Omega Banded Vs. Plain

[Rockytop]

Thinking about ordering an Omega boar brush. Believe it or not, I have never used a boar.

Does anyone know if there is a difference in quality or performance in the banded versus the plan knots? Is it just cosmetic? I'm finding both in some of the same handles.

Thanks for your help.

 

[ZethLent]

The black 'sketching' is just for looks. I personally prefer the unbleached non-sketched look of boar, but am finding the 2009 Limited Semogue boar with blackened roots a very nice look (I have #32). Although the seller will probably not state it, there are both bleached and unbleached boar brushes out there.

As a first time user you should expect it to take about a month for the bristle ends to start to split and 3 months for it to fully 'break in'. After that you will wonder why you and others (myself included) pay so much for brand name badger.

My Omega Professional is well broken in and is a pillow on the face when full of lather. There is a member 'Zach' on some of the other shaving forums (previously SMF and now TSD) who is a mountain of knowledge regarding boar.

Omega is a great brand to start with.

 

[gollum83]

As mentioned, stretching is just for looks, it doesn't affect performance at all. So just get whatever catches your fancy.

 

[Ignatius]

As mentioned, stretching is just for looks

Indeed.

it doesn't affect performance at all.

This I think is debateable. Its been speculated that the bleaching process softens up the bristles, or that the bristle used in the higher end boars that get bleached is in and of itself different, but after owning a number of Omegas its pretty obvious that the banded 31*** series has a very different feel to it; much softer (and better, imo) than the other Omegas.

 

[gollum83]

So what? Are we going to debate now?

 

[cvac]

I bought a banded Omega because it was in front of me at a local store for $10 and came with a travel tube and stand. I'd never used a boar before either but I figured why not for the price. The brush appears to be well made and seems to do a good job with the practice lathers I've done to break it in. I'll probably give it a go in a few days.

My take is buy whatever you want. If you can find the $10 model with the tube and stand, I'd go for that because you won't be out a lot of $ if you don't like it.

 

[Bertilak]

I don't have enough sample data to prove anything in general but I have experience with three Boar brushes: Omega 49, Omega "something else I forget" and Semogue 620. There are three different styles of bristle:

Omega 49: This is unbleached and is the softest and the best performer. Somewhat "luxurious" feeling after its break in.

Other Omega: Almost identical to the 49 but bleached and it seemed a little "harsher". Like it won't break in as the 49 did.

Semogue: Colored (and I assume bleached). Doesn't lather near as well but this might be because it much smaller. It also isn't as "luxurious" feeling as the 49.

 

[kevtex]

Here's some very good reading about boar brushes by Zach. I even bookmarked it for future reference.
http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35880&highlight=boar

 

[Rockytop]

Wow, great information guys.

That link to Zack's article is really helpful.

Thanks.

 

[David in Boston]

That was a great article.

I'm still using a VDH boar brush and hope to upgrade someday.

Was considering a badger somewhat but after reading that article I'm sticking with boar brushes.