Lather problems with new boar brush.

[WhippingPost]

Bought a new Semogue 1520 and I'm having difficulty getting anything other than soapy water out of it. I face lather, and have no problems getting good lather out of my also-new Omega Mighty Midget or no-named pure badger. However, when it comes to the Semogue, I can't seem to get the lather to "pop" the way the other brushes do. I get to the point that I normally say "just a tiny bit more water," and then it seems like I'm washing what lather I did have off of my face.

Obviously, I know that pictures would help a great deal, but I can't make those happen until tomorrow night. I just wondered if anybody had a similar problem and could offer some insight.

 

[djh]

I found a huge difference in lathering ability between my Semogue 620 (when new) and my normal badger brushes. I noticed that for the first couple of shaves I had to re-visit the soap puck in order to ensure that I had enough soap on board for proper lather. Once I had done that, things worked fine. The brush probably needed 20 lather-and-dry cycles before it really started to perform well.

 

[FaPat5]

I don't know if you do this already, but make sure you soak the brush well beforehand? Works for me. Maybe this one needs that to retain more water (or maybe more soap?)

 

[WhippingPost]

Thanks, guys! I do soak the brush beforehand (while I'm in the shower). I thought I was loading the brush well enough, but I guess it's I possible that a lack of water to begin with - due to not being broken in - would cause a lack of soap. I'll rotate it every other shave and keep at it, and reload it during the first stages of building my lather. Soaps and creams are pretty cheap, after all!

 

[itsmedave]

Semogue brushes are notorious for having a break-in period. Give it a bit more product and a bit more water and it should work much better.

 

[jim9112]

def more break in. Don't give up on it and you'll be rewarded later.

 

[Mandina]

I purchased and received a cheap ($11, delivered) 23 mm-knot Omega boar brush three weeks ago, which I began using after just one day of initial rinsing and soaking. While it obviously will improve with use, it's nonetheless lathered soaps very well (I face lather) from the start. Is there a general break-in difference between Omega and Semogue brushes?

 

[bkflyfisher]

Not broken in: lather/let fully dry-repeat. Brush will start to come into it's own after about 15X doing this. At least was my experience with my 5 Semogues.

 

[djh]

I purchased and received a cheap ($11, delivered) 23 mm-knot Omega boar brush three weeks ago, which I began using after just one day of initial rinsing and soaking. While it obviously will improve with use, it's nonetheless lathered soaps very well (I face lather) from the start. Is there a general break-in difference between Omega and Semogue brushes?

I have used a couple of Omega brushes and they have performed quite well straight out of the box. My Semogue on the other hand, took quite a few cycles before it started to do a good job.

 

[mistercitizen]

I did all kinds of palm lathers and break in lathers for a couple months with my three Semogue boar brushes. Two months worth is more than necessary.... but I get nothing but great performance and lathers from all of them now. I have the SOC, 830 and 620. Even if they aren't in need of "breaking in", the palm lathers help give you a feel for building a good lather with the brushes.

Ben

 

[musicman1951]

I did all kinds of palm lathers and break in lathers for a couple months with my three Semogue boar brushes. Two months worth is more than necessary.... but I get nothing but great performance and lathers from all of them now. I have the SOC, 830 and 620. Even if they aren't in need of "breaking in", the palm lathers help give you a feel for building a good lather with the brushes.

+1 I do a couple of weeks with palm lathers. The SOC required less break in, but they get better.

 

[WhippingPost]

Just a quick update: the 1520 is already showing an improvement in lather quality using it every other day. I'm looking forward to seeing how this brush breaks in further, as it's such a nice brush to look at!