Wow 11 pages its crazy. I hold my boar brush under running water for a few seconds then straight to bowl. If I need more water I hold brush under water and add it to bowl. If its too much water, I tip bowl and drain into the sink.
Here is a great post explaining the different grades of Semogue bristles:
Semogue Boar Grades
Hi gents, Here's a list of the different grades Semogue currently uses to make their wonderful boar brushes: Premium 90% tops Best 90% tops Extra 75% tops Super 70% tops Special Grade 90% tops Now, leshavenook.com
Wow 11 pages its crazy. I hold my boar brush under running water for a few seconds then straight to bowl. If I need more water I hold brush under water and add it to bowl. If its too much water, I tip bowl and drain into the sink.
I like my Semogues. They have their detractors. The usual criticisms are:It looks like I couldn't go too far wrong with any Semogue.
I somewhat agree with those points. I know my 1250 took a while to break in. However, the mop-like feature and the bedhead shape is pretty iconic of Semogue. I like the looks of it and once it's soaked, it's ready to lather up. I still need to go back to some of my Semogues as I'm forgetting how they feel like.I like my Semogues. They have their detractors. The usual criticisms are:
- Takes too long to break in
- Once it does finally break-in, it is too floppy, like a mop
- Loses its nice shape and blooms out too much aka "Bedhead"
There's an element of truth in these, but Semogues still have their charms. I'd suggest trying one of the less expensive ones first to see how you like it. For a versatile brush than can work for both face lathering and bowl lathering, I like the 1250. It is only around $12 on some of the Euro sites. The 1250 is not too stiff, not too soft, has a natural wood handle (no paint to chip), and natural color bristles (no fake badger stripe). The ergonomics of the wood handle are great.
What I was hoping to get across is that the Semogue "premium" or "special" grade bristles might be too soft depending on expectations. I like a little backbone so the "best" grade which is cheaper is actually a better choice for me.I somewhat agree with those points. I know my 1250 took a while to break in. However, the mop-like feature and the bedhead shape is pretty iconic of Semogue...
What I was hoping to get across is that the Semogue "premium" or "special" grade bristles might be too soft depending on expectations. I like a little backbone so the "best" grade which is cheaper is actually a better choice for me.
@Kealon7 I was finally able to edit a quick video for my YouTube Channel, and here is a link to how I load, face lather, and face wash with the soap. It is from my daily shave today. I used Sterling Soap Co. Margaritas in the Arctic and an Omega Boar brush on it's 15th? shave. Hope this helps. Let me know what you think about what I do compared to what you do.I soap brush usually 15-20 min while I'm in shower. I shake most of the water out the brush and load on puck for 45 sec to 1 minute adding a little water when needed.
It happened with my Omega 10005. I used it daily for about two months and it got better and better over time. But, then, it seemed to regress a bit. It didn't seem to be lathering as well as before and the tips started to feel more skritchy.Not finding that it is any more broken in, but I wonder if I have hit a point where it will be stable for a little bit, then break in more and be stable? Any thoughts on if this happens with Omega Boars?
Yeah, might be time for me to stop stropping so much. Thanks for the link I'll take a look.It happened with my Omega 10005. I used it daily for about two months and it got better and better over time. But, then, it seemed to regress a bit. It didn't seem to be lathering as well as before and the tips started to feel more skritchy.
Looking back, I think that I may have been pressing too hard while drying the knot on a towel at the end of my shaves and the split ends broke off. There's a thread describing this phenomenon... I can't remember who started it. Anyway...
Wait... I found it. See this thread started by bluesman7.
Anyway, I basically had to break-in the brush again. As before, I used the brush instead of following any particular break-in routine. Eventually after another 5-6 months, it felt like it was back to where it had been before the tips broke off.
At this point, I cleaned the brush in vinegar because I noticed some soap buildup deep in the knot. After that, it felt like the brush was changing again. In my mind, the knot felt more compliant and the tips were softer. However, it probably was the brush getting slightly floppier. Over the next year, it stayed pretty much the same.
Then, around the middle of my third year using the brush, I cleaned it again with vinegar. This time, I noticed that the hairs seemed stiffer. I suspect that the knot was wearing down and the hairs had become shorter. I kept using the brush, as before, but this time I inspected the knot regularly to see if/when the split ends broke off.
Well, it's now more than six years since I started using that brush and it's the best that it has ever been. I've babied it over the last few years, so the split ends haven't broken off again. Now, I just gently squeeze the water out of it, wipe the handle, then hang it up; no more whipping it over the bathtub and no more rubbing the knot hard on a towel.
So, the moral of the story might be that I've finally learned how to treat a brush so that it doesn't wear out as quickly. Should have figured that out a long time ago maybe, but like the saying goes "With age comes wisdom."
Used the Omega 10049 Pro Boar for the 18th shave and it worked great again, it seems to be holding more lather which is great. Feels soft and is at a point where I really like using it. Might be time to stop stropping against the towel at the end of each shave and just keep using the brush to 30 shaves!
That looks like one scrubby brush. What was your reasoning behind this purchase? More scrub/backbone or just variety?View attachment 1037140
The Omega 10051 has finished it's cold water treatment.
It was subjected to a vigorous, 10 minute towel rubbing after 24 hours and another 24 hours after that.
View attachment 1037141
I decided to let it have some more. After 72 hours in total, I gave it a third 10 minute towel rubbing and left it to dry out for another 26 hours.
This is the brush before it'storturecorrective treatment.
View attachment 1037142
View attachment 1037143
And this is after.
View attachment 1037144
View attachment 1037145
There's a small, but positive difference. It looks slightly looser and a little more opened up. It feels slightly softer against the hand too, but it's difficult to make an accurate assessment.
I'll see if it behaves more in line with my expectations when I next use it.
That looks like one scrubby brush. What was your reasoning behind this purchase? More scrub/backbone or just variety?