle difference between the 1305 vs 830.

http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1996341&postcount=137

 

[oversaturn]

One more vote for the Semogue 830. Just a great brush.
It is my weapon of choice for everyday use. You'll love it.

 

[SliceOfLife]

I've owned: 1470, 1250, 620, 2000, 830, and SOC.

The 620 was still too stiff for me after 25+ uses.
The 2000 was too big and bloomy for me.
The 1250 wasn't dense enough for its loft for my taste.
The SOC edged out the 830.

So I'm left using the 1470 and SOC (cheapest and most expensive Semo boar brushes). Both work great. I think 1470 is a little better latherer. SOC is a bit better feeling on the face.

 

[Loric]

I can only speak for the SOC, but I can say you wont be disappointed with it.

Some of the knots have different densities as stated previously and sometimes they have a different ratio of tips vs. skritchy ends.

 

[kg4ghn]

I've owned: 1470, 1250, 620, 2000, 830, and SOC.

The 620 was still too stiff for me after 25+ uses.
The 2000 was too big and bloomy for me.
The 1250 wasn't dense enough for its loft for my taste.
The SOC edged out the 830.

So I'm left using the 1470 and SOC (cheapest and most expensive Semo boar brushes). Both work great. I think 1470 is a little better latherer. SOC is a bit better feeling on the face.

How would you say the backbone of the 830 is versus the 1470?

I do not want a floppy brush, but I like the 830 handle the best and I have heard it is a little floppy. At the same time, I don't want a brush like the vdh boar that has 0 flex whatsoever.

 

[vitaman]

I vote for the 830. The acrylic handles are alot more durable than the painted ones.

 

[Loric]

I vote for the 830. The acrylic handles are alot more durable than the painted ones.

+1 on the acrylic handles. I wish the SOC came with one.

 

[thrown.clear]

I vote for the 830. The acrylic handles are alot more durable than the painted ones.

I went ahead and ordered the 830 - Thank you all for steering me in the right direction. I think the 830 is exactly what I was looking for!

 

[Joe Edson]

How would you say the backbone of the 830 is versus the 1470?

I do not want a floppy brush, but I like the 830 handle the best and I have heard it is a little floppy. At the same time, I don't want a brush like the vdh boar that has 0 flex whatsoever.

830 is definitely more floppy than the 1470. I've heard soaking it in cold water alleviates this, though have not tried.

 

[goby]

I went ahead and ordered the 830 - Thank you all for steering me in the right direction. I think the 830 is exactly what I was looking for!

Good choice. I have an 830 and a 620 and I love them both. The 830 is a little bigger and has less backbone. I certainly wouldn't call it floppy.

 

[thrown.clear]

I have an 830 and a 620 and I love them both. The 830 is a little bigger and has less backbone. I certainly wouldn't call it floppy.

If I were a face-latherer I think I'd have gone with the 620, but I think the 830 will work better with creams and bowl-lathering.

Even if the 830 flops a little, it can't be as bad as the Omega 48, which I still love.

 

[SliceOfLife]

How would you say the backbone of the 830 is versus the 1470?

I do not want a floppy brush, but I like the 830 handle the best and I have heard it is a little floppy. At the same time, I don't want a brush like the vdh boar that has 0 flex whatsoever.

It's noticeably less. The backbone is good, but when mine was completely broken in I found I missed a little bit of the backbone it had lost and the SOC and 1470 give that to me. Other people I'm sure prefer the 830. It's all personal preference.

I don't use my boars every day, but I've had no problem with durability on the wooden handles.

 

[JPDyson]

I have the 1470 and 830 at present, and find that the 830 is adequately stiff to face lather, but also works well in a bowl. I happen to think it's about dead on that magical medium "all around performance" size. It's a great brush. The 1470 is a better formula for face lathering, but I prefer the premium bristle of my 830 (man I can't WAIT for that new 22x50 Premium Semogue).

I think you made a great choice, and yet it still leaves a little room to pick up a scrubby face-latherer in the future.

 

[goby]

I have the 1470 and 830 at present, and find that the 830 is adequately stiff to face lather, but also works well in a bowl. I happen to think it's about dead on that magical medium "all around performance" size. It's a great brush. The 1470 is a better formula for face lathering, but I prefer the premium bristle of my 830 (man I can't WAIT for that new 22x50 Premium Semogue).

I think you made a great choice, and yet it still leaves a little room to pick up a scrubby face-latherer in the future.

Perfectly said. As SliceofLife said, the 830 becomes a little softer with a little less backbone, but still perfect for soaps. That's why I also got the 620. Also, the 830 needs more than 24 hours to dry, which is another reason why I got the 620.

Don't worry about it too much. If I could have only one brush, it would be the 830.

 

[adaumus]

I'll have to retry boar bristle. My first brush was boar and couldn't whip up soap that well.

 

[Drubbing]

I'll have to retry boar bristle. My first brush was boar and couldn't whip up soap that well.

If it was new, that would be situation normal. Some boars take a while to break in. Water retention and lather production increases when they do.

 

[MikeC]

I'm drawn to the 620 and the 830, I love the acrylic handles.

I ordered the 830 last week for the same reason. I love the handle and the tips are starting to get really soft. If you haven't decided yet get an 830. I posted some pics here.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=167024

Edit: Missed your post looks like you ordered the 830 good choice!