Looking for something better than my Omega 31064 for face lathering

[Rambo]

Hey guys. I've been out of the game for a LONG time so hopefully you can help me out here. I'm looking for a replacement for my current boar brush, the Omega 31064. Its ok, but I'm getting a bit bored of it, and honestly I think there are better options out there. I'm a face latherer and am made of a sponge material, coupled with porcupine-like coating. So I soak up water like a sonofabitch. Often, no matter what soap I use, by the time I'm done lathering one side of my face with the Omega the other is already dried out. It makes finding a nice balance pretty difficult.

I've been poking around so far and this is what I've come up with:

Semogue 620, 1438, 1800, SMC (although whether this is good for face lathering seems to be up for debate), 830, and 50"something" (I can't read my notes from earlier).

Let me know which you would recommend and why. The size of the Omega seems ok to me so far but I can't imagine wanting to go much bigger. No problem going any smaller. Soaps are probably going to be MWF (still trying to get the handle of this) Provance Sante, and Pre de Provance.

 

[Atalk]

As a fellow owner of the Omega 31064 brush, I can say that the brush is not ideal for face lathering. In my opinion - Although the knot is large, it is not very dense, it splays very easily, and most surprisingly, the backbone just isn't there. For low cost alternative, I recommend the Omega B&B essential brush. The tips (after break-in) are soft but there is more backbone and the splay is more controlled.

 

[RVshave]

I was PIFed that omega and it bowl lathers nice but as far as face, not really, so I'm going to PIF this brush. I think you're onto something with the 620 I also have a Vie Long in natural white set at 49mm loft and love it and a silvertip set at 45mm and it's great. On a budget I'ld go with the 620 but have also heard great things about the B&B essential. So many brushes and not enough time. Personally I like a lower loft for face lathering, mid 40's for badger and around 50 for boar.

 

[Rambo]

Well, admittedly, even at something like $30, these are all what I would consider 'budget'. Especially after the days of $300 Simpsons and $1000's of creams, soaps, razors, etc.

 

[bassopotamus]

I've got a Semogue 830 that is a fantastic face lathering brush.

I have an omega 20107 with a different handle, and no fake banding, but basically the same dimensions as your 31064, and I think it is pretty lousy. I am still trying to get it broken in, but right now, it is the fantastic combination of scratchy and lacking backbone. It is also a lather hog. I was trying to bowl lather it the other night, and nothing happened, then i was able to wring out a ton of lather. It just won't give it up.

The semogue, on the other hand, at least after break in, is pretty close to perfect.

 

[BRITD]

Well, admittedly, even at something like $30, these are all what I would consider 'budget'. after the days of $300 Simpsons and $1000's of creams, soaps, razors, etc.

Then you would know that for some, a $30 boar brush can perform every bit as good, or even better than a $300 badger.

 

[Rambo]

Then you would know that for some, a $30 boar brush can perform every bit as good, or even better than a $300 badger.

Why do you think I'm here???

 

[deruitem]

As a fellow owner of the Omega 31064 brush, I can say that the brush is not ideal for face lathering. In my opinion - Although the knot is large, it is not very dense, it splays very easily, and most surprisingly, the backbone just isn't there. For low cost alternative, I recommend the Omega B&B essential brush. The tips (after break-in) are soft but there is more backbone and the splay is more controlled.

This is what I want my next brush to be

 

[Okla1911]

I would recommend the B&B - it's the right size for face lathering. Now I just ordered the Semogue 610 but haven't gotten it.

 

[SteveWY]

At the risk of redundancy... The B&B Essential is fabulous if you like the handle desigh and a very dense yet soft-tipped boar and any of the Semogues mentioned based on personal preference are great.

 

[KW Driver]

I think my 830 is better than the B&B essential. I haven't tried a 620 or a SOC, but I've heard good things.

 

[mswofford]

I guess ignorance is bliss; I'm happy with my 31064. It's breaking in nicely. What's wrong with me?

 

[Rambo]

At the risk of redundancy... The B&B Essential is fabulous if you like the handle desigh and a very dense yet soft-tipped boar and any of the Semogues mentioned based on personal preference are great.

Is there something not to like about the handle?

I guess ignorance is bliss; I'm happy with my 31064. It's breaking in nicely. What's wrong with me?

Its probably syphilis. The third stage can be quite tricky.

 

[Rambo]

I think my 830 is better than the B&B essential. I haven't tried a 620 or a SOC, but I've heard good things.

Sorry, I skipped this. Why? What makes it better?

 

[mswofford]

Its probably syphilis. The third stage can be quite tricky.

Rambo; I'm sure you're right. I really need to be more careful!

 

[Rambo]

Where do you guys recommend buying these Semogue brushes from? Outside of the SOC, which can only be bought (at a normal price) from VintageScent, right?

 

[KW Driver]

Why do I like the 830 better than the B&B?

I prefer the ergonomics of the handle on the 830 better. It fits to hand better for me, especially when loading or bowl lathering. I have somewhat bigger than normal hands, and end up with the bottom of the handle in my palm, with my fingertips almost at the knot/handle joint, at the top of the handle.

I haven't completely broken in the B&B, but I'm less enamored of the knot. The loft feels too tall for the knot diameter, affecting the backbone. Especially when I face lather, the tips splay more than I like, so far. And they tend to splay out in only two directions off the centerline of the knot. I don't know that I'm using too much pressure, but neither my 830, 1520, horse or badgers do that.

For me, the 830 has the right balance of soft tips, backbone, splay and knot size, of my boars. I've asked a guy I respect his opinion of the SOC, and he said what I would have of the 830, so I don't know how they compare, and haven't been convinced that it's worth it to upgrade.

My favorite brush is my Whipped Dog silver tip, with a 20mm knot set at 45mm. It's my primary traveller (better than my Wee Scott), but it's also just right to me, other than a touch smaller than I'd like for a house brush. I have another 22mm/50mm that can bowl lather, but it's too floppy to face lather. If I had that one to do over, I might have set it at 47mm loft.

 

[mswofford]

Where do you guys recommend buying these Semogue brushes from? Outside of the SOC, which can only be bought (at a normal price) from VintageScent, right?

Rambo; West coast shaving, a B&B vendor sells Semogue brushes. Check their website.

 

[Rambo]

I just looked up the 620, 830, 1438, and 1305 on Amazon. They all have the same knot diameter and bristle loft. Is there any difference in the hair? Or is it all just handle design?

 

[jpakstis]

I just looked up the 620, 830, 1438, and 1305 on Amazon. They all have the same knot diameter and bristle loft. Is there any difference in the hair? Or is it all just handle design?

Amazon is probably incorrect. The 830 and 1305 have the same knot (90% premium tops 22mm/55mm) but in different handles. The 830 is acrylic and the 1305 is wood. The 620 and the 1438 have the same knot (I can't remember the type of hair, but it's 22mm/50mm) except the 620 is acrylic and IIRC undyed, whereas the 1438 is a wood handle.

As for where to get them, besides WCS, I know that Bullgoose carries them and Lees Razors.