ok... which boar to try?

[Schmitty_78]

I have a VDH which I never use and a EJ Best Badger that I have used for the past 40 shaves. The EJ does a great job with the creams, but I have not been too happy with the soaps (I am ready to admit user error ). I must say that I have been tempted to try out a "high-end" boar. I would like to see what $15-$25 in boar does when compared to $45 in badger (lets not get the $100+ badger thing going). So with that said here are the three boars that I am looking at. I am thinking more for soap than anything else.

Omega 10048 $16.49
Ht: 133 mm Loft: 70 mm Base: 65 mm Knot: 28 mm

Boreal 977 Pro Model $17.99
Ht: 129 mm Loft: 64 mm Base: 65mm Knot: 28 mm

Koh-I-Noor SC68 Professional $29.00
Ht: 132 mm Loft: 65 mm Base: 67 mm Knot: 25 mm

And here are the pics in the same order:

 

[Koss]

#31064

 

[cityjim]

The Omegas are ok , IF you give them a haircut .

Take some sharp scissors and chop the hairs down to 55mm .

Then angle cut the tips to add a curved shape on the tips . If you want this feature that is . If not leave them flat accross the tips .

Then run the ends only of the hairs on 220 grit wet/dry sandpaper . This will break-in the bristles and soften the tips back up . Don't smash the brush into the sandpaper . Just work the tips of the hairs . Do several figure 8 patterns . You will feel the bristles softening up while working on your face . More you work it the softer the tips become .

My opinion the Omegas hairs are too long . This creates a floppy brush that collapses on the face . The hairs bend in half due to excessive length . Mine did out of the box .

Notice in you comment the 70mm loft on the Omega ? Way too long .

You also could do a 60mm trim job on the initial cut . Just to see how it works for you . Depending on if you like more scrubbing action or not . Then try 55mm . I got mine at 50 mm . Works great for me . Nice balance of scrubbing action and softness . Well at 50mm it's a little rough compared to a silvertip but I like it that way . Silvertips are pure mush with zero scrubbing action . They just pack with lather and you have to paint your face with it .


Also you might use the VDH more . Use if for a few weeks and allow it to break in . Give it a chance to shine for you . Mine at $4.45 works great after a few weeks of shaving . Don't stop using it due to the low price . Don't let that fool you . Good luck with it .


cityjim

 

[kooshman7]

Curiosity might get the better of me and I'd say take one for the team and try the Koh-i-noor brush and report back how it is!

I agree with cityjim that the omega 48's loft is too long. I didn't know it was 70mm. Wow. Even with a 28mm knot still longer than I care.

Why not share with us schmitty what you like with your VDH boar, what you think you might like, etc. Basically answer the questions in this post.

That should help matters a bit more. And Koss's suggestion might not be bad either. Reading his opinions of it just a few days ago got me to delay my order again to add one of those brushes to my order. Funny as I also ordered A Boreal 977.

 

[vitaman]

The only help I can give is.....the Omega 48 is a huge b---h!!

 

[taffy]

As above, but i have now got used to it and i enjoy using it.

 

[htownmmm]

I have ownded the the Omega 48 for a long time and absolutely love it. It is a great boar brush and will serve you well. The others appear to have the same likeness except for 2 mm(Koh-I-Noor).

I have just purchased my 2nd boar brush-the Semogue 2000. Having takenit for its initial usage this morning, I can tell you that it is extremely soft, but whipped up a lather w/ SCS soap like nobody's business! The Semogue's claim to fame is that it is denser than other boar brushes(plus, the handle is curvy and hefty).

I believe it costs about what the Koh-I- Noor does-exchange rate and all that. However, it is also hand made with a ring where the knot goes into the handle to prevent the loss of hairs.

If I had been aware of this brush long ago, it would have been my first shave brush purchase.


marty

 

[OneRand]

The cheap omegas are great beginner brush. The 31064 is a favorite among many boar users. Boreal looks like rebranded Omega.

 

[Schmitty_78]

The cheap omegas are great beginner brush. The 31064 is a favorite among many boar users. Boreal looks like rebranded Omega.

