Help picking 1st badger

[Brauntex]

I have 3 boars, Edwin Jagger small boar (20/53), Omega Pro 49 (25/63) and Semogue 1305 (22/55), that I've got about 12-15 shaves on each. I don't have any problems with the boars and like them very much, but I don' know what I don't know about badgers and I'm eager to at least try one.

I've got about $40.00 invested in all 3 boar brushes and they represent a nice cross section of the boar range.

With the cost of badger vs. boar I can't justify buying 3 at once to satisfy my curiosity, so my question is can I translate my boar preferences into a solid choice of a 1st badger?

I really like the feel on my face from the Omega Pro 49 the best and followed slightly by the small EJ. I like the size and control of the EJ best. The Semogue is nice and I don't dislike it, but it just doesn't seem to be for me so far. I'm still rotating all 3 though as I don't think any are fully broken in and I don't want to give up on anything yet. The B&B essential boar may prove to be the right combination of size and feel with the smaller Omega boar knot, but I would like to try badger before adding to the boar collection.

I don't know if knot diameter, loft and feel of boar brushes really translate to badger, but if so, what badger would you recommend for $100 or less.

 

[bmilcs]

You're going to get a lot of Simpson recommendations but due to the variance in QC, I would go with a more consistent brand. I was in your shoes a month ago and wish I took a different route.

I can't recommend TGN Finest enough. Rooney, Thater or Savile Row would be my suggestion.

 

[bmilcs]

Simpson "best" badger is what I'm referring to.

 

[Jarick]

Boar bristles are going to be a lot stronger than badger, so they will stand up straighter and stay stiffer. If you were to go to a badger of the same loft, it would likely feel floppy. So you may end up wanting to go with a shorter loft to compensate. Also, you've got different grades of badger. Silvertip is very soft but can be floppy. Best is stiffer all around. Finest (or 2-band) has stiff bristles with soft tips and is very popular.

If you prefer the stiffer Omega knot to the softer Semogue, you'd probably want a Finest badger. I don't know much about the higher end brushes, but on the cheaper end, the TGN Finest knot is excellent and the Vintage Blades brushes are very good for the $30-40 range.

 

[teeitup418holes]

I have had nothing but consistently wonderful experiences with every Simpson brush I've owned. From Best Badger to Manchurian, they are excellent badger brushes.

Simpson Brushes are truly legendary if you ask me.

Just my opinion

 

[bmilcs]

I have had nothing but consistently wonderful experiences with every Simpson brush I've owned. From Best Badger to Manchurian, they are excellent badger brushes.

Simpson Brushes are truly legendary if you ask me.

Just my opinion

You're lucky . My Chubby 2 Super is unreal. My best badger Duke, in comparison while being less dense, is the prickliest brush I've ever used. It feels like a pure badger through and through, like scraping twigs across your face. Depending on the batch, you never know.

I just want to let you know it is possible.

 

[jazzguy]

You can't go wrong with a Rooney in super. 3/1 or a 1/2 are good choices.

 

[The Accountant]

Check out the badgers available from Whipped Dog; great brushes at even better prices. Larry is well thought of here and can answer any questions you have. Website is www.whippeddog.com.

 

[RVshave]

+1 on whipped dog, got one on the way. A lot depends if you like to bowl or face lather, I like short lofts because I face lather, Larry @ WD is setting a 22mm knot at 45mm for me

 

[Brauntex]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
I ended up buying a beautifully restored Ever-Ready 150 with TGN 2-band finest from B&B member bmilcs. He set the knot a little deeper than typical matching the backbone of the Omega boar I like, with the plus of the soft finest tips, and it has the great character of a vintage brush!


I'll add a mini-review after I receive the brush
Good shaving

 

[bmilcs]

In the mailbox my friend. I am really exited to hear what you think. That brush was quite the project.

 

[NCJack]

I have a couple of 24/48 finest, that look very like your knot, and they suit me right down to the ground...and I'm mainly a boar fan.

Mine make good travelers, too, as they dry quickly.

 

[bmilcs]

Yea TGN finest are fantastic. I can't wait to see his review.

 

[NSmalls]

Glad he went with something 2-band.

 

[bmilcs]

Yeah if you're a boar guy, 2-band seems the way to go unless it's super dense... Like my ch2 super 3-band

 

[Brauntex]

Gents,
Got called out of town for extended time (3-4 weeks) before receipt of brush. It will be a while before 1st use.
Will report back eventually.

 

[Croulebarbe]

I've had nothing but good experiences with Omega brushes. If you're not sure that boar is for you, their entry-level models are very reasonably priced yet still fairly high quality.

 

[Brauntex]

I could not agree more, I love the fantastic feel of my Omega Pro 49, but prefer something a little smaller. I also wanted to try a 1st badger for it's badger characteristics and selected this restored brush with a badger knot from another Omega lover who said it is a his badger homage to an Omega. Nice backbone and soft tips.
My next boar will be a smaller Omega, probably the B&B essential, but I fully expect to love this new brush when I finally get to use it.

 

[Terp61]

That one looks great! Enjoy!

 

[bmilcs]

I used my Pro 49 tonight. Great brush. It's fun being able to enjoy a $10 brush and $250+ one the next.

Variety is the spice of life.