If there could be only one? (Boar brush Question)

[SubmarinerLV]

Hey folks!

I'm in the preliminary stages of a project and need a little help to get things going, this question is aimed squarely at the Barons of Boar (but anyone with an opinion can voice it) simply put what is the best boar brush available?

This is purely in terms of all round performance, aesthetics and price are not to be taken into account as I only wish to test how well the brush works in a variety of situations meaning soaps + creams + sticks. I face lather mainly only very occasionally palm or bowl lather and will only face lather during the test...So I guess I am asking which boar brush is best for face lathering?

I have already picked out 2 contenders but despite owning a couple boars (an 830 and a locally made product) know far less about them than badgers, are these 2 ok? Can you help me pick between them? Or are there better
out there?

Brush:

1) The Semogue owners club
2) The Omega 31025

Regards Grant

Please

 

[Loric]

I have had both, and the SOC is hands down a better brush. It has more backbone, and is not floppy. The Omegas has a floppy knot and I wound up cutting a little bit off the top to stiffen it up

 

[RayH]

Wow. Pure YMMV. Don't have the 31025 but do have the 81052. Get both then tell us what you think.

 

[BWagner]

Brush:

1) The Semogue owners club
2) The Omega 31025

I don't own an Omega brush but I have two Semogues, the SOC and the 620. Both are great for face lathering and I like the ability to switch off between the two because of handle size, etc.

I also have a Semogue 1305 on the way...can't wait to try that bad boy out! In my book you can't go wrong with Semogue!

 

[Drubbing]

Can't offer an opinion on the omega but the SOC will do anything you give it to do.

An exceptionally soft boar when broken in, but for me it loses the sort of backbone I like, which is only found in smaller brushes anyway.

 

[Mike Schutz]

I have an SOC and it's probably the best bowl latherer I have for hard soaps.

One of the best atributes of boars are their price. They're a fraction of the cost of badgers. I couldn't afford the half dozen I have if they were badgers. You can get the best boars out there for well under $50.00. Try that with a badger. IMO, if you use hard soaps, boar is the best and the SOC is one of the best of the best.

 

[takeshi]

simply put what is the best boar brush available?

Simply put, like most "What is best?" questions, it's a highly subjective matter even with the criteria you've specified.

 

[SubmarinerLV]

Simply put, like most "What is best?" questions, it's a highly subjective matter even with the criteria you've specified.

I accept this totally and understand exactly where you are coming from, as pretty much everything on B&B is subject to YMMV especially here at the brush forum where at least 60% (YMMV) of a brush's merit is down to "feel" which is 100% personal opinion what feels scrubby and invigorating to one guy may be downright unpleasant to another. However I am still trying to ascertain a "champion" for boar brushes so far the SOC seems to be my best bet as I really haven't heard a bad word about it. With that said here are a few more details of my so far limited experience with boars to see if that changes any opinions on what I should get... I like the handle aesthetics of the S830 and also the flow through, my main gripes are and this I admit is a strange one for a boar user I think it lacks backbone... Compared to my Simpsons G3 CH1 and Rooney Finest it is positively floppy so I'd enjoy a little more backbone (the problem could be a density issue aswell), I will finish on a high note by saying that the 830 is comfortably the softest brush I own and that I must commend it on that. I don't mind if my next boar loses a bit of softness to gain more strength.



Regards Grant

 

[Bestarrkin]

Wow. Pure YMMV. Don't have the 31025 but do have the 81052. Get both then tell us what you think.

+1

Omega 31025 is a good brush and I want a Semogue for treatment of my SBAD.

 

[talibeard]

First I think there is not something like a best boar. Too many guys with slightly different wishes to ever be able to pick one as the best.

Secondly, since you want to use it for all sorts of products and different ways to lather, you have to consider the loft on your new boar. For face lathering I would stay sub 50mm but for palm and bowl lathering a larger brush is not an issue. But frankly, the loft size you pick can make a huge difference in how it performs and whether you want the hairs thinner or thicker and how dense you want your brush to be.

I am mainly a face latherer and use boars most of the times. Lately all we hear about on B&B is Omega and Semogue, and you won't hear negative comments about these from me, but there are much more options.

There is my favourite; the Vulfix 2189 built like forever. Long break in period and great with soaps but also very good with creams; more so than most others in my den. Other really nice well made boars come from HJM (Mühle), a bit stiffer at first but they braek in faster than the Vulfix.

Good luck picking your 'best' boar!!

 

[Drubbing]

I like the handle aesthetics of the S830 and also the flow through, my main gripes are and this I admit is a strange one for a boar user I think it lacks backbone... Compared to my Simpsons G3 CH1 and Rooney Finest it is positively floppy so I'd enjoy a little more backbone (the problem could be a density issue aswell), I will finish on a high note by saying that the 830 is comfortably the softest brush I own and that I must commend it on that. I don't mind if my next boar loses a bit of softness to gain more strength.

In that case you may find the SOC too soft. The 1305 has the same loft and hair as the 830, but less dense. From reports, the 830 has less backbone though. Which is odd, as I thought essentially the same brush with extra density would be stiffer.

Or to be sure, the short scrubby 620.

 

[Loric]

Wow. Pure YMMV. Don't have the 31025 but do have the 81052. Get both then tell us what you think.

The 81052 has a little bit shorter loft (54 vs. 60mm) that would compensate a bit for the flop. Plus I'm finicky with brushes....maybe even bordering on overcritical if they are not right for *me*.

 

[SubmarinerLV]

The 81052 has a little bit shorter loft (54 vs. 60mm) that would compensate a bit for the flop. Plus I'm finicky with brushes....maybe even bordering on overcritical if they are not right for *me*.

I'm like that too if a brush ain't right it gets both barrels . Anyway I've made a decision I'll get the SOC and a 620 and a 1305 and then I'll stop I promise*

*lie

Regards Grant

 

[Loric]

At least your covering all your bases with that order

 

[SubmarinerLV]

At least your covering all your bases with that order

That's good I wasn't sure I was being thorough enough!

Regards Grant

 

[mftoms59]

My Boreal 322 blew out the center of the knot last Monday(2 clumps, about 100 hairs left a nice hole), I just ordered a couple of Omegas; Omega #40033 $6.99, Ht: 88 mm Loft: 48 mm Base: 40 mm Knot: 23 mm; Omega #11575 - Matte Satin Chrome Boar with Orange Pizazz $11.99, Ht: 106 mm Loft: 56 mm Base: 50 mm Knot: 23 mm, + 5.99 S&H.

Looking forward to breaking them in, I mainly bowl lather with Tabac SS or La Toja SC.

Right now I'm down to my Vie Long Horse Hair, nice little brush that gives me enough lather for three passes, just PIFed my Escali Badger (Tweezerman twin) to a co- worker wanting to try wetshaving.

P.S. don'y like my Boars disguised as Badgers, Blond Bristles Only!!

 

[Fozz7769]

I'm like that too if a brush ain't right it gets both barrels . Anyway I've made a decision I'll get the SOC and a 620 and a 1305 and then I'll stop I promise*

*lie

Regards Grant

Great choices.

Be prepared to be paaatient with the 620. They break into a great little brush that has soft tips with a hint of scritch, the back bone remains strong & it has great flow through. Excellent at lathering shave sticks & face lathering soaps.

The 1305 is a .......great boar brush.