Looks like the 31064 is a B&B favorite. I will probably end up going this route, but has anyone ever tried the Koh-I-Noor? If so, what were your thoughts?

 

[menemsha43]

Another 31064 user here. Solid choice

 

[arcman]

The Omegas are ok , IF you give them a haircut .

Take some sharp scissors and chop the hairs down to 55mm .

Then angle cut the tips to add a curved shape on the tips . If you want this feature that is . If not leave them flat accross the tips .

Then run the ends only of the hairs on 220 grit wet/dry sandpaper . This will break-in the bristles and soften the tips back up . Don't smash the brush into the sandpaper . Just work the tips of the hairs . Do several figure 8 patterns . You will feel the bristles softening up while working on your face . More you work it the softer the tips become .

My opinion the Omegas hairs are too long . This creates a floppy brush that collapses on the face . The hairs bend in half due to excessive length . Mine did out of the box .

Notice in you comment the 70mm loft on the Omega ? Way too long .

You also could do a 60mm trim job on the initial cut . Just to see how it works for you . Depending on if you like more scrubbing action or not . Then try 55mm . I got mine at 50 mm . Works great for me . Nice balance of scrubbing action and softness . Well at 50mm it's a little rough compared to a silvertip but I like it that way . Silvertips are pure mush with zero scrubbing action . They just pack with lather and you have to paint your face with it .


Also you might use the VDH more . Use if for a few weeks and allow it to break in . Give it a chance to shine for you . Mine at $4.45 works great after a few weeks of shaving . Don't stop using it due to the low price . Don't let that fool you . Good luck with it .


cityjim

If you want a shorter Omega brush you can buy a shorter Omega brush... I can't think of any reason why you would buy an Omega professional boar brush and then trim it down. The tips are going to be softer in the long run if you simply leave them their natural length and let them soften up with use, or accelerate the splitting of the hairs by drying it with a hair dryer.

Personally I prefer the large loft of the professional line. The hairs are long and luxurious, they're fairly flexible which lends itself to the softness, but the hairs are plenty stiff enough that you don't get a brush that flops around everywhere.

 

[arcman]

Also, my preference is the 20106.

 

[kooshman7]

http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?p=269898#post269898

Found a review for it here Schmitty. Hope it helps!

 

[VR6ofpain]

I vote the Semogue 1305:

 

[greenerock]

I like this one a lot

 

[Suzuki]

I think that all of these brushes are quality boar brushes - I think that more than $20 for a boar brush is excessive (but that's just me).

I think the Omega Pro is one of the best, even with its high loft and I don't recommend trimming it - I tried it and didn't like it - but hey, if you're curious, at least you won't be out much.

I also think that you can get an Omega pro for less than $16.50. - Westcoast shaving sells a variant for $9.00.

I'm a big fan of the boar brushes and think its great that they're getting so much press around here as of late.

 

[SRock]

I think that all of these brushes are quality boar brushes - I think that more than $20 for a boar brush is excessive (but that's just me).

I think the Omega Pro is one of the best, even with its high loft and I don't recommend trimming it - I tried it and didn't like it - but hey, if you're curious, at least you won't be out much.

I also think that you can get an Omega pro for less than $16.50. - Westcoast shaving sells a variant for $9.00.

I'm a big fan of the boar brushes and think its great that they're getting so much press around here as of late.

I've owned a few boar brushes, but ultimately the only one I kept is an Omega Pro. Great boar brush.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Good to know on the Pro Slag...been contemplating a Boar myself!

 

[SRock]

Good to know on the Pro Slag...been contemplating a Boar myself!

When I first started in all of this I quickly snatched up a C&E BBB, an Omega Boar and an EJ synthetic. I wanted to be able to compare for myself. The Omega still gets use, I've moved on (and up) from the BBB and the synthetic just sits on the shelf.

 

[Philq]

I use the Omega Pro and I also have the Semogue 1305.......The 1305 is my favorite.I feel it is the best boar around the 2000 and 1520 are also execellant.
They can be purchased from Vintage Scent for under $20.00